**[Rhaegar Targaryen]**
**Talents:** Dreamer (Gold)
**Bloodline:** Ancient Valyrian Dragonlord (+8%)
**Skills:** Literature (Beginner), History (Beginner)
**Relic:** Blood and Fire (Flame Resistance +50%)
**Evaluation:** "The ancient bloodline shows signs of revival. If a miracle occurs, it might be possible to escape the current predicament."
Rhaegar gazed at the panel, pondering silently.
The attributes of his bloodline, relic, and evaluation had all changed.
"Ancient bloodline…"
Rhaegar murmured softly, "Did 'Blood and Fire' awaken the True Dragon's blood?"
"Forget it. No use wasting brainpower on things I can't figure out. I'd be better off continuing to search for the lost treasures."
Feeling noticeably lighter, Rhaegar attempted to jump down from the altar—and succeeded.
"An explorer will surely cure my frail body."
With a surge of excitement, Rhaegar raised his eyebrows, inwardly celebrating his good fortune.
Yet the thrill didn't cloud his judgment.
The young prince knew it was time to go to bed.
Stepping out of the grand hall, he found the sky outside growing dark. Servants were lighting oil lamps along the walls, illuminating the Red Keep against the night.
No one noticed him as he made his way back to his chambers.
*Creak—*
Pushing open the door, the room was dim, bathed in a soft, hazy glow from the moonlight streaming through the glass windows.
"Who's there?!"
Standing in the doorway, Rhaegar barked out a stern question, his eyes locked on the silhouette by the window.
Someone lurking in his bedroom at night? Could they be plotting to harm him?
"It's me, Rhaegar."
The figure turned. By the faint light of the moon, he could make out a girl dressed in a fitted leather skirt.
She, too, had silvery-gold hair.
The girl turned to face him, shrugging nonchalantly. "What? Has it been so long since I celebrated your birthday that you can't even recognize your sister?"
"Rhaenyra, what are you doing in my room?"
Seeing her face clearly, Rhaegar let out a sigh of relief, a smile spreading across his face.
The girl was his elder sister by the same mother.
The rightful heir to the Iron Throne.
The Light of the Kingdom—Princess Rhaenyra.
Rhaenyra leaned against the window, her gaze lingering on his pale face with a flicker of pity in her eyes.
Turning her head away, she hesitated before saying, "Today's your birthday. As your sister, I should at least come see you."
Rhaegar beamed. "Sister, I'm so glad you came to see me."
"But you know I don't like celebrating birthdays."
Rhaenyra exhaled. "I know. I visited Mother earlier today. I came to find you this afternoon and waited until now."
"You haven't eaten?"
Rhaegar asked abruptly.
Rhaenyra blinked, caught off guard. "I had a piece of bread this morning. Other than that…"
"Then you haven't eaten."
Rhaegar cut her off, walking to his bedside table to rummage through it.
"What are you looking for?" Rhaenyra asked, puzzled.
"Don't worry, I have supplies."
Rhaegar pulled a package of biscuits from the drawer.
Handing the biscuits to Rhaenyra, he took the pot of cold tea from the table, hung it over the fireplace, and lit the coals inside.
"The Red Keep is always damp and chilly, no matter the season."
Rhaegar casually sat by the fireplace, patting the seat across from him to invite Rhaenyra over.
"So, how have you been? Still having nightmares?"
Without refusing her brother's gesture, Rhaenyra opened the package of biscuits and took a bite, joining him by the fire.
"Give me one. I haven't eaten either."
Rhaegar grabbed the second biscuit she pulled out and replied, "Nightmares always follow me. I've gotten used to them."
"Where have you been all day, skipping meals?"
Rhaenyra asked curiously, her concern evident in her eyes. "The Grand Maester says you've been refusing your medicine lately. Father and I are both worried about you."
"I've just been wandering around. I know my body well. Medicine won't solve the problem, but I believe I'll get better soon."
Rhaegar offered a vague explanation, steering the conversation in a different direction. "But enough about me. What's on your mind this time?"
