151-155

Chapter 151: The Chaos of the Seven Kingdoms

“The idea is wonderful, but reality is often far from ideal.”

As soon as Lyonel finished speaking, Justice Minister Jasper stood up, his expression grave.

Viserys cast a questioning glance at him. “Why do you say that, Lord Jasper?”

Though he was not as imposing and authoritative as his grandfather, Jaehaerys, as king, he still believed he could rally his vassals to defend the realm.

“Your Majesty, war is a terrifying machine that affects everything it touches. The kingdom’s enemies are not limited to the pirates of the Three Daughters.”

Jasper spoke solemnly. “According to intelligence reports, Prince Martell of Dorne is highly likely to renew his alliance with the Three Daughters and lead his army onto the battlefield.”

“The Ironborn of the Iron Islands are also eager to strike. They have been spotted frequently near Lannisport, attempting to raid the mainland.”

“What?”

Viserys was taken aback and turned toward Lyonel and Tyland.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Tyland confirmed.

“My brother recently sent me a letter stating that Ironborn attempted to sneak into Lannisport. He caught them and had them executed.”

Tyland looked troubled as he revealed the truth.

The Ironborn had always been a thorn in the side of House Lannister.

“So, the Westerlands won’t be able to provide assistance?”

Viserys’ face darkened with displeasure.

“Please, calm yourself, Your Majesty.”

Seeing the king’s growing anger, Tyland tensed up but forced himself to continue, “The situation in the Vale is also dire. The mountain clans, led by the Stone Crows, are wreaking havoc everywhere. Lady Jeyne is overwhelmed trying to keep them under control.”

After him, Lyonel quickly added, “In the Riverlands, House Blackwood and House Bracken have clashed over the shifting of border stones. They have killed each other’s kin, and an all-out war between them is imminent.”

Viserys was stunned.

“Damn it! The kingdom was peaceful every day before this, yet the moment war arrives, chaos erupts everywhere!”

Bad news kept piling up. Viserys was furious, his breathing heavy as he leaned back into his chair.

First, there was Dorne—the kingdom’s ever-present thorn.

Then, the Ironborn, who knew nothing but pillaging and destruction.

And now, even the Vale and the Riverlands were in turmoil.

At this rate, by the time he woke up tomorrow morning, rebels might already be storming the gates of the Red Keep!

“Father, don’t worry. Things aren’t as bad as they seem.”

Rhaenyra quickly stepped behind Viserys, gently patting his back to calm him.

Her father had been born in a time of peace, and this sudden war placed immense pressure on him.

At such a critical moment, Rhaenyra feared his body might not be able to handle it.

The ministers exchanged uneasy glances, each weighed down by the prospect of war.

Rhaegar scanned the room, noticing the anxiety written on their faces. He frowned slightly.

“My lords, war has not yet begun. Do not lose heart so soon.”

He rapped his fingers against the table, drawing their attention to him.

“Prince, what are your thoughts?”

The voice belonged to the usually silent Master of Coin, Lyman Beesbury, who spoke slowly, his aged face full of concern.

A lifelong loyalist to the royal family, he was among those who most desired peace.

Now that the discussion had turned to him, Rhaegar set down his stone sphere and straightened his posture.

Fear before battle was unacceptable.

As the crown prince, it was his duty to present insightful solutions and boost morale.

After a brief moment of thought, Rhaegar raised his voice and spoke with conviction.

“My lords, Westeros has always been plagued by conflicts. During my great-grandfather Jaehaerys’ reign, the realm experienced peace.”

“For decades, this peace has endured.”

“But in these decades, while the people of the kingdom have lived in stability, hidden flaws have taken root, concealed beneath the veil of tranquility.”

“Now that war looms, these flaws are beginning to surface—but this is not necessarily a bad thing.”

“Only when these hidden cancers within the kingdom are exposed can we remove them one by one.”

His voice was steady and powerful, his words well-reasoned.

The ministers fell silent, bowing their heads in contemplation.

They, too, understood the truth behind his words.

It was precisely because peace had blinded them that they had grown complacent, fearful of the very concept of war.

“Rhaegar, you make a strong point. But how should the kingdom respond to this impending conflict?”

Viserys, looking weary yet hopeful, gazed at his eldest son with expectation.

He was a king of peacetime and lacked the ability to organize a war.

Fortunately, he had a son who resembled both his grandfather and great-grandfather—someone who could share the burden with him.

Rhaegar turned his gaze to Tyland and Jasper, saying,

“During the last War of the Stepstones, Dorne allied with the Three Daughters. Their rebellious nature is undeniable.”

“Now that the Three Daughters are making a comeback, the Dornish will not stand idly by. They will surely interfere in the war.”

