**Chapter 135: Laenor and the Twins**  

The Velaryon family possessed the most powerful fleet and navy commanders in Westeros. 

To defeat the Kingdom of the Three Daughters, the unwavering support of the Sea Snake was indispensable. 

Having said that, Rhaegar quietly watched the Sea Snake, waiting for his response. 

"Serving the realm is the duty of any loyal subject. It would be my honor." 

Without hesitation, Corlys solemnly agreed, placing one hand over his chest. 

He continued, "The Three Daughters plundering the shipping routes of the Stepstones also affects my family's interests. Your arrival has resolved my most pressing concern." 

His words were sincere, without a trace of arrogance. 

Rhaegar was slightly surprised—he hadn't expected the negotiations to go so smoothly. 

Then, he thought it over. 

Though the Stepstones were barren, they occupied an extremely strategic location. 

With the Three Daughters controlling the islands, the entire trade route would be subject to raids, and ultimately, the ones who would suffer the most were the Velaryons, whose wealth came from maritime commerce. 

Corlys' swift agreement demonstrated his keen understanding of the situation and his ability to see the bigger picture. 

Seeing how smoothly the discussion had gone, Laenor's face lit up with joy. He said, "Lord Corlys, I hope that after Princess Rhaenys' banquet, you will accompany me back to King's Landing." 

His mission was to invite the Sea Snake to the capital for a military discussion. 

Now that everything was progressing smoothly, his task had become much easier. 

"No problem. It has been a long time since I last saw His Majesty—I do miss him." 

Corlys sighed with nostalgia. 

He was a politician, and no matter how powerful his family was, they could not remain independent from the kingdom. 

Only by aligning with the royal family to a certain extent could they maximize their benefits. 

"It seems you've had a great conversation." 

Their discussion was brief yet efficient. Rhaenys approached with a tray in hand, smiling warmly. 

Seeing his wife's radiant smile, Corlys couldn't help but grin himself, boasting, "Conversations between intelligent people are always pleasant and easy." 

"You're right. Viserys has chosen an excellent heir." 

Rhaenys kissed her husband's cheek and whispered in his ear, "Put away your little schemes. The Targaryens never lack for geniuses—or madmen." 

"Just a small test." 

Corlys murmured back before picking up a goblet from the tray and raising it toward Rhaegar in a toast. 

He was not one to blindly trust rumors. 

When evaluating whether someone was worth investing in, he preferred personal interaction. 

And now, it was clear—the new heir was a firm and decisive leader. The upcoming war for the Stepstones would be much easier with him in command. 

"Would you like a taste? Dornish red wine." 

Pushing her ambitious husband aside, Rhaenys offered the tray to Rhaegar. 

"Thank you, Aunt." 

Rhaegar hesitated for a moment before reaching for the goblet, drawn in by its rich aroma. 

"Drink this instead, Rhaegar." 

A voice called from behind him. Rhaenyra approached gracefully, carrying a cup of sake. 

Rhaegar flashed Rhaenys an apologetic smile and instead took the sake from Rhaenyra. 

Hooking her arm around his, Rhaenyra explained, "Rhaegar is a lightweight. One drink, and he'll be in no shape for the banquet." 

"Rhaenyra!" 

Rhaegar quickly tried to stop her from exposing his secret. 

It wasn't that he couldn't hold his liquor—he simply disliked the taste of alcohol. 

To the onlookers, the exchange was nothing short of amusing, and the room erupted into laughter. 

Corlys downed his drink in one gulp, adopting the stance of a seasoned elder as he laughed heartily. "A man must learn to hold his liquor! Especially a Targaryen of blood and fire—alcohol is the best fuel." 

"Exactly! How will a future king entertain his courtiers if he can't drink?" 

Rhaenys grinned, affectionately teasing her nephew. 

The others, not daring to laugh too loudly, each took a goblet from the tray, raising them in a toast to Rhaegar before drinking. 

Rhaegar could only shake his head with a wry smile. 

---

As laughter filled the room, the tense atmosphere dissipated instantly, and the two families seemed to reconcile as if nothing had happened. 

Rhaenys carried a tray and walked over to Aegon, her expression serious. "There is something I need to discuss with you in advance," she said. 

"What is it, Aunt?" Aegon asked. 

Despite the harmonious atmosphere, Aegon remained cautious. After all, Vhagar was still resting on Driftmark. 

As expected, Rhaenys sighed and said straightforwardly, "I believe you've already seen Vhagar. She belongs to Laena." 

"Vhagar is the last remaining first-generation dragon of House Targaryen. Of course, I recognize her," Aegon replied, his eyes flickering slightly as he emphasized Vhagar's rightful ownership. 

The old dragon had spent the first half of its life serving House Targaryen. 

Just because someone managed to ride it didn't mean it belonged to them. 

"I understand your point, but I have no intention of arguing over this matter," Rhaenys said with a shake of her head. "Laena is my daughter. She has given birth to two children of Targaryen blood, and now she has returned to Driftmark." 

"What are you trying to say?" Aegon asked, carefully withholding any reaction. 

He had anticipated that Laena would come up. 

After all, the royal family had allied itself with House Velaryon, and they couldn't very well continue hunting down the Sea Snake's daughter. 

Showing leniency wasn't a sign of weakness. 

"Laena made mistakes, and I am not here to plead for her," Rhaenys said firmly, laying out her request. "However, her two daughters are of pure Targaryen blood. They should not have to bear the consequences of their parents' actions and deserve their rightful royal inheritance." 

"If you're pleading on behalf of your daughter, I might be able to assist," Aegon said, frowning slightly. "But if it concerns her two children, Laena should come forward and make her case herself." 

If Laena wanted her children to gain royal recognition, it would be inappropriate for her to remain absent entirely. 

"She's in the castle. I can summon her..." 

"No need. I'm already here," a rich, magnetic voice interrupted before Rhaenys could finish her sentence. 

The side door opened once more, and a striking woman with deep-toned skin and a graceful figure walked in. 

"Laena!" 

Rhaenyra gasped, her expression complicated. 

Laena had been her closest childhood friend, aside from Alicent. 

Years had passed, and now Laena was both a wife and a mother. 

"Rhaenyra, it's wonderful to see you again," Laena said warmly. 

Laena's features bore the strong, chiseled lines of her mother. Her tall, voluptuous figure and silver curls exuded elegance and confidence. 

"Sister, why did you come out?" Laenor quickly stepped forward, looking a bit nervous. 

"What's there to fear? The room is full of family," Laena replied with a soft smile, taking two swaddled babies from the arms of the maid behind her. 

Rhaenys sighed lightly at the sight. "Since you're here, you might as well say it yourself," she said. 

Aegon tilted his head slightly, his gaze falling on the two swaddled infants. 

Noticing where his attention had shifted, Laena approached him and offered the babies generously. "Cousin, would you like to hold them?" 

Aegon glanced at her, hesitated for a moment, then decided to take the infants. 

"Our father named them," Laena explained softly. "The elder sister is Baela, and the younger one is Rhaena." 

Holding one baby in each arm, Aegon's posture stiffened slightly as he looked down at the two infants. 

To be honest, they weren't cute at all. 

The two tiny babies had reddish skin, hadn't opened their eyes, and looked thin and fragile. 

"Ah-ga..." 

As if sensing his distaste, the baby named Baela squirmed slightly, smacking her lips and letting out soft cooing sounds. 

*(End of Chapter)*