Rhaenyra frowned. "We're talking about you."
"But every time you visit me, you're full of grievances and complaints."
Rhaegar nibbled on a biscuit. "Dear sister, I've grown used to being your sounding board."
"You're impossible."
Rhaenyra huffed. "It's the same old, dirty power games. Those ministers think a woman shouldn't sit on the Iron Throne. They want to push me off and have Father crown Aegon instead."
"Father loves you, Sister."
Rhaegar didn't believe King Viserys would harm his daughter just to appease the court.
"Not at all!"
---
Rhaenyra retorted loudly.
Rhaegar was startled and looked at her awkwardly.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to. I'm just so frustrated by all the rumors."
Realizing her outburst, Rhaenyra gently patted her younger brother's head, her voice softening significantly. "Father wants to marry me off to powerful and influential men who can help solidify his reign as king. It feels like... it feels like…"
"Like being sold as a piece of merchandise?"
Rhaegar finished her thought for her.
"Rhaegar, my dear brother."
Hearing her unspoken feelings said aloud, Rhaenyra's eyes reddened as she grasped her brother's hand helplessly.
Since their mother's passing, their father had married her closest friend, and their uncle Daemon had been exiled from King's Landing.
She had no one left to confide in.
Apart from riding dragons through the skies, she felt like a wandering ghost in the vast Red Keep.
No one listened to her. No one truly cared for her.
Rhaenyra tightly held her brother's thin, frail hand. "Thank the Stranger for not taking you away from me. I don't know who else would care for me if you were gone."
Rhaegar shook his head and said, "Don't think like that, sister."
"Father hasn't replaced you as his heir, which shows he still loves you."
"The rumors outside aren't just attacking you; they're also weighing heavily on Father, who shields you from the storm."
Rhaenyra lowered her head. "But I don't want to marry those scheming vultures. They only want to feast on my blood and flesh."
"If you're unwilling, perhaps I could talk to Father. Maybe when he sees how close we are as siblings, he'll forget about it for now."
An idea flashed in Rhaegar's mind, and his face softened as he tried to comfort his sister.
"But…"
Rhaenyra hesitated, unable to voice her doubts.
Rhaegar said bitterly, "I know. Every time Father looks at me, his frail, dying son, he's reminded of Mother and is consumed by guilt and remorse."
"He avoids getting close to me because he fears that losing me one day would break him completely."
"But I am Rhaegar Targaryen. I belong to the skies and the seas. I can't stay caged in the Red Keep forever."
Rhaegar's small face was resolute as he looked up at his sister with hopeful eyes.
Hearing the longing in her brother's words, Rhaenyra felt a deep connection.
Wasn't she also being kept close by her father, shackled by the constraints of power?
Without much thought, the young woman agreed in one breath: "Alright. Tomorrow, I'll take you to see Father. He needs to fulfill his duties as a father."
A smile blossomed on Rhaegar's youthful face as he affectionately buried himself in Rhaenyra's modest embrace, nuzzling against her. "Sister, this is the birthday gift I truly want."
To hell with cakes and grand celebrations.
All he wanted was the love of his family.
That wasn't too much to ask for.
Rhaenyra wrapped her arms around her brother, resting her chin on his bony shoulder. Her eyes were filled with confusion and helplessness.
After a long silence, she murmured regretfully, "How I wish you had a healthy body."
"That way, you could fulfill everyone's expectations and protect me too."
"Before the Stranger takes me away, I'll stay by your side, sister," Rhaegar replied quietly, nestled in the warmth of her embrace.
For the young boy, his world revolved around their father, Viserys, and his sister, Rhaenyra.
He couldn't bear to see harm come to either of them.
---
**Author's Note:**
The timeline differs slightly between the books and the show. The series compresses events for narrative convenience, focusing on specific incidents.
In the books, the author adheres to the original timeline.
While the events remain the same, the portrayal in the books offers more clarity, avoiding ambiguity regarding character ages and related details.
(End of Chapter)