-80- Honesty

Golden light from the setting sun sprinkled down, casting a shimmering, elusive glow over the sea.

Free City of Pentos, the governor Illyrio's mansion.

In the mansion's ivy garden, Viserys Targaryen and Illyrio Mopatis, the governor of Pentos, sat facing each other.

Viserys Targaryen was tall and thin, with long silver hair and the violet eyes of the dragon family.

Viserys Targaryen was handsome, but his gaunt face betrayed an unmistakable weariness.

Illyrio Mopatis was obese, with greasy, yellow parted mustaches and a mouthful of uneven yellow teeth.

Viserys Targaryen's eyes flickered with barely restrained fury: "Governor Illyrio, my future Master of Coin, I am Viserys Targaryen III, the true heir of the Iron Throne, the King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm!"

Facing Viserys' near-roaring voice, Illyrio Mopatis replied calmly, "Your Majesty Viserys, no one doubts your rightful claim to the Iron Throne."

Illyrio's words calmed Viserys Targaryen considerably. "She is my future queen candidate, so do not attempt to awaken the wrath of the sleeping dragon."

Queen... Illyrio Mopatis's eyes trembled slightly: "She is too timid, but you need an army to reclaim the Iron Throne."

Initially, Illyrio Mopatis was struck by Daenerys Targaryen's beauty and even considered removing Viserys Targaryen to marry Daenerys Targaryen himself.

However, in later interactions, Illyrio Mopatis found Daenerys Targaryen too timid and fearful, always looking worried and anxious.

Illyrio Mopatis concluded that uniting with Daenerys Targaryen would be extremely dull and would bring no joy to his life.

Abandoning his secret plan, Illyrio Mopatis thought of another way Daenerys Targaryen could be valuable.

…

Viserys Targaryen's violet eyes flickered: "Are you sure? Can my sister bring me an army?"

Illyrio Mopatis replied, "Yes, the Princess's worth is enough to bring thousands of soldiers to reclaim the Iron Throne."

Viserys Targaryen couldn't suppress the joyous smile on his face: "Governor Illyrio, I will entrust this task to you."

After speaking, Viserys Targaryen couldn't help but add, "Under my reign, you will always be unique."

Illyrio Mopatis nodded in thanks, preparing to leave.

At this moment, Viserys Targaryen, with a voice full of resentment, suddenly said, "For the kingdom, I have lost a queen, but I can at least have her, right?"

Illyrio Mopatis's lips trembled.

He truly is the Mad King's son.

Viserys Targaryen was shallow and greedy, and Illyrio Mopatis realized that the first person he needed to guard against was this Mad King's son. Otherwise, no matter how meticulous the plan, it could be ruined by his unpredictable actions.

…

…

Red Keep, thick black clouds pressed against the sky.

Varys finished reading the newly delivered note and threw it into the brazier.

Varys stared at the brazier, waiting for the note to burn to ashes before turning to leave.

Near noon, a servant reported to Varys that Lord Petyr Baelish, the Master of Coin, was here to visit.

Varys paused and looked out the window.

It had been pouring rain since the morning, and the weather outside was very unfriendly.

…

The heavy rain couldn't diminish Petyr's elegance; his dark gray robe was perfectly neat.

Petyr Baelish smiled, his raspy voice full of charm: "Good day, Lord Varys. Sorry for the intrusion."

Varys clasped his hands together, nodded, and smiled broadly: "Good day, Lord Baelish. It is an honor and a pleasure to welcome someone entrusted with the kingdom's affairs!"

Varys's words were sweet, but Petyr felt a sense of discomfort, instinctively raising his guard.

Petyr kept his face composed, his smile restrained and elegant. "Lord Varys, it's not a major issue, but the Hand of the King is concerned, so I had to come despite the rain."

Varys invited Petyr to sit down, asking seriously, "Lord Baelish, what instructions does Lord Arryn bring?"

Petyr leaned back casually in his chair, crossing his legs, his smile tinged with a hint of helplessness. "It's nothing major, you're making me nervous."

Varys nodded in apology. "Lord Baelish, that wasn't my intention. I simply believe that the Hand's matters are all significant."

Maintaining his smile, Petyr's mouth twitched slightly at Varys's response.

Petyr shrugged and said, "It's about the Queen's chief officer. Lord Arryn and him have an agreement for one month, and now there are only a few days left until the deadline…"

Petyr spread his hands and continued, "Perhaps the incident in the study's hidden compartment left a deep impression on Lord Arryn. He just asked about his whereabouts. My information was limited, so I had to trouble you, Lord Varys, the Master of Whisperers."

Varys nodded, pausing for a moment before saying, "Lord Gallen should still be at Highgarden."

Petyr's eyes moved slightly. "Is he there for the Queen's affairs? I wonder if he can make it back on time…"

Varys maintained a faint smile. "Lord Gallen is currently trusted by Queen Cersei. He went to the Reach to purchase grain."

"Purchasing grain?"

"He is the Queen's favored courtier now. Lord Gallen went to Highgarden in the name of the Queen. Everyone knows the Golden Rose likes to curry favor with the royal family."

Petyr couldn't help but smile broadly. "Thank you for your honesty, Lord Varys."

Petyr restrained his smile a bit and asked, "Purchasing grain isn't a major issue. According to the schedule, if all goes well, he should be in the King's Landing by now."

Varys nodded, "As wise as you are, it seems you have already guessed that Lord Gallen did not go smoothly."

Petyr's smile remained reserved. "After all, the Golden Rose is noble. Lord Gallen is not the Queen herself and I imagine the young lord isn't easily dismissed."

Varys paused slightly, then smiled and shook his head. "Lord Baelish, you have sharp eyes."

Varys's tone was as if chatting with an old friend. "Lord Gallen set up a swordsmanship ring near Highgarden. According to my latest information, he has already defeated hundreds of the Reach's finest swordsmen, and now the entire Reach is stirred."

Though Petyr's smile was restrained, he felt a sense of schadenfreude. This is very Gallen.