| Chapter 10: Factions in the Shadows |

× × × ×

. . .

. .

.

| Aegon Targaryen - 1st Person Pov |

.

. .

. . .

The court of Yi Ti was as always a maze of power, influence, and unspoken rivalries. I had watched it from the shadows for long enough, but now I felt it was time for me to try and step out,— time to test the waters and make my presence felt.

Jia had always been by my side, her influence guiding me, but today was different.

I could feel the weight of her gaze on me even as I stood alone in the crowded hall.

She had suggested I start making connections, learning how to navigate the complexities of the nobility. And I knew that every word I spoke today would be carefully measured, not just by those I spoke to, but by Jia as well.

As the courtiers moved around me, their conversations a murmur of politics and intrigue, I felt the tension in the air. There was a subtle shift happening in the court.

Factions were beginning to emerge more and more,— some still loyal to Jia, but others… others were starting to whisper about the Emperor.

I approached the group of nobles near the large window overlooking the gardens.

Among them was Lord Xian, an older nobleman whose family had long been influential in Yi Ti. He was a man of caution, rarely speaking unless he had something important to say. To his left stood Lady Mei, a younger fellow noblewoman with a reputation for cleverness and ambition, her eyes always sharp, always calculating.

"Lord Xian." I greeted him, my voice steady, though I could feel the weight of their gazes on me. "It's a pleasure to speak with you again."

Lord Xian inclined his head slightly, his expression neutral. "Aegon. It's not often we see you outside of the Lady Consort Jia Niao's company."

I smiled, keeping my tone light. "Even a dragon must leave the nest eventually."

And I noticed Lady Mei chuckle softly at that, though her eyes remained watchful. "So the dragonling wishes to spread his wings already?"

"Perhaps." I said, meeting her gaze. "But only when the winds are favorable."

Lord Xian's eyes flickered with amusement, though his tone remained carefully measured. "The winds in this court are always shifting, Aegon. You must learn to navigate them carefully."

"That's why I'm here." I replied, allowing a hint of seriousness to enter my voice. "I've been watching for some time now, and I've begun to understand that power in Yi Ti is not as straightforward as it might seem."

Lady Mei leaned in slightly, her curiosity piqued. "And what have you learned, young Targaryen?"

"I've learned that influence is more valuable than titles." I said, my gaze shifting between them. "That those who move in the shadows often wield more power than those who sit on thrones."

Lord Xian's eyes narrowed slightly, though his voice remained calm. "Wise words, especially for someone so young, albeit not entirely truthfull."

I nodded. "I've come to think that I had a good teacher."

At that, Lady Mei's lips curled into a smile, though it was not a kind one. "The Lady Consort Jia Niao has indeed taught you well. But the court is not a place where lessons are easily learned. You will need more than her guidance if you wish to survive here."

"That's why I'm speaking with you, my Lady." I said, my tone shifting to something more serious. "I want to understand the court, its factions, its ambitions. There's more happening here than meets the common eye."

Lord Xian exchanged a glance with Lady Mei before speaking again. "And what makes you think we would share such knowledge with you, Aegon? You are not one of us, you belong to another realm after all."

"I may not be one of you, but I have grown up in this Empire, in the streets of Xia Quo as many of the people here did." I paused, letting the tension build. "I also have something that most don't, the blood of the dragon,— surely you both understand the favours you could hold from me, when I reach the kingship of Westeros..."

They were silent for a moment, processing my words. I could see the calculation in their eyes, the way they weighed my statement. I wasn't just a young man trying to make his way in the court. I was Aegon Targaryen, a potential heir to the Iron Throne, and that gave me a certain leverage.

Lady Mei was the first to speak, her voice soft but sharp. "And what does the blood of the dragon still seek in Yi Ti? Surely your ambitions lie across the sea, in Westeros?"

I smiled, though there was little warmth in it. "Westeros is my birthright, yes. But Yi Ti is where I am learning on how to claim it."

Lord Xian's expression softened slightly, though his tone remained cautious. "You speak of power as if it is something you can simply learn to wield. But power in Yi Ti is not the same as power in Westeros."

"Perhaps not." I agreed. "But there are lessons to be learned here,— lessons that you both can pass onto me, that will serve me well when the time comes."

Lady Mei's eyes gleamed with interest. "And what do you intend to do with those lessons, Aegon? Will you stay in the shadows forever, or will you finally step into the light?"

I met her gaze, unflinching. "I'll step into the light when the time is right for me to do so."

.

.

The conversation was brief, but it left an impression. Lord Xian and Lady Mei were cautious, yes, but they were also intrigued.

They saw potential in me, and I knew that I could use their greed and ambitions to my advantage.

As I moved through the hall, speaking with other nobles and courtiers, I felt the subtle shifts in the court more keenly than ever.

There were those who remained loyal to Jia, their eyes flickering with deference when her name was mentioned. But there were others,— quiet, careful,— who seemed to be looking for something more. Something different.

