"Viserys told me that Targaryen dragons are usually named after ancient Valyrian deities… Visenya's dragon was Vhagar, Rhaenys's was Meraxes, and Aegon himself rode the Black Dread—Balerion."
"It is rumored that Vhagar's breath could melt a knight's armor… Meraxes could swallow a man and his horse whole… Balerion's flames were as black as night, like his scales, and the shadow of his wings could even cover a town."
Daenerys pointed to the small dragon, sleek and black, with scarlet stripes interspersed on its dark scales, and said, "My handmaiden told me it's like Balerion reborn."
Her gaze gently swept over the three small dragons that were eating: "But… I don't want them to be reincarnations of legendary dragons."
After a moment of silence, Daenerys said, "They are my children. The blood of my kin brought them into being. I will name them after the loved ones taken from me by the gods."
Grimm could feel Daenerys's sorrow for her lost loved ones and her longing for them. He held her a little tighter.
Daenerys pointed to the platinum and white dragon and said, "Viserys, though cruel and weak, was my brother after all. He will be named Viseryon."
She pointed to another small dragon: "Bronze and emerald. Though the time was short, Jon made me feel true kinship. He will be named Jones."
She pointed to the black and red dragon, which was noticeably larger than the other two. "Last night, I dreamed of my valiant brother Rhaegar in black armor, with flames burning in the narrow slits of his helmet. He will be named Rhaego."
Daenerys turned her head, looking up at Grimm, and said, "Grimm, do you like the names I chose?"
Grimm looked down at her, nodded slightly, and said, "Daenerys, your loved ones have not left you."
Daenerys leaned slightly, wrapped her arms around Grimm's neck, and murmured, "My knight…"
Hiss! Hiss! Hiss! The warmth didn't last long before it was interrupted by the noisy cries of the three small dragons.
Grimm and Daenerys separated. He raised an eyebrow, and his gaze shifted to the three small dragons, which immediately began to eat obediently.
Daenerys couldn't help but laugh, saying, "They only become well-behaved in front of you."
She mimicked Grimm, raising one eyebrow slightly, and said, "Take me to the bedchamber."
"As you command, my princess."
...
...
Red Keep, Maegors Holdfast.
"Get out!"
As Cersei Lannister's angry voice rang out, a golden cup flew "whizzing" through the air, which Prime Minister Little Devil skillfully dodged.
"Hey, we're siblings…"
Before he could finish speaking, Tyrion Lannister saw Cersei pick up a wine pitcher, and he limped away, scurrying off.
...
Outside the gates of Maegors Holdfast, Tyrion was still panting, dramatically wiping the sweat from his brow.
"My sister is too gentle."
Tyrion's squire, Podrick Payne, silently offered him a clean towel, while his captain of the guard quipped, "My Lord, this time was even more passionate than last time."
Tyrion's captain of the guard, named Bronn, was a skilled swordsman his squire had found for him (Chapter 179).
When they first met, Bronn was a free rider with disheveled hair, an unkempt beard, and a faded blue cloak. He was lean, with the fierce appearance of a hungry wolf, and when he saw a gold coin, his face was filled with a lewd expression, so… Tyrion quickly grew fond of him, and his greedy smile.
Bronn's ability quickly earned Tyrion's trust, and he was promoted to captain of his guard. On the day of his appointment, he was given a Lannister crimson cloak with a golden hand as a gift.
...
Today, Bronn's black hair was neatly combed, his beard cleanly shaved, and he wore the black breastplate of a Gold Cloaks officer, with a Lannister cloak draped from his shoulders.
Tyrion pinched his chin, looking his captain of the guard up and down, and said, "Bronn, this attire of yours… I hear they like it very much?"
Bronn spread his hands, grinning: "My Lord, it is always effective."
Tyrion said seriously, "My captain of the guard, why is it that every time I see your happy smile, I worry that you will betray me?"
Bronn gracefully bowed, hand over heart: "My Lord Tyrion, my loyalty belongs to you alone."
As he spoke, his eyes were fixed on the money pouch hanging from Tyrion's waist.
