บท 26: Chapter 25: Inescapable Melancholy
The naval battle outside continued.
Viserys had already donned a custom-made small suit of leather armor, with metal plates wrapped around key areas like his chest and wrists.
He also held a short sword in his arms, custom-made according to his height, looking like an oversized sewing needle.
Slim, lightweight, and sharp.
The silver-haired boy stood on a stool, leaning on the windowsill to watch the distant naval battle. Stones coated in burning pitch traced streaks of light across the dark sea.
Flames raged on ships engaged in boarding combat. The clash of swords and the cries of soldiers from both sides shook the heavens. Despite the distance and carried by the sea breeze, Viserys could vaguely hear some of it.
However, at this moment.
He didn't know why he felt so restless.
He had a feeling that something bad was about to happen, yet he didn't know the reason.
Perhaps it was the anticipation of fate's judgment, even though he knew the outcome, he was unsure if his arrival had already altered history.
Indeed...
He had already changed history.
Ever since Kevan Lannister died at his hand, the trajectory of this world had started to change.
He now somewhat regretted his impulsiveness, uncertain if the Lannisters, known for the saying "A Lannister always pays his debts," would launch a mad retaliation.
If he had hidden in the carriage and not assisted Ser William, perhaps he would have agreed to Kevan's request to let bygones be bygones.
And if he had done nothing, they would have been able to escape to Dragonstone following the original trajectory.
But...
Would doing nothing really change nothing?
Viserys watched as the flaming longships sank into the sea, and countless soldiers from both sides screamed and flailed in the water, their efforts futile. He was momentarily lost in thought.
He was well aware that all events were composed of probabilities.
Perhaps even if he had done nothing, or even if he had never arrived, everything would happen differently if it were to occur again.
Moreover, if he did nothing, his future would be crowned with molten gold, or meet some other kind of demise.
He didn't think the Baratheon family would spare him and his unborn sister.
However, thinking about this made him realize that his sister's birth was destined to cost their mother her life, which only added to his inner turmoil.
After more than half a year together, he had truly integrated into this world. Queen Rhaella, his mother, was truly good to him, and he didn't want to lose her.
But Viserys couldn't ask his mother to abort his sister or tell her that the child in her womb was destined to take her life.
He could only try to make his mother happy, trying to dispel the melancholy in his heart. However, Viserys' efforts seemed to be of little effect.
Although Queen Rhaella forced a smile in front of her son, the deep sorrow in her eyes was visible to everyone.
Heartache is difficult to heal.
The deaths of her husband Aerys and eldest son Rhaegar had become an unbearable pain in Rhaella's heart.
Silver-gold curls danced in the sea breeze as Viserys leaned against the window sill, clutching his sword.
He then sighed softly.
...
On the other side of the castle on Dragonstone.
"Hm?"
The faint sound was exceptionally clear in the silent corridor, drawing the attention of all the mercenaries present.
"Someone there?"
The leader of the Brave Companions narrowed his eyes, a flash of ruthlessness and cruelty crossing his gaze.
Slowly, he pulled a dagger from his boot and gripped it in his hand.
He glanced at the ax-wielding man who had initially denied the presence of anyone, but was now looking somewhat flustered. The leader didn't dwell on it; he leaned against the obsidian wall, his shadow wavering, and carefully approached the dark corner with dagger in hand.
If someone was truly hiding there, they were in for a world of trouble. Although their main objective was to eliminate the last of the Targaryens, the leader wouldn't mind granting a swift end to anyone foolish enough to get in their way.
A cruel smirk formed on the leader's lips as his dagger gleamed menacingly.
His figure drew closer and closer to the dark corner, and he felt he could almost hear the nervous breathing of the person hiding there.
But just then...
"Meow~"
He had reached the dark corner when the unexpected sound of a cat's meow caught him off guard.
"A cat?"
The cruel smile on the leader's face froze, and he hesitated with the dagger in hand. The other six mercenaries behind him relaxed, especially the ax-wielding man.
It seemed like a misunderstanding; no one was hiding in that corner, just a stray cat that had wandered in and made a noise.
The misunderstanding was resolved.
Still gripping his dagger, the leader cautiously decided to confirm it one more time.
Pressing himself against the wall, he slowly peeked around the corner, his bloodshot eye appearing on the other side of the corridor.
The torchlight was dim and sparse in this part of the corridor.
In the faint darkness, a pitch-black cat sat beneath a potted plant, its green eyes meeting the man's bloodshot, cruel gaze.
The cat tilted its head slightly.
"Meow~"
It let out another curious meow.
"It really is just a damn cat."
The leader of the Brave Companions walked out, cursing under his breath.
At the same time, he let out a sigh of relief internally, as their risky surprise attack left no room for unexpected complications.
What he didn't see was the small figure hiding behind the potted plant next to the black cat, curled up and trembling with fear.
Princess Rhaenys was born beautiful, but her forehead was slightly prominent. She had accidentally bumped her head against the wall while trying to slip away, falling on her behind.
At that moment, Rhaenys thought she was done for, but Balerion appeared just in time.
The little girl hid behind the plant, shivering and praying they wouldn't find her.
It seemed Rhaenys' prayers were heard by the Seven, as the leader of the Brave Companions didn't insist on confronting a mere cat.
He turned back to rejoin his companions.
The misunderstanding was completely resolved.
...
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