Chapter 02

Corlys looked at the witch who pointed out the sea to her blue-haired baby, speaking in her language and stroking her hands.

They were both surprised when they asked each other how they spoke her language.

- "I am speaking Latin," - She said.

- "And I'm speaking Valyrian," - He said.

Apparently, both languages were the same.

The lord of Driftmark informed her that there was no maiden or crusader on the ship and that for the three months of the voyage, there was no one to help her. Lady Lycoris laughed and said there was no need, that she could look after herself and the baby.

The first week they dined together, and she noticed that Lycoris Potter mediated the information she shared at dinner, and spent most of her time in the small cabin assigned to her next to her suitcase.

Perhaps it was because of her delicate state of constant rest.

In the second week, they both showed each other maps. The land where Lady Lycoris came from had many continents marked. She names them all: America, Europe (she pointed to an island called Britain saying she was born there), Asia, Africa, and Australia.

And Corlys showed her a map of Westeros and the hierarchy of power.

- "So you are the king's cousin?" - She asked, rocking her baby in her arms.

- "And the father of the future queen," - Corlys replied. - "And where you come from, there are monarchies too?"

- "In some parts, there are still monarchies" - She pointed to Europe on the map. - "For example, in America" - She pointed to a large country - "They have a system where the people choose their rulers every few years."

- "And isn't that dangerous?" - Asked Corlys - "Changing leaders from time to time."

- "Sometimes yes, sometimes no" - Answered Lycoris - "For example, in my country, we have a queen. She's been reigning for forty-five years, and she's going to be reigning for many more. And she's not the only one, there was another queen, Elizabeth I, who reigned for forty-four years until her death. There was also Queen Victoria, who reigned sixty-three years."

- "So your people support women in the crown?"

- "They have been prosperous reigns," - She replied, "Of course, there are their detractors and those who hoped Victoria would abdicate in favor of her son, but they were prosperous in their way."

The older witch shared information from the non-magical part of the world, such as their customs or what life was like, keeping almost everything about wizarding society to herself. From the way she spoke, her movements, and her mannerisms, Corlys sensed that the young woman was from a family of some status or magical nobility.

Corlys sent a raven to his wife, saying he was bringing a sorceress who could talk to dragons.

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The advantage of not having to share the small cabin was that Lycoris could enter the suitcase at Grimmauld Place. Kreacher and Winky stayed indoors.

The first night she spent on the ship, Walburga Black's portrait shouted at her that she was stupid for talking too much.

Sensitive about the pregnancy, she could do nothing but cry, and after minutes of tears, Lady Black told her she must be more cautious.

Whatever Lord Corlys told her, she would tell Walburga.

- "You will go to court," - Said the redoubtable Walburga Black, - "Win the favor of the most powerful. As much as I hate Muggles, they have connections to dragons, which makes them dangerous."

- "So, what do I do?"

- "Act polite. Make them think you're weak," - She pointed out, - "You're a witch, and for all, we've learned there are wizards in this world too. They will want you in their court, act well, wait for that baby to be born, and set out on a mission to find a mother stone and return home."

- "Yes, Lady Black"

- "Now. On the fourth floor, there is a false doorway leading to a room," - She told her, - "There are gowns, everyday dresses demure enough to wear. There are also my maternity dresses."

Oh, Lycoris tasted Walburga Black's jewels.

Necklaces with diamonds, sapphires, opals, and turquoise. Beautiful earrings, and bracelets.

Lycoris spent her time reading books, and she wanted to further her education, with only six years of Hogwarts she had basic knowledge, but the Black's library was more extensive than Hogwarts and with information that many categorized as dark.

She looked tentatively at the bottles of fire whiskey, but the baby in her belly was far more important than her pre-alcoholism.

She saw Walburga Black's clothing collection and became convinced that Sirius was her clear reflection. Sirius loved Muggle music, and Walburga loved Muggle fashion.

Dior, Chanel, Balenciaga, Schiaparelli.

Walburga Black was full of surprises.

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Lycoris' belly grew in those three months of travel, she was naturally slim, so the slight bulge was easily noticeable. She began to wear Walburga's long skirts that fitted above the waist with ruffled blouses.

She always wears her lady's ring, something that detects her from poisons and things impregnated with evil spells.

Teddy was eight months old, already taking small steps and repeating Mama like a multicolored parrot. He still latched on to her breast and bit her nipples with two little teeth.

Fujur flew after them all the time. During those three months, with her slight knowledge of Legeremancy, she managed to enter the minds of everyone on the ship, Lady Black encouraged her to improve her Legeremancy, something that would give her an advantage in a court of law.

Lycoris sighed in relief until they reached Driftmark, home of Lord Corlys.

They arrived at a beach where there was a crimson dragon and on the sand lay an elegant woman with silver hair, and wrinkles around her violet eyes.

- "My wife, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen," - Lord Corlys introduced her.

Lycoris looked at the woman and entered her mind.

Her thoughts cast her as her husband's possible mistress and the possibility that the baby in her womb was a bastard.

- "Princess Rhaenys" - Lycoris bowed her head, with Teddy in her arms. - "Thank you so much for seeing us, me and my son. Lord Corlys has told of his wife and your beautiful dragon."

The princess blinked.

- "He is a very kind man," - Lycoris continued, - "To help a widow pregnant with a baby. My services as a witch are at your disposal."

The princess's mind calmed, and she looked at her dragon.

- "Mrs. Potter-Black," - Smiled the princess, - "Is it true that you can talk to dragons?"

Lycoris looked at Meleys, the red dragon sniffed her and said in a snarl: - "You smell of magic, you smell of war. What made you forge your magic to lead in a war?"

- "What did Meleys say?" - The princess asked with slight excitement.

- "That I have the scent of magic," - Smiled Lycoris.