2 Chapter 1 : Viserys
Outside the room, the pitter-patter of footsteps echoed through the corridor, as a figure approached the spacious bedroom on the second floor of the tower.
The bedroom door was slightly ajar, revealing a faint candlelight from within. A small figure sat at a round table in the center of the room, one hand propping up their chin. Their silver hair enveloped their ears, and their gem-like violet eyes reflected the flickering candlelight.
He was Viserys Targaryen, the second son of King Aerys II, only seven years old.
Lately, the usually active Viserys had been inexplicably staring at the candlelight, lost in thought, and uncharacteristically locking himself in his room to read the books he once loathed.
This situation had persisted for several days.
The wrinkles on the face of the old maid standing outside the bedroom door deepened, and worry flickered in her dull eyes.
As a servant who had served the Targaryen royal family for generations, she was concerned that Viserys might suffer from mental problems, just like his father, the 'Mad King.'
After all, 'every time a Targaryen is born, the gods toss a coin to decide whether they will be great or mad.'
However, the old maid's gaze did not awaken Viserys, who remained lost in thought. Half of his beautiful, girlish face was shrouded in darkness. Dressed in the fine attire of a prince, one hand rested on the heavy parchment book, pondering his past and present life.
"Your Highness."
The old maid knocked twice on the doorframe and spoke softly. Her voice was not loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the quiet Red Keep.
The Targaryen prince shuddered like a startled bird, suddenly waking up. His light purple eyes looked at the maid anxiously.
After a pause.
He remembered that he was indeed 'His Highness,' the only person in this room, and the old maid seemed to be called... Sophia.
"What's the matter?"
Viserys saw the old maid's figure, shook his head slightly, cast away his chaotic thoughts, and looked at her seriously.
"The Queen seeks you."
Dressed in dark servant attire and wearing a gray headscarf, the maid's wrinkled forehead relaxed as she saw the prince awaken.
"Mother?"
Viserys hesitated for a moment, his heart skipped a beat, but he still closed the parchment book and slid off the chair, attempting to maintain composure.
According to the confused memories in his head, his current identity's mother was named Rhaella Targaryen, a gentle and kind woman who had been working tirelessly to protect Viserys from his mentally unstable father.
However, Viserys had been avoiding meeting his mother, fearing he might slip up in some way.
So he had locked himself in his room to read books, partly to gain more knowledge and partly to avoid meeting Rhaella.
But he hadn't expected his mother to suddenly seek him out at this time.
"I understand."
Viserys' face tensed up a bit, trying to appear calm. His acting skills were on point, and hardly anyone could see any flaws. Even if they did, they wouldn't think much of it since he was just a seven-year-old boy.
Next, Viserys stood in front of the silver mirror in his bedroom, while the maid stood behind him, fixing his clothes.
Meeting the Queen required etiquette, even if Viserys was her own son. Noble and courtly manners were deeply ingrained in his memory and muscles.
Viserys glanced at the maid behind him, noticed everything was normal, and looked back at the mirror.
A dark mist gradually spread.
[Viserys Targaryen]
Sun Affinity: 3
Earth Affinity: 5
Water Affinity: 8
Moon Affinity: 18
These words were all displayed in the ancient High Valyrian language.
The Targaryen family, as survivors of the Valyrian civilization, had High Valyrian as their mother tongue, not the Common Tongue of Westeros.
Every Targaryen child received education in Valyrian and the Dragon Tongue.
These affinities could also be translated as Sun, Earth, Water, and Moon.
But right now...
Everything seemed normal.
Viserys wasn't surprised since he had discovered this dark mist a few days ago.
Whenever he stared at any reflective surface for three seconds, this dense black mist appeared.
Of course, he tried more objects: mirrors, glass, gems, and even daggers. However, dimly lit stones and wooden tables didn't produce the mist.
And he also tested multiple times that others couldn't see the mist, only he was special, just like this world full of mysterious powers, indescribable.
"Maybe this is some kind of... magic?"
Viserys was puzzled, and after searching through books for days, he still couldn't find an answer.
He gradually figured out the meaning of these terms, reflecting his current physical condition.
Sun affinity represented strength, Earth affinity represented endurance, Water affinity represented agility and flexibility, and Moon affinity represented his will, or even more mysterious mental power.
A normal adult male's stats should be between 8-10, and he didn't rule out the possibility of stronger individuals.
As for why Viserys' stats were so peculiar, it might be related to his age of only seven, with his body not yet fully developed.
But his agility and flexibility were legit. In his memory, Viserys could outrun several guards in the Red Keep but never get caught.
"Moon Affinity... 18."
Viserys stared at the silver mirror, blinking gently.
This ability far exceeded that of an ordinary person, possibly due to his unique nature, making him a one-of-a-kind being in this world.
But having exceptional mental power indeed brought some advantages, such as an extraordinary memory.
These days, he hid in his room reading books, and while he wasn't exactly eidetic, he remembered deeply after reading twice.
And he never felt tired even when staying up late.
"Is something bothering you, Your Highness?"
The old maid fixing Viserys' clothes had been observing the prince's expression. She noticed his light purple eyes seemed a bit lost when looking at the silver mirror, as if out of focus.
Then he pursed his lips, looking deeply troubled.
"No."
"Thank you for your concern, Sofia."
Hearing the old maid, Viserys shook his head slightly and spoke.
"It seems like this is the first time you've thanked me..."
The old woman, her head wrapped in a scarf, covered her mouth in surprise. Viserys' expression stiffened for a moment, and he opened his mouth, seemingly at a loss for words.
Silence filled the Prince's bedroom.
After a while, Viserys collected his emotions and took the initiative to break the silence. The old maid had just finished fixing his clothes.
"So... has Mother mentioned why she wants to see me?"
Viserys casually asked, but with a hint of probing.
The old maid hesitated for a moment. She knew the reason, of course. The news of the Targaryen royal army's defeat and Prince Rhaegar's death had spread throughout the Red Keep, even reaching all of King's Landing.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, this boy would become Viserys Targaryen III in the future.
However, all of this was based on the condition that the Targaryens could hold onto the Iron Throne. Otherwise, the fate awaiting Viserys...
Would be extremely cruel.
Viserys looked at the old maid expectantly, hoping to get some information from her.
But ultimately, all Viserys got was disappointment.
The old woman with the gray headscarf sighed, her wrinkles piling up, and then shook her head calmly.
"No."
