"Let's start exploring!"
Faced with another exploration mission, Rhaegar couldn't resist the opportunity. The silent urge within him flared up as the progress panel for the Dragon Horn Dagger appeared.
[Valyrian Steel Dagger]
Exploration Progress: 2.5%
"Alright!"
Rhaegar cheered inwardly, a wide grin spreading across his face.
Turning down Rhaenyra's request to see the dragon-horn dagger, Rhaegar feigned tiredness, claiming he needed sleep.
"Fine, just cuddle up with your dagger, you penny-pincher," Rhaenyra scoffed.
Rubbing the dark circles under his eyes, Rhaegar nestled into his sister's embrace, yawning as he pleaded with his father, "I'll return the dagger to you before we disembark, promise."
"Sure, just don't start wielding it in your dreams," Viserys teased, relieved to see his son's improved energy.
Has it really been so long since I've seen my eldest? He seems livelier these past few days, not out of breath after a few words. Viserys delighted in his role as a father.
...
The carriage rumbled on, the hours slipping by until the sun hung high in the sky.
"Exploration complete, please collect any discovered treasures."
The carriage halted just as Rega was roused by the system prompt, a tickle at the tip of his nose.
Opening his eyes, he found Rhaenyra playfully teasing his nose with a strand of silver hair.
"Sis, you're such a bore."
Pushing himself upright, Rhaegar realized he had been resting on a chair, his head in Rhaenyra's lap.
"We've arrived at camp. Ministers are waiting to greet us outside," Rhaenyra informed, urging her brother to wake.
Snapping to attention, Rhaegar quickly checked the system panel.
[Valyrian Steel Dagger]
Exploration Progress: 100%
Focusing on the dragon horn dagger in his hand, a blue light orb adhered to the dragon horn handle.
Glancing around the carriage, he noticed no one else seemed to see the sudden blue glow.
"It seems I'm the only one who can see it."
Regardless of his mood, Rega breathed a sigh of relief, secretly rejoicing in this unique ability.
He liked this sense of exclusivity.
Touching the blue light orb, it dissipated into tiny specks of light, sinking into his hand as before.
"Father, the dagger is returned to you," Rhaegar announced as Viserys, attended by Alicent, straightened his attire.
"Ask your sister to smooth out the folds of your dress, you must not be rude in front of the ministers."
Viserys smoothly tied it around his waist, admonishing him to be presentable.
Not exactly gentle, Renela pulled him over to her and smiled as she brushed his silver hair that had frizzed up after sleep.
Seizing the moment, Rhaegar stole a glance at the system panel.
"The relic has been successfully retrieved, and the evaluation is underway..."
"The evaluation is complete, the relic is deemed excellent, a sage's warning."
"Do you wish to activate this relic?"
"Excellent, huh?"
Rega pondered the differing ratings on the panel.
The previously explored dragon's legacy was deemed legendary, its relic halo red.
This exploration, judged excellent, had a blue relic halo.
"It seems relics are graded differently, from low to high. The legendary level taps into the bloodline of the Ancient Valyrian Dragon Kings, a truly precious find."
Recognizing the changes wrought by [Blood and Fire], Rhaegar silently thanked Balerion for his kindness.
"Activate the relic."
He thought silently, and a line of text appeared on the system panel.
"Congratulations, the sage's warning has been successfully activated. You have obtained..."
[Old Valyrian Language Proficiency]
Level: Excellent (Blue) Function: Proficiency in Ancient Valyrian Language
Evaluation: "Learning a language will never be a disadvantage."
As he read the panel, a surge seemed to shoot up from his tailbone to his crown.
Rhaegar trembled as his mind filled with knowledge of Old Valyrian, from basic to advanced.
The language seemed to take root and blossom in his brain, as natural as breathing.
"Rhaegar, are you feeling alright?"
Noticing his unease, Rhaenyra inquired softly.
He shook his head vigorously. "No, I'm fine," he insisted, patting his chest to emphasize his well-being.
"Perk up, we've kept the ministers waiting long enough. Show some grace."
Viserys, with Blackfyre at his waist, stepped out of the carriage first, greeted by cheers from the crowd.
"Let's go, kids," Alicent whispered, ushering them along.
Rhaenyra frowned at the term, dissatisfied with being addressed like children. They had been childhood friends, confidantes, until her mother's death in childbirth led Alicent to marry her father. Now, she spoke to them with the same tone she used for her own children. It was utterly repulsive.
Scowling, Rhaenyra tugged Rhaegar out of the carriage with her.
Compared to the adulation showered upon the king, the welcome for Rhaenyra, the rightful heir, was lukewarm.
Meanwhile, Alicent, accompanied by the three princes and princesses, smiled and exchanged pleasantries with noblewomen, some even whispering "Long live Prince Aegon" in a show of ingratitude, drawing a crowd of supporters for the younger prince while ignoring the legitimate heir, Rhaenyra, and the king's eldest son, Rhaegar.
Forced to put on a smile, Rhaenyra followed Viserys, feigning indifference.
Beneath Rhaegar's trembling exterior, a sweet smile masked his turmoil. Though pale with dark circles under his eyes, he maintained his composure.
"I'm fine, Rhaegar," Rhaenyra assured in a hushed tone. "I know Targaryens never back down."
Rhaegar agreed softly, but his gaze turned towards the source of the disrespectful remarks.
Within seconds, he identified the culprit: with curly blond hair and a prominent nose, and an elderly lady standing next to him.
He appeared to be a knight proficient with a bow and horse.
"I'll remember you, big-nosed fool," Rhaegar vowed silently. Who asked him to have such a big nose? Just looking at it made him want to throw a punch!
...
As the warm welcome faded, the camp erupted into celebration.
Tables groaned under the weight of various drinks, fruits, and cakes for the nobles and their families who had participated in the hunt.
Viserys took his seat in the main tent, accepting greetings from the ministers.
Rhaenyra and Rhaegar joined, but Rhaenyra was intercepted by a white-haired, well-dressed elderly woman who steered the conversation towards the Stepped Stone Islands rumors.
Apparently, a noble lady had been kidnapped by pirates who fed her to crabs.
As Rhaenyra approached, she was drawn into conversation, only to find herself questioned about Daemon's private war and her claim to the heirship.
"Mrs. Gilra, Daemon is purely to blame, the princess is more suitable for the position of heir." Alicent intervened, settling beside the old woman.
The current king was Viserys, her husband.
Whether the heir position is given to Rhaenyra or her children, it's a matter of family competition.
With Daemon long excluded from the line of succession, Alicent refused to entertain any notion of his claim to the throne.
Mrs. Gilra redirected her scrutiny towards Daemon's war, blaming him for dragging the kingdom into conflict.
"For the sake of this unnecessary war, the kingdom was dragged down by your uncle to send fleets and soldiers to completely eradicate the Three Daughters."
"This required countless manpower and resources, sacrificing the lives of many soldiers."
This conversation was far from over.
(Word count: 1191)