Ice and Fire: Reign of the Dragon.

Chapter 287 Men's Rights
Longzel didn't say anything, just looked at Darren's lifeless eyes. He gently held his grandson's hand.
"Your Majesty, were you serious just now?" The old Dragon King looked at the dying king with a half-smile. Using the Grand Council to decide the succession, if Longzel himself were to judge, from the perspective of the nobles, the king actually wanted to hold a Grand Council to decide the ownership of the succession to the throne, he would definitely agree with it. So, why did the nobles praise Jaehaerys I so much, even though many of Jaehaerys I's policies harmed the interests of the nobles - although these losses were not serious, and many of them could even be directly passed on to civilians and small nobles. Therefore, the nobles loved Jaehaerys I, definitely not only because of his diligence and achievements, but also because his Grand Council actually decentralized the royal power to the nobles.

Since when did the nobles have the right to interfere in the king's succession?
From the perspective of the Dragon King family, Longzier sneered at Jaehaerys's behavior. How did the Targaryens conquer their kingdom? It was the dragons, the fire and forgiveness of King Aegon in the war of conquest, and the cruel killing of King Maegor and the comfort of Jaehaerys and Alysanne.

The power that the nobility had worked so hard to consolidate over several generations was almost lost after the Great Council.

Darren smiled bitterly: "Apart from the Great Council, is there any other way to ensure the stability of the succession?" He tried hard to raise his skinny arms, but found that he couldn't move at all. He could only continue dejectedly: "Grandpa, aren't you curious about who my original plan was for the successor?"

Longzel's expression did not fluctuate, and he seemed not surprised by who Daeron chose. "Your Majesty, do you have any other answers to this question? Or do you really intend to make Princess Rhaena your heir?"

Darren smiled wryly and closed his eyes.

He now even found it difficult to shake his head.

"According to the order of succession, Rhaena has the right to inherit all my power. According to tradition, Baelor will inherit my position. Grandfather, the position of Prince of Dragonstone has been vacant for too long. The nobles are already forming cliques. I am really worried."

"That's not necessary." Longzel raised his eyebrows: "In the kingdom of dragons, only dragons can speak."

The foundation of the Targaryen dynasty is the dragon, and the nobles are united under the intimidation of the dragon. As long as the dragon exists and the foundation does not fall, the Targaryen rule will last forever.

"Baile is gone." Daeron continued, "I can't bear to break his wings. Grandfather, Baile once took the Seven Gods as his spiritual sustenance. The death of my mother, my wife and children made Baile abandon his faith and pursue unfettered wandering. My brother is no longer fit to be a king."

Darren looked into his grandfather's eyes, and he believed that Longzel could read between the lines.

He is the grandson of Varese, but he is also the king of Targaryen. Even though the situation is irreversible, in the final analysis, he still does not want the surname Targaryen Varese to appear too early.

At least not in his generation.

Therefore, Elena was excluded from the inheritance rights by default.

And to be honest, Rhaena's personality and abilities made her more suitable for a queen than a queen.

There is still chaos in the conquered lands, and the Dothraki will not always be obedient. His successor must be a dragon rider who can command the support of the people.

"I have no choice but Aegon, but Aegon." Daeron said helplessly: "He"

Longzel looked at his grandson with a half-smile and gently let go of his hand.

"His Majesty."

He changed his name.

"Daren, there's no need to be polite to Grandpa at this time." He smiled and said, "Or have you really learned bad things from those two guys, Aemon and Aerion, and think that the world is full of chivalry?"

Darren's chest rose and fell a few times, and he seemed to be laughing.

"I can't hide it from you, Grandpa."

How could he really doubt the nobles' attitude towards Aegon?

When did having a mistress become a problem? Besides, Aegon would give him whatever he wanted after he finished eating, and the nobles were eager for their daughters to climb into Aegon's bed.

He was so generous when he was a prince.

How could he be the king? How could anyone oppose him?

What's more, what did Aegon represent? It was the sacred and inviolable right of male inheritance. Queen Rhaenyra had broken the rules, which had already caused minor ripples in many areas.

For example, some sons-in-law used their eldest daughter's claim to seek their father-in-law's land. It was two generations of kings, Jacaerys and Aegon II, who tried hard to beautify this matter as a temporary victory for designated succession rights.

After all, Rhaenyra had a grand enthronement ceremony and received the loyalty of the princes, which meant that the princes recognized her right of inheritance.

To put it bluntly.

There are men around, so why should women join in the fun? It sounds harsh, but that is how things are in this world, and even kings who rely on women's succession rights cannot avoid it.

"My heir will be Aegon Targaryen, Prince of Oldtown, Targaryen's right hand. Grandfather, after I lose consciousness, please preside over the canonization of Aegon as the heir to the Iron Throne, but, but."

Darren suddenly raised his voice and spoke with difficulty.

"Name Daeron Targaryen, son of Aegon Targaryen and Rhaena, Prince of Dragonstone and heir to the Iron Throne when Aegon Targaryen ascends to the throne."

Darren solemnly stated his "last will"

Longzel nodded: "I will convey this order to the princes. Daeron, do you have any other wishes?"

At the last moment, Longzel no longer treated Darren on his sickbed according to the rules between the monarch and his subjects.

It's the affection between grandparents and grandchildren.

"No, Grandpa. I know you can rejuvenate me and let me ride the Dreamfire back to the sky, but I am tired, Grandpa. I have fought the good battle. I prevented the Conqueror from taking the Disputed Lands, which were regarded as a scourge, from belonging to the Iron Throne. Haha, Grandpa, don't be angry. If you had occupied the Disputed Lands, the Iron Throne would have had a headache for a long time. Maybe the Iron Throne would be named Varese now."

Seeing that Longzel just smiled, Darren said "huh" in boredom.

"Grandpa, you are so boring. In fact, I hope that you or Uncle Ringol can serve as Aegon's Hand of the King to stop him from doing anything rash. However, out of selfishness, I still gave up this idea. Grandpa, there is no other way, but this is the only concession I can make."

Daeron issued his final decree.

"If possible, I hope Darren can be engaged to Princess Xirui Varese." Darren's voice was a little erratic: "Of course, anyone else is fine, as long as they are girls from Varese."

Longzel nodded.

"As you wish, Darren."

Darren closed his eyes calmly.

The Dragonheart King, King of Conquerors, Daeron I Targaryen, was quietly summoned by the Stranger in early 178 AC.

He ordered that his funeral be kept simple so as not to disturb the people of King's Landing, and Menghuo performed a simple cremation for him in the dragon's lair.

Darren left this world quietly.

(End of this chapter)