Ice and Fire: Reign of the Dragon.

Chapter 77 They are bastards! (25, please order first)

Dragon Nest City, Silver Blood Tower.

The warm sunlight penetrated through the window holes and shone on Diana as she was slowly flipping through the account book. It turned out that the girl from the Tully family was in very good health. Just a few days after giving birth, her face had already regained a lot of color.

Longzel walked into the room quietly, sat on the soft chair beside his wife's bed, and gently stroked Diana's soft honey-colored hair. He didn't grow a beard, and if outsiders saw him, he was still the handsome boy he was a few years ago.

"Sorry for making you worry." Diana put down the account book and said weakly.

"You're already great." Longzel said gently, "The children are all good. I found the best nanny."

Diana touched her belly with some fear, but finally smiled: "The children are all very well, but there was a problem when they came out in the end."

"Our children successfully hatched a giant dragon. They proved the continuation of the family bloodline. Diana, you are a great contributor to the family."

"Have you thought of a name for the children's dragons?" Diana asked curiously. After waking up, she saw the children's dragons with her own eyes.

"Let the children name it themselves." Longzel said with a smile. "This is their partner. It is their responsibility to name their partner."

Diana smiled and pointed to the account book in her hand: "This month, there is an extra 2,000 gold royals paid to Tigaro in the family's account. I think the family is going to build something in King's Landing."

"It's not about to be established, it's already been established." Longzel took the account book. "Tigaro needs money to operate it further."

"Laws were established during the reign of King Jaehaerys, my dear. Most of the products sold by the Vareses family must pay heavy taxes equivalent to almost one-third of the price of the goods when entering various ports. Nobles also have to pay very high taxes when building new castles. How did you do it? There is no such money in the family account books." Diana gently tapped Longzel's forehead, and Longzel took the opportunity to lie on the back of the soft chair.

"The king exempted it." Longzel rubbed the leather of the recliner comfortably and replied with a smile: "Our dear king exempted my city construction tax. As for the customs duties, no tax collector dared to risk provoking a dragon king family to collect taxes. Oh, yes, there are indeed a few hard bones, but it's harmless."

"No wonder it took the family only two years to turn losses into profits." Diana sighed. However, this also proved that the Varese family was really wealthy. For two consecutive years, they had spent at least 70 pure gold royals worth of gold and silver luxury goods, and were still rich even with nearly 10 pure gold royals. If the Varese family did not have the right to mint coins, the progress of turning losses into profits might have been even faster.

"The next step is the right to mint coins, but the Targaryen family will not give up so easily." Longzel thought to himself. The right to mint coins has always been firmly in the hands of the Iron Throne. The Iron Throne has obtained a lot of wealth by minting coins. Every year, the gold mines in the West alone can bring the Iron Throne tens of thousands of pure gold dragons. Although the Vareses family's city-building actions were not taxed by the Iron Throne, part of the money spent also went to the iron chair in King's Landing.

"Your Highness, there is news from Junlin."

There was a soft knock at the door, and Hoffa's voice came in.

"It doesn't look like good news." Diana knew that the news that reached her husband's ears directly was usually not trivial. "Go, I will take care of myself."

Longzel kissed her gently on the forehead, then turned and walked out of the room.

"Your Highness, Ser Marentin Velaryon of Driftmark has come to King's Landing with a branch of House Velaryon to seek justice for the death of Ser Wymond Velaryon and to claim the inheritance of Driftmark."

"?"

Longzel frowned: "Weimund? How did he die? Is there any news from Dragonstone?"

Hoffa nodded and followed Longzel and said, "Ser Weymond openly questioned the bloodline of Joffrey, Little Lu, and Joffrey, and believed that he was the first heir to Tidehead Island. Princess Rhaenyra was very angry. She ordered Prince Daemon to execute Ser Weymond. Our spies in King's Landing saw the Red Queen, Syrax, Korakshu, and Tyrekshu arrive at the Dragon Cave. I guess the news will soon reach Joffrey and the others."

Before he finished speaking, the door of the spiral staircase suddenly opened, and Jakaris and Lusiris walked over with sullen faces, followed by Valar and Rey, also looking unhappy.

"I already know what happened." Longzel stopped Valar from speaking and looked directly at Jakaris and Lusiris. "What are your plans?"

