"Since two other powers were involved, we didn't dare act rashly. Rhaenys stayed behind to keep watching the Kingdom of the Three Daughters Fleet and the pirates of the Stepstones, while I came back first to seek the king's instructions."
King Jaehaerys was very pleased to see that Daemon, who usually favored arrogance and impulsive action, had handled this matter with such care. He offered his praise at once.
"Yes, you handled this matter very well!"
"With the Great Dragons of House Targaryen increasing by the day, the Nine Free Cities have probably been worried for quite some time."
"If we act too aggressively and overbearingly, we could easily provoke their resentment and drive them to unite against us."
"For now, just keep a close watch on both sides. Since the Kingdom of the Three Daughters has decided to move against the Stepstones, they will surely root out the pirates who have been entrenched there for years."
"Wiping out the pirates of the Stepstones will also benefit the merchant fleets of the Seven Kingdoms considerably. Once that is done, we can demand that the Kingdom of the Three Daughters hand over Mund Hightower and the others."
"Yes, understood!"
Daemon murmured his agreement, though his own inclination had been to fly straight in on his dragon and seize them.
Then Danyla spoke.
"It may not be a good thing for the Seven Kingdoms if the Kingdom of the Three Daughters gains complete control of the Stepstones."
"But for now, standing back and watching their struggle is indeed our best option."
Danyla's words prompted Jaehaerys to reconsider the matter carefully. For a while, everyone concentrated on breakfast, and the room fell silent.
"Speaking of which, Braavos actually dared to send Faceless Men to assassinate Danyla. We can't simply let that go."
Daemon