Glittering Midnight Confession

For the three hundred year celebration, every last notable vassal of the New Valyrian Empire gathered in the great hall. From undead to living, young to old, lords to ladies, west to east... there were all types of prestigious people present. The great hall for all its size was almost packed full, to say the least.

The very last person to join the celebration also happened to be the most prominent man of his generation and perhaps all of time; Dragon Emperor Aerion I 'Stormcaller' of House Targaryen. Each step of his felt as heavy as a mountain falling from the sky yet carried unmatched regal grace. His gaze was met with looks of adoration, reverence and even worship. In that room, there was not a single person who did not acknowledge his superiority.

As he reached the steps of the Iron Throne, Aerion looked at Jaime Lannister who stood closest to him with a little grin. He spoke in a whisper.

"I thought you wouldn't make it... since you were busy in a tower. Wrestling, I hear? Lots of moans and grunts..."

"I'm sure you would understand the matter of certain noises being let out in a tower, my Emperor." Jaime smiled. "Even my very own chamber fell victim to your adventurous spirit once..."

"You forgive me for that, don't you?" Aerion chuckled a little.

"No, never. I've held a grudge ever since... and I will not rest until the debt is settled." Jaime replied with a sarcastic tone. "Starting with your royal bedchamber..."

"Do anything of the sort in my bedchamber and I'm sending you straight to the execution block." Aerion countered, although with a playful tone.

"A Lannister always repays his debts, you should know..."

"And a dragon loves his fire and blood."

Jaime Lannister chuckled, shaking his head. "Out of all the towers and rooms that night, you happened to chose mine. I found that more amusing than anything... and where did you want me to sleep, again?"

"I... was a little inconsiderate. Perhaps, I hoped that you'd find yourself at the bedside of a lady."

"How cunning..." Jaime Lannister nodded before glancing at the crowd of endless subjects. "You might want to start your grand speech, my Emperor. Your subjects are waiting patiently."

"They can wait a little longer." Aerion chuckled, walking up the Iron Throne's staircase and eventually sitting down on the towering throne.

'Doesn't feel uncomfortable at all. Not that I can feel much, for that matter...'

Pausing for a moment, he took a good look at everyone present. There was his family and relatives to the right, compromised of House Martell, House Targaryen and... by extension, House Lannister. House Baratheon and Stark were not far behind. He took this time to think of how brilliantly he had pieced his Realm together.

House Martell's loyalty to House Targaryen could never be disputed. From the Dragon Emperor's blood ties, his tutelage under Doran Martell and the matter of being raised in Sunspear, his marriage and love for Arianne Martell... the last thing in the world that would break was the relations between these two houses!

House Lannister's bond with House Targaryen and perhaps even the sole reason for its prominence was Jaime Lannister's loyalty and friendship with the Dragon Emperor. Matters have changed since then, of course... especially with Viserys Targaryen's marriage with Cersei Lannister. Even the relations between the Targaryens and Tywin Lannister were not quite so bitter as time passed... although his acts were not forgotten, they had been forgiven through his contributions to the crown.

House Stark's bond was made from brother-like relations with Robb Stark, blood ties with Jon Targaryen, Lyanna Baratheon's support and Eddard Stark's respect towards the Dragon Emperor for protecting the Realm. If anything, House Stark was one of the strongest supporters of the Dragon Emperor.

House Velaryon of the Vale was always a house that was loyal to House Targaryen, despite bitterly being under the reign of King Robert for years. Given the lands of House Arryn as a reward for their loyalty, House Velaryon only had more reason to be eternally grateful towards House Targaryen. Not only that, but the Dragon Emperor had personally lent a hand to Lord Paramount Monford in regards to putting the lords of the Vale to heel.

Given the status of the Dragon Emperor's unquestionable rule, House Tyrell was naturally extremely obedient. There was no reason not to be... if anything, amongst the Great Houses, House Tyrell tried to impress the Dragon Emperor the most. In regards to the numbers of gifts, praises, flattery and the like he has received from any Great House... House Tyrell led by a good mile. This was because the ambition of the house was to make a queen of one of their ladies. Margaery Tyrell, to be precise.

