Chapter 11

It was a few hours after arriving back in the Capital. It'd taken time to watch how the distilleries were going, but I now found myself walking inside the familiar walls again on my way to the family's personal chambers, where we relaxed and ate dinner as a family. In my arms, my young sister, Adema, cooed sweetly as she played with a loose strand of my hair. 

It seems my mother, after she had me, was cursed only to have girls. She had me and my twin Seraphine. Then there was my little sister Dona, who was five years old. She was a sweet girl, even if I didn't find the time to play with her, but I promised myself to make it up to her. She deserved an older brother as much as I deserve a little sister to dote on—just like little Adema in my arms.

Adema was the cutest little thing I'd ever seen, and I was already ready to punch some little shitheads into the dirt and straight into Tartarus, Hell, or whatever existed in this World if they even dared to look wrongly at her in the future. Ah, glorious days ahead indeed.

I knew I'd do anything to protect any of my family and loved ones from harm.

To my side walked Seraphine, who, the moment I stepped inside, hadn't let go of my arm even once. It seems like my leaving hit her harder than expected. I just hope she isn't some obsessed Tsundere, or I am fucked.

The creaking of the doors brought my attention to the door that had been opened for us. It led us into the chamber where my father and mother already sat. If the blank plates were anything to go by, they had apparently just sat down themselves.

"Good morning," I said as I kissed my mother on the cheek and gently handed her little Adema, who instantly pouted at having to leave my arms, much to the amusement of my mother.

"It seems she already knows what she wants," Mother said with a large smile, cradling Adema in her arms.

"Aye, she does," I replied. "And good morning to you as well, Father and Dona," I said as I ruffled Dona's hair. She tried to get my hand off her head, but that wasn't happening anytime soon.

Father just nodded back at me, not saying anything. Thought he had a slight smile on his face.

I took my seat at the table with Seraphine next to me. She did let me go for a second to give Adema to Mother, but the second I was free again, she clung back to me like a leech.

As I reached for a slice of bread, I couldn't help the smile that was constantly on my face while watching Mother as she busied herself with settling Adema in her lap, cooing softly to the little one who constantly reached out for anything she set her sights on. A curious one, she is. I can't wait to explore the library with her and watch her bring mayhem to our Household.

Father leaned back in his chair and looked at Seraphine and me, and spoke. "Your mother and I have something to announce to you both."

"We have decided," Father began, pausing to look at each of us in turn, "that it is time for you both to get to know who you will marry in the future."

Mother reached over to take Father's hand into hers. "The plan was to have Kaelarys marry Lady Valeria from House Thalyn." Seraphine's hand tightened at that, and I wasn't the only one to notice it. But I, unlike her, listened to Father's words. The keyword being 'was'. "They are of nearly equal standing as our House, as you both should know. But," he paused, "we have decided differently after observing certain .....circumstances."

At that, both Mother and Father looked directly at Seraphine.

"Seraphine," Mother continued gently, "we have seen how close you and Kaelarys have become over the years. The bond you share is special, and we believe that it would be best for both of you and for our House if you were to marry Kaelarys instead."

Seraphine's eyes widened at that, her jaw nearly dropping to the floor before a squeal escaped her mouth. She stood up and flung herself into Father's arms, only because Mother had her arms full of Adema already.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she exclaimed repeatedly. If she was a man instead of a girl, she would have surely suffocated father already in her hug.

Father chuckled, wrapping his arms around her in a warm embrace. "You're welcome, Seraphine. We knew this would make you happy."

Seraphine pulled back slightly, her eyes full with tears of happiness. "I can't believe it. This is everything I've ever wanted."

"Are you okay with that," Mother asked me. I looked back at her and smiled widely." I have no problem with that. But there is one thing I would like to change". I said.

As I finished, all heads turned to me, eagerly waiting for me to say what I had to say. 

"I would like to wait until Seraphine is at least sixteen years old before we marry," I said firmly. I would insist on this whether they wanted it or not. I have been taught differently in my old world, and while slavery has been abolished there as well, it is different for me than bedding a literal child. I was okay with bringing Lysandra to my bed because she is sixteen and way more mature than one would be at her age.

But that was quite common in this word. You just had to grow up faster to have a chance of survival, unlike in my old world, where at sixteen, you just had to do your homework, and you were good to go. Here, sixteen year olds would usually already be father and mother, respectively.

