For the first time in history, Astapor, Yunkai, Meereen, and Vaes Dothrak sat as one under a single system. The day ended with Daenerys standing at the head of the chamber, not as a conqueror, but as the first Empress of the Eastern Empire, presiding over law, duty, and freedom.
…
The Dragon Empress III
The coronation day did not end with the speech or the parliament. By Daenerys' command, the city of Meereen would feast. Two banquets were arranged. One for the people, one for the rulers.
The first took place in the great fighting pit, newly cleaned and repurposed. Where slaves had once been forced to kill for the amusement of the masters, tables now stood in rows, piled with food. Fires burned, roasting meat for thousands. Barrels of ale and water were rolled in. Bread was stacked in baskets. Bowls of rice and lentils passed from hand to hand. The order was simple: every person eats as much as they can hold.
The second banquet was set in the second largest pyramid of Meereen, now the seat of the military command. The main hall was cleared and decorated with banners of the dragon sigil. Long tables filled the room, covered with food from across the empire. There were platters of roasted lamb, bowls of biryani rich with saffron and meat, flatbreads stacked high, cheeses from the Dothraki plains, and dates from the eastern hills. But alongside them stood dishes new to Essos: pizzas topped with spiced meat and olives, pasta mixed with herbs and cream, bowls of ramen steaming with broth and noodles. These modern foods had been introduced quietly during the months of conquest, adapted by freed cooks who experimented with new methods. Now they were presented proudly.
Representatives from Astapor, Yunkai, Meereen, and Vaes Dothrak sat beside each other, the first time their people had shared a hall without chains or threats. The foreign dignitaries had their own seats near the high table where Daenerys and her closest advisors sat. Among them were the representatives of Braavos, dressed in plain but fine robes, and Illyrio Mopatis of Pentos, his bulk spread across his chair.
The atmosphere was heavy with curiosity. The Dothraki eyed Braavosi with suspicion. Freedmen whispered about the strange foods. The representatives from Braavos studied the hall carefully, while Illyrio smiled and ate without restraint.
When Daenerys entered the hall, the room quieted. She wore a simple but elegant gown, white with golden edges. Her hair was braided and bound with silver ornaments. She walked with no crown, only the presence of the Empress. Drogo followed at her side, while her guards took their places at the edges of the hall.
The meal began. The common dishes were taken first. The pizza was met with raised eyebrows from the Braavosi, though one magister admitted after a few bites that the taste was good. The ramen caused confusion, with diners unsure how to eat it until Missandei quietly demonstrated
with chopsticks. The biryani, rich and spiced, was praised by almost everyone at the table. The Dothraki ignored most of the strange dishes, sticking to roasted meat and bread.
After the first courses, Daenerys began her duties. She moved along the high table, speaking briefly with each group.
She stopped first at the Braavosi delegation. They rose politely. One of the keyholders bowed his head. "Empress. The city of Braavos sends its regards."
Daenerys nodded. "Your presence honors me. I will grant you a private audience after the feast. There is much for us to discuss."
The Braavosi representatives thanked her, offering only small pleasantries. They spoke little, watching her closely.
Next, she moved to Illyrio Mopatis. He rose, his fine silks straining around his stomach, and spread his arms. "Khaleesi. To see you as Empress warms this old heart."
Daenerys inclined her head. "Illyrio. Your presence is noted. For now, Missandei will see to your needs." She gestured to her advisor, who stepped forward to take over the conversation. Illyrio bowed again, hiding his displeasure, and returned to his food.
The banquet lasted several hours. By the end, songs were sung, cups were emptied, and the mood in the hall was lighter. Daenerys excused herself, returning briefly to her private chambers to feed her son, Goku. Once he was settled with her handmaids, she left for the smaller audience chamber prepared for her private meeting with the Braavosi.
The Braavosi entered with measured steps. Two keyholders of the Iron Bank and one representative of the Sea Lord. They bowed lightly, their eyes never leaving Daenerys.
Daenerys stood at the head of the table. "Sit," she said simply.
The Braavosi obeyed. One of the keyholders spoke first. "Empress. Your letter invited us here. You asked for an alliance."
Daenerys nodded. "Yes. I will not waste words. I want a non-aggression pact between the Eastern Empire and Braavos. A hundred years to start with."
The Braavosi exchanged glances. The Sea Lord's man leaned forward. "That is a long time."
"It is," Daenerys said. "But the world is not built in short spans. Your city hates slavery. So do I. That is the ground we already share. But I do not stop at ending the trade. I want to erase the idea itself. In Astapor, Yunkai, and Meereen, children grew up thinking chains were natural. I am burning that culture to the ground."
One of the keyholders tapped the table. "And what do you offer us in return?"
Daenerys did not hesitate. "Trade. Strength. Crops and cattle from the grass sea. Silk from Meereen. Processed food and cloth from Astapor. All flowing through your ports and your ships. You know well enough what wealth that could bring."
The Braavosi representatives listened silently. She continued.
"Your Iron Bank has reached everywhere. I want it here. A branch in Meereen. In return, I will invest directly in it. Gold from the coffers of the Empire, redirected into your vaults. My empire grows. You grow with it."
The Sea Lord's man asked, "And Westeros? You are the blood of the dragon. You will look west one day."
Daenerys shook her head once. "That is not today. I am building here. What happens in Westeros is not my concern now. You need only decide if you will work with me or against me."
The Braavosi sat back. Whispers passed between them. Finally, one of the keyholders spoke. "Your terms are strong. Too strong, perhaps. But we have seen the speed of your rise. We have seen what your army and your dragon have done. The Iron Bank does not wager on weak pieces. It wagers on winners."
The Sea Lord's man nodded slowly. "Braavos will agree to your conditions. From this day, the Eastern Empire and Braavos are allies."
Daenerys inclined her head. "Good. Then this is the first step. The world will change, and we will change it together."
The meeting ended with formal words and brief bows. The Braavosi left to carry the news home.
…
That night, the streets of Meereen still echoed with music and feasting. In the fighting pits, the poor and freed celebrated without end. In the pyramid, the dignitaries whispered of alliances and power.
For the first time, the Eastern Empire stood recognized not only by its people but by the greatest city of Essos. Braavos had chosen to ally with the Dragon Empress.
And so the empire gained not only land and law but legitimacy.
…
Next chapter: The closest confidant of the Dragon Empress