Chapter Text
It was a starry night outside the grand castle of Dragonstone. In its vast hallways, torches illuminated every corner in the darkness. In a room, the uncontrollable sobs of the heir princess Rhaenyra Targaryen could be heard as she watched her little Luke fight between life and death.
After the accident at Driftmark, where Prince Aemond lost an eye but gained a dragon, the queen cursed the "bastard" children of Princess Rhaenyra. Amidst angry sobs, Lady Hightower predicted that none of the platinum-haired woman's children would live long. Though the princess ignored the queen's words, the same curse came true when smallpox reached the town of Dragonstone.
The royal family stayed aloof, but Rhaenyra was unprepared for what unfolded. Daemon fell first, beginning to cough, and everyone followed suit, although the dragon herself resisted. She feared for her little son Luke, a growing dragon whelp, praying to the gods despite her disbelief, watching him turn red when coughing, another sob escaping her lips as she witnessed her son succumb to the illness.
At some point, the woman succumbed to a deep sleep, unaware that her little dragon had left the world behind.
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The birdsong echoed outside the walls of Runestone Castle, with an intense sun casting its beautiful rays into the chamber of the lady and ruler of the place. A woman with long chestnut hair shifted uncomfortably in her bed, cursing under her breath.
"Damn... I should've closed the curtains."
She muttered as she sat up with difficulty, clearly displeased about leaving her slumber. The woman, with large chocolate eyes, looked around still drowsy from just waking up. Without further delay, she stretched to relax her stiff body. Reluctantly, she rose to dress herself, knowing she should summon her servants, but she was independent enough to handle it alone.
Ignoring the creaking of her bones after getting out of bed, she headed to her wardrobe, selecting leather pants and a white shirt. After donning the attire, she grabbed her bronze armor adorned with the Royce house symbol. She smiled while fixing her hair into a ponytail, preparing for a stroll in the Godswood forest—her favorite spot in the valley. She sighed deeply, feeling inner peace.
Having readied herself and set out to find her horse, the woman rode towards the ancient trees. Suddenly, a loud growl pierced the air, putting Lady Royce on high alert. She gripped her bow, guiding her horse towards the source of the sound. To her surprise, she encountered a silver or white dragon cradling a child.
Her heart raced at the sight of the dragon. She had never been so close to one, recognizing it as Caraxes from Runestone, though she had always observed it from a distance. Now, with a dragon holding a child before her, she expected fear in the boy, but he seemed accustomed to the creature. This only heightened her anxiety, prompting her to dismount and softly inquire.
"Hey, kid... Are you okay? Can you get away from that thing?"
Rhea asked, her voice projecting firmness and calmness despite the clear fear in the child.
"His name is Arrax, and he's mine," the child mumbled simply, causing the woman to take a step back. Wasn't that worse? Rhea had heard of dragonseeds claiming dragons through rumors, but witnessing it unknowingly was something that left her astonished.