Lastly, House Baratheon, the Great House that temporarily held the Iron Throne before it was reclaimed. Robert himself had found peace with his position as a member of the Kingsguard due to their culture of constantly duelling each other... a culture that stemmed from their Emperor. Stannis Baratheon, the Lord Paramount of the Stormlands, was undead... so it went without saying that his loyalty was unquestionable. However, with what will he had, he was grateful for the act of curing his daughter. Artos Baratheon had a rocky start with the Dragon Emperor, for sure... but things had changed over time. Because of his forgiveness, wisdom and greatness... he found himself admiring the Dragon Emperor. Perhaps it was his irresistible charisma... or perhaps the fact that he wanted to replicate his glory. As for Jocelyn Baratheon... well, it goes without saying. She had greater feelings than mere admiration for her guardian.

"It has been three hundred years since Aegon's conquest and House Targaryen still stands proud… and, unlike three-hundred years ago, it stands at the pinnacle of our known world."

Aerion got more comfortable, resting his head on his hand as he looked down on everyone.

"Despite the faith militant uprising two-hundred fifty-nine years ago, the dance of the dragons one hundred seventy-one years ago, the lose of dragons onwards, the first Blackfyre Rebellion one-hundred and four years ago… and the other, lesser, four that followed… House Targaryen stands. Even after a certain rebellion that succeeded seventeen years ago…"

Aerion glanced at Robert Baratheon with a slightly mocking glare.

"Even after the Others threatened the Realm's existence… House Targaryen managed to rise above the challenge, as it always has." He smiled, proudly recalling his glory-filled conquests.

"Of course, I'd be lying if I humbly stated that I was not the catalyst for the rise as of late. At the age of three, I discovered magic… at the age of fourteen, I became a captain of an ever-growing fleet, at the age of fifteen I defeated a Khal in my first duel to the death, at the age of sixteen I bent the Nine Free Cities to their knees, by the age of seventeen I took the Iron Throne without a single casualty while the wonderful people of King's Landing cheered my name and won my own Great Tourney where the greatest knights of the Realm gathered, by the age of eighteen I crushed the Night King who threatened all that lived… and now, my Valyrian Empire rules over most of the Known World with no significant threat to its existence."

"Has a greater man than I ever walked this world?"

Given the question, the crowd struggled to give a name. He hadn't ruled for five years even and accomplished more than any man could dream of. The New Valyrian Empire occupied most of the Known World and had few challenges despite its vast size… the reason? The same man who had brought these lands to heel.

"No, my Emperor. There is none greater and there likely won't ever be." Viserys broke the silence, smiling. "We are all blessed to live in the time of our great Dragon Emperor who has so many titles that I'd die from losing my breath trying to recite them all… but, thankfully, there are plenty of songs that sing of his endless glory to save me the trouble. For that matter, I'd like everyone to take a moment to appreciate what he has done for the Realm."

"Because of him, we all stand here… united under one banner, alive and prospering. He brought the warring Free Cities together, united the shattered Realm of our Seven Kingdoms and humbled the largest of unbridled hordes. He is the living embodiment of ambition and diligence, always seeking to outdo himself despite achieving so much. Even after defeating the Great Other, I've never witnessed this man take a days of rest!"

Viserys said with a smile, almost in a jestful tone. There were some chuckles and many more cheers for their Dragon Emperor.

"That's enough flattery for the day, uncle." Aerion replied, although his facial expression showed that he wasn't quite so against it.

"Speaking of diligence, throughout my years, I've mostly dedicated myself to conquests and warfare, rebuilding what was broken, consolidating my wealth, building relations and growing my wealth. Now... given this time of prosperity and my overflowing treasury that came from it, with great pride, I can announce my first great project!"

Naturally, the excitement in the great hall had risen greatly. If a project was worthy of being considered 'great' by the Dragon Emperor, it was most certainly something to look forward to.

"Everyone knows that the Valyrian peninsula that was once shattered had been magically restored by some miracle. It is also known that House Targaryen, more accurately myself, has claimed and secured the entire peninsula before anyone could tread upon it. I've seen that land for myself... and it is, without a doubt, a paradise. That said, what I intend to do is..."

Aerion couldn't help but feel his own charisma, standing up from the Iron Throne as he grandly prepared to finish his sentence;

"Construct my very own Valyria! By its completion, it shall be the pride, seat and heart of the New Valyrian Empire, far greater than its predecessor and a paradise that matches the seven heavens!"

