Undercurrents at the Celebration

The engagement ceremony was still ongoing, and the surrounding guests were still enjoying the celebration.

However, in a corner some distance away, seeing Alys Rivers reveal that familiar, mysterious smile, Larys Strong responded with his signature sly grin.

Larys had just been dragged by Harwin to drink with Myles and the others, when he inadvertently caught sight of Alys Rivers, who hadn't been seen for a long time, and she gave Prince Little Daemon a meaningful look.

Ever since that night in the Harrenhal Godswood, when this woman grabbed him and said she could fulfill his ambitions and aspirations, she asked him to take her to find the then equally mysterious "Black Dragon"—Prince Little Daemon, the Blackfyre Prince.

After that night, Little Daemon took her and himself from Harrenhal. After their tour, they rarely appeared in King's Landing. His sudden appearance today, hiding in a corner and watching Prince Little Daemon, is highly suspicious.

Just as Larys was about to walk over, Harwin grabbed his arm.

"Never mind her," Harwin Strong took a big gulp of ale. "Grandfather and Father both said she's just a forest witch, and it's normal for her to be a little strange."

Come on, you're finally free today, have another drink with me, otherwise Borros Baratheon, Brandon Stark, and Myles Rivers will laugh at us. Especially that philandering Big Daemon!

Larys frowned, but then gave a helpless, signature sly smile. He turned to look at the other side of the square, and as expected, Jarman Waters was leaning against a corner wall, holding a glass of wine, chatting with Harlan Hunter while habitually keeping a watchful eye on his surroundings.

Larys winked at Jarman, Jarman immediately understood and nodded slightly, his gaze subtly sweeping over Alys Rivers.

But at that moment, the music from the platform stopped.

On stage, Daemon gently set down his harp, then gently reached out and grasped Gael's hand, finally accepting a small golden crown from a servant.

It was made of pure gold and inlaid with tiny rubies, like the eyes of a dragon.

He gently placed the golden crown on Gael's head, his voice so tender it could melt water. "Gael, my little aunt," my dearest love, from the dragon's Dragonpit Dragonstone to the Red Keep in King's Landing, from the snowstorms of the Wall the North to the waves of the Stepstones, you have always been by my side.

From this day forward, I will protect you with the Blackfyre and warm you with the Glutton's Dragonfire, just as I always have, until we both become dust in the annals of history.

Gael, who had been holding back for so long, finally let her tears fall. Just like before when she was the "Child of Winter" before riding Dreamfyre, she was so vulnerable that she threw herself into Daemon's arms, her voice choked with sobs. "Me too, Little Daemon, I will always be with you."

The crowd cheered again, this time even louder than before.

King Jaehaerys led the way, clapping and laughing. Queen Alysanne wiped away tears as she looked at her young grandson and daughter, and Prince Baelon smiled with satisfaction.

Rhaenys held Laena in her arms, Laena excitedly waved her seashell trumpet, while Laenor secretly slipped the embroidered handkerchief to the handsome servant standing nearby.

This morning, Daemon Targaryen, initially forced by Jaehaerys, Alysanne, Baelon, Viserys, and even Rhaenys and Aemma, reluctantly sat down with his equally reluctant legal wife House Royce Rhea.

However, he then took the opportunity to pull Borros Baratheon and Brandon Stark, who were drinking together in the crowd, to a corner, and stole a piece of honey cake from them.

"When do you think Little Daemon will consummate his marriage with Gael?" Borros picked up a piece of cake from the table next to him, took a big bite, and mumbled, "I bet it's next month. If it's later, I'll give you all the ale I've stored in Storm's End."

Brandon smiled and nodded, about to speak, when he saw Rhea House Royce standing not far away, staring at them with a livid expression.

Daemon Targaryen's smile, which had been about to retort that the two would be officially married on Dragonstone next month, instantly froze.

He was wearing a silver brocade robe today, having been forced by Baelon to sit next to Rhea in order to give his legal wife a good look. However, he did not expect that Rhea, who was also being coaxed and forced by Yobert and was sitting next to him, still did not give him a good look.

"What bad things are you saying to them again?" Rhea walked over, slamming the bronze amulet on the table with a crisp sound. "If Prince Baelon finds out you caused trouble at your engagement ceremony, he'll sell off all your fancy collections for money and then break your leg with His Majesty Jaehaerys."

