The dragonriders of the Vaelarys family fell into silence. They were well aware that after Samantha's death, the question of the ownership of her dragon might arise, much like the issue with Vermax. However, initially, they were not concerned about this issue. According to the family's secret records and Rey's years of research, unless in exceptional circumstances, dragons that have become wild typically return to their birthplace.
The sorcerer-kings of Valyria during the Freehold's time never cared about why this happened—perhaps it was unnecessary? Because the dragonlords of the Freehold rarely left Valyria. Naturally, they had no need to worry about where the dragons would return to.
But after the Doom, dragonlords should have been concerned with these issues. However, the Targaryens, who had kept dragons for centuries, had not conducted any research into this matter. This left the once-young Rey quite speechless.
However, Rey was not certain and could only speculate that the behavior of wild dragons returning to their birthplace might have something to do with magic. After all, dragon hatching was likely influenced by magic, and the places capable of hatching dragons would naturally retain magical residues. Dragons were attuned to magic and would not stay long in areas lacking it.
In comparison, the magic of the transformed Red Mountains would undoubtedly be stronger than that of King's Landing, even surpassing Dragonstone's ordinary, long-dormant volcano.
Thus, Vermax had chosen to stay in the Dragon's Nest, for the magic there was richer.
Therefore, the Vaelarys family was not initially worried that Candlelight would pose any issues.
But no one had expected that Baelor, a mere child, would somehow manage to make Candlelight accept him.
"My dear, this is no small matter," whispered Rhaegor's wife, Daenyra, a rider of the Aurorae, and the second matriarch of the Vaelarys family. "Candlelight is one of the first dragons our family ever hatched. It is not only a great dragon but can also lay eggs. My dear, no one can guarantee that after our nephew tames Candlelight, it won't start laying eggs again."
"Daenyra, you were never like this before," Seryna teased softly. In her memory, both Daenyra and Valenna had been soft-spoken and fragile, hardly speaking at all. Of course, she knew this was merely a necessary facade that girls adopted after growing up and becoming wives. Daenyra was actually quite rebellious; she had once boldly defied Draezell's pressure to steal the Valyrian steel sword, Song of the Stars, for Rhaegor. Valenna, too, was a brave girl—after all, not everyone had the courage to face Silverwing.
"That was within the family," Daenyra continued. "Rhaegor, you are the heir of the family. You see things more clearly than I do." She turned to the Velaryons, who were gathered nearby. "You understand the situation with House Targaryen better than I do. Should I, as a woman, push you any further?"
Rhaegor hadn't expected that the first to tear the facade would be his normally composed wife, not his impulsive brothers or bold sister.
"I remind you, Rhaegor, Igon and Daenerys still do not have dragons," Daenyra said. When she mentioned Daenerys, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly. She found it hard to understand why Daenerys still hadn't tamed a dragon. By ability and bloodline, Daenerys should have been the first to bond with a dragon, but despite her urging, Daenerys had still been reluctant to tame one.
It seemed like she was waiting for the larger dragons to be available.
This left both Rhaegor and his wife somewhat speechless.
Rhaegor understood his wife's unspoken words. The fact that Candlelight had been tamed by Baelor was not a major issue. Even though Candlelight was suited for dragon combat, it would never rival the true dragons of the Vaelarys family. After Baelor's death, the Vaelarys could easily retrieve the dragon by various means, both overt and covert.
But this was Baelor.
Daeron's brother, who carried the bloodline of the silver dragon. The child Samantha had favored most in life.
Now that Queen Jeyne had passed away, Daeron was unlikely to remarry or have new heirs, whether from a romantic or political perspective.
Even if Viserys opposed House Vaelarys, he knew the limits. No matter how much he jumped, in Draezell's eyes, he was just a child throwing a tantrum.
Thus, Baelor was likely to become Daeron's heir—if Daeron was wise, Baelor would be his only choice, not his sisters.
Candlelight represented the prince's dragon, which was a completely different concept from the king's dragon. Jaehaerys I was a special case, but once Baelor had children, Candlelight would most likely never return to the Vaelarys family.
But, after all, the two families had not yet torn each other apart. Or rather, the one capable of doing so was unwilling. After all, if Draezell wanted to, his obsidian throne was far more suited to rule the world than that iron chair.
As long as he wanted, from the Sunset Sea to the Door of the Jade Sea, wherever dragon wings could reach, it would be a place of submission, crawling at his father's feet.
But he didn't want that, simply because of the final chapter of the "Song of Ice and Fire" that would never occur in his lifetime, simply because he couldn't yet determine where the prophesied child would appear among the descendants of the dragonlords.
Rhaegor closed his eyes, letting the scattered sparks from the fire streak across his face. He finally made up his mind, turning towards his father's dragon.
Rey stood below Vermithor, chin resting in his hand, deep in thought. He looked up and also gazed at his older brother, perched atop the dragon's back.
"Uncle."
"Your brother already knows," Rey said casually, yet the tension in Rhaegor's face immediately relaxed.
Father knows. Then they didn't have to worry anymore.
Father would handle this.
"Your brother needs peace. Rhaegor, you know your mother is not in a good condition right now. If it weren't for the fact that her husband is my brother, it would be... never mind, take the children and socialize with the royal family for a while," Rey said calmly.
"Mm."
"Wait. Rhaegor," Rey suddenly called out as Rhaegor turned to leave, "Tell Seryna to spend more time with Baelor. That way, you'll get to know what kind of child he really is."
Rey smiled suddenly.
It was clear he knew something.
Rhaegor searched his mind for the information compiled by the Vaelarys intelligence network—don't ask how the Vaelarys intelligence network was set up. Money? The Vaelarys had it. People? The Vaelarys had those too. Connections and political power? The Vaelarys had it all.
This network wasn't something that could just be woven together on a whim.
Not sending spies into Veyseris' chambers was already showing mercy from Dragonzel and his son.
Not to mention that several of Prince Aegon's mistresses were Vaelarys spies—they had even given birth to his bastards.
However, it was unfortunate that Baelor had been raised in the Black Keep, which happened to be the weakest point of the Vaelarys' intelligence network.
Who would casually send spies to their widowed daughter's side?
Thus, Rhaegor was surprised to find that he knew almost nothing about his nephew, Baelor.
"I understand, Uncle. I'll go take care of it right away."
Rhaegor suddenly thought of a way.