Chapter 148: Dragonblood Knight
After drinking the dragon’s blood, Viserys felt his health improve noticeably, his complexion gaining a healthier glow. Since poor health leaves one vulnerable to illness, the infusion of dragon’s blood provided the perfect excuse to abandon his previous state of "sub-health." This not only bolstered his physical well-being but also reinforced the perception of his "true dragon’s blood" in the minds of Doran and the Red Viper, further solidifying his claim to legitimacy.
“This is what it means to be a Targaryen!” Viserys declared, embracing the moment. He planned to use the remaining half-jar of dragon’s blood to see if it could enhance the fertility of the dragon eggs. Additionally, the Dragonbone items that the Red Viper had found for him proved invaluable, granting Viserys nearly 300 assignable attribute points. Overall, this trip to Dorne was a resounding success.
He planned to depart in two days, with the Red Viper secretly accompanying him to Pentos. In the meantime, Doran hosted a small dinner at the Water Gardens for Viserys and his companions. This gathering also gave the Feles and his sister an opportunity to meet the elusive Prince of Dorne.
When Arianne saw Shinelli, she greeted her warmly. “This must be Princess Daenerys, isn’t it?”
“Princess, this is Shinelli, Lord Feles’ younger sister,” someone clarified.
Princess,” Shinelli said, her tone respectful.
In the presence of Arianne, the siblings were clearly aware of their lower status. To avoid any awkwardness, Shinelli sensibly took the initiative to greet Arianne. Meanwhile, Doran’s youngest son, Trystane, seemed particularly taken with Shinelli, who had striking silver-blonde hair.
Doran, observing the gathering, quickly grasped the dynamics at play. He recognized the subordinate relationship between Viserys and Feles and noted the ambition in Feles’ eyes—he had likely brought his sister along with thoughts of arranging a marriage to Viserys. Doran also saw a parallel between Viserys and Feles: both came from declining houses and both had younger sisters. However, Doran saw little in Feles that warranted investment.
As the dinner progressed and people ate and drank, Doran suddenly spoke up. “Prince Viserys, you haven’t been knighted yet, have you?”
The question silenced the room, drawing everyone’s attention to Doran and Viserys. The relationship between a knight and his sponsor is akin to that of master and apprentice, creating a strong social bond. Doran’s offer was a clear attempt to deepen his ties with Viserys.
Previously, Viserys had declined a marriage alliance on the grounds that his forces were weaker than those of Sunspear. However, to refuse this generous offer of knighthood would be an outright insult.
“No, Prince, I have not been knighted,” Viserys replied, meeting Doran’s gaze with a mutual understanding.