**Chapter 104: Dreams of the Future**
Dragonstone Island, coastline.
A pitch-black dragon soared through the skies, weaving between the sea of clouds.
After wandering for a while, it returned to the cliffside and landed gracefully.
Rhaegar lay on the dragon's back, eyes closed, feeling the cool breeze brushing against him.
"Hiss…"
The Glutton let out a low croon, its massive body lowering to the ground, curling its head and tail together, preparing to sleep.
Rhaegar remained lying down, his eyes shut, gradually drifting into slumber.
It didn't take long for him to begin dreaming.
He dreamed of Dragonstone Island, the castle not far away from where he lay.
In the dream, he saw his sister, Rhaenyra.
She was being held by a group of people, their blades slicing her skin, staining the hem of her gown with blood.
She struggled, screamed, and cursed loudly, though Rhaegar couldn't hear what she was saying.
He watched the scene helplessly from a third-person perspective, bewildered.
"Hiss…"
Suddenly, a dragon's maw lunged forward, clamping down on Rhaenyra's shoulder. The sharp teeth tore through her body in an instant, ripping half of her apart.
"Ahh!"
"My brother, I curse you! You will fall into the seven hells!"
The immense pain contorted Rhaenyra's face as she screamed hoarsely, her curses aimed at the one who had wronged her.
Rhaegar heard her curse clearly.
She was cursing her brother.
His consciousness began to awaken, the dream collapsing around him.
In the final moments of the dream, he saw Rhaenyra being devoured by the dragon, her body torn piece by piece, swallowed whole.
Her despairing cries echoed in Rhaegar's mind.
"No!…"
The horrifying image of his sister's brutal death jolted Rhaegar awake, and he shouted in terror.
"Roar…"
The only response was the gentle wind, the sound of crashing waves, and the snores of the massive dragon beneath him.
Rhaegar looked around. The blue skies and white clouds were serene, a stark contrast to the darkness of his dream.
"A dream… it was just a dream!"
His chest heaved as he muttered to himself, trying to distinguish between the dream and reality.
Cold sweat dotted his forehead. He wiped it away, his skin icy to the touch.
Taking deep breaths, Rhaegar slowly calmed himself, pulling himself out of the terror of the dream.
"When did I fall asleep? And why would I have such a nightmare?"
Rhaegar held his head in his hands, his heart still racing with fear.
He couldn't believe he had fallen asleep on the dragon's back.
Even more, he couldn't fathom having such a horrifying dream.
Rhaenyra was his closest family, his only sister.
And yet, in the dream, she had been gruesomely devoured by a dragon.
The most haunting part was her anguished screams as she cursed her brother.
Rhaegar stared at his hands, uneasy. "That person… could it be me?"
Was it him who fed Rhaenyra to the dragon?
"No! It's absolutely not me!"
After a moment of thought, Rhaegar's gaze sharpened. His determination to protect his sister grew even stronger.
"Rhaenyra will face danger in the future. This must not come to pass."
Rhaegar refused to believe that the "brother" Rhaenyra cursed in the dream was him.
Glancing at the sleeping Glutton beneath him, Rhaegar slid down one of the dragon's wings and headed toward the castle.
He needed to see Rhaenyra and discuss matters with their father.
...
By the time he returned to the castle, Rhaenyra had already been summoned by their father.
Rhaegar asked Ser Cole about her whereabouts, and the response sent a jolt of anxiety through him.
Without further hesitation, he sprinted toward his father's chambers.
As he approached the doors, Harrold was on guard and spotted him from afar.
"My pri—"
Before Harrold could speak, Rhaegar raised a hand to his lips, signaling for silence.
Harrold, an old and seasoned man, immediately shut his mouth, leaning against the wall and lowering his gaze.
Matters within the royal family were not for him to interfere with.
"Thank you."
Rhaegar softly expressed his gratitude as he approached the door.
At that moment, he heard Rhaenyra's voice from within.
"I've long anticipated this day, but I never thought it would come so soon!"
Rhaegar frowned slightly, reaching out to push open the door.
Harrold placed his hand on Rhaegar's shoulder.
Rhaegar looked at him in confusion.
Harrold shook his head, his serious gaze signaling him to stay calm for now.
"Rhaenyra, you're a good girl, but the Iron Throne requires a brave warrior."
From inside the room came Viserys's voice.
It was clear that it was a conversation between father and daughter.
Rhaegar thought for a moment, refrained from barging in, and listened carefully.
Rhaenyra's voice rang out again: "Father, I am also a dragonrider.
"If I had the choice, I'd prefer to be a knight charging into battle rather than a burden in the eyes of the world."
Viserys replied, "The world's prejudices are like mountains. They believe you are unfit to be a knight, let alone a queen."
"That is not a reason for you to replace me. You've never listened to such advice before," Rhaenyra said, her voice low.
"Yes, I've never thought you unfit for the Iron Throne because you're a girl," Viserys said apologetically.
"I once told you about a dream, didn't I? A dream of a prince wearing the Conqueror's crown, changing the world amidst blood and fire."
"That prince is Rhaegar?" Rhaenyra asked calmly.
"Yes. The night before Rhaegar returned, I recalled that dream. The prince in the dream looked exactly as Rhaegar does now. I couldn't have been mistaken."
"What an absurd reason. Just as absurd as when you chose me as your heir," Rhaenyra said with self-mockery.
"Rhaenyra, Rhaegar is my firstborn son…"
Bang—
Before Viserys could finish, the door was flung open.
The loud noise startled the two inside, and they turned to see Rhaegar standing in the doorway, expressionless.
"Rhaegar, didn't you leave? Why have you come back?"
Viserys's expression shifted slightly, his tone reprimanding.
Rhaenyra gazed at her brother's figure, her delicate face attempting to form a smile several times but failing.
"We are family. I have the right to participate in this discussion."
Rhaegar strode into the room and turned to close the door firmly behind him.
He walked over to Rhaenyra, taking her hand in his.
Rhaenyra struggled slightly, but Rhaegar refused to let go, holding on tightly.
Her small hand was smooth but cold to the touch.
He looked into Rhaenyra's face, forcing a smile despite her evident sorrow, and spoke sincerely: "Sister, I will not hurt you, nor do I wish to take what belongs to you."
Rhaenyra looked back at him, her gaze unable to hide her sadness. She only shook her head.
Their father had made up his mind to strip her of her title as heir. No one could change his decision.
"I'm tired, Rhaegar," Rhaenyra said softly, tears streaming down her face.
She had thought about anger and venting her frustration.
But that would only lower her standing and make her father despise her even more.
Since the day she became the heir to the throne, she hadn't known a single day of peace.
Now, her father's rejection left her utterly exhausted.
She felt pitiful and ridiculous for ever dreaming of sitting on the Iron Throne.
A sense of helplessness overwhelmed her entire being, leaving her with no desire to fight her brother for her position or defend her claim.
Seeing his sister weeping in sorrow, Rhaegar became increasingly anxious. He embraced her briefly.
Then, letting go of her hand, he turned to stand before their father.
"Father, changing the heir is unwise, and I have no intention of shouldering such a heavy burden."
Rhaegar tried to dissuade his father.
Viserys shook his head. "Things are not as simple as you think, Rhaegar."
"The Iron Throne needs a strong king to rule, and Rhaenyra is clearly not a decisive person. She would only weaken House Targaryen's rule rather than strengthen it."
Rhaenyra's fate in the original story was truly tragic—eaten alive piece by piece.
Rhaegar did not want the position of heir, but destiny, controlled by the author, left him with no choice.
(End of Chapter)