Redd played with the parchments, stroking the hair of Mysaria who was kneeling at his feet like a hound.
She is claiming credit and demonstrating her worth and loyalty.
Redd is weighing: Should he detonate this bomb now and completely disrupt the political situation of Westeros, or should he hold it down temporarily and use it as a key trump card?
Or... tell Rhaenyra and see how this "Light of the Kingdom" will react?
His thoughts were interrupted by an unexpected visitor.
Alicent·Hai Tarth, the queen who was about to be crowned actually came to visit in person.
Obviously, Mysaria's actions were not flawless, and House Hightower's intelligence network was equally sharp.
"Let her come in." Redd ordered the maid, without moving his hand from Mysaria's head.
Mesalia was also very obedient and worked very hard to help Redd relax.
Alicent walked into the room, his demeanor still elegant and calm.
She glanced at Mysaria, who was kneeling in front of Redd in a humble posture.
The decent smile on his face did not change at all, as if what he was seeing was just an insignificant piece of furniture.
This determination makes Redd secretly admire it.
"Miss Alicent, who is about to become the queen," Redd spoke first, with a hint of playfulness in her tone, "Why do you have time to come to my humble residence?"
Alicent's smile became even brighter, with just the right amount of intimacy and a hint of resentment. "Why does Your Highness, the Prince, have to be so angry?
I thought that after our previous conversations, we were at least... friends. It seems that I am being overly sentimental."
"Friend?" Redd chuckled, unconsciously curling a strand of Mysaria's hair with his fingers,
"Ms. Alicent, I don't want to talk secretly. Let's talk about... something that interests me."
Alicent's eyes fell on Mysaria again, and he meant something. "Your Highness, dogs that have betrayed their masters are often not well-raised.
If she can betray Prince Daemon today, it may not come back to bite you in the future.
You have to be extremely careful when using tools like this..."
"I don't need you to teach me how to use people." Redd's voice suddenly turned cold, interrupting her provocation, "If you talk about this nonsense again, I won't be interested in listening to you anymore."
His gaze was as sharp as a knife, piercing Alicent.
Alicent's breathing was slightly stagnant, knowing that the room for testing had disappeared.
She stopped her smile and said seriously, "We can form an alliance.
You have taken control of Iron Bank, but there are still a lot of old debts in Seven Kingdoms that are difficult to collect.
My family and I can help you recover these debts and... on this basis, double your income."
She threw out the first bargaining chip - a huge amount of wealth, trying to use money to block Redd's mouth.
Redd shook his head, his tone flat but unquestionable. "Not enough."
Alicent was already prepared and continued:
"I also know that you have been sending people to look for... those special areas that can cause people and animals to undergo strange mutations and even die."
She paused and observed Redd's expression, "I know one of the exact locations."
Redd's eyes narrowed slightly.
He has indeed been secretly searching for places like "Doom of Valyria ruins", "Smoking Sea" or legendary places containing strange radiation and magical distortions.
To study its power, it may even be used to strengthen itself or the army.
This matter is extremely secretive, and Alicent actually knew about it. It seems that House Hightower's penetration and intelligence capabilities in Oldtown Citadel far exceeded his expectations.
"Tell me the location," Redd leaned forward slightly, releasing the pressure, "If it is indeed the place I am looking for, I can temporarily... help you keep the secret."
"I need your commitment." Alicent insisted. She had to get a clear guarantee.
"Okay, I promise you." Redd nodded simply.
A verbal promise has limited binding force in the face of real interests, but it is enough to seal a deal at this moment.
Alicent took out a roll of carefully drawn parchment charts from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.
Redd took it, untied the tether and unfolded it.
The location marked on the map is located deep in the Summer Sea, close to an archipelago on the north coast of Sothoryos - Basilisk Isles.
It was marked with storms, reefs and some ancient warning signs.
"Basilisk Isles..." Redd muttered in a low voice. His eyes stayed on the map for a moment, and then he put the map aside seemingly casually.
"Compile all the known information about this archipelago - logbooks, legends, expedition records - and send it to me."
"We will do it as soon as we get back." Alicent responded, feeling a little calmer. The core part of the deal seemed to have been reached.
After the serious talk was over, the atmosphere in the room became subtle.
Redd's eyes swept unscrupulously over Alicent's graceful curves outlined by the gorgeous skirt, and then fell on Mysaria, who was still kneeling on the ground and "working" hard.
"You see Mysaria has been working hard for so long,"
Redd's voice had a trace of lazy malice, "Miss Alicent, would you like to... squat down and help her?"
Alicent's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
She is not an inexperienced girl. Her personal relationship with Viserys has already made her familiar with the affairs of men and women.
After watching that extremely impactful scene for so long, I would be kidding myself if I said I had no reaction.
She could feel her cheeks heating up slightly, her heartbeat speeding up involuntarily, and some strange, taboo-wrapped desire quietly growing in her heart.
But she immediately suppressed it with strong willpower.
She is the future queen and a chess piece carefully cultivated by House Hightower. She must not lose her composure at this moment, let alone leave any clues.
"His Highness was joking," she maintained the surface calm, and even forced out a slightly pale smile, "If there is nothing else, I will leave first."
She bowed slightly, bowed, turned and left. Her steps seemed smooth, but upon closer inspection, there was some imperceptible stiffness and haste.
It wasn't until he walked out of Redd's residence and came to the deserted corridor that Alicent leaned against the cold stone wall and let out a long breath.
She raised her hand to hold her violently heaving chest, trying to calm her uncontrollable heartbeat. Her throat rolled, and she struggled to swallow the inexplicable thirst in her mouth.
The visual and psychological impact of the scene just now was far stronger than she expected.
She forced herself to drive away those charming images and focus on business.
However, the body's reaction cannot deceive people.
Her legs felt a little weak, and the ambivalence of heartbeat and emptiness filled her heart, and her mind was very confused.
She had to squeeze her legs tightly together and walk quickly towards her room in a slightly awkward and unconscious manner.
That embarrassed look was completely different from her usual dignified and elegant image.