Rogério Rogare left Dragon Crystal Tower with a look of utter despair. Tigaro did keep his promise and didn't kill the young man, only experimenting with seven or eight non-lethal poisons on him. After Rogério screamed his way through a new type of poison that caused intense itching all over his body, Tigaro finally let him go, promising he would never obstruct House Rogare's plans.
It wasn't until the young man met his elder brother, Lisandro Rogare, who crawled out of Dragon Crystal Tower's training grounds with a bruised face, that they understood their father's meaning. Lisandro Rogare accepted Sebastian Blaze's suggestion to achieve his ultimate goal.
Sebastian Blaze hinted to Lisandro that the most effective of all his actions was still the Madam route, by using the Varezes Family members' different attitudes toward crispy bread drizzled with hot soup and cream. He also gave him a solution to the Five Fingers' hatred for the Lyseni people—selling his sons.
After all, among those in the Five Fingers who had a personal grudge against the Lyseni, Hofa was a "stinking iron"; he never conflated personal grievances with the Varezes Family's affairs. Lisandro seeking him out would either be directly rebuffed or Hofa would immediately inform Dragonzel of his request, rendering it meaningless. As for Sebastian and Tigaro, while they wouldn't let personal grudges affect public matters, they weren't as easygoing as Hofa. To quell their anger, Lisandro decisively sold his sons, allowing them to vent their frustration on Sebastian and Tigaro.
Lisandro spread his hands, nodding helplessly at his younger brother.
"Brother, can Father really succeed?"
Rogério still felt some itching on his body, especially after putting on his clothes. The itching became even more unbearable. If not for fear of losing face, Rogério would have stripped off all his clothes and walked out of the tower naked. Unfortunately, as the legitimate son of the Governor of Lys, even if he had no shame, his father did, and even in Lys, the City of Lust, no nobles engaged in streaking.
"He will succeed." Lisandro rubbed his face a few times, saying with some effort, "The price we've paid is already very high. Now, all that's left is for Prince Dragonzel to give his approval, and we can go home in peace."
Indeed, the price Lisandro Rogare offered was already very high: half of Lys's annual income would be submitted to the Iron Throne's treasury. Lisandro would no longer pursue sole proprietorship in establishing Rogare Bank in Westeros, but instead would co-invest with the Silver Blood Bank of the Borderland Principality. This bank's owners were Dragonzel Varezes and his wife's younger sister, the "Intelligent" Lady Sansala Tarly.
This young lady rejected Dragonzel's letter suggesting she marry and instead requested Dragonzel's support for her dream of establishing a bank. Thus, this bank came into being.
In addition to these conditions, Lisandro promised to provide funding for the construction of a palace for Prince Viserys if he were to marry Lara, and to distribute the Prince's annuity on behalf of the Royal Family. At the same time, Lisandro would also send his three sons: Moredo Rogare, skilled in naval tactics; Lotho Rogare, fluent in multiple languages and possessing outstanding financial talent; and Rogério Rogare, excellent in swordsmanship and proficient in various unique arts of Lys, to serve the Royal Family.
Besides the benefits to the Royal Family, there were also many benefits for House Varezes. The port of Lys would be completely open to the Silver Fleet, and goods from the Borderland Principality would be tax-exempt. Lisandro promised to return all the properties and wealth of the Tigaro Dagareon Family and pledged to transfer the soon-to-be-bankrupt Governor Bambaro's properties to the Varezes Workshop in Lys.
Summerhall, Water Gardens.
This open-air garden, built from pure white marble, was transplanted with exotic flowers and plants from Dorne and the eastern continent and adopted a decorative style said to originate from Yi Ti. The garden's owner dug a winding river throughout the grounds, where guests could place food and wine to be enjoyed, allowing the flowing water to carry them to each guest.
Madam Rogare stated very directly what price House Rogare could pay to gain the protection of the Iron Throne and Dragon Nest City. She didn't beat around the bush, play emotional cards, or do anything extra like the men in her family. She knew this wasn't what Madam diplomacy was about, but after speaking, the somewhat elderly Madam Rogare still cautiously looked at the two ladies present, as well as Lady Sansala Tarly, who accompanied the pregnant Lady Diana.
"Madam Rogare, we sympathize with the disaster facing Lys," Leira said softly.
She and Diana hadn't touched any food in the Water Gardens, even though she was the mastermind behind the garden.
Diana gently fanned herself with a folding fan from the eastern continent.
"But as you can see, House Varezes is a vassal of the Iron Throne. Although my husband holds the duties of the Hand of the King, he cannot decide everything. I can only convey the price you offered to my husband, but I cannot guarantee success."
