If there is a more in-depth joint action, we will discuss it in detail at that time."
Her logic is clear and thoughtful, and she has obviously thought it over carefully, or in other words, been carefully taught by Otto.
Redd was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly. "Okay. I accept this proposal.
Tell Sir Otto that on the issue of Stepstones and Daemon, we can temporarily... communicate with each other."
He did not promise more or indicate a softening of his stance on Rhaenyra's inheritance.
This is only a temporary and limited cooperation based on real interests.
A genuine smile appeared on Alicent's face. The smile looked particularly soft in the afterglow of the sunset, even with a hint of... relief?
She picked up the wine glass again and signaled to Redd: "May we have a happy cooperation, Mr. Redd."
Redd also raised his glass, touched it lightly, and drank it in one gulp.
The conversation ends here.
Alicent stood up, adjusted his skirt, bowed slightly to Redd, and then left the tavern with his escort.
Her back lengthened under the setting sun, and her green gauze skirt fluttered in the wind. She was both beautiful and had an indescribable sense of... alienation.
Redd sat alone in the cubicle for a long time, looking at the darkening sea outside the window and the ship Rhaenyra was in the distance, quickly analyzing the sudden information and invitation in his mind.
Daemon colluded with the "Three Daughters Alliance", plotted against Stepstones, and coveted Tormund and Hailong.
Otto used his daughter to offer him an olive branch, trying to establish a temporary alliance against Daemon and against external threats.
And he, Redd, as the lord of the Eastern forces and the dragon, has become a chess piece that both sides want to fight for or use, and has also become a key force that can influence the situation.
"Interesting." He whispered to himself, with a sneer on his lips.
The chessboard is getting bigger and bigger, and there are more and more chess pieces, but in the end there can only be one person playing chess.
He stood up, straightened his robe, strode out of the tavern, and walked towards the ship waiting for him at the port.
Rhaenyra and Mysaria are still on board, waiting.
As the sun sets in the west, the blood-like setting sun gradually disappears into the rough sea.
It seemed as if it had been swallowed up by the endless deep blue, leaving only a faint and blurred afterglow on the horizon, like a veil covering the whole world.
As night falls quietly, noise gradually comes from every corner of the city, but none of this can disturb the tranquility and determination deep in Redd's heart.
He walked slowly and steadily through the noisy crowds, turning a blind eye to everything around him.
Those curious, surprised, or envious eyes were cast on this man with a unique temperament, but he didn't care about these strange eyes and just walked intently towards the sailboat moored at the pier.
The moment Redd stepped onto the deck, Mesalia, who had been waiting here for a long time, immediately stepped forward to greet him, saluted him respectfully and said:
"Welcome aboard, my master!" Then she turned around and gave instructions to the entire crew - to set sail to sea as quickly as possible.
After receiving the order, the crew members did not dare to neglect at all and quickly started their respective tasks.
Some are busy raising sails and steering the helm; some are skillfully operating various rope equipment; and some sailors stand on the bow of the ship to observe the wind direction and current...
Everyone is attentive, quick and coordinated.
With the concerted efforts of everyone, the huge sail was quickly raised high and propelled by the strong sea wind.
The entire sailboat galloped out like an arrow from a string, quickly left the Driftmark port and disappeared into the vast night.
The night breeze is getting colder, and the surface of the Blackwater Bay sea surface is covered with fine silver scales under the moonlight.
Redd leaned against the side of the ship, looking at the dim lights of King's Landing in the distance. Those little bits of light seemed to be mocking his indecisiveness at the moment.
"Alicent's cooperation proposal..." He chewed this key word over and over in his mind.
From a purely strategic perspective, this is pie in the sky.
Otto·Hai Tarth, this Hand of the King, is taking the initiative to extend an olive branch.
They share their vigilance against Daemon and their common concerns about the intervention of the Three Daughters alliance. They all have reasons to prevent Stepstones from falling into the hands of uncontrollable forces.
With the intelligence support of House Hightower and the political cover of King's Landing, his layout in the East will be smoother, and the war against the Three Daughters alliance will be much easier - after all,
Once the council of thirty-three governors has the dragon as an ally, the nature of the war will completely change.
But the core of the problem is: Daemon.
Daemon·Targaryen, the king's younger brother, Rhaenyra's uncle, an ambitious, unscrupulous but pure-blooded Targaryen.
If he really colludes with the Three Daughters alliance, gets involved with Stepstones, and even attempts to master more dragon power through Tormund's sea dragon...
Redd's eyes became dark.
He knew that if conflict was inevitable, he must be prepared to kill Daemon.
And what does it mean to kill Daemon?
How will King Viserys react?
The king, whose body is decaying and whose mind is eroded by suspicion and fear, may be angry or fearful,
Maybe he will use the power of the royal family to retaliate at all costs - even if it is just to maintain the majesty of House Targaryen, even if it is just to show other nobles.
After all, if the king does not respond when his younger brother is killed, Iron Throne's prestige will be gone.
Redd is not afraid to go to war with Viserys.
King Ghidorah is enough to crush any giant dragon in King's Landing. Although the three hundred young dragons in his hands are still small, in time, they will be an unrivaled group of dragons.
His eastern city-states can provide a steady stream of wealth and soldiers.
But the problem is: Rhaenyra.
He lowered his head and could vaguely see the figure of Rhaenyra through the window lattice of the cabin.
She was leaning on the couch, one hand gently stroking her swollen belly, and Mysaria put a blanket on her side.
Even from a distance, Redd can feel the tenderness that belongs to mother and wife.
That was his wife, carrying his child.
If he kills Daemon and Viserys attacks, how should he face Rhaenyra?
Let her choose between her father and her husband? Or... not give her a chance to choose at all?
Redd never claims to be a good person.
He has made too many bloody decisions and crushed too many people who stood in his way.
But Rhaenyra is different. She is not just a tool for political marriage, not just a springboard to Iron Throne.
She was the woman who would sleep with him in his arms late at night, the woman who was willing to bear children for him, and the partner who stood by his side unswervingly in the struggle for power.
"After having a woman and a child, my hands are tied..." Redd smiled bitterly. This strange feeling made him irritated, but he could not deny its existence.
But soon, the hesitation in his eyes was replaced by cold determination.