The great hall erupted into a thunderous wave of cheers and claps. It was the loudest it had been in a long time... if ever. It took an entire minute for the hall to quieten down whereby Aerion raised his hand which silenced the hall once more.

"Now, now... I still have some more matters to announce for the three-hundred-year celebration. The truth is that I will be having my gaze focused on the Valyrian peninsula and its development primarily and, even by the time of its completion, I will no longer be sitting on the Iron Throne. The throne of the New Valyrian Empire will naturally be in Valyria by then... and so, I decided to have a king sit on this wonderful Iron Throne and rule the Seven Kingdoms in my stead now rather than later."

"As for who shall be king, he is someone that I am most proud of. He has grown so much over the years… became more patient, charming, calculating and rather inspiring in his own way. In the lands that he rules over, there are few lords that have a distaste for him… if any. He has settled down the Ironborn and found them a brand new occupation that they can be proud of and the Realm as a whole is greater thanks to that. Under his rule, he also restored the Riverlands of old and uplifted it further through its new relationship with the Iron Islands and Westerlands. Through his own quick thinking, he managed to turn around the two most unsettled and undesirable lands in the Realm into thriving kingdoms while gaining the loyalty and respect of his lords."

"That said, there's no need to keep everyone on edge any further. The one that I find worthy of this great throne and the right of ruling the Seven Kingdoms… is none other than my uncle, Prince Viserys Targaryen!"

The hall was just as loud as before when it came to congratulating Viserys for becoming king as the announcement of Valyria, if not more so. Although many would miss the direct rule of their Dragon Emperor, no one believed that Viserys was unworthy. Many went over to personally praise him, leading to a crowd of people forming around the Prince.

"It is an honour well earned." Jaime Lannister nodded encouragingly in Viserys Targaryen's direction. Then he playfully smirked a little. "Although, I still outrank you."

"Being under the Sword of the Emperor is nothing to be ashamed of." Viserys Targaryen replied, smiling right before he was showered in praise.

"I look forward to serving you, my Prince." Monford Velaryon stated with a dedicated tone.

"Other than His Radiance, I see no man more worthy and capable to sit on the Iron Throne!" Mace Tyrell expressed rather enthusiastically.

Meanwhile, the Martell brothers were within each other's company.

"Aerion is retiring from the Iron Throne before even his twentieth name day… who would've thought! Hahahaha." Oberyn laughed, shaking his head. "Who can blame him? It looks terribly ugly and uncomfortable like a scarred wench with lover's pox. As for the throne that will be built in Valyria… I wish to see it someday."

"I… might not have that opportunity." Doran Martell remarked, the light in his eyes growing dark. "But I am certain that Aerion's Valyria will be the greatest city of its time."

"No one forced you to die from old age, brother." Obery retorted.

"I am at peace with myself." Doran Martell replied with a smile. "When the time comes, I will rest peacefully knowing that the nephew that I raised grew to become such an excellent man. Arianne will then be able to take her place as Princess of Dorne… Queen of Dorne, given her marriage. I have no doubt in my mind that Sunspear will be in good hands thereafter."

"So this is how it is to grow old and content…" Oberyn sighed. "It is your decision and I will respect it."

"It is not as if I will drop dead this very instant. I still have a good five years in me, perhaps even more due to Aerion's miraculous healing. As for Lord Tywin… heh, Aerion is not so kind."

"Tywin Lannister will be a slave till the very end… even past his sickly, slow, death." Obery Martell remarked, taking pleasure in that statement. "Death would be a release for him and Aerion knows that all too well."

"Lord Tywin's daughter is the queen of Viserys Targaryen while his first son is the Knight of the Realm. Given time, the Westerlands, Riverlands and Iron Islands may even one day be ruled by Viserys' children if separate houses are not chosen to rule the three and Ser Jaime has no children. Of course, the Iron Throne is the real prize. I see Aerion's vision… but that vision suits Tywin as much as it suits him. Lord Tywin would be a 'slave' for a hundred years if it meant that House Lannister could remain this prominent."

"Viserys will need plenty more sons for that vision to come into fruition..." Oberyn Martell chuckled. "He has been putting in the work... I must admit. Every time I see Cersei, the lady is pregnant."