It was in their eyes that I saw the truth: the court was growing restless. Jia's control, while still strong, was not as absolute as it once had been in the days and weeks past.

The Emperor's absence, the whispers of rebellion in the west,— it was all creating a sense of uncertainty, one that could be exploited.

As the day went on, I found myself drawn to General Wei once again. We had spoken briefly before, but today, I wanted more than just conversation. I wanted more answers.

"General." I greeted him, inclining my head slightly.

He nodded in return, his expression as guarded as ever. "Aegon."

"I wanted to ask you about the Emperor." I said, keeping my voice low. "I've noticed his continued absence from the court."

General Wei's eyes flickered with something — caution, perhaps. "The Emperor's duties are… extensive,— even when sick. He trusts the Lady Consort Jia to oversee the court in his name."

"But that trust must have its limits." I said carefully. "I've heard whispers, General. Whispers of those who believe the Emperor should take a more active role."

General Wei was silent for a moment, his gaze shifting slightly. "The court is full of whispers, Aegon, as I have before mentioned. But whispers do not change the courses of the empires."

"Not yet, they don't." I agreed. "But they could. If enough voices join together, they could become more than just whispers."

He studied me, his expression unreadable. "And what do you intend to do with this knowledge?"

I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. "I intend to learn from it. To understand how power shifts, how influence can change the course of events."

General Wei's gaze was sharp, but there was a flicker of something,— respect, perhaps,— in his eyes. "You're beginning to see the truth of the court. Power is not static. It moves, it changes. And those who understand that are the ones who survive."

I nodded, feeling the weight of his words. "I want to be one of those who survives, General."

He smiled faintly, though there was little warmth in it. "Then you'll need to be careful, Aegon. The court is a dangerous place, and not all alliances are as they seem nowadays."

.

.

Later that evening, I found myself in Jia's chambers once again. She had been watching me all day, her eyes following my every move. I knew she was testing me, seeing how I handled myself without her direct guidance.

"You did well today." she said, her voice soft but firm. "But you've made a few missteps."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Missteps?"

"You were too direct with General Wei." she said, her tone gentle but corrective. "He is cautious, yes, but he is also loyal to the Emperor. You cannot push him too hard, or he will retreat."

I nodded, absorbing her words. "And Lord Xian? Lady Mei?"

"You handled them well." she admitted, a hint of pride in her voice. "But be careful with Lady Mei. She is far more ambitious than you think, and she will not hesitate to use you if it benefits her."

"I'll keep that in mind." I said, my tone thoughtful.

Jia smiled, stepping closer to me. "You're learning more each day that passes. But you still have much to learn. The court is not just about alliances. It's about understanding who holds the real power,— and who is simply waiting for the right moment to take it for themselves."

I met her gaze, feeling the weight of her words. "And what about you? Are you still the one holding the power?"

.

.

Her smile remained, but her eyes darkened, just for a moment. "I don't like to repeat myself too much, but alas... Power, Aegon, is like sand. It slips through your fingers the moment you believe you have a firm hold on it." She paused, her gaze piercing. "The key is to make sure it flows where you want it to."

Her words hung in the air, heavier than the silken drapes that framed her chambers. The evening light filtered through the intricate windows, casting long shadows that seemed to dance as if the walls themselves held secrets.

"You ask if I still hold power..." she continued, moving closer until we stood only a breath apart. "I hold as much power as I can shape. And I shape it every day,— through my actions, through my alliances, and through you."

I frowned, the weight of her statement settling uncomfortably in my chest. "Through me?"

Jia's eyes softened, but there was no warmth there. "You are my greatest tool, love. My finest creation. The court doesn't know it yet, but you will be more than they ever imagined. You will rule, not just over Westeros, but perhaps over more than you can even see now."

I held her gaze, trying to read the layers beneath her words. There was something different in her tone,— something deeper, more personal. I fed the usual thoughts that Jia's ambitions extended far beyond Yi Ti.

She wasn't just using me for her goals here. I was a part of something larger, something she was shaping with every move she made.

But even as I felt the pull of her ambition, there was a flicker of doubt. She had guided me, shaped me until now, yes,— but at what cost?

"I'm learning." I said, my voice quieter now. "But I won't be a pawn forever..."

Jia smiled, her fingers brushing lightly against my cheek, sending a familiar shiver down my spine. "No, my love. You will never be a pawn. But you must be patient. Even dragons need time to grow before they can take to the skies."

I looked away, the tension between us palpable. She was right, of course.

I was still learning, still growing. But the more I saw of the court, the more I realized that time was not something I had in abundance. The factions in the court were shifting, and the balance of power was delicate. I couldn't wait forever.

"I'll be careful with the court." I said after a long pause, my mind still racing with the day's conversations. "But I need to make moves. I can't stay in the shadows much longer, my blood won't let me."

