**Chapter 21: The Mysterious Bracelet**

"Heh, she really plays the role of a virtuous wife and loving mother quite well."

Walking among the nobles, Rhaenyra maintained a forced smile, concealing her true emotions. 

The bitterness radiating from her caused Rhaegar, standing nearby, to shiver. 

"Sister, you're squeezing my hand too hard," Rhaegar said with a hint of grievance, trying to pull his small hand away from hers.

Rhaenyra quickly let go. "I'm sorry, I forgot you were even here."

"It's okay. Just be mindful of your appearance—there are a lot of people watching in settings like this," Rhaegar said, rubbing his hand and kindly reminding her.

As he glanced around, Rhaegar's attention was suddenly caught by a familiar face. 

Daemon stood next to Viserys, calmly observing the king and queen as they exchanged tender words. A subtle, mocking smirk appeared on his lips.

Frowning, Rhaegar tilted his head, trying to get a better look.

Just then, Daemon turned his head and locked eyes with Rhaegar, as if he had sensed the boy's gaze.

Startled, Rhaegar instinctively took a step back. 

"No, wait. Why am I scared? He can't actually eat me, can he?" 

Remembering his own status, Rhaegar regained his composure, refusing to back down. He widened his eyes and met Daemon's gaze head-on.

To his surprise, there was no tension-filled standoff. 

Instead, Daemon sized him up with mild interest, nodded with a faint smile, and lost interest. 

The ordinary nod left Rhaegar feeling both disappointed and relieved. 

"What a terrifying look—such overwhelming pressure," he thought, breathing a quiet sigh of relief. But his mind lingered on the smirk Daemon had displayed earlier.

What did it mean? 

Why would he show such disdain when seeing Father and Alicent together?

Rhaegar began to doubt his perception but couldn't shake the image of Daemon's curved lips from his mind. He was certain it wasn't imagined. 

"Forget it. No one else seemed to notice, so I'll just stay out of the spotlight," Rhaegar decided, moving two steps behind Rhaenyra. 

As the banquet began, the crowd took their seats. 

Viserys summoned both Rhaenyra and Rhaegar forward to greet Daemon. 

Rhaenyra, who had admired her uncle since childhood, needed no introduction. 

Viserys took Rhaegar's hand and introduced him to his brother. "Rhaegar, my eldest son. Of course, you know that without me saying it."

Daemon nodded, his stern face forcing out a somewhat awkward smile. 

Viserys didn't press his brother further and laughed. "Seven blessings, Rhaegar had a miraculous encounter recently. His chronic illness was cured, easing a great burden on my heart."

Daemon remarked, "I heard about it. The miraculous fruit gifted by the white hart—it sounds like something out of a tale."

"Haha, I didn't believe it at first either. But the will of the gods is always profound. Rhaegar is a Targaryen favored by the divine," Viserys said, his eyes glinting as he stared at Daemon. 

His words sent shockwaves through the crowd. 

The king's eldest son, blessed by the white hart, and now referred to as divinely favored by the king himself... 

What was Viserys implying? 

Could the rumors outside the castle be true? Was he considering a change in succession?

The words fell like a hammer on everyone's hearts. 

Rhaenyra's expression darkened slightly as she glanced at her increasingly robust younger brother.

Daemon, on the other hand, seemed unconcerned. He patted Rhaegar's head and offered his blessing. "May you remain healthy and free from illness forever."

The most affected was Alicent. 

Her gentle face froze momentarily as she discreetly dug her thumbnail into the flesh of her thumb, forcing a smile. 

She had long anticipated this day would come. 

Originally, with Rhaegar on the brink of death, he wouldn't have had many days left to live. 

Once the king's eldest son passed, she could push her own son, Aegon, into the position of heir. 

Even if the king didn't agree, the council of lords would quietly support her and propose changing the succession.

But Rhaegar's miraculous recovery was a devastating blow. 

