-Chapter 202-

-Chapter 202-

-POV Jalabhar Xho-

In front of the main command tent, I hesitated to enter until I heard Emperor Aegon’s voice from inside:

"What are you waiting for outside?"

I took a deep breath and stepped inside, hoping I could keep my head once this meeting with the Emperor was over.

"You seem tense, Jalabhar."

"I beg your pardon, Your Majesty, I didn’t mean to—"

"Shhhhh," said the Emperor, placing a finger on his lips and slowly approaching me.

The closer he got, the faster my heart raced. His size easily dominated me, but his armor made him even more imposing, further intensifying the fear his presence instilled in me.

"I liked your attempt at playing representative of your people, and I understood what you were trying to do, but unfortunately, I have no time to devote to the conquest of the Summer Isles."

"If I ever have to return here, I’ll raze these islands and enslave your entire people," said the Emperor calmly.

"I imagine not everyone will agree with the changes, considering not everyone could travel. So, the heavy task of managing these islands will fall to you, but under my strict and close supervision," said the Emperor, suddenly placing a hand on my shoulder, causing me to flinch slightly.

I quickly nodded, and he said:

"Very well, since we’ve reached an agreement, I’ll leave you with Joffrey Lannister and the troops from the Vale to hold your position. Start building your army with Summer Islanders while forming new alliances. You’re not so young anymore—it’s time for you to find a wife."

"Our people are different from yours," I said, realizing I was no longer in immediate danger.

"Do as you please, but forge alliances. I don’t care about the methods; I want results."

"Very well, Your Majesty," I said, kneeling with my gaze lowered to the ground.

"Perfect, now you may go," said the Emperor.

I got up, bowed one last time, and quickly exited without looking back.

‘I’m alive,’ I thought with a sigh of relief.

---

-POV Viserys Targaryen-

"He crossed some lines he shouldn’t have," said Viserys, furious at the way Jalabhar had tried to circumvent my authority to quickly rise through the ranks of his people’s nobility.

"I know," I said, nodding, though I wasn’t really upset by the ambition he showed today.

‘He seized the opportunity that presented itself to him. The benefits were great, but he failed to protect himself from the risks,’ I thought, recalling the terrified expression Jalabhar now wore in my presence.

‘At least he won’t try anything like that again anytime soon.’

"You should have cut off his head," said Viserys, still fuming but in a quieter tone.

‘He’s learned how to speak to me,’ I thought, noticing that Viserys no longer raised his voice against me—a privilege I allowed him because he was my uncle and my sword arm.

‘But he has also learned the limits of my tolerance by watching others face backlash when they crossed my boundaries.’

"I know that too," I said, not interested in dragging out the conversation.

"But you didn’t," said Viserys, with a slightly accusatory tone.

I shrugged and said, "You heard me perfectly. I have no time to waste on this futile campaign, which is already won on my end. I… no, we have much more important concerns that require our full attention."

"Like what?" asked Viserys, curious to know what could distract me from a swift conquest of the Summer Isles.

"I need you because we are at war," I said, looking my uncle in the eyes.

His eyes widened, and he asked, "Against who?"

"The cities of Essos," I said, nearly growling, as for now, I was being outmaneuvered by all alliances.

"Which ones?" asked Viserys, frowning.

"All of them," I replied.

Viserys, stunned, said, "How much time do we have before hostilities begin?"

"They’ve already started," I said.

"How?" asked Viserys, eager to understand the chain of events that led us to this situation.

"I launched an attack on Pentos. I have most of the nobility there to merge it into the Empire without any obstacles," I said.

"Why? Wasn’t Pentos our ally? I thought you weren’t interested in merchants or in conquering the rest of the world," Viserys asked, puzzled, not understanding my actions.

I shook my head and said, "I’m not, but I needed a stronghold to safely land my armies in Essos. Pentos was already seeking an alliance with Braavos and…"

"And?"

"And the White Walkers have begun testing the defenses of the Wall."

"How?" asked Viserys, slightly panicked, a glimmer of fear shining in his eyes.

I shrugged and said:

"A White Walker attacked. The officers of the Wall didn’t follow my recommendations and, unprepared, we suffered heavy losses. But now everyone is ready. However, the strength of these creatures makes me wonder…"

"Wonder what?" he asked quickly, clearly giving my words his full attention.

"If just one of these creatures could fight a thousand of my soldiers, how many will it take to stop the entire army of the dead?" I said, almost discouraged, as I feared I might not be able to face the Night King, who was far stronger than his counterparts.

‘If he exists in this world,’ I thought, as I wasn’t sure if the Night King existed here, given that this world was more based on the books than the TV series.

"So you decided to plant a thorn in the side of the Essosi so they wouldn’t take advantage of us while we’re defending the Wall against the White Walkers," said Viserys, grasping my initial strategy.

