"I can't think of a better candidate, whether in terms of blood or affection," the Sea Snake puffed out his chest, as if it were only natural.
"Baela?" Rhaegar frowned imperceptibly, unconvinced. Baela was born into a privileged family. Not only was she Rhaenyra's adopted daughter, but she was also Daemon's designated heir. It was clear that Baela would be the next Princess of Tyrosh. It is worth noting that Rhaenyra's title of Queen of Lys was unique. Referring to the system of male Princes and female Princesses in Dorne, the other Princes and Princesses were crowned with corresponding titles, avoiding the coexistence of a king and queen.
Upon hearing the Sea Snake's recommendation, Rhaenyra clenched her teeth but was the first to support it: "Baela was raised by me and will be a good wife in the future."
Baela suddenly looked up, flattered, and pointed at herself. She wasn't ready for this.
"Hee hee." Rhaena snickered and nudged her sister with her shoulder. Baelon and Aemon were like brothers to both sisters and would certainly be blessed by following the traditions of the house.
Baela's face fell. She was not happy. The feeling of not being in control of her marriage was as bad as being ignored by her father. Rhaegar was also displeased and declined politely, "Lord Corlys, Baela's future is in Tyrosh."
Baelon tilted his head, looking around, wondering if his future was being arranged already.
"Your Grace, isn't this better?" The Sea Snake frowned and said bluntly, "Daemon is the direct descendant of the brave Baelon, just like your father. The two bloodlines combined will help unite the royal family." Daemon had always been a problem as a wanderer. By starting with his heir, Tyrosh would remain part of the Iron Throne in the future. Besides, Baela is his granddaughter. Laena's failure to marry Viserys had weakened House Velaryon's influence on the Iron Throne. It is undeniable that House Velaryon was very powerful at the time, and there was suspicion that the advisers were suppressing the king. Now that the royal family is in the spotlight, it is time to embrace House Velaryon again.
Rhaegar narrowed his eyes and still refused, "Baela is also my adopted daughter, and I have someone else in mind for her marriage." As he spoke, he rubbed the heads of his two daughters and gently held them in his arms. Advisers have their considerations, and kings have their visions. Baela is not suitable for Baelon.
As soon as he finished speaking, the Sea Snake's face froze, and a hint of anger rose. Rhaenyra was quicker than him and said doubtfully, "Rhaegar, Baela is my foster daughter. How could she not be suitable?" In terms of upbringing alone, she was confident that Baela, whom she had taken care of herself, was not inferior to anyone.
Baela was also stunned, looking at her foster father and cousin with mixed feelings.
"She is not suitable," Rhaegar declared, looking Rhaenyra in the eyes with solemnity. "As the Queen, you should support me unconditionally."
Rhaenyra was stunned, not expecting Rhaegar to be so serious. Even his tone was unusually strict.
Rhaegar then turned his gaze to the Sea Snake. "Baela's excellence cannot be questioned. I will seriously consider her."
The Sea Snake's face darkened, not from his natural complexion, but from the anger burning inside him. He believed he had been loyal enough to the royal family, having nearly lost his life in the blockade of Volantis and during the war in Slaver's Bay. Wasn't that enough merit?
"Haha, what a joke!" The Sea Snake sneered, pointing angrily at Rhaegar on the Iron Throne. "I, the most honorable Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and the most loyal supporter of the royal family—are my bloodline and loyalty not worthy of the throne?"
"Lord Corlys!" Rhaegar's face instantly turned cold. "I said I would seriously consider it."
Corlys wanted to pressure him, but he couldn't. If advisers could demand something in return for their services, the throne would be unstable. Even House Velaryon at its peak would not have been spared his wrath.
"Hmph!" The Sea Snake snorted in contempt. "You, like your father, is filled with fear."
He wanted to accuse Rhaegar of being as weak as Viserys, afraid to marry Velaryon's daughter. But his body shook violently, and he restrained himself, leaving a margin of leeway.
Rhaegar, now calmer, said, "Sea Snake, take back what you said, or you will never speak again."
"You..." The Sea Snake was furious and ready to curse.
Rhaenyra stepped forward, standing between them. "Lord Corlys' words were inappropriate. I will have him apologize to you." After a pause, she added, "But as he said, I can't think of a better match for Baelon than Baela."
Rhaegar, facing Rhaenyra's questioning, frowned and signaled Lyonel, who promptly asked, "Your Grace, if you don't think Lady Baela is suitable, do you have someone in mind?"
When the Queen sided with the Sea Snake, the dynamic shifted. It was no longer just a disagreement between the king and his adviser.
"Yes!" Rhaegar ignored the questioning looks of Rhaenyra and the Sea Snake. He nudged Baelon with his foot. "Don't just stand there, look back."
"Father?" Baelon was confused.
Rhaegar patted his two daughters and smiled kindly. "What do you think of your two sisters?"
"Huh?" Baelon was stunned.
"Speak up!" Rhaegar demanded.
"I..." Baelon hesitated but, seeing the intensity in his father's eyes, he swallowed and said, "I think it's good."
Relieved, Baelon felt as if a mountain had been lifted from his shoulders.
"Very good." Rhaegar put down his daughters and revealed his fatherly kindness. "Between the two sisters, you can choose one or both."
"Is that okay?" Baelon asked, uneasy.
"Of course," Rhaegar said with certainty. "The Conqueror married his sisters."
As he spoke, his eyes swept over Rhaenyra and Jeyne, noting their shock. Rhaegar smiled and continued, "Baelon, you are my eldest son, and I haven't demanded much from you."
