"I find you very interesting," the Black Pearl said.
"Why?" Viserys asked.
"I once thought you only had a beautiful appearance, but I didn't expect you also had an elegant inner self. I just wonder, besides elegance, what other extraordinary qualities do you possess?"
"My ambition is also beyond your imagination," Viserys said calmly, his purple eyes gleaming.
He played with the Valyrian steel dagger in his hand, its surface adorned with dark, smoky ripples, sharpened anew through countless refinements.
Only steel of this kind in the world is ancient, light, and sharp.
Viserys fiddled with it a few times. This Valyrian steel dagger was not the one passed down through the Dragon King family; that more famous dagger was currently gathering dust in the royal armory in King's Landing.
When Aegon was sent by Baelor the Blessed as an envoy to Braavos, he was still just a prince and not entitled to command family heirlooms.
This dagger was more likely acquired by Aegon through a stroke of luck in the Eastern Continents. Even so, it was quite valuable.
Aegon the Unworthy, that prodigal son, indeed went to great lengths to woo women. Later, as king, he even gave away dragon eggs and Valyrian steel weapons like Blackfyre and Dark Sister.
"I also need to get some divine gear, preferably a Valyrian steel long weapon," Viserys thought.
This was not easy. Valyrian steel long weapons, being limited editions, were quite difficult to obtain; money couldn't solve this problem.
Valyrian steel longswords, Valyrian steel long knives, and even the divine Valyrian steel armor.
It seemed that in the future, he would either have to seize them or find lost ones. Viserys didn't want to spend money but still wanted equipment.
"This dagger can be considered a divine artifact. Did Aegon the Unworthy also give the Black Pearl a dragon egg?" Viserys asked curiously.
"No dragon egg, dragon eggs are extremely precious. And don't forget, Aegon was just a prince at the time; he wasn't entitled to command dragon eggs. He came to Braavos because Baelor the Blessed didn't want Aegon to further harm his wife Naerys's body, so he sent him away," the Black Pearl's beauty was indeed unique, coupled with her extensive knowledge.
Aegon had always coveted the Iron Throne, but he was already thirty-seven when he became king.
"That was a tragic love story. Aegon's marriage brought great suffering to both the Dragonknight and Naerys."
King Aegon the Unworthy detested his brother and sister, and he loved to seize every opportunity to publicly humiliate Naerys and Aemon.
"That was before Aegon became king that he met the Black Pearl. If he had become king then, perhaps I could show you a dragon egg now."
"There will be a chance. First, take a look at this book."
"'Lives of Four Kings.' This book is quite rare. Even many learned scholars in Westeros have never read it." Viserys put down the dragonbone dagger and looked at the thick volume of 'Lives of Four Kings' in the box.
Among the knightly brutes of Westeros, few enjoyed reading. Viserys's most vivid impressions were of Tyrion Lannister and Oberyn Martell, and perhaps the bookish folk of the Iron Islands, Willas Tyrell of Highgarden, and Leyton Hightower of Oldtown.
"It seems you know the contents of the book." The Black Pearl's eyes sparkled. His mastery of swordsmanship and literature made Viserys even more charming.
Mainly, Viserys's good looks were a major factor. If an ugly man were to talk about culture, the Black Pearl would probably have him thrown out.
"This is a history written by Grand Maester Kaeth, chronicling the deeds of four kings: Daeron the Young Dragon, Baelor the Blessed, Aegon the Unworthy, and Daeron the Good," Viserys replied.
Madmen or geniuses, the Targaryen dynasty certainly produced a number of eccentrics in a row.
"This is a book every king should read, Your Grace," the Black Pearl smiled.
"A good book. I will accept this gift."
"If you like, I have many other books," the Black Pearl looked at Viserys. "Though far from the Grand Library of the Citadel, there are quite a few ancient texts."
"That would be even better," Viserys said.
It was said that there were some unique copies across the Narrow Sea that even the Citadel did not possess.
"Then I shall also present you with a gift," Viserys said, thanking the Black Pearl. He pulled out an item from his person, a thin piece of paper.
"When You Are Old." Viserys had also come prepared.
