As Daenerys stepped down from the platform, her leather boots tapping on the cold floor as she walked toward the Commander of the Night's Watch, Melisandre, standing behind Aegor, finally could not help but take a deep breath. Even a second before entering this hall, she had been absolutely certain that Aegor was the promised prince, but at this moment, even someone as stubborn as she was felt shaken.
Having the same gender and a normal orientation, the witch was naturally unaffected by the heterosexual attraction emanating from the Mother of Dragons. But this did not prevent Melisandre from sensing the strong energy fluctuations emanating from Daenerys. This strange aura, somewhat like magic but slightly different, and far more complex than mere temperament, was so obvious, as if it were surging out of every pore on Daenerys' body every second, enveloping her, and rapidly intensifying as the distance decreased.
This, is the power of prophecy?
"Tap," "tap," "tap"… The continuous footsteps finally stopped about a meter in front of Aegor. The height difference of over ten centimeters forced Daenerys to look up at Aegor, which seemed like a show of weakness. Unfortunately, the actual aura was the complete opposite. The Dragon Queen might not know where this aura on her body came from, but she clearly mastered the best way to use it. The distance between them, reduced to one-twentieth of the original, amplified the attraction and pressure Aegor felt from her by more than a hundred times.
If his mouth could speak without thinking, Aegor would have definitely agreed to the Queen's request immediately. If his legs could move freely, Aegor would most likely already have knelt on one knee to show submission. If a certain organ between his legs also had control over his body, he would definitely…
Looking at those lips, so close, full and healthy without lipstick, Aegor swallowed. After standing straight and meeting Daenerys' gaze for a moment, he first confirmed a rational judgment from a moment ago. Daenerys was indeed beautiful, but certainly not to an inhuman extent. Then, the next second, he suddenly thought: this Queen is truly bold. He had not been searched when he stepped onto the island and entered Dragonstone Keep, and he had a small backup dagger tucked into the outside of his boot, yet she approached him so fearlessly. If he just raised his leg, drew the knife, and stabbed, Stannis' throne would be secure.
After assassinating the Dragon Queen in his imagination, Aegor, who had been tense both mentally and physically, relaxed slightly. Daenerys actually knew how to ask for the sky and settle for less. Putting everything else aside, at least her intelligence was normal.
…
The difference between "publicly acknowledging her as the sole legitimate ruler of the Seven Kingdoms" and "swearing fealty and fighting for her" is that the Night's Watch only needs to make a statement, without having to contribute a soldier or a sword to help Daenerys contend for the Iron Throne, in exchange for her promise not to attack the Night's Watch Industry.
It seems like no loss, but in reality, it is an unacceptable condition. Neutrality is a stance in both attitude and action, and neither can be missing. Just issuing a statement and not participating in the war sounds good, but it is actually nonsense. Acknowledging Daenerys as the legitimate ruler automatically implies Stannis is an illegitimate usurper. Even if Aegor had the ability to suppress internal opposition from the Night's Watch, the moment that statement is issued is the moment of automatic total war with Stannis' faction.
If the Night's Watch forces were isolated overseas and difficult to attack, it might not be entirely unthinkable. But The Gift and the North are fundamentally one entity, and both sides are currently preparing to resist the White Walkers side by side. Accepting this condition just to protect an industrial park and a little nitrate would be a complete loss.
Before Aegor finished thinking, Daenerys added, "I understand what you are worried about. I will allow you to issue the statement after you return to the Wall and stabilize the situation. I will also guarantee that before Stannis declares you a rebel and sends troops to encircle the industrial park, my land and sea forces will surround King's Landing and trap all his soldiers within the city walls."
"Thank you for your thoughtful consideration, but this statement completely violates the Night's Watch's principle of neutrality," Aegor said with a wry face. "Besides, Your Grace, whether or not you are the sole legitimate ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, why would that need, or rather, why would it be up to us people who watch the Wall to judge?"
The Queen frowned.
"I do not care about the Night's Watch's principles, I am talking about a deal with you. You take what you want, and I will take what I want," Daenerys said decisively. "As for judgment, do you think I need the Night's Watch's approval to legitimize my rule? No, the legitimacy of my rule comes from my bloodline and my dragons. It is just that the entire country is watching, and I need someone with renown and influence to start this. As for whether this leader is from House Martell, House Tyrell, or the Night's Watch, I do not care at all. Whoever finds me first, I will choose them. Is that clear, Commander?"
---
Of course he understood, and it could even be said that few people understood better than Aegor.
Due to her different upbringing, Daenerys was inevitably someone who disregarded rules and traditions. Precisely for this reason, throughout Aegor's long-term considerations for his future, she had always been the top choice above all others. He knew absolutely nothing about that Aegon, and persuading House Stark to rebel was impossible. As for someone like Stannis, who was already on the throne and was rigid and stubborn, he would never tolerate Aegor extending his reach beyond The Gift or even taking off his black clothes. Only Daenerys, this Queen who was conquering the kingdom, in order to achieve victory and realize her ideals and ambitions, might not care about Aegor's status as a non-Westerosi native, nor mind the black clothes he wore, prioritizing only ability and loyalty.
