The midday sun was hot and direct, pouring onto the wide terrace of the Spear Tower.
Euron lay lazily on a comfortable lounge chair, resting with his eyes closed. Arianne and Ashara lay on chairs to either side of him. The three enjoyed this rare tranquility and warmth, as if all conflicts were temporarily walled out by the high tower.
Suddenly, a figure appeared silently beside Euron, breaking the peace.
It was the bodyguard Euron had assigned to protect Princess Elia, the Sorrowful Man—Victoria.
Victoria's breathing was slightly rapid, her face wearing an expression mixed with nervousness and anticipation. She leaned down to Euron's ear and spoke in a voice that was soft yet incredibly clear, meant only for him:
"It is time."
Just three words.
Like a lightning bolt striking Euron.
His eyes snapped open. His body sprang up from the lounge chair almost instinctively with a woosh, all laziness swept away instantly, replaced by an unprecedented tension and urgency.
—Elia was about to give birth!
Euron shot out like an arrow from a bow string, leaving only his voice drifting back from afar: "You two come back later; I'm going ahead!"
Arianne Martell, standing frozen, had immediately read the undisguised nervousness and urgency in Victoria's eyes the moment she appeared and met her gaze. She understood instantly what was happening inside the tower.
With almost no hesitation, Arianne moved immediately, chasing after the direction Euron disappeared, leaving only a brief sentence: "How can I let him go alone! I have to go see too!"
On the terrace, only Ashara Dayne was left lying there blankly. She watched the figures of the two leaving hurriedly one after another, her beautiful eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment. Completely in the dark, she thought some earth-shattering event had suddenly occurred within the Seven Kingdoms to make these two leave in such a flustered manner.
---
In the corridor outside the delivery room of the Sun Tower, the atmosphere was heavy enough to suffocate.
Euron Greyjoy, Arianne Martell, Prince Oberyn, and even the mobility-impaired Prince Doran Martell sat in his wheelchair, pushed there by servants. At this moment, they looked like the most ordinary family members, their faces written with unconcealed tension and anxiety, all waiting outside that tightly closed door.
Inside, only the delivering Maester, experienced midwives, and the ever-loyal companion Victoria were allowed to stay. Their low voices of encouragement and rapid instructions could be faintly heard. But the most piercing, heart-wrenching sounds were Elia Martell's shrill screams, rising one after another due to the intense pain.
Those sounds penetrated the heavy door like invisible whips lashing everyone's heart outside. Euron pursed his lips tightly, his jawline taut as iron, his hands unconsciously clenched into fists. Oberyn paced back and forth irritably; every moan made him more agitated, like a wounded tiger. Occasionally seeing Euron, he would shove him away gruffly. Arianne's face was pale, her hands clasped tightly over her chest as if in silent prayer. Even Prince Doran, who usually hid his emotions, had hands trembling slightly on his wheelchair armrests.
No matter what power and authority they possessed, at this moment, they could only stand here helplessly, listening to the suffering of the person inside, enduring this heart-burning wait.
Time seemed infinitely stretched in extreme anxiety. Every minute, every second crawled difficultly through thick molasses, heavy and slow. Those outside could only listen to the painful sounds within, hearts twisting like knives, yet powerless to help.
Just when the suffocating wait was about to reach its peak—
A clear, powerful baby's cry, seeming capable of piercing all gloom, suddenly rang out from inside the door!
The sound was like music from heaven, instantly shattering all the tension and unease outside.
---
Almost simultaneously with the cry, the tightly closed door was flung open from the inside. The four waiting outside could hold back no longer and rushed in almost at the same time.
Euron Greyjoy's goal was incredibly clear. His gaze bypassed everyone, heading straight for the birthing bed immediately.
On the bed, Elia Martell's face was pale as paper, her hair soaked with sweat and sticking to her forehead. Her whole being radiated the weakness of exhaustion, yet her eyes shone with an indescribable brilliance belonging to a mother.
Euron knelt on one knee by the bed, reaching out without hesitation to tightly grasp Elia's cold, trembling hand. All words seemed superfluous at this moment; those tightly clasped hands conveyed emotions deeper than any language.
While everyone was still immersed in the joy of the newborn and worry for Elia's weakened state, a warm clay bowl appeared without warning in Euron's palm. The bowl was filled with a rich-colored soup emitting a strange, mellow fragrance. The scent seemed to contain vigorous vitality, forming a stark contrast to the smell of blood in the room.
Those around, including Oberyn and Prince Doran, looked at the sudden object in his hand with slight confusion, not understanding what it was or where it came from.
Sea Pork Hormone Soup — A rich soup made by Sanji in One Piece using the Newkama Kenpo Attack Cuisine recipes, capable of rapidly restoring stamina and enhancing physical constitution. It had been stored in Euron's system space, finally put to use.
Euron didn't explain. He carefully supported the incredibly weak Elia, letting her lean in the crook of his arm. Then, with extreme patience, he brought the rim of the bowl to her pale lips, saying softly, "Drink this. It's good for you."
Elia looked at him with trust and took small sips as told. The soup was warm, rich in texture, and carried an indescribable deliciousness. Even more magical was that as the soup entered her stomach, a strong warm current quickly spread to her limbs and bones, like rain nourishing parched earth. Her body, originally heavy and drained of all strength from labor, miraculously felt power returning rapidly. Even her pale cheeks faintly regained a hint of color.
This immediate effect made the Maester and midwives watching closely widen their eyes in surprise.
Euron's meticulous care and heartfelt love for Elia fell clearly into the eyes of Oberyn, Arianne, and Prince Doran.
The slight estrangement and silent resentment they harbored toward Euron due to the complicated relationship quietly melted a few degrees in the face of this sincere concern. Although unspoken, the scrutiny and coldness in their gazes toward Euron softened considerably.
On the other side, the soft newborn had been carefully wrapped by the experienced midwives in prepared white cotton cloth and exquisite swaddling clothes, revealing only a rosy, tender little face.
This little fellow, symbolizing new life and future hope, was passed carefully and sequentially to the hands of Prince Doran, Prince Oberyn, and Princess Arianne. Their movements were exceptionally gentle, as if holding the most precious treasure in the world, their eyes revealing the warmth and joy of shared family blood.
Finally, the child was gently placed back into Elia's arms. Elia looked down, her pale face blooming with incredibly soft and satisfied radiance, her gaze tightly wrapped around the infant in her arms.
Euron remained seated by the bed, his strong arm gently encircling Elia's weak shoulders, giving her support. His gaze also fell on that tiny life, emotions churning in his deep eyes—a mix of the joy of first sight, heavy responsibility, worry for the future, and an indescribable throb of blood connection.
Elia turned her head slightly, her pale face overflowing with a tired but happy smile. She whispered to Euron, "Look, as you wished, a healthy boy."
Euron's gaze never left her and the child. He shook his head, his voice low and sincere. "Boy or girl is fine. To me, the most important thing is that both you and he are safe and healthy." This simple wish outweighed any grand blueprint at this moment.
Elia's smile deepened. She signaled with her eyes to the sleeping infant in her arms and suggested softly, "Then, give him a name. This is a father's right."
Euron fell silent for a moment, his gaze becoming distant and deep, as if searching through the river of memory. A name surfaced in his mind, accompanied by a declaration of immense dominance that spanned time and space. He spoke slowly, his tone firm:
"Caesar."
He thought of that immortal conqueror from another dimension, and his famous quote that echoed through history, perfectly interpreting power and wildness: I came, I saw, I conquered!
This name carried his endless ambition and expectation for this child.