Chapter 141 Marriage Prophecy
Beside the silver-white long table, Gael broke open a honeycomb, and golden-molten honey dripped onto the bread. Daemon, next to her, nibbled on bacon in small bites.
"Did you tell Aegon about the engagement?" Gael looked at Daemon.
Daemon nodded, "I told Aegon he was to be engaged to a noble, beautiful, and charming aristocratic woman." Daemon deliberately omitted the part about Aegon liking Willow; some things couldn't be shared with Gael.
Gael was a little surprised, "You didn't make it clear? All the conditions you mentioned fit Laena perfectly, so it's entirely possible Aegon might think his fiancée is Laena."
Daemon had indeed overlooked this. Aegon had been a squire to Sea Snake for the past few years, and he often spent time with Laena. Aegon liked to stick close to Laena, and he greatly admired her mount, Dragon Vhagar. They became very good friends.
Gael gently touched Daemon's wrist with her finger, "Lord Sea Snake and Princess Rhaenys rendered immortal service during our conquest of Three Daughters. Their role is irreplaceable. Now you've bypassed House Velaryon and gone to King's Landing to marry Princess Rhaenyra for our son, Aegon. Lord Sea Snake and Princess Rhaenys will surely be heartbroken."
For years, Daemon had regarded Sea Snake and Rhaenys as his loyal subordinates. House Velaryon and Daemon had a good working relationship. If they solidified their alliance through marriage, Sea Snake and Princess Rhaenys would firmly support Daemon when he faced enemies in Three Daughters and Westeros in the future.
Gael said with anticipation, "If we return to King's Landing and request Aegon's marriage to Princess Rhaenyra, many people will think we are ambitious and covet the Iron Throne."
Daemon said proudly, "Only those with ulterior motives would spread such rumors. I have told Viserys more than once that I have no interest in the Iron Throne."
If Daemon truly wanted to inherit the Iron Throne, he could have prevented Alicent from marrying Viserys back then. In that case, Viserys would only have had Princess Rhaenyra as an heir, and according to the custom of the Great Council, Daemon's succession order was above Rhaenyra's, so the Iron Throne would naturally pass into his hands in the future.
But Daemon didn't want to see Viserys live his whole life without a son. After all, King Viserys I Targaryen had always looked after Daemon, and Daemon didn't want his brother to suffer and wait for a longed-for son, the Prophet Prince.
Gael said gently, "King Viserys had no sons back then. Now King Viserys has three sons, and Rhaenyra is still Princess of Dragonstone. If Aegon marries Rhaenyra, then the Iron Throne will surely pass to the descendants of Aegon and Rhaenyra in the future. Ser Otto Hightower will surely wail and howl again."
"Compared to Rhaenyra, I prefer Laena. As the daughter of Westeros's Ship King and richest man, Laena's dowry is substantial, not to mention that Laena is also Dragonrider of Dragon Vhagar. If we propose for Aegon and bypass Laena, the Sea Snake couple might feel offended."
In Westeros and Three Daughters, Laena had many suitors. In Westeros, she, like Princess Rhaenyra and Lady Jeyne Arryn of Eyrie, was a highly sought-after match for many nobles. In Three Daughters, eligible men from families like House Rogare of Lys, House Saan, House Arryn of Myr, and House Greenlea of Tyrosh competed to express their affection to Laena.
So many noble men pursued Laena partly because of her noble birth, and partly because of her Dragon Vhagar.
Laena had served as Gael's handmaiden for many years and grew up by Daemon's side. Daemon certainly wouldn't hand Laena over to someone else. Daemon said, "I plan to have Jaehaerys marry Laena."
Gael was a little surprised, "Jaehaerys is only a second son. How could Sea Snake and Princess Rhaenys be satisfied?"
Daemon laughed, "A noble second son with no inheritance rights would indeed be difficult to satisfy the Sea Snake couple, but Jaehaerys is Prince of Myr. Prince of Myr marrying the daughter of House Velaryon, that's a very suitable match."
Currently, Daemon's children are still too young. Daemon has not yet given his sons any real power; they are currently only nominal city princes. However, with just a word from Daemon, their children could instantly seize great power and truly rule over their own lands.
