Chapter 19: Aemon the Bold

A bloody mouth split open, and orange dragon flames spewed forth, illuminating the entire dark cavern.

In an instant, the surrounding temperature surged.

Before the dragonkeepers could react, the dragonfire swept out in a wave.

"Ahhh!!"

Screams rang out one after another as the dragonkeepers fled in panic, engulfed in flames and smoke.

"Aemon, run!"

Rhaenyra reacted quickly. She grabbed his small hand and turned to flee.

But no matter how hard she pulled—he wouldn't move.

Aemon stood frozen, eyes fixed straight ahead.

Hiss!

The flames vanished in an instant. The pale blue dragon behind them let out a warning roar.

Like a furious beast guarding its territory, it repelled all trespassers.

Aemon took a shallow breath and shook his head. "Wait, Rhaenyra."

He had seen it—clearly.

The dragon wasn't chasing them.

"What?" Rhaenyra was stunned.

"Princess, Prince, please step back at once!" the old dragonkeeper shouted, rushing back toward them, his remaining white hair scorched by the fire.

The other dragonkeepers scrambled to stand, forcing themselves to remain calm as they tried to restore order.

But Aemon's face was taut, his gaze fixed on the dragon ahead.

Clang!

With every breath the pale blue dragon took, the chains rattled, echoing through the cave.

By the dim firelight, Aemon could finally see it clearly.

Within the dark cavern stood a tall, slender dragon cloaked in pale blue scales with silver streaks. The bony crest atop its head gleamed faintly. Its pale blue wings folded tightly against its sides, and its silvery body shimmered like the clear sky.

"The second-generation Targaryen dragon—Dreamfyre!" Aemon whispered, face flushed and heart pounding.

Boom!

Dreamfyre took a step forward, its large amber eyes narrowing with wariness.

The tiny humans in front of it had intruded upon its domain.

"So big..." Aemon couldn't help whispering, so excited he wanted to rush forward and climb onto its back right then.

Even crouched, the pale blue dragon was tall enough to nearly scrape the cave ceiling—it had to be over 50 meters long.

Perhaps not the largest of the second-generation dragons, but its power was undoubtedly immense.

"Aemon, do you still want to try?" Rhaenyra tugged him, trying to pull him back. But the little prince remained rooted to the spot.

Of course I do!

Before seeing Dreamfyre, he had thought that a dragon locked away for decades might not be suitable for him.

But the moment their eyes met, that hesitation vanished.

"Let me try."

Aemon took a deep breath, then turned to the old dragonkeeper. "If Dreamfyre doesn't attack, may I aapproach it?"

The old man hesitated, but his expression grew serious. "If you dare, then go."

He gave quick orders to the frightened dragonkeepers, instructing them to lift the bamboo poles and approach slowly.

Dreamfyre had a fiery temper and often lashed out at anyone who came close.

Still, they had to enter the den to feed it livestock, and on rare occasions, they managed to get close enough to touch it.

Its sudden burst of rage may have been triggered by the crowd earlier.

To prevent further provocation, the dragonkeepers now moved more cautiously than ever.

"Stand back," Aemon said firmly to Rhaenyra, pushing her closer to the wall.

He was still young, but he knew dragons were dangerous. One misstep could mean death.

Rhaenyra opened her mouth, but Aemon took her hand and led her a few steps away to safety. She felt her heart twist slightly at how calmly and strongly he moved.

On the other side, the soft chanting of High Valyrian lullabies echoed gently as the furious dragon slowly began to calm.

Boom...

Dreamfyre shook its head and gradually lowered its massive body to the ground.

The old dragonkeeper carefully approached. After a long pause, he finally said in a low voice, "Prince, you may go forward."

Aemon steadied his breath.

"Don't be afraid. It won't eat you," he whispered to the trembling little mouse inside his pouch.

Step by step, he walked forward.

Dreamfyre didn't move.

It remained lying atop the cracked stone platform, its silver wings folded tightly, as if it had used up all its strength in its earlier outburst.

"What do I do next?" Aemon asked, turning his head.

He hadn't expected it to go this smoothly.

In stories and legends, dragon-taming was always a dramatic test of courage. But now, face to face with a dragon, he felt like a clueless child.

The old dragonkeeper replied in a low voice, "Stand in front of it and raise your hands."

His voice was cautious, barely above a whisper.

"If it doesn't attack, try to climb onto its back. If it still doesn't reject you, then you're 80% bonded. The final step will be flying."

"I understand."

Aemon nodded solemnly, clenched his fists, then slowly lifted his little palm.

It was fair and soft—just a child's hand—but he bravely held it high, facing the dragon's unblinking gaze.

Roar...

Dreamfyre looked down at him with a low growl, then turned its head away.

Aemon froze.

It wasn't attacking.

But it also wasn't… acknowledging him?

Dreamfyre's eyes showed only cold disdain. Like a proud noble turning away from a beggar, it simply looked elsewhere.

"You...!"

Aemon's face twisted in disbelief. This wasn't rejection. This was worse—indifference!

When Dreamfyre turned left, Aemon rushed to the left, hand still raised.

When it turned right, he followed again.

It turned back and forth, and he kept chasing it around.

"Haaah~~"

After several rounds, Aemon was panting heavily, his arms aching. "Dreamfyre! What will it take for you to accept me?!"

This wasn't at all like the stories!

Finally, through sheer persistence, Aemon got a reaction.

Hiss!!

Dreamfyre suddenly stood up, spreading its enormous wings. Its towering form loomed over him as it lowered its head and let out a thunderous roar.

This pitiful human child! If not for that faint familiar scent on him—like its first rider—it would have roasted him alive!

"So strong…"

Aemon instinctively closed his eyes against the hot, foul-smelling gust of wind. His skin tingled from the heat.

But he didn't retreat.

It hadn't attacked—he still had hope.

Roar!!

Dreamfyre had had enough. It lifted its massive snout and butted him in the stomach, sending the little prince flying backward.

"Ow!"

Aemon cried out as he rolled on the ground, legs sprawled out.

When he opened his eyes again, Dreamfyre had turned away, slowly walking back to its platform.

"No! Don't go!" Aemon scrambled to his feet and ran after it. "I'll take you outside! You'll see the sky again, the clouds!"

Dreamfyre paused for a brief moment, but then continued walking without hesitation.

People choose dragons—and dragons choose their riders.

Its first rider had been a young girl, beautiful and noble, at least in the beginning.

"Don't go!"

Aemon didn't understand what he'd done wrong. He chased after it and hugged the dragon's massive, pale-blue claw with both arms.

Everyone gasped.

"Aemon!!" Rhaenyra was terrified. She dashed forward and grabbed him by the collar.

This was the little brother she had raised—how could he be so reckless?!

Aemon was exhausted and didn't resist as she dragged him away.

The dragonkeepers quickly stepped in, blocking them off and gently leading the two young royals away from Dreamfyre's side.

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