It was said that Prince Zalarys disappeared after his punishment. He was always a peculiar boy, and thus no one knew what was going on in his mind.
However, after two weeks, he and Murghagon were spotted at the Blackwater Bay, along with Princess Viserra and her stunning dragon, Aeksion.
There were many rumours about them. Some even joked that the Princess fancied her nephew, but that was ridiculous. Princess Viserra disdained Zalarys, and the feelings were mutual.
I have to agree that they have a bizarre relationship, but hopefully it will not develop to the point where they cannot even tolerate each other's presence.
There were also rumours spreading among squires that the Prince was abominable because of his immunity to venoms. However, within a few days, everyone who spread those rumours simply vanished. No one knows where they went or what happened to them. But one thing was clear: anyone who knew about the Prince's trait and couldn't keep their tongue in their mouth was removed.
I'm not exactly sure, but perhaps it was done by the Prince's strange mentor, Hihkran. But regardless of what I think, the truth is shrouded in a fog of mysteries.
On the other hand, the wedding was coming. It was magnificent and joyful, befitting for a prince. Viserys was beloved by both smallfolk and nobles, and was about to marry his cousin, Lady Aemma, who was likewise adored in the Vale.
The wedding was peaceful and beautiful. Many lords came and the smallfolk cheered and danced with happiness.
The second day was given to the tourney. Many capable knights faced each other, and there was a melee and a joust as well. To everyone's surprise, the tourney had one unknown knight named the Black Fool.
He wasn't particularly strong, nor was he skilled compared to the other knights. However, it was clear that he was young, which made it all even more interesting.
Sadly, Prince Baelon fought against him and unhorsed him in the joust. The Black Fool was defeated and left without saying another word.
I have an idea about who he might have been… but let's keep it a mystery. I think that would be even more entertaining.
Regardless of what happened to the Black Fool, Prince Baelon emerged victorious and named his sister-wife, Princess Alyssa, the Queen of Love and Beauty.
And now, on the third day, came the time for the royal hunt, to conclude the celebrations. Hunters gathered and prepared, ladies cheered for their relatives, husbands, brothers and fathers.
However, another surprise came after Black Fool. Young Prince Zalarys decided to participate in the hunt as well, along with his older brother, Prince Daemon.
Considering the Prince's personality, I'm not exactly sure how this will end. But I hope it will be amusing.
Maester Nickolas.]
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"Should we secretly bet on who wins?" Arnold, the same boy who had tried to attack the rather feral Prince, spoke with a furrowed brow, his face scarred and his right ear missing.
Viserra crossed her legs, observing the royal hunt with an expressionless face. She was wearing a light blue dress adorned with numerous jewels and a necklace. She had sapphire earrings hanging from her ears and her curly white-gold hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of light, appearing stunning and glamorous, like some divine being descending from the heavens to grace filthy mortals with her presence.
From the way squires, knights and lords looked at her, and even some ladies, she might as well have been a goddess in mortal flesh.
Beatrice, sitting next to them, was Viserra's close friend, watching the tents and hunters preparing attentively. "I wonder, will Prince Daemon win?"
She spoke, her eyes sparkling as she watched Daemon preparing his horse's saddle and calming the dark destrier that snorted at him.
Viserra, watching her, let out a long sigh, covering her face, her long nails gleaming like silver. "Who knows... Mayhaps he will."
"I have heard Prince Zalarys will join in as well." Beatrice smiled awkwardly, knowing her lady didn't like the young Prince at all. Their venomous spite was well known in King's Landing.
Arnold, hearing this, fell silent, his expression darkening as he gritted his teeth, his fist clenched so hard that any tighter and his nails would have sunk into his flesh.
"Don't bother with him. Zalarys is nothing but a boy. He will just be a burden to Daemon and slow him down." Viserra scoffed, laughing into her palm and looked up with an alluring smile, a few clueless squires who caught her gaze froze in place with their jaws dropped.
If she was being honest, she didn't care in the slightest who would win. Sure, a royal hunt wasn't merely there for nobles to have fun. There were always underlying political reasons playing out beneath the guise of enjoyment.
Staring at the raised platform where her parents were, talking with the lord paramounts, she could already guess what was going on in their minds.
