By the time Prince Aegon finally regained consciousness, he had already been pulled into the open space of the Dragonpit. Candlelight lowered its head, nuzzling its companion, and retracted its tentacles.
"Queen," Prince Aegon immediately recognized who had come to save him. Queen Samantha was still wearing her banquet gown; she hadn't even had time to lower the gangway from the dragon saddle before hastily summoning Candlelight to rescue Prince Aegon.
"Thank you—I'm sorry, I didn't succeed."
"It's alright," Queen Samantha looked up at Prince Aegon, who was considerably taller than her, and sighed. "Viserys won't blame you. Vermax is used to being wild; it hasn't been accustomed to being ridden for a long time. Viserys was just too impatient."
Prince Aegon stared blankly as Vermax's dragonflame extinguished in the air. He knew that the main purpose of his trip had failed.
"Aegon," Queen Samantha walked over to the singed Prince Aegon and said softly, "Perhaps, after we return, you can try Syrax. It's gentle, doesn't like to move much, and might be easier to tame."
"Thank you, Queen," Prince Aegon seemed to have come back to his senses, saying somewhat dejectedly. He looked at Queen Samantha's hesitant expression and said in a low voice, "You don't have to worry, I know my limits."
He limped towards the Silver Guards' station. Two Silver Guards, holding long-handled tridents, met him and took the Prince to change his clothes.
Only then did Viserys, who had arrived at the Dragonpit almost immediately after Queen Samantha, emerge from Igaras's lair. He said with a look of disappointment, "Aegon… Alas."
"You were too hasty, Viserys," Queen Samantha said bluntly. "Vermax has lived in Dragon Nest City for so many years. I believe you can realize the might of my father and the special nature of this Dragonpit." She was the Queen of the Targaryen family; at this moment, it was necessary for her to explain these matters.
"I can't afford to be slow," Viserys sighed. "Your Majesty, the Targaryen family has too few dragon knights. We need dragon knights who can ride adult dragons, not just children with hatchlings."
"There's no one else here. Father isn't here, my elder brother isn't here, my volatile younger brother isn't here, and Aegon… isn't here," Queen Samantha looked at Viserys and said calmly, "Viserys, do you not trust my family that much?"
No sooner had she spoken than Candlelight suddenly raised its head. Its large eyes rolled around, revealing a fierce glint, and its tentacles instantly flared out, fluttering wildly in the open space.
"Quiet, Candlelight," Queen Samantha snapped. Candlelight somewhat aggrievedly turned its large eyes to its companion, and its tentacles re-adhered to its smooth, scaleless skin. "Good girl," Queen Samantha gently stroked Candlelight.
"Your Majesty, I didn't mean that," Viserys said sincerely. He knew very well that he had indeed been too hasty this time, and had not even had enough alternatives—he should have waited until Aemon recovered before trying to tame a dragon, rather than demanding the Varezes family fulfill their agreement while the King and Queen were present.
After all, the purpose of this family banquet was Queen Samantha's visit to her relatives and the establishment of the marriage contract between the two families, not dragon taming.
At the banquet just now, King Aegon proposed the marriage contract between the two families. After discussion, Princess Ilena and Reigen Varese, Dragonzel's youngest son, were to be betrothed. Princess Ilena would come to Dragon Nest City as an adopted daughter after turning thirteen, awaiting her marriage.
King Aegon also hoped to arrange a marriage contract for Daeron and Jane's future heir with Daenerys, but since the child was far from being born, they had to give up.
Viserys knew very well that Queen Samantha's initiative to bring up this topic meant that Queen Samantha had clearly defined her position—she was first the Queen of the Targaryen family, and then the daughter of the Varezes family. If she still stood on the Varezes family's side, she would not have revealed her thoughts, but would have let him gradually touch the Varezes's bottom line, ultimately falling into the unfathomable Seven Hells.
The Varezes family was now truly the "uncrowned King." They had ten dragon knights and ten adult dragons capable of combat. And the Targaryen family…
Still only had three, and the most combat-capable one was a dragon from the Varezes family.
"I know what you're thinking, Viserys," Queen Samantha said slowly. "Father has no interest in worldly power, and my elder brother is steady and orderly. Neither of them will challenge the existing order. Doing things within the rules, no one can say anything. Don't rush, take your time."
She whispered in a voice only she could hear. With generations of blood merging, one day, Targaryen and Varezes would become one, indistinguishable.
By then, it wouldn't matter who sat on the Iron Throne, as long as they still had the blood of both families flowing within them.
"I understand…"
Viserys naturally understood this principle as well.
"Peace and stability are what the Realm needs most," Queen Samantha said softly. "People don't want war anymore."
No sooner had she spoken than a bell chimed.
Queen Samantha's expression changed. She unhesitatingly pulled down the gangway and, despite still wearing her long gown, lay on the dragon saddle. "Candlelight, to the top of the tower."
Viserys was somewhat stunned. He had just come back to his senses when the entire Dragonpit shook violently.
Vermithor was the first to crawl out of its lair, its deafening roar making the entire Dragonpit tremble.
But this time, Silverwing was the first to fly out.
Then came Vermithor. The dragons, with their companions, followed closely, flying out one after another, leaving only Stormcloud and Igaras looking at each other.
Viserys frowned, sensing that things were not simple. He rushed to Igaras's side, wanting to ride his dragon to see what was happening, but he received a message from Igaras, telling him not to join the commotion.
Viserys grew even more curious. He rushed into the Silver Guards' station, preparing to ascend to the top of the tower, but he was blocked by two Silver Guards.
"Prince, I'm sorry, you can go to the other towers," one Silver Guard said apologetically.
Only then did Viserys realize something was amiss. He rushed towards the corridor, preparing to go to the tower on the other side to see what was happening.
Dragon after dragon ascended into the sky, surrounding Silverwing, which had landed on the tower's summit.
The Varezes family members gathered at the top of the tower, and on Silverwing's dragon saddle, Valarr painstakingly fastened the buckle, gently patting his old companion.
A skilled High Valyrian command escaped his lips.
"Take off."
There will be another update later.
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