A Song of Ice and Fire: Wrath of the Sleeping Dragon

"Your Majesty, Lord Tyrion requests an audience," Viserys' attendant spoke.

Originally, Robb Stark was supposed to assume the position of Governor of the North, but unfortunately, his journey was obstructed by the Long Night, forcing him to remain in King's Landing. Now, the person standing guard outside Viserys' door was Gendry.

The black-haired youth, whose physique had grown increasingly robust, knocked on Viserys' door and respectfully announced Tyrion's arrival.

"Tyrion?" Viserys was slightly taken aback upon hearing the news, as he had not summoned Tyrion. However, he set aside the recent proposal from the Sealord of Braavos in his mind and nodded, allowing Tyrion to enter.

"Your Majesty." Tyrion did not come alone.

By his side was a black-haired man with a hooked nose, whose eyes gazed intently at Viserys. As soon as Viserys saw this man, his gaze fixated upon him.

Viserys noticed that the man was wearing a mask, a testament to the Faceless Men's mastery of the art of face-changing. However, even the most convincing disguise would have its flaws.

Viserys possessed an ability akin to "bullet time," where the world would slow down and become more detailed within the same timeframe. Thus, with a single glance, he detected the imperfections on the man's cheek.

Faced with a Faceless Man, Viserys remained composed. The notorious Faceless Men indeed struck fear into the hearts of all in this world, but Viserys was an exception, for they were no longer on the same level.

"A Faceless Man?" Viserys' silver-gold hair flowed freely over his shoulders, and his pale violet eyes were clear and bright.

He looked at the man, then glanced at Tyrion, whose expression was slightly tense.

"Your Majesty, he is—" Tyrion began to explain, but the man beside him, realizing his cover was blown, promptly removed the disguise from his face, revealing his true identity.

"It's me, Prince Viserys," the man spoke. "Long time no see."

The man who removed the disguise had a gaunt face with slightly sunken cheeks. His eyes were somewhat droopy, making him appear much older. His unkempt stubble and golden hair had turned mostly gray.

Although he was only in his thirties, his appearance made him look much older than his actual age. Aside from his face, which still retained the contours of the dashing golden-haired knight from years past, there was no trace of the man he once was.

His back was no longer straight, and the pride in his eyes had vanished. He seemed like an ordinary man, and for someone like him, being called ordinary was the greatest insult.

In this world, there were fewer and fewer people who could address Viserys as "Prince," but this man happened to be one of them.

He had joined the Kingsguard at the age of fifteen and had watched Viserys grow up. He had even escorted him to a carriage to escape to Dragonstone before the fall of King's Landing.

"I didn't expect it to be you," Viserys said, his voice calm after the initial surprise of seeing the man's familiar face.

He didn't seem too shocked that the man was still alive after being missing for so many years.

Although the man could be slow-witted at times, as well as reckless, stubborn, and short-tempered, he had a resilient spirit. Difficulties might temporarily defeat him, but he would always stand back up.

Moreover, after all these years of twists and turns, his hand had not been severed.

He was also a great warrior, brave and skilled in battle.

"I'm curious why you dare to appear before me," Viserys asked, his curiosity piqued after the initial surprise.

His gaze shifted to Tyrion, who had brought the man in. If it weren't for Tyrion, the man likely wouldn't have been able to get close to Viserys, even as a Faceless Man. The fact that he had become a Faceless Man after disappearing for so many years was indeed unexpected.

"Is it because you believe your brother will protect you and persuade me to spare your life?" Viserys questioned.

"Your Majesty, I—" Tyrion's heart leaped into his throat upon hearing Viserys' words. Just moments ago, when he saw no hatred in Viserys' eyes upon seeing the man, only surprise and scrutiny, Tyrion had felt a slight relief, thinking the matter might be resolved. However, Viserys' subsequent words made him anxious once again.

Tyrion was about to offer an explanation, but his brother stopped him.

"This has nothing to do with Tyrion. He is utterly loyal to you, Your Majesty," the golden-haired knight with streaks of gray stood in front of Tyrion, shielding him. "I forced him to bring me to see you."

This time, he didn't address Viserys as "Prince." That form of address was a farewell to the past.

When he had sent the silver-haired youth, then a frightened boy, off in a carriage, he had used "Prince" as a parting word.

But time had changed rapidly. The boy he had protected as a second prince had become the young emperor who single-handedly built the Valyrian Empire.

Even as a Faceless Man assassin in Braavos across the Narrow Sea, he had often heard about the happenings on the other side.

"You wanted to see me?" Viserys asked, curious about the man's intentions. "For what purpose?"

If the man had become a Faceless Man to assassinate him, it would be a foolish endeavor. As a member of the Faceless Men, he should know who had destroyed their organization years ago.

"Redemption!" The man answered without hesitation, his voice resolute. "I killed your father, King Aerys. I slit his throat from behind."

"I am willing to face judgment."

These words would undoubtedly provoke anyone who heard them, regardless of how even-tempered they were. After all, the man before them was their father's murderer.

However, Viserys, seated behind the desk, remained calm throughout. He didn't care how Aerys II had died, as he had never truly considered him his father.

"You want to find your sister, Cersei?" Viserys asked abruptly, his pale violet eyes fixed on the two men standing before him, one tall and one short. "You want to tell her you're back."

"You want her to regret?"