Rolly laughed and patted Jon Snow, saying, "Jon, it's your turn for a story."
Jon picked up his wine glass, took a big gulp, paused, and said, "I'm a mistake of birth; there's really nothing good to say about my story."
Rolly said carelessly, "There aren't so many mistakes. Be happy, my friend."
Rolly's words reminded Jon of that outwardly simple, yet quite clever, fat man, who could be said to be his first friend.
He remembered the team battle at the tourney in King's Landing, fighting alongside Mondon Wei Shui… He had intended to make a few playful remarks at the end before making a graceful exit, but unfortunately, he accidentally injured one of his legs, which was a bit regrettable.
Collecting his thoughts, Jon smiled and said, "Yes, I still have friends."
Young Griff teased, "The most important one is that redhead."
Just as Jon was about to speak, Young Griff interrupted him, feigning impatience: "I know, I know, Rennel."
Rolly chuckled, "Hehehe!"
Jon smiled and shook his head, his eyes growing more distant: "I plan to marry her when I go back. I hope you two can attend our wedding."
As Jon's words fell, Young Griff and Rolly exchanged what seemed like an unintentional glance.
Rolly rubbed his hands and said, "Jon, thank you for the invitation. Don't worry, I'll definitely give it my all when we're pranking the bridal chamber!"
Jon laughed and playfully punched Rolly: "I'm worried you'll scare my bride away."
Young Griff extended a finger, scratched his cheek, and said, "I'll be in charge of blocking the door."
Jon couldn't help but laugh: "Young Griff, you're still the reliable one."
The laughter stopped, and Rolly suddenly said, "Aren't you inviting one or two relatives?"
A bitter expression flashed across Jon's handsome face, and he murmured, "Relatives…"
Gulp, gulp, he took a big swig of wine, then continued, "...Still, that saying holds true: a bastard has no relatives."
Rolly wanted to speak again, but Young Griff signaled him with his eyes, stopping him.
Jon chatted vaguely for a while longer, then unconsciously fell asleep.
...
The pavilion outside the house.
Rolly rubbed his face with his large hands and said, "Young Griff, Jon's lips are truly sealed. I even admire him a little."
Young Griff rubbed his temples and slowly said, "Varys's gaze is like a torch; he is a good Stark."
Rolly scratched his head and said, "I think it's very difficult to make him reveal his identity; this boy is very stubborn."
Young Griff chuckled, "That's why I can trust him."
Rolly nodded as if he understood, saying, "What should we do next? I really can't think of any other way."
"It's almost time..."
Under Rolly's puzzled gaze, Young Griff continued, "We have already heard Jon himself speak of his lineage with our own ears."
"You mean?"
Young Griff looked into the distance and slowly said, "If he hadn't said it while drunk, how could we possibly know his astonishing lineage, Rolly?"
After a moment of silence, Rolly nodded vigorously: "Right, who can specifically remember what they said when they were drunk!"
Rolly chuckled and scratched his head: "So it's that simple. I really am not suited for thinking, Young Griff."
Young Griff's expression remained gentle: "Everyone has their strengths, and I agree with Jon's view; you are indeed a rare warrior."
Rolly first chuckled, then hesitated, and asked in a low voice, "Young Griff, I'm actually very curious..."
Young Griff appeared exceptionally handsome in the soft moonlight, his eyes smiling: "Curious? Curious why Jon should be sent to the siblings Viserys and Daenerys?"
Rolly rarely showed a serious expression: "Jon's swordsmanship is outstanding, and his character is also very good. He can become a good helper for you in the future."
Young Griff countered, "Rolly, it's rare for you to be curious about such things. Do you really want to know the answer?"
As Young Griff's words fell, Rolly paused, shook his head, and said, "Never mind, I don't think I'd fully understand even if you told me."
Young Griff smiled and said, "I can tell you, and I'll have to tell you soon anyway, it's all the same."
Rolly looked at Young Griff in confusion.
"Because your friendship with Jon is part of the plan."
Young Griff was very patient; he slowly continued, "Neither Viserys nor Daenerys are skilled in leading armies, and Jon happens to possess this talent."
"We will secretly help Viserys strengthen his power, continue to attract everyone's attention, and at the opportune moment..."
