Chapter 326: Is All About Money


    “I have less than a year left,” Shiera said softly. “You can think of me as just a tool, like House Sennesta... I just want to live.”


    There was a pleading look in her eyes, especially striking because of her heterochromia—one eye blue, the other green—giving her an almost demonic allure. No other man had ever resisted her gaze.


    “Enough. Stop talking,” Viserys interrupted. The truth was, he couldn’t bear the idea that his offspring might carry someone else’s soul.


    “I’ll give you more dragon blood when the timees. Fresh.”


    At this, Shiera’s face brightened immediately. It was clear now—she hade for the dragon’s blood.


    “I have some other news for you,” she added.


    “What is it?”


    “Shinelli is pregnant.”


    ...


    The news of Viserys’s conquest of ver’s Bay and his extortion of Qarth spread rapidly across the world, much faster than anyone could have imagined. Vntis, being the closest to ver’s Bay, was the first to receive word.


    At first, Viserys’s bold actions—the sacking of ver''s Bay and the subjugation of Qarth—were seen as emblematic of the “Dragonlord” spirit, a return to the ruthless dominance that the Valyrians were once known for. In Vntis, a city that still embraced its Valyrian heritage, many were eager to celebrate this return to power and authority. They could, once again, indulge in the “glorious days” of Valyrian-like tyranny.


    But Viserys’s liberation of the ves sent a ripple of unease through Vntis, a city built on the backbone of very. This act felt distinctly <em>un</em>-Valyrian to them. Protests began to stir in the minds of the ruling elite. Would Viserys listen? Could they challenge him? The idea of outright independence felt like suicide.


    So, when Viserys’s grand fleet passed Vntis on its way home, Alios and Nyessos, two of Vntis’s most powerful figures, rushed to pay their respects, bearingvish gifts.


    “The Triarchs need not fear,” Viserys reassured them as they arrived. “Vntis is, after all, mynd, and all within its borders are my subjects. I will not treat you as I did the ve owners in ver''s Bay.” His words seemed to lift a weight off their shoulders.


    “Your Grace, you are indeed a benevolent monarch,” said Alios, another influential noble of Vntis. His tone, however, carried a note of caution. “But the use of ves is a Valyrian tradition. There are still seven Free Cities in the empire that depend on ves. Your words could shake the very foundations of our way of life.”


    Alios tried to sound as if he were simply concerned for the greater good, but Viserys saw through the thin veil of concern to the self-interest beneath.


    “Lord Alios, I’ve considered all of this,” Viserys replied calmly, his words cutting through the nobleman’s scheme. “The number of ves in cities like Tyrosh, Lys, and Myr is already decreasing. Qohor and Norvos barely use any ves at all anymore. Vntis is thest ce in the empire where very is practiced on such arge scale.”


    Alios shifted ufortably. His n had been to subtly persuade Viserys to preserve the institution of very, which would benefit the noble houses of Vntis—including his own. But now, any protest against Viserys’s decision woulde across as defiance of the king’s authority—a dangerous stance, especially after what had happened in ver’s Bay.


    After all, Viserys had just executed the nobles of three Free Cities and imposed a ruthless “kill order” on some of the Pureborn of Qarth. No one wanted to be next.


    “Lord Alios, Lord Nyessos,” Viserys called their names again, watching the two men—both visibly tense—snap to attention. Their expressions were a mix of apprehension and worry.


    “Tell me,” Viserys continued, “if I were to grant the ves of Vntis their freedom, how much would the nobles lose?”


    The question caught them off guard. For a moment, they exchanged nces, clearly surprised. They both seemed to hesitate, trying to gauge how best to respond. They wanted to inte the number, but knew that pushing it too high could backfire.


    “Your Grace, about seventy to eighty percent of the poption of Vntis are ves,” Alios began carefully. “The total loss to the nobles could be between 15 million and 20 million golden dragons...”


