Chapter 137: The Child's Custody
**"You are a sinner, unworthy of living under the sun."**
Rhaegar gripped the hilt of Dark Sister with one hand and mocked, **"Uncle, last time we met, you left your sword behind. What do you plan to leave this time?"**
**"Tsk, tsk. Compared to when you were a child, you're not cute at all anymore."**
Daemon shook his head in disappointment, his eyes flashing coldly.
He still remembered that rainy night seven years ago.
If it hadn't been for Laenor's timely rescue, he and Coraxys would have been lost to the sea.
**Bang—**
Just as he crossed the dining table, Rhaegar collided head-on with Daemon. Their eyes locked in a fierce standoff, neither willing to back down.
Daemon, in his prime, stood half a head taller than Rhaegar.
Using his strength, he forced Rhaegar to take a step back, looking down at him.
**"Uncle, without Dark Sister, do you have no weapon at hand?"**
Rhaegar's voice was cold as he unsheathed his sword with lightning speed, slashing toward Daemon's waist.
**"Stop!"**
**"Don't…!"**
Amidst several shocked cries, Daemon was the first to react, pressing a hand onto Rhaegar's shoulder and sidestepping the attack.
**"Kid, you're still too inexperienced to challenge me."**
**"It's not over yet."**
Missing his strike, Rhaegar shifted his stance and drove his elbow hard into Daemon's chest.
Caught off guard, Daemon stumbled, momentarily struggling to catch his breath.
Relying on his vast experience in combat, he immediately seized Rhaegar's arm, intending to subdue him.
Seeing this unfold, Corlys slammed his hand onto the table with a resounding **clang**, roaring, **"Enough! No fighting in my castle!"**
One was the crown prince of the royal family, the other his daughter's husband.
If anything happened to either of them under his roof, the consequences would be disastrous.
Before his words even faded—
Rhaenyra and Laenor both sprang from their seats, moving in unison toward the struggling pair.
Just as Rhaegar twisted his wrist, ready to thrust his sword into Daemon's abdomen, Rhaenyra grabbed him forcefully.
At the same time, Laenor rushed to Daemon's side, restraining his arms before he could strike back.
**"Rhaegar, don't be reckless."**
Rhaenyra glared angrily at Daemon, shoving him aside as she dragged Rhaegar away.
Daemon let out a cold snort but did not struggle against Laenor, who was holding him tightly by the waist.
Meanwhile—
High above Driftmark, a blood-red figure circled beneath the night sky.
**"Screeeech—"**
Suddenly, a deep, resonant roar echoed through the clouds. A massive black beast emerged from the darkness, its eerie green eyes watching intently.
**"Screeeech—"**
The blood-red figure seemed startled, letting out a hurried cry before swiftly retreating to a safer distance.
…
Inside the castle—
With Corlys and the two women stepping in, the fight was temporarily quelled.
Daemon nonchalantly walked over to Laenor's seat and sat down, clearly displeased with the earlier scuffle.
Rhaenyra, using all her strength, forced Rhaegar back into his chair.
Corlys wore a stern expression, his voice heavy as he said, **"I don't care about your grudges. In my castle, you will not behave so recklessly."**
**"Don't be angry. I only came to take a look."**
Daemon casually held Laenor's hand, stroking it as he spoke.
**"Enough!"**
Corlys immediately snapped, warning, **"You've seen what you wanted. Do I need to throw you out?"**
Though they were of the same generation, Corlys was twenty-eight years older.
And now, with Daemon as his son-in-law, reprimanding him came without hesitation.
Daemon scoffed but said no more.
He and Laenor had already discussed everything.
Laenor would return to Westeros with the children and restore their legal status.
That had always been the plan.
But as their father, Daemon wanted to handle it personally.
Daemon asked, "Has it been settled?"
"The prince has acknowledged Baenyra and Rhaenyra's royal status."
Laena secretly pinched the soft flesh at his waist, warning him not to act recklessly.
Rhaegar sat across from him, staring coldly, contemplating whether to launch another ambush.
He had disliked this bastard uncle since childhood.
How could someone be this arrogant?
Rhaegar would not tolerate a lawless man running wild right under his nose.
"Calm down. He's just a stray dog."
Rhaenyra stroked Rhaegar's cheek, worried that another conflict would erupt.
After all, Daemon was a seasoned warrior who had seen battle. She feared Rhaegar might suffer a loss.
In the end, it was Rhaenys who stood up, deciding to put an end to this farce.
She raised her cup of wine and declared firmly, "Tonight's banquet is to celebrate my reunion with my family."
"Everyone present here is either a pillar of the kingdom or my kin."
As she spoke, Rhaenys swept her gaze around the room, her eyes lingering on each person as she continued:
"Whatever grievances you may have, at the very least, I do not wish for any incidents to occur tonight."
At their mother's words, Laenor and Laenyna were the first to respond, raising their cups.
Corlys, having the same intention, glanced at Laenor before lifting his own goblet.
Laenor, his expression serious, received Rhaenyra's signal, and the two raised their cups together.
In the end, only Rhaegar, Daemon, and the ever-watchful Aegon remained silent.
"I agree."
Under Laena's persistent urging, Daemon tapped the table in agreement.
"I respect your wishes, Aunt."
Rhaegar's gaze darkened, but he also tapped the table.
Seeing this, Aegon, who had been mesmerized by the scene, quickly followed suit, tapping the table excitedly.
Rhaegar and Uncle Daemon facing off—this was a rare spectacle.
"This trip to Driftmark was worth it," Aegon thought to himself, always eager for chaos.
With tensions eased, Rhaenys drained her cup in one swift motion to express her gratitude.
The banquet was far from over.
A servant brought a chair for Daemon, while a maid carried two infants into the hall.
Now a father for the first time, Daemon confidently took the twins in his arms, carefully examining his newborn daughters.
Once, he had almost become a father to a son.
But fate had been cruel—the child's mother, of low birth, had been driven away by his ruthless brother.
An accident on the road had caused her to miscarry.
He had lost his first chance at fatherhood.
Seizing the moment while Daemon was quiet, Laena raised her cup once more and sincerely said, "Cousin, I appreciate your understanding and your decision to restore my children's status. This toast is for you."
Rhaegar lifted his goblet in response, then glanced at Rhaenyra meaningfully.
Standing behind him, Rhaenyra spoke up, "Laena, you've been away from Westeros for too long. Would you consider returning to King's Landing with us? My father would love to see the children."
"Of course, it would be my honor."
Laena's smile was bright, filled with hope for her children's future.
After a moment of contemplation, Rhaenyra raised her cup and said, "Laena, I adore these children, and I have an earnest request—I hope you'll agree."
Laena looked puzzled, uncertain of what her dear friend meant.
Rhaenyra's expression turned serious. "The children bear the Targaryen name, but their father is a criminal. I believe they should be raised in the Red Keep, under the care of the royal family."
This was not an unreasonable request.
The children were Daemon's by blood and therefore rightful members of House Targaryen.
If they were to receive royal recognition, they could not be raised by Daemon.
Keeping them with Laena on Driftmark would also go against tradition.
The best solution was for the royal family to raise them, altering their circumstances from the very beginning.
"Rhaenyra, are you trying to take my children away from me?"
Laena's face changed at her words, her rejection immediate.
She had only just given birth—how could she possibly bear to part with her children?
The real drama was about to begin.
(End of Chapter)