Sorry for taking such a long time, but I was busy with work and because it's Dia de Los Muertos here in Mexico. So, I had to spend time with my family! I hope all of you understand it! Now, please allow me to introduce the next schedule.
Overlord: The Demon Empress (One chapter.)
Boku No Overlord.
Overlord: The Demon-Who-Lived?
Harry Potter and the Demon Empress.
See you all later!
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Chapter 10
The capital city of King's Landing has seen better days before, or perhaps that would be what one would dare to say if he, she, or they had never lived there. The city had always been a cesspool of corruption, death, and sickness. Only a fool would say otherwise; nevertheless, it was where the King ruled over the Seven Kingdoms, sometimes with an iron fist, or in this case, fire and blood. Still, hope prevails in the form of the oldest prince of Westeros. Rhaegar Targaryen, the crown prince and, for some, the last hope for salvation in the Seven Kingdoms, sighed deeply, watching from his balcony the city down below, as melancholy could be seen on his face.
"So different from the Winter city," he whispered, remembering the city of ice and snow. A place that surprised him and filled him with amazement the first time he saw it. The streets were clean and made of a strange cobblestone, pure and white lining perfectly, creating a flawlessly structured avenue for all to see and walk over, something that King's Landings streets would never be. The city's center was such a place to be, with the big market that made the one in King's Landing nothing but a failed imitation, as it was filled with vendors trying to steal the gold in your pocket and lie about what they were truly selling. But the Winter City's market was filled with wonders of all Westeros and across the Narrow sea. One person could find anything there at an incredible price. The streets were wide and capable of allowing people and horses to walk without stumbling on each other. But adding that was how safe everything felt.
Winterfell, the Oldest castle in all of Westeros, could also hold the title of the most beautiful of all. The long walls and high towers. The Godswood inside the castle was enormous and had a life of its own. Rhaegar believed one person could get lost there. But there was beauty and peacefulness that the courtyard of the Red Keep didn't have. It was a place where he could find peace and quiet. He truly missed it.
Such a place to be. But I wonder, what was the reason for this strange feeling when touching those trees with faces on them? I felt like... something was watching me or whispering to me. Strange. Rhaegar thought deeply before thinking back at the Winter city and its people.
A surreal sensation was to walk among the people without the fear of being robbed or stabbed. Rhaegar truly believed he was in another world. Yet, what truly made the North different from the South as a whole, was how distinct everyone was. The people of the North were just unique, not how the Southerners were. They were somehow more united, capable of looking for one another, no matter the situation. Rhaegar saw it firsthand. It was surreal.
To believe we call them savages. But the truth is that, for them, we are the ones who behave like animals.
Rhaegar thought deeply, watching with disgusted eyes how far behind the North had left the South. Maybe it was what they deserved, all things considered, but he was still ashamed of it.
But at the same time, he shouldn't have expected any less from them. The North has always been a very remote place. A kingdom filled with mystery and its own culture. The Seven had no hold there, as the Northerners still believed in the Old Gods. And their attitude still reflected the ones of the First Man, with their weirwoods trees with faces carved into them and the sometimes prophetic words heard across Westeros. Winter is Coming.
Words that made Rhaegar shiver and made him wonder what else was to come. But he also thought about someone else. The person behind the North's golden age and the one who has taken his life and shifted it around like no one else.
In Winter, we must protect ourselves, my prince, and look after one another. When the snow falls and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives.
Rhaegar's mind was filled with those words. Those were the words of the woman with golden eyes and snow-white hair. The lady who stole his breath and heart. Rhaegar thought of Galadriel every day, all night, at every hour of his life. The prince knew he was in love with her, no doubt about it. No questions asked. A sensation that he didn't expect to feel while traveling to the North. Yet one he was happy to bear. Rhaegar has composed songs for her, writing poems too. But, no matter how much he tried, nothing he did could compare to her. No value of expression would ever explain her beauty and pure heart. Galadriel was an expression of itself. And he wanted her to be by his side. But sadly, all of his fantasies were stopped by the sudden sound of a door opening behind him.
"My prince," Ser Arthur Dayne called from the door as Rhaegar turned around only to meet the purple eyes of his loyal friend.
"Ser Arthur?" Rhaegar asked. "What is it?"
"Lord Varys is here. He wants to meet you. He says it is something urgent."
Rhaegar frowned deeply, not knowing what to make out of that line. Especially knowing that the new Spymaster was someone who kept an eye on everything and everyone. Still, Rhaegar wasn't sure of what to think of him. The Spider kept to himself mostly. He was a foreigner who smiled at everyone who called him a eunuch. But underneath pleasantries and gentle words lies a dangerous person who played a game that few would ever know. Rhaegar wondered what Varys earned from poisoning his father's head with lies and whispers.
