Chapter 535: The Dragon’s Descendants
Looking at the completely changed King's Landing, Shireen Baratheon's eyes flashed with infinite emotion.
She remembered that when she left the city for Oldtown Citadel, King's Landing was still shrouded in snow and darkness.
Thirty years have passed, and the first great city in Westeros has become bigger and more prosperous than before.
And she is no longer the helpless girl who was tortured by greyscale.
The heavy chain around her neck is made of various metals, symbolizing Shireen's extraordinary achievements in medicine, mysticism, history... and other subjects.
“Is this Miss Shireen?” The gate of the gods opened wide, and a knight galloped out.
“It’s me.” Shireen stepped forward to greet her.
Then the knight dismounted and took off his helmet, revealing an energetic face.
There are three golden ears of wheat printed on the armor on the chest - this is the coat of arms of the Selmy family of Harvest Hall.
“Welcome to King’s Landing, Lady Shireen. I am Leonor of House Selmy.”
"Hello, Leonor." Shireen smiled in return, "I heard that Lord Barristan passed away not long ago. It's really a pity. He is your great-grandfather, right?"
"Yes. However, my great-grandfather is over a hundred years old, and it is time to return to the embrace of the gods. And when he was alive, he served His Majesty Caesar and participated in the Long Night War. He has no regrets." Sir Leonor He waved his riding crop with emotion and continued,
"If I could follow His Majesty Caesar and fight alongside him, I would be willing to die in the hands of the White Walkers. It's a pity that I was not born yet during the Long Night War."
“Every young knight in the Seven Kingdoms has the same idea as you.” Shireen smiled, “Let’s go, let’s go into the city. Is Grand Maester Qyburn feeling well?”
"Oh, okay." Sir Leonor remounted his horse and led the way. He turned around and said, "Lord Qyburn is still in good health, but after all, he is over eighty years old and often lacks energy, so he wrote to the Citadel. Hopefully they can send an assistant.”
Shireen nodded and said no more words.
In fact, when the Academy decided to send her to King's Landing, it caused widespread controversy and even doubts.
Although Grand Maester Coburn said he wanted an assistant, everyone knew that this old man was old and might not be able to continue to serve as Grand Maester. Therefore, the so-called "assistant" was actually the next Grand Maester. candidate.
But the Cardinal Council of the Academy sent a woman.
When Shireen became the first female bachelor in the city, many people had some objections. But now, the first female bachelor is about to appear...
If it were thirty years ago, Shireen would probably be scared to sleep at night by such pressure.
But now, she is able to accept any arrangement calmly.
Furthermore, deep down in her heart, Shireen actually hopes to return to King's Landing and meet some old friends...
The group entered the city, walked through the noisy and crowded streets, and came to the Red Fort.
As soon as he entered the door, a servant hurried over and asked:
“Is this Miss Shireen from the academy?”
"it's me."
“The queen is about to give birth, and His Majesty the King requires you to go to the delivery room to help immediately!”
“Okay, I’ll go there right away.”
Having received such an order as soon as she arrived, Shireen had no complaints because this was her job.
Furthermore, she also knew that His Majesty Octavian was having a difficult time having heirs, and the Queen's childbirth naturally touched the hearts of many people.
After simply preparing some tools, Shireen followed the guards to Maegor's Tower.
Outside the delivery room, she saw the current king of the Seven Kingdoms.
He has a pair of resolute brown eyes, and his hair is curly and slender draped over his shoulders. His face is very similar to someone in the past. What he wears on his head is not the famous ruby tile steel crown, but a crown inlaid with colorful gems. golden crown.
It is said that when Octavian came of age, he had no intention of inheriting the throne at first.
After all, Caesar has not died yet, he has just fallen into a deep sleep and may wake up one day.
Therefore, the original opinion of the ministers was to let Octavian serve as regent and guardian of the whole territory, and to take charge of the seven kingdoms on his behalf.
However, it is said that that night, the important ministers of the Imperial Council had the same dream, dreaming of His Majesty Caesar, and the Archbishop also received an oracle from Caesar—
So the next day, Octavian was directly crowned king.
