Aside from Maester Aemon at the Wall, Rhaella was now the eldest living member of House Targaryen.
In her capacity as the King's mother, she received Viserys's ministers.
Most of them she had already met before.
She offered them words of comfort and presented small gifts. Realizing that the Rhoynar would form an important part of Targaryen subjects, she spent extra time speaking with Lothan.
"Elder Lothan, I quite like the child Jona. Why not let her remain at my side as a cupbearer?"
"It would be our great honor, Your Grace."
Lothan had once entertained the idea of marrying his granddaughter into Viserys's line. But after that great victory, he no longer dared to hold such fantasies.
"Your Grace, I have another request. It may be somewhat presumptuous."
"Please, speak freely. If it is within my power, I will consider it."
Rhaella smiled gently.
"It concerns my granddaughter, Jorel."
"Jorel?"
After the defense of Ghoyan Drohe, Jorel had fallen in love with Ser Oswell.
But the Kingsguard had sworn vows not to wed nor father children.
Oswell had firmly refused her advances.
Yet Rhoynar women were bold and straightforward. Whenever she had the chance, she sought him out regardless.
Lothan's request was not motivated solely by concern for his granddaughter.
Oswell had played an irreplaceable role in the defense. In the future, he would undoubtedly become one of Viserys's foremost military pillars.
If the two were to unite, it would secure both his family's interests and those of the Rhoynar.
Rhaella was perceptive enough to understand the implications immediately.
If Oswell and Jorel married, it would strengthen the bonds between the Targaryens and the Rhoynar nobility.
In the end, she said she would speak with Viserys and Oswell about the matter and strive to give him a satisfactory reply.
After receiving the ministers, it was time for family.
Viserys, Rhaella, Lyanna, Elia, the children, and of course Oberyn.
The Targaryens had no leisure now for dancers or musicians. When the family gathered, they felt more like a prosperous but ordinary household.
They simply talked.
Yet it was far from dull.
Little Rhaenys held her small black cat, her bright eyes fixed on Viserys as he recounted recent events. Her face was filled with admiration.
Perhaps her young mind could not fully grasp what had happened, but she understood one thing clearly.
Her uncle kept winning.
Oberyn had brought with him the crowns of Daeron and Aegon.
He had waited for the right moment to present them and use the gesture as an opening to discuss marriage.
Seeing the atmosphere warm and lively, he spoke.
"Your Grace, I have brought you a gift."
He gestured, and an attendant stepped forward with a red box bearing the three-headed dragon sigil.
Oberyn opened it himself.
Inside lay a Valyrian steel circlet set with square-cut rubies.
The rubies gleamed richly against the dark steel, exuding both grandeur and nobility.
Rhaella recognized it instantly.
The crowns of Targaryen kings had once been compiled into an illustrated volume. She had seen it there.
"Yes," Oberyn said, "this is the crown of Daeron the First. And also the crown of Aegon the Conqueror."
The others leaned forward, curiosity plain on their faces.
Lyanna and Elia both inclined closer.
Little Rhaenys tried to step nearer but was gently restrained by her mother.
Oberyn was pleased with the reaction. For a Targaryen, the Conqueror's crown was nearly a sacred relic.
But when he looked at Viserys, he noticed something strange.
Viserys was not looking at the crown.
He was looking at him.
Viserys smiled. "Wasn't this crown long lost? How convenient that it reappears just after I win a great victory."
Had there been outsiders present, the remark might have seemed overly sharp.
Given Oberyn's temperament, he might have stormed out. But this was only Targaryens and Martells.
"It seems to prove that Your Grace is favored by destiny," Oberyn replied lightly.
It was, in effect, a tacit admission that the crown had rested in Dorne for over a century. And with that admission, he had forfeited any leverage it might have given him.
"As it happens," Oberyn continued, "my brother, Prince Doran, has a daughter. She is of the same age as Your Grace."
The meaning was obvious.
All eyes turned to Viserys.
Even little Rhaenys stared at her uncle in confusion.
Viserys had considered a marriage alliance with House Martell. If the Martells stood firmly at his side, Dorne would serve as a stable foothold in Westeros.
But the key word was firmly.
"Oh?" Viserys nodded, then turned toward the guard at the door.
"Go inform Maester Faelor. Tell him House Targaryen will once again ally with House Martell by marriage. Spread the news to the lords of the Seven Kingdoms at once."
Oberyn had not expected that.
He sprang up quickly.
"Your Grace, Arianne is barely ten. There is no need to wed until she comes of age."
"That's fine," Viserys replied casually. "Until she comes of age, she need not share my bed. I understand. Go, call Maester Faelor."
"No, wait," Oberyn said, momentarily flustered. "What do you mean she need not share your bed? You are the same age!"
"Hold on!"
He nearly rushed to stop the guard.
If word of the alliance spread throughout the Seven Kingdoms, Dorne would be openly defying Robert.
"Your Grace," Oberyn said, visibly strained, "if the Usurper learns of this marriage, Dorne will face immense pressure."
The moment he said it, he regretted it.
Once, even with dragons and six kingdoms united, the Targaryens had failed to conquer Dorne.
To speak of pressure now sounded like a lack of conviction.
Viserys did not press the point.
"In that case, we can set the marriage aside for now. While you were absent, Maester Faelor and Elder Lothan proposed that I hold a second coronation. Dragonstone was too hurried.
"If Prince Doran is willing to attend, we will formalize the betrothal then. What do you think?"
Oberyn stood there, speechless.
That would not do at all.
Given Doran's health, the journey alone might destroy him.
The intention had been to wait until Arianne came of age and observe how far the Targaryens could rise.
Now Viserys had neatly turned the proposal back upon them.
Oberyn had no choice but to let the matter drop.
Viserys planned the second coronation for a year later. The palace was still under construction. Gohor had not yet fully recovered.
More importantly, he wanted the entire Seven Kingdoms to hear of it. A full year would give them time to choose.
For now, the alliance of stag, eagle, wolf, and fish remained solid. An immediate invasion would carry great risk and invite betrayal from within gohor.
Viserys did not expect rebellion against Robert just yet.
What he wanted was an attitude.
When the time came, he might not remember who attended. But he would remember clearly who did not.
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