AN:
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Several weeks had passed since Aethon’s arrival in Lys, this massive amount of time that past was accounted for due to the days that blended together into a relentless routine of negotiations between certain sellers, inspections, contracts, and calculations of his assest, basically the boring stuff.
To keep it simple, from sunrise until well after dusk, merchants, guild masters, shipwrights, and wealthy landowners came and went from his estate with such regularity that the servants had begun preparing guest chambers almost every evening out of habit.
It was exhausting work but it was working.
One by one, the warehouses he had set his sights upon were slipping into his possession.
Some had required generous offers of gold while others had demanded exclusive trade agreements with his house through him, stretching years into the future.
A handful had proven stubborn enough to require several rounds of negotiations before finally yielding.
The latest contract lay open across his desk in fact as Aethon carefully inspected every line for a final time before placing his seal into the cooling wax saying “There…”
He leaned back in his chair, allowing a long breath to escape further saying, “That should be the last of them for things to go well.”
The warehouse district surrounding the eastern docks now belonged almost entirely to companies operating under his authority.
It was only the first step of a far larger design, but every foundation began with a single stone.
His neck protested as he slowly rolled his shoulders.
Hours bent over ledgers had left every muscle stiff, with another sigh, he lowered his head, pressing his fingers against the back of his neck in an attempt to work away the ache.
A knock interrupted the silence, though without letting him rest, the voice on the other side said “My lord?”.
The servant remained just outside the study while Aethon said “You may enter.”
The young man stepped inside and bowed saying “My lord, you have visitors from Lys.”
“At this hour?” This chapter is updated first at g.com.
“Yes, my lord.”
Curiosity drew him toward the tall window overlooking the front courtyard next to his large oak desk.
He ignored his servent and jumped up the window to look outside to see who it was this time.
Below, a lavish carriage had just come to a halt before the entrance.
Its polished exterior reflected the afternoon sunlight beautifully, while four immaculately groomed white horses stood patiently beneath ornate harnesses decorated with silver fittings.
Servants hurried forward almost immediately while one carefully opened the carriage door before extending a hand toward its first passenger.
An elderly gentleman emerged from inside to the outside, his robes alone probably cost more than an ordinary sailor earned in several years.
Every movement carried the practiced refinement of a man accustomed to privilege as he stepped down in an arrogant fashion while gazing at the Castle like he was looking at art.
Moments later another servant offered the same assistance to a young woman still seated within.
She accepted gracefully while the servants lowered a small step.
Only then did she descend on the clean fur-coated stairs that were brushed better than Aethon’s own hair.
Her movements were measured and elegant, almost ceremonial.
Between the expensive silks, carefully arranged silver jewelry on her plump chest, and the attention every servant devoted to her comfort, she looked less like the daughter of a merchant and more like royalty arriving at court.
Aethon had to admit she had gained a glow-up seeing her now, back when he saw her when he was only 9, she was somewhat pretty with freckles on her rosy cheeks, but now that they were both 15 and entering the stage of puberty, her breasts had grown to be very large in proportions he didn’t expect, even her buttocks were somewhat more apparent when she turned to face her father saying something.
Truly, it was an immense glow-up he did not expect from the daughter of the merchant, this made him think, ‘If this is how Alice looks like, what about her sisters?
Are they also changing in ways I didnt expect?’
From the looks of things, they weren’t here, and it was only the one daughter that showed up along with her father, still, he was curious to see her face up close and see how Alice looks like after 6 years.
Aethon’s eyes lingered only briefly before shifting back toward the older man by the doorway, this made him close his eyes saying “…Of course it’s them.”
The servant tilted his head saying “My lord?”
Aethon rubbed his temple while waving his hand saying “The merchant prince Alfred.
I forgot about it.”
This was the very same man whose proposal years earlier had nearly resulted in Corlys throwing him from his own dining hall.
He remembered the exchange vividly, no actaully he only remembered that stuff when he saw or heard of the merchant.
It’s one of those memories you completely forget, then when you see a certain object or person, you quickly remember something that correlates with it.
Anyway, this was the merchant who had suggested a marriage between Aethon and one of his daughters, presenting it as an opportunity for mutual prosperity.
Corlys had heard something entirely different, like an attempt to purchase influence over House Velaryon.
The meeting had ended rather abruptly after that, but time healed many things.
Or perhaps ambition simply ignored old embarrassments, maybe if Aethon’s house was less powerful and irrelevent the merchant would have found Corlys tantrum offensive and an insult to be punished, but since they are fuckin House Velaryion, the kings of the tide, one had to respect them even if they insult you.
Thats why power is important, it allows one to trample anyone without consequences, the merchants need them anyway, this need makes them behave themselves and remain respectful no matter what disrespect they face.
Then another memory surfaced after this thought, several days ago after enduring what felt like an endless procession of invitations from nobles of Lys, Aethon had finally instructed every messenger to carry back the same reply saying.
*”If your master truly wishes to discuss business, he may come to my estate.
I have neither the time nor the patience for banquets.”*
He supposed this was the inevitable result saying, “They’re rather persistent, Lord Alfred.”
“They’ve called three times already this week, my lord,” Alfred, or Aethon’s servant/Coin master, admitted carefully, yes his name was Alfred, its not something he came up with, it has been his servant since birth, who he trusted with safekeeping his castle in Lys while he’s in Driftmark.
Plus he was extremely loyal and only served him, not his house.
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