Chapter 126 Otto instigates, Viserys is crowned
At the funeral of King Jaehaerys the Conciliator, Hand of the King Otto Hightower suggested to Viserys that during the coronation ceremony three days later, Princess Rhaenyra should be officially named Dragonstone Princess and heir to the Iron Throne.
Viserys frowned, "Daemon conquered Dorne and the Three Daughters for the Iron Throne; he is a meritorious servant of the kingdom.
I am only twenty-six, and if I were to crown my daughter as Dragonstone Princess right after my own coronation, the nobles and commoners across Westeros would say I am sidelining my brother Daemon."
Otto Hightower lowered his voice, "Your Grace, forgive my bluntness, but Daemon conquered Dorne and the Three Daughters for himself.
He amassed great wealth through his conquests, and when Daemon impatiently crowned his three sons as princes and governors of Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh, he fully exposed his ambition.
Some Dornish nobles even voluntarily requested to be incorporated into Daemon's Three Daughters."
"When Prince Aemon passed away, King Jaehaerys the Conciliator bypassed Prince Aemon's daughter, Princess Rhaenys, and named Prince Baelon as heir.
After Baelon's death, at the Great Council on Dragonstone, you defeated Princess Rhaenys.
This has already formed an unwritten rule: the Iron Throne passes to sons, not daughters.
Your Grace, since you have no son, in the eyes of many noble lords, Daemon is the heir to the Iron Throne.
The succession issue should be clarified as soon as possible."
Viserys snorted softly, shaking his head, "I am still so young; how could there be a succession issue?
I will have a son sooner or later.
Until my son is born, Rhaenyra will be the heir to the Iron Throne.
I often dream of my son."
In his dreams, the Targaryen prince Viserys identified as his son was always accompanied by the world's most beautiful women, and smiling prince-governors in luxurious Free Cities attire, as well as a vast army of Dothraki wearing painted leather vests, surrounding the prince's carriage.
Viserys had not fully understood why his son would appear across the Narrow Sea, but now he realized that his future son might, like Daemon, expand the House Targaryen's territory across the Narrow Sea.
When Daemon conquered the Three Daughters, he defeated many governors, archons, and princes; his opponents also included Dothraki cavalry, though these cavalry were recruited by the governors of the Three Daughters.
Viserys firmly believed that his dream foretold that his son would venture further than Daemon, conquering the Dothraki deep within the Great Grass Sea.
Ser Otto Hightower was greatly disappointed.
"Your Grace, in three days you will be crowned King and rule the Seven Kingdoms; why should a dream interfere with decisions concerning the kingdom?
Can you not see Prince Daemon's ambition?
Terrifying rumors have come from across the Narrow Sea: Daemon uses sorcery to control every dragon to fight for him.
Bronze Fury Vermithor and Silverwing are precious dragons left by King Jaehaerys and his queen, and Daemon controls them with sorcery, something even Aegon the Conqueror could not do."
Viserys said, "These are merely rumors fabricated by the slave traders and prince-governors whom Daemon expelled from the Three Daughters.
Daemon's enemies even spread rumors that House Targaryen's female dragons would transform into dragon-women at night, slip into Daemon's bed to serve him, and lay dragon eggs for him.
If all of that were true, then I could say I own a luxurious estate in Valyria!
The truth is, my brother is very familiar with Bronze Fury and Silverwing; he spends time with them daily, and they have begun to obey Daemon's commands."
Otto Hightower said, "Even if those rumors are not necessarily true, it is a fact that Daemon and his children have monopolized several dragons.
I recall Prince Daemon, at King Jaehaerys's Small Council, emphatically stating that House Velaryon's dragon-rearing should be restricted, advocating for 'strengthening the trunk and weakening the branches.'
Your Grace, you have no dragons; your line only has Princess Rhaenyra's young dragon, Syrax.
In contrast, Daemon's three sons all have dragons, and he and his wife Gael possess Caraxes and Dreamfyre, yet they remain unsatisfied and still wish to monopolize Bronze Fury Vermithor and Silverwing."
"Now Daemon himself has become a branch thicker than the trunk.
