chapter 202 part 2
He added, "When we return to the Sunset Lands, I will give you a chance to prove that honor of yours, boy."
"You!"
Their commotion had already attracted the attention of others. A tall, thin Anguy ambled over.
Anguy nudged the knight of Bear Island with his elbow. "Ser, it's rare to see you with so much patience."
After suffering a serious injury last time, Anguy had become much more composed. He bowed to Jon. "Good day, Lord Jon. I am Anguy, I'm..."
Before Anguy could finish, Borona shoved him aside, cutting him off.
Borona first cupped her chin, studying Jon for a moment, then raised an eyebrow. "You're strong. I'll come find you tonight."
Shoved aside, Anguy looked up at the ceiling helplessly. Ser Jorah reached out and patted his shoulder.
*Find me for what?!* The brave northern youth instinctively took a step back.
Just then, a handmaiden announced, "Her Highness, Daenerys, arrives!"
Everyone turned in the direction of the voice and bowed slightly. Daenerys, clad in a long, pale gold silken gown, approached slowly with a gentle smile on her face.
After the greetings were finished, the silver-haired princess stood beside Jon and formally introduced him to the crowd.
Borona had just returned this morning, and now she couldn't hide her disappointment... *How could he be Her Highness's kin... It really is hard to find a husband who's both strong and handsome!*
The focus of their gathering was still the arrangements for the Tourney. After the meeting concluded, Daenerys asked Jon to stay behind.
Daenerys sat upright, her fingers fidgeting as she intertwined them. Her voice was full of apology. "Jon, my brother... King Viserys..."
After a pause, she continued, "He is rather busy with matters concerning the Tourney, so he has no time to see me for the moment."
Last night, Daenerys had requested an audience with Viserys regarding Jon, but was refused. Although she sensed that something was off with Viserys, she had not yet considered the complex legal issues involved. After all, she had spent her childhood living a precarious life with her brother, never receiving any education on such matters, and she had no advisors who could guide her.
Jon smiled warmly. "Daenerys, I'm already very content with how things are now."
As if worried he hadn't made himself clear, he added, "Believe me, I'm telling the truth."
Daenerys looked at Jon's earnest face for a moment, then nodded slightly. "The right time will come."
Seeing the determination in Daenerys's expression, Jon gave a helpless smile. The northern youth was not good with words; he would prove his sincerity with his actions in the future... To have kin like Daenerys, he was truly content... He already had a lover and family. Sometimes, he feared he would suddenly wake up and discover it was all just a beautiful dream.
Daenerys picked up her teacup and took a sip. "Jon, what about Lenore?"
Jon looked at Daenerys, puzzled.
Daenerys couldn't help but smile. "My dear guard Jon, haven't you thought of bringing your Lenore here?"
After a brief pause, she said in a gentle tone, "I will protect you both."
Jon's face filled with gratitude and emotion. He nodded, clenching his fists and swearing a silent oath... He would use the sword in his hand to cut down all of Daenerys's enemies. The North never forgets.
...
That evening, not one to give up, Borona had intended to haul Jon into her room and leave him with an unforgettable memory, but she unfortunately lost to him in a contest of sword skills.
...
On the second day, in the training yard, Jon defeated another of Daenerys's personal guards, Osha from Crackclaw Point.
At the same time, Jon's strength earned him the recognition of the "Daenerys faction."
...
On the third day, Daenerys commissioned a master smith to forge a full suit of black armor with red patterns specifically for Jon. The smith estimated it would be completed within a month.
...
On the seventh day, Jon defeated the other competitors with his outstanding sword skills, becoming one of the instructors of the "Princess's Legion."
...
On the eleventh day, Jon, accompanied by the new recruit Rory, led a hundred soldiers on an expedition and annihilated a band of brigands roaming near the city's outskirts.
...
On the thirteenth day, Daenerys gifted Jon an ornate, jewel-encrusted sword as a reward.
...
In the evening, fourteen days later, inside Viserys's royal tent.
The heavy stench of alcohol emanated from Viserys. "My sweet sister, are you trying to teach me how to do things?"
He extended a long, pale finger and poked Daenerys on the forehead. "I am... King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Warden of the Realm, Viserys Targaryen, the Third of His Name, the one true king of the Iron Throne."
Finally, Viserys shrieked, "The true King of the Seven Kingdoms!"
Viserys's loud voice immediately drew Borona, Jorah, and Dik, who were waiting outside the tent.
Seeing the three of them enter without permission, Viserys roared, "Get out!"
Of the three, only Dik hesitated for a moment before bowing and exiting the tent.
Viserys gave a strange smile as he looked at Daenerys. "My sweet sister, are you trying to wake the dragon?"
Daenerys had not come to argue with her brother. She turned her head and said softly, "Wait for me outside. Do not enter without my command."
Viserys first watched coldly as Jorah and Borona left the tent, then picked up his wine cup, took a sip, and said mockingly, "Dany, my sweet sister, you are clearly so foolish. Why is it that they listen only to your commands? Why do they dare to ignore the true King?"
Daenerys shook her head slightly and said calmly, "Brother, they are my helpers. Only with their help can I raise an army for you to reclaim the Iron Throne."
After a pause, she continued, "I believe... when you sit the Iron Throne, brother, you will surely become a beloved King."
Hearing this, Viserys burst out laughing, his voice filled with ridicule.
"So my sister has such a sweet tongue. I almost believed your lies!"
Viserys's words wounded and grieved Daenerys. The pain inflicted by her only brother always seemed to be magnified.
The corners of Daenerys's eyes reddened. She took a deep breath. "Viserys, I am your own sister. How could I ever deceive you?"
Viserys's handsome face contorted. He took a step forward and shrieked, "Did you not come to me for the sake of that Usurper's bloodline?!"
With a crash, he smashed the wine cup in his hand onto the ground and raged, "You want me to acknowledge a bastard with the Usurper's blood flowing through his veins?! You idiot! You slut!"
Though shimmering tears spilled from the corners of Daenerys's eyes, she still held her head high and looked directly at Viserys.
"Viserys, there are only three of us Targaryens left!"
Viserys's violet eyes seemed to turn red. "What a ridiculous reason! Listen to me, the heir of the true dragon only needs to be one person, and that is me!"
Tears streamed down Daenerys's face. She swore... this would be the last time she ever cried because of her brother. She swore it to the gods!
(end of chapter)