GOT King of Dragon

After a long pause, Lyonel stopped dwelling on the issue of succession and expressed his willingness to comply. 

He had foreseen how the king's actions might plant seeds of discord for the kingdom's future. 

As Hand of the King, he needed to find a way to address this delicate issue. 

Lyonel had already devised numerous strategies concerning the succession and was more than prepared to tackle it. 

He said, "Speaking of the Princess's marriage prospects, I have a well-considered candidate in mind." 

"Who? Last time you mentioned Laenor Velaryon, the son of Corlys Velaryon, the Sea Snake, didn't you?" 

As long as the topic didn't touch on changing the line of succession, Viserys was quite amenable, even smiling as he spoke. 

"Ser Laenor is indeed an excellent choice for an alliance, but that was a proposal from six months ago," Lyonel replied without hesitation. "Your Grace, I believe that, from many perspectives, the Princess should follow the Targaryen family tradition." 

"Rhaegar?" 

Viserys's smile froze as he asked with a frown, "He's only six years old, and Rhaenyra is already fourteen. By the time they're both of age, Rhaenyra will practically be an old maid." 

Lyonel, confident in his reasoning, responded, "This is not a problem. They are only eight years apart, and they can marry in no more than ten years. In the meantime, they could be betrothed, discouraging any outsiders from coveting the Princess." 

His direct and insightful advice showcased both Lyonel Strong's wisdom and his loyalty to the kingdom. 

There was no denying that his words struck a chord with Viserys. 

In the six months since Rhaegar had regained his health, Viserys had avoided expressing an opinion but had been silently weighing the situation. 

He didn't want to revoke Rhaenyra's status as heir for the sake of his eldest son. 

Such a move would surely cause his daughter to resent him. 

He already felt immense guilt toward Rhaenyra, the daughter who had lost her mother at a young age. 

At the same time, he knew deep down that Rhaegar was a more suitable heir than Rhaenyra. 

Privately, some lords had even hinted that the succession should be reconsidered, but Viserys had brushed them off. 

To avoid stirring resentment in Rhaegar, he had ordered his son confined to the Red Keep, barring him from freely leaving or hearing any rumors about the line of succession. 

He was deceiving himself. 

Perhaps, he thought, as long as Rhaegar didn't hear these things, he wouldn't grow discontent with being passed over. 

Perhaps his own guilt toward both children would ease. 

But he knew that such denial wouldn't last. 

He couldn't confine Rhaegar forever, nor could he block his ears from the truth. 

For this reason, he paid special attention to Rhaenyra's marriage prospects. 

If Rhaenyra could marry into a powerful family, her position on the Iron Throne would be secure. 

At that point, even if her siblings harbored ambitions, they would lack the strength to challenge her. 

Lyonel had offered him an excellent suggestion, opening a new path. 

Encouraging Rhaenyra to follow family tradition would not only quash external ambitions for the throne but also unite her and Rhaegar, preventing a rift over the succession. 

Leaning toward the idea, Viserys maintained his composure and asked, "But what if they resist the match?" 

"It won't be an issue. The Targaryen family has always upheld this tradition, dating back to Old Valyria," Lyonel said, seeing through the king's hesitation. "The young prince is still too young to understand such matters. As long as the Princess can be persuaded, everything will fall into place." 

Satisfied with the answer, Viserys smiled and said, "Lyonel, you truly are my most reliable advisor. 

"Sometimes I wonder how I'd manage without you." 

Lyonel adjusted his slightly crooked collar and replied earnestly, "As Hand of the King, it is my duty to serve. I dare not take undue credit." 

"I'll adopt your suggestion and discuss it with Rhaenyra later," Viserys said, appreciating Lyonel's humility. 

Compared to Lyonel Strong's selfless dedication, his predecessor Otto Hightower paled in comparison. 

Otto's overreach had been blatant—marrying off his daughter to align with royal power, secretly rallying lords to support his grandson Aegon, and repeatedly urging Viserys to change the line of succession. 

If not for these actions, Viserys, who hated offending others, wouldn't have dismissed him and sent him back to Oldtown. 

**Knock, knock, knock...** 

Just as Viserys and Lyonel were enjoying wine and reaching a consensus, a series of urgent knocks interrupted them. 

Frowning, Viserys said impatiently, "What is it? I'm discussing state matters with the Hand of the King." 

From outside, Ser Harrold Westerling, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, called out, "Your Grace, Prince Rhaegar has just returned from the Dragonpit. His attendants report that he's suffered a serious injury!" 

"What? Rhaegar is injured? What happened?" Viserys demanded, his irritation giving way to concern. 

As soon as he heard that his eldest son was injured, Viserys couldn't remain seated. He hurriedly got up and opened the door.

Hadlow's expression was grim. "I heard from the attendants that Prince Rhaegar suffered burns. It seems he failed in his attempt to tame a dragon?"

"Those damn Dragonpit handlers! How dare they let Rhaegar attempt to tame a dragon on his own!" 

Viserys erupted in furious curses.

Leonor tried to calm him down. "Your Majesty, this isn't the time to argue about blame. We should first check on the prince's condition." 

Burns caused by dragonfire were no trivial matter. With luck, one might survive. 

But even the slightest misstep could lead to a disastrous outcome. 

A young prince was of immense importance to the kingdom and was a vital member of House Targaryen. 

He absolutely couldn't die at a time like this. 

Viserys came to his senses and said frantically, "You're right, take me to see Rhaegar. Have the Grand Maester begin treatment immediately!" 

Even as he spoke, Viserys's legs moved on their own, carrying him toward the exit. 

"Your Majesty, the prince's chambers are downstairs. I'll guide you there," Harold said, stopping Viserys's panicked movements and escorting him down the staircase. 

The group soon arrived at Rhaegar's room. 

Standing in the corridor, Viserys saw that the door to Rhaegar's room was open. At a glance, he could see Rhaegar lying unconscious on the bed, the severe burns on his back exposed. 

In that brief moment, Viserys's eyes widened, and he felt as though his heart was being ripped apart. 

"Rhaegar!" 

Calling out softly, Viserys quickly approached the bedside, looking at his eldest son in anguish. 

Beside him, Grand Maester Mellos was unwrapping a roll of bandages. He cautioned, "Your Majesty, it's best not to disturb the prince. His injuries are severe." 

Viserys turned his head to Mellos and asked urgently, "What's Rhaegar's condition?" 

Mellos shook his head and said in a somber tone, "The situation is grim. He has extensive burns across his body, inflicted by dragonfire. Recovery will be incredibly challenging." 

"Whatever medicine you need, just ask for it. You must save Rhaegar." 

Viserys's eldest son had survived frailty and illness in the past. If he were now to die due to negligence and dragonfire, Viserys felt he might lose his mind. 

He couldn't even imagine how he would face Rhaenyra—or how he would answer to his late wife, Aemma Arryn. 

"There's no need for rare medicines. The prince's wounds were initially treated by someone with considerable skill," Mellos replied as he carefully wrapped bandages around Rhaegar's body to prevent fluid loss and infection. 

The movements inadvertently woke Rhaegar from his unconscious state. 

Even before opening his eyes, he heard Viserys's sorrowful voice pleading with the Grand Maester: 

"Please, Mellos, do everything you can to save him. I cannot bear to lose another loved one." 

---

*Author's note: This chapter has been revised to reflect Targaryen family traditions—those who understand will understand.* 

*(End of chapter)*