Chapter 46 – Variables
Hand of the King Otto Hightower was the first to rise: "Your Majesty, I must remind you that although Dorne is currently in turmoil, this does not mean we can completely conquer Dorne. A slight misstep could quickly turn a favorable situation into ruin."
"Lord Hand, you might as well speak frankly." Grand Maester Mellos stroked his chain. He had links in political science and diplomacy and had some understanding of Otto's thoughts. To be honest, Grand Maester Mellos was also worried that King Viserys I would impulsively order the conquest of Dorne.
On the other hand, Ser Criston Cole, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, seemed somewhat displeased, but he suppressed this emotion deep down, at least for now.
He was, after all, a man of the Dornish Marches. This brave Lord Commander of the Kingsguard came from a minor noble family in Blackhaven. His father had served as the steward for House Dondarrion, and his brothers still served House Dondarrion. As a knight of the Marcher lords, missing the war where the Marches vented their anger on Dorne greatly displeased the proud Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.
However, in front of the King and Queen, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard could not show such an attitude. This was disrespect to the Royal Family.
"Your Majesty, I believe the Royal Family should support Prince Dragonzel's retaliatory actions." Ser Criston seized the opportunity to offer his suggestion before the Hand of the King spoke. The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard was not only the leader of the Royal Guard but also the crown's chief military adviser, responsible for advising the King on military matters. "Or at least demand that Lord Baratheon and Lord Tyrell allow the Marcher lords to send troops to assist. This way, the Royal Family will not lose the opportunity to gain benefits in this war."
"Ser Criston, the Dorne issue is not just a military problem." Otto patiently explained, "It is also a political problem. Dorne now has four kings. The Uller family is weak, so let's set them aside for now. The Dayne family is focused on unifying western Dorne and temporarily has no time to care about eastern Dorne. The key to this melee lies with the Yronwood family and the Martell family. Neither of these two families has the ability to swallow the other in one go. If an outside force merely stirs things up slightly, then these two families could fight until they beg for outside intervention. Ser Tyland, I mean no offense to your family, but it's like a lion and a wolf fighting. If a buck enters when both are exhausted and mutually wounded, then the final winner will be the buck. But if the buck enters rashly, it will be met with a siege by the wolf and the lion."
"Lord Hand, you're not just targeting my family, are you?" Ser Tyland Lannister chuckled, "It's a pity Lord Stark is far in the North, and Lord Baratheon is still recuperating in Storm's End. Otherwise, they really should hear the Hand's wonderful analogy."
But what Otto said was indeed true. Dragonzel had successfully torn Dorne apart, but if the Iron Throne rashly entered, Dorne would likely reunite. However, if the external pressure wasn't that great...
To pacify external threats, one must first pacify internal ones.
King Viserys I's Small Council had no fools; they naturally understood immediately.
"Your Majesty, Lord Borros Baratheon has sent a letter requesting the Iron Throne to allow the Stormlands lords to raise troops, but Lord Borros also guarantees that these troops will only be used for border defense, and he will not start a war without authorization," Grand Maester Mellos added. "I presume the lords of the Reach will also be considerate of the realm's difficulties."
"That is natural." Otto had already written to his brother, Lord Hobert Hightower, and his nephew, Ser Ormund Hightower. As one of the largest nobles in the south, House Hightower had the ability to suppress the Reach nobles and keep them calm. The only slight imperfection was that Ser Ormund Hightower's wife, Samantha Tarly, came from House Tarly, which was participating in the war. This led many Reach nobles to believe that House Hightower was secretly involved in this war behind their backs.
"Your Majesty, I think it is necessary to inform you of the current state of the royal treasury." Lord Lyman Beesbury coughed, drawing everyone's attention back: "No matter how the realm ultimately decides to intervene in this war, it will require sufficient coin. Unfortunately, although the royal treasury holds 1.5 million golden dragons and no less than 3 million in mixed coin, if war breaks out, the expenditure will be astronomical." The old lord looked into the King's eyes. "The planned construction of King's Landing requires money, the maintenance of several main roads requires money. Your Majesty must consider the state of the royal treasury and whether the people of King's Landing can bear the increased taxes after the war."
The King had calmed down by this point. "So, what do you all think the realm can do now?"
"Your Majesty, do nothing." The Hand of the King said, "Leave the front lines to the right people." He continued, "Ignore Dorne's envoys, if they come to King's Landing. We will enter when the time is right."
Viserys nodded slightly. Although he knew Otto's ambition, Otto's abilities were even more outstanding. A capable ambitious person, if used well, would bring infinite benefits to the realm.
"My lords, there is another matter." Lord Jasper Wylde, Master of Laws, said, "What if the Dornish want to marry into Prince Dragonzel's family?"
Everyone looked at the King in unison.
Indeed, if the Dornish wanted to maintain relations through marriage, it would be difficult for Dragonzel to find a reason to refuse. But the royal family's goal was to control the Varezes family as much as possible within the royal family's reach.
It was a pity that all suitable daughters in the family were already betrothed; they couldn't bring themselves to break off engagements.
"Your Majesty, the most pressing issue is indeed the Varezes family's marriage problem. Prince Valarr can wait, but Prince Dragonzel and Prince Valarr are already sixteen years old..." Lord Lyman Beesbury spoke halfway and didn't continue, but everyone knew what he meant.
