Chapter 118 - White Harbor (II)
🕑 Added 2025-02-16 06:48:06 +0000 UTC“Let the fighting begin.” Visenya II Targaryen, looking at Rhaenys and Arianne.
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Walking down the wooden bridge that connected the ship to the pier, Visenya and Rhaella couldn't help but be shocked to see Aenar up close. His height really surprised them, which wasn't unusual given that he had grown twenty-five centimeters in a year and a half.
“Husband.” Visenya quickly snapped out of her state of surprise. She approached Aenar and greeted him like a virtuous wife. Who would have thought that such a delicate, sweet face could excite on the battlefield like a true Valkyrie?
“Visenya, my dear queen.” Aenar held Visenya's face and gently kissed her forehead as he looked at the almost twenty-year-old woman before him. She had only grown a few centimeters, which was not unusual.
Only a few humans could grow as much as him in a short space of time. Honestly, if Aenar hadn't controlled his growth rate, he would have been at least forty centimeters taller than he was now (two meters and ten).
Visenya couldn't help but show a happy expression at Aenar's actions. Even if it was something simple, it was the small demonstrations of affection that really showed that he cared about her.
“You've grown up.” After seeing that they had both greeted each other, Rhaella commented with a slightly shocked expression. Aenar's height really was something of a surprise. However, when she saw Leda's height, she knew it was her grandson's doing, as Titus and Sigismund were of a similar height.
One person of such height was surprising, two were rare, three unusual and four already formed a pattern she couldn't ignore. Rhaella assumed that Aenar was using blood magic to strengthen the people next to him, but obviously didn't ask about it in front of strangers, as it was a sensitive subject.
“Well, I'm still in the growing phase, dear grandmother.” Aenar commented with an amused tone, making Rhaella roll her eyes at her grandson's obvious lie.
“Queen Visenya, Queen Dowager Rhaella.” Wyman greeted both queens with respect. His eyes turned to the sky, where three dragons could be seen flying over White Harbor.
He couldn't help but be shocked to note that House Targaryen owned five dragons, all of which were of considerable size and could be ridden to take part in the war.
He also couldn't help but thank Lord Stark for kneeling down without too much difficulty. The king's dragon alone was capable of destroying all the castles in the North. The North was as helpless as a virgin maiden in the face of such flying monsters.
“Lord Manderly, it's been many years since we've seen each other.” Rhaella recognized Lord Manderly. She had seen him at the Harrenhal Tournament as one of the most important vassals accompanying Lord Stark, who at the time was Rickard.
However, the lord of House Manderly was much fatter than he had been decades ago. The man had been fat for a long time, but he had become even bigger during the time she hadn't seen him.
“I'm honored that the Queen still remembers me.” Although Wyman knew why he was remembered by Rhaella, he didn't care. Others might think him cowardly and weak, but only he knew that this was exactly the image everyone wanted him to convey.
While Lord Manderly and Rhaella talked, Aenar looked at Kinvara and nodded to his loyal subordinate. He could see that the woman was happy to meet him again after a year and a half.
Just as he was about to greet her, Aenar turned his face when he noticed a ship bearing the House Targaryen crest docked at the quay. A beautiful girl with black and white hair and olive skin could be seen coming down the wooden bridge and quickly arriving at his side.
“Aenar!” Rhaenys greeted him with a tight hug. She didn't care how tall he was and hugged him even tighter, as if to finally satisfy the longing she had felt after so long.
Visenya watched the scene and narrowed her eyes. She may have been a little naive when it came to matters between men and women, but she wasn't stupid. It was clear that Rhaenys was looking at Aenar in the same way that she and Daenerys looked at her husband.
Rhaenys was equally interested in Aenar.
With the princess of House Martell at Rhaenys' side, Visenya realized that factions were beginning to form in Aenar's court. Remembering Daenerys' words about uniting against other women, Visenya agreed with her younger sister.
Knowing of some of Aenar's plans, Visenya was not against him having other wives, as long as it was her son or Daenerys' who was his heir.
With a sweet smile, Visenya approached Aenar and took his arm, looking at him with a warm and gentle gaze.