“Should we send an envoy to negotiate with Prince Martell of Dorne?” Tyland hesitated.

---

"The messenger must be sent, but don’t expect too much."

Rhaegar did not object and continued, "The war in the Kingdom of the Three Daughters is an external conflict, with the battlefield far overseas. However, Dorne is within the continent of Westeros."

"If a war breaks out in the Stepstones and the Prince of Dorne leads his army to invade, the kingdom must be prepared in advance."

At this point, Rhaegar gestured for Cole to bring a map of the continent and began analyzing the situation step by step.

"There are three possible routes for Dorne to invade the kingdom: the Prince’s Pass, the Boneway, and by sea."

Pointing to a specific location on the map, Rhaegar said seriously, "The Boneway is rugged and difficult for large armies to traverse. As long as House Tarly of Blackhaven stations troops there, this route will be secure."

"The Prince’s Pass has always been Dorne’s preferred invasion route. Notify House Tyrell of Highgarden to deploy a strong defensive line to prevent a large-scale attack from Dorne."

"The last option is by sea, but we can almost rule that out."

Rhaegar looked up, deep in thought. "We should coordinate with Stormlands in advance and request Lord Beaumond to reinforce the naval defenses. Combined with House Velaryon’s patrol fleet, the Prince of Dorne will not act recklessly."

"Dorne is like a pack of starving wolves, always trying to take a bite out of the kingdom."

Listening to his son's well-organized analysis, Viserys's expression softened as he cursed Dorne’s treacherous ambitions.

As Hand of the King, Lyonel spoke at the right moment, "Your Grace, the prince's defensive strategy is thorough. If we secure the loyalty of our vassals, Dorne will not be able to stir up much trouble."

The strategies for defending against and countering Dorne had been established since Aegon the Conqueror’s time.

Rhaegar’s assessment was flawless.

More importantly…

After his speech, the assembled lords felt reassured about the strength of the royal house, and morale naturally rose.

Ser Tyland quickly followed up by pointing to Lannisport on the map and said, "The Ironborn are known for their constant raids. As long as we station enough troops to guard the port, my brother should be able to handle it."

The Ironborn believed in taking by force rather than toiling in the fields.

Lannisport had been raided before and had long since developed strong defenses against the Ironborn.

"Your Grace, the dispute between House Blackwood and House Bracken in the Riverlands hasn’t reached an irreconcilable point yet. Perhaps we could send someone to mediate."

Lord Lyman also offered his opinion, hoping to resolve the tensions in the Riverlands.

Viserys frowned as he studied the map. "What about Lord Glaver of Riverrun? He is the Warden of the Trident and should be handling these matters."

"Lord Glaver is quite elderly now. The real power in Riverrun lies with his son," Lyonel explained with a hint of helplessness. "Unfortunately, his son is a mediocre leader, and the Riverland lords do not heed his commands."

---

This chapter's war analysis is not random speculation from the author but is based on logical deductions from the actual situation.

In both the original book and the show, Dorne participated in the Stepstones War.

During the Dance of the Dragons, the Ironborn also raided Lannisport, led by Dalton Greyjoy.

The conflict between House Blackwood and House Bracken was also depicted in the show.

As for the Vale, the earlier text foreshadowed that Jeyne’s father and brother were ambushed and killed by the mountain clans of Stone Crows when she was three years old.

Everything is well-reasoned and supported by lore!

*(End of Chapter)*

Chapter 152: The Naval Commander

"A bunch of useless fools!"

Viserys cursed under his breath and waved his hand dismissively. "Lord Laenor, your family also resides in the Riverlands. You will handle this matter."

Laenor hesitated briefly before nodding in agreement. "I will act as the king's envoy and do my best to persuade both families."

House Strong had been granted the famous Harrenhal and was one of the major lords of the Riverlands.

However, both House Blackwood and House Bracken had lineages spanning over a thousand years, making them two of the most prestigious noble families in the region.

Moreover, they were sworn enemies, constantly seeking to destroy each other.

A few years ago, during Rhaenyra's tour of the continent, the Earl of House Bracken sought to win her favor by challenging the Blackwood children to a duel.

The result? He was slain by the young Samwell Blackwood.

House Bracken was forced to appoint a new lord, further deepening the animosity between the two families.

With each troublesome matter addressed one by one, Viserys felt a sense of relief. He then asked, "What about the Vale? The mountain clans are nothing but a group of uncivilized savages."

The mountain clans had long been a plague upon the Vale.

The previous Duke of the Eyrie, Lady Jeyne’s father and brother, were ambushed and killed by the Stone Crows on their way home.

The incident had caused a great uproar at the time.

"This..."

Laenor opened his mouth but found himself at a loss for words.

The other ministers also fell into deep thought.

