She even mentioned the name of her father, King Jaehaerys, and emphasized her identity as Princess Targaryen.
This is not only an authoritative endorsement, but also a reminder to Daemon (and others) that her bloodline is equally noble and should not be taken lightly.
The funeral ended in an atmosphere of solemnity on the surface but surging undercurrents on the inside.
Redd and Rhaenyra did not stay long. After paying tribute to Rhaenys again, they stood up and left.
On the way away from High Tide, Rhaenyra leaned back in the carriage and sighed softly: She... it's not easy."
Redd shook her hand and said nothing. He knew that Rhaenys's tough stance today was just the beginning of a long struggle.
Daemon will never give up its ambitions against Driftmark and the navy easily, and Otto will continue to exert pressure on King's Landing.
And Rhaenys, the "Uncrowned Queen" who lost her husband and son one after another, will face multiple pressures from within the family, the royal family and powerful officials alone.
How long can she sustain it? What kind of allies will she choose? Driftmark Where will this sea fortress eventually sail?
All of this is still unknown.
But what is certain is that Westeros's power game has become more bloody, complicated and unpredictable because of this double tragedy of House Velaryon.
And he, Rhaenyra, and their soon-to-be-born child are already on the edge of the vortex of this game and cannot completely stay out of it.
The carriage drove away from High Tide, leaving the cliff castle shrouded in black behind.
The sea breeze is still there, but there seems to be a hint of blood and rust in the air.
The carriage drove slowly to the port, and the wheels made a creaking sound, which seemed to tell the story of the long journey.
Redd carefully helped Rhaenyra, who was pregnant with Liujia, out of the car. They were about to board the ship that they had been waiting for for a long time and embark on the return trip to Dragonstone.
At this time, Mesalia stood at the bow of the ship, waving to them with a smile, indicating that everything had been arranged and they could set sail immediately.
However, just when Redd was about to help Rhaenyra onto the springboard, a crisp and familiar sound of footsteps came from behind.
Everyone turned their heads and saw a woman wearing an emerald green gauze dress and a gorgeous crown walking towards them.
The woman has a graceful figure and a beautiful face, especially her big watery eyes, which reveal an irresistible charm - it is Alicent!
At this moment, she exuded the unique charm of a mature woman and looked particularly sexy and charming.
Alicent was followed closely by a group of strong guards, holding long guns and looking serious. They were obviously here to protect her safety.
Walking in front of Redd, Alicent stopped, stared straight at him, and said softly, "Sir Redd, please stay. I want to talk to you alone."
Hearing this, Redd couldn't help but frown, but out of sympathy, he nodded.
On the side, Rhaenyra's face darkened, and a trace of displeasure flashed in his eyes.
Of course she knew that this former best friend was now her stepmother, and the relationship between the two was not harmonious.
More importantly, she knows Redd very well and knows that he has no resistance to beautiful women, especially a mature woman like Alicent who is so charming.
Thinking of this, Rhaenyra cursed in his heart, "This shameless slut dares to seduce my man even though he has a husband and children!"
But after all, she couldn't bear to explode in front of him, so she had to suppress her anger and watch Redd follow Alicent into the distance, leaving herself alone and gnashing her teeth secretly.
Redd heard Alicent mention that the Three Daughters alliance composed of Daemon, Lys, Myr, and Tyrosh was plotting the fate of Stepstones.
After hearing this, Redd decided to agree to go to a nearby tavern to chat alone with Alicent.
After hearing Redd's agreement, Rhaenyra's hands suddenly tightened on Redd's sleeves, so hard that they almost pinched into his flesh.
Her face looked a little pale in the dusk light, and her violet eyes burned with suppressed anger and undisguised vigilance.
Alicent·Hai Tarth--no, now it's Alicent·Targaryen Queen--standing a few steps away,
A well-tailored green gauze skirt perfectly outlines her curves that have become plumper due to pregnancy, and the exquisite back crown shimmers with soft pearls in the sunset.
Her face is still as gentle and well-behaved as she remembers, and even has a more mature charm than when she was a girl.
But in those blue-green eyes, there is a complex light that only Rhaenyra can understand at this moment - ambition, calculation, and a subtle... interest in Redd?
"Let's talk alone?" Rhaenyra's voice was so low that only Redd could hear it, "Redd, you..."
She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was obvious: Alicent is my "stepmother", the king's wife, and she is still pregnant!
At this time, avoid everyone and go to the tavern alone. What will happen if word spreads?
I would just turn a blind eye to your romantic debts, but Alicent... this is too much!
However, Alicent's next words temporarily suppressed Rhaenyra's anger.
"Prince Daemon has recently been in close contact with the 'Three Daughters Alliance' composed of Lys, Myr, and Tyrosh."
Alicent's voice was not loud, but it reached the ears of Redd and Rhaenyra clearly.
She deliberately did not look at Rhaenyra, her eyes fell softly but persistently on Redd, "They are plotting the ownership of Stepstones."
The specific details... cannot be discussed in detail here.
Master Redd, this matter is related to your interests in the East and the stability of the kingdom. Can you take a step to speak?"
Stepstones.
These four words were like a huge stone thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples in Redd's heart.
Stepstones--the strategic road connecting Narrow Sea and Summer Sea,
That strange sea area that had just swallowed up the Corlys fleet, buried countless lives, and emerged the descendants of Naga, that place where Tormund and his sea dragon haunted.
If Daemon really colludes with the "Three Daughters Alliance" to plot Stepstones... then the meaning will be completely different.
"Three Daughters Alliance"--the union of the three Free Citiess, Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh,
It has always been a force that cannot be underestimated on the other side of the Narrow Sea. Its fleet and mercenaries are strong, and it has been coveting Stepstones for a long time.
If Daemon joins forces with them, plus his newly integrated residual power of Driftmark and the mutant dragon "Caraxes"...
Redd's eyes became dark.
This is not just an internal power struggle within Westeros, it may directly threaten the trade security of several city-states under his command (Volantis, Norvos, Lorath), and may even burn the flames of war to his eastern foundation.
The information Alicent brought is indeed important enough to deserve a "separate chat".