Your Grace, once you wear the crown, people will quickly realize that House Velaryon's Sea Snake and Prince Daemon's household have more dragons than the King on the Iron Throne.
If this continues, the kingdom will eventually fall apart.
Daemon should be ordered to leave Bronze Fury Vermithor and Silverwing at the Dragonpit in King's Landing.
If Prince Daemon has no ambition, he will readily hand over the dragons that originally belong to the Iron Throne; if he refuses, then Prince Daemon's ambition will be fully exposed."
Viserys pondered for a long time, "Daemon is my brother, my flesh and blood.
My brother has never disappointed me, and he never will.
If I wish it, all the dragons hatched in the Dragonpit and on Dragonstone in the future will be mine.
I will not contend with my brother for those dragons.
If I were to reclaim the dragons in Daemon's possession, what would Daemon use to awe the subjects of the Three Daughters?
I am about to rule the kingdom, Ser Otto Hightower; you and Daemon are my right and left hands.
From now on, you must cease your quarrels and unite."
Viserys was about to be crowned King, and his rule faced a series of challenges.
Braavos, Pentos, and Volantis harbored hostility towards Westeros due to House Targaryen's conquest of the Three Daughters, and war with Westeros was likely.
Dorne, recently conquered, could rebel at any moment, coupled with nobles across the realm who held significant power, and the harsh winter ravaging the North...
Viserys knew that to rule, he needed capable Small Council members like Otto Hightower, but he relied even more on Prince Daemon, who had proven his civil and military prowess in the wars to conquer the Three Daughters and Dorne.
Viserys turned and left, leaving Otto Hightower standing stunned in place.
As Otto Hightower returned to the solemn hall, laughter echoed from nearby.
At King Jaehaerys's funeral, many noble maidens, young wives, and elderly women wept, covering their faces.
Most nobles and commoners were solemn and sorrowful, and the mournful crowd was dressed in black everywhere.
This laughter sounded particularly jarring.
Ser Otto Hightower followed the sound and saw Raven Greyjoy, Son of the Wind laughing loudly.
Lord Commander of the Kingsguard Ser Ryam Redwyne angrily walked up to Raven Greyjoy, Son of the Wind.
"Wind's son, what are you laughing at during the King's funeral?"
Ser Ryam Redwyne had guarded King Jaehaerys for decades, and he certainly would not permit anyone to act disrespectfully towards the King at his funeral.
Raven Greyjoy met the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard's furious gaze and quickly stopped laughing.
"Old Ser, I meant no offense.
I was just reminded of a joke a prostitute in the brothel told me last night."
Ser Ryam Redwyne's anger flared.
"At the King's funeral, you're thinking about a prostitute's filthy joke?
If you have no respect for King Jaehaerys, why did you even bother to attend the funeral?
Was it just to mock those of us who mourn King Jaehaerys?"
Otto Hightower looked at the frivolous Raven Greyjoy, and a plan formed in his mind.
Otto Hightower quickly stepped forward to mediate.
"Ser Ryam Redwyne, Raven Greyjoy is Prince Daemon's trusted captain.
He is Ironborn and does not understand the customs of the Faith of the Seven's funerals; that is why he acted rudely.
Please forgive him."
Ryam Redwyne suppressed his anger and turned away.
Raven Greyjoy smiled at Otto Hightower.
"Lord Hand, thank you for helping me out.
That old man looked like he was going to kill me."
Otto Hightower said, "Wind's son, I have heard many heroic deeds about you in King's Landing.
I believe you are the most valiant kraken of the Greyjoy kraken family."
Afterward, Otto Hightower and Raven Greyjoy conversed for a long time.
Raven Greyjoy recounted everything from the Battle of the Stepstones against the Crabfeeder to the battles of Tyrosh, Lys, and Myr, as well as the conquest of Dorne.
Raven Greyjoy's admiration for Prince Daemon was evident.
Three days after the funeral of King Jaehaerys the Conciliator, King Viserys was crowned in the presence of nobles from across Westeros.
He chose the crown of his grandfather, King Jaehaerys the Conciliator, which was adorned with seven dazzling gemstones of different colors.
His sword belt held the Valyrian Steel sword Blackfyre, and Viserys wore a red and black silk cloak with a pure gold belt.
