Chapter 144: Hull
"Rhaegar, do you truly intend to grant me such authority?" Rhaenys asked, her eyes crinkling in disbelief as she looked at her nephew.
She wasn't after power for herself; she just wanted to change her husband's mind and ease the tensions between the Targaryens and Velaryons. She never expected such an opportunity to present itself this way.
"You are a princess of the royal family, in line with the wishes of our great-grandfather Jaehaerys, and I trust you," Rhaegar affirmed, without the slightest hesitation.
Though people remained skeptical, Rhaegar wouldn't completely entrust the Velaryon household to Rhaenys. It was precisely her dual identity, both Targaryen and Velaryon, that allowed her to bridge the gap and achieve peace without bloodshed.
With this reassurance, Rhaenys looked down at her husband's pained expression and made up her mind.
Raising her head again, she met Rhaegar's gaze and said, "I accept your proposal. There are only three families of old Valyrian descent left, and unity is our only way to preserve our power."
"You've made the right choice, Aunt," Rhaegar said, his voice clear as he clapped his hands.
"Roar..."
The dragon finally stopped its flame, let out a final roar, and lifted its wings, soaring into the sky. The old dragon might come back to Driftmark at any moment, so it had to remain vigilant.
As the dragonfire died down, the temperature gradually dropped, and the air began to circulate again. The Sea Snake gasped for air, his pupils slowly regaining their focus. Moments ago, he felt as if he had seen the Stranger.
He felt this feeling before, many years ago. It was something that happened to him when he was young. He was on a ship that was caught in a storm and all the people on it were swept away by the waves.
Rhaenys, her eyes firm, stroked her husband's cheek and advised, "Corlys, we should united with the royal family."
She had been married for many years and didn't want to see her husband go astray.
"Fine, I'll listen to you on all counts," the Sea Snake agreed, breathing heavily. He recognized the stark difference between how Viserys and his son handled matters. He decided to abandon his original intentions and reconsider his house's future.
"It's good that you've realized this. We missed our chance; we should learn to let go," Rhaenys said, referring to the failed bid for the 101st Grand Council succession.
The Sea Snake had always been haunted by this, believing that if his wife were elected successor, the Velaryon House could ascend in status. This lingering sense of inadequacy was a significant reason for his estrangement from the royal family.
Laenor and Laena approached their parents, sensing the somber mood.
Rhaenyra walked over to Rhaegar, while Aegon, gritting his teeth, stood behind him.
A circle of guards with torches surrounded the two families, each taking their side.
"The danger's over, and so is the feast," Laena said, forcing a smile at the three Targaryen siblings.
"Go back and rest. It's late," the Sea Snake said, his legs sore and weak, trying his best to maintain a dignified image as he invited the Targaryen siblings to return to the castle.
Things had come to a head, and it was impossible for the Velaryon House to rebel against the kingdom at the risk of mutual destruction. The Sea Snake had traveled the world and cultivated broad-mindedness along the way. He wouldn't lose his composure over one setback.
"Thank you, Lord Corlys. You and your family are indispensable friends of the royal family," Rhaegar nodded respectfully, and the matter was concluded.
...
Three days later.
Driftmark was buzzing with activity as guests from all over the realm arrived, filling the harbor with ships to celebrate Rhaenys's name day. The celebration was a huge success, exceeding everyone's expectations.
As the host, the Sea Snake, along with his eldest son, Laenor, welcomed and entertained the castle's guests.
Two days earlier, Laenor had returned to King's Landing, bringing along the bound Daemon. Laena volunteered to accompany them, taking her two children to King's Landing as well.
Vhagar had not yet returned, though some fishermen reported sightings of it at sea.
Snake didn't object to Laena's decision. He decided to go along with the idea of reintegrating under royal rule, and he trusted that Viserys would not trouble his daughter.
After the celebrations, he planned to take his family to King's Landing to discuss matters concerning the Three Daughters and his wife's new responsibilities. As a seasoned politician, he was determined to reclaim what the Velaryons had lost and solidify their standing with the crown.
...
Hull Town
A grand theater bustled with activity. To celebrate the Queen Who Never Was name day, numerous theater actors and circus troupes flocked to Driftmark, eager to profit from the festivities.
Rhaegar was sitting on the second floor, watching the show. The play was about the 101st Council's succession crisis, which is a story that's been told many times before.
As expected, the actress playing Rhaenys was quickly overpowered by the actor playing Viserys, which symbolized her failed bid for succession.
"Boring show. Why doesn't the kingdom ban these plays that mock the royal family?" Rhaegar remarked, popping one red grape after another into his mouth. He glanced curiously at the seat beside him.
"A bunch of clowns, that's all," Rhaenys replied, draped in a black robe, her legs crossed as she watched the performance calmly. She showed no sign of annoyance, even critiquing the actresses for their appearance, saying they damaged her image.
"Auntie, it's your name day. Are you sure you don't want to go back to the castle?" Rhaegar asked casually.
Rhaenys shook her head. "I've already shown my face. I don't want to entertain those female guests; it's too annoying."
"So, are we just going to watch this poor performance?" Rhaegar speculated about why Rhaenys had brought him here.
"Why not?" Rhaenys retorted. "This is the kingdom's prejudice against women. I'm sure Rhaenyra has seen quite a few similar plays."
"There are very few theater troupes in King's Landing," Rhaegar remarked, seemingly irrelevant.
When he was elected heir, King's Landing was filled with plays about the Sleeping Dragon bringing down the Realm's Delight.
The performances were cut short that night, with the actors' tongues removed. Nobody knew who was behind it, but it effectively put an end to the theaters.
Rhaenys, recalling rumors she'd heard, asked, "Are you going to take back Laenor and Laena's dragons?"
Rhaegar shook his head. "Once a dragon recognizes its master, it won't accept another. Back in old Valyria, the forty Dragonlord families maintained their glory through a parliamentary system.
Here in Westeros, the Targaryens are the only Dragonlord family. I've decided to form an Order of Dragon Knights to bring dragon riders outside the Targaryen family under the Crown's jurisdiction."
"Is that why you chose to put me in charge?" Rhaenys asked, not surprised but a little impressed.
"Targaryen rule comes from dragons, and only dragons can destroy dragons," Rhaegar quoted their great-grandfather Jaehaerys.
"I will caution Corlys to abandon his illusions," Rhaenys sighed, leaning back in her chair and closing her eyes.
Seeing that his aunt had lost the will to talk, Rhaegar stood, grabbed a handful of dates, and left. The celebrations were over, but a crucial negotiation in King's Landing awaited.
The Three Daughters' Kingdom loomed in the shadows, ready to strike at any moment. The kingdom's instability prevented it from focusing on external threats.
(Word count: 1,255)