Elia's expression changed slightly, and she couldn't help but be moved.
She was not as wild as the common impression of Dornish women; she was quiet, in poor health, and had been frail and sickly since childhood.
For a woman, childbirth was a major ordeal.
To avoid worrying her brother, Prince Doran, she had temporarily hidden her pregnancy, not wanting him to travel for her sake.
She hadn't expected her husband's younger brother to be so considerate.
Daeron seized the opportunity and pressed on: "I'm looking forward to having a little niece or nephew. Please take care of yourself and don't overwork."
Pregnant women are very fragile.
If they don't receive enough care, they grow thorns to hurt others.
He had experienced this deeply with his mother, Rhaella.
"Daeron, you really are like my brother Cauron."
Elia's eyes softened, and she said nostalgically, "Just as young and handsome, exceptionally capable, and you value family ties very much."
As she spoke, she seemed a bit lonely.
Daeron remained noncommittal.
He just wanted her to be healthier.
He didn't want her to lose her fertility after two births and be ruthlessly abandoned by Rhaegar, as in the original story.
"Enough of that. I'll take you down to get settled. You must be tired."
Elia smiled slightly and took Daeron's arm naturally... In the afternoon.
Daeron walked out of the Stone Drum Tower, a cloth bag slung over his shoulder, and headed towards Dragonmont.
He didn't see Rhaegar.
But it didn't matter; he didn't care whether the man saw him or not.
He only wanted to go to Dragonmont to find dragon eggs.
After some trekking.
Daeron arrived before the towering Dragonmont, only to see a squad of Dragon Guards in heavy armor, equipped with longswords and morning stars, patrolling strictly.
The Dragon Guards were a specialized force of House Targaryen, established during the reign of "The Old King" Jaehaerys I, responsible for guarding Dragonmont and the Dragonpit in King's Landing.
During the Storming of the Dragonpit in King's Landing, the Dragon Guards were completely wiped out.
Since the dragons were gone, subsequent kings never rebuilt this force.
Where did Rhaegar get a squad of Dragon Guards to guard Dragonmont?
Daeron did not act rashly; he turned back to find Davos and ordered him to gather intelligence.
Having just arrived on Dragonstone, there were many things he didn't know.
Caution was paramount.
"I'll wander around Dragonstone first to familiarize myself with the terrain."
Daeron had a strong mind and followed the principle of surveying the environment whenever he arrived at a new place.
Surprisingly, although the soil of Dragonstone was barren, it did not lack special wild plants.
Stopping and starting along the way, he found several summer forageables... It was getting late.
Daeron returned to the Stone Drum Tower, travel-worn and facing the sea breeze.
"The wind is so strong outside. Where have you been?"
Elia came forward, holding a towel, and said helplessly, "Is it cold? Here, wipe yourself off."
"I took a stroll along the East Coast."
Daeron didn't refuse her kindness and took the towel to wipe his clothes.
In fact, he had gone fishing on the East Coast.
The East Coast was where the wild dragon Grey Ghost used to be active, and he wanted to explore it.
He didn't find any traces of the dragon, but he found the scenery very beautiful.
He couldn't help but cast a few lines to earn some extra pocket money.
"Come quickly and get ready. Dinner is about to be served."
Elia wore an expression that said she truly didn't know what to do with him.
Dinner was in the Great Hall, and the servants had already begun setting it up.
Daeron waited for a while.
A series of footsteps came from upstairs; someone was coming down.
A young man appeared with long silver hair falling over his shoulders, indigo eyes, a tall and upright stature, and handsome features that nevertheless revealed a melancholic aura.
"Rhaegar." Daeron observed him openly.
After half a year, he finally saw his "good elder brother" again.
As soon as Rhaegar Targaryen came downstairs, he saw Daeron and gave him a slight nod.
"Sit down."
His voice was deep; it didn't make one feel distant, but rather somewhat close.
Daeron nodded back, his gaze falling on the man and woman behind Rhaegar.
