Game of Thrones: I became a crown prince for a day.

Chapter 522: Backstab by Helena
The next day.

The tower, the hall of silence.

The dragon stone walls were covered with murals of various gods, making the hall dim and dark.

More than a dozen towering stone pillars run through the upper and lower floors, and their surfaces are hollowed out to hold books and utensils.

In the center of the hall, there is an arc-shaped altar.

Helena sat sideways in front of the altar where candlelight flickered, her long light blue silk dress covering her calves, and she sang an old Valyrian nursery rhyme softly.

This was the peaceful scene Rhaegar saw when he walked into the hall.

Listening carefully to the ballad, the voice is soft and delicate, full of relaxing tenderness.

"A Valyrian Winter, a ballad in praise of winter."

A bald monk in a red robe walked out from the side and spoke in a greasy voice.

Rhaegar looked straight ahead and said calmly, "The origin of the ballad is that of a herdsman from old Valyria whose wife gave birth in winter."

The red-robed monk smiled sweetly, and the tattoos all over his face seemed to come alive. He asked curiously, "What was the result?"

"It was born."

Rega's eyes flashed with memories, and he said naturally: "The heavy snow did not prevent babies from being born, nor did it prevent women from giving birth. Even the sheep in the sheepfold did not freeze to death."

"The ending of the story is just like this hymn to the warm winter."

Otherwise, it would not be called a warm winter.

“It’s such a heart-warming ballad.”

The red-robed monk smiled slightly and added, "It is indeed a nursery rhyme that was once famous in ancient Valyria. It is very suitable for mothers to soothe their children to sleep."

When Rhaegar heard this, he glanced sideways and saw Helena, who had her back to him, turned her head, with a look of confusion on her palm-sized face.

Helena blinked and continued humming the unfinished nursery rhyme.

Rhaegar was perceptive enough not to interrupt and talked to the red monk: "Varys, what's the latest news from Slaver's Bay?"

A new dragon king emerges, challenging the Targaryen's authority.

Slaver Bay will pay a price.

Varys understood everything, put his hands in his sleeves and rummaged around, saying humbly, "Dear Majesty, the false Dragon King claimed the legitimacy of the Freehold."

There was a hint of regret in his voice as he handed over a note.

The corners of his mouth curved up as he added, "The high priest said that Slave Bay recruited wizards from Asshai in the name of the false Dragon King, and married concubines to spread the dragon seed."

Rhaegar took the note and glanced at him: "You seem happy?"

"Nothing is hidden from your eyes."

Varys smiled shyly and said lightly: "You know me well. All precious books and magic-related things are like my lifeblood."

When it comes to witchcraft, he is very confident that he is no less skilled than others.

The greasy voice was unpleasant to Rhaegar. "Did you lose your life?"

Why should an uncastrated monk pretend to be disabled?

If it weren't for his extraordinary skills, he would have been dragged out and fed to the dragon as an appetizer.

Varys showed a bit of grievance and muttered softly: "Your Majesty, you are thinking of something impolite again."

"If you keep using that tone, your thoughts will become reality."

Rhaegar glanced sideways and clenched his fingers holding the note in vain.

Wallis immediately shut up and retreated in embarrassment.

There's nothing wrong with working for the royal family.

Not only is it safe, but it can also collect precious books much faster than one person.

Seeing this, Rega opened the note and took a look.

There is no important news, just some trivial things in life.

The new Dragon King took a wife and concubines, and his sisters married kind-hearted people. The family tried their best to expand.

Don't say it.

After seeing the above content, Rehgar half-believed the new Dragon King's claim that he was a descendant of the Fitznik family.

The method of having children successfully is the characteristic of the Fiznick family.

"Haha, a bunch of scoundrels."

Rhaegar smiled sarcastically, and his gaze stayed on the wizard from Asshai for a few seconds.

"Yasha..."

Rhaegar raised his eyebrows slightly and murmured.

The remains of a strange and absurd world, it is said that the place is full of magic researchers such as shadow binders and alchemists.

During one of the nine voyages of the sea serpent Corliss, he once reached Asshai.

I heard from the other party that the customs there are very dangerous.

If possible, I would rather go to the Arctic Glacier again than touch the cursed land of Yashai.

puff--

A ball of fire appeared and the note burned in his hand.

Rhaegar narrowed his eyes and muttered to himself, "The tide of magic is becoming more and more turbulent, and all kinds of monsters and demons are beginning to emerge."

Especially on the way back to the disputed land from the Sea of ​​Smoke, the magic tide fluctuated once.

It must foreshadow something.

creak-

The hall door opened with a harsh sound.

Joanna approached with her black hair hanging down and her figure swaying.

