Chapter 135: Prince of Witchcraft, the Birth of the Crown Prince
After the funeral of the legendary Ser Ryam Redwyne of the Kingsguard at the Great Sept of Baelor on Visenya's Hill, Daemon, Viserys, Gael, and others returned to the Red Keep. Viserys specifically invited Daemon's family to ride in the King's carriage.
Eight-year-old Princess Rhaenyra kept teasing Daemon's sons, and Viserys laughed, "Little Aegon, Little Jaehaerys, Little Baelon, Daemon, you've used all the good names of House Targaryen."
Daemon chuckled, "If the gods above bless me with another son, I will name him after you, Viserys."
While Viserys spoke with a smile, deep down he felt a certain sense of loss, lamenting the unfairness of fate. Viserys only had one daughter, Rhaenyra, and his family was not as prosperous as Daemon's. Fortunately, Viserys firmly believed that his wife, Queen Aemma, was about to give birth to the son he had long awaited.
King Viserys held Daemon's hand. "Daemon, you defeated the Khal Lamiqiao, the prairie warlord, across the Narrow Sea. Singers and storytellers recount your heroic deeds, countless maidens see you as their dream lover, and many children fall asleep every night listening to tales of you."
"You made the enemies of House Targaryen tremble, turned the untamed Sea Snake into your loyal servant, and brought fame to the Knights of Westeros, the Winter Wolves, the Sistermen Fleet, and the Ironborn Fleet across Essos. You also brought back Dragon Vhagar for us. Ever since father passed away, Vhagar became a wild dragon. I and the important members of the Small Council were once worried that Vhagar would fall into the hands of hostile city-states like Pentos, Volantis, or Braavos. You removed a hidden danger for us. How exactly did you do it? Is it really as widely rumored, through sorcery?"
Whether in Essos or Westeros, whether Daemon's enemies or his subordinates, many believed Daemon was a sorcerer who controlled dragons through sorcery. Viserys scoffed at this idea; he had watched Daemon grow up since he was a child and did not believe Daemon practiced sorcery, much less that sorcery could control dragons.
Daemon said earnestly, "I did establish some kind of connection with Dragon Vhagar through a certain method, but I don't consider that sorcery. Vhagar and other dragons recognize me, just as some warhorses recognize their riders, or hounds recognize their hunters."
Daemon would never mention the mysteries of the Shapeshifter to anyone, not even if Viserys asked. Daemon decided to keep this secret; let the outside world speculate! The more they speculated, the more they would fear Daemon's power.
"Vhagar is a Targaryen dragon; she will be tamed by someone with Targaryen blood sooner or later, and Laena just happened to be that person. Perhaps Laena reminded Vhagar of her former Dragonrider, Visenya. In any case, Vhagar submitted to Laena like that. I believe Vhagar still has memories of Visenya in her mind."
This was something Daemon had personally witnessed in Vhagar's mind when his soul possessed Vhagar. Vhagar's previous Dragonriders, Visenya and Prince Baelon, all held important places in Vhagar's memories.
Viserys mused for a moment, "I'm happy to see you getting along well with Rhaenys and the Sea Snake's family."
When House Targaryen left Valyria and migrated west to Dragonstone, House Velaryon provided naval support for House Targaryen. House Targaryen ruled the skies, while House Velaryon focused on seafaring. These two great families with Valyrian blood often intermarried; Aegon the Conqueror's mother and King Jaehaerys's mother both came from House Velaryon.
When Prince Baelon was still alive, the Sea Snake and Princess Rhaenys were rivals to Baelon's line, and their relationship was once fraught with tension. Time has passed; now Viserys sits on the Iron Throne, ruling Westeros, and Daemon sits on the throne of the Three Daughters, ruling Essos' Heel. Both Daemon and Viserys know well that only by leveraging the Sea Snake and House Targaryen can they better deal with the enemies of House Targaryen.
The royal carriage passed through Flea Bottom, slowly climbed Aegon's High Hill, and finally arrived at the Red Keep.
The Sea Snake and Princess Rhaenys disembarked from another carriage and walked towards the Red Keep gate with King Viserys, Daemon, Gael, and others.
Ser Otto Hightower, Hand of the King, waited outside the Red Keep gate with Lyonel Strong, Master of Laws, Lord Lyman Beesbury, Master of Coin, and others.
Otto Hightower said, "Your Majesty, since Prince Daemon has returned, we should immediately convene the Small Council to discuss matters concerning the Three Daughters and our enemies."
