Chapter 140: Planning a Marriage, Intelligence Manager
In the royal chambers of Tyrosh Castle, Gael was sewing clothes by the flickering candlelight of scented candles. During her years in the Three Daughters, Gael had learned to cut clothes and make bedding from the local tailors. Many of Daemon and the children's clothes, and the bedding at home, were made by Gael herself.
Daemon was wiping the Valyrian Steel sword, Dark Sister, with an oiled cloth. This precious sword was regarded as a sacred relic by the residents of the Three Daughters because Daemon, riding his dragon and wielding Dark Sister, had conquered the Three Daughters. Dark Sister perfectly corresponded to the Three Daughters.
Daemon sheathed the wiped Dark Sister and said, "Princess Rhaenyra has reached the age for marriage, and nobles from all over Westeros are pursuing her."
Gael showed a sweet smile, "Singers and storytellers alike praise the beauty of Princess Rhaenyra. Whether it's an unbetrothed noble youth, a widowed man, a great lord, or a small lord, all dream of marrying Princess Rhaenyra. Tyland Lannister and Matthew Tyrell are constantly vying for Princess Rhaenyra across the Narrow Sea. I never received such treatment when I was young."
Daemon laughed, "Rhaenyra is the Princess of Dragonstone, the heir to the Iron Throne. If you had been the Princess of Dragonstone back then, you would have instantly become much more refined. How would it have been my turn to marry you? Since the Lannister lions, Tyrell roses, and Baratheon stags of Westeros all dream of marrying Rhaenyra, how can we fall behind? I plan for Aegon to marry Rhaenyra."
The smile on Gael's face disappeared. She put down her needlework, "Aegon is still too young."
Daemon placed his hand on Gael's shoulder, "He's old enough to be betrothed. Think about it, as long as Aegon marries Rhaenyra, Aegon will inherit the throne of the Three Daughters in the future, and Rhaenyra will inherit the Iron Throne. The Three Daughters and Westeros will be closely united."
The unspoken meaning was that Daemon's descendants would rule a vast realm stretching from The Wall in the north, to the isolated lighthouse of the Iron Islands in the west, to Dorne, Lys, and the Summer Sea in the south, and to Myr and the Border Wall in the east.
Gael looked worried, "Princess Rhaenyra may not necessarily inherit the Iron Throne. Queen Alicent has given King Viserys I Targaryen several sons, and King Viserys could completely change the heir to the Iron Throne in the future. Women cannot inherit the Iron Throne. Back at the Great Council on Dragonstone, King Viserys only ascended to power by defeating Princess Rhaenys. At that time, the rule was already set: the Iron Throne passes down through the male line, and not to female heirs or their descendants. King Viserys should not forget this, and the nobles from all over Westeros who attended the Grand Council will certainly not forget."
Daemon said calmly, "Princess Rhaenys back then was not the Princess of Dragonstone. The Lord of Dragonstone is the heir to the Iron Throne; this has been the rule since Aegon the Conqueror conquered Westeros."
"Only the Prince of Dragonstone can, but the Princess of Dragonstone? Rhaenyra is the first Princess of Dragonstone, and likely the last." Gael sighed, "Daemon, the woman you married is not foolish. I've long seen clearly that women cannot sit on the Iron Throne."
As the last child born to King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne, "Winter Child" Gael grew up beside the Iron Throne. She watched her father rule from the Iron Throne with her mother, Queen Alysanne, assisting him. She also witnessed firsthand the succession dispute between Prince Aemon's line and Baelon's line after Prince Aemon's death. She personally saw Princess Rhaenys's crushing defeat at the Great Council on Dragonstone. In recent years, Princess Rhaenys has even earned the title of "Queen Who Never Was" in Westeros and the Three Daughters.
Gael folded the mended clothes and placed them into an ebony wardrobe nearby. The wardrobe was intricately carved with vivid scenes of Valyria's prosperity. Gael continued, "In my opinion, the Queen Who Never Was, Rhaenys, is already a heroine among women. She is one of the most excellent women I have ever seen, perhaps second only to my mother, Queen Alysanne. During the Great Council on Dragonstone, she even had the full support of her husband, Lord Corlys Velaryon, the richest man in Westeros, yet she still failed in a council dominated by men."
"Princess Rhaenyra is still just a little girl. Her mother is dead, and her uncles are all long gone. House Arryn is led by Jeyne Arryn, who is only a few years older than her. Princess Rhaenyra needs to compete with Aegon, House Hightower's grandson. Aegon's grandfather is Ser Otto Hightower, Hand of the King. What does Rhaenyra have to compete with Aegon?"
Daemon showed a sharp smile, "Have you forgotten? Rhaenyra still has an uncle, who is the King of the Three Daughters, the Father of Dragons, the Liberator, and the Khal of the Great Grass Sea who rides a dragon."