What scheme was Varys doing behind closed doors? Rhaegar would find out soon enough.
"Lord Varys, to what I owe this visit of yours?" Rhaegar asked suspiciously as Varys bowed to him gently.
"My prince, I would have loved to meet you in a better term and not such as this. But I bring grave news from the North," Varys's voice carried some weight to it, which was strange to hear. Rhaegar has been living in King's Landing for so long now that he could almost smell death when the wrong words were spoken. And so he did just now. Rhaegar could practically feel his heart's beating slowing down.
"What... what is the news?" Rhaegar asked, almost wanting not to know. The dreams and wishes to be once again next to the white-haired wolf were almost painful to him, but to think that something may have happened was another thing entirely.
"I am sorry to inform you that there was an assassination attempt on the heiress of the Stark family, lady Galadriel."
"What...?" Rhaegar just whispered after a few long seconds.
"A group of assassins sneaked into Winterfell and attacked her; thankfully, she survived. But her condition is still fragile."
Rhaegar just stood there, letting those words settle inside him, but then, he started to walk around his room, packing his clothes and whatever he could carry, with one goal in mind.
"My prince?" Ser Arthur asked urgently as he watched Rhaegar packing desperately.
"I am carrying what I can. We ride tonight," Rhaegar stated. "We are going to Winterfell."
"I'll advise against it, my prince. The King has forbidden you to travel there until more news arrives."
Rhaegar then stared at Varys, wondering what he was playing now. "Why? Why this sudden... worry for my life?"
Varys hummed deeply, already knowing what the prince was asking truly.
"It's dangerous to travel there, especially after such news. I came here as fast as I could to tell you personally. I know that you have grown fond of young lady Galadriel, and such fondness has led to such a drastic measure against her life. It would be wise to be cautious."
Rhaegar kept on staring at Varys. "And?"
"You're the prince of the Seven Kingdoms. Heir to the Iron Throne. And you're unwed. Truly a catch to any lady, but more importantly, to the Great Houses. Especially to those who do not wish to lose the opportunity to get your hand."
Rhaegar scoffed at him. He wasn't as naive as Varys thought. But Spider was good at speaking a lot without saying anything at all.
"This is more than just me wishing to marry her. I can see it. I am not a fool, lord Varys. The North has become a powerhouse of itself. In a few more years and they would become richer than the Lannisters. Perhaps they are already. But what made the great house of the South so afraid of me marrying lady Galadriel is what she could do here. And how more powerful the Stark family would become. And from what I've seen from them. They are more than just a noble house; their blood is as old as old Valyria. The North will never follow another house; that's something I can't say about here. And yes, their army is more capable of facing any Southerner threat."
Rhaegar spoke with no fear, and Varys smiled at that. It was something that, deep down, Varys knew himself. The North was the tale of the Sleeping giant. The largest Kingdom in Westeros, with one of the oldest houses that could be traced to almost 8000 years ago. And now, their shadow loomed over all of Westeros, and the responsibility for it had been attacked by fearful people. Varys himself couldn't help but wonder, how did it happen? So fast and sloppy. It could be the desires of a powerful house. Or maybe, desperation to get rid of the young white wolf.
Nevertheless, it failed, and now the North has grown more distrustful of the South. Lady Galadriel Stark was utterly beloved there, and if she were to die. War would be unveiled on the continent. But at what cost? Vary couldn't help but wonder. Who are the players behind this sudden attack? And why is the North so quiet about it? Vary needed answers.
"A good assumption, my prince."
"You tell me, Lord Varys, is it false?"
Varys smiled softly at him. "That is one of the reasons, yes. The Stark family hasn't truly been one to spill blood here, in this place. Or at least not like others. They are the oldest house in all of Westeros and the only ones who still believe in the Old Gods. They are just too different. Their culture, everything. And even during the Targaryen countless conflicts. The Stark and the North haven't fully supported any of your ancestor's endeavors."
"Meaning?"
"Someone wants a war to happen, no doubt. And lady Galadriel is one of the main reasons for it. And you, the unwed prince, are paying attention to her instead of a lady of the South. They hate it."
"War...?"
"Yes, you have heard them, right? They have become quite loud about these rumors."
