After a night of passion that left them both breathless, Aedric finally told Daenerys the truth about who he really was.
When she learned that he, too, was a Targaryen — the son of her late elder brother — Daenerys was first stunned, then overjoyed. In an instant, many mysteries that had puzzled her fell neatly into place.
Why the Blackfyre had acknowledged him.
Why the dragons had never attacked him.
Why he had helped her so selflessly, asking for nothing in return.
It all made sense now — because Aedric, like her, was of the dragon's blood.
For the first time, Daenerys realized that she was not alone in this world — that she still had family, a blood relative who shared her lineage. The thought filled her heart with warmth and relief.
And as for taking her own nephew to bed... well, in House Targaryen, that was practically family tradition.
If anything, she regretted only one thing — that the dark magic of the warlocks had long ago ruined her womb, leaving her unable to bear children. Otherwise, she would have clung to Aedric and demanded that they continue until she conceived.
As she wept softly over that loss, Aedric could not help but feel pity. He gently comforted her, promising that if he ever had children in the future, he would give one to her — a son or daughter to raise as her own, to carry on her name and bloodline.
When her tears finally subsided and her breathing calmed, Aedric rose from the bed. Daenerys, now calm and radiant again, dressed herself and personally helped him with his robe and armor. Every gesture, every glance, carried the tenderness of a wife attending her husband.
Yes — in Daenerys's heart, there would never be another man. From this day forward, the only one she would ever call husband was her kinsman, Aedric.
After spending several more days in Meereen, Aedric entrusted her with the plans for the next three years — development schedules, political contingencies, and strategic responses to possible crises.
Then, despite her reluctant gaze and unspoken plea, he boarded a ship with Arya and departed Meereen, bound for Westeros and the northern stronghold of Winterfell.
After more than ten days at sea and two more traveling overland, they finally arrived home, where Lord Eddard Stark and his household were waiting — along with Tyrion Lannister, the golden-haired Princess Myrcella, the Queen of Thorns Olenna Tyrell, and the "Rose of Highgarden" Margaery herself.
When Aedric saw Myrcella's shy, nervous expression, he smiled softly. This was, after all, his future wife — at least in name.
He reached into his robes and drew out an ornate silk box. "It's been a long time, Princess," he said warmly. "I brought you a gift. I hope you'll like it."
Myrcella hesitated for a moment, then opened the box — and gasped. Even with all her royal upbringing, she had never seen such beauty.
Inside lay a necklace so exquisite that words could not describe it — a masterpiece of craftsmanship and elegance that outshone any treasure of the Seven Kingdoms.
Of course, she had never seen its like — because this necklace had not been made in Westeros at all. It was a priceless relic from another world, the Queen's Treasure that Aedric had once commissioned in the Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying world for Zhou Zhiruo herself. Forged with the resources of an entire kingdom, it was utterly unique.
As Aedric lifted the necklace and fastened it gently around her pale, delicate neck, he explained, "This piece is not only beautiful. The central gemstone here has a special property — it detects poison. If any venom comes near, the stone will heat and change color. It's one of a kind in all the worlds."
Indeed, even the "poison-detecting powder" he occasionally used was made from tiny shavings of this very jewel.
At that revelation, Myrcella could only stare in astonishment — and even Margaery Tyrell, standing nearby, felt a flash of envy.
Born into the wealth of Highgarden, Margaery had always believed herself surrounded by the finest luxuries. Yet never had she seen such a miraculous creation. The realization made her lips tighten and her composure falter for a brief moment.
Olenna Tyrell, ever sharp, noticed at once. The old matriarch subtly tugged her granddaughter's sleeve, restoring her poise, then turned to Aedric with a kindly smile.
"You're a thoughtful young man," she said. "Such a gift — perfect for a princess."
"Yes," Aedric replied evenly, though inwardly he kept his guard high.
This sweet-faced old woman was dangerous — in the show, she had poisoned King Joffrey in front of Tywin Lannister himself and escaped without suspicion. Such skill in intrigue deserved, he admitted privately, a grudging nod of respect.
And it was precisely because he knew how deadly the Queen of Thorns could be that he'd given Myrcella the necklace — a genuine defensive treasure once meant for a queen, now serving as the princess's protection.
He trusted neither Olenna's ambition nor the Reach's subtle poisons.
As for Daenerys, she had no need for such a charm — she had elite guards like Missandei and Arya to protect her, and besides, Aedric knew she bore an extraordinary destiny. Ordinary poison could never claim the life of the Mother of Dragons.
Myrcella, however, was another story. In the original timeline, the poor girl had died from a poisoned kiss. He wasn't about to let that happen again.
Taking Myrcella's small, trembling hand in his, Aedric smiled as her cheeks flushed crimson and she lowered her gaze. Then, turning to Olenna, he produced a neat stack of parchment.
"Lady Olenna," he said, "please accept this as a token of friendship. It's nothing special — just some health cultivation techniques I've developed recently. They won't make warriors of anyone, but they do strengthen the body and prolong life."
Indeed, the notes contained a simplified internal method — a blend of Postnatal Inner Core Technique and the classic Five-Animal Exercises of traditional medicine.
Even the shrewd Queen of Thorns drew in a sharp breath.
This was exactly what she had been scheming for.
She had given up much — sending her beloved granddaughter north, far from the luxury of Highgarden — all to obtain the Storm Sword Saint's secrets.
Yet after weeks of observation, she'd begun to doubt whether she'd gain anything at all. Despite her probing questions, it became clear that even Lord Eddard himself had little understanding of Aedric's powers — and that the man answered to no one, not even the Starks.
It seemed she had traded a jewel of Highgarden for nothing.
But now, here it was — a genuine gift of knowledge, freely given. Her disappointment melted into delight.
Olenna's sharp eyes softened into a grandmotherly twinkle as she began chatting amiably with Aedric.
On the surface, it was harmless small talk. In truth, it was the negotiation of two master tacticians.
The discussion went something like this:
Olenna: "We've given you a precious granddaughter and a rich dowry. Surely a few notes on health aren't quite enough in return?"
Aedric: "More can be arranged — but only after your granddaughter is safely married and has borne an heir. Then, and only then, will the advanced methods follow."
Olenna: "Highgarden has many fine young knights. Might the Sword Saint honor them with a few lessons?"
Aedric: "I've already taken Arya as my student. I'm not interested in training others. However, if our houses truly become one family, Arya could instruct them on my behalf."
Olenna: "Ah, and I do have several charming illegitimate granddaughters as well. Perhaps, when you have a free evening—?"
Aedric: "My lady! What do you take me for? I'm about to marry the princess! Ahem… perhaps… later, we can discuss that privately."
…
…
…
By the time their verbal duel ended — a cordial smile on both faces, daggers carefully sheathed — an unspoken agreement had been reached.
Everyone else, except Tyrion and Margaery, was utterly lost as to what had just transpired.
But that was fine. The less the Northerners understood about southern politics, the better.
And truthfully, Aedric had good reason for caution. If he hadn't secured Olenna's cooperation, he genuinely feared she might pull another stunt like the one she'd used on Joffrey — perhaps targeting Robb Stark next.
Anyone who could poison a king wouldn't hesitate to eliminate a mere lord's son.
As for her "private offer" of introducing more granddaughters… well, Aedric told himself it was purely strategic.
He wasn't taking advantage.
He swore he wasn't.
Absolutely not.
~~--------------------------
Patreon Advanced Chapters:
patreon.com/YonkoSlayer