chapter 184 part 1
Chapter 184: The True Dragon's New Plan
Lysa Tully first pulled Robert Arryn to sit by the hearth, then looked at her sister.
"Isn't he beautiful? He's also very strong; don't listen to the rumors outside. Jon knew it. He told me with his own mouth, 'The seed is strong.' Those were his dying words. He kept murmuring Robert Arryn's name, grasping my hand so hard he left bloody marks. He wanted me to tell them, 'The seed is strong.' This is his seed. He wanted everyone to know that my little darling will grow up to be a strong man."
Catelyn Tully glanced at Robert Arryn, whose small hands were reaching out to pull open Lysa's nightgown, and advised, "Lysa, I'm your sister. I want to help. I need to know the truth."
After a pause, she said in a firm tone, "No matter what the truth is, I will help you."
Lysa snapped, "Shut up!"
Lysa suddenly snapped, and Robert Arryn, frightened, dropped the doll in his hands and clung tightly to his mother.
"You've frightened my son, my dear sister."
After a word of rebuke, Lysa softly cooed to the trembling Robert Arryn, "My dear little treasure, don't be afraid. Mommy's here, everything will be alright."
Was this still her sister? Where were her manners? She was acting like a... Lady Catelyn struggled to suppress the anger in her heart.
Lysa skillfully lifted her nightgown, and Robert Arryn began to suckle eagerly.
Catelyn was truly speechless... This was Jon Arryn's son? She thought of her own youngest son... Rickon was only three, half of Robert Arryn's age, yet he was several times more energetic... She sincerely hoped Robert Arryn would grow up healthy, but now she felt quite pessimistic about his future.
Lysa gently stroked her son's hair and said proudly, "Catelyn, Robert Arryn is the Lord of the Eyrie and Defender of The Vale."
Catelyn still wanted to try and persuade her. "Lysa, given the current situation, war is very likely."
Lysa's tenderness vanished in an instant. Glancing at the son in her arms, she lowered her voice, which was filled with fury, "Isn't this all because of your husband's plotting? My son and I could have lived well. He's the one who destroyed the peace of The Vale."
She continued, "Save your false concern. Your schemes will fail in the end. Nothing will happen to my son and me, because no one can attack us here."
Catelyn felt an impulse to slap her. "Lysa, no fortress is impregnable. Let me help you."
"No one can breach my son's Eyrie."
Lysa retorted first, then continued, "Of course you have to help me, no..."
She looked at her sister with venomous resentment and went on, "Now it is I who will deal with you, and give you a chance to atone for your sins."
Catelyn said in disbelief, "Have you gone mad, Lysa?!"
Lysa ignored Catelyn, looking down at her son. She said softly, "My little darling, do you like your aunt? Should we let her stay here... alright?"
Robert Arryn stammered, "Stay... here..."
Lysa stroked Robert Arryn's head. She looked at Catelyn, a strange smile gradually appearing on her face, a smile that would send a chill down one's spine.
"Robert Arryn's good aunt, you will live here from now on. My son and I will take good care of you."
Before Catelyn could respond, the smile on her face vanished in an instant. She said coldly, "You wouldn't refuse the kindness of the Lord of the Eyrie, would you?"
Robert Arryn poked his head out, both excited and anxious, "Make her fly! Make her fly!"
Lysa ruffled Robert Arryn's hair and murmured, "That's a good idea. That's a very good idea indeed."
Catelyn's pupils constricted sharply. Her mouth opened, but no sound would come out.
...
...
Essos, the city-state of Viserys (formerly Qarth).
"Hahaha!" Watching the letter in her hand, Daenerys Targaryen suddenly burst out laughing. Her laughter, crisp as silver bells, echoed around the room.
Daenerys was bent over with laughter, one hand clutching her stomach, the other covering her mouth, trying in vain to control her mirth.
Bronn and Osha were stunned at first, then they too were infected by Daenerys's laughter and broke into joyful smiles.
Daenerys was laughing so hard it hurt. She pleaded for help, "Help me, I can't laugh anymore."
Whose letter was it? It was a letter Glyn had found time to write to Daenerys after Lord Eddard arrived in King's Landing... It had crossed the ocean and only arrived today.
Glyn was thoughtful. During their time in Pentos, he had learned that the poor little princess liked stories that would cheer people up, so he had written about many interesting things he had personally experienced in the Red Keep.
Real stories, with a little bit of exaggeration... they were indeed interesting, and could satisfy a girl's curiosity. Glyn used pseudonyms, such as: Lord of Joy, Lord Iron-Face, Egghead, Little Moustache, and so on.
The story that made Daenerys laugh so painfully was... the incident that occurred at the Great Sept of Baelor when Glyn had just arrived in King's Landing. The "Egghead" in it was the flashpoint for her laughter (Chapters 117-118).
...
Daenerys rubbed her cheeks, her violet eyes reluctantly leaving the letter on the table. She said, "Osha, have the messengers been properly settled?"
Osha nodded. "Princess Daenerys, it has all been arranged. Please rest assured."
Bronn cleared his throat and said, "They do need a good rest. They still have the important duty of escorting the Princess's reply."
Daenerys glanced sidelong at Bronn, who was suppressing a laugh, and said with a smile, "You are very thoughtful. Let's have a drink together. I'm so happy today."
I, Daenerys, am a true Dragon. And a true Dragon does not hide her affections.
Knock, knock, knock. A knock sounded at the door. After receiving a response, Dik walked in carrying a wine jug.
Dik bowed slightly. "Your Highness, the Princess, forgive my presumption. As I was passing by, I happened to hear laughter and I boldly guessed that you might be in need of fine wine at this moment."
Dik's figure was still as skinny as ever. When he spoke, he deliberately adopted the accent of the merchant guilds, his every gesture carrying an affected elegance.
Daenerys's silver hair set off her porcelain-white skin. Her smile was gentle. "Dik, you are always so thoughtful. Thank you."
Dik's eyes darted about habitually. Hearing the princess's praise, he couldn't help the excitement bubbling up in his heart. "Your Highness, thank you for your praise. It is my honor to serve you. I will work even more diligently for you, and I am confident I can handle every task you assign me, because I am..."
Osha cut in with a deadpan expression, "Clever Dik."
Bronn roared with laughter.
Daenerys's eyes crinkled into two crescent moons. To maintain her dignity, she tried desperately to hold back her laughter.
Dik was annoyed, but after glancing at Osha's firm, exposed arms, he held his tongue.