When the war against the cold god ends with humanity's victory, Aegor, who does not want to spend his life guarding against the next war like the hundreds of Commanders before him, will inevitably have to find a way to break out of The Gift. By then, the Mother of Dragons returning to Westeros to contend for the throne will be an excellent stepping stone.
Pledging allegiance to Daenerys Targaryen had always been the most crucial step in the grand strategy Aegor had concocted. He recruited soldiers, stockpiled provisions, trained well-disciplined officers, and developed weapons and equipment ahead of their time. Ostensibly, he was preparing to fight the White Walkers, but secretly, was he not also accumulating strength for the day he would need to appear on the entire stage of Westeros?
Although the Dragon Queen's demands were excessive, they were not unreasonable, and were even exactly what Aegor wanted.
But all of this could only unfold under the sufficient premise that the war against the cold god ends with humanity's victory. Even planned events can be fatal if they happen at the wrong time and place.
"I understand…" Aegor knew that the situation he was facing was very bad. Daenerys could never understand or accept these principles. If you were the Queen, and someone came and said, you promise me something, and I will come pledge allegiance to you after I finish what I am doing, would you believe it? Aegor certainly would not believe it himself. "But once this statement is released, the close cooperation between the Night's Watch and the North will collapse, and the airtight defense along the Wall will also disintegrate…"
"How much support can the North give the Night's Watch? I will give double," Daenerys said, her initially friendly expression beginning to show impatience. "Once I take King's Landing and eliminate the usurper, I will definitely send reinforcements to the Wall. If the army of wights and White Walkers you reported are indeed real, I can even bring the three dragons north to help. Are these conditions satisfactory, Commander?"
More than satisfactory, it could even be called overly generous. Yet it was precisely the condition Aegor could not accept. Even if the Queen took King's Landing and successfully moved troops by sea to the Wall, it would take at least one or two months, and distant water cannot quench a nearby fire.
What on earth happened to put himself in such an awkward and difficult position?
Aegor frowned hard for a while, finally figuring out why he had felt so strange throughout the entire conversation. He had not come here at all to ask Daenerys for support for the Wall. His original plan was to first present The Prince to show respect and regard, then take the opportunity to request the Queen to avoid affecting the Night's Watch Industry during the war. The value of the knowledge and information contained in this incomplete version of The Prince was enough to trade for a small favor, which could be considered fair. The part that The Prince itself lacked would serve as an opportunity for future contact and exchange between them, and also lay a hidden groundwork for him to eventually leave The Gift by leveraging the Queen's power.
Aegor hoped the Queen would agree, but ultimately, even if she did not, it did not matter to him. As long as he was allowed to leave Dragonstone, he would naturally return to the industrial park in King's Landing and find other ways to save the situation indirectly, continuing to maintain the production and collection of nitrate. However, Daenerys had shown abnormal friendliness and overly strong expectations from the beginning, completely disregarding his intentions and true purpose, and unilaterally starting this so-called deal. Aegor had no intention of negotiating with her at all, so what kind of negotiation could possibly come out of this?
The most awkward part of the current situation was that the negotiation reaching a deadlock was not caused by either side's malice, but because it should not have started in the first place. Daenerys offered her help in the North as a condition, only to exchange it for a statement of legitimacy from the Night's Watch. In terms of value, it could be said to be quite sincere. But precisely, the North, which had not suffered heavy losses, and The Gift, with its strong army and horses, did not need the Queen's intervention.
The Queen showed goodwill, but Aegor had to refuse, which was why the situation ended up like this. It was just that the special aura on Daenerys was too strong, interfering with Aegor's thinking earlier, which was why he only now understood what had happened.
So, what or who gave Daenerys this baseless goodwill and expectation toward him, even coming uninvited and proactively offering to go north to join the war against the White Walkers?
Aegor's gaze swept across the room, finally settling on the Red Priest standing in the corner, who was presumably Melisandre's colleague.
Could it be, troublemakers again?
"Your Grace!" Before Aegor could speak, Petyr cried out in a hurry. "After taking King's Landing, you should seize the opportunity to control the entire Crownlands, and then find a way to make the Seven Kingdoms recognize your identity and unify Westeros to restore peace throughout the realm. The Wall has stood there for thousands of years, it will not be any different for a moment."
Daenerys ignored Littlefinger's shouting. Aegor's endless contemplation and hesitation finally exhausted her patience. Feeling like she was offering warmth only to be met with coldness, she was a mix of shame and anger. She turned and walked back toward the throne, while coldly throwing out a sentence: "Commander, you must be tired from your journey by ship. Please accept Dragonstone Keep's hospitality and have a good night's rest. Give me your answer regarding my proposal tomorrow morning."
(To be continued.)
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