Viserys hoped that Illyrio would be more drawn to the "they" he spoke of, giving him more time.
Viserys knew that his planning could hardly be called a clever scheme, and his execution was somewhat clumsy and rough. But his goal from beginning to end was Illyrio's Dragonbone resources. This goal was clear and straightforward; he even repeatedly asked Illyrio directly.
Yet, the more direct he was, the more Viserys thought it seemed in Illyrio's eyes that it was merely a cover-up or preparation for other purposes, especially since he had laid so many false trails, which should have some effect.
In fact, in a certain sense, Viserys's foolish behavior and pretense of being a fool was not without an attempt to probe Illyrio's tolerance. And the facts proved that this governor was deeply cunning and would not easily act on impulse.
After the meal, Illyrio cleared his throat and said in a solemn tone, "Your Majesty, in fact, I have always kept your needs in mind. It's just that I was in a hurry at the time and didn't ask you for details." After he finished speaking, he clapped his hands on the seat, and soon a butler came in with two exquisite gift boxes.
He gestured for the butler to place the gift boxes in front of Viserys and signaled him to open them.
Viserys opened the boxes, revealing two sets of exquisite jewelry. Each box contained a Dragonbone hairpin, two Dragonbone pins, and cuff links, brooches, and other small Dragonbone ornaments that could be used to adorn clothing.
"These are two sets of Dragonbone ornaments, Your Majesty. They are a small token of my regard, presented to you and Her Grace Daenerys," Illyrio said. "However, I suppose this is not what Your Majesty truly needs, so please tell me exactly what kind of Dragonbone you need? And how much?"
"Thank you for your generosity," Viserys accepted graciously. Then, his spirits lifted, and he asked, seeking advice, "What styles of Dragonbone are there, generally?"
"Allow me to enlighten you. Dragonbone comes in raw materials, luxury goods, items crafted into blades and bows, and purely decorative pieces," Illyrio elaborated. "Does Your Grace have any specific needs?"
Illyrio transformed the broad concept into concrete items. Viserys pondered for a moment, trying to discern any hidden meaning behind Illyrio's question, but ultimately came up empty.
Viserys looked at Illyrio and replied hopefully, "I see. Then, let's have a bit of everything. Hmm, I'd like twenty pieces to start, five of each style. Is that a problem?"
Illyrio agreed, "It would be my pleasure to assist you, Your Grace."
Viserys had thought twenty pieces would be a large request; after all, the fat Governor's Dragonbone collection he'd seen upon arrival had only shown nine pieces. Now that Illyrio had readily agreed, it left him with no opportunity to use the prepared speech.
In any case, it was better to have less trouble. It was best that Illyrio had agreed so easily. Viserys nodded in satisfaction and said very seriously, "I will remember what you have done for me, Governor Illyrio." These words truly came from the bottom of his heart.
But Illyrio clearly didn't take it seriously. "It is my duty."
"Regarding the situation in Westeros earlier, Governor Illyrio," Viserys began, now that the matter was settled, trying to salvage his earlier poor response. "I will give you a convincing answer."
Illyrio seemed unconcerned by his previous behavior, replying with a friendly smile, "I eagerly await it."
What exactly is going on?
When the conversation at the table ended, and her brother and the fat governor seemed to have gotten what they wanted, Daenerys felt utterly confused. She was walking back to her room. Viserys walked ahead of her, holding the two gift boxes the fat governor had given him. His steps seemed light, and there was no sign of his usual dark mood on his face, but he didn't say a word. Daenerys felt that he was not as he appeared. She had a vague sense of unease, but since Viserys wasn't speaking, she didn't dare ask.
They walked in silence until they reached Daenerys's room. Viserys closed the door as usual and sat on the tea table by the window, looking out at the sea.
Under Daenerys's gaze, Viserys first poured himself a glass of lemonade and drank it all, then opened the gift boxes. He wore a satisfied expression and smiled at Daenerys. "One box is for you, it's really beautiful. Come and sit down and have a look. I'll help you try it on to see if it fits."
Daenerys sat down on the chair beside his seat and looked at the exquisite gift box her brother had opened. "This is for me?"
"Of course." Viserys ran his fingers over the Dragonbone ornaments in the box, as if carefully selecting one. He finally chose a hairpin from the second box. "Try it on."
Daenerys reached out and took it. The hairpin was black, small, and delicate, with a warmth like it had been warmed by the sun.
