Young Ser Borros Baratheon clearly believed the warm liquid running from his nose was merely sweat or mucus caused by the alcohol.
Without hesitation, he wiped his face roughly with the back of his large hand and continued acting as though nothing had happened.
“Good wine!”
His voice remained loud and rough as he proudly raised his goblet again toward Anna.
“Fill it again!”
Anna suppressed the smile threatening to appear on her face as she looked at Borros, whose nosebleed had already smeared across half his face like uneven paint.
“Ser Borros,” she reminded softly, “you are bleeding from your nose.”
The expressions of the surrounding nobles instantly became extremely entertaining to Daniella.
Aside from a handful of people such as Lord Boremund Baratheon and Princess Rhaenys, who genuinely appeared worried and attempted to stop the young heir of Storm’s End, most of the gathered lords and ladies wore expressions filled with amusement.
Many were openly enjoying the spectacle.
“Borros, enough.”
Princess Rhaenys raised her voice firmly.
“This wine truly should not be consumed excessively.”
She already understood that Borros had effectively lost the wager the moment the nosebleed appeared.
Continuing now would only make him appear even more foolish before the assembled nobles of Westeros.
Unfortunately, Borros himself completely failed to understand her intentions.
“I’m perfectly fine!”
He loudly slapped his own chest.
“It’s only a little blood.
Keep pouring!”
His stubborn and boorish behavior instantly earned even greater contempt from many nobles present.
Several noblewomen quietly covered their smiling mouths using fans or embroidered handkerchiefs.
Although most of the others concealed their expressions more subtly, Daniella still clearly noticed the schadenfreude hidden within many eyes.
This included both Viserys and Daemon.
Even Lord Corlys Velaryon, who traditionally maintained good relations with House Baratheon, now looked at Borros with obvious disdain.
“Ser Borros, you truly cannot continue drinking.”
Anna maintained her worried expression while speaking gently.
“If you keep going, your body may not endure it.”
“You have only managed two cups.
You are already certain to lose the wager, so why continue harming yourself?”
Although her words sounded like sincere persuasion, in reality Anna was expertly provoking him further while adding fuel to the flames.
Borros’s eyes widened immediately.
“Stop talking nonsense!”
“Fill the cup!”
Anna continued pretending to persuade him verbally while skillfully refilling the dragonbone goblet with Targaryen Dragonflame.
Ignoring the warnings of the few people who still cared about him, Borros immediately seized the cup and swallowed the third serving in one gulp.
The young Baratheon heir desperately tried to stabilize his swaying body while loudly shouting toward the surrounding nobles,
“Good wine!”
“This is truly excellent wine!”
Then he released a loud drunken hiccup.
“Hic…”
“Pour another…”
Before he could finish speaking, his massive body suddenly lost balance.
Thud!
The heavy impact directly shook the stone floor of Dragonstone beneath everyone’s feet.
Clearly, Ser Borros Baratheon would not be enjoying a fourth cup of Targaryen Dragonflame tonight.
“Oh no!
Anna immediately let out a startled cry.
Yet despite her apparently panicked reaction, the goblet and wine bottle within her hands remained perfectly steady without spilling even a single drop.
Obviously, the girl’s panic was entirely fake.
“Borros!”
Lord Boremund instantly rushed forward and helped lift his unconscious son from the ground.
Then he furiously turned toward the nearby guards.
“What are you fools standing there for?!”
“Hurry and carry him away!”
“And summon Maester Gerardys immediately!”
After several moments of confusion and commotion, Borros was finally carried away by multiple guards toward the guest chambers within Dragonstone Castle.
Following his examination, Maester Gerardys quickly concluded that the young lord was simply severely intoxicated.
After some rest and several bowls of medicinal hangover broth, he would recover completely.
Meanwhile, Daniella had officially won the wager.
Ten advanced three-masted ships.
It was equivalent to slicing away a small but painful piece of flesh from both House Baratheon and Lord Corlys Velaryon.
At that moment, King Jaehaerys finally chose to step forward and restore order to the banquet.
“Hahaha!”
The old king laughed heartily while raising his goblet high.
“This Targaryen Dragonflame truly deserves its name!”
“It is worthy of being called the finest strong liquor in the Seven Kingdoms!”
Then he loudly ordered the servants nearby,
“Fill a cup for every lord and lady present!”