Daemon Targaryen rolled his eyes. "My fancy collection is worth way more than your bronze amulets. You'd better mind your own business, you Bronze Bitch of the House Royce."

The two started bickering again, and the young nobles around them watched with amusement. Everyone knew they were sworn enemies; although their marriage was unhappy, they always managed to amuse others with their banter.

On the other side of the square, Otto Hightower was speaking in hushed tones with Taimond Lannister and Grover Tully.

Otto wore a dark green robe and held a leather notebook filled with information about the Joint Fleet's deployment.

"The Black Dragon's prestige is too high," Otto said in a low voice. "Half of the lords who came today are here because of him. If King Jaehaerys and Crown Prince Baelon were to pass away one day, Prince Viserys's position would be in danger."

Taimond held a glass of wine, his brow furrowed deeply.

Today he wore a golden brocade robe embroidered with the roaring lion of Lannister, and a huge ruby was set in the ring on his hand—a treasure of the Westerlands.

"I know," Taimond said, a hint of helplessness in his voice. "The nobles of the Westerlands are saying that Little Daemon is more like a king than Prince Viserys. But we can't afford to turn against him now; the Joint Fleet still needs his Dragonfire."

Grover Tully stood to one side, holding a bottle of peach liqueur, his expression complex.

"The nobles of the Riverlands are also watching," Grover. "Daemon helped us a lot during his tour of the Seven Kingdoms. If we turn against him, the common people of the Riverlands will be unhappy."

Otto fell silent. The situation was the same in the Reach. His own lord, Duke Mathos, occupied Viserys, but his vassals, including his brother Hobert Hightower, were all waiting for the best bidder.

Moreover, he knew that Graves was telling the truth—this black dragon, whose origins were once "unknown," had accumulated too much goodwill in the Seven Kingdoms. He was well-liked, respected, and highly regarded among the younger generation in Westeros. It wouldn't be so easy to bring him down.

Not far away, Corlys House Velaryon was talking to a friend from Braavos.

The messenger wore a grey cloak and carried a sealskin purse containing a letter from a potential aquaman candidate currently serving as the Sealord of Braavos.

"We hope to continue our cooperation," the envoy said in a low voice. "He indicated that if he succeeds in seizing the Sea King's throne, he will be willing to support Princess Rhaenys and your two children's right to the throne, provided that you can jointly control the trade routes of the Narrow Sea after helping him seize the throne. He also expressed his willingness to arrange a marriage between your children and him."

Corlys's eyes flickered; he knew this was an opportunity—if Rhaenys could ascend the Iron Throne, his children would become princes and princesses. This was a long-cherished ambition of his.

But he also knew that Little Daemon. was not so easy to deal with; the young man's eyes held a depth of cunning deeper than the sea.

Moreover, is Rhaenys really still willing to fight now? Corlys silently turned to look at her "The Queen Who Never Was" beside Jocelyn.

The engagement party began when the sun was high in the sky.

The guests took their seats, and servants carried food and drinks through the crowd.

Daemon held Gael's hand and went from table to table toasting. At each table, the nobles would stand up, raise their glasses, and offer their blessings.

Benjen Stark of the the North sent a white fox fur cloak, saying it would protect him from the harsh winter Beyond the Wall;

Grover Tully of the Riverlands sent a jar of aged peach wine, saying it was brewed in his youth and had been stored for twenty years;

Taimond Lannister of the Westerlands sent them a golden lion statue, saying it would protect them.

Boremund Baratheon of Stormlands sent me a battleaxe, saying it was forged overnight by the Smith of Storm's End, and that it was engraved with Daemon's name.

Daemon accepted them one by one, smiling and thanking them.

When it was Daemon's turn to join his followers, Jarman Waters seized the opportunity to approach, kneeling on one knee to present a self-made bow and arrows along with a quiver of specially made arrows. He also took the lead in declaring his eternal loyalty to Daemon.

Colin Celtigar presented His Highness with a nautical chart, saying it was a gift from his uncle, Bartimos Celtigar Platinum, and that it was drawn by an old sailor from their Crab Island, which could lead to a secret bay in the Summer Isles;

Rupert Crabb went even further, presenting a swamp marigold-patterned ancient sword as a gift, claiming it was an heirloom of his ancestor and a sword intended to be His Highness's sharpest weapon, capable of vanquishing all invading enemies.

