"I'm not considering it." Aemon declined politely. Fearing that Aemon might not understand, Otto added, "I disagree!"
The old Sea Serpent was setting him up for a trap. Anyone could see the future of House Velaryon. Laenor disliked women and could not produce an heir. When Aunt Rhaenys aged, the dragon-taming rights would be completely hers. The Sea Serpent foresaw these two major difficulties and prepared for them. If such a day ever came, he would legitimize his illegitimate sons, Addam and Alyn, and blame Laenor. An elder brother is like a father. Of course, this was a last resort.
The best option was to target His Royal Highness. Aemon and Laena's offspring would be legitimate dragonborn who carry both Targaryen and Velaryon blood. With a changed surname, they could inherit Driftmark without issue. Furthermore, Aemon's offspring would naturally possess the right to tame dragons. Thus, the next heir to Driftmark could retain the right to tame dragons. Once, twice, and a third time. Using the cunning of the Sea Serpents, they arranged for their grandson or granddaughter to marry a Targaryen, thus securing the right to tame dragons for the third generation. Three generations later, the Velaryons' dragon-taming rights were tacitly accepted by the Seven Kingdoms' nobles. However, it was unclear if they would truly become the House of the Dragon King.
"I refuse!" Aemon said, his face like stone, firmly refusing to give him a second chance.
"Have you thought it through, boy?" Corlys's face darkened. Suppressing his humiliation at being rejected, he demanded, "Inherit Driftmark. The wealth there is enough for your offspring to squander for a lifetime." He didn't understand. How could someone be so obsessed with money?
"My child must be a true Targaryen." Aemon shook his head. Put yourself in his shoes. All of his other offspring were Targaryens, but only one, on Driftmark, was named Velaryon. How agonizing that must have been!
"You are simply ungrateful!" Corlys raged, turning and storming off.
"You're so old, and you still can't control your temper." Aemon sneered. Beware of a heart attack or stroke; they could knock you over.
Rhaenys glanced around, her expression complex, finally fading into a slow sigh. Her thoughts weren't as cunning as those of the older and younger ones. She simply wanted her daughter, Laena, to inherit Driftmark and have a safe haven at all times. Since her son Laenor was useless, her grandson or granddaughter could take over the family business. However, it was clear that these two men, who could be either grandfathers or grandchildren, were harboring ulterior motives.
"Haha, men!" Rhaenys sighed and shook her head.
Aemon: ...
"Aunt, you sound like boxers. What needs to be discussed must be discussed." Aemon recounted his plans for his engagement and wedding ceremony with Laena: The engagement would be at Driftmark and the marriage in the Vale. Rhaenys nodded gently in acceptance.
"You haven't wronged Laena." The Vale was Aemon's foundation. After the wedding, Laena would become ruler of the Vale and effectively head the household. Her niece, Rhaenyra, would ascend the Iron Throne, and her offspring would be the heir. The best way for two women to coexist is to not interfere with each other.
Aemon smiled, humbly accepting the compliment. After chatting for a while, the aunt and nephew said goodbye. Aemon hesitated, then said, "My uncle fears Lord Corlys more than he's angry with him. For the sake of the kingdom's harmony, though, I think he'll forgive him." This presupposes that both sides reach a certain understanding. For example, the Iron Throne and House Velaryon are engaging in some shady dealings.
Rhaenys's eyes flashed, and she immediately grasped the key point of her nephew's words. Then, she burst into laughter. Cousin Viserys was a man you both loved and hated.
"Then I'll be leaving," Aemon said with a smile.
Rhaenys remained silent, looking at her tall, handsome nephew and thinking of her late father. Her heart softened as she reached out to touch his face. "I'll persuade Corlys to put aside his pride and talk openly," she said softly.
Aemon was stunned for a moment. Reluctantly, he bent down and rubbed his cheek against her warm palm. Of all the Targaryens, Aunt Rhaenys was the most normal. Pinch her face, then pinch it again.
The Queen's Chamber.
"What did Viserys say to you?" Alicent asked her father curiously while holding the child.
"Someone upset him," Otto replied calmly.
Alicent raised an eyebrow in confusion. She had initially assumed it was about her brother Gwayne's appointment. Gwayne had achieved minor victories in the Battle of Myr. She had expected him to be promoted to Commander of the City Watch, which would have given her even more power.
"Don't worry about your brother. His talents make him a perfect fit for deputy commander of the City Watch." Otto saw through his daughter's thoughts. He also had a clear understanding of his son's abilities. A 2,000-man army of Gold Cloaks might still be manageable. However, after Aemon was declared King of the Vale, the permanent army at King's Landing increased to 5,000 men. Furthermore, the king personally selected a man to succeed Harwin Strong as Commander of the City Watch. Not even the Master of Laws could give orders.
