Varys bowed low once more, his voice dropping to a smooth, confidential whisper. "Your Majesty, I mentioned before that to secure the support of the Dornish, I promised them they would have a place in your new order. Even if you bring them from across the narrow sea, they expect a seat at the table. The Dothraki and the people of Slaver's Bay follow you because they believe you will champion their cause. They want to believe in the dream you've built."
Daenerys nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. "It's true. They fear my dragons and they submit to my power, but if I act against their interests, that loyalty will vanish. That's exactly why I've been hesitating."
Varys leaned in slightly, his hands vanishing into the deep, silken folds of his sleeves. "Tell me, Your Majesty, how do you think King Jason—or that formidable nation he hails from in the other world—will treat the lands across the sea once Westeros is unified? How will they look upon Essos?"
For a moment, Daenerys was silent. It wasn't a question she had truly confronted. She shook her head, her brow furrowing as she considered the possibility. "With the weapons they possess, those terrifying guns and their overwhelming force, the people of Essos wouldn't stand a chance. If Jason leads an army across the water, the Free Cities will have no choice but to surrender."
"Exactly," Varys agreed with a sharp nod. "In the face of absolute power, resistance is nothing but a quick path to the grave. That's why we can't afford to wait for Jason to launch a conquest. We need to negotiate now. We must use Essos as your ultimate bargaining chip. You are the Breaker of Chains, the mistress of Slaver's Bay, and the greatest Khaleesi the Dothraki have ever known. In many ways, you already hold the keys to the continent."
He paused to let the weight of the statement sink in. "This is the most valuable asset you have. You need to offer it up during negotiations. If you wait until his army is already on the horizon, these chips will be worth nothing."
Varys let out a soft, weary sigh. It was a grim reality; they had very little leverage left to offer a man who seemed to have everything.
Daenerys knew he was right, but the logistics of such a deal felt impossible. How could she protect her people's interests while giving Jason something he would actually accept? The question had been keeping her awake for days. She didn't want to fade into obscurity. She had worked too hard and suffered too much to simply hand over her crown and disappear.
Varys, ever prepared, didn't hesitate. "Have you considered a marriage alliance, Your Majesty?"
"Marriage?" Daenerys blinked, caught off guard. "To whom?"
Varys met her gaze with an unblinking, piercing intensity. "If you marry King Jason, you do so as the representative of all Essos. As the Queen of the Targaryen line, the Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, and the ruler of Slaver's Bay, your union would finalize the unification of both worlds. It would be the bridge between Westeros and Essos."
Daenerys sat back, stunned. She thought Varys might be losing his mind. "Jason is already married to Sansa Stark. He isn't going to set her aside for me."
"He doesn't have to divorce Queen Sansa," Varys said, bowing his head respectfully. "He only needs to take you as a second wife."
"You can't be serious," Daenerys said, her eyes widening in disbelief.
Varys looked up, his face etched with a rare earnestness. "The Khal of the Dothraki often has more than one Khaleesi to help manage the khalasar. You are already their queen. If you marry Jason as a queen in your own right, you can help him govern this massive new empire. It's the best possible outcome for you and for everyone who has followed you across the world."
Seeing that she was still speechless, Varys pressed his advantage. "Your Majesty, I've looked at every angle. I truly see no other way. This is the only condition Jason might actually accept that benefits everyone. You have to decide quickly. Our position is weak. Once Jason finishes stabilizing Westeros, your value in a negotiation drops to zero. You could end up with nothing—or worse."
He watched her closely, gauging her reaction. "You are the last of the Targaryens. There is a long, bloody history between your house and the Starks. If the Northmen decide to settle old debts for what happened to Ned Stark's father and brother, you will be in grave danger. You need a protector, and there is no one more powerful than Jason."
"It's time to choose, Your Majesty," he urged, his voice ringing with finality.
Daenerys looked at the empty throne, weighing his words. She didn't have a personal connection to Jason, but she was no stranger to political marriages. She had been sold to Drogo to win an army; surely she could marry Jason to save a kingdom.
She remained on her throne, lost in thought, while Varys waited in a silence so thick it was heavy.
An hour passed before Varys finally emerged from the tent. He looked satisfied. He quickly gathered a small escort of guards and set off toward King's Landing at a gallop.
Ser Barristan Selmy, standing guard at the edge of the camp, watched the Master of Whisperers ride away. He wondered what business the Spider had in the city that required such a frantic pace.
Inside the Red Keep, Jason was busy. He had moved into the fortress along with a group of experts from the modern advisory team and the loyal nobles who had supported his rise.
The advisory team, led by Marcus and Samuel, had taken over the grueling day-to-day administration of King's Landing. This allowed Jason to focus on the bigger picture—specifically, the logistical nightmare of transporting supplies from the modern world to maintain the city's stability.
When Alfred informed him that Varys was at the gates requesting an audience, Jason was skeptical. "What does the Spider want now?" he muttered.
He knew Varys was far too clever to show up without a very good reason. Jason gathered a few of the senior professors from the advisory group—men he was paying handsomely for their insight—and met Varys in the great conference hall.
As Varys walked in, he took in the sight of Jason sitting at the head of the long table, flanked by men in strange, modern clothing. It was a stark reminder of how much the world had changed.
"King Jason," Varys said, offering a deep, respectful bow.
"Sit down, Lord Varys," Jason said, gesturing to a chair. "I imagine you know your way around this room better than I do. What brings you here today?"
Varys took his seat, his eyes briefly flickering over the familiar walls of the hall before focusing on Jason. "Your Majesty, I come on behalf of Queen Daenerys. She wishes to join your kingdom. For the sake of lasting peace and the prosperity of all people, she is prepared to bring Slaver's Bay, the Dothraki Sea, and the lands of Dorne under your banner. She is ready to accept your rule."