The mountain clans were well-versed in the terrain of the Vale. Once they rebelled, they became elusive and difficult to suppress.

*Creak—*

The doors of the council chamber opened from the outside as Corlys and Rhaenys entered hand in hand.

"Lords and ladies, forgive my tardiness."

Corlys walked in with his head held high, greeting the room with composure.

He had been heavily plied with wine the previous night. After waking, he dressed in full regalia to attend the long-overdue Small Council meeting.

"Lord Corlys, Princess Rhaenys..."

Having worked together for years, the council members were all familiar with one another and exchanged greetings.

Corlys nodded in response and led his wife to an empty seat. Before sitting, he turned to Viserys and expressed his gratitude. "Thank you for reserving a seat for me, Your Grace."

"You are now an ally of the realm. I wouldn't dare neglect you."

Viserys chuckled and gestured for them to be seated.

Without hesitation, Corlys pulled out a chair for his wife before sitting down himself. He then took a black stone sphere from the tray and placed it in the designated slot on the table.

Seeing this, the other council members followed suit, each taking their respective stone spheres and setting them in place.

The meeting officially commenced.

As the focal point of this session, Corlys was the first to speak. "Your Grace, the pirates of the Three Daughters have begun raiding merchant ships along our trade routes. We must act swiftly."

"We were just discussing the costs of war and troop deployments," Viserys replied with a slight smile. "The kingdom will retaliate without hesitation against the incursions of the Three Daughters. Naturally, we will need the full support of your house."

With that, he cast a glance at Laenor.

Laenor subtly nodded in response before producing a royal decree. With great solemnity, he announced:

"Lord Corlys, in recognition of your illustrious achievements and experience in combating the Three Daughters, His Grace appoints you as Lord Admiral and supreme commander of the Stepstones campaign."

Corlys glanced at Viserys, who was smiling at him, before accepting the decree with a composed expression. "I appreciate Your Grace's trust. I shall serve with utmost dedication."

This appointment had been prearranged.

No one else was more suited for the role of Lord Admiral than Corlys Velaryon.

After a brief pause, Corlys asked, "Your Grace, my house will fully support the war effort. May I ask how many troops the kingdom intends to commit?"

This war for the Stepstones had royal backing.

He did not wish for his house to suffer heavy losses as they had in the past.

"The exact number is still under discussion, but a conservative estimate would be three thousand men and one hundred warships from the Crownlands."

Viserys had roughly calculated this figure based on the wealth of the Crownlands' nobles.

The Crownlands were directly under Targaryen rule, and every vassal was fiercely loyal.

"Forgive my bluntness, but that is far from enough to sustain a prolonged war," Corlys remarked with a frown, clearly dissatisfied.

During the previous Stepstones campaign, aside from his house's fleet and Daemon's sellsword company, they had hired more than three thousand mercenaries from the Free Cities alone.

"The lords of the other regions have yet to be informed of the war in the Stepstones. We will need some time," Laenor explained.

*"That should be as soon as possible, Your Grace."*

Corlys spoke calmly and steadily, "Storm's End is the closest to the Stepstones, and Lord Borros Baratheon is a supporter of the crown. He will surely aid in this war."

As a coastal city, Storm’s End also accumulates wealth through port taxes, making House Baratheon naturally aligned with their cause.

Grand Maester Mellos spoke slowly, "No problem. Once this meeting concludes, ravens will be sent across the Seven Kingdoms."

Next, they discussed a series of defensive measures based on the kingdom’s financial reserves.

Watchtowers would be built on the Stepstones, garrisons stationed, and the fleet would patrol the waters.

Each of these required a considerable amount of gold.

Every time Corlys proposed a new defensive measure, Lord Lyman, the Master of Coin, flinched, his eyelids twitching.

He closed his eyes in distress.

Finally, Corlys addressed the most crucial issue.

"Your Majesty, dragons provide an aerial advantage in war. How many should our two houses send?"

Corlys’s expression was grave—this was of utmost importance to him.

Viserys did not answer immediately. His gaze swept over Rhaegar and Rhaenyra, filled with hesitation.

The royal family had three dragonriders.

Rhaenyra was a woman—she could barely hold a sword, let alone fight on a battlefield.

Rhaegar was his eldest son and heir; keeping him in the Red Keep was the safest choice.

As for his second son, Aegon—there was no need to even consider him.

A useless, pleasure-seeking son, Viserys had no hope that he would ride a dragon into battle.

Personal feelings clouded his judgment—he did not want any of his children on the battlefield.

Blades and arrows held no mercy in war. It wasn’t just open combat; assassins and stray arrows could claim lives at any moment.

His uncle, Prince Aemon Targaryen, the most outstanding son of King Jaehaerys and his chosen heir to the Iron Throne, had met such a fate.