"We will march to King's Landing immediately to assert our rights, my lord." Jacaerys said without hesitation: "Sir Weymond's declaration questions not only our legitimacy, but also the legitimacy of our mother."

Longzel nodded. "Good kid. We will support you."

Jakaris immediately rushed to the elevator of the Silver Blood Tower with Luciris, who was almost crying tears of gratitude, ready to ride off on his dragon.

"Then I'll go prepare the silver wings." Valar nodded to his brother and followed him.

Lei Yi held Longzel and whispered, "Brother, is it necessary for us to wade into this muddy water? The king will definitely favor Princess Rainier."

"The muddier the water, the better it is for us, Rei." Longzel said with a smile: "You are not really in love with that three-year-old child."

"Of course not." Rey immediately understood what his brother wanted. King Viserys was scratched by the Iron Throne again last year, and the wound did not heal for a long time, which directly induced a serious illness this year. The undercurrent that had been surging in the court could no longer be suppressed. The silver-haired boy whispered, "Brother, are you sure you want to stand on the side of Princess Rhaenyra?"

Longzel nodded. "It is in our interest to stand on the princess' side. Whether it is the close relationship between the princess's child and us, or the loophole left by the princess's inheritance rights, it all meets our needs, so why not do it? But at least for now, we are still neutral."

"I understand, brother." Rey nodded: "I will protect the castle and the children."

Longzel tapped his younger brother's nose lovingly. "You are also a child. You can listen to everyone's opinions on the city's affairs. Aslan, Vansen, and Hoffa are all in the city. You should also listen to Leila's opinions. She has learned a lot from Diana."

"I understand." Ray nodded. Longzel stroked his brother's hair, turned around and walked towards the elevator.

Loud dragon roars sounded one after another.

Young Womax and Arax took off first, with the dark green Womax taking the lead. This little dragon had grown rapidly in the past few years in Dragon's Nest City and was now strong enough to support long-distance manned flights. The white Arax was smaller but more agile, and surpassed his brother's dragon in a few strokes.

Silver Wing followed closely behind, its vast wingspan almost enough to accommodate the two little dragons.

The last to take off was Vermisol.

When Bronze Fury took off, it was like a mountain flying in the sky. However, the people of Summerhall were already used to these dragons, and even when the shadows blocked out the sun, everyone was still busy with the work at hand.

The dragons landed in the courtyard of the Red Castle. They did not go to the dragon's lair, but stayed directly in the courtyard, staring at the green-gray knights in the courtyard with a greedy look.

"Your sons and their knights are here." Princess Rhaenys leaned on the railing, watching the dragons landing one after another, wondering what she was thinking. Rhaenyra stood beside her, looking at her two sons who had grown into big boys with some relief. "I need your support," Rhaenyra said softly.

"You and I both know this, Princess." Rhaenys replied in the same voice. "I will not question Xiaolu's inheritance, but I will not publicly support him. As for the result." Rhaenys said: "I believe my dead son will give us the answer on behalf of the Heavenly Father."

After saying this, he returned to the throne room without looking back.

Rhaenyra pursed her lips as she watched her sons and the dragons, Valar, and others get off the dragon's back and hurried into the Red Keep. She could only sigh and return to the throne room.

"The court prays for Lord Corlys Velaryon and that the gods will bring him back safely, but more pressing matters are the issue of the heir to Driftmark and Prince Daemon's abuse of the law."

Prime Minister Otto stood before the Iron Throne and spoke loudly.

Malendin, his brothers, and nephews stood at the foot of the Iron Sword Guard steps, staring at Hand Otto, Queen Alicent with the royal family, and Rhaenys, Baena, and Rhaena on one side, and Rhaenyra, Daemon, and Dragonzel and Valar with their children on the other. The Kingsguard surrounded the Iron Throne, while the courtiers, the crown lords, and the ministers stood behind, craning their necks to try to see what was going to happen.

"Longzel, I am grateful that you are on my side," Rhaenyra whispered.

"Xiaojie and Xiaolu are our servants, and this is our responsibility." Longzel responded in a low voice.

"Now, as Prime Minister, I will speak on behalf of His Majesty the King on this matter." Otto carefully sat down on the Iron Throne. "Now, please allow Sir Malendin to speak."

Marentin stood up and bowed to Queen Alison. "Your Majesty."

