Night had fallen.
Viserys had finally returned to his own bedroom.
Since Viserys had left, this room was not allowed to be entered by others on ordinary days, so a thin layer of dust had accumulated on the desks and wardrobes in his bedroom.
Viserys' bedroom was not very large, but it was elegantly decorated. Stone pillars with murals carved into them supported the ceiling, exquisite tapestries hung on the walls, and a fire was lit in the fireplace to dispel the cold of the winter night.
Now, an old maid with a forehead full of wrinkles, dressed in a simple gray robe and a gray cloth headscarf, was tidying up Viserys' bedroom, holding a dust cloth in her hand.
Viserys was standing on the stone balcony of his bedroom, looking at the view outside the window.
It was now late at night.
He hadn't been back for three or four months, and he did miss home a bit, but what he missed more were Rhaenys and the other little one.
Then, the young man's thoughts were all over the place, not knowing where to start. Viserys leaned on the balcony and sighed lightly.
"Prince, do you miss home a bit?"
The old maid who was tidying up his room heard Viserys' sigh.
Then, without stopping her work, she just looked up at Viserys' back and asked in a hoarse voice.
As Viserys had said when he saw Jon, there were not many people who would still subconsciously call him 'Prince' now.
And this old maid was one of them. She was Queen Rhaella's maid, and she had come to the Red Keep when Rhaella was still a girl.
She had watched Rhaella grow up, marry Aerys, become a mother and give birth to Rhaegar and Viserys, and then she had witnessed the fall of House Targaryen and followed Rhaella to Dragonstone.
This old maid had once changed Viserys' diapers, and when he was small, she had held his hand and taught him to walk in the garden.
However, many things were told to him by his mother, Queen Rhaella, later on. Viserys didn't remember things from that time.
And on the eve of the fall of King's Landing, his father Aerys used his last lucid moments to order the evacuation of his queen and his son.
The old maid had dressed Viserys at that time, then met with his mother, and then hurriedly got on a carriage to escape King's Landing.
"Sophia..."
Viserys heard the old maid's words, turned his head to look at her, opened his mouth to say something, but was a bit tongue-tied for a moment.
However, in the end, he shook his head and said.
"No..."
"I don't miss the Red Keep."
The Red Keep was indeed where everything started for Viserys, but he didn't miss life at the Red Keep.
Because that wasn't him, it was another Viserys.
"I think the concept of 'home' is not a place, but 'people'."
Viserys looked out the window at Andalos, which was gradually falling silent. This was a city he had created with his own hands, like planting a seed, then diligently watering and irrigating it, watching as the seed gradually took root and sprouted, and finally grew into a small tree.
"As long as there are family members, it's home no matter where it is."
Viserys spoke calmly, then paused for a moment before changing the
subject and continuing.
"Grandmother, how have Rhaenys and Daenerys been recently?"
The relationship between Rhaenys and Daenerys wasn't exactly harmonious, perhaps due to conflicts in their personalities.
Rhaenys had raised Daenerys since she was a child, but the two often quarreled. Only when Viserys was around would they restrain themselves a bit.
"Little Dany is still the same as before."
"Polite and sensible."
The old maid smiled as she spoke of the two girls.
"She often goes to the Kingswood to play under the protection of Ser Evin and the guards."
"Dany likes to go out and play now?"
Viserys tilted his head slightly in surprise when he heard the old maid's words.
Daenerys was introverted and liked quiet. When Rhaenys was always clamoring to go out and play, the silver-haired little girl would prefer to stay in the room alone, afraid to go out and play, and even more afraid to meet strangers.
It was mainly because of that big fire that made the girl a bit shy to meet people.
"Yes, Little Dany has become much more lively."
The old maid said, then continued.
"And speaking of the Princess..."
"Recently, the Princess's temperament has also changed quite noticeably."
"Perhaps Little Rhaenys has really grown up."
Although Rhaenys was a few years older than Daenerys, the old maid treated them equally.
"Oh?"
Viserys was somewhat surprised to hear the old maid's words, but he was indeed quite interested in the changes in Rhaenys that Sophia mentioned.
After Viserys left Andalos, he entrusted the city to Rhaenys. Although there were no maesters to assist her now, Rhaenys was doing quite well, at least there were no major problems.
After all, her uncle Oberyn's camp was not far from Andalos, and if there were any problems, Oberyn would always look after his niece.
And in this repeated training, the young girl had undergone some significant changes.
"What happened to Rhaenys?"
Viserys turned around, leaning on the stone balcony and asked.
"Princess Rhaenys has become much more restrained."
"And she has started to seriously learn needlework and governance experience, and if she has any questions, she will write to Prince Oberyn for advice."
"She really looks like a noble princess now."
The old maid's wrinkled face broke into a smile as she spoke.
Rhaenys had always been lively and outgoing, the little devil of the castle. She didn't like ladylike education, music, poetry, singing, dancing, and embroidery.
Instead, she liked to play with swords and guns like a tomboy.
At that time, Rhaenys' education problem had once given Sophia a headache. After all, it was the maester's responsibility to educate the prince, and it was the responsibility of old nannies like Sophia to educate the princess well.
But now, perhaps the girl has grown up, gradually understanding the responsibilities she carries, wanting to actively share some of the pressure for Viserys.
Because Rhaenys knew very well that she was the person Viserys trusted the most.
If she didn't help Viserys, then Viserys would be very lonely fighting alone.
"Perhaps, the Princess... really wants to help you with something."
The old maid said.
"Is that so..."
Viserys listened to the old maid's words, slightly raised his head, and stood there in a daze.
...
The next morning.
Viserys woke up early from his sleep. After resting in Andalos for a night
, he was to ride his dragon back to Pentos today.
He had left Pentos without a word and if he didn't return for a long time, there might be chaos. Viserys was not at ease, and he still had a lot of work left undone in Pentos.
However, after getting up in the morning and dressing, and having breakfast with Rhaenys and little Dany, a letter suddenly arrived in his hands.
It came from a place he didn't expect, slightly delaying Viserys' journey.