The news that Aemond had tamed a dragon had spread throughout the Vale long ago.
Prince Qoren would not do anything without profit, so he must have seen the value of a dragon rider.
"Haha, of course my son is excellent."
Viserys couldn't help but feel proud.
Alicent glanced at her husband with an ambiguous meaning.
"The Strait is calm for the time being, so why not discuss the marriages of the princes and princesses."
As expected, Otto changed the subject to what he hoped for.
"Perhaps it's too early."
Viserys hesitated, not wanting to talk about it in public.
He had selfish motives.
First, the relationship between his children was not as good as he had imagined, and it was a bit too early to follow tradition.
Second, he looked down on the Dornish and didn't want one of his sons to marry a Dornish daughter-in-law and give him a grandson with Dornish blood.
For this reason, Viserys secretly touched the Hand of the King on his right.
"Ah, yes."
Lyonel Strong perked up and tried to change the subject: "Braavos and Volantis are ambitious, I wonder what other conspiracies they have in mind."
"There's always a thief who can steal for a thousand days, but there's no such thing as a thousand-day defense against thieves. With the Sea Snake guarding the Straits, we don't need to worry about anything until the war breaks out."
Otto dismissed the question directly and continued with the question of marriage: "Prince Aegon is already fourteen years old, and has long reached the age of engagement. Don't forget that Prince Aemon was betrothed at the age of twelve."
As he spoke, he turned the conversation to Aemon, who had dark circles under his eyes.
Aemon yawned mid-way, pointed at himself, and said in surprise: "Who, me?"
You guys talk about yourselves, why are you talking about me?
"Just rest your mind,"
Viserys said with a frown, asking his nephew not to interrupt.
"Oh," Aemon said dissatisfiedly.
"The royal family is an extraordinary noble family, and marriage is of paramount importance,"
Otto said with determination. "Besides, the kingdom is flourishing. Your Majesty should focus on your children and continue the bloodline of Old Valyria."
"All this talk is just trying to persuade Aegon and Helena to follow tradition,"
Rhaenyra rolled her eyes.
Otto choked, unable to retort.
"Stop arguing."
Viserys was irritated, but after being lectured by Otto for so long, he couldn't really avoid the matter.
After all, the marriage of their children had been discussed three months ago.
For the sake of peace in the kingdom and the continuation of the bloodline.
Viserys twirled the emerald ring on his left thumb and said thoughtfully, "Everyone, please consider whether there is a noblewoman of suitable age in the kingdom who would be a good match for Aegon."
Silence!
There was a moment of silence.
With the Sea Snake away and Grand Maester Meros in bed, the royal council was already short-staffed.
Lyonel Strong bowed his head in silence, Otto remained composed, and Tyland Lannister scratched his head anxiously.
The old man, Lyman Beesbury, looked around. Everyone was silent. He raised a finger with a hint of sly delight and said, "Your Majesty, I have a granddaughter."
"Yes, I see,"
Viserys said politely.
Lyman frowned and said seriously, "Your Majesty, my granddaughter is very beautiful."
"I will consider it, Lord Lyman,"
Viserys shot back.
If it weren't for Otto's insistence, he wouldn't have considered marrying his children.
In his heart, it was still better for Aegon and Helena to follow tradition.
But the reality was that Aegon was a hopeless case, and the siblings wouldn't be happy following tradition.
As a second best option, Aegon could marry the daughter of a prominent noble family.
Ideally, the daughter of a noble below the rank of Duke of a realm but above the rank of Earl.
Even then, he was still undecided.
The Beesbury family of Beehive City had a long history, but was just one of several vassal states under the Hightower family in Oldtown.
Emotionally and logically, they were not an option.
Seeing the king's intention, Lyman sat down sullenly and continued to play the role of a sullen old man.
But once someone started talking, the others naturally followed suit.
Lyonel Strong thought for a long time but couldn't come up with a word.
The Strong family only has men in this generation, and the daughters of the side branches are not worthy of Prince Aegon.
Among the nobles with the highest status in the Riverlands.
The Tully family of Riverrun is headed by an old duke, with a son and two grandsons, but no girls of the right age.
The Blackwood family of Raventree Hall does have a girl named Alysanne Blackwood.
But this girl is not beautiful and has a very tough personality.
