Chapter 137 Queen Selection
After Queen Aemma's death, King Viserys looked at the relics of his wife and son, depressed and melancholic. He locked himself in the royal chambers, lying every day on the bed where Queen Aemma had died in childbirth, doing nothing.
King Viserys ordered the maidservants to hang black bed curtains on the door, change to black bedsheets, hang black curtains on the windowsills, and even the bedroom screens, carpets, and tapestries were all replaced with black.
Black symbolized solemnity and dignity; people only wore all black at funerals. King Viserys himself changed into black clothes, dressing like a man of the Night's Watch on The Wall, or like the Silent Sisters, the wives of the stranger.
King Viserys drowned himself in the grief of losing his wife and son, which greatly worried the important ministers of the Small Council.
Hand of the King Ser Otto Hightower, Master of Laws Lord Lyonel Strong, Grand Maester Runciter, and the highly respected Master of Coin Lord Lyman Beesbury visited one after another, but King Viserys ignored whoever knocked on the door.
Eventually, the important ministers had no choice but to seek help from Daemon.
Daemon arrived at King Viserys's bedroom, where the King's maidservant, Alicent Hightower, and Ser Criston Cole of the Kingsguard, were guarding the door.
Alicent, dressed in a long green silk dress, had captivating eyes and a graceful figure. As soon as she saw Daemon, she showed a sweet smile, "Prince Daemon, you've finally come! King Viserys has been locking himself in the room, and he eats very little of the food I bring from the kitchen. We are all so worried."
After Queen Aemma's death, Ser Otto Hightower strongly advocated for his daughter Alicent as the most suitable candidate for King Viserys's Queen. He was currently gathering support from nobles in the court and various regions to facilitate this marriage.
As early as the time of King Jaehaerys, Alicent followed her father to Red Keep. She initially served as King Jaehaerys's maidservant, taking care of King Jaehaerys's daily life. After King Jaehaerys's death, Alicent became Queen Aemma's maidservant. After Queen Aemma's death, she transformed again, becoming King Viserys's maidservant.
The ambitious Ser Otto Hightower always arranged for his daughter to stay by the King's side as a maidservant, and Alicent consistently performed exceptionally well. She was graceful in her demeanor and very approachable. Whether it was court nobles, stable boys, kitchen assistants, or guards, Alicent was happy to befriend them. Alicent became a shining pearl in the court.
Daemon dismissed the Kingsguard and the maidservant Alicent from the doorway and began to knock.
King Viserys was sitting in a rocking chair, eyes closed in contemplation. Hearing the knock, Viserys suppressed his anger, "How many times have I said it? Do not disturb the King's mourning!"
Daemon said, "Brother, mourning ended the moment the funeral ended. Now you should pull yourself together and rule your Seven Kingdoms and Three Daughters."
Viserys mused for a long while, "Daemon, leave! I just want to be alone quietly."
Since he couldn't get the door open, Daemon decided to use a strategy of retreating to advance, "Brother, then I will follow your command, I'm leaving. I will take my wife and sons back to Three Daughters."
King Viserys opened the door, just a crack, and looked at Daemon, "I didn't tell you to go back to Three Daughters; I told you to go back to your guest room, or to Blackwater, Dragonstone is fine too. I will naturally come out of the bedroom after I rest quietly for a few days and recover my spirits."
Daemon looked at Viserys, who was dressed in a black silk coat, and said despondently, "If you want to come out, you can do so right now. There are enemies everywhere around and within Three Daughters. Those exiled Triarchy nobles are constantly thinking of overthrowing my rule and making a comeback, and neighboring countries like Pentos and Volantis, as well as the Braavosi Sea Lord's Fleet on the sea, are constantly eyeing us covetously."
"Brother, I am your younger brother, and a younger brother needs his older brother's protection, but you have been crushed by sorrow, locking yourself in your bedroom all day. If our enemies knew of this situation, they would surely see it as a great opportunity to attack Three Daughters. Our fledgling Three Daughters would inevitably be attacked by enemies, and many Westeros Knights, Ironborn, Sistermen, and Winter Wolves soldiers remaining in Three Daughters would pay the price with their lives because of King Viserys's despondency."