Queen Aemma, in a sky-blue silk gown, stood by Viserys's side.
The High Septon, who had traveled from Oldtown's Starry Sept, blessed Viserys and Queen Aemma. The High Septon held a crystal orb, and colorful rainbow light shone down upon Viserys and Queen Aemma.
"May the Father grant Your Majesty righteous strength, may the Mother grant Your Majesty more children, may the Warrior grant Your Majesty courage and strength in battle, may the Maiden protect Princess Rhaenyra, the sweet light of the realm, and may the Crone illuminate the path forward for the Seven Kingdoms."
After the blessing ceremony concluded, Viserys said, "High Septon, my brother Daemon is now the King of the Three Daughters, and Daemon is also an anointed knight. Please bless him as well!"
So the High Septon blessed Daemon and Gael. Afterwards, Viserys and Aemma, Daemon and Gael, stood together before the Iron Throne, receiving the thunderous cheers of the nobles of Westeros.
King Viserys slowly spread his arms, and the cheers subsided. Viserys announced loudly, "My brother Daemon has conquered the Three Daughters and Dorne. The Three Daughters and Dorne will henceforth be part of the Iron Throne's domain."
Subsequently, nobles from all over Westeros came forward in turn to swear allegiance to Viserys and Queen Aemma.
After King Viserys's coronation ceremony, a grand banquet was held in the Red Keep's banquet hall. People enjoyed honey-glazed venison haunch, crispy golden beef jerky, roasted suckling pig with lemon in its mouth, lemon cake covered with frosting, and sweet-tasting Summer Red. Daemon took a sip, and the sweet fruity flavor instantly filled his entire mouth and throat. Princess Rhaenyra and Laena together tasted the blood oranges offered as tribute from Dorne.
At the banquet, people drank heavily of Dornish red wine and amber sweetwine. Ser Otto Hightower sat next to Raven Greyjoy, Son of the Wind. At this time, Raven Greyjoy was already a bit drunk.
Ser Otto Hightower lowered his voice, "Wind's son, I heard that in the Three Daughters, many Dragon's Servants Army taxi soldiers call Daemon the Father of Dragons. Is there such a thing?"
A beast-like smile bloomed on Raven Greyjoy's lips, "That's natural. Prince Daemon also has many titles such as Liberator and Protector of Slaves."
Ser Otto Hightower said, "Now that His Majesty has worn the crown, the title of Prince of Dragonstone is vacant. I think Prince Daemon is very suitable to be the Prince of Dragonstone. However, some people believe that Princess Rhaenyra should become the Dragonstone Princess. Dragonstone is, after all, the base of House Targaryen. Whoever becomes its lord will be the heir to the Iron Throne."
Raven Greyjoy, hazy with drink, did not realize the trap in Ser Otto Hightower's words and loudly said, "Only Prince Daemon is qualified to be the Prince of Dragonstone. Women are not qualified to approach the Iron Throne. Didn't King Viserys defeat Princess Rhaenys at the Grand Council to become the Prince of Dragonstone? Women have no right of inheritance."
Under the influence of strong emotions and alcohol, Raven Greyjoy spoke too loudly. Furthermore, they were already in a place of honor, with their seats close to King Viserys and Queen Aemma. Therefore, including the King and Queen, Daemon and Gael, Grand Maester Runciter, the High Septon, the Sea Snake, Princess Rhaenys, and Lord Commander of the Kingsguard Ser Ryam Redwyne, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, who was guarding the King nearby, all heard Raven Greyjoy's words. People turned around one after another to look at Raven Greyjoy.
King Viserys slowly rose, "Wind's son, what are you shouting about?"
At this time, the gazes of other great lords at other tables, such as the Duke of Storm's End, the Duke of Highgarden, the Duke of Casterly Rock, the Duke of Winterfell, and the King of the Iron Islands, were all drawn to Wind's son.
Raven Greyjoy did not realize anything was amiss. He showed a slight smile, "Your Majesty, I was just discussing the succession with the Hand of the King."
Although Ser Otto Hightower, who was sitting next to Raven Greyjoy, concealed his emotions very well, Daemon still caught the smug smile in Ser Otto Hightower's eyes. Daemon rose from his seat, "Wind's son, you are drunk. Shut up!"