During a previous war in the Stepstones, Aemon rode his dragon, Caraxes the Blood Wyrm, into battle.

Ironically, he did not die at the hands of enemy soldiers but was assassinated in his own tent.

Corlys locked eyes with Viserys, immediately recognizing the hesitation in the king’s gaze.

It displeased him greatly.

The war in the Stepstones was not solely House Velaryon’s burden to bear.

If the royal family refused to send dragonriders, was he expected to bring his wife and children into battle instead?

Just as he was about to press the matter further, Rhaegar spoke up.

"Father, this war is led by the crown. We cannot retreat."

Rhaegar stood, his expression calm. "When the war begins, I will ride Vermax into battle. I have already discussed this with Lord Corlys."

"Rhaegar, when did you make this decision?"

Viserys was deeply displeased by his son’s declaration.

He would rather entrust Aegon to Corlys than send Rhaegar to the battlefield.

"Father, the crown must set an example. If House Targaryen’s dragonriders refuse to fight, who else will fully support us?"

War was the path to honor and power.

*(End of Chapter)*

Chapter 153: Pre-Battle Deployment

Rhaegar spoke softly, seeing the situation clearly.

He was the heir to the kingdom and the rider of the fully grown dragon, Glutton.

If he didn’t go to the battlefield, should his sister Rhaenyra or his younger brother Aegon take his place instead?

Such cowardice would make him a laughingstock among the Seven Kingdoms.

The only way to restore the prestige of the royal family was to take the initiative, earn merits on the battlefield, and let his deeds be spread by word of mouth among the soldiers of the Seven Kingdoms.

This would also help him build his reputation for his future ascension to the Iron Throne.

"You've grown up and have your own thoughts now."

Viserys found no flaw in his eldest son’s reasoning. Every word Rhaegar spoke was true, leaving the king with mixed emotions.

If Balerion hadn’t died of old age, perhaps he himself would have once ridden into battle and become a king known for his military achievements.

Turning his gaze to Corlys, Viserys clenched his teeth and made a decision: "The royal family will send two dragons to accompany you in defending the Stepstones."

"Two dragons?"

Corlys was momentarily stunned and instinctively looked at Princess Rhaenyra, standing behind the king.

Did the king intend to send the princess to the battlefield?

"No! Rhaenyra is my daughter—I would never put her in danger under any circumstances."

Viserys firmly denied the assumption and declared, "I have four sons, two of whom have tamed dragons. They will both fight on behalf of the royal family."

"Prince Aegon?"

Corlys frowned and exchanged glances with his wife, Rhaenys.

In their eyes, Aegon was nothing more than a reckless young man.

His dragon was not even fully grown.

A noble youth like him might end up being more of a burden on the battlefield than an asset.

But Viserys was resolute. "Rhaegar is going to war. As his brother, Aegon must assist him."

In truth, he simply did not want his eldest son, Rhaegar, to fight alone.

With Aegon accompanying him, at least there would be someone to shield Rhaegar from any hidden threats.

To Viserys, none of his other three sons were as important as his eldest.

Corlys could more or less guess Viserys' thoughts and nodded in agreement. "Very well. Another dragon will help reduce the number of casualties among our soldiers."

Throughout the discussion, Rhaenyra remained silent, listening intently as the men made their plans.

Deep down, she wanted to join Rhaegar on the battlefield.

She had a dragon, after all—she was no helpless woman.

Rhaegar, on the other hand, felt a bit helpless.

He had never intended for Aegon to fight in this war. That fool wasn’t cut out for battle.

Now, not only did he have to focus on the war, but he also had to keep an eye on Aegon to make sure the idiot didn’t get shot off his dragon by a scorpion bolt.

"Lord Corlys, how many dragons will your family send?"

Viserys' sharp gaze fixed directly on Corlys.

He was sending two of his sons, and House Velaryon had three dragons of their own. The number of Velaryon dragons in battle had to be at least equal to—or greater than—the number the royal family was committing.

Corlys hesitated for a moment, ignoring the pleading look from his wife, before replying, "Your Grace, Laena has just given birth, and Vhagar is still roaming the Narrow Sea. She will not be able to participate in the war."

Viserys tapped his fingers against the table, unfazed by Corlys’ reasoning.

"I will personally lead Vaemond and Laenor in defending the Stepstones. Rhaenys must remain at Driftmark to manage family affairs and patrol the Gullet," Corlys explained, then stated bluntly, "All the men of my family will fight, but we will only send one dragon."

That meant only Laenor’s dragon, Seasmoke, would be joining the war.

Hearing this, Viserys’ face darkened, and he glared at Corlys with displeasure.

He had made the difficult decision to send two of his sons into battle.

Yet with just a few words, Corlys was trying to keep his wife and daughter out of it.

