[29] Princely Secrets of a Dragon

Chapter 29: Princely Secrets of a Dragon

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“Thank you, thank you so much!” Daisy’s voice was weak but earnest as she looked up from the bed, her pale face framed by strands of damp, brown hair. Her eyes were rimmed with exhaustion but held a faint light of hope as they met mine.

Ros stood beside her bed, a soft smile tugging at her lips, though her own weariness was apparent.

“You have no idea how much this means to me,” Daisy continued, her voice trembling slightly as she held my hand. She was on the verge of tears. “Ros told me everything. She… she’s lucky to have found someone like you. Truly lucky.”

Ros’s cheeks flushed, a faint giggle escaping her as she glanced at me, shy and girlish in her demeanor. “Oh, Daisy, you’re making me embarrassed…”

I smiled faintly, inclining my head toward Daisy. “I’m just glad you’re safe. The Healers weren’t sure if you’d survive the night, even with the medicines. But since the night has passed, you should be alright now. Just focus on recovering,” I said simply. “Ros and I will make sure you’re taken care of.”

Daisy’s lips parted as if to protest, but the strain on her body was too much. “Just rest,” Ros said, and the woman sighed, singing back against the thin pillow, her eyes fluttering shut. Ros reached over, gently adjusting the blanket around her friend with a tenderness that failed to catch her hardened life.

I walked away from the bed and lingered by the door, watching Ros care for Daisy. Her movements were gentle, her touch soft. There was something… human in her I hadn’t fully noticed or appreciated before. I had started approaching her with the intention of using her as a tool. Still, thankfully I hadn’t inherited my father’s madness, so I could appreciate my subordinates more than just tools or pawns, but rather as someone capable of loyalty and depth.

When she finally turned to me, I straightened, masking my thoughts with a faint smile. “I’ll wait outside,” I said, my tone casual. “Take your time.”

She nodded, her lips pressing together in a tight, grateful line. It was early morning, and we’d be late if we delayed any further. I stepped out into the corridor, the faint light casting long shadows on the walls.

****

The sunlight was faint when we set out from King’s Landing. The city still slumbered as Ros and I rode away, the streets quiet save for the occasional drunkard or beggar huddled in the alleys. Ros sat on my proud steed, Dany White, her figure small but poised. I was sitting behind her, my arms around her waist and holding the reins.

She laughed softly when I squeezed her waist now and then with the excuse of steadying myself. She was giddy sharing a horse with me as I nudged the horse forward, guiding her through the winding paths that led away from the city’s walls.

“I’ve never ridden like this before,” she admitted, tilting her head back slightly. Her auburn hair brushed against my cheek, and there was a lightness in her voice that felt foreign, even to her. Truly, the poor girl was in love. “It almost feels like flying.”

I chuckled, keeping my tone light. “You’ll get used to it. Dany’s a fine horse. She knows her way.”

“Dany,” Ros repeated, her tone teasing. “A curious name for a horse. Does it mean something special?”

I smirked, “It’s, uh, named after my sister…”

“You have a sister? You never mentioned-” she started and then blinked. “Ah, sorry…” The way her voice faltered, she must have assumed my little sister was dead. That was not the case, and I’d honestly be a little sad if that happened.

“She’s alive, don’t worry,” I said. “We’re just not close. And I think she wants to kill me. That’s why I never brought her up. I’ll tell you more about her later,” I said, making the mood lift. We continued talking, chatting among ourselves as we rode.

The ride was long, the sun climbing higher as we left the familiar chaos of King’s Landing behind. Ros was silent for much of the journey, her gaze fixed on the horizon, where the forest loomed in the distance.

She rested her weight on me, snuggling close, and the more she did stuff like that, the more I felt pity for what I was about to reveal to her today.

“By the way, why’re you wearing a wig?” She suddenly asked when we were close to our destination. “Your eyes look more… purple too. I noticed last night, but the situation wasn’t one where I could question you about that.”

I was surprised she’d noticed. “The answer is related to what I plan to show you,” I said, “so be patient, alright?”

“Sure~”

It took more time to reach the edge of Kingswood than last time. Dany White carried two people, after all, and I deliberately went slow in the hope that the sun would set by the time we reached. As we closed up, the scenery bathed purple with fresh moonlight. Ros looked around with awe-filled eyes and inhaled deeply, her chest rising as she breathed in the crisp and untamed air.

“Beautiful place, isn’t it?” I asked.

“This is… nice, yes,” she murmured, her voice carrying a note of wonder. “But isn’t it dangerous to be here? I’ve heard stories about wolves, even bandits.”

There were no bandits, and if there were, they’d fled the forest after seeing the shadow of a dragon soaring through the night sky. I smiled faintly, sliding off the horse and offering her a hand to dismount. “It’s nothing I can’t handle,” I said confidently. “You worry too much.”

She laughed, a soft, melodic sound. “And what will you do if a whole pack of wolves comes running? Charm them with your wit?”

I wondered what witty thing to say to that before I grinned, stepping toward a nearby light tree. “No,” I said simply. “I’d do this.”

Without warning, I drew back my fist and struck the trunk with all my strength. The sound of splintering wood echoed through the clearing as the tree cracked and fell with a resounding thud. Dany White neighed, jumping, but didn’t run. Dust and leaves filled the air, and I turned back to Ros, brushing my hands off as if the feat had cost me nothing.

