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First, the envoy himself stepped into the Council Chamber.
Two attendants followed behind him, carrying sandalwood boxes.
The envoy was about 30 years old, tall, and upright.
Most striking was his appearance, which bore standard Valyrian features: long silver hair, pale skin, deep and handsome facial features, and a pair of clear blue eyes.
He did not have the purple eyes common to the Targaryen family, but that combination of silver hair and blue eyes was still clear evidence of Valyrian blood.
"King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm, the esteemed King Viserys."
The envoy spoke in fluent Common Tongue.
He placed his right hand over his chest and bowed slightly, his etiquette impeccable yet not subservient.
"I am Correy Rogar, sent by the Magister of Lys, my elder brother Lysandro Rogar, to have an audience with Your Grace and bring the friendship and greetings of the Triarchy."
Standing beside the King, Aemond Targaryen watched the envoy calmly.
The Rogar family...
They possessed Valyrian blood but lacked dragons. They had risen in Lys solely through business acumen and political maneuvering.
Now, they were one of the ruling Magister families of that Free City.
Correy Rogar straightened up, his ice-blue eyes slowly scanning everyone in the hall. His gaze lingered for a moment on Otto Hightower.
Then, he turned to Aemond.
Scrutiny, curiosity, and assessment flashed within those blue eyes.
"Welcome to King's Landing, Correy Rogar." King Viserys nodded and signaled the attendants to bring a chair.
"Please, sit. You have come a long way; the journey must have been tiring."
"I thank Your Grace for your consideration." Correy sat down.
"It is my great honor to set foot on the soil of Westeros and behold the majesty of the Red Keep."
After the pleasantries, Correy got straight to the point.
"Your Grace, the primary purpose of my visit is the hope of restarting trade and commerce between the Triarchy and the Seven Kingdoms. Since the start of the disputes over the Stepstones, trade between the two sides has been interrupted. Trade should be mutually beneficial, yet now..."
He shook his head, leaving the sentence unfinished.
Viserys pondered. He knew the importance of trade, but the dispute between the Triarchy and House Velaryon had been bitter.
"Trade and commerce are indeed good things," Viserys said slowly.
"But tariffs and sea lanes involve the interests of the Crown and various port lords. This matter still needs to be decided in consultation with the Master of Ships and the Master of Coin."
It was a cautious answer.
Correy nodded with a smile.
"Your Grace's consideration is thorough. I have brought detailed proposals, which I will present to the Hand shortly. I believe that as long as both sides are sincere, a solution can be found."
His tone shifted, becoming solemn.
"Besides this, there is another, more important purpose for my visit. On behalf of House Rogar, I propose a marriage alliance with House Targaryen."
The Council Chamber suddenly fell silent.
A marriage alliance?
Viserys's heart stirred. House Rogar possessed immense wealth; their bank in Lys rivaled the Iron Bank of Braavos in influence.
"A marriage alliance?" Viserys repeated.
"Exactly, Your Grace," Correy admitted frankly.
"The Rogars have Valyrian blood. While not Dragonlords, our lineage remains pure. My brother Lysandro believes that if our two Houses could unite, it would consolidate our relationship."
He paused for effect.
"To show our sincerity, the Rogar family is willing to provide gold coins, jewelry, and goods worth five hundred thousand Gold Dragons as a dowry."
"Five hundred thousand?!"
Lyman Beesbury couldn't help but cry out. Even Jasper Wylde widened his eyes.
This figure was staggering; it would fill the treasury for years.
Otto Hightower seemed unsurprised. He looked at the King calmly, waiting.
Viserys fell into deep thought. A dowry of that size, combined with the Rogar influence in Essos, was highly tempting.
It would open new horizons in the East and counterbalance House Velaryon's overwhelming naval power.
"I have felt the sincerity of House Rogar," Viserys said slowly.
"But a marriage alliance is no small matter. Which of my children did you have in mind?"
Correy turned his gaze toward Aemond.
"Your Grace... Prince Aemond."
He bowed slightly to the Prince.