This caused Lyonel Corbray, who accidentally shared the same idea, to twitch his lips and force a laugh.

Finally, it was Rayford Rosby, the earliest follower of Daemon. The most serious Rayford was dragged along by the most unserious Larys Strong, and he reluctantly spoke up alongside Larys, expressing his willingness to handle all the affairs for His Highness.

Daemon accepted the gifts one by one, and finally patted Rayford on the shoulder. "Thank you, my brothers."

Without you all, I wouldn't be where I am today.

Borros Baratheon immediately chimed in, "What's with all this talk! Let's go to the tavern and have a drinking contest later, whoever loses pays!"

Brandon Stark nodded in agreement, handed over the longbow, and then reached for a short sword and dagger at his waist, seemingly preparing to head to the arena after finishing his drink.

Seeing their lively scene, Gael couldn't help but laugh.

She turned to look at Jocelyn, Jocelyn was chatting with Rhaenys, her eyes filled with satisfaction.

Gael looked at Jaehaerys and Alysanne, who were sitting on the platform, holding wine glasses and looking at the crowd below, their faces full of happiness.

Suddenly, a dragon's roar echoed from the sky.

When Gael looked up, she saw the Glutton hovering above the Red Keep, its black wings spread out like a dark cloud.

Dreamfyre and Caraxes also flew over, their pale blue and scarlet Dragonfire intertwining in the sky, creating a spectacular sight.

Grey Ghost wanted to join in the fun, but was gently bumped by the Glutton, and startled, hid on the roof of the Red Keep.

Daemon held Gael's hand, looked up at the giant dragon in the sky, and then looked at his family and friends beside him, his heart filled with warmth.

He recalled the brutality of the Battle of the Red Grassland in his past life, the despair when the Blackfyre fell to the ground, and the pain of his eldest son Aemon, dying in battle—

Those memories were like a dull knife, carving deep scars into his heart.

But now, he has a new family, new friends, and a new mission.

He must stop the Dance of the Dragons, protect Westeros, and prevent those tragic histories from repeating themselves.

"What are you thinking about?" Gael's voice sounded softly.

Daemon looked down at her, his deep purple eyes filled with tenderness. "I was thinking, if only it could always be like this."

Gael smiled and nodded, resting her head on his shoulder. Sunlight shone on them, Dragonfire reflected on their faces, and all around them were the laughter of relatives, the cheers of friends, and the blessings of the princes of the Seven Kingdoms.

At this moment, all of Westeros was in a frenzy for them, and the whole world was sending their blessings.

In a corner of the square, Alys Rivers watched their retreating figures, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.

She knew that the peace was only temporary; the shadow of the Dance of the Dragons still awaited them ahead, and the threat of the White Walkers had never disappeared.

But she also knew that Daemon was no ordinary person. This Black Dragon from the future would use his sword, his dragon, and his Blackfyre to protect everything he cherished.

Larys Strong, separated from the crowd, stood not far away, watching Alys's back, then glancing at Daemon on the platform, his eyes filled with vigilance.

He took out a small notebook, somewhat regretting that he had brought her to see His Highness in the first place, but now all he could do was write one line in the notebook, "The witch's whereabouts are suspicious; she needs to be closely monitored."

Then he closed his notebook, picked up his glass, and followed the crowd—no matter what undercurrents might lie ahead, at least today they could celebrate.

As the bells of the Red Keep rang again, Daemon took Gael's hand and walked up to the platform.

He raised the Blackfyre, its tip pointing to the sky. The Glutton immediately let out a dragon's roar, and Dragonfire condensed into a huge three-headed dragon shadow in the sky.

The crowd cheered, their voices echoing throughout King's Landing, throughout Westeros, and even to every Free Cities across the Narrow Sea.

At this moment, the Targaryen monarchy reached a new pinnacle.

At this moment, the name Daemon Blackfyre Targaryen will be forever etched in the history of Westeros.

At this moment, all the undercurrents are temporarily hidden beneath the joy, awaiting their future eruption.

But at least for now, they can enjoy this happiness, this engagement ceremony that belongs to them, a blend of Dragonfire and zither music.