The Black Pearl accepted Viserys's gift and then carefully weighed each word and phrase. "With these lyrics, I can also ensure the Nightingale isn't the only one to shine. Sometimes I truly feel you are not in your teens; you have an ancient soul."
"The feeling is mutual," Viserys said. "You are also more mature than your age. Suffering is never wealth, unless you overcome it."
In truth, the Black Pearl might not necessarily sing this song, but she would never allow herself not to be the most dazzling courtesan in Braavos. She also wanted to make her mark among the city's luminaries.
"Soon a singer will perform this song, oh, as a tribute to me from the Silver Traveler," the Black Pearl said. "The reputation of the Silver Traveler will spread throughout Braavos. Tell me, what else do you want?"
"Money," Viserys said. "I need a large sum of money to launch my endeavor."
"An endeavor, you mean overthrowing the usurper's rule. That would require an immense amount of money," the Black Pearl scrutinized Viserys, trying to persuade him to abandon this insane idea. "If you serve the Black Pearl, the Black Pearl will grant you vast amounts of gold, you will live a luxurious life, and many lesser courtesans will beg to see you."
"We are partners; I am not your retainer."
"The usurper has Lannister gold, and the men of the Arryn, Tully, and Stark families. How will you exact your revenge? You must have heard about the recent Greyjoy rebellion; those iron bastards were utterly defeated."
"Where there's a will, there's a way," Viserys said calmly.
"You could clearly abandon this life, this savage life of blood and fire. With your talent, Viserys, you could live a very good life, a life of ease," the Black Pearl urged for a second time.
"I swear by my blood and fire to touch that crown, to overthrow the Baratheon dynasty. I believe I can do it," Viserys said, his voice firm despite his youth.
Viserys had foreknowledge of things like the incest between the lion siblings, the disunity within the deer family, Varys and Littlefinger fanning the flames, the arrival of the Red Comet, and the coming of the long winter.
Coupled with his cheat, even if he couldn't claim absolute certainty, restoring his kingdom was not without hope.
But in the eyes of others, he was simply a delusional madman.
"The risk is too great," the Black Pearl shook her head. "Although I invest in many people, I cannot afford to lose money."
"Investing in singers, playwrights, or goldsmiths, you can only recoup five or ten times your investment. But if you invest in power, you can gain a hundredfold return. And now you have a very good partner, me, Viserys, the Third of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men."
"Hundredfold returns come with hundredfold risks. The Black Pearl never gets too deeply involved."
"You are a complete madman, yet a brilliant genius," the Black Pearl said regretfully, her fingertips tracing Viserys's cheek. "To think this beautiful face will face bloody battlefields, it's truly a shame."
"You should show me more respect. If I ascend the Iron Throne in the future, no one will dare to treat a king so lightly," Viserys grabbed the Black Pearl's hand, brought it to his lips, and bit her finger.
"Do you know that if I were to speak, countless people would want to kill you? My female guards are outside right now. Syrio may admire you, but he wouldn't dare offend me…" The Black Pearl's chest rose and fell.
On this pleasure barge, he showed such audacity, a charming and dangerous exile.
"I guess you wouldn't dare, because you know I have value," Viserys said, releasing the Black Pearl. "For my cause, taking risks is inevitable."
"Madman, you truly are a madman," the Black Pearl mumbled. "I've never seen a kingdom successfully restored with just three people."
"We are not just three people; we are three true dragons."
"Three true dragons? A half-grown boy and two little girls." The Black Pearl laughed heartily. "Every time a Targaryen is born, the gods toss a coin in the air and the world holds its breath to see how it will land. I see both madness and greatness in you."
"So, you acknowledge my value?"
"I don't support your restoration, and I don't know about this plan. I'm simply lending you money, no questions asked about its use. What's wrong with the Black Pearl lending money to a handsome young man?"
"Cheers to our cooperation!" Viserys raised his cup.
"Let me see your true colors, greatness or madness."
"You will know very soon."
The Black Pearl looked at Viserys under the lamplight. At that moment, the silver-haired youth truly possessed a certain regal bearing.
But the Black Pearl quickly thought better of it, wondering if this ambitious young man would indeed bring excitement to the world.
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