Chapter 99: Finding The Real Culprit

"Why was she afraid or guilty?" Rhaegar was thinking fast as he considered Alicent's nervous behavior.

Could it be that she was worried about him? Rhaegar doubted it. Knowing Alicent as he did, she would have preferred he never came back.

Aegon would have one less brother to compete with, making his path to the heirship clearer.

As plates of fine food were set on the table and the feast commenced, Rhaegar mechanically picked his favorite food, finding them tasteless.

Noticing his distraction, Rhaenyra nudged him with her elbow and asked, "What's on your mind?"

Furrowing his brow, Rhaegar abruptly rose from his seat, calling out, "Father!"

Viserys looked up, puzzled. "What is it, Rhaegar?"

Rhaegar's expression grew serious as he asked, "Father, why does a man's heart becomes anxious?"

Viserys looked up and put down his utensils. "A criminal may be anxious when he's trying to avoid getting caught and even more anxious when he's on trial."

"Understood," Rhaegar nodded, his tone shifting. "The night I left, I was attacked by two dragons because someone fed Cannibal a dragon egg laid by Silverwing."

"So, who did this, or rather, who ordered it?" he demanded.

The joy of family reunion couldn't overshadow Rhaegar's determination to get to the bottom of things.

He was aware of the dangers lurking in the shadows, and this time, upon his return, he was determined to expose the mastermind behind the scenes and hold them accountable.

As Rhaegar spoke, the room fell silent.

Rhaenyra watched her brother with a mix of amazement and concern. She'd been wondering why the two dragons had targeted Cannibal, but her concerns for Rhaegar's safety had made her focus on that instead of thinking more deeply about it.

Now, with Rhaegar bringing it to light, she realized someone was plotting against him.

Viserys's expression darkened as he spoke, his voice gruff. "Since your disappearance, I've been investigating. The guards involved in feeding the dragon eggs were found dead on the beach."

He paused, his gaze firm. "Rest assured, justice will be served."

Rhaegar's tone was somber as he continued, "Before I tamed Cannibal, I was lured into Dragonmont. Who was behind it?"

Viserys's expression twisted with guilt. "The guards were in the dark, and the Dragonkeeper was moved to a different post before I could get to the bottom of it."

Then Rhaegar dropped another bombshell. "As I was leaving Vermithor and Silverwing behind, I was attacked by a third dragon—with scarlet flames!"

Viserys shot up from his seat, his fists slamming onto the tabletop. "You're sure it was scarlet flames?" His voice was tight and urgent, each word carrying a sense of urgency.

"I'm certain," Rhaegar said with a firm nod.

Viserys's eyes were ablaze with fury, his teeth clenched in rage. "Daemon! You despicable creature..."

They both had a realisation. There were only two dragons with red flames: Caraxes and Meleys.

Meleys was owned by Rhaenys Targaryen, his cousin. She was known as the The Queen Who Never Was and fought for the right to inherit the Iron Throne.

Despite their differences, Viserys had faith in her character. Honor was everything to Rhaenys, and she wouldn't risk the line of succession.

On the other hand, his brother, Daemon, recently expelled from King's Landing, simmered with anger and resentment. With knowledge of Dragonstone's secrets, including the Dragonkeeper's dealings and secret passages, suspicion fell squarely on him.

"It must be him," Viserys erupted, his fury palpable. "Because I refused to promise Rhaenyra to him, he's gone and put my child in harm's way!"

Viserys's anger shook him, and Alicent rushed to his side, urging him to calm down. But Viserys was relentless. "Summon the Maester to send a raven to King's Landing and issue a warrant for Daemon's arrest, dead or alive!"

Harrold, guarding the doorway, offered a suggestion. "Your Grace, Daemon has a powerful dragon. Instead of alarming him with a notice, we should alert the Vale first. He may be hiding in Runestone."

"Excellent! Send messages to the Vale and every maester. Anyone who captures Daemon will be rewarded in gold equal to their weight."

As Viserys fumed, Rhaegar interjected "Father, please calm down and take care of yourself."

Viserys looked at him and said in a resolute voice, "Father will definitely get justice for you!"

Rhaegar lokked at Alicent, sensing his father's fragile state. His suspicions remained just that—suspicions.

"I trust you, Father," Rhaegar said, trying to reassure him, though the atmosphere remained tense. Viserys, enraged, abruptly left the table, with Alicent following to tend to him.

The once-festive family gathering dissolved into somber silence.

As his parents disappeared around the corner of the stairs, Aegon got up and left without saying anything.

He didn't want to share a meal with his half-siblings, especially his brother, who he found particularly difficult to get along with.

Meanwhile, Helaena sat bewildered, uncertain of what had sparked her father and brother Rhaegar's sudden anger. Despite her confusion, she was hungry, so she reluctantly nibbled on the cake in front of her.

She kept her eyes on Rhaegar and Rhaenyra, noting the tension in their expressions, and tried to blend in.

Meanwhile, Aemond was still asleep in his nanny's arms, unaware of the tension in the air.

Rhaenyra was the first to speak up, gripping Rhaegar's wrist and asking him solemnly, "You disappeared because of an attack by Daemon?"

"It's likely," Rhaegar confirmed quietly.

Releasing his hand, Rhaenyra's fists clenched, her expression hardening. "That wretch, does he have no honor when it comes to the throne?"

"Don't worry, he will face the consequences," Rhaegar assured her softly.

"He tried to kill his own nephew," Rhaenyra said angrily, repeating her brother's frustration.

Her feelings towards Daemon had changed a lot since the last abduction. The man she once saw as a caring uncle had now lost her respect.

Now, there was only one word to describe him: madman.

...

As night fell, the castle was filled with a heavy silence.

Viserys went to his room to try to forget his troubles with a few drinks until he passed out.

Meanwhile, the rest of the household went to bed, trying to get some rest after a busy day.

Alicent, unable to change her husband's mind or calm her wild children, went to her room to get some rest. However, she couldn't sleep, tossing and turning on the soft bed.

She was thinking about what happened that day, especially Rhaegar's conversation about guilt. Despite her insistence that Daemon was the culprit and she was innocent, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

How could she find peace of mind when she was plagued by such unsettling thoughts?

(Word count: 1,118)