“Miss Shireen, I’m leaving it to you, Jane.” The king held Shireen’s hand and urged her earnestly.
The Janey he refers to is the queen, Janey from the Hightower family.
This Queen Jane has a gentle personality and a graceful temperament. She is very popular among the people, but her health is not very good. She has been pregnant three times before, but she miscarried twice and gave birth to a stillbirth once.
So far, he has not been able to successfully give birth to an heir for the king.
That’s why the king paid so much attention to this delivery.
“Don’t worry, Your Majesty, I will do my best.”
After Shireen finished speaking, she walked into the delivery room.
Octavian waited restlessly outside.
Time passed little by little, and the queen had been struggling hard in the delivery room for two days and two nights, but she still could not give birth to the child successfully.
The king's temper became increasingly violent, and he even rushed into the delivery room and reprimanded everyone for being incompetent wastes.
Finally scolded away by Queen Mother Margaret.
Octavian left the delivery room and went straight to the church.
In the sanctuary, the statues of the Seven Gods stand majestically, and in the center where their gazes converge, there is a high platform made of white glazed rock.
There is a coffin placed on the platform.
Octavian climbed up the steps to the high platform and came to the coffin.
Through the crystal coffin lid, he could clearly see his father lying quietly inside.
Thirty years have passed, and he himself has transformed from a toddler to a resolute king, but his father seems to have not changed at all.
Still the same as before.
Time seems to be unable to leave any traces on his face.
There is a saying that has been circulating in the Seven Kingdoms for a long time—
Samwell Caesar became a new **** because he killed the Night King, ended the long night, and saved mankind.
What is left in front of me is just a shell.
“Father, have you really become a god?” Octavian said softly, “If you really have become a god, please protect Jane.”
As he spoke, he knelt down in front of his father's coffin and prayed devoutly to his father instead of the seven gods.
After the prayer, Octavian stood up and left.
Just met the red-robed witch Melisandre at the door.
“Your Majesty.”
“Ms. Melisandre.” Octavian asked with his heart moving. "I heard that before I was born, you told my father that my mother would give birth to a son. So, can you tell me now, will Jenny give birth to a son or a daughter?"
Melisandre glanced at the king quietly, but shook her head and said:
"Your Majesty, you must have heard that I told His Majesty Caesar that he would have thirteen heirs. Now it seems that I was obviously wrong."
“You are indeed wrong about this. My father has only five children.”
Before the Long Night, Caesar and Queen Margaery gave birth to Octavian, and Queen Daenerys gave birth to Rhaenys.
However, during the Battle of the Neck, he impregnated Queen Daenerys again, and ten months later she gave birth to twins—
Aegon and Prince Aemon.
In addition, Duke Natalie Dayne of Dorne also gave birth to a daughter named Alilia for Caesar.
However, since Duke Natalie and the king were not officially married after all, this child can only be regarded as an illegitimate daughter.
Of course, the relationship between King Caesar and Duke Natalie is almost an open secret. Many people even know that the king actually plans to marry Duke Natalie as his wife after the Battle of Neck.
Unfortunately, this did not become a reality after all.
Alilia can only bear the surname of Shad.
“But you did predict my birth and gender.” Octavian added, “You might as well make another prediction.”
Melisandre said softly:
“Your Majesty, I’m afraid you won’t like my answer.”
Octavian’s face darkened visibly:
“What does this mean?”
"I told His Majesty Caesar that he would have thirteen children. This was not completely wrong." Melisandre added, "It's just that we always mistakenly thought that these thirteen children were all his children, but we forgot that His grandchildren.
Prince Aegon married Lady Diana Tarly and gave birth to two children - Daeron and Elaina;
Prince Aemon married Lady Xiri of the Lannister family and had a son, Lucian;
Princess Rhaenys, who married into Riverrun City, is even more fertile and has four children now. "
Octavius said:
“Even if we include grandchildren, my father only has twelve children now. Well, if Jane has another child, there will be thirteen.”
