Chapter 171: Pentos Rhapsody (Part 4)
Therefore, on the eve of Daenerys's wedding, Viserys wanted to sneak into her bed and take her maidenhead, but his intentions were seen through by Illyrio, who had arranged for Unsullied guards outside Daenerys's room, preventing him from succeeding.
To be honest, Ian had already forgotten such a small detail, but just then, he heard insults and crying coming from the room.
Ian didn't wait any longer and burst into the room.
As soon as he opened the door, Ian saw Daenerys cornered against the wall by Viserys, who was punching and kicking her, cursing angrily as he did so.
"You bitch, how dare you strike me?" Viserys was clearly furious—his face was covered in scratches, and his head was swollen. "Today I'll show you the consequences of awakening the dragon!"
Obviously, due to the players altering the timeline of this world, Illyrio had been summoned to the Council Palace today.
This gave Viserys an opportunity to sneak into his sister's room.
Unfortunately, this bastard's constitution was too weak, and his attempt to force himself on her failed. Instead, he was injured due to Daenerys's resistance, which fueled his rage.
"You there." Viserys had just raised his fist when he felt himself being gripped by an iron vise. He turned his head angrily and saw Ian's face, which was much more cold than usual. "Ian? You've come at the right time," Viserys didn't notice the contempt in Ian's demeanor and ordered arrogantly as usual, "You help me hold this little bitch down, I—"
Ian looked at Daenerys and found that she was also looking at him, her eyes filled with fear and hope.
"Not now, Your Grace." Ian suppressed his killing intent and, for the sake of the bigger picture, decided to let this fool live for another two hours.
"Please come with me first." As Ian spoke, he ignored Viserys's resistance and forcibly dragged him out of Daenerys's bedchamber.
"You better give me an explanation, Ian. Do you also want to defy me?" Viserys was furious.
"This is Magister Illyrio's residence, and you are doing something that will undoubtedly anger him," Ian said to Viserys in a low voice.
"I am his king, how dare he—"
"Of course he dares, Your Grace. Illyrio has always been unbridled," Ian directly exposed Viserys's self-deceptive lie. "Your actions will enrage him, and then he will turn against you.
"Even though I will swear my undying loyalty to you, what good will that do? We have fewer than ten swords, while Illyrio has over a thousand. We are no match for Illyrio."
"So," Ian continued, "if you want to continue what you just started, you must go somewhere else."
"Go somewhere else? You're willing to help me?" The anger on Viserys's face finally subsided.
"I am at your service, Your Grace. Your will is my command." Ian pulled Viserys to the edge of the stairs. "If you cooperate with me, you will soon have everything you desire."
"How do I do that?"
"There's a Red Priestess downstairs. She will tell you what to do. And I, now, must go and persuade your sister."
"Alright, I trust you, Ian," Viserys nodded and began to walk downstairs. "I will reward you handsomely afterward."
Go ahead and meet the Stranger.
After watching Viserys descend the stairs, Ian hurried back to Daenerys's room.
She was still curled up in the corner, her face buried between her knees, covered by her silver-gold hair. A large bruise was visible on her bare shoulder beneath her silk nightgown.
Perhaps hearing footsteps, Daenerys trembled again.
"Your Highness," Ian approached Daenerys. "Are you alright?"
"Ian?" Daenerys recognized Ian's voice and slowly raised her head, revealing her red, tear-filled eyes. Then, as if remembering something, she quickly changed her address. "My lord."
"Don't worry about that, little princess." Ian chuckled. Perhaps only exiled royalty would be so concerned with such formalities.
"Where's Viserys? Hasn't he returned?" Daenerys asked cautiously, peeking behind Ian, afraid of seeing Viserys again.
"No, I've convinced him to leave."
"He won't give up," Daenerys shook her head. "He always says that what he wants, he must have."
"He won't hurt you again, I promise you."
"Because I'm going to marry Khal Drogo, and Drogo will protect me?" Daenerys suddenly remembered that promise.
"Because I will protect you." Ian couldn't comment on Daenerys's words, because that was the last time he'd told her that, before he developed his current ambitions.
"What can you do?"
"I will stop Viserys." In a way that will end it all.
"How is that possible? He's your king." Daenerys asked incredulously.
"A king who beats his own sister can't be a wise ruler. As the Hand of the King, it's my duty to correct him." Ian suddenly saw this as a good opportunity to instill in Daenerys the excellent notion that 'a good monarch should heed the wise counsel of their advisors.'
"But Viserys is different! He won't listen to any advice. If you disobey him, you will wake the dragon, and he will order you killed!" Daenerys became anxious.
Ian vaguely remembered that this wasn't the first time she had worried about this. Not long ago, she had specifically reminded him of it.
Perhaps because Ian's usual overly subservient attitude toward Viserys was so pronounced, the child seemed naively convinced that Viserys held the power of life and death over Ian.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Ian reassured her, then extended his right hand to Daenerys. "Your Highness, something has happened outside. We can't stay here any longer. Please come with me."
"With Viserys?" Daenerys seemed to realize something, and her hand, which had been extending toward Ian's, suddenly recoiled.
"Yes, but I promise—"
"No, no, I don't want to see him again." Daenerys was clearly terrified by the earlier ordeal. She tried to back away, but there was a wall behind her.
"Do you trust me?" After thinking for a long time, Ian could only manage to ask this one question.
Even as a master of deception, Ian still had his limitations, such as how to comfort a frightened girl—that was beyond his expertise.
So, Ian simply stopped talking and pulled the agitated girl into his arms.
Sure enough, Daenerys fell silent instantly.
"Do you trust me?" Ian repeated. "I assure you, Viserys will never have another chance to harm you."
The next moment, Ian heard a barely audible "Mm."
"Quiet, magisters, quiet!" Illyrio stood up, lightly tapping the table before him, and addressed his colleagues.
As expected of one of Pentos's most influential magisters, the entire council chamber quickly quieted down after Illyrio announced his intention to speak.
"Magisters," Illyrio cleared his throat after everyone had completely fallen silent, "Magister Groiro Tetrus's speech was excellent, passionate and sincere; however, it strayed from the purpose of our meeting today."
Everyone was stunned by Illyrio's words.
Wasn't today's council supposed to mediate between the Prince and Magister Tetrus regarding Hazan's humiliation of House Tetrus during the duel? How was this unrelated to the purpose?
The most puzzled person was Prince Trigg Moharis himself, for today's meeting was supposed to be a confrontation between him and Magister Tetrus. He had no idea what Illyrio was doing.
Fortunately, Illyrio didn't keep everyone waiting long, and soon gave them the answer.
"I understand your confusion, after all, someone usurped the opportunity to speak at the very beginning of today's meeting," Illyrio continued. "Your Highness, it's time to tell them the truth." After Illyrio finished speaking, he smiled and nodded to Prince Trigg on the dais.
Then, while Prince Trigg looked completely bewildered, one of his three masters of ceremony stepped out from behind him, holding a long silver whip symbolizing justice, and raised it high.
Only then did the many members of the assembly realize that today's meeting was not convened to mediate disputes.
It is a tradition of the Pentos Grand Council to announce important matters by the Prince's masters of ceremony. The golden scales symbolize matters of trade, taxation, and maritime affairs, while the steel sword symbolizes matters of war and peace.
The silver whip symbolizes today's true purpose—judgment.
(End of Chapter)
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