During the banquet, Cassandra walked through the crowd and walked to the seat of Velaryon's house.
"Master Jacaerys," Cassandra said sweetly, "I heard that your eyes were injured at Tidepool Island?"
"It's such a pity... a good face was ruined like this."
Jacaerys's face instantly turned ugly.
"However," Cassandra continued, glancing at Aemond who was chatting and laughing with Helaena not far away, "I feel pity for you."
Lucerys stood up. "Miss, what do you mean?"
"Did I say anything?" Cassandra blinked pretending to be innocent, "I just think... if you can't even keep your fiancée's heart, that would be really sad."
She bowed gracefully, turned and left, leaving behind three angry teenagers.
Jacaerys's hands clenched into fists.
His intact right eye was staring at Aemond and Helaena in the distance - the two were talking in a low voice, Helaena covered his mouth and chuckled.
"I want to ask her to dance." Jacaerys said suddenly.
"What?" Lucerys looked at his brother in surprise.
"I said, I want to ask Helaena to dance." Jacaerys stood up and adjusted her dress, "I am about to get engaged to her, this is a natural right."
"Everyone!" Duke Borros rang the silver cup and the whole hall fell silent, "Thank you for coming all the way. Stormlands There is an old saying: The stronger the wind, the deeper the roots."
"I have been in Storm's End for seventy years, and I have experienced enough storms. Each time, I firmly believe in one thing: the foundation of the family lies in blood, responsibility, and... loyalty."
He paused and slowly scanned the audience. "Today we are gathered here. There are relatives, friends, and... people with different positions."
"But under the roof of Storm's End, let us put aside our differences for the time being. For the sake of the family, for the inheritance, and for the future of Seven Kingdoms, let's drink this cup together!"
"For Seven Kingdoms!" the nobles responded in unison and raised their glasses to drink together.
The banquet went on as usual. The waiters served delicacies, and the bards played and sang about the achievements of Baratheon's ancestors. After the dance began, Jacaerys walked through the crowd and came to Greens's seat.
The young man bowed slightly with impeccable etiquette. "Princess Helaena, would you be honored to dance with you?"
Helaena was startled, and subconsciously looked at Aemond.
Daeron, who was next to him, spoke first, his voice clear but sarcastic. "Nephew, your left eye is inconvenient. If you step on my sister's feet while dancing, I'm afraid it won't look good."
Jacaerys's face turned red instantly, but he suppressed his anger. "Thank you uncle for caring. Even if I only have one eye, I can still see the dance steps clearly."
"Really?" Daeron tilted his head, "But how come I heard that some people not only have eye problems, but they can't even see their own identity clearly?"
The atmosphere suddenly turned cold.
Prince Aegon frowned. "Daeron, be polite to our nephew."
Daeron tilted his head disdainfully. Although he rarely stayed at King's Landing, he also knew that Greens and Blacks had long been incompatible.
Aemond looked at Jacaerys: "Helaena is feeling unwell today and will not dance. Please go back."
Jacaerys's hands clenched into fists. Lucerys and Joffrey following him also glared angrily.
At this moment, the voice of Corlys came. "Jacaerys."
The three teenagers turned their heads. Sea Snake sat in his seat and just said lightly, "Come back. Don't disturb the banquet."
Jacaerys took a breath, bowed stiffly, turned around and left.
At the main table not far away, Rhaenyra had a panoramic view of this scene, her face could not hide her anger, her son was humiliated.
Daemon next to him saw it, but looked indifferent and whispered, "Rhaenyra, don't have an attack here."
"Pay attention to guest etiquette..."
Rhaenyra closed his eyes, put on a smile again, and turned to Duke Borros.
"Little Viserys has just been born," she said in a gentle voice, "If we can marry Baratheon, the bloodline between our two families will be even closer."
The heir of Duke Borros - the forty-year-old Borros·Baratheon frowned. "My youngest daughter is five years old this year."
"If you want to get married, it should be with Prince Aegon, why not Aegon?"