Gael's jaw tightened, and she said sadly, "It seems you are determined to get involved in this mess. Why? You are already the King of the Three Daughters, and our children will inherit the Three Daughters. That is already enough. Why must you approach that ugly, grotesque iron chair, the Iron Throne? My father often told me that the Iron Throne is an uncomfortable chair; one can easily be cut by its sharp barbs, and Maegor the Cruel died on the Iron Throne."
Daemon's fingers skillfully massaged Gael's shoulder, "Our Three Daughters are nominally still a vassal state under the Iron Throne. If we allow Otto Hightower's grandson to sit on the Iron Throne, will the relationship between the Three Daughters and the Iron Throne remain as harmonious as it is now?"
Initially, when Otto Hightower advanced into the Three Daughters, Ser Otto Hightower vigorously disparaged Daemon in the Small Council, believing that Daemon's conquest would inevitably suffer a humiliating defeat in the Three Daughters. After Daemon conquered the Three Daughters, Ser Otto Hightower began to covet the Three Daughters as a lucrative prize, repeatedly attempting to use the influence of the Faith and the Citadel to carve up Daemon's territory in the Three Daughters.
Daemon was not a broad-minded person. Ser Otto Hightower's repeated provocations meant Daemon clearly kept track of every single slight. As the Lannisters always pay their debts, so too does Daemon.
Outside the window, the roar of a dragon and the sound of leathery wings cutting through the air could be heard. Inside the royal chambers, Daemon looked at his wife, Gael, by candlelight. "If we allow Otto Hightower to enthrone his grandson, then the Three Daughters and the Iron Throne are bound to break apart. What then will become of our Winter Wolves, Westeros Knights, Sistermen, and Ironborn? These are things we must consider."
Gael's delicate brows furrowed slightly, "How old is Ser Otto Hightower's grandson? Only five or six. If Viserys rules for half a century like my father, then he'll have to wait decades to inherit the Iron Throne."
Daemon smiled, "I naturally hope Viserys can live a hundred years, but that's impossible."
King Jaehaerys was called King Jaehaerys by commoners and nobles alike in Westeros, and Viserys was known as the Young King by his subjects. Currently, Viserys is in the prime of his life; he is a very materialistic man, constantly overeating and growing increasingly stout. He frequently consults maesters for his health.
"In a few days, we will return to King's Landing. I want to find an opportunity to propose to Viserys. Viserys will surely be pleased to see Aegon marry Rhaenyra." Daemon's words were full of anticipation.
The next day, Daemon walked along the narrow corridor towards the castle's school when Mysaria, dressed in a chestnut-colored gown, approached him.
Mysaria had grown into a seductive and charming beauty. Her hips were full, her skin fair, and she walked with a powerful stride. Under Daemon's tutelage, Mysaria had become Daemon's personal spymaster. She had spent many years developing an intelligence network in the Myr workshops, Lys brothels, and Tyrosh ports and markets, constantly monitoring the populace and enemies.
"Your Majesty, Archon Tigelles of Volantis and Hagathe Haegrossi, Sea Lord of Braavos, have jointly funded the Tyroshi pirate king, Recharino Raenden. Recharino has recruited a large number of pirates in the Basilisk Isles, threatening to turn the land between Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh into scorched earth." Mysaria's Common Tongue carried a strong Lysene accent.
to Willow, and the girl showed a shy smile.
Daemon walked over, "What makes you so happy?"
Willow bowed, "Your Majesty, Prince Aegon intends to take me to visit a small island by the sea on his dragon, his mount."
Aegon said, "That island is covered in forget-me-nots. I plan to weave a flower crown for Willow using those blue forget-me-nots."
Aegon seemed to have a special fondness for Willow, developing feelings for her, which was not a good sign. Daemon had to act immediately. Daemon said, "Aegon, you are not yet skilled at riding a dragon. How can you carry someone else? Moreover, what if Black Dread doesn't like Willow?"
Aegon stubbornly said, "No, with me there, Black Dread will like Willow."
Willow gently said, "My Prince, I thank you for your invitation, but I will not go. My mother warned me not to go near dragons. My name is Willow, and a Willow encountering dragonfire can only end up charred."
Willow gracefully bowed and then left alone.
Prince Aegon looked at Willow's retreating figure, his eyes filled with disappointment. Daemon said, "Son, I know you've reached the age of first love. Do you like Willow?"
Aegon pondered for a moment, "Yes! Willow's mother was my wet nurse, and we've been very close since childhood. I often dream that in the future, I will sit on the throne, ruling over the land, and Willow will be my queen. I truly hope that day comes soon."
Daemon was speechless, "You are truly filial. If you were king, I would only turn to ashes. Willow is a good girl, but she is only a bastard. No resident of any kingdom can accept a bastard queen. You've studied so much history, has any king married a bastard?"
Aegon remained silent. Daemon continued, "You've reached the age of betrothal, and I've found a suitable match for you. She is as noble as you
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like the story please give it some power stones and reviews. And if you want to read 30+ advance chapters or just want to support me please join my patreon at [email protected]/Translatingfanfics