Rhaegor calmly walked down the stairs of the Silverblood Tower, turning into the hall where he usually handled political matters. After Aegon was safely born, he had moved back into this small, but brightly lit room when the candles were lit.
"Did I forget something?"
As soon as he sat down, Rhaegor furrowed his brow. But he truly couldn't recall what it was that he had forgotten.
"No, wait, if I remember it, then it must be important," Rhaegor realized something was off and hurriedly began searching through the letters from his brothers.
There was no letter from Jacaerys.
But he found the letter from Dan.
Dan was indeed more suited for politics than Jacaerys. His letter was far more detailed than Jacaerys's, covering not only intelligence from the Great Council of Harrenhal but also some analysis.
In a corner, Rhaegor found what he had forgotten.
"Seven hells, Aegon as an envoy to Braavos?" Rhaegor shuddered. "How could Viserys agree to this? No, this won't do."
Rhaegor, who had remained calm during the Conquest of the Disputed Lands, was now flustered. He paced around the small hall, hands behind his back, and immediately decided that this matter had to be reported to his father without delay.
"Right, father must have a solution."
In a panic, Rhaegor ran back up the Silverblood Tower.
This caused some surprise among his secret protectors, the Faceless Men, and the servants who passed by. He had never behaved so out of character before.
Even Rey, who was preparing to return to the Twin Tower, looked oddly at his nephew. He had never seen him act this way—except when Aegon the King married Samantha.
It wasn't until he neared the top of the tower that Rhaegor finally calmed himself. He took a deep breath and walked slowly onward. Seeing that the children were resting, he lowered his voice and approached his parents.
"What's wrong?" Diana asked gently. "Did you forget something?"
"Mother, it's something important I forgot," Rhaegor sighed. "Father, it's my fault. I can't believe I forgot something so crucial."
Draezell shifted slightly in his recliner. "Go on, what did you forget?"
"His Majesty has decided to send Prince Aegon as an envoy to Braavos."
Diana immediately trembled, her hand shaking. Having been married to Draezell for so many years and being the matriarch of a House of dragons, she understood the importance of bloodlines.
As for Prince Aegon...
But Draezell, however, did not react with such alarm. He calmly opened his eyes.
"Aegon, huh?" Draezell said thoughtfully. He had some knowledge of Prince Aegon, as Benjicot had once written to him. In the letter, his admirer had nothing good to say about Aegon, even going as far as to openly curse him.
After all, in Benjicot's eyes, Aegon had "stolen" his beloved little cabbage. Although Melissa Blackwood deeply loved Prince Aegon, she had repeatedly defied Benjicot, even willing to endure the humiliation of the dragonrider's affair.
"Rhaegor, what do you think?"
"We must stop Prince Aegon from riding Syrax to Braavos. If His Majesty insists on sending a royal envoy, then Prince Viserys is a better fit than Aegon," Rhaegor said anxiously.
He wasn't concerned about House Targaryen.
Aegon and Syrax were prime examples of well-bred creatures, and no one could guarantee they wouldn't leave something behind in Braavos.
Rhaegor didn't want another dragon-riding family to emerge.
"Have you learned about Prince Aegon?" Draezell asked with a smile, eyeing his son.
Rhaegor suddenly realized that he really didn't know much about Aegon, and the tales of his debauchery had mostly come from other sources.
What he knew was a fragmented version of Aegon.
"That's enough, learn more about him," Draezell smiled. "He'll disappoint you, but on this matter, he won't disappoint us."
Rhaegor looked at his father with some confusion, not quite understanding Draezell's meaning.
"It's simple, Rhaegor," Draezell sighed. "You can't just look at Prince Aegon's side of things. He is Viserys's son, and Viserys has always been a man with his own opinions since childhood. The fact that he tolerates, even helps cover up, Aegon's behavior shows that Aegon is not as simple as he appears. So, Rhaegor, I suggest you go find Hegon and check the intel on Aegon's mistresses."
Rhaegor understood his father's point. "I understand, Father."
---
"Did you remember?" Viserys asked, looking at his eldest son, who was preparing to depart atop his dragon. He couldn't help but rub his forehead. While he knew better than anyone that Aegon was a libertine, he also had certain principles.
For instance, Aegon never forced himself on anyone. He was more inclined to use his charm, power, or the conquering influence of his dragon on noble women. As for commoner women...
It was well known that, for the most part, commoners weren't considered people.
Except, of course, when it came time to pay taxes.
But Aegon would pay for it, which earned him a respectable reputation in the brothels of Oldtown and the newly revived flea bottom in King's Landing.
However, Viserys was still uneasy.
Although the Braavosi were generally calm, everyone knew that Braavos's desire for dragons was no less than any other city-state in the East.
Otherwise, the Sea King wouldn't have willingly accepted those three dragon eggs back in the day.
A single Vaelarys family had already diminished House Targaryen's once-absolute dominance. If another dragonlord family, supported by the world's most prosperous free-trade city, were to rise...
Viserys dared not imagine the consequences.
"Father, don't worry," Aegon promised, for perhaps the hundredth time. "I swear to you, when I get to Braavos, I won't touch a single woman." He thought for a moment. "Nor a man. As for Syrax..."
Aegon affectionately patted his golden, amber-hued beast beneath him. "She's more reliable than me. Not a single dragon egg will leave the Eastern Continent. You can rest assured, Father. I have it under control, really."
Viserys continued to watch his son atop the dragon.
Aegon sighed. He knew his reckless ways made it impossible for his father to fully trust him. "By the Seven, I swear on the Old and New Gods. Father, is this enough?"
"Remember your promise," Viserys sighed. "If you dare leave your mark in Braavos, you can go ahead and burn Braavos yourself."
Aegon chuckled. "No problem, Father."
"You're something else," Viserys muttered, unsure of how to address his son.
What Viserys didn't notice was that outside the courtyard, his niece, Diana, daughter of King Aegon I, watched Aegon take off with a look of admiration. Even as her sisters looked at her like she was a fool, she didn't take her eyes off the moving Syrax.