-Chapter 54-

-13th day of the 1st moon of the year 299 AC-

It had already been over a week since dragons had returned and the Targaryens had reclaimed the symbol of their power when news arrived in the capital: the North had plunged into full-blown civil war.

The North, which had always been the most stable kingdom in terms of succession in the history of the seven crowns and even of Westeros, with House Stark at its helm for over 8,000 years, had now lost half its territories to the rival House, House Bolton.

Normally, nothing could have spawned such chaos, but overnight, war banners were raised when the Warden of the North imprisoned the heir to House Bolton, Ramsay Bolton, legitimized by King Aegon VI, apparently without any reason.

Normally, the Houses affiliated with the Boltons would have joined them in their "war efforts", but none of the Bolton's vassal lords agreed to turn against the Starks. This war, which was supposed to be merely a show of force by House Bolton, took on an even greater scale and depth.

-POV MC-

"What I can't understand is why I'm only learning about this now, Bryan?" I said, frowning.

"We hadn't sent many spies to the North, and all the news we receive is already outdated by the time it arrives," said Bryan in a somber tone.

Valeria's death had been a heavy blow to her two brothers. I would have given them time to breathe, but they were the only skinchangers under my command.

'I've made a mistake. I've changed this world so much that my information is also outdated.'

I opened the windows of my balcony and from there, I observed King's Landing, the capital of my kingdom. Everything was moving very quickly; it had been several months since the work had started, and the free labor working day and night was transforming this city extremely fast.

'But this also prevents me from using too many soldiers outside my territory.'

I felt Bryan approach me, and he said, "What are your orders, Your..."

"You better not call me that...you're my brother, and besides, you're Valeria's brother. To you, I am and will always remain Aegon, at least in private," I told him because I truly meant it.

He was one of the few trustworthy friends I had left, and I didn't want to lose him to gain another submissive, soulless servant; I already had so many.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, and then he said, "You need to move on and get married. It's time now. It's been months, and we need to keep the kingdom stable; otherwise, Valeria's sacrifice will have been for nothing."

"I don't want to love someone else."

"You don't need to love her, just find a trustworthy partner in a mutually beneficial marriage and make sure she gets pregnant quickly."

"You know I couldn't do that with the candidates in question. I only have three possibilities: Arianne Martell, Cersei Lannister, and Margaery Tyrell."

"I don't see why you're balking at the task. It wouldn't be torture to marry one of those three."

"Cersei gave three bastards to her previous husband, and both Arianne and Margaery have had affairs, though one is more discreet about it. And, in fact, I wonder what would be worse, finding out she's cheating on me or remaining in ignorance like Robert."

Bryan raised his eyebrows and then said, "You're not as stupid as him. You would notice."

"Yes, I would notice, but you also know what I would do in that case...I need trustworthy allies, but as long as I don't feel invincible, I won't do anything that could harm the stability of my kingdom."

"Unfortunately, you no longer have a choice. You must make a decision. After settling all our debts at once, we were only able to keep barely 3 million gold dragons, but that won't last, especially with all the grand projects you implement each day."

"Just for all the reconstruction and renovation work in the Capital, we estimated the total budget cost at 10 million gold dragons."

"I am well aware that I don't have many choices in the matter, but none of them deserves to be queen."

"But unfortunately, only they can secure you an alliance with the remaining great houses," said Bryan, making a grimace.

"Which one would you recommend?" I said, confused.

"Arianne," he said without any hesitation.

"Why?" I asked, eager to know the reasons for such a choice.

"Because Olenna Tyrell won't attack you. She's afraid of you. The only thing she could do is marry Viserys to Margaery and then push him to sit on your throne using his dragon," said Bryan.

I said, a bit skeptical, "Tywin could try to marry Cersei to Viserys."

"After the sack of King's Landing, it's unlikely he'd choose to marry Cersei, especially considering how her last marriage ended. The same goes for Aegon. They'll likely choose to marry one of the other two, and ultimately you'll only have one choice left to counterbalance that alliance."

"Cersei," I said.

"Hmm," Bryan made a sound.

"What do you think would happen if I decided to get engaged to my cousin?"

"Who, Arya?"

"No, she's my sister. I'm talking about Sansa," I said.

"Well, honestly, I don't know. Since she left the capital, I haven't heard anything about her. She would make a good wife, especially with the education her mother instilled in her from a young age, but she would end up becoming as bitter as her mother," said Bryan.

