Red Keep, Maegor's Holdfast.
Viserys followed Aegon. Although today's Grand Council had concluded satisfactorily in a conventional manner, Viserys still felt it necessary to discuss the issues that had emerged during the council with his brother.
He didn't believe Aegon couldn't see it; the gazes of the nobles who swore fealty in the Throne Room were not so much on Aegon on the Iron Throne as they were on Dragonzel, who stood by the jagged sword-spikes of the Iron Throne, hand on his sword.
At least in Viserys's eyes, Dragonzel, clad in purple and wearing a bronze crown, looked more like a King than Aegon at the Grand Council.
"Viserys, I know what you want to tell me." Aegon couldn't help but shake his head when he saw his younger brother approaching. The moment he sat on that particularly uncomfortable Iron Throne, he realized his brother would surely seek him out after the Grand Council to discuss the issue of kingship again.
He felt his brother's concerns were well-founded, but also an overreaction. Not to mention, with the current ruling model of the Realm, the Varezes family, as a Great Noble ruling a vast territory, was far more comfortable than sitting on that dangerous Iron Throne as King. As for Dragonzel's own attitude towards the Iron Throne, Aegon believed that even if he harbored ambitions for kingship, he would not achieve them through usurpation.
Since there was no risk of a change in dynasty, then as "family," what was wrong with letting the Varezes family wield some power? In any case, Dragonzel would only serve as Prime Minister for five years. After five years, Aegon could simply continue along the path of governance Dragonzel had laid out for him. At the same time, he could cultivate his own influence along this path.
"Your Majesty…"
"Say no more." Aegon shook his head. "I understand perfectly. We have followed Dragonzel for so many years, and we watched Rhaegor born and grow up. You and I know what kind of people they are better than anyone else, Viserys. Do you truly believe they would change the dynasty?"
Viserys sighed inwardly. He knew his brother would say that. Indeed, neither Dragonzel nor Rhaegor disdained a change of dynasty, but what about their descendants? The Varezes family had now completely surpassed the Targaryen family. The other Great Nobles were not blind; they knew how to maximize their own interests.
The chaos of a dynastic change was also a ladder for ascension.
Could the descendants of the Targaryen family truly suppress the descendants of the Varezes family?
Viserys dared not say yes.
"Moreover, Dragonzel also allows our children to directly go to Dragon Nest City to tame Vermax at an appropriate age, rather than keeping it for himself," Aegon continued. "This also proves that he is still willing to support the royal family's rule."
The issue of Vermax was actually a very serious one. As the King's dragon, it was unwilling to return to King's Landing with the main force. Even though Stormcloud roared by its nest for a long time, it still couldn't persuade Vermax. They could only leave Vermax in Dragon Nest City.
So the ownership of Vermax became a big problem. Was it a Varezes family dragon, or a Targaryen dragon? Although the number of Varezes family dragons far exceeded the number of family members, what about in the future? Diana had already proven her prolificacy; even after giving birth to three healthy and safe children, she remained healthy and her figure had not overly changed. In the foreseeable future, the women of the Varezes family would continue to bear descendants.
They also needed dragons.
In such a situation where the future was clearly visible, Dragonzel was still willing to allow the Targaryen family to reclaim Vermax. In Aegon's view, this was enough to prove that at least during the period when Dragonzel and Rhaegor managed the Varezes family, the situation Viserys feared would not occur.
"So, there's no need to discuss this matter further." Aegon smiled, "There are many other Realm affairs awaiting us. The renovation of King's Landing must continue, the Royal Fleet still needs to be rebuilt, and according to the plan, we also need to establish a Royal Cavalry belonging to the White Sword Tower. Viserys, these are the more important matters now."
Viserys looked at his smiling brother and could only nod helplessly. He watched his brother walk cheerfully towards the King's bedchamber, leaving the prince alone by the long corridor, quietly observing the passing servants and nobles. Viserys could feel their respect for him, but he also sensed that their respect was essentially for the power held by the Targaryen family; if they were facing Dragonzel or Rhaegor, they would show the same respect.
Not for kingship.
Viserys closed his eyes and began to ponder how to break the stalemate.
It was now utterly impossible to restrain the Varezes family, unless they were willing to internally enfeoff and thus internally split. But clearly, they hadn't done so. The core members of the Varezes family mostly resided in Dragon Nest City. They all had nominal "fiefs," for instance, Valarr's title was actually "Governor of Silver Crown City," and a portion of the taxes from Silver Crown City and its surrounding territories constituted his annuity. Ray's title was "Governor of Summerhall," and a portion of Summerhall's city taxes would also be paid to Ray as an annuity.
This political model, which traditional Westeros nobles could not possibly accept, functioned smoothly due to Dragonzel's absolute authority within the Varezes family. Furthermore, unlike the Targaryen family, which had scant lands directly under royal control, the Varezes family possessed vast direct fiefdoms. These fiefdoms were either inhabited by nomadic Dothraki or housed Silver Blood Army manors where young male adults served long terms elsewhere. The Varezes family could at any time build towns on these lands and collect taxes—or even without building new towns, directly disburse annuities from Dragon Nest City's treasury—to support future collateral descendants.
Internal division was unlikely, at least while Dragonzel and Rhaegor were alive, and as for external threats...
By the Seven Hells, where could there possibly be any external force capable of threatening the Varezes family now?
The Reach and the Stormlands had both had large swathes of land carved away. It was true that the Tyrell family had escaped the threat of House Hightower, but there were still House Rowan and House Florent, who had gained significantly from House Hightower's losses during the Dance of the Dragons. House Rowan, in particular, with its illustrious military achievements during the war, had now clearly replaced House Hightower's former position in the Reach. However, for some unknown reason, Earl Thaddeus Rowan got along very well with the Tyrell family, which made it hard not to consider other implications.
As for the Stormlands, having lost more than half of the Borderlands, the Stormlands had effectively lost their source of the most valiant warriors. The Baratheon family also suffered heavy losses in the Dance of the Dragons; even if they had the inclination to cause trouble, they lacked the capability, especially with Kalasa of Ago hovering on the border.
Only the seven gods knew what they truly intended.
As for the two Princes of Dorne?
The Martell family's backbone had been broken. Their current obsession was for Princess Alysanne to quickly bear Joffrey Velaryon an heir with dragon blood.
Viserys felt he needed to write a letter to his third brother, warning him to be wary of the Dornish attempting to tame dragons.
The Dayne family's ambitious but ineffective prince had suddenly died, and the replacement, Quinlan, was entirely subservient to his revered sister, Obaya Sand, who, in turn, never hid her close ties to the Varezes family.
Seven gods above, does this mean we can only rely on ourselves first?
Viserys thought a great deal, ultimately realizing that the key to breaking the deadlock might lie with himself.
Samantha was still young and would need several more years to bear an heir for his brother.
But his own wife, Lara...
Viserys let out a long sigh. To restore the Targaryen family's power, a thriving population was essential. What the Targaryen family lacked most now were dragon knights.
That truly meant they had to rely on themselves.
Viserys made up his mind, turned, and walked towards his and Lara's bedroom.
Apologies everyone, I've been staying up too late during these past few days of the National Day holiday, which caused some discomfort when I updated yesterday. I had to rest first, and I slept for almost an entire day today. However, I can guarantee at least two updates daily, and the updates I owe from these days will be made up on the upcoming weekend. Everyone, please also take care of your health and don't stay up too late.
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