His lips moved as if to curse the Sea Snake, but he ultimately held back.

He had refused to send Rhaenyra into battle simply because she was a woman.

Both Rhaenys and Laena were also women—one was responsible for managing the household, and the other had just given birth.

It was indeed difficult to force either of them onto the battlefield.

"Lord Corlys, have you asked Princess Rhaenys for her opinion?"

Rhaegar suddenly spoke, his gaze shifting between Corlys and Rhaenys.

Laena was the key to strengthening the bond between their two houses. She should remain in the Red Keep to care for her child.

But Rhaenys was no ordinary woman, and her dragon, Meleys, was a fully grown beast.

Both she and her dragon were formidable forces that could be invaluable in battle.

When Corlys had made his statement earlier, Rhaenys' expression had noticeably darkened.

---

It was clearly Corlys' unilateral decision.

When questioned, Corlys firmly insisted, "If Rhaenys doesn't stay behind at Driftmark, who will take care of my family?"

He himself didn't mention it, but his brother Vaemond and his eldest son Laenor had both gone to war.

Someone had to stay behind to manage affairs.

Rhaegar ignored his excuses and turned to Rhaenys. "Aunt, what do you think?"

He believed his aunt wouldn’t want to hide in the rear.

Riding a dragon into battle was the true calling of the Uncrowned Queen.

For a moment, all eyes in the room were on Rhaenys.

Corlys turned his head slightly, as if indifferent to his wife's response.

"Corlys' proposal is for the greater good. As his wife, I support him," Rhaenys said without changing her expression. But then, her tone shifted. "Personally, I long to ride my dragon into war and defeat the pirates of the Triarchy."

She then looked at Viserys and spoke seriously, "Cousin, Driftmark needs a Velaryon to hold the fort. My daughter can fulfill this duty; it is not difficult."

"Rhaenys!"

Corlys was visibly shocked and turned to her in surprise.

They had already discussed this. The plan was to use Rhaenys' participation in the war as leverage to bring Laena and the children back to Driftmark.

If possible, they would even ransom Daemon and have him fight to earn his redemption.

Viserys hesitated slightly, furrowing his brows in confusion.

Were they having a disagreement?

Rhaenyra, sensing the underlying reasons, glanced at Rhaegar in surprise.

Rhaegar winked at her and smiled. "Lord Corlys, Aunt Rhaenys has always had a heart devoted to serving the realm."

He had previously promised Rhaenys that he would secure a position for her in the Small Council.

Now was the time to fulfill that promise.

"Father, while I was at Driftmark, I discussed some reforms with Aunt Rhaenys regarding the ownership of dragons between House Targaryen and House Velaryon," Rhaegar said solemnly.

The matter of dragon ownership was too important.

A mishandling of it could spark conflicts within the two houses—or even among all Valyrian bloodlines.

Viserys narrowed his eyes and responded firmly, "Oh? Dragons have always belonged to House Targaryen. Is there any debate about that?"

House Velaryon's dragons originated from House Targaryen.

During King Jaehaerys’ reign, Rhaenys married Corlys and brought the first dragon to Driftmark.

Later, they had a son and a daughter. When Rhaenys and Viserys competed for the throne, Jaehaerys did not prevent Laenor from traveling to Dragonstone to tame Seasmoke.

Laena tamed Vhagar when she was fifteen.

At that time, Viserys, feeling guilty for rejecting a marriage alliance with Rhaenys, tacitly allowed Laena to claim Vhagar.

But that did not mean he acknowledged House Velaryon's ownership of dragons.

In the original story, Rhaenys was not the one competing with Viserys for the throne—it was Laenor, who was male.

This was why the Sea Snake fought so hard to secure power.

Perhaps Jaehaerys allowed Laenor to tame Seasmoke because he had a legitimate claim to the throne.

Laena’s case, however, remained unclear.

Maybe Viserys was simply foolish, or perhaps he allowed it because Laena had Targaryen blood.

Either way, the protagonist's goal was to reclaim authority and prevent similar issues from arising in the future.

If not for Laena and Laenor’s early deaths, and the extinction of dragons after the Dance of the Dragons...

Who knows how many noble houses would have ended up possessing dragons through marriage alliances and becoming as arrogant as the Sea Snake?

---

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 154: The Dragon Prince

"Your Majesty, the proposal was made by the prince."

Corlys spoke in a low voice, carefully weighing the pros and cons of this decision for his family.

Upon hearing this, Viserys turned to his eldest son and asked sternly, "Rhaegar, what are your thoughts?"

He had long been aware of his son's deep interest in dragons.

Whether it was overseeing the Dragonpit or implementing its ongoing reforms, Rhaegar’s dedication was evident.

