Aemond rode his dragon, flying leisurely along the Valyrian Way.
As he looked at the ancient Valyrian heritage, he felt the joy of inheriting a family fortune.
The Valyrian Way was ten meters wide! It was much stronger than the concrete-rammed Vale Way in Riverrun. It started from the east gate of Myr and extended all the way to the Disputed Lands.
According to locals in Myr, the Valyrian Way once led from Volantis to the Land of the Long Summer. For some reason, only the section in the Disputed Lands remained. But that was enough. Whether for the army's journey or the transportation of supplies, everything was unimpeded.
The task of annihilating the Myrish mercenaries gradually turned into a parade led by His Royal Highness. Along the way, two small groups of Myrish mercenaries were encountered. When the mercenaries saw the huge dragon in the sky, the dragon saw them too. Aemond commanded the tempered Grey Ghost to blast them to pieces. Led by Robb, the Second Sons had become a rescue team for refugees.
"The Disputed Lands are vast!"
Aemond untied his chains, raised his head boldly, and crossed his legs, relaxing on the dragon's back. He was exploring where the Valyrian Way ended. He planned to build a new city there. The road was a natural transportation route. He also discovered that the unowned lands along the road were fertile and showed signs of past human habitation. Perhaps war had driven those people from their homes. With some care, the area would become prime territory.
"Hiss!"
A gray figure suddenly darted out from beside Vermithor, his wings flapping chaotically.
"Hmm?"
Aemond rolled over, climbed to the edge of the dragon's neck, and looked down.
The Valyrian Way had reached its end. The dark, solid road ended at the edge of a vast, clear lake.
"Fly higher!"
Aemond's eyes lit up as he gently patted the dragon's back.
Vermithor snorted and blew away the mist with his broad wings. He hovered over the lake. The view cleared, revealing everything.
The lake was enormous, no smaller than the Gods Eye. It was narrow from east to west and wide from north to south. To the south lay a barren mountain range.
Overjoyed, Aemond rode his dragon to survey the area. He soon discovered that there was more than one lake. Beyond the barren mountain range, he found a second, round lake. It was half the size but just as rich in freshwater.
"Isn't this heaven's gift?"
Aemond laughed.
He decided to build a new city west of the narrow lake. The city would then be bordered by the lake to the east and the mountains to the south. The end of the Old Valyrian Road, which ran hundreds of miles through Myr, would be to the north. As long as they guarded the west and the lands under Tyrosh's control, the new city would be impervious.
"It's decided. Build here."
Aemond slapped his dragon's back vigorously, eager to land. The map showed that the two lakes were in the center of the Disputed Lands. To the south of the round lake, about the same distance from Myr, the Summer Sea could be seen. However, it was too far from Myr, a desolate land with no fortresses or roads. Aemond had no intention of going there.
If the narrow lake were incorporated into Myr's territory, its size would be equivalent to half that of the Vale—enough land for the people to cultivate. The rest of the unowned land would be left to the Sea Snakes or Daemon. He would reclaim it when he could devour it and consume what was already there.
"Your Majesty, the water in this lake is very clear. It must be the source of a stream along the way," Robb rode up.
The Second Sons dismounted and cheered, leading their horses to drink.
Aemond announced his decision to build a city there, then asked, "We are all hardworking Second Sons. Who would like to become a lord and try to conquer the land?"
Robb was startled by this and his voice trembled. "Your Majesty, are you planning to appoint lords?"
"Obviously," Aemond smiled.
Besides the renowned Unsullied, the Second Sons were the most elite among his armies. Each of them was a highly skilled knight, with his own squire and equipment. Most of them were from the Vale. If Myr-Land were fully developed, it would be equivalent to half the Vale—far more than he and Johanna could manage. Granting a few baronies would ensure the development's smooth progress. It would also provide an opportunity for the Second Sons, who had been struggling to make a name for themselves. Following His Royal Highness, there was real meat to be had.
Plop!
Robb knelt, one hand on his chest, and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, rest assured. The Second Sons will obey your orders."
Like Robb, most of the Second Sons were born bastards, only to rise to the ranks of the Runeguard and achieve glory, shedding their former lowliness. Most of the Second Sons were the second sons of nobles, bastards, or commoner-born hedge knights. The opportunity to become noble was too luxurious for them.
"Leave a hundred men behind while the rest rest briefly and follow me back to Myr-Land," Aemond ordered.
Even after choosing a site for the new city, the Second Sons would still be needed to escort supplies.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Robb said excitedly.
Myr
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty, eat slowly."
As night fell, Johanna ordered people to prepare a delicious meal for the hungry prince.
Aemond ate his meal in big mouthfuls and filled his cup with local Myr mead. It was sweet at first, then bitter with a lemony aftertaste; it tasted like a cold drink with fruit pulp.
"How many barons do you plan to grant?"
Johanna rested her chin on one hand and smiled at Aemond, who was eating with poor manners. He was eating even better than when he was a child.
"Twenty barons."
Aemond's cheeks puffed out and his expression became serious.
"You can't grant too many barons. If you have too many, they lose their value."
Twenty is just right for a starting point, no more, no less.
"Understood," Johanna said, nodding her chin gently and smiling charmingly.
His Royal Highness handed her a copy of a map showing the ruins of villages and towns along the Valyrian Way. They were all good places for farming. Perfect for granting to new lords. With the Valyrian Way, everything would be convenient. That was Aemond's idea.
"Would you like to name the new city?"
