Golden evening light spilled down, and the sea surface shimmered with dazzling golden reflections.
Free Trade Cities, Governor Illyrio's mansion.
In the mansion's ivy garden, Viserys Targaryen and Governor Illyrio Mopatis of Pentos sat facing each other.
Viserys Targaryen was tall and thin, with long silver hair and the purple eyes of the dragon family.
Viserys Targaryen was handsome, but his gaunt face carried an undisguised weariness.
Governor Illyrio Mopatis of Pentos was corpulent, with a greasy yellow braid and uneven yellow teeth.
Viserys Targaryen's eyes flickered with emotion on the verge of fury: "Governor Illyrio, my future Master of Coin, I am King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm, Viserys Targaryen III, the one true King of the Iron Throne!"
Facing Viserys's almost roaring voice, Illyrio Mopatis merely replied calmly: "King Viserys, no one doubts your legitimate claim to the Iron Throne."
Illyrio's words calmed Viserys Targaryen considerably: "She is my candidate for future Queen, so do not try to awaken the sleeping dragon's wrath again."
Candidate for Queen… Illyrio Mopatis's eyes trembled slightly: "She is too timid, but you need an army to reclaim the Iron Throne."
Initially, Illyrio Mopatis was shocked by Daenerys Targaryen's beauty and even had the idea of getting rid of Viserys Targaryen and marrying Daenerys Targaryen himself.
However, in later interactions, Illyrio Mopatis found Daenerys Targaryen to be too timid and shy, always appearing anxious and fearful.
Illyrio Mopatis felt that a union with Daenerys Targaryen would be very uninteresting and would bring no joy to his life.
Having abandoned his secret intentions, Illyrio Mopatis then thought of another value for Daenerys Targaryen.
...
Viserys Targaryen's purple eyes flickered: "Are you sure? Can my sister bring me an army?"
Illyrio Mopatis replied: "Yes, the Princess's value is worth an army large enough to reclaim the Iron Throne."
Viserys Targaryen could not suppress the joyful smile on his face: "Governor Illyrio, my most reliable Illyrio, I entrust this matter to you."
After speaking, Viserys Targaryen could not help but add: "Under my rule, you will always be unique."
Illyrio Mopatis nodded in thanks, preparing to take his leave.
At this moment, Viserys Targaryen's voice, filled with reluctance, suddenly said: "For the Kingdom, I lost a Queen candidate, but at least I can have her person, right?"
Illyrio Mopatis opened his mouth, his lips trembling.
Is he truly the Mad King's son?
Viserys Targaryen was shallow and greedy, and Illyrio Mopatis felt that his first priority was to guard against this Mad King's son, otherwise even the most meticulous plans would be ruined by his unexpected actions.
...
...
Red Keep, dark, thick clouds pressed down on the sky.
Varys read the newly delivered note, then threw it into the brazier.
Varys stared expressionlessly at the brazier, waiting for the note to burn completely to ashes before turning to leave.
Nearing noon, a servant reported to Varys that Baron Petyr Baelish, the Master of Coin, had arrived.
Varys paused, glancing out the window.
It had been raining heavily since the morning, and the weather outside was very unpleasant.
...
The heavy rain did not hinder Petyr's elegance; his dark grey robes were perfectly neat.
Petyr curved his lips, his hoarse voice full of magnetism: "Good day, Lord Varys, I apologize for intruding."
Varys clasped his hands together, nodded in greeting, a wide smile on his face: "Good day, Lord Petyr, it is a great pleasure and honor to receive you, who are burdened with the Kingdom's important affairs!"
Varys's words were sweet, yet Petyr found them unsettling, instinctively raising his guard.
Petyr showed no emotion on his face, his smile reserved and elegant: "Lord Varys, it's nothing major, but the Prime Minister is concerned, so I had no choice but to come through the rain."
Varys invited Petyr to sit down, and asked earnestly: "Lord Petyr, what are Duke Jon's instructions?"
Petyr leaned back easily in his chair, legs crossed, a hint of helplessness in his smile: "Lord Varys, it's nothing major, you're making me nervous."
Varys nodded apologetically: "Lord Petyr, that was not my intention. I merely believe that the Hand of the King's affairs have no distinction of size."
Petyr, maintaining his smile, twitched the corner of his mouth slightly upon hearing Varys's reply.
Petyr shrugged and said: "It's about the Queen's Chief Steward. The Prime Minister has a one-month appointment with him, and now there are not many days left until the appointed time…"
Petyr spread his hands and continued: "Perhaps the study interlayer incident left a deep impression on the Prime Minister. He suddenly asked me about his whereabouts just now, and my intelligence is limited, so I could only trouble the Master of Whisperers."
Varys nodded, paused for a moment, and said: "Baron Green should still be in Highgarden now."
Petyr's gaze shifted, and he said: "Is he there for the Queen's affairs? I wonder if he can make it back on time…"
Varys maintained a faint smile on his face: "Baron Green is currently deeply trusted by the Queen. He went to the Riverlands to purchase grain."
"Purchase grain?"
"He is now Queen Cersei's favorite retainer. Baron Green is on a mission to Highgarden in the Queen's name, and everyone knows the Golden Rose likes to please the royal family."
Petyr could not help but smile broadly, saying: "Thank you for your honesty, Lord Varys."
Petyr reined in his smile somewhat, and asked again: "Purchasing grain is not a major matter. According to the itinerary, if all goes well, he should be in the Crownlands by now."
Varys nodded and said: "Wise as you are, it seems you have already guessed that Baron Green is not having an easy time."
Petyr's smile was reserved: "After all, it's the noble Golden Rose, and Baron Green is not the Queen herself. I imagine Baron Green is not easy to deal with."
Varys paused for a moment, then shook his head with a smile: "Lord Petyr, you have keen insight."
Varys's tone was as if chatting with an old friend: "Baron Green has set up a sword-fighting arena near Highgarden Castle. According to the latest intelligence I've received, he has already defeated over a hundred excellent swordsmen from the Riverlands. Now the entire Riverlands has been stirred by him."
Although Petyr's smile remained reserved, inwardly he was gloating; this was very Green-like.
One eyeball is infected, I'm typing this chapter with one eye closed.