Ser Otto Hightower showed a gentle smile, "Wind's son declared that women have no right of inheritance and that Prince Daemon should be the Prince of Dragonstone and heir to the Iron Throne. I'm afraid this is not his personal view. I suspect many loyal subordinates of Prince Daemon hold the same view."
Queen Aemma's face was filled with anger. Six-year-old Rhaenyra looked at everything before her with a bewildered expression. Viserys said angrily, "Why are you discussing the future heir at my coronation banquet? I have just ascended the Iron Throne. In the future, my Queen will surely bear me a son. We have plenty of time to consider the topic of the heir."
Ser Otto Hightower smiled, "Your Majesty, since Wind's son has openly stated in such an important occasion that Prince Daemon should be the Prince of Dragonstone and heir to the Iron Throne, this indicates that this issue can no longer be avoided."
Daemon sneered, "Ser Otto Hightower, Wind's son is drunk. If he said anything offensive to the royal family, you instigated it. I think you should focus your energy on assisting the King in governing the kingdom, rather than scheming to sow discord."
The smile on Ser Otto Hightower's face vanished. He flared up in anger, "Prince Daemon, your subordinate has revealed your ambition for the Iron Throne. Are you still going to deny it?"
Nobles from all over Westeros widened their eyes, watching how Prince Daemon would respond. Prince Enrik, Princess Nymeria, and Prince Qoren of Dorne smiled. If Daemon and Viserys were at odds over the succession, then Dorne's days would be much better. Perhaps in the future, they could use the discord between Daemon and Viserys to seek independence again through war.
Daemon turned to his brother Viserys, who was beside him, "Your Majesty, if you wish, you can immediately name Princess Rhaenyra as Dragonstone Princess. I am already the King of the Three Daughters. I have no interest in becoming the Prince of Dragonstone and heir to the Iron Throne. Of course, if you want to leave the position of Lord of Dragonstone to your future son, I will fully support it. In any case, you are my brother. I will defend your descendants' right to the Iron Throne, whether it is Rhaenyra or your future children."
In Daemon's view, sitting on the Iron Throne was certainly majestic, but in reality, the great nobles across Westeros, who commanded their own armies, such as those in the North, West, Vale, The Reach, Riverlands, Dorne, and Iron Islands, were forced to submit to the Iron Throne due to the deterrence of the dragons. However, they still had absolute control over their own territories. If the King on the Iron Throne wanted to execute a great lord or implement reforms that would affect the great nobles, it could trigger a rebellion. In the future, once House Targaryen lost its dragons, the Iron Throne would sooner or later be overthrown by the guardian families of various regions.
In Westeros, the King had to carefully balance the interests of all parties.
The Three Daughters was different. Daemon ruled his newly conquered kingdom with an iron fist. Those who resisted Daemon were either executed by Daemon or fled to foreign lands, becoming exiled nobles. Daemon was a true King in the Three Daughters. Daemon could boldly implement reforms. Moreover, Daemon could set his sights on the surrounding Pentos, Volantis, the Rhoyne River basin, and the Great Grass Sea, continuing a new round of conquests.
Daemon had gradually fallen in love with the life of war, even though he rode a dragon. The dragon saddle was Daemon's throne, the sky was Daemon's tent. Daemon's kingship was a continuous conquest, not sitting on the Iron Throne, trapped in a besieged city, guarding the meager inheritance left by his ancestors.
Viserys was deeply moved. He embraced Daemon, "Good brother, I knew you were my greatest reliance. Although I sit on the Iron Throne, you and I rule Westeros and the Three Daughters together."
Princess Rhaenys raised her goblet, "Let us toast to the brotherhood of His Majesty and Prince Daemon!"
Then Princess Rhaenys stared at Ser Otto Hightower, her eyes filled with scorn, "His Majesty and Prince Daemon are wise and mighty. They saw through everything and were not provoked by treacherous individuals with ulterior motives."
Ser Otto Hightower was about to retort but was interrupted by the toasts of a group of great nobles around him.
"To the brotherhood of the King and Prince Daemon!"
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