"My lord, does your mansion happen to have any dragonbone artifacts? I wonder if I might take a look?"
After the meal, Viserys didn't forget to ask about what truly concerned him. He wasn't worried at all about his desire for dragon-related items being known. In fact, he hoped that others would seize this "weakness" to buy him off and corrupt him while trying to use him.
Besides, as a Targaryen, it would be strange not to be interested in dragons.
Furthermore, every beginning is difficult. If he didn't show his interest, how would Illyrio know what he wanted? Only by showing his desire could he get others to consider whether to give it to him.
A Beggar King, after all.
Viserys had nothing at the moment. Wouldn't he quickly take advantage of his usefulness and try his luck, just in case he got lucky?
Illyrio remembered Viserys asking the same question on the merchant ship.
It was clear that Viserys was very enthusiastic about dragonbone artifacts, and he also remembered that Viserys had inquired about Dragon Eggs on the ship.
This was something that Varys's intelligence hadn't mentioned. Illyrio couldn't help but think a little more, but he couldn't make any sense of it.
And since Viserys had asked, Illyrio couldn't outright refuse.
It was just after dessert, and Illyrio didn't want to continue discussing the Dothraki with Viserys.
Viserys had shown resistance. If Illyrio pushed too hard, it would make him seem too eager—he was playing the role of a broker, and he didn't think he could convince the other man anytime soon.
Illyrio needed to figure out the source of Viserys's resistance. Was it distrust, a test, or something else?
So Illyrio replied, "Of course, Your Grace, if you wish to see them."
With that, Illyrio picked up a delicate little silver bell on the table and gently shook it twice. He called out, "Butler!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, a middle-aged butler with a pale face and no beard entered the dining room and came to Illyrio's side. After Illyrio whispered a few words to him, the butler turned and left.
Before long, the butler returned to the dining room carrying several plates filled with exquisite treasure boxes. Another servant prepared a small table beside Illyrio for the butler to arrange them.
"Your Grace, please come forward."
Illyrio began to show off his collection with great satisfaction.
Viserys stepped forward generously.
Daenerys raised her head. Seeing that Viserys didn't say anything, she didn't dare to move, sitting alone and staring blankly at the dessert on the table.
Illyrio opened the first box: "Your Grace, please take a look. This is a section of a dragon's toe bone, inlaid with sapphire, made by a highly skilled craftsman. I obtained it from a nobleman in Braavos."
Due to its high iron content, the Dragonbone was black. It looked like agate and had a high ornamental value. It was hollow like a bird's bone and as tough as steel, lighter and more elastic than many other materials. Due to the scarcity of Dragonbone and its special texture, it was generally used to make many valuable collectibles, and, of course, weapons like Dragonbone Bows and Dragonbone Arrowheads.
Illyrio had been a warrior in his youth, but he didn't seem to have any Dragonbone knives or bows in his collection. He seemed like a nouveau riche who had become wealthy and lived a decent life. His collection was mostly vulgar objects inlaid with gems, jade, and gold. He seemed to be really keen on these vulgar things, and now he wore gem-studded rings on every finger.
Viserys didn't hide his desire for these Dragonbone artifacts. Every time Illyrio displayed one, he would shamelessly reach out and touch it.
Unfortunately, he could hardly sense anything just by touching them. Viserys wasn't sure if it was because these artifacts had been treated by craftsmen in various ways to block tactile sensations, or if his method of investigation was wrong, or if the Dragon Soul wasn't on these Dragonbones at all.
Viserys had already given up hope, just thinking about whether he could casually swindle something from Illyrio that wouldn't make him too upset, so he could further investigate.
But the next moment, another Dragonbone artifact was brought out for display. It was a pendant made from a small piece of broken bone, with gems inlaid at the broken ends, very exquisite. When Viserys touched it, he clearly felt a corner of his soul stir slightly, as if his skin was brushed by a gentle feather.
"Ah, truly exquisite." Viserys moved his hand away, allowing Illyrio to put it back. Then, he continued to display the next item.
Illyrio displayed nine Dragonbone artifacts; only two of them gave Viserys a feeling. Viserys wasn't an expert in appraisal and couldn't say whether it was the craftsmanship that was fake or whether there were differences between different Dragonbones.
"Your Grace, is there anything that catches your eye?" Illyrio said. "I heard that the royal family in King's Landing has collected several complete sets of Dragonbone. I wonder what that looks like?"
Trying to provoke my desire for King's Landing?
Viserys didn't answer immediately. Instead, he picked up the Dragonbone Pendant he had already set his sights on from the collection, as if no one else was present. He lovingly stroked the patterns on it and said in a low voice, "King's Landing, I will return there sooner or later and take back everything that belongs to me."
