Game of Thrones: The Black Dragon King

King Viserys's furious roar echoed through the council hall of the Red Keep.

"Has he ever considered how much patience and tolerance I've shown him? I'm even starting to doubt whether I've been too lenient! Making him take it for granted! He doesn't cherish it at all! He's reckless! He ignores the opportunities I've given him, doesn't understand my difficulties at all, and doesn't consider the family's situation at all..."

"Issue a decree to immediately return the dragon egg! Drive away that whore! Furthermore, he must return to the valley and to his legal wife, Rhea Royce, or he will be considered a traitor! I will summon the army and personally capture and bring him to justice!" King Viserys angrily issued the order.

However, the ministers present were secretly pleased. In the matter of provoking King Viserys's sleeping dragon wrath, besides Damon's reckless actions, there was also the tacit approval, opportunism, and going with the flow of some of the court ministers.

Ser Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King, openly disliked Damon. The other ministers of the Council shared this dislike. From the end of AC 103 to AC 105, Damon served successively as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Chancellor of Justice, and Captain of the Capital Garrison. During this eventful career, he single-handedly incurred the resentment of most of the high-ranking officials and nobles.

The reasons include, but are not limited to, poor political skills, a passion for swords and guns, a penchant for inflicting cruel punishments on criminals, a volatile and unpredictable temperament, a flamboyant and dangerous style of conduct, and a deep ambition for the Iron Throne.

The last point is the most important: ambition for the Iron Throne.

Almost all ministers prefer a weak monarch—one who is less prone to causing trouble, more receptive to advice, and easier to control. This was especially true of Otto, the domineering, powerful, capable prime minister with extensive experience in governing. This made him exceptionally compatible with a monarch like Viserys, who was weak-willed, naturally amiable, fond of flattery, and easily swayed.

Conversely, a throne heir like Damon, with his unwavering will, strong personality, volatile temper, unpredictable mood swings, and resemblance to the "cruel" Maegor, would be the object of conflict for all his subjects.

However, Viserys had no son, and according to the precedent set by the Great Council in AC 101, men always had priority over women. If the king had no son, the younger brother's right to succession was above that of the princess; for example, in AC 92, Prince Belron bypassed his elder brother Prince Aemon's daughter, Princess Rhaenys, to become the heir to the throne.

With the tradition of succession by brother following brother in place, Damon was the rightful heir to the Iron Throne, which made many ministers and nobles, including Ser Otto, uneasy.

"We must never let Damon ascend the Iron Throne!" Otto wrote in a letter to his brother, the Earl of Oldtown. "He will become a second 'cruel' Mago, or even more brutal."

In comparison, Princess Rennyra, the "Light of the Kingdom," seems like a better choice, a more manageable future monarch, or a temporary figurehead for the crown prince position. Many hold this view, but in practice, it comes back to the old adage: according to the tradition established by the Great Council in AC 101, male succession always takes precedence over female succession.

In the absence of legal justification, attacking the character of the other party became the most skillful and enjoyable thing for the ministers of the court. Prince Damon was fond of luxury, acted unrestrainedly, was reckless and irritable, and had also committed many outrageous and offensive acts.

Otto persuaded Viserys to dismiss Prince Damon from his positions as Chancellor of the Exchequer and Minister of Justice, but quickly regretted it, as Damon gained more real power after taking control of as many as two thousand "Golden Robes." The prince was subsequently accused of cruel and ruthless methods, but no actual punishment was imposed.

At the end of AC 105, Prince Damon was hailed as the "Prince of the Capital" by his friends, and the people of King's Landing gave him the nickname "Lord of the Flea Nest," which he gladly accepted and took pride in. This blatant offense reached the King's ears but went unpunished. Although the King had no intention of making his brother the Crown Prince, he showed favoritism and remained tolerant of his brother.

But as a famous person aptly put it: the more you say something, the more likely it is to become true.

Over time, some unpleasant thoughts gradually took root in the king's heart.

Six months ago, Queen Emma and Prince Belon both passed away. Damon, along with his golden robes, was drinking and partying in a brothel when he uttered the words "the Crown Prince for a day," a statement that stabbed his brother in the heart.

That evening, a certain golden-robed squad leader, eager for promotion, met with King Viserys with unusual ease as an informant.

Damon had thoroughly enraged his brother, who had always protected him. After completing the mourning period for his wife and children, King Viserys immediately set about resolving the long-standing succession issue. Disregarding the ruling of King Jaehaerys in AC 92 and the precedent set by the Great Council in AC 101, he formally appointed his daughter Rhaenyra as the legal heir and Princess of Dragonstone.

At a grand ceremony held in King's Landing, Rhaenyra, the "Light of the Kingdom," sat at the foot of her father, the King, at the base of the Iron Throne, receiving the salutes of hundreds of lords who swore an oath of honor to uphold her rights in the future.

Damon, indignant, resigned from his position as captain of the capital's garrison and went to Dragonstone with his mistress, Messaria.