At this point, Young Griff paused, then continued, "Father taught me that even the best plan is just a plan; no one can guarantee that it will go smoothly, because unexpected accidents can happen at any time."
Young Griff exhaled a breath of wine and continued, "The Jon Snow we chose is another safeguard to deal with the unexpected. If Viserys one day deviates from our planned scheme, Jon will help us reclaim Viserys's forces."
Rolly couldn't help but ask, "What if they don't hand over the troops to Jon to command...?"
Young Griff chuckled, "After all, he's a Targaryen by blood, and with his leadership abilities, do the siblings have any other good candidates?"
Rolly seemed to be talking to himself: "Jon joining as a Targaryen by blood... helping them lead their armies..."
After a pause, Rolly suddenly realized: "Then Rennel is..."
Young Griff's eyes flickered, and his voice turned cold: "As long as Jon's loyalty remains unchanged, Jon and Rennel will live a loving life together."
Unconsciously, Rolly's back was drenched in cold sweat. His Adam's apple bobbed a few times, and he said with a bitter face, "Your Highness, do I know too much?"
Young Griff smiled gently, reached out, and patted Rolly's arm, saying, "Rolly, I'm telling you this because I trust your loyalty, and... I want you to stay by Jon's side; he also needs help."
Rolly unashamedly wiped the fine beads of sweat from his forehead and said, "I understand my task. Please rest assured!"
Young Griff smiled and nodded slightly.
After a pause, Rolly added, "Rumor has it that the Beggar King is quite a handful..."
Young Griff leaned against the pavilion pillar, his purple eyes gazing at the twinkling stars, and said, "This is a good thing. The more Viserys likes to act on impulse and cause trouble, the easier it will be for you and Jon to control the troops."
Rolly laughed heartily, having returned to his usual demeanor. He rubbed his hands and said, "Then I'll go meet the future queen tomorrow?"
Young Griff corrected him, "She is one of the candidates for queen."
...
...
The next day, morning.
Bang, bang, bang, Jon, deep in sleep, was woken by a sudden banging on the door. One of his hands immediately gripped his sword hilt.
Jon got up. He quickly surveyed the room, slowly approaching the door while constantly listening to the movements outside.
Bang, bang, bang, the banging on the door sounded again.
Jon loosened his fingers, re-gripped his sword hilt, and said in a deep voice, "Who is it?!"
From the other side of the door, a young voice responded, "In the name of Princess Daenerys, open the door!"
Jon's pupils constricted slightly. Princess Daenerys? Why would she be looking for him?!
Jon turned his head, his gaze sweeping the room again. Where were Young Griff and Rolly?
Jon thought for a moment, put away his longsword, and opened the door. He saw a tall, thin young man with a slightly pale face leading several soldiers standing outside the door.
The young man looked Jon up and down and said, "My name is Anguy, are you Jon Snow?"
Jon gazed at Anguy and nodded slightly.
Anguy stepped aside and said, "Lord Jon, in the name of Princess Daenerys, please proceed to the Governor's Mansion."
He added, "Your friend, Rolly, is already waiting there."
...
Vaes Dothrak, Governor's Mansion.
Following Anguy into the great hall, Jon looked up towards the high platform where Daenerys Targaryen, referred to as the Dragonstone Princess, sat. Her back was straight, and her hands rested naturally on her knees, giving her an elegant and noble appearance.
Under the morning light, her silver hair emitted a faint luster, and her violet eyes, like glistening amethysts, shimmered with enchanting brilliance.
She was so beautiful... The young man from the North forgot to bow.
Daenerys's gaze lingered on Jon... His appearance was quite handsome... Although his physique looked lean, he felt very strong... His complexion was slightly dark... Brown hair... Grey eyes so deep they were almost black.
At least outwardly, no features of Targaryen blood could be found... The silver-haired princess's eyes flickered, glancing at the intruder named Rolly. She frowned slightly. Were these people trying to awaken her true dragon's rage?
...
The handmaiden standing beside Daenerys chanted, "Before you stands: the Dragonstone Princess, the Breaker of Chains, the Savior and Protector of Vaes Dothrak, Daenerys Targaryen, born of the storm."
