GOT/ASOIAF: Ruler Beyond The Ice

Chapter 569 571: Frank Advice

"How do you feel? If you're unwell, even slightly, return to the room immediately. Don't force yourself."

Daenerys watched Aegor's posture and steps carefully, expressing her concern with the firm, commanding tone that only a Queen was entitled to use.

After three days and two nights in a coma, the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, who had been poisoned and gravely ill, had finally opened his eyes. Upon hearing the news, Daenerys not only got up immediately to confirm it, but at dawn the next morning, she personally came to accompany Aegor on his "rehabilitation walk," putting aside all other arrangements.

"Thank you for your concern." Seeing the Queen's wary expression, as if ready to catch him at any moment, Aegor's still slightly pale face showed a wry smile. "But Your Grace, I was unconscious for three days, not three years. I haven't forgotten how to walk."

It had indeed only been three days, but for Daenerys, those three days felt as long as three years. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they felt like a lifetime.

Thankfully, the nightmare had finally ended.

"Is your mind clear? Would thinking right now burden you?"

"Melisandre said the blood magic cleared all the poison from my body. Since I was able to wake up, it means my brain wasn't damaged." That line should have come from the Red Priestess, but since she was now tasked with watching over Myrcella and couldn't leave, Aegor had to explain on her behalf. "But for something hidden in the skull, who can say for sure? At least for now, I don't feel stupid or sluggish. How it really is will need long-term observation."

"I'll take that as a 'no'." Hearing him speak so fluently, Daenerys was finally at ease. She turned her head to look down the path ahead. "Harvey told you about the poisoner's suicide, yes?"

"He did."

"Who do you think instructed him?"

The sun was hidden behind a layer of thin, gray clouds that stretched across the entire sky. Snowflakes still drifted lazily down, but by the North's standards, this was already good weather. Taking in a deep breath of cold, fresh air, Aegor thought the temperature had risen a little. He couldn't tell whether this signaled the end of Winter or if he had simply become accustomed to the bitter cold of the far North.

"Stannis. Volantis. The former slave masters you exiled from Slaver's Bay. Aegon. The Iron Bank that backs him..." Aegor glanced at her, then shook his head. "There are far too many people in this world with motive and cause to move against you or weaken your power. But in my view, 'think' is not a word I use lightly. Based on the current clues and intelligence, forgive me, but I can't even determine who is more suspicious, let alone name the culprit outright."

This was the great advantage of leaving the case cold rather than pinning it on a single faction. Everyone was a suspect. With Daenerys caught in uncertainty and doubt, she would be far more vulnerable to suggestion and easier to influence.

Daenerys showed no disappointment at this smooth and diplomatic reply—she hadn't expected a name. If Aegor had named someone immediately, it would have raised her suspicions instead.

"I want you to oversee the investigation. Of course, only after you've fully recovered." Her voice was firm and commanding, laced with anger. "Whatever means you need, whatever it takes, however long it takes... find who was behind this."

Let the real culprit take charge of the investigation?

Aegor's facial muscles twitched slightly, and he barely suppressed the urge to laugh aloud. This was a huge victory—Daenerys had said "investigate who was behind Miezidan," not "find the poisoner." That meant she had fully accepted the story of his innocence and had not a shred of doubt about who the real culprit might be.

This would allow him to handle the next steps with ease: smearing, framing... no, that wasn't even necessary. There really had been a force backing Miezidan. He only needed to actually conduct the investigation. With full knowledge of the truth, he could point wherever he wanted, and success was guaranteed.

"Your Grace's will is my command."

Daenerys was pleased by the answer. With Aegor's reputation for capability, she even began thinking about how to carry out retribution once she had her answers.

While they spoke, the two had unknowingly turned another corner and arrived at the training yard, which was especially busy due to the construction of the dragon lair.

This place was the busiest part of the castle. People passed through constantly between the Queen's quarters and the Gift Army camps. Unsullied troops were working to clean and repair the dragon lair and feed the beasts. Soldiers were training or chatting in small clusters wherever space allowed.

Wherever the pair walked, people paused what they were doing to make way for the Queen and her guards. All eyes turned to them—curious, respectful, surprised. The sight of the Dragon Queen walking side by side with the Lord Commander drew every gaze.

"Where do you plan to begin the investigation? When can you start?"

Hmm?

Another question mark popped up in Aegor's mind.

Didn't she just say "after you've recovered"? Now she was asking when he could begin. Did she think he was a god?

"I haven't decided where to begin yet. As for when to start... at the very least, it should wait until King's Landing is taken and Your Grace is seated on the Iron Throne. Before then, I believe we shouldn't divert our focus or energy."

"After I sit the Iron Throne?" Daenerys frowned, clearly displeased. "How long will that take? The person who killed my Queen's Hand and my Master of Whisperers is still free. Until they are found, how can I focus on anything else? If you're unwilling or unsure where to start, then I'll assign the task to someone else."

Aegor's mood soured immediately. The Queen was clearly letting her anger take the lead. While her emotional state made her easier to sway in one way, too much anger could be dangerous. If she became stubborn and insisted on recklessly pursuing the truth at all costs, that would be a threat—to him and to the Gift Army.

He sighed heavily, rubbing his temples in genuine frustration. He stopped walking and turned to face her. Daenerys halted as well, folding her arms and waiting.

"Your Grace, your blood gave me a second life. I could never repay that gift. But true loyalty is not about blind obedience or thoughtless acceptance. It's about acting in your best interests and speaking frankly, even when it is difficult. Please believe me—having nearly died from this poisoning, I am even angrier than you are and want nothing more than to flay the person behind it. But I still believe this is not the most pressing matter right now."

"Then tell me, what is the most pressing matter?"

Daenerys did not want to hear what Aegor had to say next, but walking away would seem petty and incapable of taking criticism. She swallowed her impatience, folded her arms more tightly, and waited to hear what grand insight he had.

"In my homeland, there was once a great ruler. He conquered the continent and established a vast unified empire several times larger than Westeros. He once said, 'To build and rule a great kingdom, one must never lose sight of their goal, and must distinguish clearly between the primary and secondary contradictions.'" Aegor had no idea who actually said that. Maybe he made it up. "Your Grace, do you still remember your goal? Can you still tell which is the primary conflict, and which is secondary in the situation you now face?"

(To be continued.)