Then he looked at the Iron Throne and said, "Prime Minister, the history of the Velaryon family can be traced back to the ancient Valyria. When the Targaryen family ruled the sky and the earth, the Velaryons governed the sea for the royal family." Malendin glanced at Longzier angrily. "The blood of the Velaryon family flows with salt and sea. Our blood is ancient and pure. My brother, Ser Wemond, has assisted our beloved uncle all his life. We are his closest relatives and are connected by blood. There is no doubt about it."

"Are you questioning the bloodline of my sons? They are the children of Laninor." Rhaenyra interrupted Marendin. "They hatched and controlled dragons, which means they have unquestionable dragon blood. Marendin, if you care so much about bloodline and law, you should not try to question the legitimate heir of the family. This is just your greed and ambition."

"Princess Rhaenyra, please do not interrupt." Queen Alicent interrupted Rhaenyra's interruption and motioned for Malentine to continue.

"That's your blood!" Malendin suppressed his anger. "Your Majesty, Prime Minister, this has nothing to do with ambition. This involves the purity and inheritance of the Velaryon bloodline. Bloodline is everything to us. It cannot be interrupted."

Jacaerys looked at Malendin coldly, holding his brother down with one hand and the hilt of the sword with the other, but was held down by Longzel.

On the other side, Emond was watching the performance here with great interest.

"Sir Wymond deserves to inherit Tidepoint because of his pure blood." Malendin said, pointing angrily at Rhaenyra: "It was your ambition that caused my brother to die in a shameless and illegal "trial"!"

"So, I nominate my brother's son Daeron to the Iron Throne. He is of pure Velaryon blood and deserves to inherit Lord Corlys's Driftwood Throne."

"Princess Rhaenyra, you can defend your son, Lucerys Velaryon," Otto said calmly.

Rhaenyra was about to speak.

The door to the throne room suddenly opened. Ser Erik Cargale and Ser Stephen Darklyn pushed open the door, and King Viserys, wearing a golden mask, walked in tremblingly on crutches. Alicent was shocked and rushed over with the equally anxious Rhaenyra, trying to support the king. But the king raised his hand to stop him.

He moved shakily along the corridor of the throne room and looked up at Longzel, who was standing next to Jakaris, a smile on his broken lips.

"Ho, ho, dragon, ho, ho, Longzel, thank you, ho. Ho, for your support."

Longzel nodded slightly. "The king still loves his daughter. What a pity." He said in his heart.

The king slowly moved to the side of the stairs and tried to step up with great effort, but he almost fell down and the crown fell to the ground. Just as the king was about to bend down to pick up the crown, a pair of strong hands supported him.

Daemon nodded to his brother, helped his brother to the Iron Throne step by step, and picked up the crown and put it back on his brother's head.

"I, ho, ho, I am confused, ho, ho, why someone, ho, would question my decision. Princess Rhaenys, you are the one who knows Lord Corliss best. Please tell me what Lord Corliss's wishes are." The king finally cleared his throat and spoke much more smoothly.

"Your Majesty." Rhaenys looked at Rhaenyra with a meaningful look. "From the beginning, my husband has publicly stated many times that his heir is Laenor's biological son, Lucerys Velaryon. He has never changed his mind. Moreover, Jyn and Lu are already engaged to Baelor and Rhaenyra, and the gods have witnessed their happiness."

Xiaolu looked at his grandmother with some grievance.

"What else can I say?" The king raised his head with an effort. "Prince Lucerys Velaryon is the undisputed heir to Tidemark Island and the next Lord of Tide. As for Weymond, he questioned the legitimate heir and insulted the royal family. Beheading is already a very light punishment."

"Your Majesty." Malendin laughed in anger. "You can designate the heir of your family at will, but you are not qualified to tell us who is qualified to inherit the blood of Velaryon. I will never allow your stupidity to destroy my family."

"Marentin!" the king raised his voice sharply. "Who do you think you are?"

"He is not Velaryon!" Malendin pointed at Lucerys without any regard for the king.

"Enough!" Rhaenyra said angrily, standing in front of her son.

"I will never allow my family to fall"

"Say it." Damon smiled as he watched Marentin's monkey-like performance. "Say it."

"They are bastards!" Malendin's roar echoed throughout the throne room.

Jakaris tried to draw his sword, but Longzel pushed it back. "Don't forget what I told you."

The king widened his only remaining eye, which was filled with murderous intent.

"And she" Malentine pointed at Rhaenyra. "She is a shameless whore."

(End of this chapter)