Even with just that sentence, Madam Rogare expressed immense gratitude and enthusiastically invited Diana and the others to enjoy the food and wine she brought.
Of course, the two ladies politely chatted with Madam Rogare for a long time until she was seen off.
Only then did Leira's expression change.
She clapped her hands, signaling the garden servants to retreat to the outer perimeter, ensuring no one else was within their pavilion.
She then spoke.
"Sister, His Highness isn't really going to agree to House Rogare's request, is he?"
"Actually, before Madam Rogare invited us, His Highness had already decided to agree to House Rogare's request."
Diana smiled slyly, gently fanning herself with the folding fan in her hand.
"Keeping them in suspense, on one hand, is to give Sebastian and Tigaro an opportunity for revenge. On the other hand, it's also to find a more suitable match for little Viserys. After all, he is now a Dragon Knight, and marrying a future Dragon Knight is something that requires a huge outlay. Moreover, letting them mistakenly believe that we can influence His Highness's decisions can also mislead those ambitious individuals who attempt to stir up trouble."
Diana smiled, stroking her slightly bulging belly.
"Leira, we still need to talk about your issue. When will you give Valarr another child?"
She suddenly changed the subject, causing Leira to blush.
"Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore."
Diana smiled and waved her fan, then turned her gaze to Sansala.
"Sansala, it's not that Sister is lecturing you, but your eldest sister married Lynn, and her child is already so grown. You need to worry about your own marriage soon. Don't talk about others; these young men around His Highness are all single. Don't wait until they're snatched away by other women before you regret it."
"I've said it many times."
Sansala walked over from the side, a bit impatiently.
"My energy is currently focused on that bank. Oh, right, Sister, I have a question I haven't figured out. If House Rogare invests fifteen percent, then our remaining ten percent of the funds are..."
"Iron Bank."
Diana did not conceal this news.
The Iron Bank's envoy, Aulis Celas Mill, was currently at Summerhall, but House Rogare did not know he was there. During this time, he had quietly hidden within the Varezes Purple Palace and had not shown himself outside.
"Then House Rogare is in for big trouble," Sansala said with a hint of schadenfreude. "If they dare to cause trouble, the Iron Bank will be the first to not let them off."
After all, the Iron Bank lost a large sum of money by investing in the Greens during the Dance of the Dragons. Coupled with the fact that House Varezes also had a large sum of money deposited in the Iron Bank, to continue cooperating with the Iron Throne, the Iron Bank tearfully reduced the Iron Throne's debt and proactively sent someone to negotiate related matters.
Since Aulis Celas Mill had dealt with House Varezes many times, he was the one who came this time. However, unlike House Rogare, this man, who served as the Sealord's envoy, the Iron Bank's envoy, and the House of Black and White's liaison, had been freeloading at Summerhall for a long time, with no intention of leaving.
Dragonzel naturally wouldn't let him idle. He gave him a sinecure and sent him to help Sansala establish the Silver Blood Bank.
Dragon Nest City, Flame Tower.
This flame-shaped tall tower was usually used to host guests. The entire tower had hundreds of large and small rooms available for guests to reside in and use, and lights were lit throughout the night, allowing people to see their way home.
Viserys gritted his teeth, following his furtively hiding kingly brother behind a pillar.
Today, while feeding Igaras, he learned his own worth from Aegon, who had come to help feed Sarafasas. Although this beautiful sapphire-colored little dragon hardly needed feeding and relied solely on food provided by Igaras, Lingor still watched Star Song finish its food in the Dragonpit every day before feeding his own little dragon, as this was his duty as the heir of House Varezes.
Upon learning that his marriage had been sold for a good price by his brother and uncle, Viserys almost collapsed.
Then he was dragged away by the eagerly rushing Aegon.
"You just sold me off like that? I'm your brother, Aegon."
Aegon chuckled mischievously. The boy king rubbed his hands, feigning sadness and saying with some anticipation,
"Viserys, how can you say that? We definitely found the best for you."
"Yes, you did."
Viserys folded his arms, looking askance at his royal brother.
"Half of Lys's annual income and a bunch of preferential terms. If Lingor hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known I was worth so much. Should I be happy and go steal two bottles of wine?"
"Go ahead if you're not afraid of Brother Hofa."
Aegon rubbed his hands and then suddenly pointed.
"Look, that's the wife we picked for you."
Viserys looked down at Lara Rogare, who was walking out of the room.
When the young prince saw Lara push back her soft silver hair, revealing her beautiful and moving face, he involuntarily gasped.
Aegon showed a gratified smile.
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