Marriage Alliance

The envoy himself was the first to enter the council chamber.

Two attendants followed behind him.

He looked to be around thirty, tall and upright.

What drew the most attention was his appearance—standard Valyrian features.

Long silver hair, pale skin, deep and handsome features, and a pair of clear blue eyes.

He did not possess the purple eyes commonly seen in House Targaryen, but the combination of silver hair and blue eyes still proved his Valyrian blood.

"king of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm, Your Majesty Viserys," the envoy said in fluent Common Tongue.

He placed his right hand over his chest and bowed slightly, his manners impeccable without being servile.

"I am Corlys Velaryon. By order of the Governor of Lys, my elder brother Lucerys Velaryon, I have come to pay homage to Your Majesty and bring the friendship and greetings of the Triarchy."

Standing at the King's side, Aemond calmly observed the envoy.

House Velaryon...

They possessed Valyrian blood, but lacked the ability to command dragons.

They had risen in Lys through nothing more than business acumen and political maneuvering.

Now, they were one of the great families holding power in that Free City.

Corlys Velaryon straightened, his icy blue eyes slowly sweeping across everyone in the hall.

His gaze lingered briefly on Lord Hand Otto.

Then Corlys turned his eyes toward Aemond at the King's side.

Scrutiny, curiosity, and appraisal flashed through those blue eyes.

"Welcome to King's Landing, Corlys Velaryon." Viserys nodded and motioned for an attendant to bring the envoy a chair.

"Please, sit. You have traveled a long way. The journey must have been difficult."

"Thank you for Your Majesty's consideration." Corlys sat in the carved chair brought by the attendant.

"It is my greatest honor to set foot on Westeros and behold the majesty of the Red Keep."

After the pleasantries, Corlys got to the point. "Your Majesty, the primary purpose of my visit is to reopen trade between the Triarchy and the Seven Kingdoms."

"Since the dispute over the Stepstones began, trade between us has been cut off and never resumed."

Corlys continued sincerely, "Trade should benefit both sides. Yet now..."

Corlys shook his head and said no more, but his meaning was clear.

Viserys pondered for a moment. It was not as though he failed to understand the importance of trade.

But the conflict between the Triarchy and House Velaryon over the Stepstones had lasted for many years.

When the Seven Kingdoms had also declared war upon the Triarchy,

all exchange between the two sides had been completely severed.

The war had ultimately ended in Velaryon victory. Though both sides had signed an armistice, their relationship remained delicate.

"Trade is, by nature, a good thing," Viserys said slowly. "But tariffs and management of the sea lanes concern the interests of the Crown and the lords of every port."

"This matter must be discussed with the Master of Ships, the Master of Coin, and the relevant lords."

It was a cautious answer. He neither refused nor agreed at once.

Corlys seemed to have expected this and smiled as he nodded. "Your Majesty has considered the matter thoroughly. I have brought detailed written proposals, which I will later present to Lord Hand and the other ministers."

"I believe that so long as both sides are sincere, we will certainly find a mutually beneficial arrangement."

Then his tone shifted, becoming solemn. "Beyond that, I have an even more important purpose for this visit."

"On behalf of House Velaryon, I wish to request a marriage alliance with the Targaryen royal house."

The council chamber instantly fell silent.

A marriage alliance? Viserys I's heart stirred. House Velaryon possessed immense wealth and political influence on the Eastern Continent.

Their wealth could be called enough to rival a kingdom.

Viserys stared at Corlys. "A marriage alliance?"

"House Velaryon wishes to marry into House Targaryen?"

"Precisely, Your Majesty." Corlys admitted it openly. "House Velaryon carries Valyrian blood. Though we cannot compare to the nobility of House Targaryen, our bloodline remains pure."

"My elder brother Lucerys believes that if our two houses joined together, it would become a celebrated union and strengthen the relationship between us."

He paused, then added, "To demonstrate our sincerity, House Velaryon is willing to provide gold, jewels, and goods worth five hundred thousand Gold Dragons as a dowry."

"Five hundred thousand Gold Dragons?!" Master of Coin Lyman could not stop himself from crying out. Even Master of Laws Jasper widened his eyes.

The sum was staggering, enough to tempt any noble.

Lord Hand Otto seemed to have known already, and no surprise showed on his face.

Otto calmly watched the King, waiting for his reaction.

Viserys fell into thought. A dowry of five hundred thousand Gold Dragons, coupled with House Velaryon's influence on the Eastern Continent—this was indeed an exceedingly tempting marriage alliance.

If it succeeded, it would not only fill the royal treasury but also open new prospects for the royal house on the Eastern Continent.

It might even... to a certain extent, counterbalance House Velaryon's influence over the Narrow Sea.

"I have felt the sincerity of House Velaryon," Viserys said slowly. "But marriage is no trivial matter. Which of my children does your house favor?"

Corlys turned his gaze toward Aemond. "Your Majesty, Prince Aemond."

He inclined his head slightly. "My youngest sister, the legitimate daughter of House Velaryon, is named Aelin Velaryon. She is thirteen this year, beautiful, well educated, and fluent in several languages."

"Moreover, she and Prince Aemond are close in age, and their bloodlines are well matched..."

Aemond remained silent as he looked at Corlys, who smiled at him.

Viserys was clearly considering the proposal as well.

He looked at Aemond, his gaze complicated. If the marriage alliance succeeded, the realm would gain House Velaryon of Lys as an ally...