"Your Majesty, illegitimate children are also counted." Octavian's expression suddenly changed.
Because he knew that Melisandre was not talking about the illegitimate daughter between his father and Duke Natalie Dayne, but his own illegitimate daughter!
“You know a lot,” Octavian said. “According to your calculation, is Jane destined to fail to give birth to an heir this time?”
"I don't know, Your Majesty." Melisandre did not give a definite answer. "The future is surrounded by fog, and prophecies are full of traps. Sometimes, not knowing is better than knowing."
Octavian pursed his lips and said stiffly:
“But you already told me the answer.”
After saying that, he turned around and left.
But the witch's words always lingered in his heart, making him uneasy and anxious.
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty!” A maid ran over in a panic.
“What’s wrong?” Octavian’s heart skipped a beat, and a strong sense of foreboding emerged.
“Queen she, she...she...”
“Get away!” Octavian pushed the maid aside and rushed towards the delivery room.
As soon as he entered the room, he smelled the pungent smell of blood and a suffocating and oppressive atmosphere.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," Shireen sighed exhaustedly, "We have tried our best, but we still couldn't save the queen's life..."
Octavian looked at the delivery bed full of blood, and his whole body was in a trance.
After a long time, he finally realized:
“Where is the child? Where is the child?”
Shireen shook her head again and pointed to the cradle next to her.
Octavian stumbled over and saw a baby covered in blood lying in the cradle—
It is covered in scales and has a thick tail.
However, it is no longer breathing.
…
The church was filled with fireworks.
The remains of Queen Jane and her newborn child lie quietly in front of the statue of the Stranger.
Thousands of candles flickered, illuminating their way to heaven.
King Octavian stood in front of the bodies of his wife and children with his head lowered, his beard unkempt, looking extremely haggard.
With a creak, the church door opened, and crisp footsteps sounded.
"Go out, I want to be alone for a while." Octavian said without looking back.
“How long do you want to be alone?”
Hearing this voice, Octavian quickly turned around:
“Mother, why are you here?”
Queen Mother Margaery Tyrell walked in. Thirty years have passed. This former Rose of Highgarden is no longer young, but the years have also added a graceful and luxurious temperament to her. At this time, she is wearing Wearing a green gold-rimmed palace dress, her whole body exudes the majesty and solemnity of her mother-in-law.
“If I don’t come, are you going to lock yourself in the church forever?”
“Of course not. I’m just...mourning.”
Margaery took a few steps forward, took out a candle, lit it and placed it in front of the coffin of Queen Jeyne and the dead baby.
Prayed a few words silently, then looked at his son again and warned:
“There should be limits to mourning.”
"I don't understand!" Octavian said ventingly, "Why don't the gods give me a son! And father, don't you all say that he has become a new **** now? Then why would he let him do this? Is bad luck befalling your son?"
"You actually think that the gods are omnipotent?" Margery did not hide the disappointment in her eyes. "Your father has proved one thing with his life, that is, humans do not need to submit to the gods! He used his own Life has supported the backbone of the Caesar family, and you actually want to kneel down again?"
“I…I didn’t mean that.” Octavian panicked.
Margaery obviously did not intend to let her son go so easily, and continued to scold:
"Moreover, your father is facing another war, a war that we mortals cannot understand, let alone imagine. You, as his eldest son and his heir, even if you cannot help him, you should not use ordinary means to help him. Don’t bother him with trivial matters during your time, let alone cause any resentment!”
"I haven't, mother." Octavian said quickly, "I will cheer up again. What happened to Jane will not break me. I am still young and can still marry again."
"That's right." Margery slowed down her tone and reached out to straighten her son's hair. "Among the lords of the Seven Kingdoms, there are still many girls who are suitable for you. I will help choose one to be the queen."
Octavian hesitated for a moment, and then said:
“Mother, I already have a candidate.”
“Oh? Which lady is it?”
“It’s Miss Alilia.”
"Alyria?" Margaery was slightly startled, "Alyria Sand?"
“Alelia Caesar!” Octavian corrected, “She is also of his father’s blood!”
