Chapter 404

Daenerys, scolded like a child, had no intention of retorting. The initial awe from Aegor’s grandiose plan had given way to a sensation she hadn’t felt in years—a quickened heartbeat. She couldn’t even tell if this fluttering came from the audacity of the “Greater Crownlands Plan” or from the commanding presence of the Night’s Watch commander as he confidently laid out his vision.

As a queen who refused to live an ordinary life and yearned to etch her name into history, it would be a lie to say she wasn’t drawn to such a plan. Yet, as much as it stirred her heart, the proposal sounded far too much like an unattainable dream. Having fought her way here, her first instinct was to question its feasibility in military terms. “This ‘Greater Crownlands’ is indeed rich in resources and teeming with people, but it’s a completely open plain with no natural defenses. How would it be protected against potential external invasions?”

“External invasions? From where?” Aegor raised an eyebrow. “You’re supposed to be the one to break the wheel of history, remember? Shouldn’t it be: ‘All of Westeros is the Queen’s domain; all its lands belong to the Queen’? The territories outside the Greater Crownlands wouldn’t be foreign lands—they’d be your vassals. The realms to the north, south, east, and west shouldn’t merely acknowledge your rule; they should serve as stewards guarding the distant reaches of your realm.”

He shrugged before continuing. “So, your real question should be: What happens in the distant future if these remaining lords, excluded from the Crownlands, grow rebellious? How would the royal government defend against them? Now that is a valid question—and that’s why the ‘Greater Crownlands Plan’ comes with a follow-up: balance of power.”

...

“Your ancestors’ rule created favorable conditions for you. Before Aegon’s Conquest, the harsher climates and poorer lands of some kingdoms, like the North, the Westerlands, and Dorne, kept their populations low. But now? Centuries of relative peace have made them reliant on the Reach and Riverlands for grain. Disasters and winters no longer lead to mass starvation. Even the Vale, while barely self-sufficient due to its fertile soil, has limited arable land. Population growth has strengthened these regions, but it’s also made them more dependent on external supplies. If Your Grace controls the grain supply, you’ll have all the other kingdoms by the throat.”

“Of course, relying solely on grain isn’t enough. To ensure your successors have no worries, you’ll need to place additional ‘shackles’ on these regions. For the North, known for its fierce warriors, my suggestion is division and containment. Transfer the mountain clans and their territories to the Gift, dissolve the Night’s Watch as it stands, and replace it with a royal garrison funded and supplied directly by the Crown. This would weaken the North militarily while placing a loyal army behind their backs to monitor their every move, eliminating the possibility of them ‘marching south’ in rebellion.”

“As for the Westerlands, famed for their gold and wealth, we can take inspiration from Tywin Lannister’s ‘gold monopoly’ policy. But we’d modify it: decree that any gold reserves exceeding a certain amount must be deposited in the royal bank, with the main vault located in King’s Landing. The gold may belong to them, but its physical presence would remain under your control. This would make it impossible for anyone to secretly hoard wealth for rebellion.”

“The North and the Westerlands are powerful enough to require special strategies. But the Vale and Dorne? They’re far less of a concern. The Vale’s military success stems more from alliances than inherent strength. Its population is small, and it hasn’t even subdued its own mountain clans. Its recent resources were depleted in the League of Justice rebellion. A single royal garrison at the Bloody Gate, combined with naval control of Gulltown, would keep it in check. Force them to dedicate farmland to tribute crops like fruits, vegetables, and horses, increasing their dependence on imported grain, and they’ll never rise against you.”

“As for Dorne...” Aegor chuckled. “Their boast of ‘fighters as numerous as grains of sand’ is impressive, and their resistance to Aegon’s Conquest is legendary. But at the end of the day, Dornish success comes from guerrilla tactics and avoiding direct confrontation. They’re poor in resources and population. Controlling their grain supply and blocking the mountain passes would render them irrelevant.”

“Oh, and the Iron Islands?” Aegor sneered. “A speck of land and a bunch of thugs. Forget them. Once cannons are mounted on ships, their so-called fleet will be nothing more than driftwood.”