Johanna rolled her eyes and arched her hips, pressing her upper body onto the table.
She remembered that His Royal Highness was terrible at naming things, yet he loved doing it. He was good at it and enjoyed it.
"Gulp!"
Aemond swallowed his food, shooting a hostile glare at her.
"Are you testing me?"
But he was genuinely thinking.
"What do you think about calling that long, narrow lake the Long Lake?" he asked.
Johanna's face darkened slightly as she replied, "There's already a Long Lake in the Vale."
"Yes."
Aemond's eyes were clear, as if it were a matter of fact. "There's one in the Vale, but not in Myrland."
Johanna: 🤦♀️
"The lake is called Long Lake, and the new town beside it should be called Lake-town." Aemond continued.
Johanna held her forehead with one hand and smiled wryly. "Is the barren mountain beside the Long Lake called the Lonely Mountain?"
Aemond shook his head. "That mountain has no name, but I call the round lake beside it Lake Egg."
Translated, it's the same as Egg Lake. As for Long Lake and Lake-town, those were just random names. After all, with a dragon as a neighbor, those names are only natural, right?
"As you say, Your Majesty."
Johanna hesitated, then finally succumbed to the prince's insistence.
Aemond ate his meal with a rapturous smile.
After staking out his territory, the next step was to create wonders. He loved building houses everywhere because everywhere was his home.
"Eat slowly. There's food everywhere."
Johanna stood up, walked around the table, and pulled a silken piece from her chest. She bent down and wiped the corners of His Royal Highness's mouth, which were stained with soup.
Aemond looked up in surprise. "Where did you get that?"
He was about to speak when a delicate hand pressed against his thigh.
Johanna's gaze was piercing as she leaned in close, her breath soft and sweet. "I've done so much work, and you haven't even paid me."
"So you want to fuck me?" Aemond's mind was in a state of flux.
Johanna feigned pity, saying softly, "I'm so tired. Come to my room and give me a massage."
Not so good. Aemond's eyelids drooped.
"If you don't come, I'll find someone else to do the hard work for you."
Johanna's face darkened, and she gritted her teeth, threatening and bribing him simultaneously.
Aemond: Wuhu! How sad! 😩
The next morning:
Aemond was lying on the soft, rose-scented couch, hugging a pillow and sleeping soundly. His face felt slippery against the soft, white pillow. Occasionally, the tip of his nose would scrape against a button, and he would bite it irritably.
"Hateful button! I'll bite you off!"
"Shut up!"
Johanna's face darkened as she pressed down on his handsome face.
Aemond woke up from the push and opened his eyes in a daze. For a moment, he felt as if he were still dreaming. Otherwise, how could he see date buns from his previous life? In Westeros and Essos, they only eat bread.
Johanna glared at him, shook her fist twice in the air, got up from the bed, and got dressed.
It was unclear how much time had passed. Aemond couldn't stand the wet sheets and got up with a bitter, aggrieved look. He hadn't slept well! Do you know how important sleep quality is for a child with insomnia and nightmares?
"Hiss!"
Suddenly, the faint roar of a giant dragon could be heard.
Aemond frowned in confusion. Where did the dragon roar come from?
He turned to look at Johanna. She wore a black lace slip dress, and her long, silky hair cascaded down her back. She brushed it slowly, as if nothing had happened.
"Didn't you hear it?" Aemond muttered to himself.
"Knock, knock, knock—"
There was a knock on the door, and Diana's voice rang out from outside, "Your Majesty, the princess has arrived."
"Your Majesty?"
Aemond was stunned for a second, and then his hair stood on end.
Rhaenyra had arrived!
Aemond sprang to his feet and pulled out a new set of clothes from his interstellar ring. Her long, silver-gold hair was tangled and untidy, so he grabbed a few handfuls and tied it back with a headband.
"What are you afraid of?" Johanna turned around with a wicked smile.
Aemond paused halfway through putting on his shawl and said seriously, "It's not fear; it's respect!"
Johanna was speechless and choked up. She'd had some meat and was full. Unlike Lady Rhea's new adopted daughter, she wasn't eager to become a princess. Her abilities and importance meant that the prince couldn't do without her. Myr would be her world for a long time to come.
Rhaenyra leaped off the dragon's back and looked around with delight. After more than half a month, the debt owed to the Iron Bank had finally been collected. A full million gold dragons!
"Hurry!"
Syrax roared, shifting his mighty body and looking toward the new scent.
"You're back, Rhaenyra," Aemond said, trotting over.
"Not just me, but Master Barkin and the Gulltown fleet as well." Rhaenyra removed her black gloves and approached with a smile.
"As expected of you. You're truly amazing." Aemond praised generously.
"Of course." Rhaenyra raised her chin innocently and opened her arms, inviting a hug.
Aemond pulled her in.
"Sniff."
Rhaenyra leaned into his arms and sniffed, her eyes narrowing slightly. The scent of rose petals was still fresh.
Aemond had sharp ears and immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
"Did someone get married in Runestone while I was away?" Rhaenyra loosened her grip, tilted her head, and sneered.
Aemond: "..."
"I knew I couldn't hide it."
Rhaenyra glared at him, raised her head stubbornly, and ordered, "I'm hungry. Prepare breakfast for me. I want a lamprey pie."
Aemond hurried to catch up and busied himself. He was just like a husband who cheated on his wife and came home trying to make it up to her.
"Hiss!"
Syrax stared at his back with dilated pupils and let out a restrained roar.
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