She bit her lower lip, hard, to the point she almost bled, her lovely face troubled and complex as she sank into her own thoughts.
I already flowered… Are they discussing me now that Viserys is settled? Curse them, who do they think they are?
She bristled at the thought, her eyes saturated with anger even as her face remained flat and indifferent. She knew how to present herself as a princess.
Who would they marry me off to? Haa… I don't know. I entertained thoughts of charming that foolish boy, Viserys, in order to become queen. My brother Aemon passing away, while sad, also offered an opportunity to me, since Baelon became the Crown Prince and, as the eldest, Viserys is his heir. But that boy is too clueless. Even that loathsome brat understands women better than him, and he's just a child…
Ah, there he is. She thought with a faint smile, noticing Zalarys helping Daemon by sharpening his daggers. He wore a lively smile, as if he had found himself in heaven, as natural and at ease as the spring after a chilling winter.
Hmm... Why is he obsessed with hunting anyway? I don't understand it. What is so entertaining about chasing a wild animal? What is so amusing about... Murder. She pursed her lips, her brow furrowing in thought as she came to a sudden understanding.
Murder? That insane boy... Is he taking pleasure in taking life? Or is it the fight itself? Maesters say that men feel a sense of strength and accomplishment unlike anything else after slaying their enemies, mighty beasts such as bears, or winning contests like the royal hunt. Of course, weak-willed cravens cower in fear. But for the most part, men do enjoy battle.
Leaning back, she crossed her arms under her chest, resting her cheek on her palm as she cleared her mind and began listening to her father talking with the lords.
"My King, I think Princess Viserra is of age to be wed." Lord Boremund Baratheon spoke, his voice harsh and rough. "My son Borros, while a little older, is the perfect candidate in my opinion."
"Viserra is a wilful child. It is unclear who she fancies, but I doubt she will look kindly upon anyone forced upon her." The Old King spoke wisely, stroking his beard. "If your son, my lord, manages to charm her, then you have my blessing."
"You have my gratitude, Your Grace. I will not forget your kindness." Boremund nodded in satisfaction, a faint smile forming on his face.
I see… How sly you are, Father. Viserra scoffed, shaking her head. Many think you have lost your fangs, but that is far from the truth. You act as though you are nothing but a generous and understanding king, wanting nothing but the betterment of your realm and people. And in a way, you do. However, to gain the support of Storm's End and maintain peace in the realm, you give your permission to Lord Boremund, knowing full well that I will never agree. And so you manipulate him for your own advantage.
Hah, even if I agreed, I know you would make excuses not to give a dragon away. You will maintain the balance, whatever the cost may be.
After all, I have Aeksion, and you will never give a dragon to any great house.
Thinking like this, Viserra felt great amusement. She laughed loudly, her voice as captivating as her enchanting eyes. She laughed so hard that Beatrice and Arnold beside her exchanged unsettled glances.
Sadly, Lord Borros will be disappointed... But he will make a fine toy, I suppose. She mused with a faint smile, leaning forward as her eyes sparkled with interest.
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"So Lord Fool, are you delighted to hunt beasts with your brother?" Zalarys's mouth twitched, sitting beside Daemon who wore a disheartened look, staring at flames with bitterness.
"When will you shut up?" Daemon spat, running his hand through his silver hair with an irritated sigh.
"Hell no. How come father spanked you in the tourney, too? Pfthh... Bahahaha." Zalarys slapped his thigh, laughing so hard that tears welled up in his eyes, wiping them with his finger.
Daemon pursed his lips, even more gloomy now. Why did I even sneak into that damned tourney? Shit! I guess I'll have to be prepared to be reminded of this for weeks.
"Continue waxing your bowstring and keep your mouth shut, understand? No one knows I participated in the tourney." Daemon said bleakly.
Zalarys looked at him with a blank expression, unimpressed. "Of course... No one will, brother. You're Black Fool, after all. It's just that Father called himself Silver Fool when he was young and sneaked into a tourney. And now, you also sneak into a tourney and call yourself Black Fool... Gods blessed you with creativity, right?"
Daemon groaned, gulping down wine, at this point, he would become depressed. Then, glancing at his brother, still laughing at him, he did the only thing he could, smacked him in the head.
