Elia's expression shifted, touched by his words.
She wasn't the wild, passionate Dornish woman of popular imagination. She was quiet by nature and had been frail and sickly since childhood.
Childbirth was a dangerous hurdle for any woman.
To keep her brother, Prince Doran, from worrying, she had temporarily concealed her pregnancy. She didn't want him making the arduous journey for her sake.
She hadn't expected her husband's younger brother to be so considerate.
Daeron seized the opportunity, pressing his advantage. "I'm looking forward to having a new niece or nephew. Please take care of yourself. Don't overwork yourself."
Pregnant women were vulnerable.
If they didn't receive enough care, they grew thorns that hurt others.
He had experienced this deeply with his own mother, Rhaella.
"Daeron, you really remind me of my brother, Oberyn," Elia said, her gaze softening with nostalgia. "Young, handsome, exceptionally talented, and you value family deeply."
As she spoke, a hint of melancholy touched her face.
Daeron didn't comment.
He just wanted her to be healthier.
He didn't want her to end up like in the original timeline—unable to bear more children after two births, and then heartlessly abandoned by Rhaegar.
"Enough of that. Let me show you to your room. You must be tired."
Elia smiled faintly and linked her arm through Daeron's, treating him like family without a hint of distance.
---
Afternoon.
Daeron walked out of the Stone Drum Tower, a cloth bag slung over his shoulder, heading toward the Dragonmont.
He hadn't seen Rhaegar yet.
But it didn't matter. He didn't care if Rhaegar saw him or not.
He just wanted to go to the Dragonmont to find a dragon egg.
After a bit of a trek, Daeron arrived at the foot of the towering Dragonmont, only to find a squad of soldiers in heavy armor, equipped with longswords and morningstars, patrolling strictly. Dragonkeepers.
The Dragonkeepers were a dedicated Targaryen force established during the reign of Jaehaerys I, the Conciliator, tasked with guarding the Dragonmont and the Dragonpit in King's Landing.
During the Storming of the Dragonpit, the Dragonkeepers were wiped out to the last man.
With the dragons gone, subsequent kings never rebuilt the force.
Where did Rhaegar get a squad of Dragonkeepers to guard the mountain?
Daeron didn't make any rash moves. He turned back to find Davos and ordered him to gather intel.
This was his first time on Dragonstone. There was a lot he didn't know.
Caution was key.
"I'll explore Dragonstone first and get familiar with the terrain."
Daeron had a strong mindset. His policy was always to survey the environment whenever he arrived in a new place.
And sure enough, though Dragonstone's soil was barren, it didn't lack special flora.
Stopping and starting along the way, he found several Summer forageables.
---
Nightfall.
Daeron returned to the Stone Drum Tower, windblown and dusty from the sea breeze.
"It's so windy out there. Where have you been?"
Elia came to meet him, holding a towel, looking exasperated but kind. "Are you cold? Here, dry off."
"I went for a walk on the eastern coast."
Daeron didn't refuse her kindness, taking the towel to wipe his clothes.
Actually, he had gone fishing on the eastern coast.
The eastern coast was where the wild dragon Grey Ghost used to roam, and he wanted to explore it.
He didn't find any traces of dragons, but the scenery was beautiful.
He couldn't resist casting a few lines to earn some extra cash.
"Go get ready. Dinner will be served soon."
Elia gave him a look that said, I really can't do anything with you.
Dinner was in the Great Hall, where servants were already setting the table.
Daeron waited for a moment.
Footsteps sounded from upstairs. Someone was coming down.
A young man appeared. He had long silver hair cascading over his shoulders, indigo eyes, and a tall, upright figure. He was handsome, but exuded an air of melancholy.
"Rhaegar," Daeron observed openly.
It had been six months, and he was finally seeing his big brother again.
Rhaegar Targaryen saw Daeron as soon as he came downstairs and gave him a slight nod.
"Sit."
