"Brother."
Nearing the bathing chambers, as the servants guiding them prepared to lead them in separate directions, Daenerys couldn't help but call out to Viserys.
Viserys turned around, "What is it, Daenerys?"
Daenerys shrunk back, but didn't speak.
At this point in time, the "Mother of Dragons" was still a timid, insecure little girl, heavily reliant on her brother Viserys, even though her brother was cruel and abusive towards her.
In the original story, it wasn't until she realized Viserys had cruelly sold her off, that everything was irreversible, and after marrying Khal Drogo, that she gradually grew into a strong and confident woman.
Viserys likely knew Daenerys was worried and afraid, but the situation didn't allow him to have an in-depth conversation with Daenerys, nor could he immediately correct his brotherly attitude.
Viserys needed Daenerys to remain timid and fearful.
With Daenerys's beauty, without the protection of her timidity, cowardice, and slim figure, she would be like a child carrying gold through a crowded market. Even Illyrio, a man who had seen and done it all and was known for his cunning, had only wanted to possess Daenerys when he first saw her.
"Don't embarrass me, Daenerys!" Viserys did not offer comfort, only a stern attitude. He said coldly to Daenerys, "Are you even afraid to wash up? Go with the maid."
So Daenerys lowered her head, no longer trying to say anything, and followed the maid to another washroom.
Viserys, without any psychological burden, washed up in the luxurious bath provided by Illyrio's mansion, even accepting the silk clothes offered by the servants.
After washing up and tidying up, eunuchs and maids led Viserys and Daenerys to the dining room.
After washing up and being groomed, Daenerys's beautiful features became even more apparent. Fortunately, Viserys maintained his cold attitude towards her, making her submissive, worried, and unable to smile.
Although Daenerys was only thirteen or fourteen years old and hadn't fully matured, for this world, a girl became a woman after her first period.
Viserys didn't want Illyrio to be distracted by beauty and abandon their scheming.
In the main seat of the dining room, Illyrio, having changed into casual clothes, was already waiting quietly.
Viserys took the lead, performing a Braavosi guest greeting: "Thank you for your hospitality, Governor Illyrio. Your generosity and courtesy are impressive."
Illyrio's chubby face broke into a smile, attempting to correct him: "Your Majesty, you needn't praise me. It's my duty."
"Oh," Viserys's words seemed to stick in his throat, "I wonder when your banquet will begin. My sister and I are eagerly anticipating it."
Daenerys sat quietly in her seat, feeling very strange inside. She wasn't unfamiliar with Viserys's flattery towards the powerful, but hadn't they been addressing each other as ruler and subject before?
The ceremonial greeting Viserys used came from the banquets of the Free Cities' nobles. The reason he stumbled seemed to be because Illyrio didn't respond with the proper ceremonial greeting of a Free Cities banquet host, but he still maintained his composure, cleverly covering up his awkwardness.
At least, that's how it looked.
Daenerys felt it was absurd. She was very aware that since being struck by lightning, Viserys had changed somehow, his behavior becoming unpredictable.
"Actually, there is no feast, Your Grace," Illyrio said seriously. "Even if there was, it would be a welcoming feast for you and Princess Daenerys. I thought we made that very clear in Lys. Your Grace, were those words we spoke under the eyes of the gods all lies?"
"Of course not," Viserys replied with a smile, his response quite proper. "I understand your needs perfectly, I only wish…" He paused, as if just realizing what Illyrio had said, asking in shock, "Wait, did you just say there is no feast?"
Daenerys quickly glanced up, then quickly lowered her head. She saw Viserys across from her, eyes wide, revealing a dramatic expression of disbelief.
Illyrio's expression was solemn: "Your Grace, I need an explanation."
"Oh…" Viserys still wore an expression of disbelief, licking his lips as if his mouth was dry, his mood difficult to calm.
".Oh, by the Seven!" Seeming unable to organize his words, Viserys began to ramble. "Governor Illyrio, you mean…" He asked cautiously, ".You mean that?" He repeatedly asked, ".You really mean that?!"
Illyrio tried to see something in Viserys's exaggerated performance. He narrowed his eyes, glaring: "Forgive my presumption, Your Grace, but you thought…?"
"Oh, I'm sorry," Viserys began, as if about to answer. "I thought before…"
Then, as if remembering something, he stopped himself, muttering, "Oh, by the Seven!" He seemed shaken and shocked, struggling to calm himself.
