Aegon

The woman, with her heart racing and hurried steps, walked through the halls of the vast mansion, holding Albert with a mix of care and desperation. Her mind was filled with confusing thoughts and a growing fear of what that baby could be. Reaching the heavy doors leading to Illyrio's study, she entered without ceremony, disregarding formalities.

Illyrio Mopatis, the large and corpulent magister of Pentos, was seated behind his desk, immersed in his own thoughts and plans. He looked up as the woman entered so abruptly, his eyebrows arching in surprise. "What happened?" he asked, his deep voice carrying clear affection for the woman.

The woman, still shocked, approached with Albert in her arms, her anxious eyes fixed on Illyrio. "Something strange happened," she began, her voice trembling. "The baby... he spoke. And... his eyes, there was something... something different. It didn't seem like the expression of a child."

Illyrio frowned, his expression becoming more serious. He slowly rose from his chair, his eyes observing Albert with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. With a gentle gesture, he took the baby in his arms, lifting him with both hands to examine him closely. Albert, suspended in the air, looked down directly into Illyrio's eyes.

Then, to their surprise, Albert, with an expression that seemed almost calculated, babbled again, "Aaabu," and then a charming smile appeared on his small face. That baby had never smiled like that before, and the contrast between the softness of that smile and the unusual depth in his eyes left Illyrio momentarily speechless.

Illyrio stood still for a moment, his gaze fixed on the baby. He could sense something different, an uncommon intelligence and a presence that shouldn't exist in such a young child. The magister, always astute and calculating, knew there was more to that child than met the eye.

Slowly, he lowered Albert, holding him firmly in his arms as he considered the implications of what he had just witnessed. He turned to the woman, his expression joyful but cautious. "My love, don't speak of this to anyone," he ordered in a tone that left no room for questions. "This boy... might be more special than we imagined."

Illyrio observed the baby for a few more seconds, the weight of the situation evident in his expression. Finally, he sighed and, with deliberate care, returned Albert to the woman's arms. "Take good care of him, Serra," he said, his tone carrying a meaning only the two of them understood.

Serra nodded, the seriousness in Illyrio's gaze reminding her of the importance of keeping this secret. With the baby in her arms, she moved to the balcony adjacent to Illyrio's room, where the fresh air from the Narrow Sea filled the space, bringing with it the salty scent of the waters. She sat in a wooden chair, gently rocking Albert as her thoughts wandered across the vast blue in front of her.

However, Albert seemed to have other plans. The baby's small hands began to move, pushing against Serra's lap, his arms restless as if trying to reach for something. He made low sounds, almost frustrated, as if trying to communicate his intent.

Serra looked down, intrigued. "What are you trying to do, little dragon?" she murmured with a mix of affection and curiosity. Even though she knew Albert was still too young to crawl, let alone walk, she placed him on the floor, curious to see what he would do.

To her surprise, Albert didn't try to crawl as expected. Instead, he stood on his wobbly legs, his small body swaying as he tried to find his balance. Serra, startled but also fascinated, immediately bent down to help him, holding his small hands so he wouldn't fall.

Determined, Albert began to take slow, hesitant steps, his eyes fixed on the ground as he concentrated on the movement. Serra guided him carefully, her heart beating faster with every small progress he made. And then, to her complete astonishment, Albert pulled his little hands away, trying to free himself from Serra's support.

She hesitated but eventually let go, releasing him slowly. Albert, now without support, stood on his own for a few moments, his eyes shining with a determination that didn't match his age. He had managed to stand on his own, defying any expectation Serra might have had.

Once again shocked and unsure of what to do, Serra immediately stood up, still keeping an incredulous gaze on the baby. "Illyrio!" she called, her voice carrying the urgency and astonishment of the moment. "Come quickly, you need to see this!"

Illyrio quickly reached the balcony, his hurried steps echoing on the marble floor. As he came upon the scene before him, he stopped abruptly, his eyes fixed on the baby standing firmly on the ground, sustaining himself with an unexpected steadiness for such a young child. The surprise was evident on his face, but it quickly turned into a smile of pure pride.

"Our son seems to be a genius, Serra!" Illyrio exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm.

Serra, still holding the baby from a distance, looked at Illyrio with a mixture of astonishment and joy. "Our little Aegon!" she replied, her voice filled with affection and reverence.

As Illyrio observed Aegon, his thoughts began to race. The meticulously crafted plan for the boy's future now seemed insufficient. The child before him was different, exceptional. It was clear that Aegon was no ordinary baby, and this required a complete reassessment of the steps he intended to take.

He crossed his arms, his eyebrows furrowing in reflection. "If he's truly as special as he seems," Illyrio thought, "perhaps everything needs to be reconsidered. A genius like this... could change the game."

As these thoughts swirled in his mind, Illyrio felt the weight of responsibility growing. He knew the future was full of uncertainties, but he also knew that he held a rare and powerful piece in his hands. "Aegon," he murmured to himself, the name resonating with new strength and significance.

Serra, still watching Aegon with an expression of admiration, felt a change in the air. She didn't know what Illyrio was planning, but she understood that recent events had altered something profound. She gently squeezed the baby's shoulders, as if wanting to protect him from everything that was to come, even though she knew that this boy was destined for something much greater.