Chapter 55: I Want Both

"We must take the initiative and completely annihilate the Volantis dragon faction—uproot the Valentine family and leave not even a speck of ash behind!" Aegon declared firmly. Though still young, his presence was no less commanding than that of his father, Aerion.

"I support Aegon's proposal. This world only needs one Dragonlord house, and the Targaryens will be the sole rulers!" House Head Aerion endorsed his son's words, already beginning to pave the way for a smooth transition of power.

Crispian, Head of House Celtigar, was the first to voice his agreement. With a solemn expression, he said, "Since Prince Aegon is set on eliminating House Valentine completely, I have a rough plan in mind."

"Go ahead," Aegon said, sitting back down in his chair, fingers interlaced on the desk as he looked at him.

Crispian, seizing the rare chance to make his mark, couldn't help feeling a surge of excitement. Since House Celtigar migrated to Westeros alongside House Targaryen, they hadn't achieved any major accomplishments. Being looked down on by House Velaryon had bruised his pride. We all came from the Valyrian Peninsula—what gives them the right to look down on us? They just happened to get a better piece of land.

He adjusted his robes, stepped into the center of the group, cleared his throat, and said, "Considering that the Kingdom of Volantis has angered the other Free Cities by destroying two of them...

Why not ally with the other powers on the eastern continent of Essos and launch a joint assault on Volantis? Divide this prize among us?

With Prince Aegon's Balerion as our rallying force, and House Targaryen leading a Six-Kingdom Alliance, I believe our chances of forming a successful coalition are quite high."

"With Balerion—the unmatched Dragonlord—on our side, why do we need to ally with other kingdoms?" questioned Bael Emmon, Head of House Bar Emmon.

Crispian shook his head and explained, "Sure, a dragon can kill enemy leaders and satisfy our vengeance quickly, but it only breeds hatred—and it doesn't help us seize their wealth and resources.

If the enemy uses that wealth to train assassins or death squads, the Targaryens will never know peace. After all, both His Highness and the House Head are still mortal men.

But if we act with the support of other kingdoms, we can not only destroy their regime completely but also wreck their economy and civilian livelihood. Even if resentment remains, they won't have the means to seek revenge."

"Crispian is absolutely right. All military operations should aim to minimize cost," Aerion nodded slightly. "We hail from the Valyrian Freehold—there may yet be a chance to restore the empire's former glory. It would be unwise to completely alienate the eastern kingdoms of Essos.

Volantis was merely a colony, yet dares to call itself the heir of the Freehold Empire. We are the rightful Dragonlords—restoring Valyria's honor is a duty we cannot shirk."

Aegon was surprised to find his father still clinging to such grand ambitions. He couldn't help but mutter inwardly, We haven't even taken Westeros yet.

Aerion knocked on the table, the sharp sound snapping everyone's attention back to him.

"Triston, go immediately and inform Storm King Argilac that next month's alliance meeting is canceled. It will be replaced by a Six-Kingdom Alliance Conference. I'll host the leaders and top advisors of the five remaining Free Cities on Dragonstone—invite them all to attend," Aerion ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Triston, Head of House Massey, rose at once and replied, "Triston obeys your command."

"Crispian, stay behind and oversee communications with the other five Free Federations. Also, issue orders across all our territories—have our people prepare actively for war. If the Six-Kingdom Alliance proceeds smoothly, you'll also serve as the quartermaster for the allied forces," Aerion continued.

"Yes, my lord," Crispian responded with visible excitement, his eyes gleaming. At long last, House Celtigar was no longer irrelevant.

"Whether or not the Six-Kingdom Alliance succeeds, in two months we will strike Volantis and remove this thorn from our side. Even if it means unleashing Balerion to destroy the capital and forging an eternal grudge—we will not hesitate!" Aerion's voice was bone-chilling, laced with unwavering resolve.

"My lord, your will is my command," everyone replied in unison.

"Yes, my lord!" The two houses of the Stormlands echoed loudly.

A fervent, determined energy filled the study.

...