Viserys believed that being a riddle-maker was very useful in the process of scheming and fighting for power. Because those lies you can't make up, the clever, or those who think they are clever, will fill in the missing parts themselves. You only need to guide them to think in that direction.
Viserys's current behavior was inconsistent with the information Illyrio had received and the observations made during their interactions a few days ago, yet it seemed somehow plausible.
Viserys and his sister had spent years drifting between the Free Cities as guests of the powerful, seeking refuge and plotting to reclaim their throne. But the enthusiasm of these powerful figures soon waned. Over the years, the two remaining Targaryens had been struggling to survive, living hand to mouth.
Once Viserys had earned the name "The Beggar King," he was treated as a clown by the great lords. Rumor had it that at banquets, he would often fly into a rage at the jesters, fools, and maids around the nobles when called "The Beggar King." Occasionally, he would even be kicked out for clashing with the great lords, only to then sell off his belongings and go hungry while seeking another patron.
If he had made this lifestyle his means of survival, then his behavior in response to Illyrio's invitation a few days ago was a performance, a way for the great lords to amuse themselves, a tacit understanding between the jester and the audience. After arriving here, Viserys's initial attitude was one of willing cooperation, like an actor being invited to perform for a living. Then, he was supposedly shocked by Illyrio's 'unexpected' attitude.
But was that really the truth?
Illyrio didn't believe it. At least, Viserys's flamboyant performance wasn't enough to convince him. He asked, "Your Grace, do you have any concerns about our previous discussions, or do you have any new ideas? As you can see, I am a merchant by trade. Please, feel free to speak plainly."
"By the Seven!" Viserys seemed not to have recovered from his shock. "Governor Illyrio, let me confirm, you are indeed willing to pledge allegiance to me?"
"No," Illyrio narrowed his eyes at Viserys, "Your Grace, it is to fund you, as we discussed, under the witness of the gods."
"Oh, sorry, to fund." Viserys seemed to remember, and quickly became excited, eagerly saying, "You are the most insightful merchant I have ever met." Viserys seemed a little impatient. "I didn't have time to ask before, how much money are you willing to fund me, Governor Illyrio?"
It was laughable. Before, there wasn't a single concrete thing in the political promises between Illyrio and Viserys. Illyrio only said he was willing to provide shelter and could support Viserys's restoration. The condition was the position of Hand of the King after the success, and Viserys happily came to Pentos to discuss important matters with Illyrio.
Illyrio didn't answer, instead turning to Daenerys, who was at a corner of the table, lowering her head and saying nothing.
Viserys knew what he meant, but he didn't care and urged impatiently: "You can just pretend she doesn't exist, Governor Illyrio."
"Forgive my presumption, Your Grace," Illyrio took this opportunity to guide him directly, "Do you think you can restore your kingdom just by money?"
Viserys pretended to think and then answered: "Well, can't I?"
"…" Illyrio paused at the words. This was not the answer he wanted, but it didn't matter. "In my opinion, money alone cannot help you restore your kingdom. Your Grace, what you need is an army."
Hearing this, Viserys said excitedly, "Yes, an army. Are you going to provide me with an army?"
Excitement filled his face, but Viserys's heart sank a little. The answer came too quickly. Although Illyrio's words were a roundabout way of putting things, they weren't roundabout enough. It was almost too straightforward, and Viserys didn't get to use many of the talking points he had prepared.
"I don't have an army, but I know where there is one." Illyrio introduced with enthusiasm, "Your Grace, have you heard of the Dothraki?"
The peace agreement between Pentos and Braavos stipulated that the people of Pentos could not possess more than 20 warships, employ mercenaries, contract with free mercenary groups, or maintain any army beyond the city guard. Therefore, despite having huge city walls, Pentos was still considered the most vulnerable of the Free Cities. For this reason, the governors of Pentos maintained a friendly attitude towards the Dothraki horse lords, cultivating relationships with a series of powerful 'Khals' (chieftains) over the years, sending them gifts and gold and silver to ensure that their 'Khalasars' (tribes) operated east of the Rhoyne River, which served as a natural boundary for Pentos.
In other words, it was a commercial city providing tribute to nomadic tribes to ensure peace.
And now, Illyrio, as a dignitary of the commercial city, seemed to want to take the opportunity to become a political broker, linking the descendants of the Targaryens and the Dothraki horse lords.
