Lysa Tully first pulled little Robert to sit by the fireplace, then looked at her sister.
"Don't you think he's beautiful? Actually, he's very strong too; don't believe the rumors outside. Jon knew very well; he told me himself that his seed was strong. These were his dying words. He kept muttering little Robert's name, gripping my hand so hard it left marks. He wanted me to tell them that his seed was strong, that this was his child, and he wanted everyone to know that my little darling would grow into a strong man."
Catelyn Tully glanced at little Robert, who was reaching out his small hand to pull open Lysa's nightgown, and advised, "Lysa, I am your sister. I want to help you; I need to know the truth."
After a pause, she said firmly, "No matter what the truth is, I will definitely help you."
"Shut up!" Lysa snapped.
Lysa's sudden shout startled little Robert, who dropped his doll onto the carpet and tightly hugged his mother.
"You scared my son, my dear sister."
After a reproach, Lysa softly comforted the trembling little Robert, "My dearest little darling, don't be afraid. Mommy is here; everything will be alright."
Was this still her sister? Where was her upbringing? She was practically like a… Lady Catelyn barely managed to suppress her anger.
Lysa skillfully lifted her nightgown, and little Robert eagerly began to suckle.
Catelyn was truly speechless… Could this really be Jon Arryn's son? She thought of her own youngest son… Rickon was only three, half Robert's age, yet several times more energetic than him… She sincerely hoped little Robert would grow up healthy, but now she was quite pessimistic about his future.
Lysa gently stroked her son's hair and said proudly, "Cat, little Robert is the Duke of Eyrie, and also the Protector of the Vale."
Catelyn still tried to persuade her, "Lysa, given the current situation, war is very likely."
Lysa's gentleness vanished instantly. Glancing at the son in her arms, she lowered her voice, which was filled with anger, "Isn't this your husband's conspiracy? My son and I could have lived very well; he destroyed the peace of the Vale."
She continued, "Put away your fake concern. Your schemes will ultimately fail. My son and I will both be fine because no one can attack this place."
Catelyn felt an urge to slap her sister and said, "Lysa, there is no unbreachable castle in the world. Let me help you."
"No one can breach my son's Eyrie."
Lysa first retorted, then continued, "Of course you have to help me, no…"
She looked at her sister with venom and continued, "Now it is I who will deal with you, giving you a chance to atone."
"Are you mad, Lysa?!" Catelyn said in disbelief.
Lysa ignored Catelyn, looked down at her son, and whispered, "Little darling, do you like Auntie very much? Let her stay here… okay?"
Little Robert stammered, "Stay… here…"
Lysa stroked little Robert's head. She looked at Catelyn, and a strange, chilling smile gradually appeared on her face.
"Little Robert's good Auntie, you can live here from now on. My son and I will take good care of you."
Before Catelyn could respond, the smile on her face instantly vanished, and she said coldly, "You wouldn't refuse the Duke of Eyrie's kindness, would you?"
Little Robert poked his head out, both excited and eager, saying, "Make her fly! Make her fly!"
Lysa rubbed little Robert's hair and murmured, "That's a good idea, that's indeed a good idea."
Catelyn's pupils constricted sharply. She opened her mouth but couldn't make a sound.
...
...
Essos, Viserys (formerly Qarth) City-State.
Hahahaha, Daenerys Targaryen suddenly burst into laughter as she read the letter. Her laughter was as clear as silver bells, echoing in the room.
Daenerys laughed so hard she was bent over, one hand covering her lower abdomen, the other covering her mouth, trying to control her laughter, but it was useless.
Borona and Othana were first stunned, then infected by Daenerys's laughter, and both broke into joyful smiles.
Daenerys was struggling to laugh, and she pleaded as if for help, "Help me, I can't laugh anymore."
Whose letter? It was a letter from Glenn, the 'King of Scrolls,' written to Daenerys when he found time after Duke Eddard arrived in King's Landing… It had traveled across the sea and only arrived today.
Glenn was thoughtful; through his interactions in Pentos, he learned that the poor little princess liked cheerful little stories, so he wrote many interesting things he had experienced in the Red Keep in the letter.