Since the end of the military council held under the pretense of celebrating Aegon's dragon-taming, House Targaryen's forces had burst into action like a fire ignited—swift and relentless.

The ravenry atop Dragonstone had become as busy as a relay post, with ravens flying in and out almost daily, delivering letters back and forth.

Crispian, Head of House Celtigar and responsible for foreign correspondence, had made the stone tower of the ravenry his residence. Alongside Dragonstone's Maester, he worked tirelessly day and night, writing and dispatching messages without pause.

Supplies and military provisions poured in like a tide from the various territories. In the bay, the naval fleet steadily assembled, maintained in peak readiness under the rigorous drills of Admiral Daemon.

Meanwhile, Aegon's two sisters—Visenya and Rhaenys—were also making steady progress in taming their dragons. The dragons they had chosen were both fully grown, hatched from eggs brought back from the Valyrian Peninsula by the exile Aenar. Their names were Vhagar and Meraxes.

When the two sisters finally succeeded in taming their dragons and soared together over the skies of Dragonstone, the entire island erupted in celebration. House Targaryen had regained the splendor and vitality of the early years of the Century of Blood, once again becoming a house with multiple dragons.

This exhilarating news made Crispian's efforts to forge alliances significantly easier.

Upon hearing that House Targaryen now possessed three dragons—one of them even a Dragon Queen—the remaining five Free Cities immediately showed goodwill and expressed a desire to build friendly relations.

After all, only a century ago, the nine Free Cities were still Valyrian colonies. Their fear of the Dragonlords ran so deep it was like a shadow rooted in their very blood, lingering even now.

These cities were only called "free" because they had once paid tribute—wealth and women—to the Freehold in exchange for their so-called freedom. After being enslaved by the Dragonlord houses for thousands of years, could that servile instinct really disappear in just a hundred?

Only King Durrandon of the Storm Kingdom voiced his dissatisfaction, grumbling about House Targaryen's unilateral decision to change the alliance's date and location.

As they awaited the summit of the Six Kingdoms, Aegon often rode the skies above Dragonstone with his sisters, practicing dragon-riding techniques.

Aegon's skill in dragonriding was unrivaled in his time. If he claimed second place, no one would dare claim first.

He had once ridden both Tiamat and Dreamshade. As Valyria's former Champion Dragonlord, he had undergone specialized training in dragonbonding for the Champion Dragonbattle.

Under Aegon's patient instruction, Visenya and Rhaenys were quickly mastering the art themselves.

The breathtaking sight of three dragons flying in formation frequently streaked across the skies of Dragonstone.

Sometimes, Aegon would take his sisters inland to Westeros—a land he had long yearned to see.

At the end of Blackwater Bay, where the Blackwater Rush flowed into the sea, Aegon caught sight of what would one day become King's Landing—now still just a tiny fishing village.

After circling above the village, he followed a different branch of the river upstream and reached the Isle of Faces, where he witnessed the ongoing construction of Harrenhal.

Tens of thousands of Riverlanders were being enslaved and forced to build what would become the greatest fortress in Westeros, all under the brutal hand of "Blackheart" Harren.

Aegon and his sisters circled above the future Harrenhal on dragonback, terrifying the slaves below and sparking an immediate, large-scale uprising.

Troops from the Iron Islands responded with swift and brutal suppression, cutting down anyone who disobeyed.

Witnessing the bloody carnage, Aegon shook his head again and again. They did not press further into Westeros and instead began their return flight at once.

Now, all that remained was to await the arrival of the leaders and key advisors of the six realms for the upcoming summit.

During this time, Aegon frequently sought out Admiral Daemon, asking about military strategy and naval signaling. He worked hard to improve himself.

In the past—whether hunting dragons during the Dragon Taming Tournament or fighting in the Champion Dragonbattle—Aegon had only ever faced single opponents or small groups. When it came to commanding large formations or coordinating multiple armies, his experience was minimal at best.

On this day, in the Round Table Hall...

Aegon and the house's vassals spent the entire day discussing attack strategies against Volantis.

Now that he had tamed Balerion, Aegon finally had the right to claim a place at the game board. Aerion informed him of all major family affairs, sometimes even deliberately asking for his input.