They should try to find suitable partners among the various lords as quickly as possible, lest Dragonzel actually marry a Dornishwoman, which would cause a lot of trouble.
"This matter will be discussed next time." Viserys felt a headache coming on. Such matters were indeed tricky. A slight misstep could lead to big problems.
"Grand Maester, Otto, you two are responsible for checking for suitable girls." King Viserys issued the order.
After the meeting, Larys Strong, with his bent foot, limped along the corridors of the Red Keep, leaning on his cane. He pursed his thin lips, seemingly deep in thought. Otto walked past him quickly, looking at him questioningly. "Lord Larys, do you have anything to say?"
"No, my lord." Larys smiled. "I am merely marveling at Princess Rhaenyra's decisiveness. Now Prince Jacaerys and Prince Lucerys are both on the front lines of the Dorne war. A royal family member personally entering battle will be a hero worthy of praise in the mouths of bards and the common people, especially having achieved victory. I imagine the common people will probably praise the young princes' bravery behind the prince."
Otto's expression changed. "Lord Larys, it is the royal family's duty to share the realm's burdens. I am proud of both princes."
"My lord is truly a pillar of the realm." Larys bowed. "My respects to you, our good Hand of the King."
Otto nodded slightly and walked towards the Tower of the Hand. Queen Alicent was already waiting in the main hall of the Tower of the Hand.
intend to devour all of Dorne in one go, the Yronwood Family has enough confidence to challenge the Martell Family. But if we go, it's different. The balance is broken, and Prince Keaoulun can stir up the Dorne people's resistance against the Targaryen. Dorne, which is scattered like sand, will re-coalesce."
Aemond looked at his brother, whose spirit was gradually waning, and said flatly, "Besides, my Vhagar and my two cousins' Dragons aren't afraid of scorpion crossbows. What about your Sunfyre?"
Aegon the Elder instantly trembled. His beautiful Sunfyre was a young Dragon. Although magnificent and majestic, its scales had not grown to the thickness of an adult Dragon's. A huge scorpion crossbow could still harm it.
"Oh, I see." Aegon the Elder looked at the leather armor on his body and lowered his head somewhat reluctantly. "But our nephews have already earned military merits. People in King's Landing are already praising them."
"Oh, they are indeed so strong." Aemond curled his lip.
In the shadows, Helena quietly watched the conversation between the two brothers, returning to her bedroom without a word. She silently looked at the extinguished brazier and fireplace, lost in thought.
Dragonstone.
Princess Rhaenyra, who had already given birth to a healthy baby boy, looked at the letter in her hand, speechless for a long time.
In the cradle beside her slept her newborn son, little Viserys, named after her father. To the Princess's regret, the Dragon egg in the cradle of this silver-haired infant had not hatched. This was unlike any of her previous sons.
Crisp footsteps sounded from outside the door. Prince Daemon, dressed in battle attire, pushed open the door.
"The child is sleeping." Princess Rhaenyra reminded her husband, who was about to dote on their son. "Have you seen the battle report from the South?"
"I have." Daemon said softly: "Dragonzel learned from the previous Dorne war." He sat down beside his wife. "Knowing when to stop, instigating internal strife, he succeeded in all of it. Once the time is ripe, Dorne will be his for the taking."
"Don't the Lords of Dorne realize this?" Princess Rhaenyra asked.
"Greed makes people short-sighted, my dear." Daemon said with a soft laugh: "Even if they realize it, they won't let the benefits they've gained slip away. As long as they hold the idea of consolidating Dorne before dealing with Dragonzel, then we will be invincible."
"You found good Knights for Jacaerys and Lucerys." Rhaenyra said with a soft smile: "I've already heard singers call them the 'Valiant Princes.' I heard that the Borderlands people greatly support Jacaerys and Lucerys because they ate and lived with the Warriors during the war."
"That's a good thing." Daemon said with a smile: "Enough legendary stories will make people ignore gossip."
"But I still have to pray to the Seven Gods." Rhaenyra looked into her husband's eyes: "After all, they are my sons. To put them in danger still makes me anxious."
"Let's do it together." Daemon held his wife's hand. "The gods will bless them."
The young boy stepped forward, clearly articulating the request in the Common Tongue.
"That is as it should be." Dragonzel looked at the boy. "The loyal and brave must not be let down." He looked at Lord Edric beside him.
"Ser Abel was a loyal and brave Knight." Lord Edric did not conceal his subordinate's merits. "He risked his life for my son and ultimately died alongside him on the battlefield."
"What's your name?" Dragonzel asked.
"My name is Reville."
"Very good, little Reville, would you like to join my court?" Dragonzel stepped down from his seat and came before his mother: "I will personally write an edict confirming the Haighton Family's territory, Madam. Do you agree to Reville coming to my court? I will arrange the best teachers and accommodations for the descendant of a loyal and brave Knight."
"This is the honor of the Haighton Family, Your Highness." The woman quickly lifted her skirt and curtsied. "The Haighton Family will always be your sharpest sword."
Dragonzel stroked little Reville's head and returned to his seat.
Next to enter.
was a Dorne person.
I had a follow-up check-up today, and the recovery is good. Today, I've combined three chapters into one big one. I will gradually increase the word count for the two daily updates from now on.
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