Varys spoke with a type of sweetness hard to swallow. Rhaegar has not considered his actions and what could cause his attraction to the Stark heiress. Also, the North as a whole has become a powerhouse of itself. Now they don't rely on anything the South gives, and slowly they were drifting away. Rhaegar wasn't blind or deaf. Many whispers were coming from some of the Southerner's houses about the North trying to yank itself away from the Iron Throne. It was one of the reasons he traveled there. Lies, of course, but loud enough for the King to pay attention to them. Rhaegar was sent not only to inspect the many wonders, like the Fever Channel, the new farm in the Barrowlands, and the new mines of Gold and Steel. But to see the Stark family and the capabilities of the North armies.
Rhaegar, while he has never fought in a war. He understood warfare and knew that even if the entire South united and marched toward the North. It would be almost fruitless. The Neck itself was a nightmare for any army. The swamps and marshes were just a living cemetery for any southerner who didn't know the land. But as well as the mythical Greywater Watch fortress. A moving castle, with thousands of soldiers ready to create chaos on the backlines of any army. And even if they succeeded in taking the Neck. Now, they must cross the Fever Channel and the Moat Cailin. The Harrenhal of the new age. And from what he saw, no army would take ever. Never, only with the help of Dragons, but they don't have any dragons.
And in Winter, not even the Seven could protect the Souther army up there.
"One could only wonder if they had any validity."
"They are loyal to the throne, lord Varys. And lady Galadriel has proven to be... more than just brilliance. She is what this realm needs, what the Targaryen family needs. And that's why I am going to the North and asking her to be my wife."
Varys raised his eyebrows at that declaration, but it was something he expected to happen. "My prince, such words could cause problems."
"Let them cause problems," Rhaegar stated. "Let everyone knows this, and if they wish to stop me or worse, to bring more harm to her. I'll bring them fire and blood."
Rhaegar then left the room, understanding that there was only one person he must speak with before anything. One person that needed on his side. And it was his father himself. The King and Rhaegar hoped he would be reasoned with.
"I see," Varys hummed deeply as he watched the prince go. "Maybe, he's not wrong. But... I doubt it would be that easy."
Varys whispered; he needed to write some letters and send word to his friends. Things were slowly changing in Westeros, and he couldn't be sure if they were for good or bad.
Galadriel hummed deeply as she kept on eating to her heart's content. It was the only positive thing about the false flag she created herself. She stayed in bed for days to end, pretending that she was still fragile. But of course, it was only sometimes when no one was looking. Galadriel goes to work with Pandora's Actor and Albedo. They have a lot to work on, but no day goes by that she doesn't get a bit sad about the pain she caused her family.
"Galadriel, are you awake?"
Galadriel whined softly, hearing the voice of her mother. She sighed as she cleaned her bed from the crumbs of her pancake. "You keep quiet." Galadriel hissed to Ainz, who just tilted his head at her.
"Yes, mother," Galadriel replied in her weak and soft voice. This is getting annoying. She drawled internally.
Lady Stark opened the door slightly and smiled gently at the sight of her child.
"How are you feeling?" Lyarra asked while poking her head at the door.
"Mother, you have come every morning for the last two weeks. And every day, I tell you the same. I feel better."
Lyarra chuckled as she sat next to her on the edge of the bed. The Stark lady saw the bandages across her daughter's body and the wounds. A pain was visible on her face, fear. Lyarra still couldn't sleep properly. Every night her mind was filled with the sight of her mauled body on the bed. The blood falls to the ground. The smell and horror of Galadriel's cold face. She couldn't deal with it. She had to come here every hour just to see her child still breathing.
Galadriel, for her part, didn't need to read her mother's mind to comprehend what was going on between those eyes of her. She took Lyarra's hand and gently caressed it. "Mother, you're carrying so much worry. It's not healthy."
Lyarra chuckled but couldn't help herself but choke a bit. "I wish for things to ease my pain, but... we have received a letter. It's from the King and prince."
"Ah."
Galadriel groaned internally, knowing full well what the letter was all about. Not that it was problematic, not at all. It was as they expected to happen and what they wanted to take place. But, what Galadriel considered was how this would change the North as a whole. A new stage has been placed, and Galadriel wanted it to be special, filled with everything that would make the North something more than a kingdom. Still, there was a lot to work out, and that's why Galadriel was expecting those words to reach Winterfell.
But the reaction from her family was the one thing Galadriel couldn't control, or more like; she wished not to deal with. It filled her with guilt and sorrow. All brews inside of her and twisted into anger and self-loathing. However, Galadriel couldn't stop nor evade what she had to do. Those were her ambitions, her inner thoughts, and desires. To rule, conquer and destroy. Perhaps not in that order, and not those things specifically, but they were close to what she wanted.
Galadriel dreamed of a world where the Stark family was more than just a name.
