Chapter 137: Daenerys
"Continue, Ian, keep going. I want to know more," Viserys said impatiently.
"Of course, the most important are us, Your Grace," Ian said, somewhat annoyed.
His original intention had merely been to help Daenerys escape Viserys's beating, but he hadn't expected Viserys to be so persistent.
If it were before tonight's banquet, Ian wouldn't have complained even if he talked to Viserys until dawn, but now?
Damn it! I've already completed my second main quest, and I've already obtained the promise to help Hazan fight in the tournament in your name. You're no longer of any use to me, understand? A tool that's outlived its usefulness, and you expect me to patiently spin tales to humor you?
Don't be ridiculous! Your sister is my future long-term investment; it's her I need to build favor with! And you're just a minor character who'll soon be crowned with molten gold!
So Ian put on a sorrowful expression: "Daren and I have lost everything; you are our last hope, and our family's."
After saying this, Ian lowered his head and remained silent.
The atmosphere suddenly shifted, and Viserys couldn't continue the previous topic with Ian. After a moment of silence, he suddenly asked, "Ian, what do you want? How should I reward your loyalty? House Darryl has sacrificed too much for the royal family; your loyalty deserves reward."
If you weren't the Beggar King, I'd be thrilled to hear you say that.
"Should I make you a member of my Kingsguard?" Viserys continued, seeing Ian's lack of response.
"No, no, no," Viserys went on, "the Kingsguard don't marry or hold lands. That would be ingratitude on my part."
"You were born in the Riverlands, so I should give you the Riverlands. That's what you deserve. We must impale all those Tully traitors on our spears!" Viserys said viciously, his violet eyes filled with the madness characteristic of the Targaryen bloodline.
"Perhaps you want Casterly Rock more? The Lannisters deserve to die too!" Viserys became increasingly excited as he spoke.
"Let's talk about rewards after we reclaim our homeland," Ian couldn't stand it anymore and interrupted Viserys's fantasies. "Serving you is already the greatest reward for me."
"Serving me? Very well, in that case, I appoint you as my Hand of the King, and you will command my army and subjects," Viserys said, patting Ian's shoulder, and then, perhaps due to drunkenness, he actually collapsed into Ian's arms.
What the hell is this Hand of the King? What army and subjects? Ian had just been thinking to himself when, to his surprise, the system announced an achievement.
An achievement? What achievement? Ian was stunned for a moment, then realized the only possibility—Viserys's appointment of him.
This left Ian speechless.
However, it was both unexpected and reasonable, since completing the second main quest meant that Viserys's legal legitimacy was recognized by the system, therefore Viserys's appointment also had a legal basis.
Ian didn't dwell on these matters at this moment. Instead, he quickly handed the unconscious Viserys to a servant and had him helped to his chambers.
"Magister Illyrio," Ian called after getting rid of Viserys, "something happened at the banquet just now, and I think I should report it to you."
"No need," Illyrio paused. "Actually, when Oranto deliberately dragged me away from Viserys, I already knew their purpose. Hmm," Illyrio paused again, "How about this—we'll have breakfast together tomorrow morning, and I'll discuss it with you in detail then."
"As you wish," Ian readily agreed.
Illyrio then left.
Ian stood there, reflecting on Illyrio's expression, somewhat puzzled.
He had initially thought Illyrio would be angry about Yada's involvement in Hazan's fight, as this could potentially affect Illyrio's 'neutral' status.
But judging from Illyrio's attitude just now, he seemed quite satisfied with how things had unfolded?
Oh well, he'd know the answer tomorrow morning.
Thinking this, Ian prepared to have a servant take him to a room to rest and collect the reward for the second main quest.
But when Ian turned around, he found Daenerys still standing there.
"Why aren't you resting in your chambers, my little princess?" Ian knew that 'my little princess' was William Darryl's nickname for Daenerys, and that using such a term could evoke memories in her and increase her favor.
"I can't sleep," Daenerys said, biting her lip. "I'm going to marry Drogo soon. My brother says he's the reincarnation of Aegon the Conqueror, and he'll help us reclaim our throne."
"He will," Ian could only reply.
"But he's so frightening. Everyone's afraid of him—I can tell," Daenerys voiced her deepest fears. She dared not tell her brother these things, as it would only awaken his 'sleeping dragon's wrath.' She couldn't talk to Illyrio either; everyone knew Illyrio's friendship with them served his own interests.
She could only suppress her fears alone, but her intuition told her she could trust the knight before her, so she couldn't help but confide in him.
But Ian's first reaction after hearing her complaints was, What's the point of telling me all this? It's not like I can prevent you from marrying Khal Drogo.
The next moment, Ian himself froze.
Was it possible? It seemed he hadn't even considered this question. His entire plan was based on the scenario of 'Daenerys marrying Khal Drogo, Khal Drogo dying, Daenerys hatching dragons, and then using the dragons as leverage to seize Slaver's Bay.'
But if he really thought about it...
Impossible. Ian reached the conclusion almost instantly.
Stealing Drogo's bride right under the nose of Illyrio, who made his fortune through intelligence work, here in Pentos? What a joke.
"So," Ian composed himself, "Your Highness, what can I do for you? Just give the order."
Ian's seemingly sincere words stumped Daenerys.
What could Ian do for her? He was merely a knight with an empty earldom title, and she had only made a few casual complaints.
"Drogo will treat you well. You are his bride, the Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea. He will protect you," Ian finally reassured her.
"Really?" Daenerys asked doubtfully.
"Do you trust me?" Ian smiled gently, patting Daenerys's head. At that moment, his eyes saw only a helpless little girl, not the future queen.
Daenerys didn't resist Ian's presumptuous gesture. His hand was like Uncle William's—gentle and kind, Daenerys thought, and then she nodded, expressing her trust in Ian.
"Go and rest," Ian said to her. "Everything will be alright."
"Okay." This time, Daenerys nodded obediently and left.
Watching Daenerys's departing figure, Ian couldn't help but chuckle.
Nothing will be alright. According to the original story, your trials have only just begun, and your life will be filled with pain and betrayal from now on.
But fortunately, in this timeline, all your suffering will end the moment the dragons are born.
Thinking of this, the previous thought inexplicably surged into Ian's mind again. Is it possible?
Theoretically speaking, Daenerys's most important value to him was her claim to power and her ability to hatch dragons. As long as he could find dragon eggs, the process of marrying her to Drogo wasn't strictly necessary.
Even if she hadn't had the experience of being Drogo's Khaleesi, she wouldn't have developed those habits of a ruler.
For him, it would be easier to control her. After all, training—or rather, cultivating—a frightened and timid exile was always much easier than cultivating a queen accustomed to wielding power.
Unfortunately, Ian ultimately rejected the idea, realizing he lacked the resources to change the current situation. He couldn't afford to take a pointless risk.
However, on his way to his guest chamber, the question lingered in Ian's mind, refusing to leave.
Was it possible?
(End of Chapter)
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