Cadmus looked at Rhaenys, Aegon, Gaemon, and Maekar with a curious gaze. Honestly, he felt their chances of successfully claiming a dragon were slim. Perhaps even an ordinary person had a better chance than they did.
It wasn't that he looked down on Rhaenys, Aegon, Gaemon, and Maekar, but lineage was a major factor in this world. Rhaenys and Aegon's blood carried Rhoynar traits, while Maekar and Gaemon's blood bore the marks of the Stark lineage. Of these two bloodlines, one was an enemy of the Valyrian Freehold, and the other was an element completely opposite to fire.
Rhaella looked at her grandchildren and suppressed the urge to try claiming the dragon herself; she felt her grandsons and granddaughters were more suited for the task.
However, under everyone's watchful eyes, regardless of which of Rhaegar's children tried, none could make the dragon so much as budge. Aegon, who tried even more fiercely than the others, nearly got bitten by the hatchling for attempting to touch it.
The baby dragon's blue eyes were filled with distaste for Rhaegar's four children, which left everyone surprised and shocked. Especially for Rhaenys and Aegon, the distaste was so profound that the hatchling let out a threatening roar whenever they approached.
"Why?" There was no blow more devastating to Aegon than being so fiercely rejected. Arrogant as he was, he could see that the small dragon truly disliked him; on the contrary, it seemed to feel a deep loathing for him.
"Because the lineages of you four are incompatible," Cadmus said, lifting the small dragon from his head and stroking the scales on its neck. Without waiting for their response, he continued. "Dragons are beings intimately tied to the world's magic, so lineage is a crucial factor in claiming one."
"Prince Aegon and Princess Rhaenys possess Rhoynar blood, and Princes Maekar and Gaemon possess Stark blood, which has a strong affinity for ice and snow. In short, you are practically incompatible with dragons." Cadmus looked at the four of them and spoke calmly.
Rhaegar's expression turned somber in an instant; knowing that his children would struggle to claim a dragon was a heavy blow to House Targaryen. The more dragon riders, the better, but now it seemed things wouldn't be so easy.
Even Rhaenys, the calmest of the four, looked pale, staring at the beautiful blue-green dragon with a trace of pain in her eyes.
However, if anyone felt more guilt, it was both queens. They were deathly pale; knowing they were the source of their children's failure was a heavy blow for any mother, let alone a queen. They could only imagine how much they would be criticized if these words reached the ears of the common folk.
"I also have Rhoynar blood," Rhaegar said in a heavy tone. He clenched his fists, finding the perceived injustice unbelievable. He also had Rhoynar blood running through his veins. Daeron II had married Myriah Martell, so the King knew he carried that bloodline as well. He didn't understand why he had managed to claim a dragon while his children could not.
"To be more precise, you are a Targaryen with very pure blood. The marriage between Queen Rhaella and King Aerys made your blood quite pure. Not only that, but the marriages between members of House Targaryen after Daeron practically eliminated that lineage. The amount of Rhoynar blood in your body is minuscule, almost non-existent, given the generations between you and Daeron II," Cadmus said calmly.
"However, the blood of Queen Nymeria in House Martell is strong, almost like a parasite in the blood, it's hard to eliminate." Cadmus looked at the King and spoke steadily. "As for House Stark, ice and fire are completely different attributes; I would be surprised if the dragon accepted Princes Maekar and Gaemon."
Everyone's expressions were sorrowful; there is nothing sadder in the world than wanting something and never truly having it. The four princes and princess were feeling exactly that at this moment. They were so close to having a dragon, yet they couldn't, which left them deeply discouraged.
Looking at their faces, Cadmus spoke with a curious look. "Of course, if Daenerys helps, you might manage to claim the dragon, but be careful and don't be too invasive."
Rhaenys breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Daenerys with a bright gaze.
"Dany, my best friend!!!" She took one of Daenerys's hands and spoke in a gentle, sweet tone, making a shiver run down Daenerys's spine. She had never seen such sweetness and gentleness from the fierce, cheerful, and warrior-like Rhaenys Targaryen.
"Stop talking like that; you know I'll help you." Daenerys couldn't stand seeing Rhaenys so sweet and gentle; it was simply different from the niece she truly knew.
