In the year 263 AC, King's Landing was a scene of joy and peace.
Tranquility reigned over the four seas, and peace seemed within reach.
Since the War of the Stepstones ended, the remaining Ninepenny Kings lingered across the Narrow Sea, busy with their own affairs and showing little interest in conquering Westeros. The Iron Throne stood solid as a rock.
The only worry, perhaps, was the sparse population of the dragonlords, a truly regrettable state.
After many years, the dragon bloodline was now at its weakest.
The Iron Throne's succession had relied on a single heir for three generations. However, Prince Aerys and Princess Rhaella were young, and optimism remained that they could grow the family.
Though King Jaehaerys II was frail, he still held the reins of the realm. In 262 AC, the King fell gravely ill, yet miraculously recovered. All the great lords came to visit, especially Prince Rhaegar, who guarded the King's bedside day and night, showing maturity and filial piety far beyond his years. As the King's condition improved, even the Grand Maester marveled that it might be a divine miracle, a testament to the Prince's devotion.
Prince Rhaegar's nickname, "The Lucky One," spread far and wide. Born at Summerhall, precocious and fortunate, rumor had it the Prince's luck had infected and saved both Lord Ormund and King Jaehaerys.
They naturally ignored Ser Jason Lannister; his father, Lord Gerold the Golden, was suspected of kinslaying, a retribution even the Prince could not avert.
Some country folk even traveled from afar, hoping to find Prince Rhaegar to bless their children or cure their ailments. Fortunately, the Gold Cloaks either drove them from the city or directed them to the Septs, quieting the scene outside the Red Keep. Rhaegar didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It seemed he should use the Fire of Eternal Spring less often, or he would truly become a charlatan.
King's Landing buzzed with two explosive pieces of news: one concerning Prince Aerys, the other regarding the Master of Coin, Lord Tywin.
The King had granted special permission for Ser Tywin to wed his cousin, Lady Joanna, in the Great Sept of Baelor. This was a rare honor, promising a grand and solemn ceremony.
Westeros needed to dispel the lingering sorrow of Summerhall, and a magnificent wedding feast was the best medicine. With the vast wealth of House Lannister and the full support of the Crown, the wedding's splendor would rival that of a royal heir.
Thus, lords great and small from across Westeros flocked to King's Landing, along with many spectators from across the Narrow Sea.
Ser Tywin had arrived in the capital the previous year, bringing a fresh, youthful energy to the Small Council.
Though young, Ser Tywin's vigor, determination, and decisiveness won him universal praise.
Prince Aerys wanted to recommend his friend for Hand of the King, but the proud old stag, Lord Ormund, was not ready to yield the position. The Old Stag might step down of his own accord, but he would never let anyone take it from him. Moreover, in terms of seniority, prestige, nobility, and relation to the royal family, Ser Tywin could not yet compare to Lord Ormund.
However, since Lord Ormund frequently visited Storm's End to see his grandchildren, King Jaehaerys also looked favorably upon Ser Tywin.
But as for Prince Aerys, this year was deeply unlucky for him, and disappointment was constantly etched on his face.
The spikes outside the Red Keep were already topped with the heads of men and women, young and old, for the passersby to see.
Those with a nose for news knew that many of the dead were the lowborn sycophants, mistresses, and grooms who surrounded Prince Aerys. They had encircled the Prince, enticing him into lust, infidelity, dalliances, and extravagance.
This was the wrath of the Dragon King; when the old King grew angry, blood flowed like a river.
Better you die early than my father goes mad later and gets your whole families killed, Rhaegar thought.
Rhaegar had no time to mourn these flatterers and rumor-mongers, for his father, Crown Prince Aerys, was making a spectacle of himself in the city.
Rhaegar saw peace and joy on the faces of the Red Keep's servants, far removed from the smoke of war.
Yet, they looked at Rhaegar strangely, with a hint of novelty. Could this prince truly bring good luck?
Rhaegar stood high in the Red Keep. The wind blew through his silver hair, carrying the damp scent of the sea. He watched Prince Aerys, dressed in the plainest roughspun clothes, stripped of his finery and jeweled crown, walking on foot toward the Great Sept of Baelor.
Prince Aerys had fasted for five days and then begun a penance walk through the capital to the Great Sept, where he would pray with the High Septon.
Though dressed in simple garb, his signature silver hair and handsome face drew many to stop and watch. Flanking Prince Aerys were Ser Tywin and Ser Steffon; these bosom friends were destined to share weal and woe.