Her expression faltered, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and awe. “You… what?” She stammered. “N-no, what just happened? You broke that with your bare hands? Is that even humanly possible!” she stammered.

I nodded, my smile faint but satisfied. “This is what I’d do to them,” I said, my voice steady. “I’m not joking when I say I’m far more powerful than I seem.”

The sun had set, and the moon was showering over the clearing. The atmosphere was quite romantic, and Ros stood rooted in place, her gaze flicking between the fallen tree and me. “...Wow… haha,” she said, her voice shaky with laughter. “You don’t look like you hold that much power inside you. Can the Mountain do that, even?”

“Oh, trust me, he can,” I replied with a chuckle. “If it was the Mountain, he could do it.” However, after the recent level-ups, I couldn’t be sure if he was stronger than me. I was definitely a better fighter, though, considering speed and everything. It might not be an easy win, though.

She relaxed slightly, a small smile returning to her lips. “Heh. So I was worried for nothing when you left the city a week ago.”

“Yes,” I admitted. “Although to be fair, there are much greater things you should be worried about regarding me. I’m not safe even with this much strength.”

Her brow rose as she sank onto a fallen log, her gaze fixed on me. She didn’t take my statement seriously. “Why is that, Prince Charming?” she asked with humor in her tone.

I stared at her and then sighed, crossing my arms as I met her eyes. “I’m sorry, Ros. I know how you feel about me, but… I hadn’t considered that you’d fall in love with me when I first met you and told you things. I was just there to get laid, you know? Men lie. I also lied to you about some stuff, although much of it was true.”

“Well, fair,” she said, although now her expression was starting to shift. She had a small frown on her face. When I went silent, she started to look worried. “...Vis?” she asked, her voice small and uncertain.

“I’m not someone that can marry you,” I said softly. “Not because I don’t want to, but because this realm will not withstand that.”

Her confusion deepened, her eyes searching mine for answers.

“It was not a lie when I said I am part of the Second Sons and that my name is Vis. Some people do call me Vis,” I continued. “But that’s not my official name. Allow me to introduce myself properly.”

I snapped my fingers, and the air beside me cracked open. Rather than my name, I let her feast on the myth first. The myth that was the emblem of my family. A dark void cracked the air, and from it emerged a majestic dragon, a mighty lizard with wings and glistening golden scales. “Groughh!” Viserion roared, her golden scales shimmering as she soared into the sky.

I didn’t know if I was going too fast, but there was no going back now. I was going to trust a whore with this secret.

I observed her expression carefully. Ros gasped, stumbling back as she stared up at the dragon, her hands covering her mouth. “A… a dragon?!” she cried, her voice trembling with shock.

I stayed silent, looking up to follow Viserion soar the skies, circle the forest, and spew fire on the dark sky. I waited for Ros to call me herself, but the girl was too awed by the sight. Only half a minute later did she snap her head down at me, her eyes filled with confusion and fear. Rightfully so.

“V-Vis? You… you are…” she started, and I nodded, reaching up to pull off my wig.

My silver hair gleamed in the fading light as I looked at her, my purple eyes glinting and my expression steady. “I am Vis,” I said, “short for Viserys Targaryen. The last living son of Aerys Targaryen and the blood of Aegon the Conqueror. Of Old Valyria. Leader of the Second Sons, Hero of the Red God, and the Father of Dragons.”

It was a bit embarrassing to announce my titles myself, but I didn’t have Kinvara here. The words didn’t fall short, though. Ros’ wide eyes remained locked on me, trembling as she stared at the last blood of the Targaryen Dynasty. “Your… your sister,” she said, “it’s Daenerys Targaryen…” that wasn’t a question, so I nodded.

The woman was stunned, shocked, and stupefied. She was standing in front of a prince, and she must have realized what I meant when I said I couldn’t marry a whore. Her eyes shifted between the dragon and me, her lips parting as if to speak, but no words came.

“And Ros,” I continued, stepping closer. “Although I’m sorry for leading you on, it was all you who had the idea of marriage, not me. You understand how impossible it is, yes? And that saddens me. Because I adore you… and so I want you to be beside me.” I said, watching her breathing grow heavy. “I want you to become mine, Ros. And I want you to help me conquer this continent—no, not conquer. Assist me in taking back what is rightfully mine.”

I extended a hand to her, my voice firm, resolute. “Take my hand. Become my eyes and ears. Help me put down that terrible Joffrey, who you know is a monster. You, a whore? I don’t want you to stay that way, for I truly adore you. Instead… I want you to take the role of being your future king’s most trusted advocate. As the Mistress of Whisperers. Ros, not the whore, but the Lady of the Small Council. I want history to know you like that.”

Her gaze was a storm of emotions. There was shock, confusion, sadness that the man she fell for was someone from a whole other world, and lastly… ambition. Ros stared at me. Slowly, she reached out, her fingers trembling as they touched mine. Her grip tightened, and a spark of determination lit her eyes.

Ros, who’d one day be written as Ros the Spider in the pages of history, took my hand with trembling fingers. I pulled her up and embraced her like a beast, for that was the thing she wanted the most tonight.

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Author Note: There’s no point in having a smut scene here; the current conclusion is pretty solid. But fear not those who are deprived of lemons, soon, soon… ??