Winter is coming. That was their motto, the Stark's words. Yet, Galadriel wanted the reach of their family to go beyond that. Across the world and made them something more than a noble family. And as much it pains Galadriel, she would do just that.
"Good news, I hope?" Galadriel asked gently. She already knew what the letter said but wanted to hear it from her mother.
"The King has commanded us to travel to the South. All the Stark family must be present to see if you're worth becoming his son's wife. And to prove the Stark are still loyal to the Iron Throne."
Lyarra drawled, almost hissingly. "Of course, once you recover. How gracious of your grace."
Galadriel hummed deeply, pretending to be surprised by it. "I see. So the King has finally decided to call us South."
"He's not asking us. But ordering us to go south. He's planning an entire tournament for you. For the White Wolf, he wants you to visit him and parade you across the entire South to all the families there. To make us look like...! As if the Stark family was nothing but dogs for him to call!"
"He also demanded... DEMANDED septa to check your maidenhood, to see if you're indeed pure...! I'll kill him! I'll rip his throat out!"
Uh, he seems to be quite fond of me. Galadriel thought amusingly. But by the look in her mother's eyes. She wasn't pleased with all to hear such a thing. No, Lyarra seemed ready to commit king slaying, which the thought of itself, of dear sweet Lyarra Stark, lady of Winterfell, going on a rampage on the South, was quite hilarious and badass.
"I doubt everyone took that news with open arms," Galadriel stated, wondering where her siblings were.
Lyarra's stoic face was a clear example of the many reactions from her beloved family.
"So not good," Galadriel replied quickly.
"We aren't pleased with these... demands. Your father still needs to reply to the King. But he will, and I believe you know the answer."
Galadriel leaned on her bed, a bit happy about her father's attitude. Lord Stark would do as the King commanded, but still, Lord Stark would take his time. A long time. A sort of quiet objection to the King's orders and words.
"And how about you, mother?"
Lyarra took a deep breath, calming her nerves. "I knew this day would come. Ever since the prince came all the way here, from the moment, he looked at you. So, I have been preparing myself for this. Yet, it doesn't make it easier on me. Nor do I like it or accept it. You're a child of the North, ice, and snow. You belong here, not down there, with the snakes and the warmth of summer."
Galadriel chuckled a bit but had to admit that she would never grow bored of her family. They do make things a lot better and more interesting.
"It's going to be okay, mother. There's time, and you never know; things can change."
"I do hope so, my dear. But I doubt it will this time."
Galadriel smiled sweetly at Lyarra as she held her hand with tenderness and joy. "You never know, mother. Maybe the Old Gods are listening."
Lyanna just glared at the practice dummy filled with arrows, head, shoulders, stomach, and legs, there was no place left to shoot, and Lyanna knew it. However, a feeling of anger lingered, and Lyanna couldn't get rid of it.
"Pricks," Lyanna hissed angrily, walking towards the poor victim of her frustration and removing some arrows. "All of them, a bunch of cunts. Feeling so high and mighty because your ass sats on that ugly throne? I should shove a sword down there, so you don't have to sit on another chair."
Lyanna muttered, moving towards the shooting range of her bow. "Seven hells hold me back."
Lyanna's direwolf, Lya, whined at the sudden barrage of insults and obscenities. Still, Lyanna was quite angry about paying attention to that, so she continued with her private war.
Lyanna growled as she started her barrage again until she heard a soft chuckle from behind.
"If mother heard you speak like that," Brandon called, hiding an amused face. "She would actually agree for this time."
"What do you want, Brandon?"
"I just... want to... I need to let some steam out. Ned is currently, well, he went hunting. I think I need that, too," Brandon said as Lyanna nodded softly. Of course, there was more than just wanting to hit someone's head.
"Brandon, what do you think?" Lyanna's question made Brandon scoff very loudly as he picked up a wooden sword and hit another practice dummy, hitting something.
"Think of what?" Brandon grunted.
"You know about what."
Brandon's fury came to light as he broke the wooden sword without much problem. "I hate it. I fucking hate them all."
Brandon just stood there with the broken wooden sword in his hand. "They see Galadriel as a piece of meat to eat and chew. The prince, the Baratheon prick. All of them. Who are they demand of us anything? Did you read the letter from the King? The wording, how he saw us as nothing but savages and wild animals! Who is he?! Our family ruled over the North as kings and queens of Winter while the Valyrians were nothing but glorified shepherds!"
Brandon hissed furiously. "They believe their piss is gold, and their shit stinks of flower and honey."
"Ew, that's disgusting, Brandon."
Brandon sighed deeply as he sat on the ground, muttering angrily. "They don't deserve her. The South itself is not worthy of Galadriel."
