"Rhaegor, when did you become like this?" Seryna looked at her brother with shock. This was the second time today she had been stunned by her family after burning people and cities to the ground.
"sister, I suggest you not speak carelessly," Dan said with a mischievous grin. After hearing his older brother's words, he had a similar feeling.
Is this really my upright, rule-abiding older brother?
But for the sake of the family, it doesn't matter.
"After all, this is something you'll have to do, sister." Dan had no objections to Rhaegor's suggestion. On the contrary, if possible, he would even bring Sendros along to agree.
No reason, it's just too harsh.
"But... adopting Brendon is easy, after all, he's just a bastard. I want to bring him over as a playmate or stand-in child for Sebastian or Igon... to put it bluntly, it's still elevating him. But adopting Baelor, or whatever other method you suggest, would cause a split among my own children."
Seryna hesitated. After all, Rhaegor's method was indeed effective.
To eliminate the possibility of a spark remaining within the Targaryen family, the most feasible solution was to prevent Baelor from ascending the throne, or if he did, to have him marry Vaelarys' daughter as queen. However, the latter still wouldn't solve the problem of dragons staying in the Targaryen family.
Moreover, whether the Targaryens would continue marrying Vaelarys' daughters by that time was still uncertain.
Honestly, Vaelarys doing this... was somewhat overbearing, considering that if we look at it from the root, Vermithor, Silverwing, and Morning all belong to the Targaryen family.
Although HouseVaelarys had the force to back it up.
Among Samantha's children, Daeron, who had lost his mother, wife, son, and brother, and was facing such turmoil in the lands he had just conquered, it was remarkable that he hadn't been broken. Princess Rhaenya had married Prince Aegon, and Princess Elenna had already accepted that she was Rhaegon's wife. The Targaryens would never accept a Vaelarys as king consort, because the Targaryens had no ability to negotiate with Vaelarys. A Vaelarys king consort would be no different from sitting on the Iron Throne as a Vaelarys. Prince Rhaegar had died, and Princess Diana... don't even mention it.
Only Baelor remained. Not only was he a male heir, but he was also smart, handsome, and healthy under Samantha's upbringing.
If Daeron couldn't have children, he would be the first choice for the throne.
Letting Baelor voluntarily withdraw from the competition for the throne, or forcing the Targaryens to admit a Targaryen with the Vaelarys mark on the throne.
These were the methods House Vaelarys could choose.
So, when Vaelarys' dragon riders were discussing the ownership of the spark, Rey and Princess Rhaena chose to avoid the discussion, or at least not actively get involved.
Rhaena looked at the children discussing heatedly and couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
"Rhaena," Rey wanted to say something to his wife, but in the end, he closed his mouth. He knew he couldn't say anything right now.
"Rey, we're no longer young." Rhaena suddenly smiled. "If it weren't for the fact that we originally had this hair color, I think you, I, and our older brother would all have white hair by now. We wouldn't be so unable to accept such things."
The older princess looked into her husband's eyes, her tone calm. "Rey, I trust my older brother and Prince Rhaegor's character. At least, I don't see the day when the Vaelarys family and the Targaryen family are irreconcilable. That's enough for me. Don't worry about me."
"Thank you."
"You..." Rhaena smiled and playfully scratched Rey's nose, just like when they had just married.
On the other side.
Viserys looked at his children and couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness.
His children were exceptional. Aemon, who had been brainwashed by the spirit of chivalry; Illyon, who loved battle steeds and dragons more than books and thrones; and Maegon, still young but already showing a temperament not inferior to his older brothers.
And then there was Aegon, who seemed clever and performed decently, but always made Viserys feel like he would mess things up at the most crucial moment.
Don't even mention Aegon. The more he thought about him, the angrier he got.
This time, Seraxes and Aegon were supposed to fight as well.
Unfortunately, at the most critical moment, Aegon dropped the ball. He had no choice but to clean up after his noble bastards, especially that bastard from the Brighthwood family. He needed to handle this matter properly.
He could only stay behind on the continent with Syrax as the guardian.
It was a wasted opportunity to show off his strength.
Viserys was starting to feel desperate. If Baelor hadn't tamed Candlelight and comforted him, he might not have been able to see a future for House Targaryen at all. The most prominent one in this revenge on the conquered land must be Vermithor.
The two dragonlord families flexed their muscles, but in the end, it was all for the benefit of House Vaelarys.
If Baelon could, it would be best for Daeron to marry a Targaryen and father an heir. If that wasn't possible, Viserys turned his gaze to the Vaelarys dragonriders who were still discussing the matter, along with the massive creature illuminated by the firelight.
In that case, he would push Baelon into a higher position and have him marry a Targaryen.
Candlelight must remain with House Targaryen.
Viserys secretly made his decision.
He had completely lost hope of weakening House Vaelarys.
But one had to try. After all, one couldn't just sit around and wait for death.
The dragons, whose very presence caused the world to tremble, only took off after thoroughly cleansing the local nobility in the conquered lands and overseeing the redistribution of the land.
All the free trade cities, and even those far-off kingdoms in the East, from the city-state of Ghis in the Slaver's Bay to the Dothraki's city of Qohor, were engulfed in deep fear.
Everyone recalled the days when the Freehold of Valyria ruled the world.
And they recalled that they had no real power to oppose the dragons.
Even the mightiest cities, Braavos and Volantis, had to kneel and lick Westeros' boots. What could the other city-states do?
They could only play dead.
---
King's Landing, Vaelarys's Black Keep.
Baelon gazed at the familiar surroundings, and his eyes inevitably became misty. He seemed to see his mother sitting in the sun-facing armchair, softly reading, while adjusting a glass of refreshing juice for him.
The young boy shook his head, clearing his thoughts. "Baelon, if you've decided, then you must act on it. Mother will certainly support me."
Though young, Baelon was far from foolish. On the contrary, he was very clever, far ahead of his siblings when it came to reading and learning.
He had learned many things from his mother, including the inevitable friction between the royal family and House Vaelarys.
Little Baelon had decided that he would handle this on his own.
With determination, he packed his small bag and began walking toward where Baelon awaited in the courtyard.
"Where are you going, Baelon?"
A familiar voice suddenly called out.