"Aegon has made arrangements." Rhaenyra declined politely.
Borros's eyes flashed with displeasure.
Duke Borros noticed his son's emotions and raised his hand to signal him to be silent.
"I will consider this marriage." The old Duke said slowly, "Stormlands will continue to support you, Rhaenyra."
Borros had no choice but to lower his head and force a smile on his face.
In the second half of the banquet, Corlys·Velaryon knocked the silver cup.
The hall gradually became quiet.
"Everyone," Sea Snake's voice echoed through the dome, "I would like to take advantage of this grand event to announce something."
"From today on, Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey will officially become members of House Velaryon."
"They are the legal heirs of Laenor·Velaryon, and will inherit the surname of Velaryon and the foundation of Tidepool Island."
"They, and their descendants, will relinquish all inheritance rights to Iron Throne."
The whole place was in an uproar.
Rhaenyra stood up and answered, "I have written to the king and will go to King's Landing soon to report this matter."
"At the same time, my son Aegon·Targaryen will officially become my heir."
At the banquet, the nobles exchanged meaningful glances, Crown Prince, which was clarifying the inheritance rights.
Aemond stood up and said in a clear voice, "Corlys is generous, Sir. But I have something to ask."
"Since the three nephews are classified as House Velaryon, what should we do with the dragons they control, Vermithor, Arrax, and Tyraxes?"
Corlys replied with a calm smile, "Just like when Princess Rhaenys married Velaryon."
"Sir, what do you mean, these dragons are just loaned to Velaryon?" Aemond asked.
Rhaenyra then said, "The dragon naturally still belongs to House Targaryen, Velaryon... just taking care of it on his behalf."
Aemond caught a glimpse of Daemon holding Aegon the Younger behind Rhaenyra. The prince shook his head gently at him with complicated eyes.
Aemond understood in his heart, stopped asking questions, and sat down slowly.
When the banquet ended, the moonlight was already deep.
Aemond On the promenade above the west side of the castle, you can overlook the entire Shipbreaker Bay below and watch the waves endlessly beating against the cliff below.
The sound of footsteps came from behind, neither fast nor slow.
"The scenery is nice." Daemon walked to him and leaned against the stone railing.
The two stood side by side, their silver hair glowing similarly in the moonlight.
"Uncle just shook his head, what did you mean?" Aemond got straight to the point.
Daemon looked at the sea and did not answer directly. Instead, he said to himself, "Do you know what I admire most about you, Aemond?"
"Want to hear the details."
"We are the same kind of people."
Daemon turned his head, his purple eyes bottomless in the night, "Love is love, hate is hate, and wanting is wanting."
Silence spread between the two, only the sound of the waves continued.
For a long time, Daemon said to himself, "I have done a lot of crazy things in my life..."
"But I have never regretted it, until now..."
He paused:
"Velaryon, will have four dragons, plus the bloodline that can control dragons..."
"What does this mean? You should know."
Daemon turned around and faced Aemond:
"I hope those three kids die."
"Can you do it?"
Aemond smiled and said, "I can do it."
Seeing him agree, Daemon nodded and smiled, "I want to win."
"I want to watch my son sit on Iron Throne, and I want to watch Rhaenyra wear the crown."
"But the real Targaryen, Silver hair and purple eyes have pure blood and cannot be tainted by anyone."
He stared into Aemond's eyes:
"I love Rhaenyra, so I have to tell you that if war breaks out, I will do my best to fight for Blacks."
"If that fails..."
"I also hope that Greens will ride on Iron Throne."
"But not a Targaryen stolen by bastards and outsiders."
Aemond looked at this uncle with complicated eyes.
Daemon, finger, pointing at Aemond: "Good luck, kid."
"If that day comes, I will not hesitate or show mercy."
"Each other."
Daemon turned around and left, his black robe fluttering in the night wind. The sound of footsteps gradually faded away, and was eventually swallowed up by the sound of the waves.