The handmaiden's introduction brought Jon back to his senses. After a pause, he bowed to Daenerys, placing his hand on his chest: "Good day, Dragonstone Princess, I am... Jon Snow."
Daenerys's voice carried an air of authority: "Stranger, tell me your parents' names."
Jon suddenly looked up, his mouth open. Why was she asking him this? Did she already know his lineage?
After a moment of silence, Rolly's rough voice sounded: "Jon, I told her."
Told her what? Jon turned his head and only then noticed Rolly, kneeling on the ground with his hands tied behind his back.
Jon was surprised: "Rolly, what happened?"
Rolly's lips trembled, and he said, "I might not have sobered up this morning. I climbed a wall and accidentally ran into Her Highness the Princess."
Othana, who was guarding Rolly, rebuked, "Trespassing into the Governor's Mansion and daring to offend Her Highness the Princess, you will be sent to the chopping block!"
Jon processed what he had heard since arriving, then asked, "Where's Young Griff?"
Rolly replied, "We went riding together, and then we got separated... I don't know how I ended up here."
Rolly still reeked strongly of alcohol.
Jon first rubbed his throbbing head, then looked at Daenerys, who was watching them, and said respectfully, "Forgive me, Your Highness, my friend must not have sobered up. I assure you he didn't mean to, please forgive him."
Daenerys's clear voice rang out: "Stranger, this intruder told me that you are my kin, of the Targaryen kin."
Her voice turned cold, and she continued, "I can overlook a drunkard's rashness, but do you know the consequences of such a lie?"
The content of Daenerys's words instantly shocked Jon. He looked at Rolly with an expression of disbelief.
Rolly's cheeks flushed, and he lifted his chin, pointing towards Othana: "Jon, I'm sorry, they were going to kill me, and I got flustered..."
Before he finished speaking, Rolly hung his head in shame.
Jon asked with a serious expression, "How did you know about my lineage?"
"Huh?"
Rolly looked up and said in confusion, "Yesterday, when we were drinking, you told me. Have you forgotten?"
Jon had a headache. He vaguely remembered the three of them telling their stories, but the memory was very blurry.
How did I let that slip?! Jon blamed himself. He didn't doubt Rolly... His friend was straightforward, and he believed he wouldn't deceive him. And more importantly... this secret, unless he revealed it himself, no one else could possibly know.
A bewildered Jon saw Daenerys slowly raise her hand. His pupils constricted. He knew what that gesture meant... When her hand came down, his friend would be led away for execution.
Jon had no choice but to quickly speak to stop her: "Your Highness, I am willing to be frank with you."
Daenerys withdrew her raised hand and nodded slightly.
Jon took a deep breath, calmed himself, and slowly began, "My birth father is Rhaegar Targaryen, and my birth mother is Lyanna Stark."
Daenerys rose from her chair, gazed at Jon for a moment, and said, "The false spring?"
Jon's face was crestfallen, and he said bitterly, "I am a mistake of birth."
Daenerys shook her head: "That is not something you could decide."
Daenerys's voice remained cool, but her words immediately brought a warmth to the corners of Jon's eyes. Daenerys's simple sentence warmed Jon's heart, a warmth he had never experienced before, as if a warm current spread from the depths of his frozen heart, through his blood, to every corner of his body.
Daenerys then said, "How do you prove that what you say is true?"
Meeting Daenerys's slightly expectant gaze, Jon was now very sure of his heart... He didn't want to see disappointment in those beautiful eyes.
He answered earnestly, "The Duke of Winterfell, Eddard Stark, can confirm it for me."
Then, Jon recounted, in full detail, everything he had heard from Duke Eddard about his birth.
At first, Daenerys was indeed skeptical, but she no longer doubted Jon's lineage, not even needing the usurper to confirm it in person... Daenerys thought this might be some kind of resonance between Targaryen bloodlines.
Daenerys quickly descended the steps and came before Jon, looking at him with gentle eyes.
Daenerys's eyes were glistening, and she reached out to gently caress Jon's cheek, saying, "Jon, I am your aunt."
The corners of Jon's eyes reddened. He sadly closed his eyes, holding back hot tears.
He spoke with difficulty: "I'm sorry, I... I am just a bastard."
-------------------------------
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