"Daemon, stop pretending you didn't hear me."
Growing impatient after receiving no response, Alicent scolded him.
"Sigh, even in a prison cell, I can't have any peace."
Daemon's deep, magnetic voice rang out as he slowly lifted his head.
His handsome face, disheveled long hair—despite being in a dungeon, he still carried himself with royal dignity.
The only flaw was his slightly crooked nose.
It seemed the maester who set his bones was rather unskilled.
Daemon glanced Alicent up and down, smirking. "A secret midnight meeting with a prisoner? What an interesting hobby, Your Grace."
"Watch your mouth, unless you want me to have filth mixed into your meals."
Alicent's expression darkened as she snapped back without hesitation.
"Alright, alright. You oversee my brother's court—you win."
Daemon shrugged, dropping the teasing tone.
He knew this beautiful woman all too well.
She was completely capable of following through on her threats.
After a brief moment of thought, Daemon casually asked, "You wouldn't be here without a reason. What do you want?"
"Do you want to get out?"
Alicent clasped her hands together.
"What?"
Daemon frowned at her words, suspicion flickering in his eyes.
Alicent spoke bluntly. "There's an unknown force rising in King's Landing. I need your men, and in exchange, I'll secure your release."
"Are you planning to whisper sweet words in my brother's ear or break me out?"
Daemon chuckled.
"Does it matter? As long as you're out."
Alicent didn't seem to care.
"No! I'm not as foolish as you think."
Daemon sneered. "Alicent, all these years and you still haven't improved. You wear your schemes on your face."
Alicent barely maintained her composure. "And you're saying you don't want to leave?"
Compared to the dark, filthy dungeon, she didn't believe Daemon could bear staying away from his wife and daughters.
"Whether I leave or not is none of your concern."
Daemon's tone was indifferent. "Your husband—my brother—stood where you are now and, as expected, belittled me like I was worth nothing."
Alicent faltered slightly, shifting her stance.
Daemon stepped up to the iron bars, a faint smile on his lips. "His most beloved children have flown across Westeros, forging alliances. He's anxious, exhausted, so he's taking his frustrations out on me."
"I didn't know you enjoyed that sort of thing."
Alicent mocked.
"Laugh all you want. You're not a Targaryen—you'll never understand the bond between us."
It had been too long since Daemon had a real conversation, so he spoke earnestly. "The first day I was brought back to King's Landing, my brother should have taken my head. But he didn't."
"My brother still loves me. My nephews and nieces know it, which is why no one is forcing him to execute me."
"And that's why you're content to rot away in this cell?"
Alicent wasn't interested in his sentimental notions of brotherhood and interrupted him.
"You're pathetic—your world is so small, no wonder you let others manipulate you."
Daemon's voice remained calm. "Every few days, my brother comes down here to curse me. I know what he wants."
"He wants me to admit my mistakes, make amends, and earn his forgiveness."
If Daemon had wanted to escape, he had plenty of chances.
On the ship bringing him back to King's Landing, Laenor had asked him if he wanted to flee.
But Daemon was tired of running.
He was the blood of Prince Baelon the Brave, a true Targaryen prince.
So he gambled.
He gambled that returning to King's Landing, his brother Viserys wouldn't kill him.
His conflict with his nephew had mostly faded after that stormy night seven years ago.
He had deliberately revealed himself on Driftmark to test his nephew's reaction.
Though he hadn't expected to be beaten so badly, left in such a miserable state.
Even Caraxes had nearly been torn apart.
But his nephew had left the final decision to his father.
Alicent's face darkened further. Gritting her teeth, she said, "If you think you can walk out of here honorably after attempting to murder the heir to the throne, you're dreaming."
Daemon smirked. "The crown prince is far more forgiving than you."
Then his eyes flashed with amusement. "No, wait—you're pretty well-endowed yourself. One hand isn't enough to hold it all."
"How dare you! I am the Queen!"
Alicent instantly exploded in fury, her eyes blazing.
Daemon showed no fear, taunting, "See? You haven't changed a bit. I remember last time you said—"
"Stop! I am your niece's friend."
Even as she spoke, she couldn't hide the ridicule in her eyes.
"Daemon! You're a damn beast!"
**Alison was burning with rage and spat,** "You even went after Rhaenyra!"
"Watch your words. I didn't defile Rhaenyra."
Daemon frowned. "I did take action, but the price was nearly getting my manhood kicked off."
Now that he thought about it, his groin still throbbed with pain.
"You're nothing but a cowardly beast!"
Alison cursed furiously.
"Say whatever you want. I don't care."
Daemon regained his usual roguish demeanor, turning back to the bed and lying down.
He had to return to his family—he had no interest in getting entangled with this woman.
The last time they worked together, it didn't end well.
Alison's face was ice-cold, her chest heaving with rage.
Not only had she failed to win him over, but she had also been mocked and humiliated.
She was so furious she could hardly stand it.
"Daemon, you can rot in this cell for all I care!"
With a furious shout, Alison stormed out, unwilling to spend another moment in this foul-smelling dungeon.
Daemon snorted at her words, paying no mind to the foolish woman.
---
**At the same time—**
**Stepstones – Bloodstone Isle**
Beneath the pitch-black night sky, clusters of bonfires blazed across the island, casting a dim, flickering light.
Soldiers dragged stones and wooden planks, constructing watchtowers.
**Woo-woo-woo!**
A horn blast echoed through the night, and the soldiers immediately dropped what they were doing, hastily donning their armor.
Beyond the waters of Bloodstone Isle, over a dozen three-masted ships loomed in the distance.
Each ship was packed with female pirates from the Kingdom of the Three Daughters, their weapons gleaming in the firelight.
As the horn call rang out, warships bearing seahorse banners emerged, sailing straight toward the pirate fleet.
"All forces, prepare for battle! Draw your bows!"
The Sea Snake's commanding voice boomed, and the soldiers aboard the warships took their positions, aiming their longbows at the incoming pirate vessels.
"Lower the rams! Full speed ahead!"
The pirates of the Three Daughters were a savage force, and their commander wasted no time in ordering a charge.
"Fire!"
As the two fleets closed in, the Sea Snake raised his curved blade high, and his men released a volley of flaming arrows.
A rain of fire rained down on the enemy, and agonized screams echoed across the water as the pirates suffered heavy casualties.
Yet their commander remained unfazed, barking orders to press forward.
**Boom!**
The ships collided head-on, their rams shattering each other's hulls.
"Kill them all! Take back the Stepstones!"
The pirates hurled grappling hooks, latching onto the warships. Swarming across the chains and gangplanks, they charged into battle.
"Warriors, slaughter them!"
Clad in gleaming silver armor, the Sea Snake roared as he lunged at a pirate, slashing his blade clean through the man's neck.
The battle erupted in full force.
**"Screeeech!"**
A dragon's roar pierced the night sky as a pale silver-gray beast soared above Bloodstone Isle.
"Dragonfire!"
Perched atop Seasmoke, Laenor Velaryon commanded his mount.
**"Screeeech!"**
Seasmoke let out a sharp cry, its agile body diving toward the pirate fleet, unleashing a torrent of blazing orange flames.
The pirate ships instantly ignited, their crews screaming as they leaped into the sea, engulfed in fire.
**(End of Chapter)**