"Dragonzel loves us very much, I know that." Viserys looked at his stunned brother, pulled him to sit on the bed, and closed the door. "He's a truly good man, but his surname is Varezes."
Viserys, already fourteen, had been learning the art of governance from Ray for the past few years. Although Ray was lazy about managing affairs, he was actually much more ruthless than Dragonzel, though he hadn't had the chance to show it. Under Ray's influence, Viserys had learned a great deal.
The basis of Targaryen rule in Westeros is not complicated. First, and most importantly, the Targaryen family has dragons. Aegon the Conqueror, riding Balerion, burned Harrenhal and House Hoare to ashes. King Maegor made countless nobles, commoners, and septons wail in dragonflame. They showed the families who had ruled this land for thousands of years true, unmatched power. Even during the Dance of the Dragons, when dragons fell, the Targaryen family proved that, apart from young dragon hatchlings, dragons of a certain age, unchained, could only be killed by other dragons. However, the Varezes family also has dragons, and more of them, and stronger.
Daemon's death caused the Targaryen family to lose its strongest dragon knight. The head dragon of the Dragonpit in King's Landing has now become an unrestrained wild dragon. Although the Targaryen family still has Dreamfyre, Caraxes, Syrax, Sheepstealer, and Seasmoke, five adult dragons, they have no dragon knights.
Dragons without dragon knights can only serve as a deterrent, not as true "swords."
Secondly, the Targaryen family respects local ruling customs. Aegon the Conqueror did not change Westeros's old lord system. Until Jaehaerys's succession, among the six great Kingdoms outside the Crownlands, only the Tully family and Tyrell family, who had benefited from the Targaryen family, were relatively obedient to royal family commands. It was only after Jaehaerys ascended the Iron Throne, through frequent royal family tours and Small Council appointments, coupled with the widespread fear caused by King Maegor's reign of terror, that he slowly consolidated power and became a true "King."
King Viserys inherited the work of Jaehaerys I. He strived to maintain the royal family's authority. Although his foolishness led to the Dance of the Dragons, it is undeniable that during his reign, the Targaryen royal family's authority reached a new level based on the foundation laid by Jaehaerys. Lords, before swearing fealty to their liege, had to obey the Targaryen family's crown. Jacaerys made the common folk realize that the Targaryen family also cared about them, thus stabilizing the royal power that had been tottering due to the civil war.
Unfortunately, what the Targaryen family can do, the Varezes family can also do. While people remember Jacaerys, they will also remember Dragonzel by Jacaerys's side, and they will never forget Vermithor shooting down Vhagar, bringing an end to a war that would have lasted much longer, in just a few months.
Even if Dragonzel has no ambition for the Iron Throne—anyone can see how much he hates that Iron Throne—and his brothers follow his lead, what happens after Dragonzel dies? Yes, Rhaegor is stubborn, but what about his brothers? What about his children? Will any of them want to contend for this Iron Throne?
What should the Targaryen family do then? Paralyze themselves with "blood fusion"? Don't be ridiculous. The Targaryen family themselves fight to the death over this Iron Throne. Who can guarantee that the Varezes family, merely related by blood, won't suddenly attack?
Can Aegon's descendants solve this problem? Viserys has no confidence in that.
"Can you guarantee that your descendants can rule over Dragonzel's descendants, brother?"
Aegon looked at his brother strangely. He didn't understand why his brother was saying these things at this moment. It wasn't that he was unaware of these circumstances; in terms of understanding the Varezes family, he knew much more than his brother.
He knew very well what kind of person Dragonzel was, and Rhaegor's character, so he was very confident that at least while he was alive, the Varezes family would remain loyal subjects of the Targaryen, and he could also rule this Realm under Dragonzel's protection.
As for his children, they were also Samantha's children, with Varezes family blood flowing in their veins. At least while Rhaegor was alive, the Varezes family wouldn't go too far.
And what about after that?
Thinking of this, Aegon shook his head: "Of course I can't guarantee it." He looked at his brother with a half-smile: "Do you have a solution?"
"Dragons, brother, only dragons." Viserys said firmly: "The foundation of the Targaryen family's rule is dragons. We need more, stronger dragons, to counterbalance Dragonzel's descendants. Peace is also our opportunity."
The young man calmly analyzed: "And allies. Although mortal allies are insignificant before dragons, the more vassals loyal to us, the more beneficial it is for us, brother. This will be a very long process."
"I know." Aegon knew his brother meant well, but he was even more aware that the rise of the Varezes family was irreversible. Among the nine great "Kingdoms" of Westeros now, the North had greatly benefited from the Varezes family during this long winter. If not for Baela's righteous intervention, the Northern lords might have forgotten who their true King was. The Stormlands and the Reach were severely weakened, and the Riverlands were a scattered mess. Stronger lords, like Blackwood family, House Frey, had better relations with the Varezes family. The royal family could really try to win over the Tully family of the Riverlands, the Baratheon family and lords of the Stormlands, and the Martell family of Dorne. But none of them were a match for the Varezes family. "Unless someone among our descendants rides Vermithor," Aegon shook his head helplessly, "otherwise, you can only pray that Dragonzel's descendants view the Iron Throne as an enemy, just like him."
"Brother, you can't put all your hope on the shrewdness of future generations."
"I know, but it's too late now," Aegon smiled. "But this is also good. We don't interfere with Dragonzel's rule; politics are left to the Silver Dragon, while the Red Dragon only needs to sit high on the Iron Throne, safely handling the Realm's affairs. I think this model is not bad. If a foolish ruler or a tyrant like King Maegor appears among my descendants, there's also a safeguard, don't you think?"
Viserys rubbed his head, feeling a headache coming on.
He knew his brother wasn't giving up, but rather trusted that Dragonzel wouldn't covet power. In fact, he also believed this; Dragonzel would retire after helping Aegon stabilize his rule, and continue to govern his Borderland Principality.
But his brother's attitude indeed left him dissatisfied. If the future continued like this, with the King and heir of the Iron Throne marrying Varezes family women, and then the Varezes family head, or an important member, serving as King's Hand and ruling the Realm.
That would be a more serious problem than Otto.
But there really was no good solution right now.
Only dragons.
Viserys silently apologized to Igaras in his heart. Sorry, Igaras, I'm afraid you'll have to be separated from your beloved dragon, Sarafasas.
The Targaryen family needs more dragons.
The more, the better.
Only then will the future of the Targaryen family not be overshadowed by the wingspan of the Silver Dragon.
Sorry, Dragonzel, Valarr, Ray, and little Rhaegor. I know you are all very good to me and my brother, but I apologize, despite your care, I am a Targaryen, and I must be responsible for the future of the Targaryen family.
Viserys secretly made up his mind.
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