He took a sip of his now-cold wine, exhaling deeply. “But no matter how many schemes and contingencies you prepare in your lifetime, it all means nothing if your successors are incompetent. True strength lies in raw power. By controlling the richest lands in Westeros and placing reins on the other kingdoms, you can develop your military and economy. A standing army larger than the City Watch would soon be possible. With a stable foundation, you can focus on advancing technology and production, always staying a step ahead. Rule securely, and your dynasty will endure.”

The room fell silent as Aegor leaned back, swirling his wine lazily while watching Daenerys—this stunningly beautiful and incredibly powerful young queen—grapple with the enormity of his vision. The contrast between her ethereal grace and the utterly overwhelmed look on her face was almost amusing.

...

Why hadn’t Aegor presented these ideas during their first meeting on Dragonstone, even at the risk of offending Daenerys? Why had he been so pleased when he lured her to this secluded tower in Crown's Rest? And why had he insisted she not share today’s conversation with anyone?

The answer was simple. This grand plan, seemingly tailored to help Daenerys “break the wheel,” was riddled with self-serving motives. Aegor had carefully glossed over the downsides, knowing full well that Daenerys’s limited experience left her ill-equipped to question him. Had Varys or Littlefinger been present, they would have immediately poked holes in his grandiose theories. And that risk was unacceptable.

Aegor knew his own limitations. Beyond his extraordinary knowledge, he lacked the cunning and experience to match wits with Westeros’s most seasoned schemers. His goal here was simple: make Daenerys see him as a kindred spirit, a rare ally who could offer what no one else could. He wanted her to believe she’d found someone indispensable—a visionary who could provide her with everything she needed.

To achieve this, the conversation had to be private, free of outside interference. And in this little tower, on his own turf, he held the upper hand.

Ultimately, no grand ideology could win loyalty like self-interest. By promoting production and reshaping the political order, Aegor could claim a seat at the table. He had no desire to create a unified, centralized empire—doing so would turn politics into a brutal, winner-takes-all bloodbath. Instead, leaving four autonomous regions served both public and private purposes: ensuring stability while giving Aegor a fallback plan in case things went awry.

As an outsider, even if Aegor wielded great power and was feared throughout the Seven Kingdoms, he couldn’t simply jump onto the table and declare himself the dealer. He needed a stepping stone to break free from the Gift.

1.    Supporting King Stannis was the worst option—too much effort for too little reward.

2.    Young Aegon in the south? Aegor knew next to nothing about him. Betting on him could lead to nothing in the end.

3.    As for Joffrey Baratheon, the piece he actually held in his hands—declaring him the rightful king and launching a campaign in his name would mean fighting alone until he could break through the North, the Riverlands, and reunite with Tywin. And with Joffrey’s reputation as an incest-born abomination, the war would instantly become a nightmare-level difficulty mode.

Considering all these factors, Daenerys became the best choice:

1.    Aegor had some understanding of her temperament and personality.

2.    She commanded a respectable military force.

3.    Most importantly…

Aegor took a deep breath and admitted to himself—the Queen's aura had affected him.

Even though, on the surface, he remained rational, deep down, in the subconscious corners of his mind, he realized he had already settled on following the Mother of Dragons—not just as a tactical choice, but as his first and final decision.

In fact, he was already eager to serve her.

The moment she extended another olive branch—he would take it.

But then, glancing at Daenerys’ conflicted expression, Aegor smirked.

They were both ensnared, weren’t they?

She had trapped him with her unexplainable, almost supernatural allure.

And he had trapped her with an irresistible vision of the future.

Littlefinger and Varys might be top-tier players, but their perspectives, interests, and class backgrounds fundamentally limited their vision.

No matter how hard they schemed, they could never present Daenerys with a plan as grand and mesmerizing as the Greater Crownlands.

He had seized the perfect opportunity—catching Daenerys alone, away from her advisors—and laid before her a banquet of lavish delicacies.

After experiencing this feast, would she ever be satisfied with the stale bread of "feudal lords"?

Aegor was certain:

No matter how much Daenerys weighed the pros and cons, no matter how logically she analyzed the risks and rewards,

In the end, she would surrender to the overwhelming pull of her subconscious desires—

And step onto the path he had drawn for her.