The Dragon's Heart Is Mine || Geralt Targaryen [1]

61 • PROPOSALS & BETROTHALS

"Alright..... Let's talk about me first......" Viserys chuckles with embarrassment, almost blushing.

"The Lady Margaery Tyrell is clever, sharp wit and confident." Geralt began.

"I agree." Viserys concurs. "She is bold and brillant. The Reach is one of the constituent regions of the Seven Kingdoms and House Tyrell is one of the Great noble Houses of the realm."

"You are right, she was raised in privilege in the family seat and regional capital of Highgarden and her mother is Ser Otto's sister." Geralt counters.

"Which makes Margaery and Alicent cousins." Viserys calculates in his head.

"Yes.. they're cousins....so are you sure you want to marry her? Or is there another bride you have in mind?" Geralt questioned.

Viserys sighs. "Lord Corlys and your Aunt Rhaenys came to see me today........ They offered their daughter the Lady Laena's hand in marriage."

"Hmm, why do I feel this Corlys is trying to get on your good side." Geralt wondered surprised by the proposal.

"He offered his daughter to unify the two great houses in the Seven Kingdoms and demonstrate that my stronger days are ahead, not behind."Viserys explained to him carefully.

Geralt sat up straight and leaned forward, clasping his hand on the table as held his father's gaze. "Quite the offer, what was your reply then?"

Viserys lets out a sharp exhale. "I told them I'd think about it,.... And I told them, I'd like to meet with their daughter to ......."

"Promenade." Geralt finished the sentence.

"Yes..... To talk..... House Velaryon has long being an ally to our house for generations.......But." Viserys gave a disturbing look.

"But what?...... Laena will be a perfect match then Margaery." Geralt adviced.

Viserys sighs "Laena Velaryon is a child. She's only turned.... Fifteen." Viserys cringed at the notion and shook his head. "Still I'd rather discuss this with the Small Council."

Geralt sighs. "I'm also a member of the small council. Father. Advising you on an important matter such as this is very delicate"

"So what is your advice.....hmm... Tell me?"

Geralt takes a deep breath and began. "I understand how you feel. Laena is young and considering your position as king, should you consent to this marriage it would mend the rift caused by the Great Council and demonstrate your sincerity in retaining the crown strongest ally. Driftmark would make a far strategic advantage, a more valuable ally, than to rather have as an enemy." He reasoned with the King.

"What about the Tyrells?" Viserys was eager to hear his input.

"The Tyrells will only be a supported ally to the crown, yes they're very wealthy and you did the right thing making Lord Mace a Master Of Trades, but to be honest father I recommend you wed Laena, I'm not trying to mislead you from marrying Margaery, she's a nice lady, but I think it's best you engage Laena Velaryon, because if you squander this opportunity by spurning Lord Corlys, he will not likely to take any futhur rejection a second time. House Velaryon and House Targaryen have had a strained relationship, it's best you seal the breech and join our houses." Geralt gave his undiluted advice bluntly.

Viserys rests back in his chair, staring at his son heroically. Truly Geralt should've been named heir and not Rheanyra, a huge mistake he'd like to correct once the gods gives him a sign or a dream, just as they gave his great- great,- great grandsire, Aegon the Conqueror.

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The Next Day. the rose of Highgarden returned back to Reach, with lost hopes of charming the King's eye. By the end of the week, the outburst of Geralt's cancelled betrothal to Margaery Tyrell had died down, the Lord of Highgarden had been stood amongst the Small Council, and his son Loras had joined the other knights and lordlings beneath the windows of the Great Throne room as Viserys sat the iron throne, resolving disputes, settling matters and passing out judgment.