"There's still a month left, which is enough time for us to prepare. Then it's settled."
After the brief meeting, everyone went back to prepare. However, Viserys also summoned Archmaester Marwyn alone.
This Archmaester from The Citadel had now fully integrated into life in Valyria. His residence was filled with various collected ancient books and trained raven cages. The first thing he did after waking up today was to have the ravens released.
"Your Majesty," Marwyn spoke after bowing. "All the ravens you requested have been released."
"Good."
"Duke Arthur Dayne, Duke Clinton, and the other ministers abroad should arrive within two weeks. As for the Magisters of the Free Cities, we have also sent them word, but whether they come or not is up to them."
Viserys nodded.
Marwyn hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Your Majesty, are you really going to move the capital now? Although Dragonstone is simple, it has the advantage of being rugged and very safe. As for the new city..."
"What about it?"
"It's nothing." Marwyn shook his head. "I just feel that a city without walls is always a bit unsettling."
Viserys smiled.
"With dragons around, it doesn't really matter whether there are walls or not. The reason for building them is just to make the empire look majestic to outsiders."
Marwyn was stunned for a moment, then he smiled as well.
"Your Majesty is right."
Just then, there was a knock on the meeting room door. After Viserys answered, a small, fuzzy head peeked in. She carried the strong scent of the North of Westeros; it was Arya.
After the meeting ended today, she wanted to find Archmaester Marwyn to learn more about Westeros. After all, besides Viserys, only he had more detailed intelligence, so she often went to chat with Marwyn after her swordplay training.
But when she went to look for him today, she learned that he had been called away by Viserys. She had originally wanted to get the latest news from Viserys yesterday, and since Daenerys and the others weren't around this time, it was a perfect opportunity.
After Arya came in and saw they were still talking, she stood in the corner in a daze, not saying a word.
She had been in Valyria for some time now and had adapted to life here. But in every formal occasion like this, she would remain silent, just staying quiet.
While her mind was wandering, Viserys looked at her. "Arya, have you received news about your brother Robb?"
Hearing her name, Arya finally snapped out of it and realized that Marwyn had already bowed to Viserys and was preparing to leave.
As he walked past her, he even greeted her, "Miss Arya."
So she quickly returned the gesture and answered Viserys, "I received it; Archmaester Marwyn told me earlier. He is currently leading an army deep into the Westerlands, and Jon is with him too. Your Majesty, I actually wanted to know if you passed by Winterfell on your way to the Wall this time and if you saw my family."
"I did pass by Winterfell this time, but I was only passing through and didn't stop for a visit. However, I saw your mother from the air; she is doing well."
Although the characters and plot here looked a bit different, Viserys had met Catelyn before at the Tourney at Harrenhal. At that time, she was still Lord Brandon's fiancée, Miss Catelyn, so he could still recognize her.
"I also saw your uncle, Benjen, at the Wall, but his situation is a bit complicated." Saying this, Viserys told her about Benjen's situation.
"Do you want to return to the North now? I can arrange for someone to take you back."
Arya was stunned for a moment, then shook her head. Although she was worried about Benjen, she had her own understanding. "I want to, but not now."
"Why?"
"The North is very chaotic right now, and I want to see my family, but I wouldn't be able to help much if I went back," she said. "And I can learn a lot of things here."
"Also, I actually want to set you up with Sansa. Sansa is my older sister; although I hate to admit it, she is very beautiful." Arya spoke bashfully. Over the past few days, she had learned from Daenerys that Viserys would marry several wives in the future.
Moreover, she also knew that Margaery wanted to form a marriage alliance with him, and she wanted to help her own family as well. At least, besides the connection through Jon, there needed to be something else. After all, the Starks were once one of the main forces that overthrew the Targaryens, and a marriage alliance was a good choice.
But she felt she was still too young and her looks were quite ordinary. The playmates she used to hang out with would call her "Horseface," and she was nowhere near as good-looking as Miss Margaery, which was why she thought of her sister Sansa, who was still trapped in King's Landing.
"What, you don't want to marry me yourself? And do you think your sister would agree?" Viserys asked, somewhat amused. He truly hadn't expected Arya to say such a thing.
"She would definitely agree. Sansa is a huge romantic; you're so handsome that she'd surely be smitten the moment she laid eyes on you. As for me, I look so ordinary, not nearly as good as Miss Margaery or Sansa."
"Arya, don't underestimate yourself. You look very much like your aunt Lyanna, and you will surely be a great beauty in the future. Compared to your sister Sansa, whom I haven't met yet, I like you much more." Viserys stood up with a smile and walked toward Arya.
"Then... then I agree to a marriage alliance with you. You just need to speak with my mother when the time comes, and I will definitely convince her. Even if that doesn't work, I can be your paramour." Arya's gray eyes, which were usually defiant, now held a look of surprise and bashfulness.
However, just as Viserys reached out his hand toward her, Arya jumped back like a startled little she-wolf and then turned to flee outside.
Over the following period, the Valyrian Peninsula became completely busy. Conversely, after arranging everything, Viserys himself became quite idle.
Ashara and Rhaenys were responsible for receiving the female guests during the ceremony, so Viserys rode Black Flame to accompany Daenerys into the depths of the peninsula to catch Fire Lizards. Now Daenerys's largest dragon, Arrax, the black dragon, had a wingspan of about ten meters and could already be tested for carrying a person.
Every night when it was time to sleep, he would choose between Ashara and Kinvara, depending on who was available. Kinvara was now mainly responsible for matters related to the Temple of the Red God in the new city. Of course, he would occasionally sleep platonically with Daenerys and Rhaenys just to rest.
A month quickly passed. Duke Arthur of Free Bay was the first to receive the news; he immediately arranged the city's defenses and then brought a few confidants by ship to Valyria.
Duke Clinton of the Narrow Sea Province was handling government affairs when he received the raven. Without a word, he handed over his duties to his deputy and boarded a ship for Valyria that very day.
Like Count Jon, he had been waiting for news of the invasion of Westeros. As a close friend of Rhaegar's, coupled with Viserys's previous incitement, seeking revenge for Rhaegar was now his motivation.
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