The balcony overlooked all of it.
From the high vantage point of the Red Keep, the Blackwater Bay stretched vast and untamed, its surface rippling in gold and crimson beneath the sinking sun. Far below, the docks and harbors bustled with life, though the noise barely reached them up here.
It was one of the few places in the castle that Rhaegar enjoyed.
A place that gave him space to breathe—to see the world beyond the thick walls of court, beyond the reach of scheming lords and their petty ambitions.
And, of course, it was also the one place where he was least likely to be found unless someone knew where to look.
Which explained why Rhaenys Targaryen was standing there, arms resting on the stone railing, watching the waves as if they held some great secret.
She did not turn as he approached, though he knew she had heard him.
"Don't tell me," Rhaegar mused as he stepped beside her. "Avoiding your lessons again?"
Rhaenys huffed. "If you must know, I have dutifully endured every lesson and task Mother has thrown at me this week."
"A miracle."
She shot him a sideways glance. "I should throw you off this balcony."
Rhaegar smirked. "Then you'd have to suffer court without my company."
Rhaenys snorted, looking back at the horizon. "A tempting proposition, but not worth the effort."
They stood there for a moment, the sea stretching endlessly before them, the sky bleeding into darker shades as the sun dipped lower.
It was a comfortable silence, one that Rhaegar rarely found in the company of others.
And then—
"I heard about your new trade venture from Mother," Rhaenys said suddenly, her tone casual.
Rhaegar arched a brow. "Did you now?"
"Of course," she said, tapping her fingers against the railing. "Half the court is whispering about it. Some are impressed, some are curious—and others, well…"
She smirked. "They're offended."
Rhaegar scoffed. "Of course they are."
"Oh yes," she said. "Apparently, some lesser lords are dismayed that you and our dear grandfather did not consult them before reshaping the very nature of Westerosi trade."
Rhaegar hummed, unimpressed. "And why, exactly, would I or grandfather consult them?"
Rhaenys grinned. "That is a question you must ask them, cousin."
Rhaegar shook his head. Of course, there were complaints.
There were always those who wished to be included in things that did not need their inclusion.
Oh well. I am sure grandfather can handle them. He thought to himself.
"And what of you?" he asked, glancing at her. "Are you offended that I did not tell you, cousin?"
Rhaenys snorted. "Not at all. I'd have done the same."
Rhaegar lifted his brow. "Oh? Then you are smarter than half the court already."
She feigned offense. "Only half? You wound me."
Rhaegar chuckled, shaking his head. "Very well. More than half."
Rhaenys nodded. "That's better."
They lapsed into silence again, though Rhaenys was never truly still. She tapped her fingers, shifted her stance, and exhaled when she had no real need to.
And Rhaegar, knowing her as he did, waited.
Finally—
"They fear you, you know," she said.
Rhaegar tilted his head. "Who?"
"The lords who whisper. They say you're too young to be taken seriously, yet they watch you closely."
Rhaegar scoffed, unimpressed.
Rhaenys smirked at his expression.
Rhaegar knew how the game was played. Knew that men would talk, fear, complain, and grumble.
It was the way of things.
A long, comfortable silence settled.
Rhaenys studied him for a moment before turning back to the sea. "I wonder," she mused. "If you did not have Targaryen blood—if you were not born with dragons at your back—would they still fear you?"
Rhaegar considered it.
He gazed at the horizon and smiled. "I suppose we shall never know."
She chuckled. "No, I suppose we won't."
The wind picked up slightly, cool and salty against their skin.
Rhaenys exhaled, leaning her elbows against the railing. "You know, despite what the lords say, I think your little venture is interesting."
"Little?" Rhaegar echoed dryly.
She sighed. "Alright, grand and unprecedented, if you prefer."
"That's better."
She rolled her eyes. "You'll be insufferable if this succeeds."
Rhaegar grinned. "I would be insufferable regardless."
Rhaenys chuckled, shaking her head. "Gods help us."
Silence fell again, but this time it was lighter, easier.
The sky darkened as time passed, and below, the bay shimmered in the growing light of the stars.
After a moment, Rhaenys tapped the stone railing. "I should be going. Mother will send the guards after me soon."
Rhaegar remarked. "How tragic."
"Truly," Rhaenys replied.
She turned, pausing briefly before glancing back at him. "Try not to upset the entire realm before I see you again."
Rhaegar smirked. "No promises."
Rhaenys huffed a laugh. "I didn't think so."
And with that, she was gone, disappearing back into the castle halls.
Rhaegar remained on the balcony a while longer, watching the sea, the sky, and the world beyond.