"Always so vulgar, brother..." Doran shook his head, managing a little smile. "I'm afraid that you've been a terrible influence on the Emperor."

"I simply taught him to embrace his desires from time to time so long as his wives are willing... what is the harm in that? Every maiden in the Westeros and Essos dreams of being bedded by him. For that matter, I always come home to pleased daughters whenever Aerion visits Sunspear, hahaha... truly, he is a man who loves his cousins well."

Doran Martell could only chuckle at Oberyn's remarks. It was true that some of the older Sand Snakes were Aerion's paramours in all but name... something most people knew. Although, both Arianne and Ashara saw no issue with the matter. They encouraged it, in truth... especially Arianne.

On the Lannister side of things, Tywin Lannister looked stern as usual with his one eye despite shining on the inside. Given the mark on his head and cut eye, he had been wearing all sorts of hats and eyepatches. He had turned these 'blessings' from Aerion into something rather fashionable.

Once the crowd finally dispersed from Viserys, he smiled at Cersei Lannister and shared a short kiss with his lady. Then he turned to Aerion who remained seated.

"When will my coronation be, Your Radiance?"

"Step forward and bend the knee," Aerion replied, rising from his seat. His tread down the Iron Throne's steps was neither slow nor fast. Meanwhile, Viserys Targaryen obeyed Aerion's command without a moment of hesitation.

"Ser Robert, bring me the crown."

For a moment he looked at Aerion with a 'why me' expression before nodding and going into the back hallway for a minute. Returning soon after, he handed over a crown directly to Aerion who observed it for a moment.

"This is the crown of King Aegon, the first of His Name. It has been worn by four kings in total, the last being King Daeron, also the first of His Name and the young Dragon who was close to conquering Dorne."

'If not for the Martells at that time faking their surrender... he would have.'

"After the young Dragon's death, this crown had been lost in Dorne... until I retrieved it myself. Now... it will be yours, Viserys."

"I, Dragon Emperor Aerion 'The Stormcaller' of House Targaryen, the First of my Name... hereby declare you as King Viserys, the Third of His Name, King of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Western Realm. From henceforth, your line of succession is separate from my own and your children will hold claim to inherit these titles from you."

Aerion placed the crown on top of Viserys' head and smiled. The purpose of having Viserys kneel was to simply show that even though he was a King; Aerion was one step above him and the true overlord of the Seven Kingdoms. Viserys knew this already, of course.

"You may rise now."

Viserys got up to his feet and looked up to Aerion, meeting his gaze.

"I will not disappoint you, Your Radiance."

"I made you king for a reason," Aerion replied, stepping back. "Now... let us celebrate!"

~

While a majority feasted, Aerion only drank a small cup of wine and conversed with his two queens who sat to his side. Food, in general, was completely tasteless to him so he had neither a desire nor a need for it.

If there was one thing that unsettled him it was his lack of pleasure despite living as lucratively as any man could dream... what was the point of being immortal if he could not feel alive? Every time he fucked his wives since dying it was because he considered it his duty... not because he liked it. He had the desire for their bodies but only felt disappointment after he could not derive pleasure from whatever he did. As he pondered at the feast, his desire to restore his body to the fullest only grew.

In the case of old age, Ambition could always restore his immortality... so now he only needed to find a way to restore his truly living body. He had two leads that he intended to explore; R'hllor and the Tome of Hematomancy.

"What are you thinking about?" Arianne Martell grabbed his right hand and caressed it with her left.

"... How I'm going to have more children with my two beautiful queens." Aerion managed a smile as his turquoise eyes met Arianne's. "I can't allow Viserys to have more than me, after all."

"And if they all turn out to be as wilful as their father in his youth?" Ashara Dayne replied playfully.

"... Then I will have to discipline them." Aerion shrugged his shoulders. "Can't be too difficult..."

"Not at all. Especially not when they wake up one day and decide to venture into a desert on their own..." Arianne Martell replied with a sarcastic tone.

"Well... I was a bit different from people my age. At that point, I considered myself my own man and acted as such."

"A perfect excuse for the prince's of the future." Ashara Dayne chuckled.

...

"Oh!"

Margaery Tyrell jumped a little as Aerion sneaked up from behind her.

"Would you come down for a stroll with me on the morrow?" Aerion offered with his charming voice.