"Aemond," Viserys finally said gently, "what do you think of House Velaryon's proposal...?"

"I refuse."

Aemond spoke clearly, interrupting the King.

The council chamber fell utterly silent.

Every gaze focused on Aemond. Shock and confusion appeared on Lord Hand Otto's face.

Such excellent terms—why refuse?

Corlys Velaryon raised his brows slightly. A flicker of surprise passed through his icy blue eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

The other ministers wore varying expressions.

Viserys was stunned as well. He had given Aemond so much—lands, wealth, the power to attend the small council. It was almost the full extent of his affection.

Now such a favorable marriage alliance had been delivered right before him, and his son had rejected it without even thinking?

"Aemond," Viserys said, a trace of displeasure entering his voice, "Corlys has traveled a great distance on behalf of House Velaryon, and his sincerity is beyond doubt."

"Marriage is one of life's great matters. Are you going to reject it so rashly without even considering it?"

"Father." Aemond turned to face the King directly, his purple eyes unwavering. "I am not being rash."

"I simply do not like it."

The words were arrogant enough to make Viserys frown.

Corlys Velaryon smiled, not offended. "Your Highness is still a youth. It is only natural that he possesses youthful pride."

He gestured to the attendants behind him. A guard stepped forward carrying an exquisite long sandalwood box and opened its lid.

Inside was a delicate parchment painting. Corlys personally unfurled it, held it in both hands, and faced it toward the King and Aemond.

The painting depicted a young girl seated upon a stone bench in a garden. She wore a pale blue gauze dress, her silver-white hair cascading to her waist like a waterfall, adorned with tiny pearls from Lys.

Her features were as exquisite as sculpture, her skin so fair it seemed nearly translucent. Her blue eyes were clear and tranquil, and a faint smile rested on her lips.

Though she was still young, her beauty was already apparent.

"This is my youngest sister, Aelin Velaryon," Corlys said proudly. "In Lys, she is known as the Moon, and she has countless suitors."

The girl in the painting truly was beautiful. Her cool, noble bearing bore some resemblance to members of House Targaryen.

Many in the chamber showed admiration. Even Viserys could not help looking at her several more times.

"Aemond," the king said, his tone somewhat gentler, "what do you think now...?"

"I refuse." Aemond spoke again, colder and more resolute.

This time, even Corlys Velaryon's expression darkened slightly.

He rolled up the painting and looked directly at Aemond with blue eyes. "Your Highness, may I ask the reason? Do you think she is unworthy of you, or do you hold some dissatisfaction toward House Velaryon?"

"There is no reason," Aemond answered calmly. "I simply do not wish to marry her."

"Aemond!" Viserys finally lost his temper. He slapped the armrest of his chair, his face flushing red. The exertion made him cough several times.

An attendant hurriedly offered him warm water, but the King shoved it away.

"I have given you everything you wanted!" Viserys panted. "And now, when such a perfect marriage alliance is placed before you, you still insist on rejecting it out of sheer willfulness?!"

"Do you have any regard left for me as your father? Any regard for the interests of the royal house?!"

Aemond looked at his enraged father, feeling no ripple in his heart.

He knew he was challenging Viserys's authority.

Viserys looked at Aemond, who remained silent and said not a word, and felt an immense headache coming on.

Corlys Velaryon's expression darkened completely.

He rose to his feet.

"Your Majesty, if Prince Aemond is unwilling to agree, we will not force the matter."

Lord Hand Otto hurriedly stood and tried to smooth things over. "Your Majesty, since Prince Aemond has no intention of marrying for now, perhaps... we might consider another arrangement?"

Still caught between shock and anger, Viserys asked instinctively, "What arrangement?"

Otto turned his gaze toward Corlys. "Lord Corlys, Lady Aelin and Prince Aemond are close in age and would have made a fine match."

"But since the Prince is unwilling for the time being, perhaps... Prince Aegon could be considered instead?"

He looked at Corlys and added, "Prince Aegon is His Majesty's eldest son and of noble status. What do you think?"

Corlys Velaryon fell silent for a moment.

He glanced at Aemond. The silver-haired, purple-eyed prince still stood there, watching him expressionlessly.

Then Corlys looked at Otto. Their eyes met, as if they had reached some unspoken understanding.

"Prince Aegon..." Corlys said slowly. "He is indeed a suitable candidate. However, he is currently on Tidepool Island, so..."

"He will remain on Tidepool Island for only two years," Otto said.

"When he returns to King's Landing, the wedding can be prepared. In the meantime, the two sides may formally become engaged, exchange tokens, and announce it to the Seven Kingdoms."

Corlys considered this for a moment before finally nodding. "If that is the case, House Velaryon is willing to accept this proposal. A marriage alliance with Prince Aegon would be equally great an honor."

He turned to Viserys and bowed again. "Your Majesty, what is your will?"

Viserys took several deep breaths, trying to calm himself.

He had also considered the possible consequences of Aegon marrying Aelin Velaryon...

Viserys looked once more at Otto. There was a pleading look in his Hand's eyes.

"Your Majesty, you once promised Queen Alicent that Aegon and Helaena would become engaged once she had grown up..."

"But now, you have married Helaena to Jacaerys, and Aegon will not find a better match..."

"Very well." Viserys waved a hand weakly. "We shall proceed as you, my Hand, suggest. The marriage alliance between Aegon and Aelin Velaryon..."

"The specific arrangements will be handled by the Hand and the Master of Laws."