Viserys followed up, "I've heard a little."
Illyrio was very confident, "Your Grace, you may be able to use the Dothraki to counterattack Westeros and reclaim the throne."
Viserys asked, "The Dothraki, the tribes of the Dothraki Sea, they would also be willing to support me?"
"It's more like borrowing soldiers, Your Grace. Borrowing soldiers. I am acquainted with several powerful Dothraki Khals. If Your Grace is willing, perhaps tens of thousands of soldiers could be borrowed." Illyrio drew a flattering picture for Viserys, not forgetting to add some delicious sauce. "Cavalry!"
Unexpectedly, Viserys did not respond directly to Illyrio, nor did he ask about the "price" that would be required. Instead, he asked a strange question, "Governor, with all due respect, how much do you know about the continent of Westeros?"
Illyrio was momentarily puzzled, "Uh?"
Viserys gave him a more specific description, "That is to say, besides the fact that the continent is called Westeros, and that the king there is currently Robert Baratheon, do you know anything about the political situation there?"
Illyrio initially thought Viserys was mocking him, but seeing his serious expression, he couldn't tell. He assumed the topic had been diverted and was about to steer it back, "Uh..."
But Viserys didn't give Illyrio the chance to continue leading the conversation, "Let's assume we borrow the soldiers, Governor Illyrio. If, I mean if, I borrow the soldiers, how would we transport them to Westeros, and where should we land?"
"Uh..." Illyrio wanted to say, we're discussing borrowing soldiers, and we haven't even borrowed them yet!
Viserys was still asking, "Even if we land, and when the fighting starts, we take a city, but the people of Westeros don't accept the army I bring, or the Dothraki slaughter the town, what am I supposed to do?"
Illyrio really wanted to say, These are all hypothetical! Can we at least discuss whether we have an army first?
But Viserys kept rambling on, "Even if I rely on the Dothraki to regain the throne, what do I do with these soldiers then?"
Seeing that Viserys seemed to be stuck on this, Illyrio quickly cut off his endless chatter, "Your Grace, you're thinking too specifically. You don't even have an army now, and besides, these things may not even happen."
"No, no, no," Viserys shook his head, solemnly. "These are very serious questions, Governor. The situation in Westeros is a thousand times more complicated than imagined. Restoring the kingdom is not easy. I think every day and night about how to restore the kingdom, return to my homeland, and ascend the Iron Throne. Believe me, these are all very serious questions."
So, you spend your days just thinking about these things to restore the kingdom?
Illyrio was speechless.
"Coo-coo~"
Viserys wanted to say more, but his stomach rumbled loudly. He sat up straight, a theatrical expression of shame and apology on his face. "Forgive me, Governor, for the embarrassing display."
Fortunately, Illyrio didn't want to listen to him dwell on those pointless questions any longer and quickly changed the subject. "My apologies. Let's eat first, shall we?"
Viserys stopped speaking. "As you wish, Governor."
Illyrio understood that he couldn't convince Viserys today, who was clearly fixated on irrelevant issues – Viserys was plainly using excuses to disagree. So, he didn't pursue the matter further.
Viserys, however, was still eager to argue. His strategy was simple: no matter what Illyrio said, he would simply refuse.
He had prepared many tactics.
For example:
When discussing plans, he'd focus on specifics. "This plan might work, but there are these problems..." "You're right, but..." "This is a good plan, but considering..." "Hmm, this is a very good plan, but there are still some details to refine. Perhaps we should go back and think it over, there must be a better way." "If I do this, what if this happens...?" And so on.
Before Illyrio could figure out what Viserys was thinking, Viserys could use all sorts of rhetoric to evade him whenever Illyrio proposed a plan.
Even so, it had to be said that Illyrio was still somewhat tricky. He didn't fall into the trap of rhetoric and avoided answering Viserys' questions that were completely meaningless to the matter at hand.
Since they couldn't talk about business, the subsequent meal could only be idle chatter. Viserys didn't hesitate to praise all sorts of dishes. He chatted and laughed with Illyrio, while eating non-stop, consuming almost three people's worth of food.
Of the three people at the table, Daenerys was naturally the one who felt the strangest. She didn't participate in any of the discussions, but she could feel that Viserys at the table was completely different from before.
If it were before, Viserys would be willing to trade anything for such a plan.
....
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