Chapter 4: Letter of Aid Request from the Stepstone Islands

The Next Day...

The first rays of morning sun shine upon the Red Keep, and the servants begin their bustling day.

After enjoying a sumptuous meal of milk and bread as usual, Baelon and Rhaenyra went straight to the Council Chamber.

The servants and knights on the way dared not obstruct them, and the flow was unhindered.

Upon entering the grand council chamber, it was bustling with activity.

King Viserys, who was around thirty, smiled widely and interacted warmly with various ministers.

Viserys was known to be a tolerant and merciful king.

Facing everyone with a smile.

"Rhaenyra, we're discussing the Kingswood hunt. You've arrived just in time."

Rhaenyra entered the hallway calmly, instantly capturing Viserys' attention and inviting her to join the discussion.

"Father, do you still remember me?"

Baelon took his sister's hand and looked at his father with melancholic eyes.

"Oh, Baelon, why is your sister leading you?"

Looking at the slender figure at the door, Viserys' eyes widened, and he immediately rose the next second.

"Your Highness."

The king rose from his seat, and the other ministers quickly followed suit and greeted Baelon.

After all, Baelon was the king's eldest son.

He was born with the privilege of being respected by the ministers.

If the fragile little prince hadn't fallen into a coma at birth, Rhaenyra wouldn't have been the heir.

Looking around at the ministers, Baelon raised his hand to indicate they needn't be formal, showing a friendly smile.

This scene slightly distracted the ministers.

It must be said that in terms of appearance alone, Prince Baelon seemed to be carved from the same mold as King Viserys.

Calm and gentle...

Rhaenyra took her brother's hand and said as they walked, "Yesterday was Baelon's birthday. Neither of us was there. He wanted to come and meet his father."

Viserys was moved upon hearing this and walked quickly towards the siblings, kneeling down the next moment, "I'm sorry, son. As a king, I always have much work to do. I hope you don't blame me."

Baelon and Viserys looked eye to eye, their smiles still on their faces, and secretly glanced at Rhaenyra, who pretended to be angry, and said softly:

"It doesn't matter, how could I blame my king? It's just that, as a son, I want to see my father."

Since you're using your identity as king to escape responsibility.

Then I can also use my identity as a son to strike your conscience.

As expected, Viserys was slightly surprised, with a guilty expression on his face.

He lowered his head slightly and reached out to touch Baelon's pale face, with a complicated expression: "When you grow up, you really resemble your mother. Perhaps, I just hope that my father won't forget me and leave me behind during my life."

Baelon lost his voice and continued to pierce Viserys' broken heart.

He's no longer a three-year-old child.

A few kind words can move everyone.

He's 6 years old and knows what words to say and what effects to create.

Viserys only felt his palms tremble slightly, and he especially noticed the eldest son's thin, pale face, as if his heart was being hammered.

Taking a deep breath, Viserys stood up, took Baelon, and reclined on the king's seat.

He rubbed his silver hair and said, "You've never taken the initiative to see me. As a father who failed in his duty, can I make it up to you?"

As he spoke, Viserys looked calmly at Rhaenyra, indicating he wants to see what medicine the siblings sell.

Baelon gently shook his head and leaned into his father's arms, "No."

The more words you say, the more mistakes you'll make. The hunter who attacks first will only become the prey.

Viserys smiled, looked at Rhaenyra, and asked, "Why didn't I know that your brother and sister have such a good relationship?"

"He's my brother, closer than Aegon." Rhaenyra was not ceremonious. She choked up.

Viserys' smile faltered and he stopped speaking with his thorn-covered daughter.

He turned to the ministers again, showing the magnanimity of a king, and said calmly, "Rega is specially authorized to hear today's political affairs. Where were we discussing before?"

"There are some minor matters, and there's no harm in the prince listening in."

Linman Beesbury, Minister of Finance and Treasurer, agreed.

Baelon looked at the other party.

He's an elderly man with black and white hair and a kind appearance.

Noticing his gaze, Lin Man nodded kindly and seemed easy to get along with.

Baelon returned the smile.

The brief interlude between the two passed quickly, and Leonor Strong, who was the Hand of the King, redirected the discussion to the original topic.

"Your Majesty, this royal hunt in the Kingswood is scheduled for two days from now. The itinerary and cost..."

This king's chubby hand seems ordinary, but his attitude is very serious as he reports on his work. He explains meticulously what is needed for the royal hunt in the woods.

After he finished speaking, Viserys thought for a moment and agreed to the other's plan.

Since the queen's father resigned, former Hand of the King Otto Hightower, Lord Leonor has been King Viserys' most efficient assistant.

He's strict and disciplined in his work and doesn't act out of personal interests. He's highly respected by Viserys.

Baelon listened silently to their discussion, shook Viserys' arm, and asked softly, "Kingswood Hunting sounds great, can I go?"

He had never left the Red Keep since he was born.

He eagerly looked forward to going out and seeing the outside world.

Viserys also thought about this and seemed worried.

The eldest son was so weak that the journey to Kingswood would probably kill him.

Viserys glanced at Rhaenyra with a pleading look in his eyes.

"I think the plan formulated by Lord Leonor is very good and I have no objections."

Rhaenyra pretended not to see and communicated with the ministers.

She's the heir to the Iron Throne, and although her father Viserys doesn't grant her any decision-making power, support and praise are an indispensable etiquette.

Unable to secure her daughter's help, Viserys felt a little embarrassed and said, "I also want to take you hunting in Kingswood, but..."

"Aegon will also go, why can't I?" Baelon pretended to be confused.

"For your health, I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

"No, I want to go. My body is getting better little by little and there won't be any accidents."

Rega was determined to go. "Even if there is danger, I'll do it. You should look at the outside scenery and not be confined in a cage like a little bird."

That's protection.

Viserys seemed serious and didn't let go.

Rhaenyra spoke at the right