reborn as Laenor Velaryon

*Dan was an enigma in a world that prided itself on the ordinary. Even on death row, his reputation was anything but common. While he had never personally taken a life or indulged in unspeakable acts, the stories about him spread like wildfire. The other inmates, hardened criminals, and deranged minds all knew the legends surrounding him. They had families and fears, and those stories served as a grim reminder of what happened to those who dared to cross him. His infamous reputation ensured that no one dared to challenge him; even those with nothing to lose shied away from him, knowing that he had once sent a particularly brutish inmate to the hospital by dislocating his shoulders and kneecaps with little more than a sharp jab.*

*Dan had always been aware of his exceptional nature. Despite an upbringing marred by neglect and violence at the hands of 'Mother'—a woman whose profession and personal failings painted her as a figure of scorn rather than affection—he had risen to heights that seemed unreachable. Raised in a squalid trailer park and subjected to frequent beatings for infractions as trivial as breathing too loudly, he had escaped into a world of crime and subterfuge at the tender age of twelve, after discovering his birth certificate.*

*His journey from the streets to the upper echelons of society was paved with cunning and manipulation. He became a master of deception, indulging in a variety of illicit activities—prostitution, theft, fraud, drug smuggling—while skillfully avoiding the trap of addiction and the trap of foster care. His survival and ascent were built on his brilliance and unyielding intellect.*

*College was a battleground of its own. Dan's peers, often ensnared by the typical pitfalls of youth—drugs, drama, and superficiality—couldn't match his determination and intellect. Though the past left its mark—scars from cigarette burns, phantom pains, and a few STDs—Dan emerged victorious, graduating with dual degrees in mechanical and structural engineering. His success was not without cost, as he had to navigate a brutal inheritance battle, where his first act of murder paved the way for his rise.*

*As CEO and Chairman, Dan's reign was marked by a meteoric rise in profits and an unwavering focus on vertical integration and expansion into lucrative military contracts. His reign saw the company through the tumultuous 2020s and 2030s with unparalleled success. Yet, even amidst the heights of power, Dan indulged in personal vendettas. His revenge on a particularly sadistic individual who had wronged him was a notable episode, even if it proved to be his undoing. The senator who pursued him and the daughter of one of his victims eventually amassed enough evidence to bring him to justice.*

*As he faced his execution, Dan's thoughts were a mix of defiance and resignation. The prospect of a messy, botched lethal injection grated on him. He would have preferred a more honorable end, like a firing squad or a self-administered gunshot. Despite his immense intellect and strategic brilliance, he knew the end was near, and he faced it with a steely resolve, refusing to close his eyes or look away.*

*"Do you have any last words?" the warden asked, his voice tinged with a mix of formality and disinterest.*

*Dan glared at the senator in the gallery, a cold smile playing on his lips. "Just one thing," he said, his voice steady. "You should have made it quick. It's the least you could have done after everything."*

*The senator's lips twisted into a satisfied smirk as the lethal injection began. The process was painfully slow and awkward, the executioner struggling to find a vein and administering the drug with an uncertain hand. As the poison took effect, Dan's thoughts remained resolute, his final moments marked by a determined defiance.*

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**SI POV - Harrenhal - Late 101 AC**

*Imagine Dan's shock when he awakens in an unfamiliar room, his body small and youthful, nestled in a bed that is not his own. The intense, throbbing headache and blinding morning light make it almost unbearable to open his eyes. Huddled beneath the sheets, he tries to block out the painful rays as the memories of the former occupant of this body flood in.*

*He is Laenor Velaryon, son of Corlys Velaryon, the famed Sea Snake, and Rhaenys Targaryen, known for her claim to the throne and her remarkable lineage. The events of the previous night—the council's decision favoring Viserys over him—have set the stage for a pivotal moment in history. Dan, now Laenor, contemplates the political landscape and the weight of his new identity.*

*The political dynamics are striking. His own dragon, Seasmoke, seems to enhance his mental acuity, bridging the gap between his former life and this new one. With a dragon and a solid claim to Driftmark, Laenor's future seems rife with possibilities. The discrepancy between his strategic genius and his current youthful form presents both challenges and opportunities.*

*The knock on the door interrupts his musings. His 'mother's' voice, tinged with concern, calls out to him. Rising from his bed, he opens the door and is met by the comforting presence of his mother. Her embrace is both soothing and bittersweet as she leads him to breakfast with his family.*

*"Laenor, are you feeling better?" his mother asks softly, leading him down the hall. "We're leaving today with Laena and your father to go back home."*

*Dan nods, trying to mask his surprise at the sudden change. "I'm fine, Mother," he replies, burying himself in her skirts for a comforting hug.*

*At the breakfast table, Corlys Velaryon sits brooding over his porridge, and Laena tries to be kind by offering him some of her own. The atmosphere is tense, the recent council decision weighing heavily on everyone. Dan decides to voice his frustrations.*

*"Why didn't they pick me?" he asks, his voice trembling with genuine confusion. "Did I do something wrong?"*

*Corlys looks up, his expression one of resigned disappointment. "No, Laenor. They just thought Viserys was a better choice."*

*"Why? He's older and his dragon is dead. I have Seasmoke!"*

*"He's older and the son of a son, while you are the son of a daughter," Corlys explains. "It's a matter of lineage."*

*"He's fat and doesn't look like a king," Laena adds, trying to lighten the mood but only deepening the sense of injustice.*

*Dan's determination hardens. "I will make them all regret their decision. A king should be smart and skilled in combat. When we get home, I'll work harder than ever, and I won't run from lessons or the training yard."*

*Corlys and Laena exchange glances, their expressions a mix of hope and doubt. Dan's resolve is clear, and as they prepare to leave Harrenhal, the weight of his new life and the challenges ahead loom large.*

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