Baelon's eyes narrowed, his face showing signs of contemplation.
"But you are the heir to the Iron Throne," Rhaegar went on, "and with that comes certain responsibilities. Do you understand?" His eyes were filled with encouragement and hope.
Baelon first looked at his mother and Lady Jeyne under the Iron Throne, then at his two stunned half-sisters in front of him. After a brief moment of reflection, he seemed to understand.
After just three seconds, Baelon smiled and whispered, "Father, I will listen to you."
Rhaegar smiled back and asked softly, "So, have you made your choice?"
Daenerys and Lyanna looked at each other, their little heads full of question marks, and huddled nervously together.
Baelon glanced back at his mother's displeased expression and said wisely, "I admire the Conqueror. He founded the Targaryen dynasty."
"Oh?" Rhaegar's lips curled. He hadn't expected his seemingly obedient son to be so perceptive.
Baelon scratched his head and continued seriously, "I also admire my father. Your achievements are no less than the Conqueror's. You married my mother, and Dany and Anna's mother."
At this point, Baelon hesitated for a couple of seconds, then walked over and took the hands of the two little girls. Looking at Jeyne below, he said, "Lady Jeyne is the Lady of The Eyrie. The two girls she raised will surely make me the man that everyone in the Seven Kingdoms envies."
Daenerys and Lyanna: ...
The sisters turned to their father for help, but all they saw was a satisfied expression.
"Well said!" Rhaegar applauded with both hands, his joy evident. He glanced down at the princes and advisers, his eyes full of disdain. All these men in the hall were no match for a young son who knew what was right.
The king's many wives were potential threats to the unity of the house. By marrying Jeyne's two daughters, Baelon could minimize the potential threat of a split in the family. Neither Rhaenyra nor Jeyne would be able to influence their children any more. By marrying Dany and Anna, Baelon would win over the supporters of both mothers. Even if Rhaenyra and Jeyne wanted to fight each other, in the end, the power would go to the new generation. The supporters of both sides were not fools, and they could see the future trend.
Rhaegar was happy, but not everyone shared his sentiment. The Sea Snake glared at Daenerys and Lyanna, his eyes bulging with rage. Why couldn't Baela be given a place at the wedding? Even if she was second in line to the throne, it would be a sign of the two houses' shared glory.
Rhaegar couldn't help but smile as he took the two little girls from Baelon's arms. The choice of a wife for his eldest son was not something to be shared lightly. Dany and Anna, being sisters, were both eligible to inherit the nobility of the Vale from Jeyne. If the sisters were separated, the nobles of the Vale could choose to follow one or the other. Otherwise, why would Rhaegar bother to ask the eldest son if he wanted one or both?
Baelon watched his two sisters snuggle up in his father's arms, his mouth twitching slightly. He was very clever, but he was also jealous. He wasn't the only one feeling this way. Rhaenyra clenched her lower lip and stared at Rhaegar. Deep down, she didn't want her son to marry Jeyne's daughter. Jeyne was her humiliation!
Rhaegar glanced at her, but his mind was made up.
Baela was indeed a good choice, and both Rhaenyra and the Sea Snake were correct in their assessment. However, her background was too complicated. To be fair, Houses Daemon and Velaryon were both worthy of being courted, but the royal family could suppress both of them for the time being, ensuring their future strength.
Thus, the focus should be on the present. Baela naturally had the support of Daemon and House Velaryon, and she was a staunch supporter of Rhaenyra. If Baelon were to marry her, his power would grow to unprecedented levels. But even without marrying Baela, he would still retain all of these rights.
On the other hand, if Baela married Baelon, it would indirectly intensify the conflict between Rhaenyra and Jeyne. In that case, why not have Baelon marry Dany and Anna? This would stabilize the balance of power within the House in the short term and win the loyalty of the Vale in the long term.
As for Baela's partner, there was another consideration. Rhaegar's eyes were deep as he muttered to himself, "The political mistakes my father made should not be repeated with my children." He had put in much effort to win over his half-siblings. Helaena had been close to him since childhood, but it was hard to say that their relationship wasn't tainted by self-interest. By marrying Helaena, Aegon and Aemond, and Daeron and the others would always remain loyal to him. Even if Alicent was confined in Harrenhal, House Hightower fell from power, and Aemond was exiled, Aegon and the others would accept it calmly, trusting their brother.
"Rhaegar." Rhaenyra's face was grim. After a long hesitation, she turned and left. She and her brother would discuss the matter in private.
"Your Grace." Baela called softly and quickly caught up with her.
"Hmph!" The Sea Snake's face was ugly as he stormed away. Rhaegar saw this but didn't bother to stop him. They only cared about immediate gains and losses and didn't consider long-term stability. He was the king, and he had to be careful with every step he took. No one in the council dared to speak up after this.
Rhaegar looked around and patted his two daughters on the head, coaxing them, "How about going to play with your brother for a while?"
"Okay~" Dany timidly glanced at Baelon and agreed.
Anna was so happy that she jumped up and down, "Okay, let's go to the Dragonpit to find the baby dragon."
Rhaegar smiled and was about to ask the brothers Erryk and Arryk to escort them when Jeyne stepped forward and volunteered, "I'll take them. It's a good chance to meet Stormcloud." She didn't object to Rhaegar's plan. After all, the two girls would surely lose to Rhaenyra's many children. She would lead the three children to cultivate their relationship and, by the way, take a look at the silver baby dragon, who used to be quite close to her.
(Word count: 2,081)