True stories, with a little exaggeration… they were indeed interesting and satisfied a girl's curiosity. Glenn used pseudonyms, such as: the Duke of Joy, the Duke of Iron Face, Egghead, Little Mustache, etc.
The story that made Daenerys laugh so painfully was… the incident that happened in the Great Sept of Baelor when Glenn first arrived in King's Landing, where the Egghead was the explosive point of laughter (Chapters 117-118).
...
Daenerys rubbed her cheeks, her violet eyes reluctantly leaving the letter on the table, and said, "Othana, have the people who delivered the letter been settled?"
Othana nodded and said, "Princess Daenerys, everything has been arranged. Please rest assured."
Borona lightly coughed and said, "They do need a good rest; they also have the important responsibility of escorting Your Highness's reply."
Daenerys squinted at Borona, who was trying to suppress her laughter, and said with a smile, "You are very thoughtful. Let's have a drink together; I am too happy today."
I, Daenerys, I am the True Dragon. The True Dragon does not hide her affection.
Knock knock knock, a knock sounded. After a response, Dick entered, carrying a wine pot.
Dick bowed slightly, "Your Highness, please forgive my presumption. As I passed by, I accidentally heard laughter, and I boldly guessed that you needed fine wine at this moment."
Dick's figure was still very thin. When he spoke, he deliberately added a Trade Guild accent, and his demeanor carried a deliberate elegance.
Daenerys's silver hair set off her porcelain-white skin, and her smile was gentle: "Dick, you are always so thoughtful. Thank you."
Dick's eyes habitually darted around. Hearing the princess's praise, he couldn't help but feel excited deep down: "Your Highness, thank you for your praise. It is my honor to serve you. I will serve you even more diligently and am confident in doing everything you ask, because I am…"
Othana interjected expressionlessly, "Clever Dick."
Borona burst into laughter.
Daenerys's eyes narrowed into two crescent moons. She desperately suppressed her laughter to maintain her dignity.
Dick was annoyed, but catching sight of Othana's sturdy exposed arms, he held back.
Othana's ink-black short hair was neatly trimmed, her dark eyes bright and sharp. Compared to ordinary women, she could be described as tall, with clearly visible muscle lines on her body, full of power.
Othana felt the gaze sweeping over her. Her eyes moved, looking at Dick… She had lost to Jorah Mormont in a sword fight, which had left her with a simmering anger lately. She remembered how happy Dick had been laughing then.
Seeing Dick's eyes dart away, Othana merely raised one eyebrow before withdrawing her gaze.
Daenerys pursed her lips, paused for a moment, and then said, "Clever Dick, I look forward to your performance."
After speaking, her gaze turned to Othana and she continued, "Othana, it was just one defeat. I consulted Ser Jorah, and he told me that you are mainly unaccustomed to fighting in armor, which can be compensated through training. He is actually looking forward to your next match as well."
Although Othana appeared no different on the surface, Daenerys had long noticed that she was suppressing anger because of her loss to Ser Jorah.
Daenerys's lips curved slightly. She liked Borona's cheerfulness and Othana's purity; having them both by her side made her feel at ease.
Although busy, Daenerys was very satisfied with the current situation… She looked at the map of Westeros hanging on the wall, her gaze settling on the location of the Vale. She greatly looked forward to the days after helping her brother win the Iron Throne.
...
Othana, uncharacteristically blushing, said, "Princess Daenerys, I will definitely defeat Ser Jorah next time."
Daenerys smiled and nodded slightly.
Borona took the silver wine pot from Dick's hand and poured a glass of wine for everyone present.
Daenerys took a small sip of summer red. It was her favorite flavor, a flavor filled with wonderful memories, where there was only her and him.
Daenerys's eyes moved slightly, and she suddenly asked, "Dick, where is Viserys?"
As Viserys's close attendant, Dick usually stayed by her brother's side. She saw that Dick was still here, chatting and laughing with Borona, which prompted her question.
Dick sobered up and replied, "Your Highness, King Viserys is sleeping; he… is drunk."
