-Chapter 196-

-Chapter 196-

-POV MC-

"As my uncle just explained, I ask you to simply follow my orders blindly. Over time, you will see for yourself whether I am right or wrong," I said, looking at each of them in turn.

They all nodded, and then I added:

"I imagine that, logically, with the threat of the White Walkers in the north, we should focus on the Wall. That's what our enemies will expect us to do as soon as they understand the precarious situation we are currently in."

"So you’re doing the opposite of what they expect," Monford said, simplifying my strategy.

"I'm not just doing the opposite," I said before adding, "I’m going to eliminate the threat directly and in one fell swoop."

"I can’t predict when the next White Walker attack will occur, but what I can foresee is what will happen in the very likely event that Essos allies against us."

"We will win," Adrian Celtigar said, and I shook my head, much to his surprise.

"We will not win. In fact, it's very likely that I’ll be forced to sign an armistice," I said, imagining all possible scenarios, especially the worst ones.

"But you are... the Emperor, they can't kill you," Wylis Manderly said, alluding to my powers.

"True, but they can kill you. I can’t protect the entire continent if a war breaks out on multiple fronts. I would need at least three dragons to properly guard the continent, and we only have two," I said.

"So, what are we going to do?" Willas Tyrell finally asked.

"Wait and focus on the Wall. I want men to be sent there to guard it, repair it, and improve the existing installations. Once that is done, we’ll see if it’s possible to expand the forts so larger garrisons can be stationed there," I said, and they all nodded again.

"If you allow me, I think we should also consider economic sanctions, your Majesty," Kevan said.

"I'm listening," I said, sensing that this meeting would not end quickly.

---

-POV Daenerys Targaryen-

Throughout the entire Imperial Council, my mind was stuck in a loop. Although the war was an important and urgent topic, I couldn’t stop thinking about what would happen tomorrow once we were married.

‘I don’t love him, and I even hate him a little, but I’m attracted to what he exudes, his strength, what he represents... a bit like Drogo,’ I thought.

I didn’t have the luxury of thinking for too long because, once the meeting was over, Aegon ordered me to quickly prepare my things and take two people with me so we could leave within the hour.

I naturally took Missandei with me, along with Tyrion. We left as soon as night fell for Harrenhal, which, according to Tyrion, had been under repair for several years, and the work had progressed enough that the castle was now habitable.

Tyrion even said that many believe Aegon is waiting for the repairs to be completed so he can take up residence in the castle and make it the Imperial Palace.

‘He no longer feels safe in the Red Keep, and I feel the same. Too many bad things have happened to our family in that place,’ I thought.

---

-The Next Day-

Upon waking, I was startled to see Aegon’s violet eyes watching me in my sleep.

I frowned and asked, covering my body with the blanket:

"Have you been here long?"

"Long enough to know that you snore."

Surprised and annoyed, I said, "I do not snore!"

"Get ready. We arrived late yesterday, so I didn’t want to wake you. It's already afternoon," he said, adding, "But before that, we need to see someone."

"Who?" I asked.

"You’ll see," he said, without revealing our destination or who we were going to meet.

"Still keeping secrets?" I said, displeased with being kept in the dark.

"Get ready."

---

-1 Hour Later-

Drogon and I landed in the forest next to Rhaegal, who let out a roar that sounded more like a call. Aegon, meanwhile, remained perched on his dragon and waited. This lasted a few minutes before he decided to detach himself from his saddle, which I did as well.

Once I was on the ground, he extended an arm for me to hold on to, which I did. I linked our arms and then said, "Now, can you tell me what we’re…"

The words got stuck in my throat because, in front of me, in the trees, small creatures were watching us, and from behind the trees, giant wolves the size of some horses appeared with those same creatures on their backs.

I gripped Aegon’s arm a little tighter, and he smiled, whispering in my ear:

"You're afraid of them, even though you have a dragon capable of engulfing them all in seconds."

I let go of his arm, embarrassed by my behavior and trying to regain some of my dignity, but it was a failure, judging by the amused smile Aegon wore.

He then turned away from me and said to one of the creatures: "Leaf, this is my wife. She’s been cursed with a…"

"A curse, but that’s not what prevents her from conceiving. It’s the poison that attacked her insides," said the creature, who looked like a child, named Leaf.

Aegon, truly surprised, asked, "How did you know?"

"I know a great many things. Do I need to remind you that I’m several centuries older than you?" the creature said in a calm tone, in stark contrast to her words.

Aegon shook his head before asking, "Can you heal her?"

"Of course. The curse is so weak that it only slightly reduces this woman’s chances of becoming pregnant, but the real problem is the poison made from moon tea," Leaf said.

"Also used to make moon tea," I said, remembering that I had read the composition of moon tea when I was at the Citadel.

"What do you need to heal her?" Aegon asked.

"Not much. I’ll be back in a few minutes, wait for me here," Leaf said before leaving, leaving me stunned because I thought this woman had killed the hope I had of becoming a mother one day.

"Do you think she’ll succeed?" I asked, filled with new hope.

Aegon shrugged and said, "It’s better than staying like this, isn’t it?"

I nodded and spent the next few minutes imagining the face of my future child.

‘Our future child,’ I thought, glancing at Aegon, who was calmly waiting by my side.

As my mind wandered, I thought about why he was doing this. He could very well go back on his word because he didn’t seem to like me much, but he didn’t. Even though he had a good relationship with Viserys, I had learned enough to understand that it was a relationship based on family loyalty and mutual interests, rather than true familial love. So I didn’t understand his motivation until I thought about the future of our child.

About why he never named Maegor heir to the Iron Throne, despite his mother’s affection and insistence on the matter, who considered him and practically forced everyone to treat him as such at Dragonstone.

‘He doesn’t want a Lannister on the throne. He wants dragon blood,’ I thought.

This thought brought a smile to my face, and I grabbed his arm, surprising him, then said, raising my eyebrows as a challenge:

"What? I’m not allowed to hold my future husband’s arm?"

"I didn’t say anything," he replied.

"Good," I said, satisfied and happy to have understood what Cersei truly represented to him.

‘The fifth wheel of the cart.’

---

-POV 3rd-

In the Godswood of Harrenhal, Missandei, Eddard, Benjen Stark, and Aegon Targaryen, Emperor of Westeros, were gathered. They all awaited the arrival of Princess Daenerys Targaryen, and they didn’t have to wait long before they saw her in a magnificent yet simple white dress.

"Who goes there? Who steps before the gods?" Aegon said.

To which Ser Barristan replied: "Daenerys of House Targaryen, Princess of the Empire of Westeros, comes here to marry, a woman accomplished and blossomed, of legitimate and noble birth, she comes to seek the blessing of the gods. Who comes to claim her?"

"Me, Aegon of House Targaryen, Emperor of House Targaryen. I claim her. Who grants her?"

"Me, Ser Barristan, Knight and Lord Commander of the Imperial Guard," Ser Barristan said before turning to Daenerys and asking her, "Do you accept to take this man as your husband?"

"Yes, I accept to take this man as my husband," Daenerys said before finally kneeling before the Weirwood tree.

The two future spouses knelt before the heart tree for a silent prayer.

Aegon stood up, removed his wife's cloak, which bore a classic Targaryen sigil, and replaced it with the Imperial sigil, identical except for three golden crowns above the heads of the three dragons.

Then he took her in his arms and carried her to the castle, where the marriage would be definitively sealed by the wedding night.