Zalarys's head snapped down, but he continued grinning, smack was nothing to what Hihkran was doing to him, and hummed a cheerful tune as he worked.
"Zalarys." Hihkran smiled proudly, watching his student prepare his bow. Knowing his limits, he had picked up a medium-sized one, balancing range and draw weight. His arrows were in his quiver, already closed so they wouldn't fall while he moved.
His daggers were sheathed behind his back and his bag held every tool he needed to make traps.
Right now, Zalarys was sitting near the campfire, waxing his bowstring with beeswax, melting it into the fiber to make the string as smooth as possible. The bow itself was currently unstrung to maintain the wood in optimal condition, so the limbs wouldn't lose their shape or weaken.
Another detail about his pupil that Hihkran noticed was the campfire. He wasn't sitting there simply because he was cold, but to keep the bow dry.
Hearing his name, Zalarys looked up, blinking in surprise until a wide smile formed on his face. "You came, Master."
"Naturally. I trust you will not disappoint me. Age is no excuse for losing." Hihkran crossed his arms with an amused smile.
"Of course. Making excuses is for losers." Zalarys scoffed, shaking his head as he put a spare bowstring into his bag in case the first was damaged.
"Oh? Welcome, Master Hihkran." Daemon, seeing him, smiled and walked to him to shook his hand and properly greet him.
"My Prince, it's a pleasure to see you." Hihkran nodded at him, satisfied that young Prince was prepared too.
"Likewise." Daemon spoke, with hint of admiration noticeable in his voice.
"However, my Prince..." Hihkran sighed, taking a seat across from Zalarys as Daemon followed suit. "I have a request."
Daemon frowned, wondering what he wished, and gestured for him to continue.
"I wish my student to hunt alone, with no help."
Zalarys was silent, not interrupting them. Daemon, on the other hand, had disbelief flashing in his eyes. "My apologies, but I cannot agree to that. The Kingswood is dangerous. I can't risk my brother's life-"
"Are you going to look after him like he is a baby forever?" Hihkran's tone was disapproving, his eyes dropping with disappointment.
"That's not what I meant. He is just a child. What if he meets a boar? Wolves? A bear? What will he do?"
"What I taught him." Hihkran said coldly, no trace of emotion on his face, his onyx eyes like two pools of reflectionless abyss locking with Daemon's dazzling ones. "And that is to kill."
Daemon paused, a little bewildered by his words. But glancing back at Zalarys, he saw no trace of fear or hesitation. Still, he couldn't exactly trust that. The boy was a child, and children tended to be fearless and delusional, especially a Prince who had heard nothing but praise, since no one dared say anything negative to his face.
However, Daemon's worries had their flaws. Because Zalarys knew exactly what people said behind his back. Hihkran had made sure of it, so the boy would learn that people wore many faces, and changed them depending on who was watching.
Servants spoke nothing but praise, but the moment the royal family turned away, they complained. Lords would flatter them, but in their own domains, they revealed their greed and contempt. The smallfolk cheered, but Flea Bottom was a reflection of their ugliest side, wrath and envy.
That was why Hihkran had considered it essential for Zalarys to understand this, so the boy wouldn't grow up delusional and vain.
"I hope you have more faith in your brother." Hihkran smiled faintly, shaking his head. "I'm sure he will surprise you."
"Master, if I came across bears mating, what should I do? Interrupting would be quite rude. I would be effectively blocking his-"
"On the other hand, forget everything I said." Hihkran pursed his lips, staring down at the fire with a bleak, hollow look, wondering where it had all gone wrong. Then he stood up and left without another word.
"Wait, Master! That is a valid concern, what should I do!? Should I kill them if it's already in, or should I let them finish and kill them later?" Zalarys shouted after him, but Hihkran ignored the question entirely and disappeared into the crowd.
Zalarys glanced at Daemon, curiosity plain on his face, and hesitated for a moment before asking,
"So... should I let them finish, or-"
"Please. Just stop." Daemon groaned, dragging a hand down his face.
Zalarys nodded thoughtfully.
I see... So I should allow them their final moment together, and then kill them afterward... Or before he sticks it inside...?
This is so confusing...