Chapter 101: Mutual Dependence

"Ahhhh!!!"

As soon as Rhaegar left, Alicent broke down, screaming as she threw pillows and blankets everywhere, furiously tugging at her hair.

"Your Grace, is there anything you need?" 

A maid's voice came from outside the door in response to her screams. 

"Get out! I don't need anything—just leave me alone!" 

Alicent's face was filled with despair as she unleashed her rage. 

She knew that some of her little schemes had been noticed. 

And that led to tonight's warning. 

They had even used her son, Aegon, to threaten her. 

"Waaah…" 

After her outburst, Alicent buried her head in her hands, crying uncontrollably. She repeatedly hit her head, choking out indistinctly, "It wasn't me… I didn't want this… I really didn't…" 

No one knew what it was she didn't want. 

And perhaps it didn't matter. 

---

**Outside the castle.** 

Rhaegar exited the secret passage and looked up at the sky. The crescent moon was shrouded by dark clouds. 

He glanced toward a nearby cliff. 

His dragon was resting there. 

"Forget it. Rhaenyra wasn't happy today—might as well go see her." 

After his conversation with Alicent, Rhaegar felt an odd sense of calm. 

Originally, he had planned to sleep next to Glutton (his dragon), which always gave him a sense of security. 

But the thought of Rhaenyra's disappointed expression at the banquet unsettled him. 

Carrying a small brazier, he walked confidently back into the castle. 

He stopped outside Rhaenyra's room. 

"Your Highness," 

Ser Criston Cole, stationed at the door, greeted him in surprise when he saw Rhaegar approaching. 

"I'm here to see Rhaenyra. We agreed to sleep together tonight." 

Without the slightest hesitation, Rhaegar made up an excuse and pushed the door open, walking into the room under the watchful eyes of the Kingsguard. 

Even he wasn't sure what had come over him. 

Habits he'd never had before were starting to form, becoming second nature. 

Once inside the room, Rhaegar moved carefully and quietly. 

On the bed, Rhaenyra was lying on her side, fast asleep, her long, silvery-gold hair cascading loosely around her. 

Rhaegar approached and glanced at his sister's unrestrained sleeping posture, shaking his head. 

"No wonder I'm always being smothered when I sleep." 

No sooner had he muttered this than Rhaenyra suddenly opened her eyes, staring directly at him. 

Startled, Rhaegar took an involuntary step back. 

Rhaenyra grabbed his hand and pulled him onto the bed with a playful expression. 

"Big Sister…" Rhaegar fell onto the bed and greeted her sheepishly. 

Pinching his cheek, Rhaenyra said angrily, "Rhaegar, who gave you the guts to sneak into my room without permission?" 

"I have a dragon. I go wherever I want," Rhaegar replied, tilting his chin defiantly. 

"Hmph, looks like you're asking for a lesson." 

Rhaenyra wasn't about to let her disobedient little brother off easily. She pinched both of his cheeks and tugged them back and forth. 

Rhaegar's face turned red and swollen as he struggled to fight back. 

But he was no match for his sister's strength. His efforts were in vain. 

After tormenting him for a while, Rhaenyra finally felt satisfied and let go. She pulled him onto the bed. 

With a few quick motions, she stripped him of his outer robe and hugged him. Curious, she asked, "Where did you get this black cloak?" 

"Isn't this what bad guys wear?" 

Rhaegar squirmed around, trying to find a comfortable position. 

"Heh, are you a bad guy?" Rhaenyra chuckled at his response. 

Rhaegar blinked and burrowed into his sister's embrace, hesitating. "I… don't know." 

"Then you're not," Rhaenyra said, stroking his hair gently. Her tone softened. "You're my little brother. As long as you come back safely, I'm content." 

Rhaegar didn't respond, snuggling closer like a spoiled child. 

Sensing something was on his mind, Rhaenyra asked, "What's wrong? You were so energetic during the day, scolding me and all." 