Rhaegar glanced at her.

Joanna bowed and reported, "There's news from Tyrosh that Daemon is going to send out invitations to attend his wedding with Lady Xiaomei."

"He really can't wait."

Rhaegar smiled and asked, "What is the attitude of the sea snake and Lanar?"

Johanna answered truthfully, "The news from Tidehead Island has not yet been reported back. Lady Lanner has locked herself in her room, not eating, sleeping, or talking to anyone."

After thinking for a while, he mentioned: "It was Miss Benila who broke into the dragon's lair and wanted to ride Moon Dance, but was stopped by the dragon guards."

"As expected."

Rhaegar nodded, which was pretty much what he expected.

Speaking of which, Benilla's personality is indeed like her father's. She is fearless and has a lot of energy.

Bolder than his three sons combined.

"It's a pity that Rhaenyra didn't give me a child with the title of "Brave"."

Rhaegar thought unsatisfiedly.

His grandfather was known as "Brave Baeron".

The eldest son continued to use the name Belron, but he was very introverted, and his words and actions were steady and solemn.

The second son and the youngest son...

One is a naughty boy, the other is a stuffy guy.

Each of his three sons inherited part of his personality, but none of them was exactly like him.

After getting the information he wanted, Rhaegar waved his hand and signaled Joanna to leave.

Varys didn't leave.

When the flat-top tower was first built, the Hall of Silence was his activity area.

"Brother, are you leaving?"

The nursery rhyme came to an abrupt end, and Helena stood up reluctantly, her big eyes full of confusion.

"I came to say goodbye to you."

Rhaegar smiled and asked, "Why are you here?"

The little girl is introverted and rarely sings alone.

Helena shook her head, folded her hands in front of her belly, and said casually, "I came as I thought."

Being alone can help you find inner peace.

Otherwise, the images in your head will always affect your mind.

Rhaegar understood.

Special talents bring special flaws.

When he was a child, he was also haunted by nightmares.

After adulthood, dreams become less frequent, with only key predictive dreams occurring.

Helena tilted her head, her long curly hair falling across her chest, and said, "This trip will go smoothly. I am relieved."

"of course."

Rhaegar chuckled.

Helena's eyes flashed cunningly, and she said with a stern face: "Keep an eye on Emond, he is doing bad things."

"Eamond?"

Rhaegar hesitated. This kid couldn't do anything bad if he wasn't in the Stormlands.

You can't plan to break off the engagement?
"Anyway, keep him under control."

Helena acted like an older sister and went to complain to the parents.

Rega didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and agreed: "Okay, I'll beat him up when we meet."

I haven't replied to his messages for more than half a month. I really deserve a fight.

I'm afraid he's been hanging out outside.

……

At noon, the sun was high in the sky.

A pitch-black dragon as big as a mountain took off into the sky, flapped its wings that covered the sun, and slowly flew out of the sky above Rees.

The civilians looked up and quickened their pace to leave.

Even after so many years, Deathwing's notoriety remains terrifying.

……

at the same time,

Chaotou Island, Gaochao City.

An ugly mud dragon with pits all over its body flew over the tide and landed directly in front of the castle.

As soon as the sheep thief landed on the ground, the thick and long dragon tail swung.

With a crisp click, the gallows on which the mummy was hung broke.

The dragon's wings supported the ground, and the small claws hooked into place.

The crows that were eating the flesh screamed and flew around, crushing the mummy into a pool of debris.

"Behave yourself, sheep thief!"

Aemond gave a symbolic rebuke and jumped off the dragon's back.

"Hiss!"

The sheep thief let out a shrill cry and staggered towards the corner of the yard, ignoring the driver.

Who told it to do that?
A one-eyed boy who says one thing and thinks another.

Imond had a blank expression on his face, having long been accustomed to this mud dragon with a unique personality.

Under the watchful eyes of the guards who had arrived, he walked into the castle with the gait of a dragon or a tiger.

……

Jiubi Hall,
Shaking off the servants who were leading the way, Aemond came here with a clear purpose.

Rhaenys heard the dragon's roar and was already waiting in the hall.

Rhaenys was very surprised to see her nephew coming, but she still welcomed him: "Aemond, are you here alone?"

Over the years, the Targaryens and Velaryons reconciled.

She often meets her nephews and nieces.

Rhaegar became king and still respected her.

Little Daeron is the fiancé of his granddaughter Rhaena, and works as a wine waiter in Climax City.

Aegon was unruly in appearance and foolish but wise in heart.

Imond is also very good, even exceptionally good.

As the second son of his cousin, he studied poetry and history diligently, honing his ruthless swordsmanship.

