Chapter 49 Daemon's Advice
"Roar~"
A sharp cry echoed through the mountains and fields as a blood-red Dragon descended from the sky. Its long, snake-like neck twisted in the air, circling Dragon Nest City once with its slender body before slowly landing on the edge of the castle's third-story wall.
"Blood Wyrm" Caraxes, Prince Daemon Targaryen's Dragon. This Dragon, resembling a giant serpent, landed steadily upon the edge of the black wall and crouched low. Prince Daemon, dressed in black close-fitting attire and looking somewhat travel-worn, dismounted from his back.
Greeting the Prince in the courtyard was Vansen Caron, the chief steward of the Varezes Family. This elderly man of Valyrian descent stood tall and straight, possessing a pair of azure eyes and a neatly trimmed beard that reached his chest. He had remained behind to oversee the construction work of the entire family.
Daemon looked the old man up and down before smiling faintly.
"I am Prince Daemon Targaryen."
"I know Your Highness's name, Prince," Vansen replied as he stepped aside. "My Prince is already waiting in the main hall. They have just finished dining and are not properly dressed, so it is inconvenient for them to greet you."
Daemon waved his hand dismissively.
"We are all family. There is no need for such formalities. Is there still food in the kitchen? I have just arrived from Dragonstone, and both my Dragon and I are famished."
"It has already been prepared for you, Prince," Vansen said. "Later, the Silver Guards from the Dragonpit will bring food for your Dragon."
Daemon nodded in satisfaction and, guided by Vansen, pushed open the doors of Silver Blood Tower. The castle servants quickly cleared away the boys' leftover dishes and replaced them with a freshly prepared meal.
"Father."
Prince Jacaerys Velaryon stood and greeted Daemon, who returned the greeting with a warm smile.
Then his gaze shifted toward Dragonzel, who was seated upon the Dragon Crystal Throne.
Daemon's eyes were involuntarily drawn toward the throne itself. The entire seat had been formed from obsidian scorched by Dragonflame. Upon the backrest was carved a scene depicting Dragons emerging from a shattered moon and flying toward a city filled with countless tall towers. The armrests were carved into crouching Dragons, broad and majestic.
"Greetings, Prince Daemon," Dragonzel said, nodding slightly in respect. Daemon returned the gesture with a slight bow.
"Thank you for taking care of Prince Jaehaerys and Prince Lucerys."
"It is what I should do." Dragonzel gestured toward the table for Daemon to eat while they spoke. "You have traveled a long way. I presume you did not come merely to visit Jaehaerys and Lucerys."
Daemon cut a piece of lamb chop and chewed it slowly before speaking.
"I came for the Royal Family."
Dragonzel placed the long letter upon the table in front of him.
"I have read the Royal Family's letter. To be honest, Valarr and I are only sixteen."
"Although I cannot treat you as a sixteen-year-old child," Daemon replied directly. "After all, you already possess courage, wisdom, and ability that put many of us to shame. However, the Realm does not wish for the current excellent situation to be disrupted by a messy marriage, so I came personally."
"By age you are my elder," Dragonzel said as he moved to sit beside Daemon.
Prince Jacaerys, seeing that this was not a suitable conversation for him to attend, quietly slipped out through the side door with Valarr. Valarr himself had little interest in these matters.
After all, his brother could handle everything.
"I should hear your opinion," Dragonzel said as he fully unfolded the letter.
The letter itself was extremely complex. The Royal Family had used concise descriptions to summarize the situation of each girl. There were also girls from the Riverlands and the Vale, though far fewer than those from other regions.
The most notable among them was Alysanne of House Blackwood, a nine-year-old girl.
"If Lady Jeyne Arryn of the Vale were younger, perhaps they would have listed her as well."
Daemon scanned the letter and scoffed softly.
"The Vale… hmph."
He picked up a piece of bread and dipped it into the sauce. At first he considered crossing out all the girls from the Crownlands on the parchment, but then changed his mind, placing the bread in his mouth while his finger ran across the names of the Crownlands candidates.
"Most of the girls from Crownlands noble families are simply there to make up the numbers. If you do not wish to confuse yourself, you need not consider daughters of Crownlands nobles. The only valuable house there would be House Velaryon, but House Velaryon currently has no daughters of suitable age. However, House Celtigar has a very suitable girl, though House Celtigar is somewhat weak."
Daemon looked toward Dragonzel, who remained deep in thought.
