[Chapter Size: 1600 Words.]
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"You also said you would wait until your dragon grew, but can you really endure until then?"
Theon pointed at Drogon and said, "He's barely five meters tall, and his scales are so fragile that even a common city crossbow could pierce them. Are you relying on him? Or on your eight thousand Unsullied?"
The Unsullied are irreplaceable. Every death is one less soldier, and Daenerys knows this.
"If you came here only to say such useless things, then you may leave now!" Daenerys realized she could not win with words, so she immediately dismissed the man.
In truth, she had originally intended to use her dragon's strength to intimidate Theon and his companions. Yet for some reason, Drogon had grown extremely wary at the sight of them.
This unsettled Daenerys, and now she only wanted to drive these people away as quickly as possible.
"Ah, don't be so impatient. I haven't even introduced myself."
"My name is Theon Greyjoy, King of the Iron Islands. I command a fleet large enough to help you cross the Narrow Sea and seize the Iron Throne."
At that moment, Jorah leaned in to Daenerys's ear and whispered an account of House Greyjoy.
"Why should I believe a failure?" Daenerys mocked, her tone cutting. "Your father's fleet was crushed by the Iron Throne long ago, and you yourself were once a hostage of House Stark."
"My father has been dead for years. Robert the Usurper fell in a hunting accident, and Lord Ned Stark of the North was executed at the hands of the new King Joffrey."
As Theon spoke, Daenerys's face betrayed her shock. She suddenly realized Westeros was weaker than ever, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"Why should I believe a single word you say?" she pressed.
"Haha, then don't believe me. Why should I force you to?" Theon countered calmly. "It isn't I who is anxious here, it is you."
"Besides, Yunkai and Astapor remain stable, and the Iron Fleet is already on its way. I have no reason to waste my time on slavers."
Zeus can make the round trip in just a day and a night, and when it comes to speed, Zeus is no slower than Apollo.
Daenerys fell silent, her thoughts clouded. After a pause, she asked, "How did you deal with the Sons of the Harpy?"
Theon only smiled and remained quiet.
"Tell me your terms," Dany said at last, taking the initiative to yield.
"I've heard you're in a difficult position. You're even planning to marry a noble of Meereen?" Theon asked.
Daenerys's face hardened. Theon truly knew even this?
"Yes, that is my plan," she admitted directly.
"I have a proposal." Theon rose and stepped closer. "I will give you the Iron Fleet, soldiers, and political strength to stabilize Meereen, defeat the slavers, and reclaim the Iron Throne."
"And what will it cost me?" Daenerys frowned, though she already knew the answer.
"Your body, your name, and your three dragons. We marry."
Indeed!
Daenerys, without question, valued beauty. Theon was not unattractive to begin with, but the enhancements granted by the serum made him undeniably handsome.
At the same time, he possessed the fleet, the army, and the talents she desperately needed. Considering this, Daenerys sank into deep thought.
If she married a slave owner, she would no doubt retain more freedom. But if she married Theon, things would be different.
Theon commanded a great host and a powerful fleet. Once united by marriage, countless ripple effects would follow.
Daenerys glanced at Daario, standing guard by the door. She had once considered offering herself to him first, but that was now clearly impossible.
As for the old flatterer Jorah Mormont, Daenerys had never truly considered him. He was too old, and far from handsome.
In the original story, Daenerys was only a young girl, beloved by men and women alike, even her handmaidens teased her.
"Very well," Daenerys declared proudly. "I promise you this: once I reclaim the Iron Throne, you shall be my husband."
Theon also noticed Daario at the door. He was indeed a handsome youth, handsome enough that Bronn would gladly kill him. Better he die on the battlefield.
As for any relationship between Daario and Daenerys in the books, or whether anything had ever happened between them, Theon did not care. What he needed was Daenerys's identity, a wife, and heirs.
With that thought, he asked, "Which of your three dragons is female?"
"???" A puzzled look crossed Daenerys's face.
Still, she replied, "Viserion is female. Drogon and Rhaegal are males. Why?"
"Where is Viserion now?" Theon asked.
Daenerys frowned. "They'll return soon."
As she spoke, two roars thundered from the sky, and two massive dragons, descended atop the pyramid.