As Dick finished speaking, Daenerys looked out the window. The sunlight outside was bright and dazzling.
Daenerys frowned and said, "He's already drunk before noon?"
After a pause, she asked, "What's the reason?"
Dick hesitated, then said, "Your Highness, it's about the name of the legion. King Viserys is angry… The legion's name is the True Dragon Legion, but everyone privately likes to call it the Princess's Legion, or Daenerys's Legion."
He added, "He heard quite a bit, and he also said… he also said…"
Daenerys raised an eyebrow: "Said what else?"
Dick looked up at the calm-faced Daenerys and cautiously said, "The drunk King told me to call him the Puppet King. He said he was his sister's puppet toy."
Daenerys took a light breath and said calmly, "Dick, please try to prevent my brother from getting drunk every day, okay? I know my brother doesn't listen to advice he doesn't like, but at least don't let him get drunk during the day."
Dick opened his mouth. He wanted to agree, but he truly had no confidence in accomplishing this, because King Viserys greatly disliked any interference from others, in everything.
"I hurt my brother last time; now, he won't listen to a single word I say."
"My brother trusts you very much, and I am not giving an order; this is just a request."
"Dick, can you?"
Daenerys's voice was calm, but when he heard the last sentence, his body trembled.
Dick secretly glanced at Princess Daenerys, who was gazing at him with gentle eyes, and said with difficulty, "Your Highness, I will do my best…"
As he spoke, he gritted his teeth and continued, "I can do it. Please rest assured."
Daenerys nodded slightly. She swept her gaze over those present and said, "I am a little tired; I want to rest for a while."
...
The room was quiet. Daenerys slowly walked to the window with her wine glass. The sun hung high in the sky, radiating endless light across the entire land.
Today was truly a good day… After standing for a while, Daenerys wiped away tears from the corner of her eyes with the back of her hand.
Why did her brother have no trust in her, why couldn't he have a little more patience with her? Daenerys even secretly envied Dick… because her brother treated him better than he treated his own sister… much better.
She dared not forget her promise to her brother for a moment; no matter how tired she was, she never forgot this promise in the slightest.
After heading south, as her knowledge increased, Daenerys actually had better ways to help her brother.
Almost everyone was telling Daenerys that her brother would not be a good king, and his usual words and actions also told everyone that he would not be a qualified king.
As time passed, many unpleasant things happened between her and her brother, and Daenerys couldn't help but doubt whether her brother could be a good king, but she had never wavered in her confidence in him.
Daenerys believed in her brother because he had personally witnessed the destruction of the Targaryen Dynasty, so his heart was filled with hatred for the usurpers.
Daenerys believed that intense hatred had made her brother the way he was now. She believed that once her brother personally avenged his enemies and sat on the Iron Throne, he would definitely become a beloved good king.
...
Hot tears flowed uncontrollably, and Daenerys's vision became blurred.
Cruel… Viserys with power would become cruel, equally cruel internally and externally. Daenerys was certain of this outcome, so she dared not delegate power.
Moreover, the most important thing was that she needed time to fulfill her promise to her brother, rather than getting caught in a strange power struggle… If she made concessions now for her brother's happiness, what would she use to help her brother get the army to reclaim the Iron Throne?
She and her brother both couldn't afford to lose. She didn't understand why her brother was so… Daenerys wiped away her tears.
Viserys was her only family in this world, and she was very afraid of losing her brother.
The sunlight was dazzling. Daenerys squinted… Ser Jorah's advice had indeed alerted Daenerys. She worried that even with ten thousand soldiers, Viserys might die on the campaign, and the killer could very likely be his own people.
What kind of army would remain loyal and protect her brother's safety to the death, regardless of how Viserys was before his revenge?
The Unblemished, those loyal warriors she had seen in Governor Illyrio's mansion when she was in Pentos.
Yes, this was indeed the best method Daenerys had thought of.
She believed that ten thousand Unblemished would protect her brother's safety to the death during the campaign in Westeros, until Viserys completed his revenge and reclaimed the Iron Throne.
Daenerys closed her eyes and prayed to the gods, hoping that Viserys would have a little more patience.
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