"I don't know if she will change her mind, but for now, I will accept her presence by my side." Aenar's thoughts upon hearing his daughter's reply.
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"I'm not afraid of you, Alysanne." How could Aegon back down before his sister? What prestige would he have if he did that? He would be called a coward and become a laughingstock among his brothers and sisters.
"Yes, but now is not the time for your annoying theatrics, sit in your chair or I will make you sit." Alysanne said in a calm tone, but with a coldness she had never used against her family.
Looking into Alysanne's eyes, the girl he loved, Aegon felt as if a knife was being plunged into his chest. This feeling of pain, anger, and resentment only grew stronger at that moment.
Without a word, he sat in his chair and closed his eyes, paying no more attention to the outside. However, if one looked closely, they would see his clenched jaw and tightly fisted hands, showing that he was not as calm and serene as he appeared.
"Don't mind Aegon, he's been very irritable lately." Aemon said apologetically to Roboute, Lion, and Daeron (Lorgar). He truly didn't understand what was going on in his brother's mind.
The presence of these three half-brothers at the birthday party only showed that their father valued these three children. How dared Aegon go against their father's intentions!?
"Go sit down, the party will begin at any moment." Alysanne said in a gentle tone to all the brothers and sisters present.
She herself sat in her chair, the first chair on the left side, extremely close to her father. Aegon was in the second chair on the left, next to Alysanne. Apparently, the chairs were in order of birth.
Aenar, who seemed indifferent to everything, had been observing the scene from the beginning. He knew better than anyone the origin of Aegon's feelings, but there was nothing he could do.
He had already said that the Throne would never be Aegon's, but the boy still insisted on coveting something that was never his. Aenar really wanted to kill the nobles who were spreading rumors and forcing him to change his heir.
"Dany, I want all the nobles around Aegon dead, mine all his political power. When he asks what happened, just tell him that this is his punishment for not accepting my words." Looking at Daenerys, Aenar spoke in a calm tone, his voice could not be heard by anyone other than Daenerys.
If Aegon did not accept his words willingly, Aenar would make the boy realize that this Imperium was his and he could do anything. It was not something he, Aegon, was capable of changing.
Daenerys was surprised for a moment, but nodded. She already knew who the nobles Aegon had counted on were, and all of them would die before the birthday party even ended.
As for how Aegon would react, Daenerys didn't care. If the son didn't have due respect for his father, he had to learn who was in charge of this vast Imperium. His small conspiracy was nothing compared to true power.
At that moment, Aegon didn't know that the faction he had built with all his effort, sweat, and smiles was about to crumble extremely quickly. All because he didn't accept his destiny as a prince.
"Husband, he will become even angrier and more resentful." Daenerys said in a calm tone, her eyes gradually growing cold. Even though Aegon had come from her womb, she didn't have an ounce of love for a child who would betray House Targaryen.
If it weren't for Aenar, she would have aborted the boy the moment she discovered she was pregnant. Sparing any unnecessary pain.
"It's alright, I've spoiled him for too long, let him see that without my support, he is nothing." Aenar said in a calm tone. He really had spoiled Aegon too much; the boy truly thought he was someone important when he was just a mere prince.
Daenerys nodded, but always wanted to end this hidden danger as soon as possible. Unfortunately, even if Aegon was a traitor, his miserable life could still serve the Imperium.
Looking at the boy with closed eyes, Daenerys still couldn't believe that this traitor was the fruit of her love with Aenar. Looking at Aenar's sons and daughters, none were traitors, only hers was. This truly irritated her deeply.
Aenar never hid that Alysanne would be his heir; everyone in House Targaryen knew this, but Aegon truly thought that because he had a penis between his legs, he could change her husband's mind.
Taking a deep breath not to kill the boy with her own hands, Daenerys held her husband's hand. While playing with his fingers, she finally calmed down and showed a happy smile with the birthday happening.
"Husband, I put my gift on your bed." Daenerys said with a mysterious smile. She really wanted to see the surprised expression when Aenar saw the gift she had prepared for him.
Aenar raised an eyebrow, but didn't look into the future. After all, this kind of surprise was good and fun. However, he was really curious about what Daenerys had prepared for him.
Hearing Daenerys's words, Visenya and Rhaenys showed equally mysterious smiles, making Aenar increasingly curious about the supposed gift. It seemed all three of his wives had joined together to give him the gift.