It was only right to reveal one's ambition and aspirations at the appropriate time, and greed as well.
Whether it was true or not, this kind of performance was free, and perhaps, when one had nothing, it could get you something from the right person.
Seeing Viserys's flamboyant performance, Illyrio thought, He might not be testing my sincerity with his clumsy acting, seeing how much I'm willing to give. So he said, "Since Your Grace likes it, keep this Dragonbone Pendant."
"Really?" Viserys's hand was already retracting, showing no sign of hesitation. "You are truly generous, Governor Illyrio."
"..." Illyrio kept smiling. "If Your Grace doesn't mind, then it's fine."
The banquet ended, and everyone was happy.
As for Illyrio, although Viserys's performance seemed slightly different from Varys's intelligence reports, and he hadn't quickly secured the alliance with the Dothraki, he had at least managed to keep Viserys and Daenerys under his control. He could make long-term plans for the future.
As for Viserys, he had gotten something that might contain a Dragon Soul by using empty promises. His mind was completely focused on it, and he wished he could immediately find a secluded corner to study it carefully.
But after all, he was now a Beggar King, living as a guest. He still needed to maintain a proper attitude. So Viserys suppressed his excitement and allowed Illyrio to have the maids arrange accommodations for him and Daenerys.
Guided by the maids, they soon arrived at their assigned rooms.
First up was Viserys's room. It was a spacious room with a sea view, located just above the garden, facing the Narrow Sea. It even had its own bathroom and toilet.
Viserys only glanced at the doorway, nodded in satisfaction, and then followed the maid to another room without a second thought.
Daenerys's room was next door, only a wall away from his.
However, the maid stopped Viserys: "Esteemed guest, this room has been prepared for the young lady."
Viserys narrowed his eyes, his malice undisguised: "Is this what you want to say, or did your master tell you to say it? Don't I know this is my sister's room?"
For no reason, Daenerys, who had been following behind Viserys, shivered. Her cruel brother's personality seemed unchanged.
Viserys ignored the maid who was trying to block his way and turned to Daenerys: "What are you waiting for? Come in."
He pulled Daenerys into the room and slammed the door shut behind them.
Viserys certainly didn't have any intention of doing anything to Daenerys, but he couldn't help it; the little girl wasn't a pushover.
She was smart.
That was the crux of the problem. Viserys didn't think his unusual behavior would go unnoticed by Daenerys.
Viserys tried his best to imitate the original's nasty persona. He released her, slowly walked to the window, and called out, "Daenerys, come here!"
Under Viserys's shadow, Daenerys was already used to being bossed around, so she cautiously followed, her heart in her throat, to the window.
"Daenerys!" But Viserys didn't fly into a rage and scream at her as he usually did. Instead, he said to her viciously, "If you want to protect a secret, don't act like you have a secret to protect, understand?"
Daenerys was stunned. Viserys's vicious voice was directed at her, but his eyes were subtly glancing at the door.
Then Viserys didn't give Daenerys a chance to respond and immediately hurried away.
When Viserys went out, the maid at the door hadn't left yet. Viserys turned back and glared at Daenerys before returning to his own room.
After playing the riddle-master, Viserys didn't bother to hide anything in his room. He didn't bother to guard against any possible spying, and immediately took the Dragonbone Pendant he had gotten from Illyrio and began to study it at the desk in his room.
Secrets deliberately hidden would tempt others to investigate, but things openly displayed were easily overlooked and taken for granted.
On the other side of the courtyard, Illyrio was in his study, eyes closed, pondering whether he should leave Viserys alone for a while, since he had unexpectedly rejected the plan Illyrio had offered. He thought that once Viserys felt his enthusiasm wane and began to get anxious, he would take the initiative to come to him.
According to the information, during his wanderings through the various city-states, Viserys, when idle, would eagerly seek opportunities to speak to nobles, even flattering them.
But soon, the maid who had led the guests arrived, informing Illyrio of what had happened between Viserys and Daenerys.
"If you want to protect a secret, don't act like you have a secret to protect?" Illyrio murmured this sentence. "Did he really say that?"
The maid nodded: "Yes, Master."
Illyrio asked again, oddly, "Did he say anything else?"
The maid replied, "No, master."
"Keep a close eye on them," Illyrio's gaze sharpened. "If anything seems amiss, inform me immediately."
"Yes, master."
A secret?
What secret?
Illyrio frowned, unable to guess what their "secret" could be.
The siblings had always been under Varys's surveillance. What secret could they possibly have?
Had Varys not told him?
Or was this so-called secret just something insignificant?
Varys's information was too simplistic. After getting a firsthand look, he felt that Viserys was not a simple man.
(End of Chapter)