"My youngest sister, the legitimate daughter of the Rogars, is named Aelyn Rogar. She is 13 years old, exceptionally beautiful, well-educated, and fluent in multiple languages. Moreover, she is of a similar age to Prince Aemond, and their bloodlines are compatible..."
Hearing this, Aemond looked silently at Correy.
Viserys considered the proposal. If the alliance succeeded, the Crown would be allied with the rulers of Lys.
"Aemond," Viserys finally spoke, his tone gentle.
"What do you think? Of the Rogar family's proposal..."
"I refuse."
Aemond spoke clearly, interrupting the King.
A deathly silence filled the chamber.
Everyone stared at Aemond. A look of shock appeared on Otto's face.
With such good terms, why would he refuse?
Correy Rogar raised a pale eyebrow, surprised but composed.
Viserys was stunned. He had given Aemond so much: territory, money, and a seat at the Council.
Now, such an advantageous marriage was placed before him, yet he refused without a second thought.
"Aemond," Viserys said with displeasure.
"Correy has come a long way, and they have shown great sincerity. Marriage is a major life event. To refuse so lightly?"
"Father," Aemond turned to face the King directly, his purple eyes unflinching.
"I am not being light. I do not like it."
Correy Rogar smiled, not taking offense.
"The Prince is but a youth; it is natural for him to have pride."
He beckoned to an attendant, who stepped forward holding an exquisite sandalwood box.
Correy opened it and unfurled a parchment scroll.
It was a portrait.
A young girl sat on a stone bench in a Lysene garden, wearing a light blue gauze dress.
Her long silver-white hair cascaded to her waist, adorned with tiny pearls.
Her features were exquisite, her skin translucent, her blue eyes clear and serene.
"This is my sister, Aelyn," Correy said with pride.
"In Lys, she is known as the Moon."
She was undeniably beautiful, bearing the classic Valyrian look. Even Viserys was impressed.
"Aemond," the King said, softening.
"She is lovely. What do you think now?"
"I refuse," Aemond said again, colder this time.
Correy's expression darkened slightly. He rolled up the scroll.
"Prince, may I ask the reason? Do you feel she is not worthy of you?"
"There is no reason," Aemond replied calmly.
"I simply do not wish to marry her."
"Aemond!"
Viserys slammed his hand onto the armrest, his face flushing red.
The exertion made him cough. An attendant offered water, but the King pushed it away.
"I give you everything you want!" Viserys gasped.
"And now, when a perfect alliance is brought before you, you refuse out of sheer caprice?! Do you have no respect for me as your father, or for the interests of the Crown?!"
Aemond looked at his angry father, unmoved. He knew he had challenged Viserys's authority, but he would not yield on this.
Viserys looked at the silent son, feeling an immense headache.
Meanwhile, Correy Rogar stood up.
"Your Grace, if Prince Aemond is unwilling, we will not force the matter."
Otto Hightower hurriedly rose to smooth things over.
"Your Grace, since Prince Aemond has no intention of marrying for now, perhaps... other options could be considered?"
Viserys, still angry, asked, "What options?"
Otto turned his gaze toward Correy.
"Lord Correy... perhaps an alliance with Prince Aegon could be considered? Prince Aegon is His Grace's eldest son and holds a noble status. What do you think?"
Correy Rogar remained silent for a moment. He glanced at Aemond, then at Otto. Their eyes met, seemingly reaching an understanding.
"Prince Aegon..." Correy spoke slowly.
"Is indeed a suitable candidate. However, he is currently at Driftmark..."
"His stay at Driftmark is only for two years," Otto said quickly.
"When he returns, the wedding can be held. In the meantime, we can announce the betrothal."
Correy thought for a moment and finally nodded.
"In that case, the Rogar family is willing to accept this proposal. An alliance with Prince Aegon is equally our honor."
He turned to Viserys. "Your Grace?"
Viserys took a few deep breaths, struggling to calm his emotions.
He looked at Otto; the Hand's eyes were filled with silent pleading.
You gave Helaena to Rhaenyra's son. Could you give Aegon something?
"Very well," Viserys waved his hand weakly.
"Do as the Hand says. The alliance between Aegon and Aelyn Rogar is approved."
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