At the sight of Viserion's size, Theon frowned. Would Apollo truly have to take this as his first mate?
Too small. The white dragon even seemed smaller than the green Rhaegal.
"How about giving me this white dragon?" Theon said to Daenerys.
"Haha, if you can tame him, I won't stop you," Daenerys mocked. She did not believe Theon could ever master a true dragon.
Theon carried the cold blood of the sea within him, how could that compare to the noble blood of dragons?
"Done!" Theon declared, striding toward Viserion.
Before the dragon could comprehend what was happening, he saw Theon approaching. Viserion suddenly felt a primal instinct, this man exuded a presence that terrified dragons, as though he were their natural enemy. Unlike Drogon, Viserion was weaker and far more afraid of Apollo's aura.
Viserion rose, spreading his wings and unleashing a series of roars.
Daenerys narrowed her eyes. She knew Viserion well, this was the sign he was about to breathe fire. But she also sensed his fear.
She did nothing to stop him. Let Theon try. If he burned beneath dragonflame, it would not be her fault.
As expected, when Theon kept advancing, Viserion released a torrent of fire, engulfing him in searing flame.
Seeing this, Jorah and Daario moved closer to Daenerys, wary. If Theon perished, his men might lash out in desperation.
But their fears were needless. When the fire subsided, a gleaming suit of snow-white armor stood untouched before them. Daenerys and her companions widened their eyes in shock.
She was the first to recover, realizing at once that something was very wrong.
Sure enough, Theon lunged forward and forced Viserion to the ground as the dragon tried to take flight.
Schiller immediately handed him a chain from his pack, it was obvious Theon had planned this from the start.
The outcome did not disappoint him. Daenerys truly had a female dragon under her command.
Viserion was shackled, her legs bound in chains. The dragonfire she had spewed moments earlier had left Theon utterly unharmed.
He forced her jaws shut and drove a knee into her belly.
The blow made Viserion's body quake violently, yet with her mouth restrained, all she could do was whimper in pain.
A flicker of anguish crossed Daenerys's eyes. To her, all three dragons were her children. Viserion and Rhaegal had never been locked away in the pyramid's cellars, and now regret consumed her. She finally understood why Drogon had been so wary of Theon Greyjoy.
After the strike, Viserion grew noticeably more subdued. Dragons were fierce, but they were not fools. The only reason they were so difficult to tame was because they ranked among the mightiest creatures in the world.
Theon tugged on the chain. "Thank you for your gift, my dear wife." He gave a mocking bow, then dragged Viserion out of the pyramid.
Viserion's gaze lingered on Daenerys, eyes full of desperate hope that she might save her.
Daenerys's chest heaved as she watched Theon's back disappear, her expression dark with fury.
Schiller bowed before her. "Your Grace, I will help you pacify Meereen and discuss the details of your marriage."
At the doorway, Theon clapped Daario suddenly on the shoulder. "You're coming with me. It's part of my bargain with Schiller."
The weight of Theon's armored presence pressed down on him, and Daario could only glance back at Daenerys.
But at that moment, she was speaking quietly with Schiller, as though she had realized something crucial.
"Don't look at her," Theon said softly. "Whether I love her or not, Daenerys is already my wife. If you disobey me and dare harbor other thoughts, I will crush your skull."
Daario's eye twitched. "Of course, I would never think inappropriately of Queen Daenerys."
"You slew the other two captains and helped Daenerys seize Meereen. I have high expectations of you. Follow Bronn and prove yourself."
Behind him, Bronn cast a mocking glance at Daario.
Daario's heart sank. For the first time, he feared his life might soon be over.
But he was overthinking. Theon scarcely gave him another thought. He had already gained what he wanted.
A female dragon. And a marriage with Daenerys.
From this day forward, his identity in the Seven Kingdoms would be unshakable: husband to the last princess of the old dynasty. Viserion herself was the proof.
Theon returned to Yunkai, penned a new letter, and tied it to Zeus's leg.
"Forgive me for sending you once again. Bring Apollo here. I must return to the Riverlands."
Zeus glanced at the white dragon standing beside Theon, then vanished swiftly into the sky.
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