In the hall at this moment.
"What... mean?" Rhaenyra asked softly.
"Literal meaning." Corlys put down the flask, "They are no longer your Rhaenyra·Targaryen's descendants, but my Corlys·Velaryon's grandsons, Laenor·Velaryon's legal sons."
"Their surname is Velaryon, and their inheritance rights are Tidepool Island, no longer Iron Throne."
Daemon's eyes lit up. He didn't expect that Corlys was willing to make such a sacrifice.
According to the current situation, it would be fine if they don't fall out.
Rhaenyra was lost in thought, his eyes flashing. "But they... their looks..."
"House Velaryon There are also people with different hair colors." Corlys said calmly.
"As long as I, the head of the Tidepool Island Earl and Velaryon families, are still alive and publicly declare that they are the legitimate heirs of Laenor, the clan members will not dare to question it."
"At the same time, I have told some tribesmen about my ideas, and they also agree."
"Of course, the premise is that you, Rhaenyra, are willing to pay the price."
"What price?"
"I want you to swear by Targaryen blood and Seven."
Rhaenyra did not swear rashly and looked at Corlys quietly.
Corlys said word for word, "First, after the marriage contract between Jacaerys and Helaena·Targaryen is fulfilled, their heirs must marry a girl from the Velaryon clan to allow the blood of Velaryon to flow back."
Rhaenyra frowned, but said nothing. This is better than sending Jacaerys to the Wall.
"Second," Corlys continued, "Your child Aegon, the future heir of Iron Throne, must also marry a woman from Velaryon."
Rhaenyra has no objection.
He stared at the two silent people, "And the third... their dragon."
Daemon interjected. "What do you mean? Those three young dragons?"
The hall fell into silence again.
Corlys slowly leaned back in his chair. "If there is not enough return, even if I like Jacaerys them, I can't continue to bet."
"Rhaenyra, Daemon, you know what I want."
Rhaenyra gasped and looked at him. "You want those three children... and the three dragons?"
Corlys no longer hid his ambition, and said coldly, "It's four heads, including Helaena's Dreamfyre."
"After you become female Queen, they all belong to Velaryon."
"House Velaryon will bear everything for you Rhaenyra, and this is what we ask for in return."
Daemon closed his eyes.
This is the most critical and dangerous step.
The dragon is the foundation of Targaryen's power. For thousands of years, no family without Targaryen blood has been officially allowed to own a dragon.
Even if Velaryon has the bloodline of Valyria, even if they have been intermarried with Targaryen, their descendants will temporarily have the bloodline of Yulong.
But that's just borrowing.
Now Corlys claims the sovereignty of four dragons, three young dragons and one adult dragon "Dreamfyre".
There are four more bloodlines that can control dragons...
It's hard to imagine how far Velaryon will grow in the future.
Daemon opened his eyes. "Do you know what this means?"
"It means that Velaryon will become the second most powerful force in Seven Kingdoms," Corlys said calmly, "Which means that anyone who wants to touch Tidepool Island must weigh the wrath of the four dragons."
"It also means...Targaryen no longer has a monopoly on the power of the dragon."
Corlys paused, "But don't worry, if you agree, I will let all the clansmen issue Blood Oath, and the descendants of Velaryon will never usurp the throne of Targaryen."
"The goal of our family is Triarchy of the Eastern Continent. We are still vassals under Targaryen, and we will also become kin in the future..."
Hearing Corlys's thoughts made Daemon laugh angrily.
"Sir, you have such a beautiful idea. Do you want to take advantage of our Targaryen like this?"
"I just said everything I thought." Corlys looked at Rhaenyra, "This is the best way."
"Velaryon's bloodline that can control dragons in the future will also be passed down to you."
"I am also willing to let Velaryon become a branch of Targaryen... instead of the current vassal..."
"When Jacaerys and the others grow up, I can rely on the dragon and huge fleet to defeat Triarchy."
"Velaryon will occupy Lys, Tyroshi, Myr, these Free Cities."
"These children of yours will become the kings there. Of course, they must have the surname Velaryon."
"In this way, if you make Aegon your heir, no one will question your inheritance rights, everything is legal, your throne will be preserved, and Velaryon will also receive the compensation he deserves."
"We've shed enough blood for Iron Throne, it's time to get something back."
Rhaenyra walked to the window and looked towards the dark dragon cliff.
On the dragon cliff, Jacaerys is interacting intimately with his baby dragon "Vermithor".
Her eldest son, the child who clumsily comforted her when she was sad.
The boy who became more resilient after losing an eye...
If he agrees, he will become the heir of Velaryon and the lord of Tidepool Island, but will lose the right to continue Iron Throne.
Targaryen will lose ownership of the four dragons...
But if you don't agree...
She thought of her father Viserys's reprimanding letters over the years, the disdainful sarcasm of the nobles, and the smile of the winner Alicent.
And what Daemon said, these children may be at the mercy of others in the future...
"I..." Rhaenyra's voice trembled, "I need some time to think about it."
"Rhaenyra, you don't have time." Corlys stood up, "Name Day Feast of Duke Borros will be in five days."
All the nobles Stormlands, Riverlands, and Crownlands will be present."
"Rhaenyra, if you can't give the answer before the banquet, I will assume that you have chosen another path."
"And House Velaryon will have to reconsider its position."
Daemon narrowed his eyes. "Are you threatening us?"
"I just provide the best method, Prince Daemon."
"As long as you agree, even if the situation is like this, Velaryon will still bet on Rhaenyra."
"You can't let us pay such a high price without asking for anything in return, right?"
He walked towards the door, stopped at the threshold, and looked back at Daemon: "Daemon·Targaryen, you owe my son a life, and you owe House Velaryon an explanation."
"If this renewed cooperation is successful, we will be cleared."
The door closed and the footsteps faded away.
The only sounds left in the hall were the crackle of the fireplace and the whine of the sea breeze through the stone windows.
Daemon walked behind Rhaenyra and put his hands gently on her shoulders.
This time, she didn't pull away and whispered.
"This is the best option,"
"At least the children can live, have a legitimate position, and have a bright future."
"These children are all bleeding from me... Nowadays, there are very few Targaryen people, and our Aegon will also need the support of these relatives in the future."
"Just like ancestor Aegon the Conqueror created House Baratheon, I am also creating a new branch."
Seeing Rhaenyra wanting to agree, Daemon said eagerly, "Velaryon has his own family heritage!"
"Aegon the Conqueror didn't give that Targaryen illegitimate son Orys back then, dragon!"
"But you want to give Velaryon ownership of the four dragons! This might change everything!"
"Have you ever thought that these generations may have a harmonious relationship, but what about the future?"
"Maybe we are personally creating an opponent for Targaryen, a family that can also control the dragon?"
Rhaenyra shook his head:
"I don't care about the future, what I want is now."
She held Daemon's hand tightly and looked at him.
"Daemon, you will help me, right?"
Daemon showed hesitation and indecision on his face.
No matter how crazy he is, he still feels that he is not as crazy as his wife Rhaenyra at this moment.
"Daemon... I beg you, help me."
Finally, Daemon gritted his teeth and nodded.