Viserys trusted that if his son had raised the issue of dragon ownership, he must have a well-thought-out solution.

"Ahem..."

Clearing his throat, Rhaegar spoke thoughtfully, "Father, you are well-versed in the history of Old Valyria during the Freehold era. You should remember how the forty dragonlord families constantly fought among themselves."

"Of course. The great houses engaged in open and covert struggles, with the strong preying on the weak," Viserys replied, his gaze darkening as he recalled the terrifying power described in historical accounts.

At its peak, Old Valyria commanded over a thousand dragons, and the entire continent of Essos bowed before its might.

One could only imagine how intense the conflicts between those dragonlord families had been.

"That is precisely my point—dragons elevate the status of a name, a family," Rhaegar continued, sweeping his gaze over everyone present, his expression unwavering. "After the Doom of Valyria, only one dragonlord family remained in all of Westeros, indeed in the entire world—the Targaryens."

As soon as the topic of dragonlord bloodlines was brought up, the council chamber fell silent.

Dragons were magical creatures imbued with supernatural power.

No noble house could ignore the Targaryens' exclusive control over dragons, nor the unique heritage of their dragonlord bloodline.

Among the council members, Tyland Lannister had the most personal stake in this discussion.

Back when Rhaenyra was still the heir to the throne, both he and his older brother, Jason Lannister, had fervently pursued her hand in marriage.

One reason was the political power that came with her status.

The other was the opportunity to introduce dragonlord blood into their lineage, ensuring that their descendants, like the Velaryons, could one day tame dragons.

"Prince Rhaegar, my wife, Rhaenys, is a trueborn Targaryen princess. My children bear Targaryen blood," Corlys spoke after a brief silence, his voice measured.

He feared that Rhaegar was about to strip his children of their right to ride dragons.

The Velaryon family's strength lay not only in its mighty naval fleet but also in the deterrent force of the three dragons they commanded.

"Lord Corlys, don’t be hasty—the prince has yet to finish speaking," Grand Maester Mellos interjected, his hands tucked into his sleeves as he calmly offered his reminder.

Corlys shot him a glance, a flicker of disdain passing through his eyes.

He despised the maesters of the Citadel—a bunch of bookish scholars who thought too highly of themselves.

"Rhaegar, since you emphasize the uniqueness of House Targaryen, what do you propose to do about House Velaryon?" Viserys asked, his doubt deepening.

Surely, he wasn’t suggesting seizing the dragons by force?

Even if that were the plan, it would have to wait until after the war.

It would be foolish to antagonize the Sea Snake before the battle had even begun, potentially losing a crucial ally.

"Father, be at ease," Rhaegar reassured him with a steady look before continuing, "While House Targaryen remains singular in name, our dragonlord blood inevitably spreads through marriage alliances."

"Daughters will always marry outside the family—this is an unavoidable reality."

Rhaenys furrowed her brows.

"Then we must impose restrictions!"

Rhaegar declared firmly, "I propose that the Small Council create a new advisory seat dedicated to overseeing matters related to House Targaryen—managing marriages, funerals, and the education of our heirs."

"And what purpose would that serve?" Viserys asked, his confusion growing.

Traditionally, the head of the family had always handled such affairs.

As king, he was not only the ruler of Westeros but also the head of House Targaryen.

Establishing a separate council position to manage family matters seemed like an attempt to divide his authority.

---

"Father, our great-grandfather had twelve children in his lifetime. How many of them are still alive?"

Rhaegar countered.

Viserys was momentarily at a loss for words.

Jaehaerys had been a wise king, but the latter half of his life was fraught with hardship.

His chosen heirs, Aemon and Baelon, both died prematurely.

Several of his daughters passed away in childbirth or succumbed to illness.

A few disobedient sons and daughters were unruly and left Westeros entirely.

If not for the fact that all of those uncles and aunts were gone without exception, Viserys wouldn’t have had the chance to become king.

At that moment, Viserys fell into deep thought.

The Targaryen bloodline had never been particularly prosperous.

Aegon the Conqueror had no brothers, only two sisters.

He fathered two sons—one inherited the throne but died young.

The other rebelled, killed his nephew, and perished on the Iron Throne.

Three kings later, Jaehaerys I ascended and fathered twelve children.

But fate was cruel—not a single one of them survived.

By the time it came to Viserys’ generation, only his younger brother Daemon and their cousin Rhaenys remained.

Suddenly, Viserys shuddered as a disturbing thought crept into his mind.

"Will all six of my children survive to adulthood?"

A chill ran down his spine, and he instinctively sat up straight.

He swallowed nervously, his gaze fixed intently on his eldest son, then asked, "Rhaegar, your proposal is intriguing, but how would the new council position manage the dilution of our bloodline?"

"Simple. The Targaryens have a family record—every member is documented."

