Chapter 48 Your Highness, It's Time for You to Get Married
Vermithor was the first to fold his wings, landing steadily on the flat ground before the Dragonpit. The massive Bronze Fury slowly crawled into the Dragonpit, with Silverwing landing right behind him.
The Varezes Family's Dragonpit, similar to that of Dragonstone, did not chain the Dragons, allowing them to build nests and live freely. The dark green Vermax and the grayish-white Arrax stretched their necks and roared at the great beasts within the nests, before turning their gazes expectantly toward the two ancient Dragons. Shadow Nightmare hid within the shadows, its grayish-white eyes also fixed firmly upon Vermithor and Silverwing.
Shadow Nightmare was growing at an astonishing rate. Its neck length, body length, and wingspan seemed to change almost every day. The only constant was its gaunt and emaciated frame.
When Vermax and Arrax had first arrived, they had been curious about Shadow Nightmare, yet they quickly learned to keep their distance. After all, the appearance of this Dragon was indeed somewhat… strange.
Valarr was the first to climb down from Silverwing. He gently stroked Silverwing's scales several times before turning and running toward Ray and Prince Lucerys, vigorously ruffling the children's hair.
"I'm exhausted from flying, Brother. Is there any lamb today?"
"Yes."
Dragonzel slowly climbed down from Vermithor's back. Vermithor turned his head, the massive skull gently nudging Dragonzel's raised hand before lazily withdrawing it again.
"Good work this time, old fellow."
"After the Dragons finish eating, send the remaining lamb to the kitchen. No strong liquor is allowed, and that goes for you boys as well. Where is Prince Jaehaerys?"
Dragonzel's words made Valarr fall silent. However, Dragonzel had only forbidden strong liquor. Fruit wine and light wine should still be acceptable… right?
"Prince Jaehaerys is in Laurel Leaf Tower," Ray quickly replied.
Dragonzel nodded.
"Mm. Good. Lucerys, go find Prince Jaehaerys after feeding the Dragons. We will dine at Silver Blood Tower."
Prince Lucerys Velaryon nodded.
The Silver Guards of the Dragonpit carefully drove a flock of sheep into the pit. Vermithor eyed the sheep lazily, and the Silver Guards quickly retreated.
A blast of scorching Dragonflame engulfed the sheep before they could even react, sweeping a wave of heat throughout the Dragonpit. Yet the boys showed no discomfort, not even a drop of sweat appearing upon their brows.
Dragonzel looked toward Lucerys, who was staring intently at the roasting lamb, and could not help but sigh softly.
After Vermithor finished breathing fire, only a pile of perfectly roasted lamb remained at the cave entrance. The two great Dragons were the first to tear into the meat, while the three younger Dragons gathered around them, devouring the cooked fat sheep with enthusiasm.
During the war, Vermithor and Silverwing had eaten their fill of horse flesh and human corpses. On their journey back, the two Dragons had even hunted whales along the coast, so they did not eat much this time. Soon after, they returned to their respective nests to sleep.
The remaining lamb was entirely consumed by the three smaller Dragons.
Despite Shadow Nightmare's gaunt appearance, its appetite was enormous. It even let out several threatening roars when Arrax attempted to snatch its portion.
Of course, there was more than enough meat for everyone.
The boys waited together for the Dragons to finish their meal. Afterward they helped clean the Dragons' scales and tidy the feeding area before returning to Silver Blood Tower.
Dinner had already been prepared.
Prince Jacaerys Velaryon also hurried back, carrying a thick book in his arms and accompanied by a servant.
Dinner in Dragon Nest City was not extravagant. The main dishes were white bread and rice mixed with sauce. The Balance Valley was very suitable for cultivating rice, so Dragonzel had ordered the development of a large number of paddy fields there.
The meat dishes consisted of roasted lamb, offal soup, and a stew made with chopped sausages and onions. In addition, there were fresh cabbage and several plates of fruit.
However, the cook of the Varezes Family was extremely skilled. The food was so delicious that almost no one spoke during the meal.
It was not until the dishes on the table were completely emptied that the boys leaned back in their chairs with satisfied expressions, slowly digesting their food.
"Your Highness, a letter from King's Landing."
Assistant Scholar Evans pushed open the side door. When he saw the boys sprawled around the long table, he could not help licking the grease from his lips. He had eaten the same food in Raven Tower, though the portions had been smaller.