In the majestic Tyrosh Castle, the tower where the Velaryon family resides is called Driftmark Tower. The people of House Velaryon named their residential tower after their homeland, Driftmark. It is located by the sea, allowing the people of House Velaryon to experience the sea and salt up close.
Daemon found Laena in the garden below Driftmark Tower.
Years ago, when Queen Aemma had just passed away, King Viserys, eager for a son, refused Laena on the grounds that she was too young to marry. Many years have passed since then, and now Laena has grown from a budding maiden into a graceful, tall, and slender beauty. She wore a crystal-colored silk gown, and her long, flowing silver-gold hair reached her waist.
As soon as Laena saw Daemon, she smiled sweetly, "Your Majesty, why are you here?"
Daemon smiled, "I came to see you. Aren't you soaring on Vhagar today?"
Laena loved to fly and often rode Vhagar, soaring over Myr Sea, Disputed Lands, and Summer Sea. Vhagar's massive size effectively deterred enemies in Three Daughters. Laena once rode Vhagar to destroy a Braavosi purple-oared warship fleet in Narrow Sea.
Braavosi Sea Lord's Fleet, Volantis fleet, and Pentos fleet would immediately flee and disappear without a trace whenever they encountered Vhagar on the open sea.
Laena shook her head, "No, Vhagar is a bit tired. She ate her fill of sheep and is now sleeping on Dragon Hill."
Daemon looked at the full-figured Laena. Beneath her light crystal-colored gown, Laena had the figure of a mature woman. "Laena, you've grown up. You're at the age to discuss marriage."
Laena made a face, "Ever since I was rejected by King Viserys back then, I've lost all interest in marriage."
Daemon laughed, "You're at the age to marry. You'll have to marry eventually. I happen to have three sons. You can tell me which one you like."
Actually, Daemon planned to have his second son, Jaehaerys, marry Laena, as his eldest son, Aegon, was still to marry Rhaenyra. But telling Laena directly that she could only marry Daemon's second son would be too hurtful. Laena was a bright and intelligent girl, and Daemon didn't want to hurt her pride.
If Sea Snake and Princess Rhaenys were to choose a suitable husband for their daughter, they would unhesitatingly choose Daemon's eldest son, Aegon. After all, the eldest son has an unparalleled advantage in terms of inheritance. Daemon's three sons currently hold the titles of Prince of Tyrosh, Prince of Myr, and Prince of Lys, but it is still very possible that the inheritance rights will all belong to the eldest son, Aegon, in the future.
Laena, after all, was still an unmarried woman. She was not as pragmatic as her parents. Laena said casually, "Your Majesty, Aegon, Jaehaerys, and Baelon, they are just little brothers. I watched them grow up. None of them are suitable for me."
As Daemon expected, Laena was not interested in marrying his sons. Laena said, "My father told me that House Redwyne, House Florent, House Yronwood, House Graveson, House Manderly, and House Dondarrion have all sent envoys to request marriage with me. Jose Rogare sent me a beautiful flower boat, Fonseca Greenlea sent me crystal shoes and a pure gold belt, and Davos Arryn sent me a set of Myr lenses for observing stars. Your Majesty, you see, I don't lack suitors. Perhaps these men are more suitable for me."
Daemon said earnestly, "Laena, you are a clever girl. Those men pursuing you aren't just interested in you as a person; they surely have other motives."
Laena hadn't considered this. She frowned slightly, "My father's gold and silver treasures are piled high, but his castle, lands, wealth, and fleet will all be inherited by my brother Laenor. What could my suitors covet from me?"
Dragon Bronze Fury and Silverwing flew over the castle. The dragons' shadows flashed across Daemon and Laena. Daemon put his hand on Laena's shoulder, "Laena, Targaryen blood flows in your veins, and you are a Dragonrider. Those people dream of marrying you and then giving birth to children with true dragon blood. They scheme to obtain dragon eggs and dragons through you. However, do you think King Viserys and I would allow such a thing to happen?"
Neither Viserys nor Daemon would allow Laena to marry outside the family with Dragon Vhagar. Vhagar, after all, is the largest and oldest dragon in the world.
Laena's expression was as stern as a silver shield. She pondered for a long time, "Your Majesty, you control every dragon through sorcery. Of course, you wouldn't let dragons fall into the hands of outsiders."
