chapter 205 part 1
Chapter 205: Paper and Ravens
Essos, the city-state of Viserys, Magister's Manse.
Glyn sat on the floor, his long legs stretched out, his back resting against the edge of the bathtub.
Splash, splash.
Behind him, Daenerys was soaking in the tub, her two handmaidens scrubbing her body.
In front of them, three little dragons seemed to be asleep.
A faint smile graced Lord Glyn's face, but his mind was racing. His eyes flickered slightly as he looked at the three obedient-looking little dragons.
Glyn's brown eyes trembled slightly... Should he let them live?
Glyn's thumb and forefinger slowly came together, then suddenly paused. He turned his head to look behind him, and his gaze met Daenerys's.
Daenerys's eyes brimmed with undisguised affection. Her voice was soft, as if she were worried about something.
"Glyn, this isn't a dream... is it?"
Daenerys's small hands tightly gripped the corner of Glyn's clothes—one of the main reasons he was sitting there at this moment.
Glyn's fingers twitched, and then… his hand gently covered the back of Daenerys's.
His eyes crinkled into a smile. "I'm here, my Princess."
The corners of Daenerys's eyes reddened slightly. She slid over and embraced Glyn with both arms.
They gazed at each other for a moment before she murmured, "Promise me this isn't a dream."
"Princess Daenerys..."
She softly interrupted, "Call me Daenerys."
The two pressed close, and the handmaidens' low giggles echoed in their ears.
Daenerys felt Glyn's warmth and presence. Her consciousness gradually blurred as sleepiness swept over her like a wave... She finally relaxed and gave up the struggle, letting sleep carry her into a sweet dreamland.
Their lips parted. Glyn gazed at the deeply sleeping Daenerys, a gentle smile unconsciously appearing on his face.
Splash, splash... Glyn carried the dripping Daenerys out of the bathtub.
After a moment's pause, Glyn knelt again. He gestured with his eyes to Daenerys's handmaidens; one of the Princess's hands still needed… to be scrubbed.
The two handmaidens worked with practiced skill, one washing and scrubbing, the other drying with a warm towel. Soon, Glyn stood upright again.
...
Glyn took Daenerys to her bedchamber. When he returned to the bathing room, he held the greatsword, Ice, in his hand.
Closing the door, Glyn "dragged" Ice slowly toward the three quiet little dragons. The sword's tip scraped against the hard stone slab, creating an ear-piercing sound.
The noise Glyn made woke the three little dragons. They began to hiss, occasionally spitting out small puffs of black smoke.
Glyn sat before the three little dragons. Ice stood upright, the deep patterns in the blade faintly visible. It remained as sharp as the day it was forged.
He laid Ice at an angle and took out a rough whetstone.
*Shing... shing... shing...*
The crisp, pleasant sound of sharpening gradually quieted the little dragons' hissing.
*Sss... sss... sss... sss...*
This Daenerys was not the one who had matured through numerous painful experiences. Because of his intervention, she was still just an exiled princess who had lost her family and was only just beginning to find her strength. But... could Glyn, a transmigrator who aimed for the Iron Throne, trust her?
Daenerys loved him deeply, but what was love? A special physiological reaction? Glyn, the transmigrator and player of the great game, tried to explain it using memories from his past life, but for the moment, he could not find a definite answer.
*Shing... shing... shing...*
Sometimes, Glyn preferred facing those with ill intent over those with goodwill toward him, because malice would not affect the speed at which he drew his sword.
Perhaps he needed some time. Not for others, but for himself.
Hiss... Hiss... Hiss...
The crisp, pleasant sound of sharpening seemed to guide the three little dragons, one by one, to their inner peace.
Lord Glyn nodded inwardly. Beautiful music indeed helped deepen mutual feelings.
Today's music lesson ends here.
Lord Glyn rose from the stool. He was very patient, for he knew that "fatherly love" needed to be cultivated from a young age.
...
The next afternoon.
On the bed, a sleepy Daenerys looked at Glyn, who was sitting by her side.
Glyn closed the book of Valyrian legends and smiled. "Daenerys, you're awake?"
Daenerys stared at Glyn and nodded silently.
Seeing Daenerys staring at him motionlessly, Glyn chuckled lightly. "Your Highness, do you require the services of your servant Glyn?"
A hint of a smile appeared at the corners of Daenerys's mouth. She nodded again.
Glyn reached out his hand, but as he pulled, Daenerys threw herself into his embrace.
Daenerys held Glyn's waist tightly. "I missed you so much, my knight."
Glyn wrapped one arm around Daenerys and gently patted her back with the other. "I'm here, my Princess."
Daenerys nodded in Glyn's embrace, holding him even tighter.
The two embraced each other in silence.
...
After an unknown period of time, Daenerys lifted her head and asked, "Glyn, did you come for me?"
Glyn nodded gently and said warmly, "Daenerys, in my dream on the first day, I heard your voice. The second day, I had the same dream, but I still couldn't hear what you were saying. On the third day, I heard you clearly; I heard you calling for help, so I came."
Daenerys's passionate kiss was his only response.
...
Daenerys's breathing grew heavy. She pressed her palm against Glyn's chest and pushed, making him fall back onto the bed.