From now on, even those who disliked Rhaenyra for being a female heir would turn their support to Rhaegar, the eldest son. 

No one would bypass him to support her second son, Aegon. 

"Have all my years of effort been for nothing?" Alicent thought despairingly, her thumb bleeding from her nails digging into the flesh.

To avoid drawing attention to her distress, Alicent bowed her head silently, reducing her presence. 

Feeling uneasy under his uncle's blessing, Rhaegar replied politely, "Thank you, Uncle." 

"I said some thoughtless things before, and I hope you won't take them to heart. This is our first meeting, and there's a bright future ahead of us."

How could Daemon not see through his nephew's little schemes? With one glance, he saw it all. 

Daemon rolled up his sleeve and removed a silver metal bracelet. In a deep voice, he said, "After the war on the Stepstones, the soldiers looted countless treasures." 

"Gold beyond measure, gemstones of all colors, and ornaments shimmering with jewels..." 

Rhaegar listened intently, showing great interest in tales of war. 

Daemon handed him the bracelet. "This bracelet was found at the bottom of the Crabfeeder's treasure chest. It's forged from Valyrian steel. Consider it a gift for our first meeting." 

"Valyrian steel? That's certainly rare and precious." 

Rhaegar's eyes lit up, but his pride kept him from immediately reaching out for it. Instead, he glanced expectantly at his father. 

Viserys nodded. "Your uncle is giving you a gift. There's no need to refuse." 

"Great! Thank you, Uncle!" 

With his father's approval, Rhaegar immediately set aside any dissatisfaction he'd harbored toward Daemon. In one swift motion, he snatched the bracelet. 

Whatever grudges or grievances they had in the past didn't matter anymore. 

At this moment, Daemon was undoubtedly the best uncle in the world. 

"What a beautiful bracelet! It even has intricate engravings on it." 

Rhaegar held the bracelet with great joy and slipped it onto his slender wrist. 

Rhaenyra couldn't help but facepalm. "Perhaps you should put the bracelet away. Your wrist is too thin, and it'll be easy to lose." 

"Hmph! I've always valued hard-earned treasures." 

Rhaegar huffed, unhappy with her remark, and raised his wrist to admire the Valyrian steel bracelet glinting in the sunlight. 

This was a treasure worthy of becoming a family heirloom. 

"The exploration mission has begun. Target: The mysterious Valyrian steel bracelet." 

A system notification suddenly chimed, bringing even more joy to Rhaegar's already elated mood. He couldn't hide the smile tugging at the corners of his lips. 

With a thought, the system interface appeared before him. 

**[Mysterious Valyrian Steel Bracelet]** 

**Exploration Progress: 0.5%** 

After six months without an exploration opportunity, Rhaegar was overjoyed to have another chance. 

With a face full of sincerity, he looked at Daemon and said gratefully, "Thank you so much, Uncle Daemon." 

The sudden display of gratitude left Daemon confused. 

But seeing his nephew's genuine happiness, he decided to accept it graciously. 

Viserys patted Rhaegar on the back of the head and said, "No need to say thank you twice, especially to family." 

"Mm-hmm, Uncle Daemon is family." 

Rhaegar nodded repeatedly, his handsome young face full of humor. 

Forget about familial bonds or not. 

If Daemon slapped Alicent right now, Rhaegar would probably cheer and compliment the crisp sound of it. 

"Alright, stop looking so unsophisticated and act like the prince you are." 

Unable to bear the sight, Rhaenyra gave her brother a hard smack on the back of his head, squeezing out her reprimand through gritted teeth. 

Rhaegar clutched the back of his head, grumbling, "You're all hitting me on the head! If I end up stupid, who's going to take responsibility?" 

"If you really become an idiot, I'll lock you up in a little black room at the Red Keep," Rhaenyra replied with a chillingly sweet smile. 

Daemon was a complex man, fully embodying both the genius and madness typical of House Targaryen. 

(End of Chapter)