“Good wine should naturally be shared by all.”
The servants quickly obeyed and began distributing cups of Targaryen Dragonflame throughout Aegon’s Garden.
At the same time, Jaehaerys looked toward Lord Robert Redwyne.
“Lord Redwyne, I shall trouble you to remain on Dragonstone for a time and assist Daniella in inspecting the ten ships from Storm’s End.”
Robert Redwyne immediately bowed respectfully.
“It would be my honor, Your Grace.”
Soon, everyone present received a cup of the golden liquor.
King Jaehaerys once more raised his goblet enthusiastically.
“To House Targaryen Dragonflame!”
“To the strongest wine in the Seven Kingdoms!”
No matter what thoughts truly lingered within their hearts, every noble present cooperated outwardly.
The gathered lords and ladies all raised their cups proudly and echoed loudly,
“To the strongest wine in the Seven Kingdoms!”
Nearby, Prince Daemon leisurely savored the liquor before grinning mischievously toward Lord Boremund.
“Hahaha!”
“This Dragonflame truly is excellent.”
Then he deliberately added,
“When people across Westeros praise House Targaryen Dragonflame in the future, they certainly will not forget House Baratheon’s contribution tonight.”
“Our two families truly share a wonderful fate.”
“Hmph!”
Lord Boremund’s face instantly darkened like storm clouds.
However, rather than continue arguing with Daemon, he simply instructed Maester Gerardys to prepare ravens ordering Storm’s End to immediately send their finest ships to Dragonstone.
At the same time, Lord Corlys Velaryon also honored his promise.
He sent messages to Driftmark instructing his family to deliver one of House Velaryon’s finest three-masted galleys to Dragonstone.
Lord Boremund, however, stubbornly insisted on compensating House Velaryon afterward with an additional warship. The source of this chapter is g.com.
Eventually, the banquet atmosphere gradually calmed again.
Viserys quietly pulled Daniella aside toward a quieter section of Aegon’s Garden before speaking softly.
“Daniella, congratulations on winning ten ships.”
He looked at her seriously.
“But you must understand something.”
“Acquiring wealth and influence so openly will certainly attract attention, but it may also attract resentment, criticism, and jealousy.”
Viserys paused briefly before continuing.
“In the world of nobles, reputation, alliances, and influence are often more important than mere wealth or military strength.”
Daniella listened quietly while studying her cousin’s expression.
She understood that Viserys was sincerely attempting to teach her how to survive within the dangerous political world of Westeros.
Seeing that Daniella took his words seriously, Viserys continued speaking.
“When dealing with nobles, always remain vigilant.”
“Do not trust others too easily, but also avoid making enemies carelessly.”
“At the same time, you must learn how to use wisdom to make others work willingly for your benefit.”
He gently placed a hand upon her shoulder.
“Remember this well.”
“True power lies in control, not in reckless displays.”
Daniella nodded thoughtfully.
“I understand, Cousin.”
Viserys smiled slightly before suddenly changing the subject.
“Daniella…”
“What do you truly think about the dragons of House Targaryen?”
Daniella looked quietly toward the distant silhouette of Dreamfyre resting outside the gardens before answering deliberately.
“People throughout Westeros say House Targaryen stands closer to gods than ordinary men because we control dragons.”
She slowly shook her head.
“But perhaps believing we truly control dragons is itself an illusion.”
Viserys stared at her for several moments before softly smiling.
He gently stroked her silver hair.
“Dragons grant us tremendous power.”
“But power itself is also responsibility.”
“We must learn how to use it wisely.”
After a moment of silence, Daniella responded seriously.
“You are right, Cousin.”
“Dragons are our greatest advantage, but they must also be used carefully.”
“We can use their strength to establish prestige and intimidate enemies, but at the same time, we must avoid allowing dragons to become symbols of fear and hatred within the hearts of others.”
Viserys nodded approvingly.
“Exactly.”
Daniella then continued thoughtfully,
“And beyond that, we must build true trust and understanding with our dragons.”
“Only through genuine bonds can dragonriders fully wield their power.”
Viserys looked at his cousin warmly.
“Daniella…”
“Today you showed everyone a clever and strong princess of House Targaryen.”
A proud smile finally appeared upon his face.
“Your cousin is very proud of you.”