บท 44: Chapter 44: Purple Dragon Egg
In fact, the plan Viserys devised was quite simple: quietly replace the family's lead water pipes with safer alternatives. Over a few decades, House Zalyne would see an increase in intelligent and strong children, while the other two houses would naturally decline.
According to Viserys's research on Braavos, it was likely the lead pipes that contributed to high class mobility. The top tier's low fertility forced them to make way for the lower classes. This dynamic prevented the three great families from fully controlling Braavos but also strengthened the city by broadening the talent pool.
However, Lady Methys's intuition told her that if all positions were filled by her descendants, her family would become even stronger. She was momentarily entranced by the vision Viserys painted, her eyes shining with excitement. Yet, her high-status acumen quickly brought her back to reality.
"I understand why you are here," she said.
Viserys nodded with a smile, unsurprised. The introduction of soap had already attracted the attention of many Braavosi nobles, including the three great houses. Methys was only slightly surprised that the soap's inventor was Dany's brother and had a hunch that Viserys might seek her out.
Soon, Viserys and Methys reached an agreement. He provided the soap recipe, and House Zalyne would handle production and sales.
His share was reduced from 45% to 10%. Although it was a significant reduction, with the Zalynes' influence, soap would be sold throughout the Free Cities within half a year, and even Westeros and Slaver's Bay would soon see its introduction.
Methys's husband, already over 50 and due to the family's decline, had to manage the fleet himself and was often away for years. Lady Methys essentially ran House Zalyne, giving her considerable influence.
Having decided to turn their backs on House Fregar, they resolved to go all the way. The workshop would remain open as a decoy, while a new workshop would produce soap.
Their agreement didn't need written documentation; Viserys's value lay in keeping the lead poisoning secret. If he couldn't sustain the profits in two or three years, his ten percent share would be gradually absorbed.
This outcome was much better than Viserys had anticipated. If all went well, the soap business would bring him at least a hundred thousand gold dragons in two or three years.
Dany, observing from the side, witnessed "power politics" in action for the first time. She also realized that the crisis brought by the uninvited guest Andersen had been effectively neutralized.
As the two were about to leave, Viserys asked, "Lady, do you have any dragon eggs in your collection?"
Methys glanced at Viserys, trying to gauge his intentions.
"I know that if you do, they must be your most precious treasures. I just want Dany to see them. As a Targaryen, she has never seen a dragon egg. This is my failure as a brother."
Methys's expression softened at his words. "Of course," she replied, giving a wink to Pyrena.
Pyrena nodded and went to fetch the egg.
"A dragon egg!" Dany's eyes widened. As a true Targaryen, she had never seen one in person, only in Viserys's stories and paintings.
"Wait here for a moment," Methys said. "The dragon egg will be here shortly."
"Thank you, Lady," Viserys replied.
A moment later, Pyrena returned to the terrace carrying a black wooden box.
"Here it is, a real, complete dragon egg!" Viserys exclaimed, his excitement palpable. The last time, he had only seen a fragment of a dragon egg, which had already provided him with three Assignable Points. How many would this complete dragon egg provide?
The box was placed on the table with a dull thud. Pyrena's steady handling indicated she was well-practiced, which made sense—Methys, as the head of her household, wouldn't have someone clumsy handling such precious items.
Pyrena opened the box to reveal a purple dragon egg, its size comparable to an electric kettle. The egg's surface was adorned with a scaly floral pattern and three silver streaks running through it like bolts of lightning.
Dany stood stunned, the purple dragon egg gleaming like a large gemstone in the morning light.
"Can I touch it?" Viserys asked, ready to pretend an accidental touch if necessary.
Methys didn't refuse, perhaps due to her fondness for Viserys or affection for Dany. Most likely, it was the latter.
"Go ahead," she said.
Viserys reached out, his fingers trembling with anticipation as they brushed against the smooth, scaled surface of the dragon egg.
"Be careful," Methys cautioned.
"Okay," Viserys replied.
He carefully lifted the fossilized dragon egg from the box, feeling its cold surface. Pyrena's eyes remained fixed on the egg in his hands, ready to catch it if he dropped it.
[A complete fossilized dragon egg yields 10.5 Assignable Points. Holding it for an additional day will earn you an additional 0.5 Assignable Points.]
Ten points! Half a point per day! That's the value of a complete fossilized dragon egg, Viserys thought.
"Here, touch it," Viserys said, holding the egg out to Dany.
Dany cautiously extended her right hand, spreading her thumb and pinky while lightly touching the egg with the tips of her middle three fingers. It was as if the egg would shatter with any pressure. She touched it twice, then withdrew her hand.
Viserys returned the egg to the box. "Well, today was a worthwhile trip. Please thank the Lady for me."
Pyrena closed the box and nodded. Viserys decided to keep this matter secret for now, not informing Falia. Morel needed to continue the act, and Falia couldn't stop either. Although the workshop was doomed, Morel and his son would benefit from gaining House Zalyne's friendship. Methys would undoubtedly compensate them.
Falia, unaware of these sudden developments, would gain more support from House Zalyne when the celebration began. However, things were not going well for her. After her break with Viserys, Andersen quickly launched his campaign against her.
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