"I think I should marry her to Viserys."

"A marriage with the Starks would prevent him from being able to betray me."

"And if he managed to turn the Starks against you?"

'It's a possibility, but then it would be extremely stupid of him.'

Although I wasn't entirely sure, I brushed off Bryan's concerns by saying, "He wouldn't manage. Robb and him would hate each other instantly. You should have seen how he looked at Joffrey the first time he saw him. By uniting them through the sacred bonds of marriage, I not only secure a strengthened alliance between House Targaryen and the Starks, but it's also a warning to the Boltons to be careful not to go too far."

"Yes, they probably tried to uproot House Stark, thinking it wouldn't bother you given recent events and that you wanted to get rid of the Starks as much as they did," said Bryan.

"Hmm, and on top of that, I deprive the southern vultures of the only other living dragon rider currently, other than me, of course," I said.

"And are you really sure you can trust Prince Viserys?" said Bryan.

I nodded and said, "Viserys would never agree to betray me; he owes me too much."

'And if he dared, it would be a foolish mistake that could well cost him his life.'

"I find you take his loyalty far too much for granted. It's arrogant to believe he won't betray you simply because you managed to hatch his egg."

I smiled and then said, "You'll understand in the future that I fear no mortal on this earth."

He rolled his eyes before bowing and leaving.

'Now, off to the royal council.'

-POV Tywin Lannister-

"I've heard that the troubles in the North are only intensifying. House Umber has split in two, it seems, and Mors and everyone is waiting for the King's response," said

"It's rare to hear you come to plead the cause of the 'heathens' of the North, Dear Lady Tyrell," I said in a slightly mocking tone.

"I'm not pleading the cause of the North. I was merely informing the council of what I've heard," said the old witch Olenna.

"Let's wait for the king to be present before discussing problems from his homeland," said Tyrion, trying to play the mediator.

"In fact, his real homeland is Dorne, since Lyanna Targaryen gave birth to him in Dorne, a safe land for children where no one assassinates, or at least tries not to assassinate infants," said Oberyn, putting a slight jab against me for the umpteenth time.

I ignored his comment as always, and almost immediately, the doors opened.

As always, accompanied by Jamie and Ser Barristan, he entered with a face as cold as if he were going to war every time he entered this room.

We all stood up, and he said, "Lady Olenna, where did your son go?"

I smiled slightly, enjoying my rival's misfortune and wishing her idiot son would return quickly so I could destroy all her positions and consolidate mine in the process.

"My son is unwell and has decided to let me assume his duties."

"Tell him to get out of bed and submit a list of replacements to me," I said, not giving her any chance to deny the king in public.

"It happens that he left early this morning towards his fiefdom. A purer air would do him the greatest good, but if you insist, I will make sure he returns within the day," she said.

The king sighed and then said, "No, it's fine as it is. His incessant insinuations about my marriage were starting to get on my nerves."

'Very well, then let's not talk about the marriage,' I thought.

"We all understand the weight Queen Valeria had in your heart, so be assured, no one will force you to marry, but your uncle, the Crown Prince, is not subject to this problem. Have you already thought about his engagement?"

"Yes, and it will soon be announced."

"May we know who the lucky lady is?"

"No, I must first speak to her and ask for her consent as well as her family's to formalize their engagement."

"No one would dare say no to you, your majesty," I said.

Unlike other times, Oberyn managed to keep his calm and didn't say anything inappropriate that could anger the King simply to oppose anything that came out of my mouth.

The king nodded and then said, "I've learned that during the siege, Joffrey was exemplary and even participated in the charge that defeated Stannis's army."

I nodded, feeling that for once, that bastard had done something good:

"I've seen him numerous times in the training yard with his father."

I frowned at the mention of the filial link between him and Jaime but said nothing, and he continued, saying, "Given that he has proven himself a man worthy of protecting this realm, I would like to reward him. Therefore, I will fulfill the promise I made to his mother. From now on, Joffrey is legitimized as Joffrey Lannister."

I didn't know how to receive the news because it was excellent news but also a small humiliation because the real message was 'Now that the Targaryens have dragons, what could a bastard with no royal lineage possibly do?' and to be entirely honest, the answer to that question was obvious even to me.

The only way to place my lineage on the throne is if he chooses to marry Cersei and make her Queen, which is...nearly impossible