Chapter 35: Don't Let Wealth Fall into the Hands of Strangers

After a while, Leonor stopped worrying about the issue of the heir and expressed her submission.

She saw how the king's actions would sow problems for the future of the realm.

As Prime Minister, she had to find a way to resolve this ambiguity.

She had already thought of countermeasures for the heir countless times.

This was no problem for her.

Leonor said, "When it comes to choosing the princess's marriage, I have a well-thought-out candidate."

"Who? I remember you said last time it was Lanino Velaryon, the son of the sea serpent Corliss."

As long as it's not after notifying the heir, Viserys remained talkative and had a smile on his face.

"Sir Lanino is indeed a good candidate for marriage, but that was a proposal half a year ago."

Leonor didn't want to boast and said straightforwardly, "Your Majesty, I believe that from various perspectives of the realm, the princess is suitable to follow the Targaryen line. The family tradition."

"Baelon?"

Viserys's smile froze, and he asked hesitantly, "He's only 6 years old, and Rhaenyra is already 14. By the time both parties reach marriageable age, Rhaenyra will almost become a spinster."

Leonor said confidently, "This is not a problem. In fact, they are only 8 years apart. They can marry in ten years at most."

"Before that, you can betroth them first to dispel the greed of outsiders for the princess."

A straightforward statement of true knowledge and insight shows Leonor Strong's wisdom and loyalty to the realm.

Needless to say, these words made Viserys's heart skip a beat.

In the six months since Baelon recovered his health, although he had not expressed his position, Viserys had been considering it over and over in his mind.

He didn't want to repudiate Rhaenyra as the heir for the sake of his eldest son.

That would make his daughter resentful of him.

He was in debt to Rhaenyra and felt guilty for the daughter who lost her mother at such a young age.

At the same time, he knew that Baelon was a more suitable heir than Rhaenyra.

In private, some ministers also hinted that they would change the heir, but he ignored them.

For this reason, he ordered Baelon to be punished, and he was not allowed to enter or leave the Red Keep freely, and only heard a few words about the heir's qualifications.

He's fooling himself.

Perhaps, as long as Baelon didn't hear this information, he wouldn't be dissatisfied with losing his qualification as heir.

The guilt in his heart towards these two children could also be reduced a little.

But he knew that fire could not be contained on paper.

He couldn't forever restrict Baelon's freedom and cover his ears.

That's why he was even more worried about Rhaenyra's marriage.

As long as Rhaenyra finds a powerful partner and family, she can secure the Iron Throne in the future.

At that time, even if other brothers and sisters have different intentions, they won't have the resources to compete.

Leonor gave him a good suggestion and asked him to explore another idea.

Encouraging Rhaenyra to follow her family's traditions can dispel the ambitions of the ambitious to spy on real power.

It can also unite the two as one, so they don't have to worry about the heir.

Faced with this idea in his heart, Viserys said calmly, "If we let them marry, I'm afraid there will be some conflict between the two parties?"

"No matter, the Targaryen family has always had this custom. This has been the case since the ancient Valyrian period and continues to this day."

Leonor saw through the king's small thoughts at a glance and promised, "Your Highness is still young and does not understand this aspect of things. The princess, everything will be fine."

After getting the response she wanted, Weisei Reese smiled, "Leonor, you really are my right hand."

"Sometimes I wonder what I would do without you."

Leonor stroked his twisted neck and said solemnly, "As Hand of the King, I dare not attribute the credit for my services to you."

"I will adopt your suggestion and discuss it with Rhaenyra later."

Viserys was accustomed to the humility of the Prime Minister and encouraged her with approval.

Compared to Leonor Strong's dedication to public service.

Former Prime Minister Otto Hightower pales in comparison.

Look at Hightower's transgressions.

He married off his daughter to help him cling to real power, courted ministers privately to support his grandson Aegon...

and even tried to persuade him to change the heir several times.

Otherwise, Viserys wouldn't have been dismissed from his position and sent back to the Oldtown to recover given his character of not easily offending others.

Dong Dong Dong...

Just as the monarch and his ministers were reaching an agreement and enjoying the wine, a quick knock was heard on the door.

Viserys frowned and said disgustedly, "What's the matter? The Prime Minister and I are discussing national affairs."

The voice of Captain Harold of the Kingsguard came from outside the door.

"Your Majesty, Prince Baelon has just returned from the dragon's lair. His attendants said he was gravely injured!"

"Baelon was injured. What happened?"

Upon learning that his eldest son was injured, Viserys couldn't stay still and hurriedly got up and opened the door.

Hadro looked solemn, "I heard from the attendant that Prince Baelon suffered burns. Did he fail in his attempt to train the dragon?"

"The person in charge of the dragon's lair damn well, how dare they let Baelon train the dragon in private?!"

Viserys was angry. Cursing aloud.

Leonor persuaded from the side, "Your Majesty, now is not the time to judge who is right and who is not. Let's first take a look at the prince's wound." He was

injured by the dragon's flame and was lucky to be. able to save his life.

Any small mistake can cause a catastrophe.

The young prince is of great importance to the realm and is an important population resource for the Targaryen family.

You must not die young at this time.

Viserys also reacted and said in panic, "Yes, take me to see Baelon and ask the Grand Maester to attend to me immediately!"

As he said this, Viserys rushed out of his feet uncontrollably.

"Your Majesty, the prince's bedroom is downstairs. I'll take you there."

Harold prevented Viserys from panicking and accompanied him downstairs.

The group soon arrived at Baelon's room.

Standing in the hallway, Baelon's door was open, and Viserys saw Baelon lying unconscious on the bed, with obvious burns on his back.

For a brief moment, Viserys's eyes widened, and he realized what it meant to have a broken heart.

"Baelon!"

In a low voice, Viserys quickly walked to the bed and looked at his eldest son with

 sadness.

Grand Maester Melos on the side was unwrapping the bandage and reminded, "Your Majesty, it's better not to disturb the prince's rest, he is gravely injured."

Viserys turned his head to look at him and asked urgently, "How is Baelon's condition?"

Melos shook his head and said quietly, "The situation is not optimistic. The large burns on the body's surface are still caused by the dragon's flames. Recovery will be very difficult."

"Just ask for any medicine you need, and we must heal Baelon."

Viserys thought he would go crazy if his eldest son was killed by the dragon's fire due to the bad care and never before had died of an illness.

He couldn't imagine how he would explain it to Rhaenyra.

How to explain it to my late wife, Emma Ayling.

"There is no need for strange medicines. Someone has treated the prince's wounds in time with very clever methods."

Melos wrapped the bandage around Baelon's body to prevent the loss of body moisture and wound infection.

Some movements awakened the sleeping Baelon.

Before opening his eyes, he heard Viserys's sad plea, "Grand Maester, please do everything you can to save me. I can't lose more of my relatives."