"Oh... of course." Margaery Tyrell nodded, fixing her hair as she smiled. "It would be a pleasure to be in your company..."

"I look forward to it then... my beautiful jade rose-"

"Your Radiance, may I borrow your attention for a moment?" Lyanna Baratheon approached Aerion who was on seducer timing, breaking his flow. "Or are you... busy?"

"No... I said all I needed to say to the sweet Lady Margaery." Aerion turned around and faced Lyanna Baratheon. He didn't look frustrated in the slightest, retraining his radiant grace. "So, what requires my attention?"

"A certain matter..." Lyanna Baratheon retrieved a scroll from her sleeve, handing it over to Aerion's hands. Intrigued, he unsealed it and read through its contents.

"I do not see a more suitable match. However, if you do refuse... then I may have to look elsewhere."

'Look elsewhere...'

"Robert, do you know about this?" Aerion turned to Robert Baratheon who was standing close to him.

"Well... Lyanna and I mutually agreed to it." Robert Baratheon nodded. "You have my blessing."

"Then I'll have to think on the matter."

...

Eventually, Aerion left the hall for a breath of fresh air and went up one of the Red Keep's towers. He observed all of King's Landing with a thoughtful look. Fireworks then started to light up the night sky which made Aerion smile, reminding him of his conquests and how he had brought over a new culture to his homeland. These fireworks had been brought over from YiTi in celebration of the Three-Hundred-Years since Aegon's Conquest... and they were both loud and pretty.

Then the sound of steps caught his attention.

He turned to see Jocelyn Baratheon who looked surpassingly beautiful for her age. Her blue eyes had all the brilliance of the shimmering sea, she possessed a face as smooth and delicate as winter snow with pretty cherry red lips. She was not skinny nor fat, having a surprisingly large amount of lean muscle for a girl that was hidden by her dress. Her long black-gold dress was tight-laced around her budding and relatively tall body, baring only her shoulders and neck from where the black winged-stag necklace hung proudly. Its ruby eyes shined under the moonlight alongside the alluring azure earrings she wore. Her long black hair curled cutely in two over her shoulders and the front of her dress.

Her appearance was breathtaking, to say the least. Even her walk and every gesture had a charming regal grace that was as proud as her guardian's despite not being true royalty.

People would jest that Jocelyn had taken some of Aerion's likeness by being around him so much.

"Jocelyn... what brings you here in the middle of the night?"

"I'd ask you the same question." Jocelyn smiled, walking up to him. "Something must be on your mind for you to be staring into the sky like that."

"Hmm... you're right. Something is on my mind."

"And I know what, too," Jocelyn added with a playfully mischievous tone. "Mother offered you my hand and now you're conflicted. But I want to know why..."

Before Aerion could reply, Jocelyn spoke again.

"Is it because I'm your ward?" Jocelyn furrowed her brows a little, looking into Aerion's turquoise eyes. "The truth is that I... love you."

"And every time you shrug off my advances and look at other ladies I can't help but feel hurt."

"..." Hearing the confession, Aerion was caught off-guard. The pained expression across her beautiful face made him feel guilt...

"I know that I'm still young but I've long since made up my mind." Jocelyn Baratheon grabbed his left hand and held it tightly. "I want to be the Alysanne to your Jaehaerys, the Jonquil to your Florian... I want to hear all of your songs and feel the warmth of your embrace. To be the Queen you can rely on..."

'Is it love...? I don't feel the same desire as I do for Ashara or Arianne... this feeling is so different yet just as strong. I smile so easily next to her... and I want to see her be cheerful and carefree. I want to hold her so very close...'

'With time, perhaps this cloud over my heart will dissipate and make the truth more obvious...'

"You brave and sweet girl..." Aerion smiled as the moonlight seemed to fall onto them. "Confessing to me in such a blunt manner so that I can't act ignorant any longer."

"The truth is that I... don't want to lose you to anyone either, Jocelyn. Being my ward is an excuse that can only last until you grow into a woman. So... I suppose that only leaves one path."

"So..." Jocelyn muttered, her snow-like skin turning a little red.

Aerion gently pulled her closer for a heartfelt embrace, now surprising Jocelyn just as the night sky began to light up with a second round of fireworks.

"I'll... have to accept your hand and promise to marry you."