Moreover, she chose to appear at this time and at this place, and she was obviously prepared, and there was probably the shadow of Otto·Hai Tarth behind her.
What are these father and daughter planning?
Redd gently patted Rhaenyra's hand that was clenching his sleeve, leaned over and whispered in her ear, "This matter is very important, and I need to hear her explain clearly.
You and Mysaria get on the boat first and wait for me, I will be back soon."
Rhaenyra's nails almost pierced his skin, but she took a deep breath and finally let go.
She knows the weight of Stepstones, and also understands that Redd made this decision not just because of Alicent's "seduce".
But the grievance and anger still made her look at Alicent, almost making her burst into flames.
"Go back quickly." Rhaenyra said these four words almost through gritted teeth, and then without looking back, with the support of Mysaria, he boarded the gangway.
Mysaria looked back at Redd, with a hint of complexity in his eyes, and then disappeared at the entrance of the cabin.
Redd turned around and made a "please" gesture to Alicent.
Alicent nodded slightly, with a decent smile on his face, turned around and led him towards a seaside tavern next to the port that looked quite elegant but was deserted at the moment.
In the tavern, Alicent had obviously made arrangements.
There was a hidden compartment by the window, with simple drinks and a few plates of snacks on the table. Two guards were guarding the door, and other people waiting there had already been cleared away.
Redd and Alicent were sitting opposite each other. The sea breeze blew in through the half-open window lattice, bringing with it a salty smell and a faint floral fragrance - coming from Alicent.
"Queen Alicent," Redd said straight to the point, her tone calm and distant, "You can say it now."
Alicent did not answer immediately, but picked up the wine glass in front of him and took a sip.
Her movements were elegant and calm, and her lowered eyelashes cast a faint shadow on her cheeks.
After a moment, she raised her eyes, and her blue-green eyes looked directly at Redd. It no longer looked like the dignified queen just now, but a more complex and... real expression.
"Sir Redd," she put down her wine glass, her voice soft but clear, "My father, Sir Otto, recently intercepted some information from Lys.
Prince Daemon met more than once with representatives of the 'Three Daughters Alliance' on a hidden island outside Stepstones.
The contents of their discussions include: recognizing Daemon's 'legal ownership' of some islands of Stepstones,
In exchange for his 'special facilitation' of the 'Three Daughters Alliance' fleet's trade in the Narrow Sea and Summer Sea, as well as... possible joint operations against the remnants of House Velaryon."
Redd's eyes narrowed slightly.
Acknowledging ownership in exchange for convenience, targeting Velaryon...Daemon Is this an opportunity to separate Stepstones on one side, or even use it as a springboard to seek greater power?
"Also," Alicent continued, "they mentioned a 'dragon from the deep sea', and... a pirate leader named Tormund.
The 'Three Daughters Alliance' seems to be extremely interested in the secrets held by this sea dragon and Tormund, and is trying to establish contact with Tormund through Daemon."
Tormund! Sure enough, it is related to Tormund!
Redd Countless thoughts flashed through his mind like lightning.
Daemon is really not willing to let the big fish Tormund escape, let alone let go of the sea dragon and the secret behind him.
By cooperating with the "Three Daughters Alliance", he can use external forces to strengthen his bargaining chip, and on the other hand, he can also use their resources and intelligence network to pursue Tormund.
The "Three Daughters Alliance" has been coveting Stepstones for a long time. If they can intervene through Daemon, a "local", and obtain another sea dragon and ancient secrets... their ambitions will expand rapidly.
At that time, Redd's city-states in the east, especially the trade routes close to Stepstones, will face huge threats.
"Does His Majesty the King know this?" Redd asked.
Alicent raised a wry smile, "Father has already reported it to Your Majesty.
But His Majesty's mind is not on that right now.
He is more concerned about the child in my belly, how to stabilize the situation in King's Landing, and how to check and balance the forces of all parties.
Regarding the ambitions of Stepstones and Daemon, he just... ordered my father, Sir Otto, to 'pay close attention', but did not take any substantive action."
She paused and looked at Redd more directly. "Sir Redd, my father asked me to tell you: House Hightower is willing to establish a deeper cooperative relationship with you.
We all hope that the kingdom will be stable, and we do not want Prince Daemon and external forces to disrupt the situation in the Narrow Sea and harm the interests of all parties.
If you are willing... we can share intelligence about Daemon and the 'Three Daughters Alliance', and even coordinate actions on certain matters."
Sure enough! Otto This is the real purpose!
Through his daughter's mouth, he handed over an olive branch, or in other words, an invitation to form an alliance.
Redd did not answer immediately.
He examined Alicent, trying to find out more information from her face.
This seemingly meek and weak girl who was once pushed to the front by Otto, now shows calmness, organization and scheming. It is obvious that this was not achieved overnight.
She is growing, or in other words, she is not simple to begin with.
"Queen Alicent," Redd said slowly, "What does House Hightower want? In other words, what does Sir Otto want?"
Alicent met his gaze without flinching. "Stable.
A stable in favor of House Hightower.
We hope that the children in Alicent's womb can be born smoothly, and that both men and women can grow up in peace.
We hope that His Majesty the King will live long and that Westeros will not fall into the quagmire of civil war.
To this end, we need allies, forces that can check and balance Daemon and those ambitious people.
And you, Lord Redd, your power in the east and your dragon are undoubtedly one of the most powerful forces."
She didn't mention Iron Throne, she didn't mention inheritance rights, but everything was left unspoken.
House Hightower supports Viserys (and his children), Redd supports Rhaenyra.
This is a conflicting position.
But in the face of more realistic threats - such as Daemon colluding with foreign enemies and plotting Stepstones - the two sides temporarily have common interests.
"Intelligence sharing, coordinated action." Redd chewed on these eight words, "Sounds good.
But how to operate it specifically? How to ensure the authenticity of intelligence? What are the scope and limits of the operation?"
Alicent is obviously well prepared. "Father will regularly pass on information about Daemon and the 'Three Daughters Alliance' to you through secret channels.
You can also feedback to us the information you think is important through your capable Ms. Mysaria.
As for actions... at least for now, they are limited to preventing Daemon and the 'Three Daughters Alliance' from substantively controlling Stepstones, and preventing them from colluding with Tormund.