“Aenar, I'm starving. Introduce me to the food of the North.” She spoke with an equally sweet and adorable tone, making it impossible for anyone to refuse her request.
“We'll talk later, Rhaenys.” Aenar stroked Rhaenys' hair and spoke in a gentle tone. As for Visenya and Rhaenys' little movements and thoughts, he couldn't have been more aware, but he didn't interfere. Where there were people, there was selfishness and interests. It was natural for factions to form in his court.
As long as no one overstepped his boundaries, Aenar could tolerate the palace fights between his wives. You could say that it was also a form of entertainment for everyone.
Did you find something like that childish? It was indeed childish, but this childishness was necessary in order to gain more benefits.
Rhaenys looked at Visenya with a slightly hostile gaze. Her aunt really wasn't joking when it came to vying for Aenar's attention. Worst of all, she knew that Daenerys and Visenya had a great advantage because they were already his wives.
However, remembering Arianne's words, Rhaenys was confident of winning this battle for Aenar's attention. She had the advantage of knowing how to satisfy a man, something that Visenya and Daenerys certainly didn't know.
Rhaenys couldn't help blushing as she remembered the bold words Arianne had said to her.
As soon as Rhaenys got off the ship, the whole of House Martell accompanied her. Among them, Missandei searched every corner of the quay for Daenerys, but found no sign of her friend.
This made her realize that Daenerys had made another impulsive decision - which, believe me, was not uncommon, especially after Balerion had grown big enough to be ridden.
“Your Grace.” Oberyn looked up at the imposing Aenar and greeted him with a surprised expression.
He really hadn't expected the king to have grown so much in such a short time. However, when he saw how tall Aenar and Visenya were, Oberyn's lips twitched in an unusual way.
Although it was rude, he couldn't help wondering if Queen Visenya could handle Aenar, given her small body. It was impossible not to think about it when seeing the enormous difference in size between husband and wife.
“I see you're well, my Master of Laws.” Noticing the strange look on Oberyn's face, Aenar rolled his eyes. Prince Martell's thoughts were so obvious that they seemed to be written all over his face.
However, Aenar knew that such thoughts would be common when faced with the size difference between him and his wives. Fortunately, he was already prepared to perform the Blood Ritual on Daenerys and Visenya.
When he heard Aenar call him Master of Laws, Oberyn's eyes lit up with a touch of satisfaction. Now he was part of Aenar's court and would have more say in future decisions, which would not only improve his status in everyone's eyes, but also raise Dorne's standing.
“It would be an honor to serve, Your Grace.” Oberyn replied with a respectful tone, bowing elegantly before the king.
Aenar nodded and rolled his eyes as he felt a burning gaze upon him. Glancing briefly to Oberyn's side, he saw Arianne watching him with a feline gaze.
The woman didn't even bother to hide her intentions, expressing her desire vehemently.
Aenar, however, admired the Desert Princess's courage. He liked women who took the initiative. Sometimes conquering a woman was a tedious process, and if he could skip this step without any problems, he would gladly accept it.
Suddenly, two incomparably tall and muscular young men and two old men in white armor got off one of the boats.
Aenar couldn't help but smile at the sight of his two Primarchs and the Royal Guard, Willam Darry, as well as Rhaella's Guardian, Ser Barristan Selmy.
Titus and Sigismund were really big, reaching two meters in height. Their muscles were strong and explosive, even their heavy armor couldn't hide the power of their bodies.
The four men knelt before Aenar, they looked at their king with a reverent gaze, especially Titus and Sigismund, who practically seemed to be looking at a god.
“I hope the trip was to your liking.” Aenar gestured for the four of them to stand up and commented with a smile.
“We will always fight at the King's side, regardless of whether we have to cross mountains and seas.” Sigismund spoke with a respectful tone while looking at Aenar with a firm and determined gaze.
Aenar didn't doubt his words, the faith the brothers had in him was something akin to Leda's devotion.
“Order the ships to dock off the coast and camp in front of the city.” Aenar ordered, looking at the four men before him. He left these more mundane matters to the four of them.
“Yes, my king.” The four spoke at the same time.