Jia's smile softened, and for a moment, I saw something like pride in her eyes. "You will, Aegon. But remember, the most dangerous move is the one made too early. Let the court come to you. Let them see your strength before you reveal your hand."

I nodded, though my thoughts were elsewhere. Jia was teaching me to be cautious, to wait, but I had begun to see things differently. The court was a battlefield, yes, but it was one where patience could be just as deadly as recklessness.

And I felt like I was done waiting.

.

.

The next day, I returned to the court with renewed purpose. Jia's words still echoed in my mind, but I knew I had to test what I'd learned, to see if I could shape the game for myself.

I sought out Lady Mei first. She was clever and ambitious, and I knew that if I wanted to learn how to wield influence, she was the one to study. When I found her, she was standing with a small group of courtiers, their conversation light but underlined with tension.

"Lady Mei." I said, offering a slight bow. "I was hoping we could speak."

Her eyes flickered with curiosity, and she excused herself from the group, stepping toward me. "Aegon. What can I do for you?"

"I've been thinking about what you said yesterday," I began, keeping my voice low. "About stepping into the light."

She smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "And have you decided whether you're ready for that, dragonling?"

"I'm getting closer." I replied, matching her tone. "But I wanted to understand more about the court first. About the factions forming."

Her expression remained guarded, though I could see the interest in her eyes. "You're learning quickly. And what have you observed so far?"

"I've observed that the court is restless," I said carefully. "There are those loyal to Lady Jia, of course. But there are others… others who believe the Emperor should take a more active role."

Lady Mei's smile faded slightly, and I knew I had struck a chord. "You've been listening well. There are whispers, yes. The Emperor's absence has not gone unnoticed. But you must understand, Aegon,— the court is not as divided as it seems."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Those who speak of the Emperor taking more power are cautious," she explained. "They do not move against Jia openly. Not yet. They are waiting, watching. They need a moment of weakness, a shift in the balance. Until then, they will continue to play both sides."

I nodded, my mind racing. It made sense. The court wasn't openly divided yet, but the cracks were forming. And when the right moment came, those cracks could become chasms.

"And what about you, Lady Mei?" I asked, my voice steady. "Which side are you on?"

Her eyes gleamed with amusement, but there was a sharpness behind them. "I'm on the side of power, Aegon. As you should be."

.

.

Over the next few days, I continued my careful maneuvering through the court. I spoke with nobles, listened to their concerns, and began to understand the delicate dance of power that played out every day. Jia was always watching, though she kept her distance, allowing me to make my own moves.

But it was during a chance encounter with Lord Fei, one of the Emperor's closest advisors, that I saw just how deep the tension in the court ran.

Lord Fei was an older man, his face lined with age and wisdom. He had served the Emperor's father and had been a key figure in maintaining stability after the Emperor's sudden ascent to the throne. He was known for his loyalty to the Emperor, but also for his careful, measured approach to politics.

We crossed paths in one of the palace courtyards, and I took the opportunity to engage him in conversation.

"Lord Fei." I greeted him, bowing slightly. "I've heard much about your service to the Emperor, its a pleasure to be able to meet you."

He smiled, though it was a tired smile. "Ah, young Targaryen. You honor me with your words. But it is the Emperor I serve, not the court's whispers."

I nodded, sensing the subtle message in his words. "There are many whispers in the court lately, Lord Fei. Some say the Emperor should take a more active role."

He looked at me, his eyes sharp despite his age. "The Emperor will rule as he feels right. But until then, he shall trust those who serve him to act in his name."

I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. "And do you believe the Lady Consort acts in his best interests?"

Lord Fei's gaze didn't waver. "Lady Jia has done much for the empire. But power is not easily shared. There are those who would indeed like to see the Emperor reclaim his full authority."

I studied him for a moment, trying to gauge his true intentions. He was loyal to the Emperor, yes, but there was a careful balance in his words, as if he were weighing every statement, deciding what to reveal and what to keep hidden.

"And if the court were to shift?" I asked quietly. "If those whispers grew louder?"

Lord Fei's eyes flickered with something,— something close to caution. "Then the court must be prepared for change. But change comes at a cost, young one. And not all are willing to pay it."

.

.

That evening, I sat in my chambers, reflecting on everything I had learned. The court was a delicate web of alliances and rivalries, with power shifting beneath the surface. Jia was still in control, but there were those who were waiting,— waiting for the right moment to strike.

And as I thought about the conversations I had had with Lady Mei, General Wei, and Lord Fei, I realized something important.

I wasn't just learning how to navigate the court. I was learning how to control it.

The time would come when I would need to step out of the shadows and claim my place as the heir to the realm of Westeros. But I was beginning to see that it wasn't just about when I moved,— it was about how I did it.

And if I played my cards right, I could shape the future of Westeros, before I ever set foot in it.

I would need to be careful, yes. But I was done waiting.

.

.

× × × ×