    “I will pay for it!” Viserys cut in sharply, writing down an impressive sum on a piece of parchment. “I’ll buy their freedom!”


    The two lords stood stunned. For a moment, they thought Viserys had lost his mind. But having plundered ver’s Bay and Qarth, it seemed possible he could afford such a grand gesture. Alios blinked, processing the sudden shift. “Yes... of course! Your Grace Viserys has taken the wealth of ver’s Bay, so naturally, he could afford it!”


    But then, as the shock wore off, Alios began to think more deeply. Freeing the ves wouldn’t just mean a financial loss for the nobles; it would change the entire power structure of Vntis. The people who would benefit most from this act of generosity would be the ves themselves. And if Viserys turned their gratitude into loyalty, and sent agents to seize power alongside these freed ves...


    Cold sweat trickled down Alios’s neck. The thought of Viserys using the freedmen to overthrow the nobility was terrifying. Was this a test? A trap?


    “Your Grace,” Alios stammered, “while I may not be proficient in financial matters, I believe the total loss may not be as high as I originally thought. I will consult with the nobles of the ck Wall and return with a more urate figure. In fact, many within the ck Wall have expressed sympathy for the ves and are even willing to contribute a portion of the cost.”


    Viserys studied him for a moment, then nodded. Talking to someone with a good head on their shoulders could save a lot of unnecessary trouble. He knew the actual cost would likely be far lower than the number Alios had thrown out.


    “Very well,” Viserys said, agreeing to the proposal. “Give me a final figure after your discussions."


    But he expected it won’t exceed a million golden dragons, with the expanded tax base, Vntis’s tax revenue will at least double. It’s a sure-fire deal.


    "I will leave this matter in your capable hands," Viserys said with a wave of his hand. "Now that my path is clear, it’s time to rid the Iron Throne of the usurper who still sits on it—the throne that belongs to my ancestors."


    "Yes, Your Grace," Feles responded eagerly. "Vntis will do everything in its power to aid Your Grace in eliminating the usurper and reiming your rightful throne."


    With that, Viserys’s fleet continued its journey, bypassing Vntis without stopping. His focus was now on warfare and reiming the Iron Throne. As they passed through Lys, it was only natural that Feles woulde aboard the gship to pay his respects.


    When Feles saw Viserys, he noticed that his sister, Shinelli, was also present. At first, he didn’t look too closely, only observing that she seemed to have gained some "weight" since leaving over half a year ago.


    "Congrattions on your victory, Your Grace!" Feles bowed deeply, observing all the protocols of a faithful adviser.


    As Feles took in the sight of the massive fleet and army that Viserys had brought back, his shock was evident. It was far more than he had imagined.


    “Feles, don’t pay too much attention to all this,” Viserys said, addressing him by name instead of title—a sign of familiarity. Feles could tell Viserys was pleased with him.


    But then, Viserys’s next words made his heart race.


    “I’ll be leading the army back to Westeros soon,” Viserys said casually. “Shinelli will stay here in your care for now.”


    Feles blinked, confused. Why wasn’t Viserys taking Shinelli back to Tyrosh with him? Had she displeased him? His mind raced as he nced at his sister again, trying to decipher the situation. To his surprise, her face was much rosier than he remembered.


    “She’s pregnant,” Viserys continued, as if sensing his unspoken question. "It’s her first child, and the journey to Tyrosh is still a few days away. I don’t want to put her through that difort."


    Pregnant.


    The realization hit Feles like a bolt of lightning. His sister wasn’t just gaining weight—she was expecting! Her glowing face wasn’t just from good health; it was the joy of a young woman carrying her first child.


    ''Pregnant!'' he eximed inwardly, feeling more exhrated than when his own wife had told him she was with child. This was no ordinary pregnancy—it was the bloodline of House Rogare, tied to the Targaryens. Their family’s position was now beyond secure.


    "Congrattions, Your Grace!" Feles said, practically beaming. "I will take excellent care of her."


    After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Feles joyfully led his sister back.