Mysaria met Redd's gaze and nodded slightly, indicating that he understood the meaning.
This is indeed something she can plan within her capabilities, but the risk is extremely high and requires extremely careful preparation and perfect execution.
Redd walked back to Rhaenyra, his tone slower but more convincing. "Think about it, Rhaenyra.
If Corlys and Rhaenys are no longer available, Laena and Laenor will immediately inherit Driftmark and Velaryon Fleet.
Laena has a crush on you, but it's just because of the pressure from his parents; Laenor resists family responsibilities,
If you suddenly gain freedom and face support and pressure from our side (and your side),
He is more likely to choose to cooperate with us, or at least remain benignly neutral.
By then, both the Vhagar and Driftmark fleets may be at your disposal."
He paused and his voice became deeper. "On the contrary, if you continue to keep them alive, they will be Daemon's strongest potential allies (especially Corlys), and they will be a powerful voice against your inheritance rights.
They will continue to put pressure on Laena and Laenor, and may even forcefully arrange new marriages or heirs, completely cutting off your possibility of gaining Velaryon's power.
In the fight for Iron Throne, sometimes you can't move forward without removing the stones blocking the road.
Mercy and hesitation will only give the enemy more time to lay traps."
Rhaenyra is caught in a fierce ideological struggle. Redd's logic is cold and realistic, and can even be said to be insidious, but it is not unreasonable.
She thought of Aunt Rhaenys's complicated and distant eyes when she looked at her, and of Corlys Earl's shrewd look when she talked with other nobles at the banquet.
They were indeed obstacles in the way of her inheritance.
But... murder? And murder of blood relatives (although they are cousins) and important officials?
"I..." Rhaenyra's voice was a little dry, "I need time to think about it. This is too... important."
"Of course you can consider it." Redd did not force her. He knew that this kind of decision requires psychological construction, "But time waits for no one."
Your father's physical condition, Alicent's belly, Daemon's movements... all remind us that the situation is changing rapidly.
Mesalia can do some preliminary intelligence gathering work first and evaluate the feasibility.
We won't take any action until you make your decision."
He gently embraced Rhaenyra in his arms again, this time with a comforting movement.
"I know this is hard, Rhaenyra. But you have to remember that what you are competing for now is not a piece of jewelry or a castle, but Iron Throne.
The road to Iron Throne has always been paved with blood, whether it belongs to the enemy or... to those who block the way.
The only difference is whose blood it is and how much it is shed."
Rhaenyra leaned in his arms, her body still stiff, but her eyes became extremely complicated.
Fear, hesitation, cruelty, calculation... all kinds of emotions are intertwined in it.
Mysaria stood aside quietly, knowing that no matter what Rhaenyra decided in the end, the dark door to power had been quietly pushed open through a gap tonight.
And she was probably the one who performed the specific operation. She felt a bit chilly and also a bit inexplicably excited.
The room fell into silence, except for the occasional crackle of the candlelight.
A shadow operation that may change the pattern of Seven Kingdoms is brewing in this silence.
It was dark at night, and in Red Keep's guest room, Redd stood alone in front of the window, looking at the vague lights in the direction of Blackwater Bay and the vague outline of King Ghidorah in the darkness.
He had just comforted Rhaenyra, who was struggling in her heart, and asked her to rest first while he needed to sort out his thoughts.
The development of things did deviate from the track of the "original work", and the deviation was a bit tricky.
He originally thought that by marrying Rhaenyra and holding the dragon and eastern power, he would be able to influence or even control Westeros through her.
But now it seems that the double-edged sword of marriage has instead stimulated the sense of crisis in the Viserys and Hai Tarth families, prompting them to be more determined to produce a male heir, even at the expense of breaking their previous vows.
The forces that might originally support Rhaenyra have become alienated or opposed due to various reasons (Daemon's ambition, House Velaryon's doubts about Redd, the "outsider", and the operations of the overseas Tarth family).
"Justified..." Redd chewed the word in a low voice.
In the face of absolute force, the so-called "justifiable" is sometimes just an excuse.
But just as he was worried, it would be fun to directly use Dragonfire and the army to sweep Seven Kingdoms.
However, the mess of subsequent governance, the continued resistance of major families, and the possible long-term turmoil will seriously deplete his strength and energy.
Slowing down his more grandiose plans (such as exploring the radiation source of Basilisk Isles, stabilizing Eastern rule, and even other possible threats).
What he needs is a relatively smooth transition of power, a "legal" basis that can make most lords at least superficially obedient.
Rhaenyra, as the publicly announced heir, was the best banner.
But now the flag itself is being tarnished and lowered by her father and opponents.
Rhaenyra's hesitation was also expected by him.
She is a princess who grew up in a relatively (at least superficially) peaceful environment in Red Keep. Although she has ambition and courage,
But for her to actively plan to murder important relatives and vassals, especially those who have not yet posed a direct fatal threat to her, the psychological threshold is too high.
She is better suited to fighting in the open and gaining support within the rules (or breaking them a little), rather than conducting outright shadow operations.
"It seems that we can't completely expect her to take that step on her own initiative." Redd turned around and walked back to the desk, tapping her fingers on the table unconsciously.
"There are some things that may require 'helping' her to make up her mind, or... bypassing her."
His eyes became dark
.Mysaria is the secret he planted. He has outstanding abilities and his loyalty seems to be reliable at the moment (at least the interest binding is deep enough).
Some "dirty work" may be arranged through her. You don't even need to let Rhaenyra know all the details. You just need to let her see the "results" and quickly guide her to seize the opportunity after the results appear.
For example, the "accident" of Corlys and Rhaenys. If done properly, it may not necessarily require Rhaenyra's personal nod.
All you need to do is create a suitable opportunity, let Mysaria's people take action, and then cleverly guide the direction of suspicion - Daemon is a good target to frame the blame.
His conflict with his brother and possible power conflicts with Rhaenys and Corlys are all ready-made motives.
Or, the remnant forces of Dorne? The agitators of Iron Islands? Or even... some forces that are dissatisfied with the Valery family's monopoly on maritime trade.