Rhaegar spoke plainly. "Female members who marry outside the family will have their children identified by surname to determine whether they possess the ability to hatch and tame dragons."

A child would either bear the Targaryen name or take their father’s surname.

Targaryens had dragons; those with their father’s surname did not.

"Westeros has always followed the father’s name," Corlys said, his expression darkening.

"Dragons come from Old Valyria," Rhaegar replied without hesitation. "I propose naming this new position 'Prince of the Dragonblood.' If a newborn bears the Targaryen name, they will be raised by the royal family and granted a dragon egg with the right to tame a dragon."

"Moreover, each noble house that marries into the Targaryens may have only one direct-born child retain the Targaryen name."

Two key rules.

First, it would expand the royal bloodline while ensuring the child's surname and upbringing firmly integrated them into House Targaryen.

Second, it would prevent allied houses from exploiting marriage ties to overwhelm the royal family with sheer numbers, thereby undermining its authority.

"Prince, your conditions are too harsh! By your logic, Laenor and Laena would have to change their surname to Targaryen!"

Corlys’ face was grim, barely containing his frustration.

This so-called "Prince of the Dragonblood" proposal was, first and foremost, a restriction on House Velaryon.

"Lord Corlys, you must understand one thing—dragons never belonged to House Velaryon."

Rhaegar refuted coldly. "Laena and Laenor's right to ride dragons was granted by my great-grandfather and father. I will not strip them of their names or their dragons."

"But with the establishment of the Prince of the Dragonblood position, House Targaryen must stand united. There will be no second dragonlord family!"

This was a direct restriction on House Velaryon.

Currently, the Targaryens had only three dragonriders—equal in number to the Velaryons.

Who, then, was the true dragonlord family?

"Prince, Laenor is not yet married. Would his future children be eligible to take the Targaryen name?"

Hearing that his own children were exempt, Corlys calmed down slightly but still sought to secure his family's future.

"They would not."

Rhaegar answered bluntly. "Laenor is the son of my aunt Rhaenys. Unless he marries another Targaryen, his children would be purely Velaryon."

This rule had to be set in stone.

To take the Targaryen name, one had to be a direct descendant of a Targaryen.

He had revised it over and over, pondering deeply, yet something still felt missing.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 155: A Game of Thrones

"A very meticulous rule, well-suited for the emergence of a new system."

After listening to his eldest son’s explanation, Viserys' eyes lit up, and he approved of the proposal.

Dragons had always been the foundation of House Targaryen’s power.

At no point in history had the royal family ever loosened its control over dragons.

Rhaegar’s idea of establishing the title of Dragon Prince and the new naming convention for newborns were both strategic policies that would benefit the present and secure the future.

With this in mind, Viserys turned to Rhaenys and asked with a smile, "Cousin, what do you think of this proposal?"

At his words, Corlys shifted his gaze toward his wife, his expression solemn.

He did not want her to agree to the proposal.

It would mean that after Laenor’s generation, House Velaryon would lose the right to claim dragon riders.

Rhaenys took her husband’s hand, her eyes unwavering, and declared in a firm voice, "I support this proposal!"

She was a Targaryen, and her family’s honor defined her life.

Anything that benefited her house, she had no reason not to support.

Even if it shattered her husband’s unrealistic ambitions.

"Rhaenys…"

Corlys' expression was conflicted, his hands trembling slightly.

"Corlys, I have turned a blind eye and a deaf ear for years—I don’t want to continue living in that dull silence."

Rhaenys tightened her grip on her husband’s hand.

As she spoke, even the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes seemed to relax.

"I respect your choice, but we have our own house and children to think about."

Corlys took a deep breath, urging his wife to consider their current situation carefully.

His words were not only meant for her but for everyone present.

If House Velaryon was expected to abide by the rules and make concessions, then they deserved proper compensation.

Rhaegar and Viserys exchanged a glance—there was no need for words.

Viserys patted his daughter's hand, which was gently massaging his shoulder, and then stood up, supporting himself on the table. With a bright smile, he said,

"Cousin, the position of Dragon Prince should be held by a mature and steady Targaryen. You are the best choice."

"This position will take away some of the king’s power—are you willing to let that happen?"

Rhaenys gave him a sideways glance, her tone cold.

She knew her cousin’s indecisive nature all too well.

"The importance of the Dragon Prince has been made clear by Rhaegar—the throne has lacked this role for too long."

Unbothered by her attitude, Viserys smiled and said, "You and I were born of fire—we should trust each other."

"You always have a silver tongue."

Rhaenys’ expression softened as she looked toward her husband.

Corlys pressed his lips together before giving a slight nod.

He was the one most affected by the establishment of the Dragon Prince, but he had to admit its necessity.

