GOT King of Dragon

Aerys, eager to save his brother, did not keep the king waiting long. 

Within just over ten minutes, he had gathered a large group of people and brought them to the main tent. 

Viserys reassured the anxious maesters and healers, ordering them to examine Rhaegar thoroughly. 

From head to toe, not a single strand of hair was to be overlooked in the full-body inspection. 

The maesters who were familiar with Rhaegar found this process nothing new. 

Some of them had assisted the Grand Maester in examining this frail prince on occasion. 

After preparing the necessary tools, the maesters took the lead and began the examination. 

The process was simple yet crude. 

First, they drew blood, observing its color and viscosity. 

They even used a leech to taste the blood and check for any toxins. 

Beyond that, they employed various other methods. 

Large hands massaged his entire body, inspecting his skin, teeth, and hair roots… 

There was nothing these medical scholars wouldn't do. 

One particularly scrawny old man even suggested removing Rhaegar's pants to examine his anus. 

As Rhaegar's father, Viserys did not object to this proposal. 

Rhaegar, however, was utterly horrified, immediately regretting his rash decision to agree to the examination. 

Fortunately, before things went too far, Aerys intervened. 

With a single punch, he broke the scrawny old man's nose and pleaded with the king not to allow such an indignity to befall the prince. 

"Even if I am to be hanged, the prince should not suffer such humiliation!" 

Rhaegar nearly wet himself, trembling as he hid behind Aerys. 

Viserys did not reprimand Aerys for his actions. Instead, he waved his hand, dismissing the less capable healers. 

Only a few credible maesters remained to provide a unified report on Rhaegar's condition. 

The royal maester spoke first, his tone filled with astonishment. "Your Grace, the prince's health has indeed improved significantly. His blood is far more vibrant than usual." 

The other maesters quickly followed with their assessments. 

"The prince previously suffered from shortness of breath, but his deep breathing test was completely normal this time—no irregular sounds in his chest." 

"His urine is a healthy color—light yellow but clear. There is a slight musky odor, indicating rapid kidney recovery…" 

"…" 

A series of positive reports left Viserys momentarily stunned. 

He ordered his guards to escort the maesters out and rewarded them all with gold. 

Soon, only Viserys, his sons, and the Cargyll brothers remained in the tent. 

Rhaegar spoke first. "As the maesters said, my illness has been cured, thanks to Ser Aerys's help." 

"He helped you, so I will be lenient in my judgment of him." 

Viserys was genuinely happy for his eldest son, his voice filled with emotion. "I'm glad you are in good health. When I see your mother in the afterlife, I will no longer be ashamed." 

"Father, I cannot speak on Mother's behalf, but I hope you can look forward instead of dwelling on the past." 

At the mention of his mother, who had died in childbirth, Rhaegar felt a pang of sadness. 

Rumors and whispers were like the cold wind in the depths of winter. 

Not only could they cut like knives, but they also found their way into every crack, reaching even those who wished not to hear them. 

Viserys carried guilt for forcing his wife to bear children, ultimately leading to her death. 

And as the newborn who had survived her passing, Rhaegar, too, felt like he had played a part in her fate. 

As a child, he had overheard countless embellished stories, each one feeding his own sense of guilt. 

Noticing his son's downcast expression, Viserys felt a sharp ache in his heart, realizing he had stirred painful memories. 

"Aerys, I wish to speak privately with my son. Take your brother and stand guard outside. Let no one approach the tent." 

Viserys dismissed the Cargyll brothers. 

"Understood!" 

Aerys's face was solemn as he dragged his brother outside to stand watch. 

With no one else around, Viserys approached Rhaegar and gently stroked his head. 

"You were quite frightened just now, weren't you?" 

"What?" 

Rhaegar looked confused. 

Viserys smirked. "Doctor Boros—the old man who wanted to pull down your pants." 

Rhaegar's face turned pale. "I'll remember that name." 

"A ruler must have a generous heart, especially toward the healers who prepare his medicine." 

Viserys half-joked, half-advised. 

"That's your kind of political scheming, not mine. I just want to smash his damn head in." 

Rhaegar had no interest in the so-called virtue of tolerance. 

It wasn't as if the king had been the one pinned down and stripped. 

"For now, let's assume the story of the White Hart is true. Did you really recover because of a miraculous fruit?" 

Shifting the topic, Viserys recalled the fruit his son had mentioned. 

He himself had been wounded by the Iron Throne, and no matter what treatments were used, his wounds never fully healed. 

For nearly a decade, his body had been covered in scars, with many turning into festering sores. 

The pain ceaselessly tormented his nerves.

If…

If the white stag truly possessed that miraculous fruit, perhaps it could heal his body.

Rhaegar naturally understood why his father asked such a question.

"I am not lying. The white stag willingly approached me and offered me a fruit that restored my health."

Viserys's face lit up with joy. "Can you find the white stag again?"

Rhaegar replied directly, "That miraculous fruit is incredibly rare. It's unlikely there will be a second one, even if I find the white stag."

"How do you know unless you try?"

Viserys was unwilling to abandon hope for a cure.

Rhaegar, unwilling to betray his friend, firmly stated, "The white stag is an auspicious creature. Those it befriends will receive blessings."

"Conversely, anyone who dares to harm it will be cursed."

Viserys scrutinized Rhaegar suspiciously, searching his expression for any sign of deception.

Rhaegar remained composed, calmly meeting his father's gaze.

After a long moment, Viserys relented, sighing. "You're right. I went hunting for the white stag yesterday but didn't catch so much as a glimpse of it."

Rhaegar was quite surprised, not expecting such a revelation.

Viserys patted his head. "You are luckier than I am, having gained the white stag's friendship."

Rhaegar said nothing.

He didn't know what to say.

The white stag was his friend, and he couldn't betray it.

Moreover, the fruit had been a reward granted by the Explorer, not something the white stag owned.

Even if he helped his father capture the white stag, there wouldn't be a second fruit to cure him.

Viserys appeared comforted, though his mind held another thought.

The white stag symbolized kingship, yet as king, he had not been graced with its presence.

That Rhaegar had encountered it was no mere stroke of luck.

Despite the whirlwind of thoughts in his mind, Viserys reminded himself: 

His son's fortuitous encounter was a rare blessing!

With this realization, a new idea arose in Viserys's mind.

He took Rhaegar's hand and led him to the brazier in the tent.

Under Rhaegar's puzzled gaze, Viserys drew the dragonbone-handled dagger from his belt and held the blade over the fire.

Once the Valyrian steel blade was thoroughly heated and glowing red, he gripped the dragonbone hilt and withdrew it from the flames.

He held it before Rhaegar.

"Look closely. What do you see?"

Viserys encouraged him.

Rhaegar examined the glowing blade and noticed tiny inscriptions emerging under the heat of the flame.

"Is it written in High Valyrian?"

Fluent in High Valyrian, Rhaegar quickly discerned its meaning.

Realizing he hadn't officially studied High Valyrian yet, Rhaegar hesitated to reveal too much.

He stumbled over his words as he read aloud, "Prophecy… bloodline… the Song of Ice and Fire…"

Beyond that, Rhaegar pretended to struggle, looking helplessly at Viserys.

Viserys was not surprised but rather delighted that Rhaegar could recognize even part of the ancient language.

It seemed the rumors were true: Rhaegar truly loved books.

(End of Chapter)