Many Kingsguard and Gold Cloaks surrounded the Prince to protect him. With the influx of people for Ser Tywin's wedding, King's Landing was chaotic, making security paramount.
Sessa, the Braavosi, stood beside Rhaegar, wanting to speak but finding the words difficult. It was awkward to discuss such embarrassing matters in front of the son. Ser Barristan had also been sent by Rhaegar to attend Aerys; despite the rebuke, they still relied on his father to grow the dragon family.
"My friend, do not be sad. Perhaps the Prince will mature greatly after this," Sessa said to Rhaegar. Since ancient times, doting parents often spoiled their children. Sessa knew that in Braavos, the Sealord's sons included plenty of wastrels.
"I hope so, Master Sessa," Rhaegar said expressionlessly, feeling no sadness, perhaps even a little joy. He had always loathed the sycophants around Aerys, the very people who tempted the Prince to betray his marriage and his father.
"Why is Ser Corlys Velaryon absent from this commotion?" Rhaegar asked. He remembered the flatterer well. Given the many gifts he had received, there was a trace of concern.
"Ser Corlys only attended meetings occasionally. When he realized the Prince's lowborn friends were becoming reckless and greedy, he feigned illness and fled back to Driftmark. So the King did not punish him severely, only sentencing Ser Corlys to three months of hard labor in the shipyards," Sessa replied.
"A true Sea Snake, slippery as an eel." Rhaegar chuckled. The man was certainly adaptable.
Prince Aerys's troubles were entirely self-inflicted. During King Jaehaerys's grave illness, he had assumed he would soon ascend the throne and acted with excessive haste.
The cause, in a way, lay with Rhaegar. He had used a Fire Seed to alter a delicate part of history, allowing the old King to survive.
When Rhaegar grew older, he would leave to find a way to hatch dragons. During his absence, King's Landing had to be stable.
Prince Aerys was impulsive, petty, and conceited, not a steady or conservative king. His grandfather was far more reliable.
When King Jaehaerys II fell suddenly ill, King's Landing was thrown into chaos, and rumors flew. The King had been sickly since childhood and cared nothing for arms. People heard funerals were being quietly prepared. Sycophants and mistresses gathered around Crown Prince Aerys, boasting and cheering. They were ecstatic, thinking their good days were coming, and spoke with scant respect for the dying King.
But King Jaehaerys II's miraculous recovery from a near-fatal illness dashed the hopes of those flatterers. Expecting rewards from the King's sudden death, they were now filled with resentment.
For the Crown Prince, the Iron Throne had been within reach, only to drift away again. In a moment of confusion, he too spouted nonsense. Even more painful for Prince Aerys was that the King heard these foolish words.
News of the recovery was kept secret at first. When King Jaehaerys heard his son had even cursed him to die early, he flew into a rage. Immediately, under the command of the King and Lord Ormund, King's Landing was plunged into a bloody purge.
"Tell your lickspittles, mistresses, and clowns that this is King's Landing, not a mummer's stage or a brothel. This time I cut out their tongues; next time I take their heads." It was said these were the first words King Jaehaerys spoke to Prince Aerys upon waking. Flush with anger, the King smashed a crystal goblet over the Prince's head, drawing blood. It was a rare fury in the King's life.
Then, Lord Ormund secretly deployed 200 veterans from Storm's End to cooperate with the City Watch in a thorough sweep of the capital.
King Jaehaerys could forgive his son, for he was the only heir, but he would never forgive the sycophants, jackals, bad friends, and mistresses at his son's side.
Those who spread rumors, and Aerys's flatterers and gossiping mistresses, were severely punished.
Those with heavier crimes were charged with cursing the King and treason; their heads were set on spikes, blood splattering the stones.
Those with lesser crimes faced slapping, whipping, or the loss of tongues.
The turmoil left Prince Aerys distraught and discouraged; he had lost all interest in balls or feasts of late.
Prince Aerys ceased associating with his bad friends, thanks, of course, to the old King. Jaehaerys's methods were so brutal no one dared provoke him again. Many former "friends" were now walking corpses.
As Rhaegar observed, his despicable father was now panicked and anxious, feigning piety. He was about to swear to the High Septon that he would be loyal to his wife, honor his father, and never touch a woman other than his wife again.
Rhaegar watched the Prince walk, his pious posture surprising everyone.
A wisp of colorless flame rose from Rhaegar's fingertip, then slowly vanished.
Father, I hope you learn your lesson this time.
~~----------------------
Patreon Advance Chapters:
[email protected] / Dreamer20