"Come to your mother." Looking at the small blue-green dragon, Daenerys spoke in a gentle tone. The dragon, as if understanding its mother's intentions, approached and sat in her lap next to Balerion.
"Touch him slowly. Don't show any intention of claiming him; just pet him," Daenerys whispered to Rhaenys. The princess with Dornish blood nodded and reached out her hand, slowly approaching the small dragon.
The dragon looked at Rhaenys with a look of distaste in its eyes, but sensing that the woman who smelled of water had no intention of claiming him, he proudly allowed himself to be petted, as if it were a privilege he was granting this "smelly" woman.
Rhaenys was thrilled to feel the smooth, warm, and soft touch of the dragon's scales; it was simply the most beautiful thing she had ever seen in her life.
Rhaenys's progress gave hope to Aegon, Maekar, and Gaemon. If Rhaenys could do it, so could they!
Daenerys looked at the small dragon, and through the special bond she shared with the four dragons, she felt that the small dragon had no intention of accepting Rhaenys. Petting was the most she could hope for.
Feeling sorry for her niece, Daenerys looked at Rhaenys and shook her head.
Rhaenys saw this and turned pale, stepping back with an expression full of reluctance. She felt she was so close, yet so far from her dream.
After Rhaenys, Aegon couldn't take it and walked quickly toward the dragon. But unlike Rhaenys, who managed to control her greed and desires, the same could not be said for Prince Aegon.
Aegon failed miserably; he couldn't even manage to pet the dragon before it tried to bite his hand. This made Cadmus smile sarcastically. Aegon would have to become a better version of himself to have even a slight chance of claiming a dragon.
Aegon felt his face burning with shame; he felt that the eyes around him were mocking him, which wasn't entirely a lie. Cadmus was mocking him, but only Cadmus; no one else was.
After Aegon came Gaemon. The boy managed to pet the dragon like Rhaenys, but Daenerys also shook her head, making the young prince sigh in disappointment. However, he seemed happy just to have petted a dragon.
After Gaemon, it was Maekar's turn, but again, the small green dragon refused to accept a rider among the four princes and princesses.
Rhaegar let out a sigh; he was truly concerned about this issue. Perhaps it was the first time House Targaryen had been so rejected by dragons. Fortunately, he and Daenerys had dragons of their own.
Suddenly, under everyone's surprised eyes, the small blue-green dragon rose from Daenerys's lap, looked toward the door, and let out a long, guttural sound.
While everyone was curious about the dragon's behavior, the door opened, and Barristan entered the King's chambers, holding a delicate young girl.
The girl looked delicate and small, like a fragile little doll. She had a sweet and shy expression, but her sickly pale skin showed she had been ill for a long time. She had the characteristic hair of House Targaryen and rare silver eyes.
She was Rhaegar's second daughter with Queen Lyanna, Naerys Targaryen.
Lyanna quickly approached and took her daughter in her arms, looking at her with tenderness and love. "Did you sleep well, darling?" she asked in a gentle tone.
"Yes, Mother." The girl nodded and spoke in a shy tone, especially noticing there were strangers in the room.
However, under Cadmus's surprised eyes, the blue-green dragon spread its wings and flew toward Lyanna, or rather, toward the girl in the Queen's arms.
Naerys, who was looking curiously at Cadmus, noticed a shadow advancing toward her but was not frightened. Looking into the beautiful blue reptilian eyes before her, she opened her mouth in shock and said, "Dragon!!!"
A smile appeared on Rhaegar's lips; House Targaryen had just gained its third dragon rider! At the same time, it gave him hope that his other sons and daughter might manage to claim a dragon in the future.
Cadmus also looked at the princess he had not yet met; he blinked and felt a strange magic within the girl. If he could describe what he was feeling, he would say the girl's magic was like a dream, volatile as mist and ethereal as a distant dream.
'A dreamer.' Cadmus thought with a smile, looking at the beautiful nine-year-old girl.
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Finally found the right moment to introduce Naerys; it took a while.
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/GOTSW
Read my other books:
Game Of Thrones: The God-Emperor of Planetos (500,000 words written).
Percy Jackson: Godwyn the Golden.
Game Of Thrones: The King's Court Wizard