"As descendants of the Valyrian Dragonlords, we naturally prioritize marrying Valyrian blood. That is the advantage House Celtigar possesses."
If I truly wished to marry a Valyrian, there are many among those who came with me.
Dragonzel thought silently to himself.
He understood very clearly that his and Valarr's marriages were no longer simple matters of matrimony. They had become complex political issues concerning whether they could truly integrate into the society of Westeros.
"From the perspective of the Realm," Daemon continued, lowering his voice slightly, "House Lannister, House Baratheon, House Manderly, House Florent, House Rowan, and House Tarly would all make excellent alliances."
He paused before speaking again.
"But for personal reasons, I recommend House Celtigar, House Manderly, and House Tarly."
Dragonzel tilted his head slightly as he studied Daemon.
He understood the logic immediately.
For the good of the Realm, marriage with great houses such as House Lannister or House Baratheon would undoubtedly benefit the Iron Throne.
Yet for more practical reasons, the matter was more complicated.
House Lannister had long maintained an ambiguous stance regarding succession disputes within the Realm. Moreover, Ser Tyland Lannister already held a powerful position within the royal government.
As for House Baratheon, while Lord Borros valued oaths greatly, no one knew how long he would live. If Dragonzel married into House Baratheon, the entire Stormlands might inevitably be dragged into direct conflict with Dorne, which would damage the currently stable political situation.
House Manderly, however, was both wealthy and influential.
Though located far in the North, their control of White Harbor granted them remarkable maritime trade capabilities. They maintained connections with both southern Westeros and the eastern continent.
Dragonzel even remembered that some of his own goods had once been sold in White Harbor.
The blood of Garth Greenhand also flowed through House Manderly. They had once been great Lords of the Reach, yet after threatening the rule of House Gardener, they were defeated and expelled until the Kings of Winter welcomed them into the North.
To this day they remained among House Stark's most loyal and powerful vassals.
House Tarly, meanwhile, was crucial to Dragonzel's influence within the Dornish Marches.
After House Tarth had sworn allegiance, House Selmy had also begun preparing to change their loyalties, while other houses of the eastern marches were still cautiously observing events.
If House Tarly could be brought into Dragonzel's sphere through marriage, it would greatly expand his influence.
"Of course, the marriage of a Dragonlord family cannot be decided so simply."
Daemon removed a royal decree from his coat.
Upon it was the seal of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen of Dragonstone, heir to the Iron Throne.
"This is the Princess's decree. With it, you may travel to any castle in the Realm without needing further formalities."
"This is the privilege of the Royal Family."
"You are also a member of the Royal Family," Daemon said plainly.
"Do not worry. Those Lords are eager for you and Valarr to fly Dragons to their lands. You can personally see these girls and also establish good relations with the Realm's nobility."
"Please convey my thanks to the Princess, Prince Daemon."
Daemon waved his hand dismissively.
"We should be thanking you. For taking care of Jaehaerys and Lucerys, and for your contributions to the Realm."
"When Viserys and Aegon grow a little older, I will have them serve under you as well."
Dragonzel merely smiled without replying.
At that moment, in the Dragon Crystal Tower.
This crystal-clear tower served as the residence of the Varezes Family's close retainers, and the open ground before it was where everyone practiced martial skills daily.
Prince Lucerys Velaryon nervously gripped his wooden sword.
A circle of youths surrounded him.
Leading them were the silver-haired, purple-eyed Aslan Longdel and Lynn Valtaken.
"Big chipmunk, I didn't lie to you, did I?" Ray said with a grin, placing a hand upon Lucerys's shoulder. "Everyone is here. If you defeat them, everyone will respect you and treat you like a brother."
Valarr and Prince Jacaerys arrived just in time to witness this scene.
"What is this…?"
Jacaerys frowned as he looked at the crowd.
Valarr's eyes lit up instead.
"This is our family tradition," he whispered. "My brother's guards prove their ability through combat. The more opponents they defeat, the higher their status among us."
"Prince Valarr, please stop teasing us," Adams the Law-Holder said with a cheerful smile. "You used to chase us around and beat us all the time."
Valarr scratched his head awkwardly before whispering to Jacaerys:
"To earn the respect of these fellows, you must truly defeat them in battle. Go on—don't let Lucerys fight alone."
With that, he pushed Jacaerys toward the center of the field.
Aslan raised his wooden sword, his violet eyes lowering as he looked at the two brown-haired princes.
"Prove your abilities to me," he said calmly.
He lifted the wooden sword.
"Black-haiCorrections Made
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