This dragon egg incident is yet another case of everyone kicking someone when they're down.

At the end of the royal council, Otto volunteered to go to Dragonstone to read the king's decree.

……

Prime Minister's Tower.

Otto is donning his armor with the help of his daughter, Allison. After all, this journey is dangerous, and Damon has always been unpredictable and reckless.

"How's the matter I asked you to do going?" Otto asked, inquiring about the progress.

"I..." Allison hesitated when faced with her father's question.

"Chatting? Sculpting stone? Reading?"

"I······"

Allison stammered. Otto's eyes hardened; this matter concerned the family's future and the kingdom's destiny. Clearly, his daughter hadn't completed the task he'd entrusted to her.

"Father, I... I've been trying, but the King... he doesn't seem to have any romantic feelings for me." Allison's voice trembled; she was afraid to see the disappointment in her father's eyes.

Otto sighed. His daughter was still behaving like a proper lady, mindful of her sisterly bond with the princess, but the family's future could not be delayed.

Otto patted Allison on the shoulder, then lifted his daughter's round, delicate chin, making her look directly into his eyes, and said, "Allison, you are my daughter, and I believe you can do it. Remember, share the King's burdens and be loyal to the Kingdom."

Allison lowered her head, bearing the expectations and responsibilities of her family.

"I understand, Father," Alison's voice was weak but firm. "I will do my best."

Otto nodded in satisfaction, confident that his daughter understood the bigger picture and could shoulder this responsibility. "Remember, the king's mind is unpredictable, but you can influence him with your wisdom and charm. You must become his confidante, his pillar, so that he can't live without you..." Otto's voice was deep and powerful, each word seemingly imprinted on Alison's heart.

Allison nodded. She knew what she had to do, but the path wouldn't be easy.

"Your Excellency the Prime Minister?" Sir Christon Cole entered.

Allison unconsciously took a step back and started picking at her nails again.

"We have prepared 20 skilled men, and Captain Harold will also be going. The ships are ready."

Otto nodded, satisfied with Christon's arrangements. "Very good, let's set off immediately."

Allison watched her father's retreating figure, her heart filled with mixed emotions. As the pride of Oldtown, a young lady of the Hightower family, and a renowned lady of the Reach, she had long carried the expectations of her family, and her father had devoted himself to the family's grand plan of marriage alliances.

First, there was the widowed Prince Belron, then Damon. At the age of fifteen, his father brought him to the palace, and soon after, he officially set his sights on the "Young King" Viserys.

Although Princess Rhaenyra has been declared the heir to the throne, many, both inside and outside the court, still hope that Viserys will produce a male heir, as King Viserys is still under thirty years old. Countless eyes throughout the Seven Kingdoms are fixed on the vacant position of queen, all eager to use a marriage alliance to infuse their family's bloodline into the Iron Throne and thereby gain unparalleled political influence.

······

Dragonstone Island, Dragonstone Castle.

"Where is Damon?" Otto asked.

"You're too late. Two days ago, he received a message from across the Narrow Sea, and he's probably already visiting Pentos now," Mesalia replied, rubbing her pregnant belly.

"So you're his whore, Mesalia?"

A flash of anger crossed Mesalia's face, but she quickly regained her composure: "I am Mesalia, my lady. I already know why you have come. I am well aware of my lowly status and do not deserve such an honor. The dragon egg that the prince brought back is right here. You may take it back to report at any time."

In response to Messaria's words, the servants of Dragonstone brought out a container with flames inside. At Otto's instruction, Sir Cole stepped forward, wrapped his hands in his cloak, and opened the lid of the container. Inside was the missing dragon egg.

Sir Otto's sharp gaze swept over Messaria, seemingly assessing her every word. He slowly extended his hand, gesturing for his men to take the dragon egg. However, at that moment, his gaze suddenly turned fierce.

"My purpose here is not merely to retrieve the dragon eggs. By the King's decree, you will be banished from Westeros and sent back to Lys. House Hightoar's merchant ships await you at the docks. Please pack your belongings, Messaria... 'Lady'." Otto deliberately paused on the last title, drawing out the syllable.

Mesalia's face turned deathly pale. Standing atop Dragonstone Keep, the treacherous sea conditions were clearly visible: the wind was fierce, the waves were high, and dark clouds were gathering in the distance, threatening a storm at any moment. "Kind sir," she said, "I am six months pregnant. Can you really bear to let a pregnant woman brave this storm to cross the Narrow Sea?"

Sir Otto gave her a cold glance, his tone devoid of any sympathy: "This is Dragonstone, the land ruled by King Viserys. Here, the King's orders must be obeyed!"

A flicker of despair crossed Mesalia's eyes, but she still tried to plead: "My lord, I beg you, at least let me wait until the storm is over before I leave!"

Otto replied dismissively, "You talk as if you're the only pregnant woman in the world. You must set off immediately. The Hightoar family's ships will provide you with the necessary protection. As for whether you arrive safely, that depends on your fate."