His voice was deep, not distant, but surprisingly intimate.
Daeron nodded back, his gaze falling on the man and woman behind Rhaegar.
The man was around thirty, ordinary-looking, wearing the white armor and cloak of the Kingsguard, with a greatsword as tall as a man on his back.
Daeron recognized him.
One of the legendary Kingsguard, the "Sword of the Morning," Ser Arthur Dayne.
Ser Arthur looked plain, with a buzz cut and coarse stubble.
But his eyes were piercing, radiating an unparalleled confidence that seemed to say, I am the best in the world.
This confidence elevated his presence immensely.
No one cared about his looks.
Beside him was a slender young woman.
She had long, smooth black hair and violet eyes. Her skin was as white as milk. She wore a purple Dornish gown with thin straps, revealing her collarbones and pale arms.
She was beautiful.
And she possessed an intellectual beauty, a maturity that belied her age.
You could easily imagine her reading a book, looking incredibly serene and gentle.
Daeron took a look.
Dark hair, violet eyes, similar age, and sticking close to Arthur Dayne.
Likely his sister, Ashara Dayne.
With looks like that, no wonder she charmed Barristan Selmy and Ned Stark.
Neither of the siblings sat down.
One stood guard by Rhaegar, the other served Elia.
No one spoke during the meal; the atmosphere was rather chilly.
When dinner was over, Elia took out a few Silver Star strawberries and gave one to everyone present.
Daeron got one too.
Picking up the fresh strawberry he had gifted, he took a bite naturally.
People who knew how to share were often kind-hearted.
Elia possessed this noble quality.
Rhaegar ate his Silver Star strawberry too. Learning it was a gift from Daeron, a flicker of understanding passed through his indigo eyes.
Dragonstone was barren, and Dorne wasn't exactly overflowing with riches either.
If his wife had these special crops, they had to be a gift.
And coming from his brother Daeron...
It wasn't surprising.
Rhaegar wiped his lips and said, "Daeron, the Dragonmont is closed. Don't go there for now. Just wait."
Without explaining the reason, he stood up and left.
Ser Arthur followed closely.
Daeron: ???
Riddlers get out of Westeros!
Elia smiled apologetically and waved to her companion. "Ashara, come here."
She took out a Silver Star strawberry, intending to let her companion taste it.
Ashara walked softly, her pale toes peeking out from her sandals. As she walked, her purple skirt swayed, revealing glimpses of calves wrapped in purple ribbons.
Dornish women were truly bold!
Daeron glanced unintentionally. It was the first time he had seen such sexually charged attire in the Seven Kingdoms.
Elia hand-fed the strawberry to her companion.
Ashara held a high position by Elia's side and had significant political value.
House Dayne of Starfall was a major noble house in Dorne.
She was also doted on by the "Sword of the Morning," making her a key asset in securing the loyalty of the legendary Kingsguard.
"Thank you, Princess."
Ashara's voice was clear and cool. She then curtsied slightly to Daeron to express her thanks.
Daeron raised a hand, signaling no need for formalities.
---
Nightfall.
Daeron was in his room, checking the dragon egg in the incubator.
Knock, knock, knock!
Davos knocked on the door, his voice muffled.
"Prince, may I come in?"
"Enter!"
Davos pushed the door open and closed it carefully behind him.
Daeron didn't hide the dragon egg. "What did you find?"
"A... A dragon egg!?"
Davos was stunned by the sight of a real, live dragon egg.
Born low, it was his first time seeing such a precious object, and he lost his composure.
Recovering quickly, he straightened up. "Prince, according to my investigation, the Dragonkeepers on the mountain were originally regular soldiers. They were recently converted to patrol the Dragonmont."
That wasn't the main point.
The main point was: "I bribed a guard. He let slip that there are monsters in the Dragonmont. Prince Lewyn, whom you mentioned, was injured recently while investigating the mountain with Prince Rhaegar. He was bitten on the right calf."