He wanted to object, but the decision was not his to make.

The threat of the Three Daughters' pirate fleet loomed, and Tidehead Island would be the first to face the danger.

If he flipped the table and stormed out now, he would be handing over his house’s foundation and their dragons to someone else, permanently excluding his family from the center of power.

Patience was a necessary virtue for any politician.

Seeing this, Rhaenys smiled and said, "Your Grace, I am willing to assume the position of Dragon Prince."

"Excellent. Lord Lyonel, you will arrange the official investiture. It must be completed within three days."

Viserys' smile grew more genuine as he entrusted the task to the Hand of the King.

Lyonel felt an instant headache—his workload was already overwhelming.

He absentmindedly touched the Hand of the King’s badge pinned to his chest and silently encouraged himself before responding smoothly, "It is my duty to serve you, Your Grace."

"Since I am now a member of the Small Council, may I speak freely?"

Rhaenys glanced around the room before raising the question.

"I always encourage my councilors to speak their minds."

Viserys leaned back comfortably in his chair.

"Then I will be direct."

Rhaenys lifted her chin and said, "Regarding the discussion on the number of dragons to be deployed, I volunteer to lead the vanguard."

"But according to Lord Corlys, you were meant to stay behind and defend Tidehead Island?"

As Master of Ships, Tyland studied the Sea Snake’s expression with hesitation.

Rhaenys replied calmly, "My daughter, Laena, is more than capable of holding Tidehead Island. She is not only a Velaryon—she is married to a Targaryen."

"I support this."

Rhaegar was the first to agree, smiling. "Laena wrote to me expressing how much she misses her homeland—I believe she will gladly accept this responsibility."

---

*"Your Majesty, what do you think?"*

Rhaenys asked directly.

"I trust Laenor's abilities, but his children are still very young."

Viserys hesitated slightly, glancing at Rhaenyra without drawing attention.

If he remembered correctly, the two children were to be raised under the royal family's care.

Rhaegar immediately followed up, "When war comes, my sister can go to Driftmark to take care of Laenor and the newborn."

"Rhaenyra is the foster mother of the two children—does that still hold?"

Rhaenys inquired without hesitation.

Rhaenyra understood the implication and smiled faintly. "Of course. When I go to Driftmark, I will bring two dragon eggs to place in their cradles."

"You will be a worthy mother."

Rhaenys nodded, her eyes filled with approval.

The title of Dragon Prince was a double-edged sword—if she accepted the position, House Velaryon’s descendants would lose their right to claim dragons.

This was the weight of royal authority.

Laenor and the two children were originally meant to serve as a bridge between the two houses, effectively becoming hostages.

By agreeing to join the war effort, Rhaenys was able to bring her daughter and grandchildren back to Driftmark while securing the dragon eggs Rhaenyra had promised.

This was the monarchy’s compensation.

In this exchange, House Targaryen ensured that both their bloodline and dragons remained under their control.

House Velaryon retained its existing dragons, while Rhaenys, as a member of the Small Council, gained the royal family's trust in place of her daughter.

This was the best possible outcome.

With the issue between the two great houses settled, the Small Council returned to discussing the Three Daughters War.

Viserys instructed, "Lord Tyland, as Master of Ships, you will oversee the war preparations."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Tyland's expression was solemn.

"I need a capable commander to lead the army and assist Lord Corlys in organizing the royal forces."

Viserys murmured, his gaze falling on Ser Criston, who stood among the guards.

Sensing the king’s scrutiny, Criston held his breath and straightened his posture.

Viserys smiled and asked, "Ser Criston, you have fought in wars before. Do you have the confidence to take on this responsibility?"

The honor of leading an army was within his grasp. Criston’s spirits lifted as he suppressed his excitement and responded firmly, "Without a doubt, Your Majesty!"

"Very well. I appoint you as commander of the royal forces to assist Lord Corlys."

Viserys smiled slightly, satisfied with Criston's decisiveness.

The kingdom had been at peace for too long, and capable military leaders were scarce.

He had to pick the tallest among the short ones—Criston, the brave and loyal Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.

Corlys glanced at the two men and shook his head with a faint smile.

A young man with no experience in leading an army—he did not take him seriously.

Tyland pondered for a moment and then voiced his concern. "Your Majesty, sending ravens for communication is too slow. The situation in the Vale and the Reach is complicated, and I fear it won’t be effective."

"What solution do you propose?"

The mere mention of the kingdom’s unrest gave Viserys a headache.

After a brief pause, Tyland suggested, "Lord Lyonel can handle affairs in the Riverlands, and sending ravens to Storm's End should be sufficient. The main issue lies with the Vale and the Reach."

The North was not ready to get involved yet—it was too far away to be relied upon.

---

(End of Chapter)