"Good. Thank you for the trouble. Just give it to me."
Dragonzel, who had been lying back in his chair rubbing his belly, immediately sat up and took the letter from Evans's hand.
Then Dragonzel's mouth began to twitch.
"Brother, what's wrong?" Valarr asked in confusion.
Ray seemed to have guessed something and exchanged glances with Prince Lucerys. Seeing Lucerys's innocent and clear eyes, Ray withdrew his gaze again.
Prince Jacaerys, however, thought of certain rumors circulating within the royal court and looked toward Dragonzel with a hint of concern.
"We could not escape this day after all."
Dragonzel sighed deeply.
He looked toward Valarr.
"Don't just stand there. This letter concerns you as well."
"Huh?"
"Don't 'huh'."
Dragonzel unfolded the letter. It was an extremely long one.
"King's Landing intends to arrange our marriages as soon as possible."
The young man sighed heavily.
"They are afraid that Dorne might form an alliance with us through marriage."
"Huh?"
"The letter lists eligible noble girls beneath the Iron Throne."
Dragonzel spread the letter flat across the table.
"Lucerys, take Ray to rest."
Prince Lucerys nodded and pulled the mischievously grinning Ray out of the hall.
Prince Jacaerys, however, leaned closer.
Although he was well trained in noble studies, the dense array of noble crests drawn upon the letter still made his scalp tingle.
He could only read the most important parts first.
There were many noble maidens within the Crownlands. It seemed King's Landing was in quite a hurry, giving the impression that they were merely trying to make up numbers.
This included three girls from House Darklyn of Duskendale, the eldest daughter of Lord Stokeworth, the four-year-old daughter of Lord Rosby and her elder sister, the daughter of Lord Staunton, and the daughter of Lord Bar Emmon.
Prince Jacaerys recognized none of them.
Prince Jacaerys Velaryon also looked bewildered. When had the nobility of the Crownlands produced so many daughters?
There were few eligible girls in the North.
Ser Bennard Stark, acting as regent for Lord Cregan Stark, recommended his own daughter.
Lord Desmond Manderly of White Harbor recommended both his daughters and his sisters.
Ser Tyland Lannister recommended members of his own house—no fewer than ten girls bearing the Lannister name.
The focus, however, was upon the two daughters of his twin brother, Lord Jason Lannister: Tyshara Lannister and Cerelle Lannister.
Lord Jason's wife, Lady Johanna Westerling, also recommended several girls from House Westerling.
Several noble families within the Reach were particularly proactive.
House Florent declared that only daughters of their house were worthy of marrying a Dragon-riding Prince.
House Rowan immediately refuted this claim, stating that the Florents were speaking nonsense, and announced that House Rowan possessed two eligible daughters, both pure and beautiful maidens.
Lord Randyll Tarly quietly recommended his second daughter, Sansara Tarly, as well as Diana Tarly—who was acquainted with Dragonzel and was still temporarily residing within Dragon Nest City.
Lord Lymond Beesbury also recommended his youngest daughter.
House Tyrell remained silent, for they currently had no suitable daughters of marriageable age.
Lord Unwin Peake even presented his three-year-old daughter Myrielle Peake, suggesting an early betrothal.
Lord Peake insisted that his daughter was the most suitable match.
House Hightower remained comparatively quiet. Their main branch likewise had no daughters of appropriate age.
The Stormlands were far more direct.
Lord Borros Baratheon wrote directly to King's Landing, stating plainly:
"I have four daughters. Any one of them will do."
Lord Caron and Lord Swann also recommended daughters from their own houses.
Lord Edric Dondarrion could only sigh as he looked at his only remaining son, Jon.
Dragonzel was sighing as well.
Politics had a way of turning everything into a tangled mess.
He was certain that Dorne would soon send similar letters.
At the end of the letter, the King once again emphasized the alliance between the two families: if a Princess were born to the Royal Family, the preferred marriage partner would still be a Prince of House Targaryen.
Dragonzel picked up the letter and covered his face with it.
He suddenly felt incredibly tired.
Just then—
A thunderous roar echoed from outside the window.
Dragonzel immediately stood up.
A Dragon had arrived.
Second update completed. Slightly late today
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