The next day.
News spread from Red Keep.
Once it got out, it quickly echoed through every street and alley of King's Landing.
Dragons!!
The King's Second Son, Daeron Targaryen, has hatched three young dragons on Dragonstone and is bringing them back to King's Landing.
"Haven't dragons been extinct for over a hundred years?"
"I thought dragons were just legends."
"..."
Even in the poorest Flea Bottom, commoners were chattering about it.
Meanwhile, at the heart of the storm, Red Keep had already descended into madness... aboard the wanton prince.
Daeron stayed in his room, planning his future moves.
He was the one who had someone release the news.
News of the young dragons couldn't be hidden for long; trying to conceal it would only be a disadvantage.
Only by releasing the news could he raise his prestige to its peak, perhaps even surpassing Rhaegar's years of accumulation in one fell swoop.
"With fame comes fortune."
Daeron's gaze was profound; he calculated that the opportunity far outweighed the danger.
"Screech!"
"Screech... screech..."
The young dragons were kept in three cages, flapping their wings and screeching at Daeron in discontent.
"Don't run around, do you hear me?"
Daeron opened the cages and let the three young dragons out.
"Screech!"
The black young dragon darted out like a bolt of black lightning, flying onto Daeron's bed and biting the sheets forcefully.
Daeron's face darkened: "Toothless, stop that!"
The red young dragon was also restless, its broad wings supporting its snake-like body as it climbed onto the furnace-like incubator, screeching sharply at the lid.
Seeing this, Daeron understood.
The young dragons were hungry.
He reached out to catch the blue young dragon that was attempting to fly, placed it on his left shoulder, and stood up to rummage through a chest by the door.
During his days on Dragonstone, he would occasionally fish by the sea.
He had caught quite a few sea fish.
"Don't worry, I'll feed you right away."
Daeron found three palm-sized sardines, pushed aside the red young dragon perched on the incubator, opened the lid, and placed the fish over the charcoal fire.
The Targaryen Family had not yet perished, and knowledge about dragons had been passed down through generations.
Dragons only eat food cooked by fire, and it must be overcooked.
Soon, the three fish were roasted to a charred black.
The young dragons feasted greedily, showing what it meant to devour food.
"Eat your fill, so you won't be hungry later."
As they were about to dock, Daeron took out three more sardines.
These sea fish were special fish imbued with Life Force, each very valuable, and most suitable as food for the young dragons.
"Eat more and grow up quickly."
...Mud Gate.
Daeron stepped off the deck.
At this moment, the entire harbor was deserted, with all bystanders having been cleared out in advance.
Hundreds of Gold Cloaks controlled the city gate, standing ready.
"Welcome, Prince!"
The Gold Cloaks shouted in unison, their arms striking their chests with a thunderous sound.
"Prince, according to your arrangements, we have taken control of the eight gates of King's Landing."
Alliser and Lord Manley stepped forward quickly, their expressions exceptionally solemn.
Daeron nodded: "Well done."
Having control over the only armed force in King's Landing, how could he allow himself to be in danger?
Since he was returning to King's Landing, he had to return openly and honorably.
"Prince, please!"
Alliser brought over two white horses.
Daeron mounted his horse and tied the three cages containing the young dragons to the back of the other horse.
"Screech!"
"Screech..."
The young dragons bumped against the cages, emitting uneasy screeches.
Alliser's breath hitched, his gaze involuntarily drawn to them.
The three cages were covered with a layer of black cloth.
Although he couldn't see the dragons inside, hearing the screeches of the young dragons was enough to make a loyalist's blood boil.
Entering the city.
Over a thousand Gold Cloaks lined the streets, firmly controlling every road Daeron's procession would pass through until they reached the gates of Red Keep.
The commoners of King's Landing couldn't break through the blockade of the Gold Cloaks, so they leaned over the golden wall of men, straining their necks to look at the young prince riding toward them.
Daeron was dressed in black, wearing a wool knit cap, his appearance still outstanding.
He rode the white horse, advancing at a steady pace.
Like a hero returning in victory, he ensured everyone could catch a glimpse of his true face.
At the rear of the procession, a wagon pulled the skeletal remains of a deformed dragon; the grotesque image and pitch-black dragon bones frightened the commoners into continuous exclamations.
The three cages holding the young dragons, conversely, received little attention.
At the same time, a new rumor spread like wildfire.
"Daeron the Daring" had bravely ventured into the Dragonmont, single-handedly killing a cursed demon dragon and rescuing the local residents of Dragonstone.
This act brought the blessing of The Seven, granting him the power to be unafraid of fire.
Prince Daeron thus hatched the dragon eggs, bringing true dragons back to the world once more.
Whether the story was true or false didn't matter, but it was certainly eye-catching.
Especially when the legendary Kingsguard, "Barristan the Bold," spoke up to testify, pushing the story to a greater climax.
After all, the Kingsguard do not lie.
The demon dragon carcass brought back by the wagon was also seen by the commoners of King's Landing with their own eyes... Red Keep.
The portcullis was already open; Ser Jon took over command, replacing the city guards with Gold Cloaks.
The Kingsguard had this authority.
"Alliser, guard the gates well."
Daeron gave the instruction and entered with a squad of Gold Cloaks.
The hurdle of the city was passed; next was the hurdle of Red Keep.
He had expected obstacles.
Unexpectedly, once Ser Jon revealed his identity and purpose, the garrison officers obeyed unconditionally.
Having secured the gates of Red Keep, all that remained was to be wary of hidden executioners.
Someone met them to lead the way to the Throne Room.
Daeron dismounted, with Barristan and Davos following closely on his left and right.
Davos had little combat ability and was carrying the three cages.
But with Barristan there, this journey was bound to be safe.
"Prince, do not stray too far from me later."
Barristan warned solemnly.
As a witness to Prince Daeron hatching the young dragons, his heart, which had originally leaned toward Prince Rhaegar, quietly shattered and turned into firm support for Prince Daeron.
From the moment the dragons were born, there was no comparison between the two.
The Targaryens have never lacked madmen and great men.
The last one called the restorer of the Targaryens, Baelor "Breakspear," had achieved nothing before his life ended while holding the title of Prince of Dragonstone.
No matter how excellent Prince Rhaegar was, he had not shown the ability to rule a country.
But Prince Daeron had actually hatched dragons.
Dragons! They are the ultimate claim for a Targaryen!
Daeron chuckled: "Ser, perhaps today will go smoothly."
"Let's hope so."
Barristan gripped his sword hilt, not at all at ease with the king he served wholeheartedly... the Throne Room.
When Daeron arrived, the hall was empty, the atmosphere deathly silent.
He had originally thought there would be many people.
Summoning the noble lords to witness the newborn dragons would have been Father Aerys's style.
Soon, he got his answer.
Lord Colton, his forehead wrapped in bandages, came trotting over and lowered his voice: "Prince, His Majesty's condition is not right. Be careful with your words and actions later."
After the news of Daeron bringing back the young dragons was conveyed to the King by the Maester... the King almost went mad!
He acted like a madman, shouting to summon the lords of the Seven Kingdoms to witness the birth of the dragons together.
The Small Council tried their best to dissuade him, barely managing to suppress the King's unwise decision.
Daeron understood and said, "My Lord, thank you for your contributions to the realm."
Lord Colton sighed softly and signaled for the Prince to step forward.
"Boy, you're finally back."
Aerys leaned forward, barely able to contain his madness, shouting, "Quick! Give me the dragons, now!"
more chapter available in p@tréøñ(Atoki_29)