Under Daemon's persuasion, King Viserys finally opened the door. Daemon walked into the dim bedroom. The windows were tightly closed, the curtains blocked every ray of light, and the air was stale. Daemon pulled back the curtains and opened the windows, letting fresh air pour in.
Sunlight streamed in, and Viserys, who had been in the room for many days without sunlight, suddenly felt dizzy and disoriented. He covered his eyes and sat on the bed, muttering, "Daemon, I know I shouldn't hide in my room, but I just can't accept it. My Queen Aemma just passed away like that, and my son, whom I dreamed of many times, the son destined to be famous throughout the world, died young after being Crown Prince for only one day."
In reality, what truly crushed King Viserys was that after his wife died in childbirth, he still didn't have a son, while Daemon had three healthy sons. Daemon's line was thriving, but King Viserys's line only had one daughter, Rhaenyra. Viserys was distraught whenever he thought of this.
Daemon placed his hand on Viserys's shoulder, "Brother, perhaps the prophesied son you dreamed of will be conceived by your next Queen. If you want to welcome your son's arrival earlier, you should marry immediately."
Viserys snorted lightly, "There's simply no suitable candidate."
Daemon smiled, "Countless maidens dream of marrying into House Targaryen, let alone you, the King of the Seven Kingdoms? Many blossoming maidens are eager and waiting for you to choose! Or, you can also choose women who have already proven their fertility, just like King Maegor did back then."
Viserys seemed startled by this suggestion, "I wouldn't do something as 'cruel' as Maegor." However, Viserys then thought, wasn't he worse than King Maegor by hiding in his bedroom all day? Maegor was indeed cruel, but at least he was always on the offensive.
In an instant, Viserys's heart was filled with shame. He spread his hands before his eyes, as if seeing them for the first time in his life, "Gods above, what have I done? I've been like a sleepwalker, hiding in my bedroom, abandoning my kingdom, my people, and everything in this kingdom."
Daemon's eyes lit up, "Brother, it seems you've finally come to your senses. Choose a Queen immediately! Whether she's a young woman or a virgin, they'll be happy to marry you. I have several suitable candidates here, for example, Lady Jeyne Arryn of the Vale of Arryn, Princess Nymeria of Dorne, Lylia Greyjoy of the Iron Islands, Fiona Manderly of White Harbor, and Rachel Tyrell of Highgarden. If I were you, I'd pick one based on my mood, but the important ministers of the Small Council would definitely protest."
King Viserys sneered, "I'm afraid no matter who I choose, someone will be unhappy. Call a Small Council meeting immediately; I want to hear the opinions of the important ministers."
King Viserys bathed and changed, donning a crimson velvet coat, and arrived at the Council Chamber. The important ministers of the Small Council were surprised to find that King Viserys had combed his hair to a shine and powdered his face. He had shed his previous gloom and appeared radiant.
Daemon sat to King Viserys's left, Hand of the King Ser Otto Hightower sat to the King's right, Master of Ships the Sea Snake, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard Ser Harrold Westerling, Master of Laws Lord Lyonel Strong, Master of Coin Lyman Beesbury, Master of Coin, and others sat across the table.
The High Septon, who had presided over Queen Aemma's funeral, had been residing in the Great Sept of Baelor during this time. He also accepted the invitation to attend the Small Council meeting.
King Viserys went straight to the point, "Queen Aemma has unfortunately passed away. The kingdom needs a new Queen to bear heirs for the Iron Throne and expand our lineage. Do you have any suitable candidates?"
Master of Coin Lyman Beesbury, Master of Coin slowly said, "King Viserys, Lady Jeyne Arryn is, without a doubt, the most suitable candidate. She is also Queen Aemma's niece."
Viserys gave an awkward laugh, "Jeyne Arryn is only a few years older than my daughter Rhaenyra. She is too young and completely unsuitable."
Although King Viserys deeply loved his wife Aemma Arryn, his marriage with Aemma only left him with one daughter, Rhaenyra. King Viserys did not want to continue marrying daughters from House Arryn.
Grand Maester Runciter stroked his chain, "King Viserys, I believe Miss Laena of House Velaryon is the most suitable candidate. Miss Laena is already twelve years old, and she has just become a Dragonrider, mastering Vhagar. In the past, Aegon the Conqueror, riding Balerion, fought side by side with Queen Visenya, who rode Vhagar. And King Jaehaerys is the last Dragonrider of Balerion. Wouldn't it be most fitting for you to marry Laena?"
