Summerhall, Varezes Purple Palace.
This beautiful palace stands on Redhorn Hill in the northwest corner of the town of Summerhall. This hill was once barren, known for its exposed red soil and rugged rocks in the surrounding lands. After Dragonzel came to rule here, Valyrian craftsmen who crossed the sea presided over the construction of this palace.
Three palaces with circular spires were distributed in a triangular formation atop the hill. Long glass corridors connected the three palaces. The central and tallest palace, built entirely of stones imbued with purple dye, was the core of the complex, with a towering spire rising from its summit. This was a distinctly Valyrian architectural style.
The top of Redhorn Hill was paved with marble tiles dyed a special shade of purple, forming gardens and squares surrounding the palace. Countless fountains, artificial rivers, marble colonnades, transplanted exotic flowers and plants, and various statues were distributed throughout the gardens outside the palace. Vine-like plants covered all the colonnades and stone carvings, making the entire palace appear both noble and mysterious.
Dragonzel used this palace to entertain guests and educate the children of his vassals.
However, House Rogare did not reside here upon their arrival. Instead, they stayed in Dragon Nest City.
Lisandro regarded this as an honor and boasted about it extensively upon his return to Lys. Relying on House Varezes's prestige and his daughter's marriage—the shameless old father left his daughter in Dragon Nest City and sent his sons to King's Landing—and of course, primarily due to the oppressive presence of dragons, Lisandro, upon returning to Lys, completely bankrupted Governor Bambaro.
His family's boys and girls were sent by Lisandro to House Rogare's brothel, the Perfumed Garden, while his property, along with the property of House Dagareon, all came under the name of House Varezes.
The merchants and nobles of Lys still had some objections, but they fell silent when they saw the Iron Fleet sail ostentatiously past the city without attacking the fallen fleet and the wide-open harbor of Lys.
After all, schemes and tricks are worthless in the face of absolute force and caution.
And so is poison.
"Your Highness, you sent for me."
Aulis Celas Mill, the envoy of the Iron Bank, was a lean man with a curled mustache. He had amber eyes and sharp teeth, but his voice was surprisingly gentle.
The man wore a dark purple, unadorned robe with a standing collar, simple in appearance yet clearly of impeccable material and craftsmanship to discerning eyes.
Of course, the envoy's most striking feature was his tall, brimless hat. No matter where he went, that hat—almost half his height—made people turn their heads.
Naturally, this envoy never cared about such gazes.
During his temporary stay at the Purple Palace, the envoy loved to do two things.
One was teasing children with his mustache whenever he had nothing else to do.
However, the children each had their own peculiarities.
Rhaegen Ka'awen loved to tug on his mustache.
Aelarion Hightower, the youngest son of Count Tigris Hightower of White Tower City, cried whenever he saw him.
And Renly Cafferen, the grandson of Lord Randal Cafferen, especially loved pulling at his clothes—fortunately, he owned plenty of clothes.
The other thing was exactly what he was doing now:
Tending to his favorite flowers in the garden.
Dragonzel rarely came to the Purple Palace.
In fact, since this palace was built, members of House Varezes had rarely visited it, as Dragon Nest City was large enough. It was the second-largest castle in the Seven Kingdoms, surpassed only by Harrenhal and slightly larger than Casterly Rock.
It was also comfortable enough.
Dragonzel had placed numerous spells throughout the castle, which not only protected the people and dragons living within it but also created an incredibly pleasant environment.
Especially Lady Diana.
She cultivated a small garden during her leisure time which, though not as luxurious as the Purple Palace, was cozy and inviting.
Dragonzel loved taking his children for walks and resting in that garden.
"Your Highness."
Aulis Celas Mill saw that Dragonzel was merely watching him prune flowers, so he no longer bothered with formalities.
He knew very well the purpose of Dragonzel's visit.
What was the attitude of Braavos, one of the strongest of the Nine Free Cities, especially after witnessing the Iron Fleet launch en masse, take over the Silver Fleet's beacon network, and crush the Three Daughters?
Braavos clearly understood that its Purple Fleet was no longer invincible across every sea.
And how did the descendants of former slaves view the descendants of their former masters, who not only avoided heavy losses during the Dance of the Dragons but whose dragon population had become even more prosperous?
These were the questions Dragonzel truly cared about.
