(Castle Cidaris, County of Cidaris, Duchy of Cidaris, Kingdom of Cidaris, Northern Realms, The Witcher-Verse)
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(King Aethan I Jaenerys POV)
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Aethan sat at the head of the Table, seated before him were his sisters Aldis, Elianna, and Margaery. As the eldest child, the crown was now his.
''Father is dead. Hail to the new King.'' Despite joking, his tone lacked any hint of humor. ''I trust you each know what this means. What it means for our Kingdom?'' Asks Aethan.
''The game begins anew.'' Says Margaery, the youngest and smartest of his sisters. ''We'll be expected to marry to benefit the family.'' Margaery continued.
''Correct, Cidaris is a small nation. And while we are a rich one, we need alliances. As it stands, between the four of us, we have multiple options. Prince Radovid of Redania, Prince Tancred Thyssen of Kovir and Poviss, Prince Eitri of Hengfors, Prince Villem of Lyria and Rivia, Prince Stennis of Aedirn, Prince Hansen of Kaedwen, King Venslav of Brugge, Princess Francia of Lyria and Rivia, Princess Adda of Temeria, Princess Astrid of Aedirn, the list goes on. I'm strongly considering renewing our bonds to Temeria through marriage between myself and Princess Adda, that ensures a strong military alliance, and an ally with a powerful economy. It also allows us to increase our chances of ensuring you three marry well, creating a strong quintet.'' Aethan explained.
''Who do you have in mind brother?'' His twin, Aldis asked.
''For you my dear twin sister? Prince Villem of Lyria and Rivia. Lyria and Rivia is too deep inland to be of any real aid to us, but it's the alliance and trade that I'm after. Foltest is the man that the Dwarves of Mahakam pay obeisance to, and King Demavend has strong ties to the Dwarves. If I can lay the foundations, then Temeria and Lyria and Rivia will help us grow. I'm also strongly considering Prince Stennis of Aedirn for Margaery and either Prince Tancred of Kovir and Poviss or Prince Eitri of Hengfors for you dear Elianna. Marrying into Kovir gives us the ability to buy Dimeritium at lower prices, and access to the Koviri fleet.'' Says Aethan. ''But marrying into Hengfor's gives us a strong ally that borders Redania, Kovir, and Kaedwen and has two strong marriage alliances to Redania and Aedirn, through King Niedamir's brother-in-law and sister respectively. As well as strong political capital we can use to our advantage. What do you think Elianna?'' Aethan asked his middle sister.
Elianna's brow furrowed, her gaze flicking between her brothers and sisters, a subtle calculation happening behind her sharp eyes. She considered the implications of each proposal, the weight of Cidaris's future resting on these strategic marriages. Kovir's Dimeritium, a crucial resource for containing mages, was tempting, its fleet a significant naval advantage. But Hengfors… Hengfors was a linchpin, a nation strategically positioned to influence its powerful neighbors. The marriage alliances King Niedamir already held with Redania and Aedirn were not to be underestimated.
"Hengfors offers… potential," Elianna finally said, her voice measured. "A buffer against Redania's ambitions, and a more direct route to trade that doesn't rely solely on Temerian goodwill. The political capital you mention is indeed substantial. However," she paused, her eyes meeting Aethan's, "Hengfors is also a nation often caught between larger powers. Are we prepared for the potential entanglements that might bring?"
Aldis, ever the pragmatist, chimed in. "Entanglements are unavoidable, Elianna. We are the Kingdom of Cidaris, nestled amongst giants. Our strength lies not in isolation, but in forging the strongest possible bonds, even if those bonds occasionally chafe. Kovir is valuable, yes, but Hengfors offers a broader scope for influence, a more dynamic partnership. I believe brother's assessment of its strategic advantage is sound."
''There's also the fact that together with Temeria, we would be able to increase Trade with Hengfors or Kovir, if we add in Lyria and Rivia and Aedirn, then we can also pressure Mahakam and others to join us, and we can begin funneling Northern Goods further south, try and counter Nilfgaard's trade might.'' Aethan mentioned.
Margaery, her gaze fixed on a point beyond the ornate tapestry depicting the founding of Castle Cidaris, offered her own strategic insight. "And what of the Northern Realms themselves, brother? We speak of alliances, but are we considering the shifting sands of power beyond our immediate borders? Redania's growing influence, Kaedwen's inherent militancy… These are factors that could either bolster our quintet or shatter it before it's even formed." Her young voice, though soft, carried an undercurrent of mature concern, a testament to her reputation.
Aethan nodded, a shadow crossing his face. "Indeed, Margaery. The North is a viper's nest, and each of us must be prepared for its bite. The proposed marriages are not merely about personal gain, but about weaving a tapestry of mutual defense. Temeria's strength is paramount in this, but so too is the careful cultivation of our other allies. We must be like the spiders of the Arachas, spinning webs of influence that can ensnare our enemies and protect our kin." He steepled his fingers, the weight of his father's crown a physical presence on his brow.