"I was just worried about you," Rhaegar mumbled defensively. 

"Well, I worry about you too," Rhaenyra replied, her tone turning serious. "You were gone for so many days. Father and I were worried sick." 

"I'm sorry." 

Rhaegar didn't try to argue. He knew he had lost track of what was important, wasting time on the peninsula. 

Rhaenyra's gaze softened. She kissed his hair and whispered, "It doesn't matter anymore. What's important is that you're back. Just promise me you won't do it again." 

"Okay…" 

Rhaegar nodded slightly, taking the initiative to admit his mistake. 

Rhaenyra, feeling a bit uncomfortable from his gesture, blushed and said, "Get some sleep. Talk to Father properly tomorrow." 

"Alright." 

Rhaegar wrapped his arm around her waist, letting the recent turmoil fade away. 

Time passed, second by second. 

Suddenly, Rhaegar spoke up, "Sister, someone said I might hurt you..." 

Rhaenyra, too drowsy to open her eyes, hugged him a little tighter and mumbled, "That won't happen. We rely on each other." 

"Alright…" 

--- 

Night passed, and dawn came. 

When Rhaegar opened his eyes, he saw his sister sitting at the dressing table, brushing her long hair. 

Still groggy, he couldn't help but smile slightly. 

"Leaving the peninsula feels so good!" 

He was back in his family's embrace. 

Noticing he was awake, Rhaenyra urged him to get up and dress so they could eat breakfast together. 

As Rhaegar finished dressing, a knock came from the door. 

A steady voice, belonging to Ser Harrold, followed: "Princess, is Prince Rhaegar in your room?" 

Rhaenyra glanced curiously at the door and replied, "Yes, Ser. Is something the matter?" 

"The King wishes to speak with the Prince directly," Harrold said calmly. 

Rhaenyra turned to Rhaegar, her eyes full of questions. 

Rhaegar shrugged, indicating he had no idea what it was about. 

"Go on, comfort Father a bit. He's not in the best health," Rhaenyra reminded him gently. 

Rhaegar nodded, stood on tiptoe to kiss his sister's cheek, and left the room energetically. 

Rhaenyra chuckled to herself and continued getting ready. 

--- 

Stepping out, Rhaegar followed Harrold to his father's door. 

Just as he was about to knock, a door across the hall opened. 

Alicent, attended by her maid, walked out gracefully. 

Their eyes met unavoidably. 

Alicent raised her chin slightly, said nothing, and walked past him briskly. 

Rhaegar smirked faintly and then knocked on the door, entering his father's chambers. 

Harrold shut the door and remained stationed outside. 

The moment Rhaegar walked in, the strong scent of alcohol hit him, making him wrinkle his nose. 

Viserys was sitting in a chair by a round table, his face flushed from drinking, though his eyes were sharp and clear. 

Rhaegar glanced at the floor, noticing several empty bottles scattered messily—evidence of a drunken night. 

Adjusting to the unpleasant smell, Rhaegar walked closer and asked, "Father, what did you want to discuss with me?" 

He assumed it would be about the recent trip to the peninsula or arrangements for the Free Folk—nothing more than routine matters. 

Viserys placed both hands on the table and spoke bluntly: "Rhaegar, do you want to be my heir?" 

"What… What?" 

Rhaegar froze, stunned, thinking he must have misheard. 

"I want to change the line of succession and make you the new heir," Viserys said, even more straightforwardly. 

"No! Rhaenyra is the heir. That was declared to the realm long ago," Rhaegar rejected immediately. 

He quickly walked to his father's side, looking at him earnestly. "Did someone say something to you, Father?" 

Viserys had always firmly supported Rhaenyra as his heir. He wouldn't suggest such a drastic change without reason. 

Someone must have influenced him. 

Viserys, haunted by a dream he had long pursued, had shifted his heart. 

--- 

(End of Chapter)