Not only does he handle affairs in King's Landing, but he also has to inspect the situation in the Stormlands and the Dorne border all year round.

It can be regarded as a living signboard belonging to the second son, and enjoys a good reputation in the seven countries.

Aemond did not answer his aunt's question, but asked: "Are Lord Corliss and Daeron not here?"

As he spoke, his one-eye gazed around, as if looking for the two of them.

"Dylan is delivering orders for Collis. You may have to wait to see him."

Rhaenys frowned and asked again, "Did Rhaegar send you? What are your instructions?"

"No!"

After confirming that no one was there, Aemond denied it calmly and said, "I came here for myself, and..."

As Rhaenys watched, he walked up the steps to the driftwood throne.

His palm rested on the cold water-sunken wood, his single eye dim and uncertain, and he said cautiously: "Some important things that help people improve."

Rhaenys frowned even deeper, and wanted to scold her nephew for his rude behavior of touching the driftwood throne.

Suddenly, a deep voice came one step faster.

"Tell me about it. I'm a little curious."

Rhaenys and Aemond turned their heads at the same time and looked towards the side door of the hall.

The sea snake's dark face was full of interest. It freed itself from the crutches with its injured body and walked forward with firm steps.

Aemond blinked and smiled wickedly: "I guess you will listen to advice."

Without further ado, Collis walked up the steps and sat down on the driftwood throne, swearing his sovereignty as the master of this place.

Aemond came down the steps and sat down in a chair.

Renis ignored the open and covert fighting between the two men and said helplessly: "Corliss, the maester said you should pay attention to rest."

Your wound isn't healed yet and you're meddling in other people's affairs again.

The sea snake waved his hands, not caring: "I know my own body, the maester is just exaggerating."

A mature old sailor has his own way of making judgments.

Rhaenys couldn't help but care about the other person.

"Lord Corliss, what do you think of this Smoke Sea War?"

Aemond spoke at the right time and steered the conversation towards the war.

The sea snake said sternly, "There is a dragon in the sea of ​​smoke. War is inevitable. We just need to calculate the price to be paid."

"Volantis is the front line of the war, and my brother will definitely not let it go."

Emond stared at him, his lips curled up slightly: "After we conquer that piece of land, how should we distribute it?"

The sea snake's expression changed slightly, and he continued, "Of course it will be allocated by the king, and perhaps it will be included in the direct jurisdiction of the king's territory."

"What if we take it down first?"

Aemond's eyes sparkled, and he said expectantly, "Volantis is beyond the scope of the disputed lands. The city-state itself is overpopulated, but has no high-quality specialties. It is a thankless task for the royal family to manage it."

"What do you mean?" The sea snake frowned.

He probably guessed it.

Among the nine free trade city-states, there are inevitably some city-states with poor trade.

Like Lorath, which has no ice-free port, and Qohor, which is located in the inland forest.

Volantis was known as the "Daughter of Valyria" and was once very powerful.

After the failed invasion of the Bloody Age, the city-state's economy plummeted.

The filthiness of the city and the drying up of springs were seen as signs of decline.

If Volantis had not been incorporated into the trade chain of the Disputed Land after the Narrow Sea War, its economy would have continued to decline year by year.

Aemond was forthright in his ambitions. "Volantis is not a good land for my brother. Perhaps he should give it to me, and let me govern it for him."

The sea serpent calmly said, "What good is Velaryon?"

Aemond said, "I will follow the system of the Tower of Lys. Velaryon will choose a councillor, and the port will not charge Velaryon fees."

"This one……"

The sea snake was moved when he heard this and rubbed his chin with his big hand.

Aemond continued, "You send the soldiers, I will send the dragons, together we can conquer Volantis and lighten the burden of the war."

"My brother may give me Volantis if he pleases."

The sea snake weighed the pros and cons and refused: "No, the division of princely territory is no joke. Velaryon only obeys the king's orders."

Without the above sentence, he would have considered it.

Don't even think about asking Velaryon to bear all the manpower.

As for Imond's proposal, he could only say it was a good idea.

However, the strategy was not smart enough and was full of loopholes.

If the sea snake helps him, he may lose everything.

Being rejected, Aemond was not annoyed, and said calmly: "I think Velaryon needs an ally, a reliable ally!"

With the experience of his uncle Damon as a lesson, he was very jealous of the territory of a trading city-state.

Stonehelm City is certainly nice, but it is located in a remote area and the income is pitifully meager.

In contrast, Aegon, who owned the Stepstones, did the least work but gained many times more wealth than him.

Hearing this, the sea snake's already dark face became even darker.

The previous ally was Damon, who had betrayed his daughter.

(End of this chapter)