Father's brow furrowed, and he exchanged a glance with Mother. "Kaelarys, I must admit that I don't quite understand your reason for this. It is ...more than just unusual."

I took a deep breath." I cannot actually explain my reasoning but know that I do this for a reason. I hope you can respect and accept my decision."

Father sighed, clearly conflicted, but he knew just as well as Mother that I wouldn't change my decision, and they couldn't make me change it. I am as headstrong as can be, even if my reasoning makes no sense and is backed by no sound argument.

Father rubbed his temples and sighed. After a moment, he looked up and spoke." Fine, have it your way. I won't be able to have you see reason either way." 

Ah, parents. They sure know how their children tick, even if it annoys them. I would like to tell them that they couldn't have raised me better as when I came into this world, I was the same unreasonable, unlogical Ass I was in my old world, but I can't so....thought luck.

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3rd Person Pov( thought I might warn you).

In a chamber high in the Palace of the Freeholders, the Dragonlords of the Valyrian Freehold sat around a large, round table of polished wood. Large, open windows looked out over the great city of Valyria and let natural light shine into the room. The walls were decorated with fine Qohori tapestries depicting scenes of victory from Valyria's long and storied history.

The ceiling was high, supported by intricately carved pillars of white marble that added to the room's grandeur. Between the windows, large braziers stood in case meetings were to be held in the middle of the night. Something that happened more often than one would think.

The Head of each House of the 40 Families of the Dragon sat in high-backed chairs upholstered in dark velvet. He was sitting beside his father but a bit further behind as his status as heir wasn't as great as being the Head of a Dragonlord family.

As was the custom, the heir of each House was to attend some of these meetings to get to know the inner workings of the Political side of the Freehold. Earlier this morning, his father came to him and told him he would come with him that day. And here he is.

"…what did you say?" Lord Freeholder Zyra Aggaeron asked incredulously." How dare these barbarians even think of crossing us! If I have to, I will fly there personally to bring Dragonfire on them and raze their pathetic tents to the ground."

The atmosphere grew tense as Lord Freeholder Zyra Aggaeron's words thundered through the chamber. It was a given that he was livid, as it was his goods and people that were taken and killed by the Dothraki. But everyone who knew him, and in this room, that was everybody, understood that he was truly angry because someone had managed to hurt his pride. And as large as the man himself was, just as large was his pride.

It was a pity, truly. House Aggaeron was an ancient and proud family, but this man, just like the mad King will be, is a disgrace to his ancestors. Not that I couldn't understand him, at least a little bit.

"We should reach out to Volantis." Lord Freeholder Balexes Thalyn proposed." They have the nearest army ready, and we would be able to put an end to these ambitious 'Horselords' sooner rather than later. They don't know what they have gotten themselves into."

Kaelarys observed the exchange, noting how his father didn't say anything and just listened.

There was a general nod of consensus at the suggestion of Lord Thalyn.

"If it is in the interest of all Houses, I will contact Triach Lemanor to send the Army stationed in Volantis to handle this-" Lord Freeholder Balexes Thalyn continued. 

I nudged my father to get his attention. He turned around and raised an eyebrow, silently asking what I had to say." I want to join in it. I will fly on Ancalagon to bring a definite ending to them. It will be a great exercise. Ancalagon has never seen war before." 

His expression never changed, but I could see the wheels turning in his head at my suggestion. In the end, he cleared his throat and spoke up." I will send my son on Ancalagon with them. This way, we ensure that nothing goes wrong, as no mere Dothraki can ever run from a Dragon."

My father didn't exactly need permission to allow this, as he was the Lord Freeholder of one of the top five Houses in the Freehold. Still, it wasn't wise to do whatever you wanted and risk antagonizing any other House—not that it would in this scenario.

Nobody said anything and just nodded, acknowledging what he said. In situations like these, I would very much like Mind-reading abilities because I do wonder what they think of it. Do they think me a green boy who just got away from his Mother's tits, or do they consider me able enough to get the task done? 

It probably doesn't matter in their eyes, and I am overthinking.

A few more things were discussed after this. One significant topic was the recent issue of Qarth paying less in tributes than before. Quarth gets to exist as it is, and we don't mangle in their city, but they do pay tributes to keep their way of life.

With that, the meeting ended, and the dragonlords began to file out of the chamber. I walked beside my father as we descended the grand staircase of the Palace of the Freeholders.

I can't wait to tell Ancalagon the news. I have the feeling that he has been itching to burn something. 

This will be fun.

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New Chapter, yeah....