"Then I went Beyond the Wall," Viserys continued. "At the Fist of the First Men, I encountered the wildlings."
He spoke of Ygritte, the Three-Eyed Crow leading the way, the Children of the Forest, and meeting the Greenseer, Brynden. Rhaenys and Daenerys listened intently, their eyes wide and unblinking.
"Is the Greenseer really Brynden? But shouldn't he be over a hundred and fifty years old? He's actually still alive," Rhaenys asked in surprise.
"He is indeed Brynden, the Duke Bloodraven of history, though his current state can only be described as half-dead," Viserys said.
He continued his story, speaking of Craster's Keep, the Nights Watch tracking Craster, the appearance of the Others, and the battle that night. When he mentioned the Others' sneak attack, Daenerys let out a soft "ah" and instinctively gripped Viserys' sleeve.
She only breathed a sigh of relief when she heard how he and Ghidorah had wiped out those Others together.
"It's a pity I wasn't there," she muttered. "Otherwise, Vormax and the others could have helped too."
"When you're a bit older," Viserys said, "I'll take you with me."
Daenerys hummed in satisfaction, but when he spoke of Benjen's return from the dead, their mouths fell open in shock.
"Was he really dead?" Daenerys asked curiously.
"Dead," Viserys said, "but alive again."
"What do you mean?" Rhaenys asked.
Viserys explained to them how Benjen had become a Half-man, half-ghost creature, describing his eyes that had turned ice-blue and how he was brought back to the Wall bound.
Rhaenys was silent for a while before asking, "Will he really still remember who he is?"
"He will," Viserys said. "At least for now, he will."
As he talked, Daenerys yawned. It was very late, and she was still young after all, unable to stay up. Her hand still gripped Viserys' sleeve, but her eyes were already nearly closed.
"Go to sleep," Viserys said softly.
Daenerys gave a dazed "mm" and soon fell into a deep sleep.
Rhaenys also whispered, "Goodnight, Brother."
"Mm, goodnight."
Silence fell over the room once more.
Viserys kept his eyes closed but hadn't slept yet. He felt the breathing of the two girls beside him; one was very steady, while the other seemed slightly hurried.
Rhaenys wasn't asleep either; she was likely quite nervous.
Viserys reached out and pulled them both into his embrace. The sleeping Daenerys mumbled and snuggled into his chest. Rhaenys' body stiffened slightly, but she soon began to relax and leaned in close.
After a while, Rhaenys' breathing finally leveled out, and she too fell asleep.
Viserys was already awake when the morning sunlight streamed through the window.
However, he could feel that something was not quite right. Looking down, Daenerys was still fast asleep, her face buried in his arm. But on the other side, Rhaenys... her hand had somehow found its way onto his chest, and her face was very close. But none of that was the point; the point was his hand.
Before falling asleep last night, his hand had been on Rhaenys' waist. But now, his hand had slid to a higher position, the sensation against his palm soft and warm.
This was likely a subconscious habit he had developed while being with Arianne and the others in Dorne these past few days. However, his hand only paused for a brief moment before quickly returning to a natural state; he didn't move it away, but instead gave a gentle squeeze.
He slowly turned his head to look at Rhaenys. Her face was buried in his chest, hiding her expression. But he could feel that Rhaenys' heart was beating very fast.
She wasn't asleep; or rather, she had woken up long ago.
Rhaenys knew Viserys was awake, yet she could still feel his hand resting there through her thin nightgown, and even being mischievous.
Yet she didn't speak, nor did she push him away. She only bit her lower lip gently, a hint of shyness flashing in her purple eyes, but more so, it was acquiescence and anticipation.
But after a long time, Viserys' hand made no further move, simply resting there quietly.
"Brother..." Rhaenys knew Viserys was doing it on purpose and finally spoke, her voice as quiet as a mosquito's buzz.
Viserys looked at her and spoke in a low voice, "What, did I startle you?"
Rhaenys shook her head, and in the end, she could only bury her head back into Viserys' chest in embarrassment, not daring to look at him.
Viserys let out a soft laugh.
"Did you sleep well last night?" Viserys asked.
"Mm," she replied in a low voice.
"Let's lie here for a while longer. Don't wake Dany; she hasn't woken up yet."
Rhaenys didn't answer, but she leaned in even closer, her face pressed against his shoulder.
As the day grew brighter, Daenerys finally woke up. She opened her eyes dazed and, seeing Viserys, gave a wide smile.
"Good morning, Brother."
"Morning."
She sat up, rubbed her eyes, and then looked at Rhaenys. "Rhaenys? When did you wake up?"
Rhaenys looked up, her face still a bit flushed, but her expression had returned to normal. "I've been awake for a long time. Who else is as lazy as you?"
"Oh." Daenerys didn't think much of it. After giving Viserys a kiss, she jumped straight out of bed. "I'm going to wash up. Brother, you and Rhaenys hurry up; don't forget you're supposed to train the dragons with me today."
With that, she ran out.
Only Viserys and Rhaenys were left in the room.
Rhaenys sat up and looked down to tidy her somewhat messy hair. Daenerys' ambiguous words just now made her not dare look at Viserys, the tips of her ears still red.
"Rhaenys."
She looked up. Viserys looked at her, a gentle smile in his purple eyes. "Your hand is very soft."
Rhaenys' face instantly turned bright red. She jumped out of bed and practically fled.
At noon that day, Viserys summoned all the important figures of Valyria.
In the Council Hall, Duke William, Count Jon, and Count Elisha, along with Ashara and the other women, were all present, including "outsiders" like Margaery and Arya.
After this trip to Dorne, Viserys no longer wanted to maintain any pretense; he already saw them as his own people.
"The new city of Valyria is mostly complete," Viserys said, getting straight to the point. "The royal castle, 'Freehold', is finished and can be occupied soon."
He looked around at everyone.
"Therefore, I intend to hold a housewarming ceremony to formally establish the capital of the Valyrian Empire."
Duke William nodded. "It is time. The Empire needs a true capital, not this temporary makeshift Dragonstone."
"Furthermore," Viserys continued, "I intend to begin the invasion of Westeros. Specific details will be discussed in a meeting once the ministers stationed elsewhere return."
The Council Hall fell silent for a moment.
Count Jon clenched his fists, an excited look appearing on his aged face.
He felt his body growing weaker and weaker. If he could see Westeros returned to Targaryen rule before he died, he would have no regrets.
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