Chapter 120: Reforming the Dragonpit  

**Ding-dong—** 

A stone sphere dropped into the slot before him, signifying that the Crown Prince was ready and the Privy Council meeting had officially begun. 

Tylan was the first to speak, his expression serious. "Your Majesty, after many years, there are signs that the Kingdom of the Three Daughters is making a comeback." 

"According to the latest reports, passing ships near the Stepstones have been intercepted by an unidentified band of pirates." 

Viserys's expression darkened as he asked, "Are we certain it's the Three Daughters?" 

"Not confirmed yet, but it's highly likely," Tylan shook his head. 

"The pirates from the Three Daughters are a major threat to the kingdom. We must assign more personnel to gather intelligence and not take this lightly." 

Viserys sighed. 

He wished to avoid war in the kingdom, even if the conflict was far away in the Stepstones. 

Tylan nodded in agreement, concluding his report. 

Next to speak was Lyonel. 

The portly Hand of the King rested one hand on the table and said slowly, "Your Majesty, construction has begun on the prince's palace, but the costs are considerable." 

"No problem, take it from the royal treasury." 

Viserys smiled and turned to Rhaegar. "This is good news for you." 

"Thank you, Father." 

Rhaegar leaned back in his chair, a smile playing at his lips. 

Traditionally, the Crown Prince's seat was Dragonstone. 

However, as compensation to Rhaenyra, Dragonstone had been granted as her domain until her passing. 

This left Rhaegar without a fief of his own. 

After years of discussions, it was decided that the royal family would inevitably expand, and both the Crown Prince and princes needed lands to support them. 

Viserys had generously allowed Rhaegar to choose a territory for his palace. 

At the beginning of this year, construction had commenced. 

Due to the palace's remote location from King's Landing and the time needed to source materials and labor, only now had work officially begun. 

Lyonel finished his report. 

Lord Lyman Beesbury, the Master of Coin, rose slowly, holding a report in his hands, and said hesitantly, "Your Majesty, the prince has submitted a proposal for the reconstruction of the Dragonpit. The costs are exorbitant, and I cannot approve it on my own." 

"Oh? Let me see." 

Viserys frowned as Cole passed the report to him. 

Flipping through the pages, his expression grew darker with each line. 

By the final sentence, his face was as black as the bottom of a cauldron. He gritted his teeth and said, "Rhaegar, the Dragonpit is one of the most significant structures of the royal family. It cost a fortune to build, and now you want to tear it down and rebuild it?" 

Rhaegar remained composed, already prepared with his response. "Father, as you said, the Dragonpit is crucial." 

"But the current Dragonpit serves only as a holding facility, not a proper nesting ground for dragons." 

"Tearing it down and constructing a more suitable habitat for the dragons would benefit the family's ability to rear them." 

Rhaenyra raised her hand in support. "I agree!" 

"I do not!" 

Viserys cut her off sharply, his expression dark and irritated. "Look at your proposal! Just the tower-like structure for the new Dragonpit alone would consume all the stone in the Crownlands. Do you have any idea how much manpower and resources that would require?!" 

He understood the importance of the Dragonpit to their family. 

But he had no dragons of his own and believed that power, not dragons, was the key to ruling the kingdom. 

Even on paper, the cost of rebuilding the Dragonpit was astronomical—emptying the treasury might not even be enough to complete it. 

Lord Beesbury spoke up at the right moment. "Your Majesty, the construction of the prince's palace is already a significant expense. If we also rebuild the Dragonpit, I fear the kingdom's finances will collapse." 

As Master of Coin, every single gold coin in the treasury was his lifeblood. 

The thought of pouring vast sums into this project made the old man's heart ache. 

Tylan raised his hand as well. "The situation in the Stepstones is uncertain. Keeping the treasury full is essential." 

"Indeed, I oppose the prince's proposal," Jasper added. 

One by one, the members of the council rejected the plan. 

Viserys took a deep breath and made his decision. "This proposal is denied. The kingdom does not have money to waste." 

"Fine, the kingdom is always short on money." 

Despite the rejection, Rhaegar remained undeterred. "The Dragonpit reconstruction can wait, but the reform plan must be approved." 

The reform plan included increasing the number of Dragonkeepers, training dragons for battle, and reorganizing the scholars studying dragons… 

Rhaenyra turned her head, startled. 

When she was Crown Princess, she had never even had a seat at the table, let alone the right to present proposals before the council. 

At that moment, she realized the gap between them. 

She glanced at her younger brother's profile and was momentarily dazed. 

Rhaegar was no longer the six-year-old child she once knew. He had grown. 

His silver-gold shoulder-length hair framed his face, and his brooding eyes, shadowed by dark circles, contrasted with his high-bridged nose and smooth, pale lips. 

Paired with his tall, straight posture and composed demeanor, he exuded an air of nobility. 

Countless noblewomen in King's Landing had been utterly bewitched by him after a single chance encounter. 

Suddenly, Rhaenyra felt her ears grow warm and hurriedly turned her head away.

"Rhaegar is an adult now." 

Rhaenyra's heart raced slightly as she murmured to herself. 

No one noticed the princess's subtle thoughts. 

A fierce debate unfolded regarding the proposed reforms to the Dragonpit. 

Half an hour later, the discussion concluded. 

Viserys slammed his hand on the table, making a decision. "The Dragonpit can undergo reforms, but it must be done within our means. If anything goes awry, stop immediately." 

"Yes, Father." 

With the proposal approved, Rhaegar hugged his father gratefully. 

He never expected his initial idea of rebuilding the Dragonpit to pass. 

Reforms were always his true objective. 

The current Dragonpit was still too fragile and needed improvements in all aspects. 

Viserys, though slightly reluctant, gave Rhaegar's muscular arm a reassuring squeeze. 

It gave him some comfort. 

A healthy and intelligent heir, standing right in front of him, was enough to lift his spirits. 

After a moment of thought, Viserys added a word of caution. "You can do as you please with the Dragonpit, but after that, you need to assist the ministers and begin learning how to govern the realm." 

His eldest son was no longer young. 

Focusing solely on the Dragonpit would be a waste of his potential. 

It was time for him to take on state affairs and develop his administrative skills early. 

"No problem, Father." 

Rhaegar understood his father's good intentions and gladly accepted. 

With the Dragonpit matter settled, the council meeting moved on to other issues. 

Rhaenyra, having been away from state affairs for some time, wasn't particularly interested. 

Quietly, she rose from her chair, walked around the council table, and picked up a wine jug placed on the mantelpiece. 

She approached her father and poured him a glass of wine. 

Then, she went around the room, pouring wine for each of the council members. 

The ministers nodded in gratitude, and for a moment, it felt like stepping back in time. 

In her younger years, Rhaenyra had served wine during council meetings, listening in on matters of state while performing her duties. 

When she finally reached Rhaegar, a wave of nostalgia washed over her as she skillfully raised the jug. 

Rhaegar, however, quickly covered his cup and moved it aside. 

He looked up at the slightly crestfallen Rhaenyra and said gently, "You're no longer a cupbearer." 

There was no denying it—since coming of age, Rhaenyra's beauty had blossomed further, earning her the title "Light of the Realm." 

Rhaenyra smiled faintly. "I just needed something to do." 

"Sit down. The meeting will be over soon." 

Rhaegar pulled her back to her seat and pushed the wine jug toward their father, who drained his cup in one gulp. 

(End of Chapter)