“But your father did not officially marry Natalie Dane after all, so…”
“But Alilia does have the blood of the Caesar family in her body! And I am the king. I have the right to legalize the illegitimate daughter and restore her surname to the Caesar family!”
Margaery suddenly remembered something and asked in a deep voice:
“Have you been feeling well for a long time? Is Helena...”
"That's right." Octavian admitted frankly, "Helena is my and Alylia's daughter, and I will also give her an identity."
"What a mess!" Margaery said angrily, "You are the king, but that doesn't mean you can do whatever you want!"
"I know Helena's identity is embarrassing, but I don't want her to be my heir." Octavian explained, "Since Alilia can give birth to a daughter for me, of course she can also give birth to another one for me. Son! A legitimate son! A pure-blooded dragon whose parents are both Caesars!
Who dares to question his legitimacy! "
Margaery still shook her head:
“But you and Alilia are brothers and sisters after all. They have the same father and mother, but they are still brothers and sisters.”
“True dragon bloodline should be intermarrying!” Octavian said matter-of-factly. “Jenny has never been able to give birth to an heir for me. Maybe it’s because her body is too weak to bear the true dragon bloodline.”
“Aegon, Aemon, and Rhaenys all combined with non-true dragon blood and still had prosperous heirs.”
"Mother, I can't bear any more questions." Octavian held Margaery's arm and said in a deep voice, "Do you know how much pressure I have endured over the years? Do you know that some people even Saying behind my back that the dragon blood in my body is not pure enough!
So, if another ‘Jenny’ comes, I will collapse!
Only Alilia can, she is also a Caesar, she has proven that she can bear me children.
My new queen must be her! "
Margaery looked at her stubborn son, finally sighed and said:
“Okay, I’ll write to Duke Natalie.”
“Thank you, mother!”
…
The king finally successfully married the person of his choice.
Although it has caused some controversy, it is undeniable that Alilia is indeed Caesar's daughter. She had always been named Shad, but she enjoyed the treatment of a princess.
Furthermore, Aliria inherited her mother’s beauty and character, and was very popular among the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms.
Although there was something wrong with the intermarriage between an illegitimate daughter and a brother and sister, under the strong promotion of Queen Mother Margaret, the marriage was still carried out smoothly.
Queen Daenerys, who has been living on Dragonstone since His Majesty Caesar fell asleep, also rode a black dragon to King's Landing for the first time and attended the wedding.
Her daughter, Princess Rhaenys, and her two sons, Prince Aegon and Prince Aemon, also attended with their families.
I have to say that compared to Queen Margaery’s lineage, which is only passed down by a single seedling, Queen Mother Daenerys’s lineage is really prosperous.
Princess Rhaenys had four children, Prince Aegon had a son and a daughter, and Prince Aemon also had a son.
At this wedding, the second and third generations of the Caesar family gathered together, which made people clearly see this gap.
The Queen Mother Margaery's side was deserted, while the Queen Mother Daenerys' side was lively.
Watching all this, many of the nobles of the seven countries were thoughtful.
If Queen Aliria cannot give birth to a son for the king, I am afraid that the issue of the heir to the Iron Throne will arise again.
Not only is the issue of the heir, there is also the embarrassing identity issue of Queen Alilia, and the issue of the king forcibly marrying his sister... Although these issues have been suppressed for the time being, they will eventually be detonated by certain people at a certain time. come out.
At the wedding banquet, Queen Margaery wore a dark green palace dress embroidered with the golden roses of the Tyrell family, while Daenerys wore a black dress with a red three-headed dragon tattooed on her chest.
The two of them were sitting on the high platform in an intimate posture, talking happily, and were as close as sisters.
Offstage, the king led the new queen to accept the blessings of the nobles, then walked out of the throne room and came to the head of the Red Castle to greet the cheers of the entire people of King's Landing.
“Give me a son,” he whispered in his wife’s ear.
After saying it, he repeated it again.
“Okay.” Queen Alilia responded with a smile.
(End of this chapter)