Game of Thrones: The Red Dragon Lord

Illyrio, who had been invited into the other courtyard, walked toward Gavin and Daenerys with deliberate, steady steps. His ample frame was draped in a luxurious silk robe, embroidered with shimmering gold thread patterns that gleamed in the light. He bowed deeply in respect.

"Honorable Sir Gavin, beautiful Princess Daenerys, it is a great honor to meet you both," Illyrio said, his face adorned with a flattering smile.

His gaze flickered back and forth between Gavin and Daenerys, before finally settling on Daenerys. "Your Highness, I am deeply saddened by the loss of His Majesty, Viserys." He sighed, a soft and mournful sound, as if he were grieving a personal tragedy. "I wonder, Princess, if you still harbor the ambition to reclaim the Iron Throne? The proposal I made yesterday is, in fact, very feasible."

Gavin's brow furrowed slightly as he interjected, his voice steady yet firm. "Governor Syndor, Daenerys has already told me about your proposal. However, just yesterday, Viserys betrothed her to me. If you propose marriage to King Ma again in front of me, I will consider it a great insult."

The Blood Dragon Guards, standing to the side, took a step forward, drawing their sharp swords with a metallic swish. The blades gleamed with cold light, heightening the tension in the air.

The towering presence of the Blood Dragon Guards sent a wave of fear through Illyrio, causing him to tremble slightly. He quickly backpedaled, his voice apologetic. "No, no, no! I didn't know... I beg your forgiveness for my presumption!" Wiping the large beads of sweat from his brow, he turned to Gavin, his tone becoming more deferential. "Sir Gavin, now that you have the dragon on your side, and are soon to marry Princess Daenerys, you have a strong hand in the struggle against the false king. What do you think of the throne? If you wish to seize it, I will offer my full support."

Gavin smirked inwardly, having already deciphered Syndor's motives. The man was merely trying to align himself with Gavin's power to pave the way for his puppet, Aegon. With a slow, measured tone, Gavin replied, "Governor Syndor, my thoughts are irrelevant in this matter. The Iron Throne will never surrender once they learn of my marriage to Daenerys. But they can't cross the Narrow Sea, and I can't launch an attack on Westeros. For now, I can only defend the Stone Steps Islands. If the opportunity arises, I will reclaim what rightfully belongs to my wife."

Daenerys stood to the side, quietly observing the exchange. Her beautiful face was set in a solemn expression, her purple eyes reflecting wisdom and a quiet determination. She understood Syndor's plans and Gavin's reservations. When she spoke, her voice was calm, yet her words carried weight. "Governor Syndor, thank you for your concern. But as Gavin said, the struggle for the Iron Throne involves many factors. We need to consider them carefully."

Syndor's eyes brightened at her words, as though he saw a glimmer of hope. "Your Highness, you are wise indeed! As long as you and Sir Gavin require it, I will use all my resources to aid you. After all, it is my sincere wish that the Targaryen family regains control of the Iron Throne!"

Gavin exchanged a glance with Daenerys, then turned back to Syndor. "We will discuss this further. But for now, I ask Governor Syndor to give us some time and space."

Syndor nodded eagerly, bowing once more. "Of course, of course! I shall not disturb you any longer. I look forward to hearing your good news soon." He gave another bow and retreated, his figure slowly fading into the sunset, casting a lone shadow in the afterglow.

Once Syndor was gone, Gavin and Daenerys exchanged a look. Gavin spoke slowly, his voice laced with quiet resolve. "There are things you may not know, Daenerys. Your father's former prime minister, Jon Clinton, intelligence chief Varys, and Syndor, the governor of Pentos, conspired together to put forward a plan. Their goal was to elevate Aegon Targaryen, your brother Rhaegar's son, who Varys smuggled…"

Daenerys's eyes widened with shock, and she murmured, "So, my nephew is still alive?"

Gavin waved a hand dismissively, his voice quiet but steady. "That's not the case. Here's where things get complicated. Varys didn't smuggle Aegon out. At that time, Syndor's wife in Lys gave birth to a boy with Valyrian features. So, Varys and Syndor deceived Jon Connington, claiming this child was Aegon Targaryen, and they sent him to Jon Connington to raise. Later, Jon Connington took this supposed Aegon to the Golden Company, seeking support for his cause."

Daenerys's shock deepened, her hands trembling with anger. "How dare they do this?"

Gavin smiled faintly, a knowing expression on his face. "There's nothing they wouldn't dare. With the former prime minister and the head of intelligence on their side, they could easily give the child legitimacy. Their plan was to push you and Viserys onto the stage, drawing the Iron Throne's attention, then marry you to the Horse King for an army to invade Westeros, all the while secretly supporting Aegon to take the throne amidst the chaos."

Daenerys's expression grew pensive, and she asked, "Then why didn't you expose him just now?"

Gavin's voice was calm, yet his eyes were sharp. "They want to use us to divert the Iron Throne's attention. But whether they push us or not, the Iron Throne will still notice us. I, too, am using them—after all, Varys is still working for the Iron Throne, and he has the ability to stir chaos in Westeros."

Looking at Daenerys, who seemed lost in thought, her face troubled, Gavin gently reached out to hold her hand. His voice softened, filled with concern. "Do you want to take back the Iron Throne?"

Daenerys blinked, as if waking from a deep reverie. Her face darkened with uncertainty, and she slowly answered, "I... I don't know. I've never even seen the Red Keep with my own eyes. I've only heard about it from my brother. He described it all to me, but I can't even remember Dragonstone Island. I only remember the house with the red gate by the sea."

She paused, her gaze rising to meet Gavin's. "What about you, Gavin? Do you want the Iron Throne?"

Gavin leaned back in his chair, his voice soft but resolute. "Fate has brought us together, and some things are not ours to decide. I remember what someone once said: 'In the game of thrones, if you don't win, you die. There is no middle ground.' I suspect that the next time Robert sends an assassin, I'll be the target."

Gavin understood that he was not yet ready to challenge the Iron Throne, but if the opportunity came, he would not shy away from it. After all, in this game, survival was just as important as victory.