Viserys frowned, "My brother Daemon rules the Three Daughters, and he has already struck fear into the hearts of our enemies across the Narrow Sea. Daemon has just returned, and we have all attended Ser Ryam Redwyne's funeral; everyone is tired and weary. Everyone should rest first. There will be plenty of opportunities for the Small Council to discuss matters later."
At this moment, Laena, riding Vhagar, flew over the Red Keep, and the entire Aegon's High Hill and Red Keep were enveloped by the dragon's shadow.
Everyone looked up at the dragon in the sky. Rhaenys and the Sea Snake looked at Dragon Vhagar and their daughter Laena with pride.
Once the dragon flew past and the sun shone on everyone again, Ser Otto Hightower gave Daemon a gentle smile.
"Prince Daemon, I remember it was you who, in the Small Council, brought about the dragon law. The dragon law stipulates that all dragons in the world belong to House Targaryen, and only those of House Targaryen can ride dragons. Anyone who tames a dragon without permission will be sentenced to death."
"Several years have passed in a flash, and Laenor and Laena of House Velaryon have both ridden dragons, yet House Velaryon has not faced any punishment. Many people believe the dragon law has become a dead letter and might as well be abolished entirely."
Before Daemon could answer, the Sea Snake, standing nearby, exploded in rage, "Ser Otto Hightower, what exactly do you mean? Vhagar is controlled by Prince Daemon, and Prince Daemon used Vhagar to attack our enemies in Pentos and the Great Grass Sea. And my daughter Laena can ride Vhagar entirely because Prince Daemon is controlling Vhagar."
Princess Rhaenys suppressed her anger and said sternly, "My son Laenor and daughter Laena are both loyal servants of House Targaryen. My children ride dragons for House Targaryen. Laenor is Prince Daemon's squire, and Laena is Princess Gael's handmaiden. They possess true dragon blood and fight for the Iron Throne and the realm. You actually expect to cite a dragon law established during King Jaehaerys's reign, attempting to punish my children?"
Otto Hightower shrugged, "I mean no offense; I am merely voicing the confusion of nobles and commoners across Westeros. Why does Prince Daemon allow you to overstep the dragon law?"
Daemon looked at Otto Hightower with unadulterated contempt, "Ser Otto Hightower, the King's law serves the King. If you don't even understand this, then you are a terrible Hand of the King."
Otto Hightower's anger flared, "I merely hope the King's law is executed meticulously."
King Viserys chuckled, playing peacemaker, "You are all well-intentioned, just with different viewpoints. It's normal to have disagreements. When Laena rode Vhagar, Vhagar was already a wild dragon, and it was in Essos. In any case, Laena will certainly marry into House Targaryen in the future, and Laenor will undoubtedly marry a Targaryen princess; there are no outsiders."
The dragon law was born at the end of King Jaehaerys the Conciliator's reign, when the Sea Snake and Princess Rhaenys coveted the position of heir to the Iron Throne and constantly competed with Daemon's father, Prince Baelon. To prevent House Velaryon from having more Dragon Knights and acquiring more dragons and dragon eggs, Daemon persuaded King Jaehaerys the Conciliator to promulgate the dragon law.
Time has passed; the Sea Snake and Princess Rhaenys suffered a crushing defeat at the Great Council on Dragonstone and have completely distanced themselves from the Iron Throne. During the conquest of the Stepstones, the Three Daughters, and Dorne, the Sea Snake and Princess Rhaenys charged into battle for Daemon, and House Velaryon provided money and effort. Daemon also brought rich rewards to House Velaryon, and Viserys relied on Daemon and the Sea Snake to integrate Dorne during his regency and expand the Iron Throne's territory on the continent of Essos.
Moreover, the Sea Snake, Princess Rhaenys, and many soldiers of the Valyrian Fleet had personally witnessed the terrifying sight of Prince Daemon leading the dragon army into battle. Daemon rode Caraxes, Silverwing, and Vermithor, the Bronze Fury, among other dragons, who respectfully flew alongside him, spewing dragonfire and bathing the enemies on the ground.
Many believed Daemon could control every dragon through sorcery, and even Dragonriders could not control dragons to defy Daemon's sorcerous commands.