Lyanna nodded, sitting next to him on the ground, allowing both siblings to just stared at the grey sky above them.
"No one is... which is funny. We can't keep Galadriel locked up forever."
"Why not? I'll keep her maidenhood safe and secure here. No one will touch her without my permission."
Lyanna then punched Brandon's shoulder. "Cunt."
"W-what?!"
"She's not an object, dickhead!"
"Hey! I thought we wanted to keep her maidenhood intact!"
"I don't want people to take advantage of her, not that she didn't have the right to love!" Lyanna stated angrily. "I want someone to take care of her. Someone who actually loves her and cherishes her. That's what I want, and I know those two bloody idiots won't do that! The prince would only use her for what she would bring the Targaryen blood! And Robert is a fucking drunkard who will never respect her!"
"Yeah, I know that."
Brandon just awkwardly muttered a small sorry as Lyanna just huffed. "I am a girl too, you know? One day, I may find a person that I love."
"What about not being a lady? About you not wanting to get married?"
"I don't want to get married, not really. I want to be free, nothing more. But it could happen, you know? That I find that person. I don't know, nor am I afraid of it happening. But that's nothing here or there. Galadriel is my older sister. And I want her to find peace and happiness. That's all I want."
Lyanna muttered gently, playing with the dirt. "After what happened, I feel so... useless. If she goes South and is forced to marry the prince. How could I protect her? In that snake pit? In the Dragon's den? What could we do then if another group of killers tried to get a hold of her life?"
Brandon couldn't reply because he had no answer. He, just like Lyanna, as if he were a small child, started to play with a small rock on the ground. Brandon knew that feeling all too well, and the same sensation of guilt and being incapable of doing anything about it came crashing down. He wanted to protect his sister like any older brother, but he came short of just doing that.
"What do we do?" Brandon whispered while Lyanna sighed.
"I wish I knew, Brandon. I wish I knew."
"We are moping around like Ned," Brandon muttered, making Lyanna giggle.
"Yeah, we do," Lyanna replied as she looked up at the sky. "Winter is coming."
"Winter is coming," Brandon echoed, as both Stark siblings could only hope they would be ready when it arrived.
Up there, watching from the high walls of Winterfell, Albedo hummed deeply, watching her lady's sibling with mild amusement and curiosity.
"These humans do really care for our lady," Albedo stated as she paid no attention to Pandora's Actor behind her.
"Their lives revolve around her. They love her and cherish her with every fiber of their bodies."
"Of course, how couldn't they?"
Pandora's Actor sighed as he stared at Albedo, who hadn't truly understood what the Stark family meant to his lady after arriving in this world. Perhaps Albedo or the other guardians would never understand it. Not truly, but he hoped that Albedo and the others could comprehend that their lady needed a family.
"They are weeping; they don't understand that everything is as our lady planned. They believed it their own fault."
Albedo wondered why they would think such nonsense. Those humans might be surprised to know how different their sister was if they knew the truth. Yet, it wasn't her duty or her decision. Albedo trusted her lady knew what was at stake and what was better for her family. Still, she couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy crawl inside her.
I want to be part of my love's family. To be considered more than just a servant.
Albedo sighed deeply but couldn't help but think that the opportunity may take longer than she anticipated. Thankfully, that wouldn't be the case, as Pandora's Actor's smirk grew wider.
"So, Albedo, what have you thought about our lady's plan?" He asked with a teasing smirk. Albedo's reaction was pure rage, as she almost destroyed the wall with her bare hand. But quickly calmed herself down.
"It's my lady's decision and part of her grand plan."
Albedo quickly replied, but hurt anger, and misery could be heard in her voice. And while Pandora's Actor would have liked to tease Albedo and make her feel bad, he wasn't heartless. At least, not that much.
"And you're going to respect that?" Pandora's Actor asked, inquiring more.
"It's not about respecting that but following my lady's orders. That's all it matters. I will never understand her future vision, nor should I try. But I know my lady's mind works in ways I will never comprehend. I shall do my duty and follow her to the end of times. No matter what."
Albedo replied, which made Pandora's Actor smile. "So, you're fine with her marrying a man?"
Then, Albedo's jaw tightens, almost breaking her teeth, if that was even possible. "Of course. It's... part of her master plan!" Albedo replied, smiling, but she wasn't smiling, which was amusing for Pandora's Actor. Especially since he knows Albedo didn't truly understand the whole plan, at least some very important details.
"Well, then, you better start learning how to behave like one," Pandora's Actor stared, smiling brightly.
"Uh...?" Albedo's confused face would be something he had remembered for a long time.
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