Viserys was smiling, looking at her with anticipation, as if waiting for her to put on the hairpin.
Daenerys didn't speak. Governor Illyrio was a merchant, specializing in the trade of spices, gems, and Dragonbone. He had a wide network of connections, not only throughout the Nine Free Cities, but also as far east as Vaes Dothrak and the legendary lands along the Jade Sea. He was knowledgeable and rich. The maid Annie would sometimes ramble about these things when they were alone. He also had slaves; the flower farmers, dog keepers, and kitchen maids with copper collars in the courtyard were all his slaves. There was a ban on the slave trade in Pentos, but it didn't apply to powerful figures. Daenerys couldn't imagine such a powerful person being so humble in front of them. In fact, she could sense that Viserys himself was equally wary of the merchant governor, but she couldn't understand Viserys's behavior.
Daenerys was full of doubts. But she still fell silent and started to fix her hair. She combed her hair and then secured it with the Dragonbone hairpin. When she was done, she asked, "How is it?"
Viserys looked her up and down with an evaluative gaze. He stared at her hair for a while, and then gazed at her face, as if trying to see something in her expression.
Daenerys waited in silence for ten breaths before Viserys finally spoke, "Not bad."
For some reason, Daenerys felt that Viserys seemed to have other expectations of her. Over these days, she had become a little bolder when talking to her brother, so she followed up, "What is it?"
"Hmm." Viserys seemed to think of something. He picked up a Dragonbone brooch from the box and personally pinned it to her clothes. He also casually smoothed a strand of hair from her forehead and adjusted the hairpin on her head. "This is more stylish."
Viserys moved quietly, and after finishing, he sat back down to stare at her, which made Daenerys feel puzzled and sit up straight. After a while, Viserys said to her, "Come, help me pin up my hair too."
Hearing Viserys order her, Daenerys got up as instructed.
As Daenerys was fixing Viserys's hair, she saw a faint smile on his face, his gaze resolutely fixed forward.
During the time she'd spent with her brother, Daenerys easily recognized that this expression was fake, meaning that if she asked him a question next, she would only get perfunctory answers. So she kept silent, finished everything, and then sat back down quietly.
"Finished?" Viserys asked.
"Yes," Daenerys replied softly.
Viserys paused, then got up and said, "Let's go for a walk."
In Daenerys's room, they put on the Dragonbone ornaments Illyrio had given them, one by one, and then began their after-dinner walk for the day.
This was another change in Viserys that Daenerys couldn't understand. Illyrio's courtyard wasn't small, but it wasn't particularly large either. She'd only walked through it a few times and already memorized the entire layout; she could find her way around even with her eyes closed. Yet, Viserys seemed to relish it, going through the same routes every day, forwards and backwards, without any sign of boredom.
And there were endless stories.
But today seemed a little different.
They walked in silence for a while, and Viserys didn't seem inclined to start a story. They followed the corridor into the garden, past the flowerbeds, through the evergreen grove, and finally reached the seaside pavilion.
It was a corner overlooking the sea, where they could hear the sound of waves crashing against the cliffs below.
Only then did Viserys begin to speak. He stood by the pavilion, turned to look at Daenerys, his face serious, his voice soft, like the wind: "Daenerys, if you sense anything unusual or dream of anything, remember it, and find a chance to tell me quietly."
Daenerys thought she'd misheard him. She looked up. Viserys was looking at her, his expression still serious, but his voice had grown louder, and he said with interest, "Do you know what comes to mind every time I look at the sea here?"
Daenerys asked, surprised, "What?"
Viserys patted her shoulder, as if encouraging her, as if comforting her. He said, "Dragonstone, that is our homeland."
Viserys had already adopted a storytelling tone.
"About four hundred years ago, when the Freehold of Valyria still ruled the continent of Essos, our ancestors extended their influence to the Narrow Sea. They annexed an island that guarded the throat of Blackwater Bay and built a castle there, but they did not continue westward. The castle tower was magically shaped from rock by Valyrian magic, resembling a giant dragon, hence the island's name, Dragonstone. Before the Doom, the daughter of the then-leader of House Targaryen, Daenys the Dreamer, dreamed that Valyria would be destroyed by fire. The family leader believed her dream, so he abandoned his family's holdings in the Freehold and moved the entire family to Dragonstone.
And it was with Dragonstone as their base that Aegon and his sister-wives launched the Conquest, uniting the Six Kingdoms.
You were born there, Dany.
Remember it, and don't forget."
....
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