A conversation between cousins

Thinking his nose was merely running, Borros swiped at it carelessly with his large hand, then continued addressing Anne in his booming voice, imagining himself quite dashing.

"Good wine! Fill it again!"

"Ser Borros, you... you're bleeding from your nose!"

Looking at Borros's smeared face, Anne suppressed a laugh and gently reminded him.

The onlookers' expressions, however, gave Danyla much to ponder.

Apart from Duke Boremund, Princess Rhaenys, and a handful of others who showed concern and tried to stop him, most looked ready to enjoy the spectacle.

"Borros, enough. It seems you really shouldn't drink too much of this wine."

Princess Rhaenys spoke out clearly. Clever as she was, she knew Borros was certain to lose. Any further bravado would only make him embarrass himself more.

But Borros plainly failed to appreciate Princess Rhaenys's intentions.

"I'm fine. It's only a little nosebleed. Fill it again!"

Borros's obtuse behavior undoubtedly earned the contempt of the nobles present. Some noblewomen even hid their smiles behind handkerchiefs or folding fans.

Others were more discreet, but Danyla still caught the delight at his misfortune in their expressions. Her cousins Viserys and Daemon were among them.

Even Lord Corlys, the Sea Snake, who had always enjoyed good relations with House Baratheon, had unmistakable contempt in his eyes.

"Ser Borros, you really mustn't drink any more! Your body won't be able to take it."

"You've only had two cups, and you're certain to lose. Why drink yourself into trouble as well?"

Anne seemed to be trying to dissuade him, but in truth, her words only goaded Borros further.

Borros's bull-like eyes widened, and he immediately urged her on impatiently.

"Enough nonsense. Fill it up!"

Anne continued protesting, but her hands had already deftly filled his cup again.

Ignoring the pleas of the only people who still cared about him, Borros swiftly drained his third cup of House Targaryen's Dragonfire.

Young and strong, Borros struggled to keep his swaying body steady as he shouted excitedly.

"Good wine! Good wine!"

"Hic... fill it again!"

Thud!

His bulky body hit the Dragonstone floor hard enough to make it tremble. Clearly, he would not have the pleasure of enjoying a fourth cup of House Targaryen's Dragonfire that day.

"Oh, Ser Borros!"

Anne's cry sounded startled and anxious, yet the wine she held level did not so much as ripple. Clearly, all her panic was feigned.

"Borros!"

Duke Boremund immediately rushed over and helped Borros up, then shouted furiously at the guards beside him.

"You fools, what are you standing around for? Take Borros away at once! Fetch the maester, quickly!"

After a flurry of commotion, several guards finally carried Borros away and settled him in a room in the Guest Keep.

After examining him, Tigris concluded that Borros was merely drunk and would be fine once he woke. He also had a maester's assistant pour several cups of Hangover Draught down his throat.

Danyla had won the wager as well: ten of the most advanced three-masted sailing ships. She had managed to carve a small slice out of both the Stormlands and Lord Corlys, the Sea Snake.

"Ha ha ha! House Targaryen's Dragonfire is excellent indeed! It certainly lives up to its name!"

"Servants, pour a cup for every lord and lady present! Good wine should be shared with everyone!"

King Jaehaerys had finally seen fit to step forward and take charge.

"Earl Redwyne, I must trouble you to remain at Dragonstone Castle for a time and help Danyla inspect the ten three-masted sailing ships from the Stormlands!"

Robert Redwyne bowed, looking honored to have been included.

"It would be my greatest honor, Your Grace!"

The attendants soon poured everyone present a cup of House Targaryen's Dragonfire.

King Jaehaerys raised his cup again and declared spiritedly.

"To House Targaryen's Dragonfire! To the strongest wine in the Seven Kingdoms!"

Everyone cooperated readily. Whatever their private thoughts, they all wore expressions of shared pride as they called out.

"To the strongest wine in the Seven Kingdoms!"

"Ha ha ha! Quite a fine flavor, wouldn't you say, Duke Boremund?"

Her cousin Daemon savored the lingering taste of Dragonfire as he teased Duke Boremund.

"Whenever people spread word of House Targaryen's Dragonfire and sing its praises, they certainly won't leave House Baratheon out."

"What a curious bond our two houses share!"

"Hmph!"

At those words, Boremund's face turned thunderous. Rather than respond to Daemon, he asked Maester Tigris to send a raven back to the Stormlands, ordering his household to sail their ten finest three-masted sailing ships over.

Lord Corlys, the Sea Snake, also fulfilled his promise, sending word for his family to deliver House Velaryon's finest three-masted oared galley to Dragonstone.

Duke Boremund insisted on giving House Velaryon an additional three-masted sailing ship warship as compensation.

Viserys drew Danyla aside and spoke quietly.

"Danyla! Congratulations on winning ten three-masted sailing ships!"

"But you must understand that winning these ships has brought you wealth and attention, and may also invite criticism, or even resentment."

"In the world of the nobility, power, reputation, and relationships often matter far more than wealth and force of arms."

Prince Viserys looked steadily at his cousin Danyla as he spoke.

Danyla nodded thoughtfully. She knew her cousin was teaching her how to survive in this complicated world.

Seeing that Danyla had taken his words to heart, Viserys continued.

"When dealing with nobles, always remain vigilant. Don't offend anyone lightly, and don't trust anyone too readily."

"You must also learn to use your intelligence to make them serve your purposes. Remember, power lies in control, not in display."

"I'll remember that, cousin!"

Danyla spoke firmly.

Viserys looked at Danyla affectionately, then went on to ask her with an air of casualness.

"Danyla, what do you think of House Targaryen's Great Dragon?"

Danyla glanced at her cousin and deliberately said.

"They say House Targaryen is closer to the gods than ordinary people. I know that's because we can control Great Dragons. But perhaps the very idea that we can control Great Dragons is an illusion."

Viserys smiled, stroked Danyla's hair, and spoke softly.

"Great Dragons do grant us great power, but that power is also a responsibility. We must use it wisely."

After considering this for a moment, Danyla replied.

"You're right, cousin. Great Dragons are our advantage, but we must use them cautiously. We can use their power to establish our authority and deter our enemies, but we must also be careful not to make our Great Dragons targets of others' fear and jealousy."

Viserys nodded in agreement.

"We must also cultivate understanding and trust between ourselves and our Great Dragons. Only by forming a deep bond with them can we better harness their power."

"Danyla, today you showed everyone a clever and formidable Targaryen princess! Your cousin is proud of you!"