The Riverlands are eliminated.
Tyland mentioned several daughters of Westerlands noble families in a row, which made Viserys nod frequently.
In particular, the daughter of the head of the Westerling family of the Crag, a great Westerlands noble, was very much to his liking.
Ser Harold Westerling, commander of the Kingsguard, was from the Westerling family and was the uncle of the current head of the family.
"Your Majesty, if you trust me, Lady Johanna Westerling would be a very good choice."
Ser Harold was in the hall, whispering in Viserys's ear.
"Oh?"
Viserys piqued his interest.
His Iron Guard commander was an upright man who upheld the spirit of chivalry and would never be motivated by selfish motives or aimless actions.
As the king's conversation intensified, Otto began to grow restless.
"Your Majesty, there may be better options than the daughters of the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms."
"It's not that you said marriage is important, I'm just being selective,"
Viserys chuckled.
Rhaenyra added fuel to the fire, saying, "I've heard of Lady Johanna Westerling. She's three years older than Aegon. She's long since established the Crag in perfect order, and she's a sought-after woman among the men of the Westerlands."
Aemon thought for a moment and nodded silently.
He and Ser Harold had a good relationship; he had previously introduced him to Lady Johanna, the namesake of the "Black Swan."
How should I put it?
The Jansif of the Westerlands.
A truly gentle, yet strong, loyal woman, a rare find.
According to historical records, this Lady Johanna married Jason Lannister, the Lord of the Westerlands.
After the Dance of the Dragons, Lord Jason wandered the Riverlands until his death, but it was Lady Johanna who visited King's Landing on behalf of her late husband and the Westerlands, and brokered a peace agreement.
She was quite a character.
Aegon was lucky enough to marry her.
"No!"
Otto stood up.
Viserys turned back in surprise, unhappily saying, "Why, does my Lord Justice have any recommendations for a good candidate?"
"I'm sorry, I lost my temper,"
Otto said, realizing his actions were too drastic and apologizing frankly.
His request was simple, even blunt, revealing his purpose.
"I believe that Prince Aegon and Princess Helena are of similar age. They could follow the story of the Conqueror and his sisters, upholding family traditions and ensuring the purity of the Targaryen bloodline."
Otto's ulterior motives became clear.
"And regarding Prince Chorren's proposal for a marriage, wouldn't Prince Aemond be a good choice?"
"Using marriage to win over Dorne, or even incorporating Dorne into the kingdom, could avoid many unnecessary sacrifices,"
Otto spoke eloquently, convinced he was always right.
Viserys remained silent, his face darkening.
In fact, Otto was absolutely right.
Aegon and Helena, Aemond marrying a Dornish princess, was the perfect decision.
"What do you think?"
Viserys neither agreed nor disagreed, but his attitude spoke volumes.
Lyonel Strong: "Think twice before you act."
Tyland smiled sheepishly.
"I think we should ask Aegon and the others for their opinion."
Aemon rested his chin on his hand, speaking seriously for the first time.
Although the era was the feudal Middle Ages, a Targaryen with dragons was no ordinary man. The chances of madness and the consequences of madness were severe.
If Aegon and the others didn't agree, it would be difficult to resolve.
"Anyone else?"
Viserys' eyes widened, staring at everyone, including his daughter Rhaenyra.
Alicent pursed her lips and whispered, "I agree with Aemon."
"What about you?"
Viserys finally fixed his gaze on Otto.
Unable to offend the king at this moment, Otto resigned, "Ask Prince Aegon and the others; it's certainly feasible."
"Very well,"
Viserys said, rising impatiently. "I'll ask them when I get back. Now dismiss the meeting."
With that, he strode off with Ser Harold.
This was his way of telling everyone he was angry.
His family was one of the few things he truly valued.
Discussing their marriages was fine, but Otto, their grandfather, couldn't dictate theirs.
Seeing this, the others left.
Aemon leaned against Rhaenyra, half paralyzed as he walked out.
He was tired, sleepy, and hungry. He'd been toiling like a donkey in the production team at night, and woke up before dawn to clock in for meetings. His Highness had been pampered since childhood; how could he have ever endured such hardship?
On his second day in King's Landing, he missed the Vale.
"Prince Aemon, wait a moment."
Suddenly, Otto called him from behind.
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