GOT/ASOIAF: Ruler Beyond The Ice

Chapter 571 573: On the Eve of the Southern Expedition

One word: exhilarating.

Two words: truly exhilarating.

Although she turned and left with a face full of displeasure, Daenerys ultimately adopted Aegor's suggestions—not just one, but all of them.

Not only did she tacitly agree with Aegor's insistence that "postponing the investigation into the poisoning mastermind is a secondary task," but she also consented to immediately summon the waiting Northern lords and begin the southern campaign as soon as possible. She even gritted her teeth and accepted the proposal to "temporarily spare a small number of opponents and fence-sitters, such as the Karstarks, who refuse to swear fealty, and settle accounts later."

Though her personality was somewhat paranoid and her emotions often unstable, Daenerys still possessed many qualities and strengths that could make her a wise ruler. One of them was her willingness to listen to others' opinions.

As long as she trusted someone and believed they were truly thinking from her perspective, she could restrain her temper and give serious thought to their views and arguments, ultimately making a decision she believed to be correct.

That was a strength, but it also had its drawbacks—anyone who understood this could use it to influence and interfere with her decisions.

It was easy to imagine that if Varys and Petyr, those two schemers, were still alive, things would never have gone so smoothly. The moment anyone voiced even the slightest dissenting opinion and backed it up with just a few seemingly reasonable arguments, she would be caught in a dilemma, turning a simple matter into a mess and dragging it into endless debate.

Now, with the corrupt officials purged, that toxic atmosphere within the royal court was gone for good. This was Aegor's victory alone. He could only savor it silently, unable to share it with others.

Then again, who wanted to share it with others? He wasn't some schoolboy who had just learned how to browse the web, nor was he a fresh graduate bursting into society for the first time. After everything he had been through, his experiences had taught him maturity and restraint. His goals were clear, his thoughts sharp, his will like steel, his emotions calm as still water. His desire to show off his accomplishments or seek praise and recognition was almost nonexistent.

Quietly gaining wealth and silently enjoying the rewards of his adventure was exactly what Aegor now desired most.

...

Perhaps it was the dozen corpses hanging at the city gate, or perhaps no one intended to stir trouble in the first place, but the Northern lords were extremely cooperative. They left their armies stationed outside the city, each entering Winterfell with only a few attendants to swear fealty to the Queen in person. The ceremony went off without a hitch, proceeding smoothly through each step. By the time the last noble knelt and presented his sword to Daenerys, dusk had already fallen. Everyone then moved to the hastily vacated great hall to attend the next event: the Queen's banquet.

The drawbacks of a hastily arranged feast soon became apparent. Not only were musicians, jugglers, and jesters—standard fare for a noble banquet—hard to find, but the food variety and flavor also left much to be desired. Fortunately, Winterfell's winter reserves were plentiful, and all the wine and food had been thoroughly tested for poison. While lacking in elegance, the meal was abundant and hearty. The Northern lords, having waited in the icy snow for days without word, were more than satisfied with what was offered, and not a single complaint was heard among the laughter and clinking of cups.

The hearth crackled with roaring flames, and the torches along the walls gave off a faint blue smoke. From the seat of honor at the front, Robb Stark reported to Daenerys about his trip to Seven City and shared his grievances, hoping she would help cover some of the costs spent bribing lords. Below, the Northern lords, naturally bold and skilled at entertaining themselves, did not let the lack of performers dampen the mood. Over a dozen Northern lords, accompanied by twice as many retainers, along with a few invited Gift Army officers and chieftains from Beyond the Wall, filled the space with noise and cheer. People rose from their seats, raised their cups, and walked up to the Queen. Under the watchful eyes of the Unsullied standing on both sides, they toasted Daenerys and Lord Stark, then returned to their seats satisfied after receiving the Queen's polite and elegant reply. The warmth of the crowd gave the hall a cozy and lively atmosphere, which surprised Aegor slightly.

This was a good sign. It showed that the Northern lords weren't all as stubborn as expected. Their resistance toward supporting the "Mad King's daughter" was clearly not as intense as feared.

The main reason for this was Daenerys herself, who had crossed thousands of miles and flown in on a dragon to join the final battle. This had earned her considerable goodwill. Robb Stark, as Warden of the North, had no doubt contributed as well.

However, the atmosphere in the hall wasn't entirely harmonious. Perhaps to show their contempt for him as a "chameleon" and traitor, not a single Northern lord came over to speak to Aegor or toast him throughout the evening. The table where he sat in the second row looked especially desolate by comparison. Aegor's figure, drinking alone in silence, appeared lonely and bleak.

Of course, Aegor felt neither bitter nor disheartened. In fact, he secretly enjoyed the peace and quiet. No one was chattering beside him, and that was just fine. After all, he was currently a "gravely ill patient" who had only just woken from a coma. He wasn't supposed to be drinking heavily or stuffing himself with meat... and with his mind clear, he understood something else.

He couldn't steal Daenerys's spotlight.

Right now, he was the only important advisor left at Daenerys's side, the sole one with the privilege of whispering in her ear and influencing her decisions. That was already a huge victory. Offering frank advice in private, even if it displeased her occasionally, wouldn't cause serious trouble. But if he inserted himself into everything, overstepping his bounds and making Daenerys feel like her authority was being challenged or her position threatened, it would only lead to disaster.

Allowing Daenerys to feel in control, to feel safe and empowered, while only stepping in at key moments to steer her decisions, was the most perfect survival strategy for a powerful advisor.

Throughout history, countless men had fallen into the trap of "refusing to wear their fine clothes only at night." Once they tasted power, they strutted like peacocks, desperate to let everyone know who was really in charge... and ended up digging their own graves.

If one day he found himself growing angry or resentful that others fawned over the Queen and not him, then either his wings had truly hardened... or death was near.

...

As he calmly and slowly sipped hot soup and gnawed on roasted meat, a figure came down from the head table and stopped in front of him, placing a plate on his table with a half-thrown thump.

Who dares to be so rude?

A sharp gleam flickered in Aegor's eyes. He could tolerate being ignored. In fact, he preferred not to be noticed. But to be provoked publicly, that was another matter entirely.

He looked up. It was Arya.

At a banquet, having dishes sent over by the host is a form of courtesy in Westerosi dining customs. The more valuable or delicious the dish, the stronger the message of goodwill. This time, Lady Stark had brought over a plate of lamb chops, heavily seasoned and fragrant. Clearly, it was a gesture of goodwill. What puzzled him was why Arya had brought it personally instead of sending a servant.

"Didn't get poisoned to death. You're hard to kill."

"Arya." Aegor smiled at her. It was far beyond what he had expected for her to come up to him and speak in front of everyone. He shifted slightly and patted the bench beside him. "Come sit and talk?"

(To be continued.)