The man was about thirty years old, with an ordinary appearance, wearing the silver armor and white cloak of the Kingsguard, and carrying a man-high greatsword on his back.
Daeron recognized this man.
One of the legendary Kingsguard, the "sword of the morning," Arthur Dayne.
Ser Arthur's looks were unremarkable, with a buzz cut and short, coarse stubble.
But his eyes were bright and piercing, revealing an unparalleled confidence, as if saying "I am the best in the world."
Under this confidence, his temperament was elevated infinitely.
Consequently, no one cared about his appearance.
Beside him was a slender young woman.
She had long, smooth black hair, violet eyes, and skin as white as milk. She wore a Dornish-style purple sundress that revealed her collarbones and white arms.
She was very beautiful.
Moreover, it was a kind of intellectual beauty of a mature woman that didn't match her age.
One could imagine that if she were holding a book and reading, she would be incredibly quiet and gentle.
Daeron took a look.
Dark hair, violet eyes, of a similar age, and following Arthur Dayne.
It was likely his sister, Ashara Dayne.
Looking like that, no wonder she could captivate Barristan and Ned Stark.
Neither the brother nor the sister took a seat.
One stood guard beside Rhaegar, while the other served Elia during the meal.
No one spoke throughout the meal, and the atmosphere was quite cold.
After the meal was finished.
Elia took out several Silver Star Strawberries and gave one to everyone present.
Daeron got one too.
He picked up the fresh strawberry he had gifted and naturally took a light bite to taste it.
People who know how to share are often kinder.
Elia possessed such a noble quality.
Rhaegar also ate a silver star strawberry. Upon learning it was a gift from Daeron, a hint of understanding appeared in his indigo eyes.
Dragonstone was barren, and Dorne was not necessarily wealthy.
For his wife to produce these special crops, they could only be a gift from someone else.
As for his brother Daeron... if it was him, it was not surprising.
Rhaegar wiped his lips and said, "Daeron, Dragonmont is closed. Don't go there for now. Just wait a while."
After saying that, he didn't explain the specific reason and got up to leave.
Ser Arthur followed him closely.
Daeron:???
Riddlers, get out of Westeros!
Elia smiled apologetically and beckoned to her companion: "Ashara, come here."
She took out a silver star strawberry, intending to let her companion taste it.
Ashara's steps were gentle, her fair toes visible outside her sandals. As she walked, her purple skirt fluttered, revealing a pair of calves outlined by purple ribbons.
Dornish women are truly bold!
Daeron glanced unintentionally; it was the first time he had seen such a sexually charged outfit in the Seven Kingdoms.
Elia held the strawberry and fed it to her companion.
Ashara's status by her side was very high and full of political value.
House Dayne of Starfall was a great noble house of Dorne.
She was also doted on by Ser Arthur Dayne, the "sword of the morning," making her a powerful tool for winning over this Kingsguard.
"Thank you, Princess."
Ashara's voice was clear and cold, and then she curtsied slightly to Daeron to express her thanks.
Daeron raised a hand, indicating there was no need for formalities... At night.
Daeron stayed in his room, checking the dragon egg in the incubator.
Knock, knock, knock!
Davos knocked on the door, and his voice came through.
"Prince, may I come in?"
"Enter!"
Davos pushed the door open and entered, then cautiously closed it.
Daeron didn't shy away from the dragon egg being seen and asked, "What did you find?"
"A... a dragon egg!?"
Davos was stunned by the sight of a real dragon egg.
Coming from a humble background, it was his first time seeing such a precious object, and he couldn't help but lose his composure.
After recovering, he immediately became serious: "Prince, according to my investigation, the Dragon Guards at Dragonmont were originally ordinary soldiers who were recently reassigned to patrol Dragonmont as Dragon Guards."
That wasn't the point.
The point was: "I bribed a Dragon Guard and learned that there are monsters haunting Dragonmont. The Prince Lewyn you mentioned accompanied Crown Prince Rhaegar to investigate Dragonmont not long ago and was accidentally bitten on his right calf."