However, the reality was completely beyond people's expectations - things developed too fast!
Redd has not yet succeeded in convincing Rhaenyra, while at the same time, Daemon suffered a setback from Rhaenys:
Not only did he fail to gain command of the rest of Driftmark's army, but his relationship with his wife Laena deteriorated sharply.
To make matters worse, Rhaenys even told him that he was no longer welcome to stay on Driftmark.
So, the next morning after the funeral, Daemon left resolutely.
But what is surprising is that he neither returned to King's Landing nor ran to Runestone;
Instead, he led the naval fleet he had gathered and embarked on the journey again, heading straight towards Stepstones.
Faced with Daemon's actions, Rhaenys simply adopted an indifferent attitude and seemed to turn a blind eye to everything.
Among Driftmark today, House Velaryon only has two Dragonrider left. Among them is Laena who is pregnant and has limited mobility, so it is naturally difficult for him to control the dragon and participate in the battle.
Therefore, at this moment, the only ones who have the ability to soar into the sky and plunge into the fierce battle are Rhaenys and the majestic Red Queen under him.
It is obvious that House Velaryon is gradually heading towards decline, and this trend is well known to everyone.
But Rhaenys, who shoulders the heavy responsibility of the entire family, has no time to spare and is distracted by other affairs.
However, what is unexpected is that just a few days later, Dorne unilaterally declared independence without any scruples!
At the same time, Daemon also openly proclaimed himself king on Stepstones and declared that he would form an alliance with the Three Cities Alliance.
Immediately afterwards, Lys, Myr and Tyrosh in the Three Cities Alliance issued statements one after another, expressing their recognition of Daemon's claim to the throne.
Faced with this situation, the Principality of Dorne has remained silent and has not made any sound. It seems to have acquiesced in Daemon's infringement of Stepstones.
All these signs indicate that a subtle and dangerous change has occurred among the three parties - they seem to be gradually moving closer to form a closely connected whole...
Dragonstone, The atmosphere in the study room was solemn.
Mysaria had just finished reporting the latest information. Redd was sitting behind the desk, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, making a rhythmic dull sound.
Rhaenyra stood by the window, with his back to him, one hand holding the window sill, and the other hand unconsciously pressing on his bulging abdomen.
Outside the window was the gray sea and sky, just like her gloomy mood at the moment.
"Daemon..." Redd chewed on the name, with a cold arc at the corner of his mouth, "It is more courageous and... stupider than I imagined."
Within a few days, the situation changed suddenly.
After Driftmark hit a wall, Daemon did not choose to go back to King's Landing to bow his head and admit his mistake, nor did he go back to Runestone to appease his wife Laena, who was in name only. Instead, he took the broken fleet he gathered and returned directly to Stepstones.
There are the treacherous waterways he is familiar with, the sea areas where he once chased and fought with Tormund, and the dragons and secrets he has coveted for a long time.
Then, Dorne principality unilaterally declared independence, tore up the peace agreement signed with Aegon the Conqueror that year, and became an independent kingdom again.
Almost at the same time, Daemon proclaimed himself the king of Stepstones, declared "King of the Narrow Sea and Stepstones", and announced an offensive and defensive alliance with the "Three Daughters Alliance" - Lys, Myr, Tyrosh.
Immediately afterwards, the governors of the Three Daughters alliance (each representing their city-state) issued statements, formally recognizing the "throne" of Daemon, and promising to provide military and financial support when necessary.
And Dorne, although silent, used actual actions to acquiesce to Daemon's occupation of Stepstones - those islands that were originally in the disputed waters have now fallen into the hands of Daemon, without any protest or military action from Dorne.
"Crazy... all crazy." Rhaenyra turned around, his face pale, but with anger burning in his eyes, "Daemon How dare he... to make himself king?
This is the most direct provocation to Iron Throne! Father will not tolerate it!"
Redd raised his eyes to look at her and said in a calm tone, "What will your father do? Send troops to attack? How many troops can he mobilize now? Is the royal family's treasury enough to support a war?
The main force of the navy has just been destroyed in Stepstones, Driftmark is too busy to take care of itself, and other vassals...
How many people would really send troops to deal with a 'king' who has a dragon, a fleet, and external allies?"
Rhaenyra opened his mouth, but was speechless.
Redd stood up and walked to the huge map hanging on the wall, his eyes falling on the broken island of Stepstones.
"Daemon's move may seem crazy, but it is actually accurate." He said slowly, "He hit a wall in Driftmark, was not trusted in King's Landing, and had no foundation in Runestone.
If he continues to stay in Westeros, he can only become a marginalized prince, and may even be calculated by Otto. But now..."
He pointed his finger at Stepstones: "He occupies this choke point connecting Narrow Sea and Summer Sea.
Three Daughters The Alliance needs him as an agent to control this sea area, to combat the remaining trade power of the Valyrian family, and at the same time covet Tormund's sea dragon.
Dorne needs him as a buffer to resist Iron Throne's possible retaliation, and at the same time, tacitly allows him to occupy Stepstones, which can divert King's Landing's attention. And he..."
Redd turned around and looked at Rhaenyra: "He has his own kingdom, his own fleet, his own dragons, and external allies.
Although his 'kingdom' is nothing more than a barren rocky island, his influence cannot be underestimated.
After all, you can accumulate a lot of wealth just by collecting tolls on a few waterways of Stepstones, and it is only a matter of time before you expand your army."
Rhaenyra bit her lower lip for a long time before saying in a solemn voice, "Father... what will you do?"
Redd did not answer directly, but asked, "What do you think?"
Rhaenyra Silence.
She knew the answer - her father Viserys, the king who was swallowed up by suspicion and fear, was probably falling into deeper anxiety and powerlessness at this moment.
He cannot punish Daemon, because Daemon already has his own territory and allies; he cannot ignore Daemon, because that is a direct trampling on the majesty of Iron Throne;
He could not even publicly declare Daemon a traitor, because that would be equivalent to admitting that House Targaryen had been internally divided.
"Alicent's previous intelligence is now correct." Redd continued, "The collusion between Daemon and the Three Daughters alliance is far deeper than we thought.
His "self-proclaimed king" was not an impromptu decision, but a premeditated decision.
Tormund and Hai Long... I'm afraid they are also part of their plan."