Aegon knew in his heart—Aerion was preparing to abdicate.

After leaving the Round Table Hall, Aegon headed toward the training grounds to practice his swordsmanship. His current body was not what it once had been; he needed to recalibrate his combat skills—swordplay, archery, and more.

As he reached the Dragon Wing Tower, he saw Visenya and Rhaenys in a heated standoff.

Both were flushed with anger, clearly arguing about something, though Aegon didn't know exactly what. After a moment's thought, he had a good idea of what it was about.

He stepped into the training yard, planted himself between them, and slowly stretched out both arms, saying, "What are you two fighting about?"

The sisters stayed silent, each glaring daggers at the other.

Aegon made up his mind—this pointless quarrel had to be settled.

"First of all, I'm not some prize to be fought over."

Aegon looked from one to the other, then swiftly grabbed Visenya's hand and pulled Rhaenys's hand toward him as well.

"Besides, why can't I have you both? Must this really come down to a fight to the death?"

"I don't want to share you with her!" Rhaenys cried out, visibly annoyed. "She's like a man! Just thinking about sharing a bed with her makes my skin crawl—I get goosebumps all over."

"I'm like a man?" Visenya shot back, lifting her full chest proudly and casting a disdainful glance at Rhaenys's. "I'm far more feminine than you. Just look where Aegon's eyes are right now."

Aegon quickly looked away, coughed twice, and said seriously, "Let me be clear. If the two of you can't accept both being my wives, then I won't marry either of you.

I could easily take a woman from House Velaryon. In fact, just earlier in the Round Table Hall, Lord Daemon of House Velaryon was enthusiastically recommending his daughter to me."

"You... how could you say that!" Rhaenys's eyes instantly welled with tears.

Visenya stared directly at Aegon, her voice stiff. "Does it really have to be this way?"

Aegon looked at them with sincere eyes and spoke gently, "I'm not joking. I truly love you both. Either we live together in harmony and everyone's happy, or we go our separate ways and each find peace. That would be best for everyone."

"I hate you," Rhaenys muttered, pouting as she half-heartedly pounded on Aegon's chest with her fists.

Aegon took the opportunity to wrap Rhaenys gently in his arms, then reached out and pulled Visenya to his other side, embracing them both. Visenya tensed slightly, but didn't push him away.

"Isn't this better? This way, our family can always stay together," Aegon said with a soft smile, his eyes warm as they fell on the two of them.

Visenya suddenly pushed herself free of his arms, turned to him, and said coldly, "Marrying us both isn't out of the question. But if you expect me to serve you alongside Rhaenys, that's never going to happen. I refuse to share a bed with a weakling."

With those words, she swayed her hips and walked gracefully out of the training yard.

"Who's she calling a weakling? Aegon, she's gone too far," Rhaenys grumbled, full of frustration.

"Come on," Aegon said gently, coaxing her. "That's just her being stubborn. Don't take it to heart—it's really okay."

Rhaenys looked up at him, teary-eyed. "Lord Daemon doesn't even have a daughter—he has two sons! You big liar! How are you going to make it up to me?"

Aegon raised an eyebrow, gave her a look, and teased, "What kind of compensation are you after? Don't go thinking up anything too wild."

"I want the first time. Give it to me," Rhaenys said, staring at him hopefully.

Aegon lightly tapped her forehead and said, half laughing, "We're still a long way from getting married. Stop getting ahead of yourself."

"Even if we're not married—ow! Aegon, if you hit me again, I won't marry you at all. See how you like getting nothing!"

Laughing and bickering, Aegon walked Rhaenys back to her room.

His two sisters—one fierce as iron, the other soft as water—had never gotten along. They were always squabbling, and Aegon had always been the one to mediate between them, trying to keep the peace.

After sending them off, Aegon returned to the training grounds and resumed his practice.

Even with dragons on his side, personal strength still mattered. In a world ruled by cold steel, a powerful warrior commanded respect—whether from allies or enemies.

The weak and inept had no chance of conquering the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.