Chapter 33.3- The Seadragon's Roar

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“Yes, that would work, but are you ready to abandon all that your ancestors worked for? Driftmark has been home to House Velaryon even from before the doom. You have a legacy there that goes so far back that many struggle to say when it began” Rhaenys said when we approached with the idea.

“Driftmark is our past. We were left one island— not even the greatest of them— when we were naught but a seafaring house. House Velaryon is now the Second Greatest house in the realm. Only bettered by the royal family” And not for long I added mentally.

“There is so much potential to be harnessed in the Stepstones,. Industries that had previously been unthinkable are now within reach. All there. Driftmark wouldn’t be abandoned. Far from it. I would see our people elevated to new levels of prosperity. The wealth we extract from and through the Stepstones would go to Driftmark first and foremost. Father built the most beautiful castle in all the Seven Kingdoms, I will add to it by building the most beautiful city in the known world. Our people will live a life of luxury funded with the wealth we create in the Stepstones.” I said.

“And you believe you can create this sort of wealth?” She asked, brow arched.

“Yes. Just give the chance, mother, and watch what I will do.” She kept her stare up for a minute or so and I matched it all the way. I couldn’t back down. Not with this. Getting this would see all my plans begin to move forward. The Stepstones were the future. Corlys had done all that could be done with Driftmark already.

“I have always known you to be special, Laenor. From when you said your first word at an age where most children could not even babble. From when you began reading when coherent speech should have been far out of reason. You have always been special. Maybe it is the dragon blood in you. Maybe it’s something else. But you are unburnt, and the unburnt among us have always proven to be some of the greatest leaders and mages of our people. So this will be your chance to show me what your potential is. I don’t care much for the Stepstones, but we must keep them. I can trust you to do that much easily enough. Anything else you do with them is fully up to you. For the next year and a half, until you reach your majority and must return to take the Lordship of Driftmark, you may do as you wish” She said. Yes. Perfect.

“Thank you so much, Mother. I will not fail you” I said.

“For some reason, I don’t doubt that at all. Make me proud, my son” She said, moving over and pulling me into a hug.

“Mother?” I heard from outside the hug.

“Yes Laena?”

“Can I join Laenor? In the Stepstones?”

“And leave me all alone?” She said with a sigh.

“Motherrrrr”