"Well, it looks like Gwayne is going to be disappointed." Alicent shrugged, a rare flash of girlish playfulness.
Otto observed and nodded silently. With his family by his side, his daughter's life in the Red Keep was much easier. His traditional upbringing of "family and duty" had paid off. The bond of family should not be underestimated.
"By the way, didn't Viserys summon you, Aemon, and Lord Lyonel?" Alicent suddenly realized. She had heard about the Sea Serpents and Daemon's demands for fiefdoms. She just didn't know why he had summoned her father alone.
"Because I understand Viserys best," Otto said enigmatically.
Alicent frowned slightly. It made it sound as if the two were having an affair.
"Viserys is weak-willed, but he has a good heart and acts with decency." Otto chuckled and answered, "Lyonel is rigid and can't show his dark side in front of his nephew, so he can only entrust it to me." There was a hint of strangeness in his smile. Alicent felt a chill in her heart when she saw it and hugged the child tightly.
"Don't worry. It's not a bad thing." Otto waved his hand to reassure his daughter. Viserys did hate and fear the Sea Serpent and Daemon, and he did want them to submit. Ultimately, the outcome depended on whether the two sides could reach an agreement. The idiots on the Royal Council were unfit to handle this matter. If Viserys had any evil intentions, Otto could tell him, and he would see to it. The tacit understanding between the king and his minister had been cultivated for over ten years. Through their sincere cooperation, the Sea Serpent and Daemon were driven out of King's Landing, the center of power, one by one.
"You have to be careful." Alicent hesitated for a long time, not knowing what to say.
Otto was calm and collected and quickly regained his righteous demeanor. "The Sea Serpent and the Daemon are dangerous. Will they threaten the royal family?" Alicent couldn't help but worry about the royal family when she thought about the grievances between the two parties.
"The king has never treated them unfairly. They have no reason to rebel." Otto was very decisive.
Seeing that his daughter was still hesitant to speak, he glanced at his sleeping grandson, caressed his fair face, and silently said, "The future is on our side. The children will grow up in no time." As the king's eldest son, Aegon naturally had the right of succession. Even if he couldn't sit on the Iron Throne, his four siblings would still have a place at court. How could the Sea Serpents and Daemon compare to the thriving dragonlings?
Alicent understood this, but she was still unsure. She hesitated and said, "I'm afraid Aemon and Daemon will have a difficult relationship." They had been together for so many days, yet not even a proper dinner had been held. It was taboo to let father and son meet.
"Dragon blood is strong." Otto had a different view, though. He said calmly, "Aemon brought Daemon back. They are father and son. Who knows what they will plan?" Family and responsibility come first.
"Daemon, why isn't he dead?!" Aemon cursed furiously in the Godswood.
Misaria had just sent word. Daemon had snuck into Silk Street and Flea Bottom, searching everywhere for her and secretly contacting former Gold Cloak members. Misaria had long since moved on, completely erasing her whereabouts. After the Gold Cloaks expanded, the old members were disbanded and reorganized, and many were eliminated. Daemon found a few old subordinates, but they were useless. Even so, Daemon was furious. He had made himself hated by everyone, yet he still refused to be honest.
"Okay, stop it," Rhaenyra said helplessly, hugging him. "No one can make him behave or stop his tricks."
"Then he hasn't learned his lesson!" Aemon refused to believe it.
Rhaenyra tilted her head and asked, "Do you want to fight him to the death?"
"Sooner or later." Aemon's eyes were determined, as if they were about to fall.
Rhaenyra sighed. He had defeated her. How could it be so easy? Aemon might be willing, but Daemon might not be. Daemon might be willing, but his father, Viserys, might not be. Once a dragon reaches adulthood, it grows to over fifty meters in size. Even if it can't defeat an adult dragon twice its size, it can severely injure or destroy one. Aemon and Daemon are Vermithor and Caraxes. The Targaryens are the best dragon riders, and their dragons are the strongest and most promising in the family. A fight between the two would be the worst thing the family could want to see.
"Don't overthink it. Let it be." Rhaenyra smoothed Aemon's silver-gold hair, showcasing the tenderness of an older sister.
"You look so much like Aunt Rhaenys," Aemon said, blushing.
Rhaenyra lifted her chin with pride. "Aunt Rhaenys praised my performance in Myr, saying that I have the grace of Queen Visenya." It was obvious she had been fooled.
Aemon helplessly held his forehead, averting his gaze.
"Get out of the way! Behold my dragon's wrath!" Aegon held a wooden training sword and aimed it at a large red rabbit.
"Aegon, don't do that!" Aemond exclaimed.