Tyrion chuckled, patting his money pouch, and said, "Now I can rest assured."
...
Tyrion strode forward with his short legs, with Podrick and Bronn walking on either side of him.
As they walked, Bronn whispered, "My Lord Tyrion, I hear your Queen Mother sister has contacted quite a few Sellswords in King's Landing through your handsome cousin."
"She makes little moves every day; it's my clever sister's hobby."
Tyrion stopped, looking back at Maegors Holdfast in the distance, and sighed helplessly, saying, "Too much responsibility rests on her beautiful, tender shoulders. As her favorite brother, I must do my best to lighten her burden."
After he finished speaking, the three fell silent for a moment. Podrick cautiously glanced at the pensive Tyrion, and awkwardly comforted him, "My Lord, although… Queen Mother Cersei seems… not yet to have understood your painstaking efforts, but… I think she will eventually feel your… thoughtfulness."
Hearing this, Tyrion and Bronn exchanged glances, both pursing their lips.
Tyrion cleared his throat, standing with his hands behind his back: "Pod, you're right. My gentle sister will understand my good intentions eventually."
Bronn turned his head to the other side, letting out a snicker.
Tyrion smiled, patting his squire's thigh, and showed a satisfied expression.
He started walking again, saying as he went, "Bronn, the gentle Queen Mother sister was very angry today. Even the old gods can't know her next move, so you must keep a close eye on her."
Bronn smiled wickedly: "As you command, my Lord."
Tyrion rubbed his hair… It was only a matter of time before the enemy would be at the city gates. He had been too frequent in his actions to quickly gain control of the Gold Cloaks, and even with his good cousin's concealment, Cersei had still sensed that something was amiss.
Tyrion smiled happily again… But it was too late. His Ser Jacelyn Bywater had already taken control of most of the Gold Cloaks on his behalf (Chapter 185).
Tyrion pinched his chin… Grimm was indeed a reliable ally. In return, he had to meet his nephew the king as soon as possible.
Thinking of Grimm, Tyrion felt a bit of regret. He wished he had asked him for more tips on how to handle Cersei.
Facing the Lioness's wrath, Tyrion was very cautious.
The reason for his caution was not only due to Tyrion's character and his understanding of Cersei, but most importantly, the former Hand of the King had left him a valuable lesson through his own experience.
My dear sister, he was not Eddard Stark.
...
Regaining his thoughts, Tyrion hummed a King's Landing tune cheerfully.
Bronn showed his wicked smile again: "My Lord, there's something I must tell you. Your pet is back."
Tyrion's face stiffened, and his voice was laced with pain: "Countess Tanda is here again?"
Countess Tanda, whose full name was Tanda Stokeworth, was the Countess of Stokeworth in the The Crownlands. She had two daughters, the elder Falyse (35, married) and the younger Lollys (33, unmarried).
Bronn replied, "Countess Tanda has invited you to dinner again. She has prepared a large piece of venison, two stuffed geese with mulberry sauce, and also…"
Tyrion painfully scratched his head, interjecting, "Her younger daughter, right?"
Since Tyrion assumed the position of Hand of the King, in order to cope with the Baratheon brothers' blockade of supplies to King's Landing, he had set his sights on Stokeworth, a castle located not far north of King's Landing, just like Rosby. The owner of this castle was none other than—Countess Tanda.
Tyrion's meeting with Countess Tanda was pleasant in both process and outcome, but what followed was her relentless pursuit. She relentlessly wielded eel pies, wild boar meat, and delicious cream soup as weapons, her goal being to marry her younger daughter to Tyrion.
As for her younger daughter, Lollys… the Little Devil had seen a mountain… best not to mention her.
...
Tyrion gazed into the distance, groaning, "I have sacrificed too much for this kingdom…"
Bronn said seriously, "My Lord Tyrion, King's Landing cannot do without Stokeworth's support right now."
Tyrion detected the schadenfreude in Bronn's voice.
He scrutinized his captain of the guard, saying, "Bronn, do you want to own a castle?"
Bronn's eyes immediately lit up, and a lewd and fawning smile appeared on his face: "My esteemed and wise Prime Minister, Bronn is at your command."