"Yes, that was the original plan, but it didn’t have the desired effect. Instead of retreating into their shells like turtles, instead of negotiating with us to protect their trade interests, they decided to drag us into a full-blown war."

"The ground troops have already left, but the naval forces are still preparing. I’m giving myself just a few days of respite before they all attack by sea."

"Which is our weak point. We’ll need all available dragons," said Viserys, looking at me questioningly.

"I don’t want to call on Daenerys to fight," I said.

Viserys frowned and asked, "Why not? She’s also—"

"She’s pregnant, so that leaves only you," I said sternly, cutting off the debate.

"Even if we lose the Summer Isles, we cannot lose the battle against the cities of Essos. We must defeat them completely," said Viserys, resolute in his decision to fight alongside me.

"I’m glad you think exactly like I do. That’s why I’m here—we need to leave in an hour so we can reach Sunspear by nightfall," I said, knowing Viserys and his dragon couldn’t make the journey in one go without being exhausted.

"Very well."

"Are you with me?" I asked, extending my hand to my uncle.

Viserys narrowed his eyes as he took my hand in his.

"I’m offended that you even ask."

---

-POV Mellario Martell-

ROAR OF A DRAGON

ROAR OF A DRAGON

‘Though I had never heard the sound a dragon makes when it roars, I immediately knew that the two cries I just heard could only have come from a dragon.’

I quickly got out of bed and dressed as fast as I could because if the dragons were here, the Targaryens must be as well.

‘This is the chance to try and negotiate with him,’ I thought as I left my chambers, surrounded by my guards.

When I arrived in the Great Hall, I found Doran and Quentyn kneeling before the Emperor.

Though he was imposing, he was very young… too young.

"Here’s…"

Doran, seeing me, tried to introduce me, but he didn’t get the chance because the young emperor said:

"Thank you for welcoming me. We’ll rest briefly, then leave in a few hours."

Doran didn’t insist, and I said nothing, not wanting to incur the displeasure of this powerful and very arrogant young man.

But I frowned, as I had sent numerous letters to the crown, all unanswered.

Judging by the coldness with which he dismissed introductions, he already knew who I was.

‘And what I want,’ I thought.

‘No matter, he’s not in the mood. Let’s deal with this,’ I thought, leaving the Great Hall to find Arianne.

‘Just rekindle the flame, and it will burn brighter.’

---

-POV MC-

Although I wasn’t entirely comfortable sleeping in the serpent’s den, I wasn’t in a deep sleep and remained alert enough to sense any intruder entering my security perimeter.

‘Though I doubt the Martells have anything to gain from assassinating me,’ I thought.

I heard the door open, but I didn’t open my eyes or make any movement to let the intruder know I had noticed them. I gripped the dagger under my pillow, listening to the delicate footsteps of the assassin approaching me quietly.

Just as I was about to turn and deliver a fatal blow to the assassin, who was already far too close to me, I caught a familiar scent.

‘Arianne.’

I frowned, wondering if she had really come to kill me, but I quickly had my answer when I felt the blanket lift and my ex-wife slip behind me, lying down naked and wrapping her arms around me.

I frowned, surprised by the touch of her skin against mine, and said, slightly uncomfortable with the situation, "You could have avenged yourself by attacking me in my sleep."

"Clearly not," said Arianne, unfazed by our posture.

"You knew I wasn’t asleep?"

"No."

"Then why didn’t you take your chance?"

"I’m not stupid enough to kill the father of my children, the Emperor of Westeros."

"I’ve known you to be very stupid," I said.

Arianne said nothing, but I felt my back grow damp. I sighed in frustration because I didn’t hate her. She had given me two beautiful children and had always been very obedient, though a little…

‘Dull.’

It had been five moons since I had stripped Arianne of her title of Empress, five moons since she had become nothing, and I had sentenced her to join the order of the Silent Sisters.

‘Though I doubt she’s spent a single day in a sept since her forced exile from the court,’ I thought.

And it didn’t bother me at all because all I wanted was to punish her for her stupidity, which had cost me the pleasure of avenging myself on Tyene.

"Don’t cry," I said softly, stroking the hand gripping my chest.

"I just want to see them," she said, her voice heavy with emotion, speaking of our children.

I rolled my eyes because I was starting to see the bigger picture.

‘Mellario, she’s the one who pushed her into my arms. Nicely played, though I don’t appreciate being manipulated.’

"Please, I’ll do whatever you want, I—"

"I’ll bring them here once the war is over, and we’ll see about the rest," I said, ending the conversation.

Arianne wasn’t satisfied, but she said nothing more.

"Now let’s sleep. I need to catch up on some rest," I said.

I felt a nod behind me and let myself relax, all while protecting my body with a thin layer of telekinesis, a new ability I had learned to maintain even while asleep or unconscious.