Aegon said nothing, charging forward. The red rabbit calmly lowered its head and chewed grass roots. Its chubby body shifted slightly, revealing Helaena squatting on the ground and picking at ants. She glanced up at Aegon's shout, then lowered her head and muttered, "Red Hare, hit him."
"Chichi!" The red rabbit instantly gained momentum and launched itself from the spot like a cannonball. Aegon's vision blurred as the rabbit struck him in the abdomen. His body took off with a thud and and landed again, completing a short, low-to-the-ground flight.
Aemon gasped, thinking, "Is he still alive?"
"You filthy bastard, you're cheating! I'll roast you and eat you!" Aegon struggled to his feet, furious.
"You're so tough!" Aemon exclaimed. He was a tough savage who survived the aftermath of a dragon fight. As tough as his dragon.
"You don't care about that?" Aemon looked at Rhaenyra. Meanwhile, Aegon continued his assault with his small wooden sword in hand.
"Seven Hells!" Rhaenyra slapped her forehead, lifted her skirts, and strode over.
Bang, bang, bang! ... The muffled sound of a wooden sword lashing out at his bottom was accompanied by the child's screams for mercy.
"Do you dare?" Rhaenyra's face was stern. She grabbed Aegon with one hand and swung the wooden sword in circles with the other. Aegon howled in agony. Soon, she had subdued the arrogant Aegon.
"Sister, I won't do it again." Aegon pleaded, clutching his bottom.
"If you do it again, I'll break your legs!" Rhaenyra warned.
Aegon nodded rapidly, fearing that he would be too late and receive another beating.
Aemon marveled. Three sticks to break the king's aura.
"Sister, I'm just the little brother."
"Rhaenyra's stickwork needs improvement." Aemon commented. Remember: One stick to the mouth to prevent begging for mercy and two to the legs to prevent escape. Just once, and Aegon will remember it forever."
"Go away!" Rhaenyra let her foolish brother go. Aegon ran away, mumbling and dropping his little pearl.
Helaena, who was gifted with supernatural strength, picked up the upper half of the large red rabbit and returned to Maegor's Holdfast.
"Sister, I'll help you." Aemond picked up Aegon's discarded wooden sword and trotted after her. As they passed by a weirwood, Aemond stole a glance at Aemon beneath the tree; his eyes were filled with envy and admiration. Aemon had conquered the Stepstones and Myr, expanding the Conqueror's territories. He was simply an idol!
"Watch your step." Aemon smiled faintly, as gentle as jade when he wasn't angry.
Aemond was stunned and tripped on the bluestone. His face instantly turned red, and he fled the scene in embarrassment.
"I warned this kid, but he just wouldn't listen." Aemon couldn't help but smile.
"Aemond is dull and not as smart as Aegon." Rhaenyra clapped her hands, having successfully beaten her brother.
"Don't say that. What if he's actually talented?" Aemon said with a smile.
Rhaenyra thought for a moment, nodded thoughtfully, and raised her white fist. "Can he take a beating?"
Aemon: ...
"Of course not." If things continue like this, the Greens will never get ahead. The beatings have left psychological scars.
Rhaenyra smiled smugly and put her hands behind her back. Don't be fooled by Aemon's good-natured appearance. He was the one who taught her to beat her brother as a form of discipline. Needless to say, the effect was immediate. Besides, no one could fault a sister for beating her brother, either emotionally or logically. Alicent felt sorry for her son and complained to her father several times, but she was persuaded to go back every time. Over time, the matter was left unresolved.
"Children are easier to deal with," Aemon sighed. Sea Serpent and Daemon were not easy to worry about, those two old men.
"It will be decided soon," Rhaenyra advised. "Father will restrain Daemon no matter what."
"Don't let him go back to Runestone City in the Vale. Mother is fed up with it." Aemon complained. His uncle valued marriage and had always wanted Daemon to return to the family.
"With Daemon's temper, he wouldn't agree." Rhaenyra shook her head and laughed. "He's in Lys. If he's not bothering Lady Rhea, then he's venting his energy on others." Daemon's eyes darted around, and he put his arm around Rhaenyra's slender waist. He whispered, "What if he pushes too hard and creates a bunch of brothers and sisters for me?"
Rhaenyra's cheeks flushed, and she twisted away from him. "Then let him and Lady Rhea dissolve their marriage as soon as possible."
"Uncle won't agree," Aemon said in disbelief. Marriage was one of the few constraints that affected Daemon.
A Kingsguard arrived: "Your Highnesses, His Majesty has summoned you to a council meeting!"
Aemon was stunned. It really was his uncle.
"Okay, we'll do it." Rhaenyra hurriedly pushed his hand away and smoothed out the wrinkles in her dress. Then, she gave him a fierce look.
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