Tyrion grinned: "Countess Tanda's Stokeworth."
...
Prime Ministers Tower, Prime Ministers study.
Varys clasped his hands together, bowing his head: "Good day, Prime Minister Tyrion."
Tyrion said with a chuckle, "Varys, I truly hope you haven't brought any unsettling news. The Lioness's roar is already enough to keep me from sleeping well."
Varys smiled, pulled a letter from his sleeve, and handed it to Tyrion.
Tyrion took the letter and began to read it, speaking as if to himself as he read: "Stannis's declaration as king…"
Although Renly Baratheon had gained considerable momentum with the support of the Stormlands lords and Riverlands lords, Tyrion placed his threat level below Stannis Baratheon.
Compared to Renly, who enjoyed playing dress-up games, Stannis was stern and ruthless, and he was experienced in warfare. His Royal Fleet could appear suddenly at King's Landing at any moment.
No matter how much money Tyrion spent recruiting fishermen to spy on Dragonstone, not a single one returned, and even the little birds Varys had placed around Stannis went silent.
His greatest fear was a joint attack by the Baratheon brothers; if Stannis attacked from the sea while his brother Renly led his large army to besiege the city, it wouldn't be long before Joffrey's head would be hanging from a spear… Worse, his own head would be impaled beside his.
For a time, this depressing image often popped into Tyrion's mind, until the raven carrying Stannis's declaration as king arrived.
Upon receiving this news, Tyrion immediately raised a toast with everyone to celebrate. He wished he could dance for his sister Cersei.
Both Baratheons had declared themselves king. If one were to attack King's Landing first, win or lose, that person might have their victory snatched by the other Baratheon. Thus, Lannister would gain more precious time, thanks to the old gods.
...
He looked up at Varys, and said, "Lord Varys, isn't this news from decades ago?"
Varys gave a faint smile, and said, "My Prime Minister, please read on…"
Tyrion nodded slightly, then lowered his gaze.
After a while, Tyrion placed the letter on the table, muttering with a frown, "The Claw Isle in the The Crownlands supports Stannis as the legitimate king?"
He looked at Varys and continued, "Legitimate king? That phrasing feels very familiar, Lord Varys."
Varys shrugged: "Prime Minister Tyrion, my little birds have investigated, and the source of this news should be Dragonstone, where Stannis is located."
Tyrion's eyes flickered, and he laughed heartily, leaning back comfortably in his chair, saying, "After Stannis became king, has he also taken a liking to such political maneuvering? If it were me, I would at least fabricate a more reliable story. For example…"
He paused, then continued, "Stannis Baratheon and Robb Stark arranging to meet at King's Landing's best brothel to discuss plans to take the Red Keep. That would at least scare away all the * clients."
He added, "Or… he says he's going to kneel down and lick Renly's boots… Hmm, that news would certainly scare me away."
Varys first shook his head with a smile, then sighed deeply, saying, "My little birds tell me that while Count Grimm was on his way to Mermaid Port, the the mermaid, which drifted with swamp marigold, stopped at Dragonstone for a period of time."
Tyrion asked, "A period of time?"
Varys replied, "About half a day."
Tyrion's eyes flickered, and he said seriously, "Lord Varys, do you have any more intelligence?"
Varys's smile faded from his face, and he slightly lowered his voice: "My little birds tell me that Count Grimm suddenly left his territory with six ships and has not returned since."
Tyrion's eyes shifted, and he leaned forward, saying in a deep voice, "Lord Varys, do you think Count Grimm has betrayed the Red Keep?"
Varys quickly shook his head, adding a gesture of denial: "My Prime Minister, that is impossible. I don't think even the Others would believe such a thing."
He paused, then added, just to be sure: "I'd rather believe Count Grimm defected to Renly than to Stannis. At least the former… could still deceive many people."
Tyrion stared at the slightly nervous Varys, chuckling, "Lord Varys, I strongly support your hypothesis. I imagine many in King's Landing are secretly plotting how to beautifully defect to Renly, who commands a hundred thousand troops."
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