Seeing Aenar's expression, Daenerys, Visenya, and Rhaenys chuckled softly as they looked at him teasingly.
"Father, this is my gift." Alysanne took the gift she had prepared with the maid and said, handing an exquisite wooden box to Aenar. She looked at her father with an expectant gaze.
Aenar opened the wooden box and saw a beautiful golden ring resting on a small cushion. The body of the ring was a realistic dragon while the dragon bit a large, round ruby. On the inside of the ring, the words Fire and Blood in High Valyrian looked particularly elegant and beautiful.
The Emperor of Humanity did not hesitate to take the ring and put it on his finger. The ring fit perfectly around his finger. Looking at the ring on his finger, Aenar showed a satisfied and warm look.
He didn't care about the price of the ring, but about his daughter's intentions. Perhaps every father would be happy to receive a gift from his daughter on his birthday; Aenar was no different from any father in that aspect.
Seeing that Alysanne had started giving their father his gift, all of Aenar's sons and daughters began to give their father gifts.
Most were rare items from around the world, such as a jar of rare wine from Myr, given by Jaehaerys. A book about the reigns of Jaehaerys Targaryen I, Baelor I, and Maekar I given by Daenys. A ship inside a war from Aemon.
The most curious was Aegon, who presented a beautiful Valyrian Steel crown. Valyrian Steel was not as rare as it used to be. Aenar had placed a part of the inheritance of ancient Valyrian magic in the library, which only Primarchs and royalty could see.
So, the imperial princes and princesses could forge Valyrian steel along with magic and dragon fire.
But Aegon's choice for the gift made many look at him with doubtful and profound gazes.
Was the crown for Aenar or for himself?
No one knew, but Aenar accepted the gift with a smile while looking at Aegon kindly.
"Father, this is my gift." Little and delicate Naerys handed a box to Aenar; she looked at her father with a happy and gentle gaze.
The emperor smiled at his daughter and opened the box. Resting inside a cushion, a beautiful dagger could be seen. Although it was made of Valyrian steel, the hilt was painted red and gold, elegant blue lines could be seen along the blade.
One could see that Naerys made everything by hand and with great care and affection.
"Father, I know it's your birthday, but I have a selfish request." Hearing his daughter's words, Aenar stopped looking at the dagger and looked at Naerys with a curious gaze about her request.
Everyone also looked at Naerys with curiosity.
Naerys looked at her father with a sweet and gentle gaze, gathered courage to speak and said in a determined and delicate tone. "I want to abandon my titles and serve as a Priestess."
As soon as Naerys's words echoed through the hall, everyone's eyes widened. Especially Daenerys, who looked at her daughter with a complex gaze.
Aenar calmly looked at his daughter. His gaze softened and he spoke in a gentle tone. "Do you understand that you are making a vow of celibacy, duty, and love? You will not be able to marry or start a family. You will always be by my side, until my last days in your immortal life."
"Yes, I know." Naerys replied in a peaceful and gentle tone. She had already chosen this path a long time ago. She had no interest in ruling like Alysanne and no interest in falling in love like Daenys. She felt happy only when her father was by her side.
Instead of marrying someone or even ruling a fief in the future, she felt that she could very well help her father while he worked. Even if it was just to carry a little of his burden, she was satisfied.
Aenar looked into his daughter's eyes and saw the determination in her eyes. Letting out a sigh, he said in a calm tone. "If that is what you wish, I accept your vows of virginity, duty, and love."
"But, every thousand years, I will ask you this same question and if you refuse to accept, I will release you from your vows." Aenar added in a deep tone. Naerys might be determined at this moment, but that didn't mean she would be as determined in the future.
Naerys certainly knew the implications of her father's words, but she didn't care. She showed her determination throughout her immortal life.
"Congratulations, sister." Alysanne said with a smiling tone; she saw that Naerys was at peace with her choice. As a sister, she was happy for Naerys to choose her path.
The other brothers and sisters also congratulated Naerys. The atmosphere was cheerful, warm, and gentle.
Daeron looked at Naerys with admiration; he felt that his faith was not as strong as his sister's. This only showed him that faith was the only way the Imperium could exist for eternity.
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Read my other books:
Game Of Thrones: The God-Emperor of Planetos (500,000 words written).
Percy Jackson: Godwyn the Golden.