Daemon showed a profound smile, "That's natural. I control Vhagar as easily as I control my own fingers."
Actually, this statement was a lie in Three Daughters. In Westeros, Daemon could indeed use his Shapeshifter abilities to control most dragons, but Vhagar was a special case. She was thick-skinned and had bonded with Balerion, the last creature of Valyria, so she retained ancient magical power.
When Daemon's family and Laena rode dragons back to Westeros, Daemon, high in the sky, tried to possess Vhagar's soul. Daemon succeeded for a time, but the magical backlash almost trapped Daemon in Vhagar's mind. That time, Daemon was exhausted, feeling as if a layer of his spirit bloodline had been peeled off. Since then, Daemon had never again tried to control Vhagar.
Daemon's Shapeshifter power belongs to the old gods' power. In the old gods' holy places like Isle of Faces and High Heart, Daemon's Shapeshifter power is strong. Daemon speculated that this magical power would be even stronger in the Wolfswood, Ghostwood, Winterfell, and Barrowlands in the North, but Daemon had not yet visited the North, so these speculations still needed verification.
Once in Three Daughters, overseen by unfamiliar gods, Daemon's Shapeshifter power vanished. Daemon's mind control completely disappeared. Daemon could only build close relationships with each dragon by feeding them daily. This habit continued for many years. Now, whether it's Daemon's mount Caraxes, Bronze Fury Vermithor, Silverwing, Dreamfyre, Seasmoke, or Vhagar, they all respond to Daemon's commands.
Daemon, riding Dragon Caraxes, often conducted royal tours in Three Daughters, flying between Tyrosh, Myr, and Lys. There would always be a dragon accompanying him. And once he reached Stepstones, Daemon could risk magical backlash to mind control dragons. Stepstones was originally a land bridge called Dorne's Arm, where weirwood trees once grew abundantly, and the old gods' power still lingered.
The residents of Three Daughters, hostile neighbors like the Pentosians, Volantis, the maritime threat of the Braavosi, and the Black Goat worshippers of Qohor, all rumored Daemon to be a sorcerer king. This fear at least deterred ill-intentioned enemies, and Daemon also intentionally exaggerated his magical power.
Now, the identity of the sorcerer king once again became key for Daemon to persuade Laena.
Daemon said softly, "You have served as Queen Gael's handmaiden for a long time, and your parents have always served me. In my eyes, you are family. Laena, although you are a Velaryon, true dragon blood flows in your veins, so you are also a daughter of a dragon family. I am a Dream Walker, and I can see the future. Do not marry outside; marrying a Targaryen is your most correct choice."
Laena stared with her innocent eyes, "Your Majesty, what will my future be like?"
Daemon said, "King Viserys rejected you back then, so I presume you wouldn't want to marry his son, Aegon. In that case, the only Targaryens you can marry are my sons. Among Aegon, Jaehaerys, and Baelon, Jaehaerys's mount is Blue Sprite, which perfectly corresponds to House Velaryon's sea and salt. You will marry Jaehaerys; you won't go wrong."
Laena thought for a while, "Your Majesty, but Aegon's mount is Black Dread. The Dragon Guard all say that Black Dread is the reborn Balerion, Aegon the Conqueror's mount. Back then, the Conqueror who rode Balerion and Visenya who rode Vhagar were a pair. If I choose my husband based on dragon mounts, wouldn't Aegon be a better choice?"
This young girl was indeed hard to fool, or perhaps Laena valued the status of the eldest son. Daemon forced a smile, "You're absolutely right, but the union of the Conqueror and Visenya back then gave birth to Maegor the Cruel. That was a disaster! Think about it, how much disaster and suffering did Maegor's birth bring to Westeros? I saw this terrible prospect in my dreams, which is why I advised you to choose Jaehaerys."
"Jaehaerys's name is taken from my grandfather, King Jaehaerys. In my dreams, I saw that Jaehaerys has the opportunity to achieve accomplishments comparable to King Jaehaerys, and by his side will appear a wise queen comparable to 'Queen Alysanne the Good.' The beautiful and kind queen in the prophecy is none other than you."
Laena was deeply convinced, "Your Majesty, you truly consider everything for me. I will follow your advice."
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