Redd rubbed the hand that was slapped away. He was not annoyed at all. Instead, he admired Rhaenyra's angry but more lively look.
He sat up and calmed down his cynicism slightly, but the fire in his eyes was not completely extinguished.
"How? Aren't I paving the way for you?"
He pointed at Mysaria who was pushed aside by Rhaenyra, whose cheeks were flushed and was adjusting his clothes.
"What do you think Master of Whisperers is? Just asking for some gossip? Wrong, my princess.
She is your ears, your eyes, and the sharp blade that can smell danger in advance and seize the opponent's handle.
Why can Otto·Hai Tarth securely sit on Hand of the King? Not only because of his identity as Grand Maester, but also because his intelligence network covers Red Keep and even Seven Kingdoms."
He paused, looked at Rhaenyra's still frowning brow, and continued, "Your father used celebrations to create momentum, and used warmth and expectation to kidnap everyone's will.
Opposing head-on, at this point, will only make you lose moral integrity and some support.
What you have to do is not to compete with him on the stage he built, but... to master all the passages and secret doors under the stage."
"Mysaria has the connections and means on the other side of Braavos and Narrow Sea that your maids, knights and even vassals from Westeros don't have.
She can help you figure out which nobles are privately complaining that the king might be breaking his oath,
Although these people appear to be respectful on the surface, what is the real plan of the Tarth family and the Lannister family...
Even your father's physical condition and these details may become the key."
Rhaenyra's arms across his chest relaxed slightly, and his eyes turned to Mysaria with scrutiny.
Mysaria has regained his composure, nodding slightly to Rhaenyra, his eyes are calm and professional, completely different from the soft and charming person in Redd's arms just now.
"Intelligence... is indeed important." Rhaenyra admitted, but his tone was still tough, "But it is not enough.
I need people to see my strength and the value of supporting me.
Ears and eyes alone are not enough, you also need... deterrence."
"Of course there is deterrence." Redd smiled and leaned back on the bed again, with a lazy posture but sharp eyes, "Do you think I brought King Ghidorah here just for show?
My presence is the greatest deterrent.
I will use the right words on the right occasion to let everyone understand that supporting you Rhaenyra is equivalent to obtaining the convenience of Eastern trade, Iron Bank's 'friendly' credit, and... Dragon King friendship.
And opposing you may mean that trade routes are blocked, debts are pursued, or even waking up one day to find that the port is blocked by an unfamiliar fleet."
"But you can't say this directly!" Rhaenyra said urgently, "That would look like a threat, embarrass my father, and disgust other lords!"
"So I need people like Mysaria to help me find the 'right' occasion and the 'right' words."
Redd interface, "For example, in a private meeting, he 'accidentally' mentioned the tax benefits that Norvos's merchants received after the surrender;
Or, when chatting with an adult who is worried about military expenditures, he lamented that Iron Bank has recently reopened the loan window to some "good credit" customers...
As for the dragon?" He shrugged, "It's right there, entrenched outside Dragonpit. Everyone can see it. I don't need to say anything."
He reached out, not to hug this time, but to gently hold Rhaenyra's wrist and pull her closer. His voice was low, with an unquestionable certainty:
"Rhaenyra, Politics is not only sword and fire, but also whispers and promises.
What I want to help you build is a network woven together by intelligence, money, trade and force.
Mysaria is a key part of it. Accept her and use her. As for her and me..."
He glanced at Mysaria, who lowered his head knowingly and took a few steps back.
"... That does not affect her efficiency and loyalty in working for you. I promise you."
Redd withdrew his gaze and stared at Rhaenyra again, "Now, do you still think that I am simply looking for fun for myself?"
Rhaenyra looked at him for a long time, his chest rising and falling slightly.
The anger has not completely dissipated, but her reason tells her that what Redd said makes sense.
She needs new strength and unconventional means.
And Mysaria may be the dagger hidden in the shadows.
She pulled back her wrist and took a deep breath. "Okay. I accept your 'helper'."
She looked at Mysaria and said in a more formal tone, "Ms. Mysaria, I need to know all the trends inside and outside Red Keep that affect my inheritance rights.
Especially the information about my father, Alicent, House Hightower, and those important vassals who may turn to the future prince. The sooner, the better."
"As you command, Your Highness Princess." Mysaria curtsied and saluted with smooth and graceful movements, "I will establish effective ears and eyes for you as soon as possible."
Rhaenyra nodded, then turned to Redd with complicated eyes.
"So, regarding the banquet after tomorrow... how do you plan to demonstrate your 'deterrence' and 'commitment'?"
Redd A calculating smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. "Tomorrow? Of course I will dress up to attend. I will show you the utmost care, be respectful to the king, and be an impeccable guest and son-in-law."
He paused and said, "As for the 'show'... be patient, my princess. A good show will not start until the audience is all present and the atmosphere is at its hottest."
The noise of the banquet slapped Rhaenyra's eardrums like a tide, the light of the crystal chandelier was dazzling, and the air was filled with the sweet smell of barbecue, spices and expensive wine.
She was wearing a dark purple velvet dress, her silver hair was tied into a delicate bun, and she was wearing a diamond hair net passed down from Targaryen's family. She stood beside Redd, with her back as straight as an ice sculpture.
However, her gaze was like a poisoned dagger, fixed firmly on the pair of figures in the center of the dance floor--
Her father, King Viserys, was holding the hand of Alicent·Hai Tarth, smiling and greeting the guests.
Alicent is wearing a long aqua silk dress, which makes her youthful and charming, slightly shy and timid, like a newly blooming rose.
Her abdomen was still flat, but the gentle gaze and careful posture that Viserys cast from time to time were enough for everyone to understand the "good news".
Redd could feel the tension in his wife's body next to him, as well as the cold anger that was almost materializing.
He himself looked normal, even with a hint of playful observation, shaking a glass of dark red Dorne liquor in his hand, and occasionally nodded to the nobles who came forward to talk.
Mysaria is like a silent shadow, standing one step behind the two of them,
The lowered eyelashes covered up all emotions, and only the ears keenly caught every whisper and chuckle flowing around him.