The cooperation between House Velaryon and House Targaryen entered a honeymoon period, their interests highly intertwined. Daemon allowed Laena to ride Vhagar because he was worried Vhagar would fall into the hands of enemies like Pentos, Volantis, and Braavos. Daemon could not constantly control dragons with magic; magic has a price, and using Shapeshifter skills to control a behemoth like Vhagar was simply too difficult. Moreover, Daemon would keep Laena and Laenor by his side and diligently train them.
Daemon grew increasingly disgusted with Otto Hightower and began to plot his revenge.
Gael, Aly Rivers, Terra Uller, and others, under the protection of Ser Mia Hogg and Mona Darklyn, carried their children to the Prince's Tower in the Red Keep. It was a tower Viserys had specially prepared for his brother Daemon's family, so Daemon could return home anytime.
Daemon went alone to the Throne Room. Princess Nymeria of Dorne stood in the shadow of the Iron Throne. Nymeria, in a sand-brown silk gown, was graceful and charming. She gave Daemon a sweet smile.
"Your Majesty, you have finally returned to King's Landing."
Daemon showed a smile as sharp as a blade, "Your Majesty? In King's Landing, I am merely a Prince."
Princess Nymeria reached out and gently stroked Daemon's finger, "However, in the Three Daughters, you are King Jaehaerys. In King's Landing, you are the heir to the throne after King Viserys."
Did this woman want to sow discord? Daemon said coldly, "My niece Princess Rhaenyra is the heir to the Iron Throne."
Princess Nymeria laughed, "According to Dorne's laws, Princess Rhaenyra is indeed. Unfortunately, your Great Council on Dragonstone has already determined that the Iron Throne passes only to males, not to females or their descendants. In many people's eyes, you are indeed the heir to the Iron Throne, unless Queen Aemma can bear a son for the King."
Daemon stroked his sword belt, looking up at the massive dragon skull of Balerion the Black Dread above the Iron Throne. "Princess Nymeria, what are you doing in King's Landing?"
Princess Nymeria said softly, "I've been in King's Landing for three months. House Targaryen conquered Dorne, and Dornish nobles are now active in the King's Landing court. I even specifically brought a Greenblood orphans midwife for Queen Aemma."
The Greenblood orphans were descendants of the Rhoynar who followed Queen Nymeria across the sea with ten thousand ships. They still longed for the scenery of the Mother Rhoyne and refused to integrate into Dornish life. These people lived on wooden boats and rafts, active in the Greenblood River basin, subsisting on fishing and fruit picking, often trading with large merchant ships at Plankytown.
Greenblood orphans midwives were also considered the best midwives in the world. When Queen Nymeria crossed the sea with ten thousand ships, her fleet visited many places like the Basilisk Isles, Naath, Sothoryos, and the Summer Isles, often suffering casualties from disease and enemy attacks. Fortunately, new births frequently occurred on the turbulent, unstable ships, injecting fresh blood into the exiled fleet. During the harsh sea voyages, the Rhoynar's birthing techniques played a crucial role, and this ancient skill was passed down among the Greenblood orphans of Dorne.
Princess Nymeria showed a completely confident smile, "If Queen Aemma had a Greenblood orphans midwife by her side when she gave birth before, she would not have experienced so many miscarriages. The King has already entrusted the Greenblood orphans midwife I brought to Grand Maester Runciter. They will assist the Grand Maester, along with other midwives, in helping Queen Aemma deliver."
In the Red Keep's royal chambers, Queen Aemma lay on the birthing bed. King Viserys held Aemma's hand, "Aemma, this time you will surely bear us the son we have long awaited."
Aemma was bloated and pale. In recent years, she had experienced multiple pregnancies and miscarriages. Sweat beaded on her forehead. "Your Majesty, I will bear a son. This is my duty."
Viserys kissed Aemma's forehead and left the birthing bed. Grand Maester Runciter immediately brought the midwives and began to assist Queen Aemma in childbirth.
Daemon, Gael, Rhaenys, the Sea Snake, and others waited outside. From inside, the busy sounds of the Grand Maester and midwives could be heard, accompanied by Aemma's hoarse screams. Finally, the cry of a child echoed from within the room.
The midwife wiped the amniotic fluid from the baby and wrapped him in swaddling clothes. Viserys was ecstatic. He took the child from Grand Maester Runciter, who was drenched in sweat. "Your Majesty, it's a healthy baby boy! A Prince has arrived!"
Viserys held the swaddled infant, the Prophet Prince. Viserys exclaimed, "This is my heir, Prince Baelon!"
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