Daemon did not like this suggestion. Daemon's Three Daughters needed Vhagar's protection. If Laena married Viserys, she would certainly take Vhagar and remain in King's Landing.
The Sea Snake and Princess Rhaenys, however, had smiles on their faces, clearly hoping their daughter could become Queen.
Viserys frowned, "Laena is a sweet girl, but she is too young. Marriage would probably have to wait for several years."
These words instantly wiped the smiles off the faces of the Sea Snake and Rhaenys.
Grand Maester Runciter said helplessly, "That is true, but Laena is already of an age to be betrothed."
King Viserys smiled at the Sea Snake and Rhaenys, "Sea Snake, Rhaenys, I mean no offense, but the kingdom needs a fertile and prolific Queen. I don't have time to wait for a little girl to grow up. I like Laena very much, but unfortunately, she is not suitable to be Queen." King Viserys was wholeheartedly hoping to quickly have a son so that he would have the chance to see his son lead a great Dothraki cavalry army, making the governors and princes across the Narrow Sea tremble in fear.
Princess Rhaenys calmly said, "King Viserys, Laena will be ready for marriage in two years. Noble maidens usually have their first moon blood earlier. When our grandmother married our grandfather, she was only fourteen years old."
Viserys fiddled with his quill, "I'm hoping to have more children, and two years is a very long time."
Grand Maester Runciter earnestly said, "King Viserys, many believe that the Grand Council two years ago created a rift between House Velaryon and House Targaryen. Your marriage to Laena will show the outside world that the Iron Throne has mended the two great houses, Velaryon and Targaryen, through marriage. The sea and salt of House Velaryon, together with the blood and fire of House Targaryen, will make our enemies tremble in fear."
King Viserys said indifferently, "The war to conquer Three Daughters has long since mended House Velaryon and House Targaryen. If Laena were of suitable age, I would certainly marry her, but she is more than ten years younger than me. We are not suitable."
Then, King Viserys looked around at everyone, "Why do you keep recommending young girls to me? Are there no candidates closer to my age?"
Master of Laws Lord Lyonel Strong stroked his thick beard, "King Viserys, if you are looking to marry a young woman, then Princess Nymeria of Dorne is very suitable for you. Princess Nymeria is a mature woman, and marrying her would also be the first alliance between the Iron Throne and Dorne, which would strengthen the kingdom's rule in Dorne."
Hand of the King Ser Otto Hightower sneered, "Princess Nymeria? Heh heh! She is indeed ripe, I'd say she's burst and juicy. She's too wanton. I heard she slept with her father's attendants when she was a teenager, and she might even have bastards. How can such a woman become Queen?"
"Moreover, let us not forget, the Greenblood orphans midwife that Princess Nymeria brought to deliver Queen Aemma, resulted in Queen Aemma dying in childbirth. Princess Nymeria cannot escape the suspicion of murdering the Queen. How can a suspect become a candidate for Queen?"
Daemon couldn't help but mock, "Ser Otto Hightower, your daughter Alicent has always served as the Queen's attendant. By your logic, Alicent also has suspicion of murdering Queen Aemma!"
Ser Otto Hightower's anger flared, "That is slander!"
Daemon sneered, "Without proof, it is indeed slander. I believe Alicent is innocent, and Princess Nymeria is also innocent."
"King Viserys, I suggest you marry a noble woman from Three Daughters. This way, Three Daughters will further recognize the rule of the Iron Throne. Lys has many silver-haired, purple-eyed beauties whose lineage can be traced back to Old Valyria."
Viserys was somewhat uneasy, "Marry a woman who worships a strange god to be Queen? The people of Three Daughters might be happy to see this, but the people of Westeros would find it difficult to accept a Queen who speaks a strange language."
The High Septon, who had remained silent, spoke, "King Viserys, I prayed for you last night, and the Seven Gods gave guidance: Alicent of House Hightower is the most suitable woman for King Viserys. Once you two unite, you will give birth to the prophesied prince, and dragons will dance wildly, making the enemies of House Targaryen tremble in fear."
King Viserys pondered for a long while, then stood up, "I will consider your candidates. Thank you all for your counsel. The meeting is adjourned!"
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