"But even the strongest webs can be torn," Elianna added, her tone thoughtful. "And the spiders themselves are not always immune to the predators. We must also consider the whispers from the south, the growing shadow of Nilfgaard. Our alliances, however robust, must be strong enough to withstand not just Northern squabbles, but the potential for a far greater war." Her gaze drifted to the window, where the grey sky over the County of Cidaris offered no solace.
''Regardless, you know my position on the matter. The Kings and Queen's of the North are coming here for Father's funeral, with their heirs. We can make a more informed decision then.'' Aethan informs them as he stands to leave.
The weight of the crown felt heavier than Aethan had anticipated, a tangible burden pressing down on his shoulders as he rose. His sisters watched him, their own faces reflecting the solemnity of the occasion, yet beneath the surface, the same shrewd calculations were at play. The coming days would be a delicate dance of diplomacy and veiled threats, a prelude to the grand ball of marriage alliances. Castle Cidaris, the ancestral seat of their power within the Duchy, would soon become a focal point for the Northern Realms, a stage upon which the future of their kingdom would be decided.
As Aethan strode towards the grand hall, the murmur of hushed conversations from the courtiers reached him, a symphony of anticipation and veiled gossip. The funeral of his father was more than a somber farewell; it was an announcement. An announcement that Cidaris, though smaller in landmass than its neighbors, was still a player to be reckoned with. The Northern Realms were a volatile tapestry, and the threads of ambition, fear, and necessity were about to be pulled taut, with the royal siblings of Cidaris at their very center.
He paused at the entrance to the hall, the scent of beeswax candles and wilting lilies heavy in the air. Outside, beyond the stout stone walls of Castle Cidaris, the County of Cidaris lay bathed in the muted light of a late autumn sun. It was a land rich in resources, a prize worth cultivating, and the alliances forged in the coming weeks would determine whether Cidaris would flourish, or wither like an unprotected sapling in a harsh winter storm. The game, as Margaery had so aptly put it, had indeed begun.
And soon, the major players of the Northern Kingdoms barring King Henselt - who had not been invited - would arrive.
The air in the Grand Hall of Castle Cidaris was thick with the scent of expensive incense and the unspoken tension of impending negotiations. Aethan, now King, felt the weight of his father's legacy settle upon him with every step he took towards the imposing throne. His sisters, each a strategist in her own right, were already mingling, their smiles polite but their eyes sharp, cataloging potential suitors and their families. The arrival of the other Northern rulers and their heirs was imminent, a calculated risk his father had always thrived on – using moments of solemnity for overt political maneuvering.
He observed Elianna, her silver gown a stark contrast to the somber hues of the mourners, engaged in a quiet conversation with Baron Volmar, his father's most trusted advisor. She was assessing the finer details, the subtle nuances of each proposed alliance that Aethan, in his directness, might overlook. Aldis, ever the diplomat, was already drawing in the younger lords and ladies, her laughter light but her questions probing, gathering intelligence disguised as pleasantries. Margaery, with her uncanny ability to see through facades, was noticeably keeping to herself, observing the ebb and flow of the room, her sharp mind undoubtedly piecing together the intricate political puzzle.
A subtle shift in the crowd announced the arrival of the first official delegation. The banners of Temeria, emblazoned with the roaring lion, snapped crisply in the drafts from the open doors. King Foltest himself, a man whose reputation preceded him like a storm, was present, and with him, the regal presence of Princess Adda. Aethan straightened, a flicker of grim determination in his eyes. The dance had begun, and the fate of the Kingdom of Cidaris hung precariously in the balance of these calculated unions.
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(Author's Note:)
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Well, here we are, first chapter of the second rewrite. Obviously a little different given the previous story which can be found in full for free on Archiveofourown.org, Wattpad and Fanfiction.net. We'll see how things go.
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Thanks to Mitchell Howard, David Martinez, ROGUE505 Saver, Mathew T Linderman, Luck George, Kyle Diano, Julien, Morgan Sinn, Tom A, Birhaledin, Nicholas Berenguer, Arimar26, Robin Kristiansen, Robert Hernandez, Dragon emperor87, Vlone_Icy, Daniel Setchell, James Fleming, Zero 12995, Spencer Davidson, Rowdy_Rich, adrian szydlowski, James Lloyd and reikon aijin for their support on P-atreon.
And also a big thank you to Cody, Luci Alarra, TJ Cruz, Kunta, Availon90, Gavin Barclay, Dragonslayer29, Jacarya Robinson, Nathan Just, Francisco J Guzman, Axlii, Reece Hutton, Ken Harris, Zeldris Wrath, Duy, lonelynib _, Austin, D3EATH707, Cutler1812, Aleksander_402, Lewis Wilson, Profound Magician, Arzard, HxC 740 VxD, Attila Kovács, Ruby Uzumaki, Mudit Chadha, Maciek, Joao Goncalves, Dwhateverprof, Jibreel Kamal, Luis, Luis, Zeca, Bent, Jason, Solus 1994, Evil King, Manuel, Benoit Valtin, Craig Butler, Joseph Brann, Cristobal Ahumada, Nathaniel Lessord, GGbeejee, Beastmode2003, Trey-Way, FisherKing711, and Calvin Ellis for their past support on Patreon.
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