Looking into Dragonzel's purple eyes, the envoy honestly found himself annoyed by the shortsightedness and foolishness of the Sealord's advisors and the Iron Bank's bankers.
No wonder the Iron Bank chose to sponsor Otto Hightower.
It was indeed because they did not want to see the war end quickly.
The more dragons that died in Westeros, the more advantageous it would be for the Braavosi.
Of course, they had not expected the war to end so quickly, nor had House Targaryen's dragon losses proven particularly severe.
Still, the envoy respectfully said,
"Your Highness, my arrival is Braavos's answer."
"The Secret City still loves testing others' patience with riddles."
Dragonzel took the shears from Aulis's hand and snipped off a branch.
"I can agree to the Iron Bank's request, but, Envoy, this also requires your sincerity."
Dragonzel cut away another branch, this one still bearing a flower bud.
The envoy watched the bud fall to the ground and sighed repeatedly in his heart.
The Iron Bank's request was not complicated.
They had discovered that they had kicked a steel plate.
The Iron Bank's military power was completely outmatched by House Varezes and House Targaryen, while the Faceless Men of the House of Black and White refused to act against House Varezes.
As for House Targaryen, the prices quoted were astronomical.
Especially those residing in Dragon Nest City.
The prices demanded by the House of Black and White were so outrageous that even their wealthiest patrons could not afford them.
In short, it simply wasn't worth it.
It was better to obediently surrender and still secure a share of the profits.
Thus, the Iron Bank secretly requested permission to invest in House Varezes's construction plans and the renovation plans for King's Landing.
Naturally, they also requested permission to establish branches throughout Westeros.
"What kind of sincerity do you want?"
The envoy somewhat reluctantly took the shears back from Dragonzel's hand, preventing him from further damaging the precious plant before them.
"I want to know why the House of Black and White sent Faceless Men to Westeros," Dragonzel said lightly.
"The little eagle has grown up and wants the mother eagle's nest."
The envoy still did not state it directly, though the meaning was obvious enough.
He looked at Dragonzel with sincere eyes, hoping he would not ask for further details, as the House of Black and White also valued its reputation.
"My companion Khal Ago will be getting married in nine days. Envoy, would you be interested in visiting his khalasar to experience the difference between the Dothraki in my territory and the Dothraki on the eastern continent?"
Seeing Aulis yield without hesitation, Dragonzel saw no need to press further and extended the invitation with a smile.
"It would be my honor, Your Highness."
Dragon Nest City, Twin Towers.
"Ray, did you miss me?"
Rhaenyra finally completed her visit to Driftmark and returned to Dragon Nest City aboard a fast ship.
The moment she returned to the castle, Rhaenyra rushed into the room she shared with Ray and pounced on him while he was reading, pushing him onto the bed.
Rhaenyra was petite, appearing even more delicate and lovely beside the tall Ray.
Still, Ray allowed her to crash into his arms, reaching out to rub his cheeks.
Besides Rhaenyra, only Dragonzel had ever been allowed to touch his face like that.
"Alright, alright."
Ray smiled, allowing Rhaenyra to leave several kisses on his cheek.
Then he gently kissed the maiden's forehead and helped her sit beside him.
"Ray, I learned a huge secret."
Rhaenyra was excited, but there was also a trace of mischievous delight in her expression.
Ray's smile immediately became somewhat strange.
"Tell me."
"My grandfather actually has two bastards, Ray. Did you know? Joffrey is now racking his brains trying to legitimize them, and it's said to be my grandfather's dying wish."
As Rhaenyra spoke, her expression became somewhat dim.
"Poor Joffrey. Alas."
Ray quietly watched Rhaenyra gesture animatedly as she recounted her experiences on Driftmark, giving appropriate responses at exactly the right moments.
When Rhaenyra finally finished speaking, Ray smiled and asked,
"Are the two children you're talking about named Addam and Alyn?"
"How did you know?"
Rhaenyra was shocked.
"Guess."
Ray smiled slyly.
"Ray!"
Rhaenyra immediately crashed into Ray's arms again, but this time her hand reached toward his armpit.
"If you don't tell me, I'll go to Brother Dragonzel!"
"No, no, no, I'll tell you, I'll tell you."
Ray was ticklish and even more afraid of Rhaenyra running to Dragonzel and pretending to cry.
"Don't worry. Joffrey will get his wish."
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