Old Valyria: House Baelaeron

Seraphine couldn't hide her amusement when she saw Prince Bu Long enter the throne room and opening his golden fan as he and his entourage walked towards the throne. He wore a long green robe, artfully embroidered with wingless dragons. His black hair was pinned up and held together by a silver pin.

He was quite tall for someone from Yi Ti. In a society where the sword is valued higher than any form of poetry, art or philosophy, the lack of physical presence all too easily turns into weakness. This was especially true for people in the position of a commander or a king. But here, Bu Long strode confidently forward, his head held high and a fan in his hand as if it were a drawn sword.

At the same time, she seriously doubted that Prince Bu Long had ever wielded a real sword. In her eyes, he was little more than a well-groomed and well-trained cockerel - vain and pompous.

There was also the matter of his clothing. His audacity to wear a robe depicting these false dragons, which she considered to be nothing more than tasteless, crude imitations, in the presence of the majestic Valyrian dragons was an insult to their heritage.

The dragons that were supposedly embroidered on it looked to her like distorted snakes with wings grafted on, their grotesque shape reminding her of cheap fairground art. For a moment, she had to fight the urge to laugh out loud – how dare he wear something like that in the presence of true dragons?

Prince Bu Long snapped his fan open with a flourish. A shrill clicking sound echoed between the marble columns, sending a slight murmur through the crowd. His manner was meant to appear dignified, but in Seraphine's eyes it was merely foppish exaggeration. She watched as he let his gaze sweep proudly through the rows, presumably in search of some impression, perhaps even a hint of recognition, of which he found none.

''Emperor Kaelarys, Empress Seraphine and Lysandra, the princes and princesses in attendance, as well as the other highborns,'' Bu Long began, skilfully snapping his fan again. ''I thank you for receiving me and my entourage. I bring greetings from the distant Yi Ti, bearing the hope of a mutual exchange of prosperity and... great legends.'

Next to Prince Bu Long stood a man of medium height, whose posture was as stiff as it was dignified. He wore a simpler, yet still elegant robe made of deep blue silk, embroidered with silver that resembled distant waves. His face was narrow, with high cheekbones and a short, neatly trimmed beard that emphasised his chin. His dark brown hair was tied back in a smooth bun at the nape of his neck.

When Bu Long had finished, the man stepped forward slightly, bowed his head briefly in respect, and began in a clear, accurate voice in fluent Valyrian: ''His Imperial Highness, Prince Bu Long, greets the Emperor, the Empresses and those gathered here and brings you the greetings of the Golden Empire of Yi Ti. He thanks you for your generous hospitality and un-."

Kaelarys, who was sitting on the throne, barely let the man finish. With a measured movement, he raised his hand, whereupon the translator immediately fell silent and retreated without betraying any emotion. The room fell silent as those present waited for Kaelarys' reaction.

''I thank you for your effort,'' Kaelarys said in the clear, singing melody of the YiTish language. ''But a translation is not necessary. I am very familiar with your language.''

For a moment, genuine surprise appeared on Bu Long's face before a broad, well-calculated smile graced his features. ''I am pleased to know that our language has found a place even in your sacred halls. You must forgive me, as I myself unfortunately cannot boast of the same. Something I will definitely make up for. During my stay, I will work diligently to improve my Valyrian.''

Leaning back, Kaelarys relaxed, his posture regal. ''You are young and still have much to learn, and there is no shame in that. On the contrary, I envy you. My own thirst for knowledge has not diminished, but grown with the years. Yet it is difficult to find knowledge that is still unknown to me,'' Kaelarys replied, his voice full of regret.

A hint of regret lingered in his words, so subtle that only those who knew him well perceived it. Seraphine felt the impulse to reach out to him, to give him her warmth. But she held back. It was neither the place nor the time for such a gesture. Kaelarys would not be the man she loved if he allowed himself to be weighed down by melancholy. It took only one breath before he fixed the prince with a sharp look again.

''But enough of that. We will continue our conversation tonight at a party in your honour.''

Prince Bu Long inclined his head. ''You have my deepest thanks, Your Highness. Your generosity honours us.''

With a smooth swing, Kaelarys rose from his throne, his robe rustling softly over the steps. He was immediately followed by Seraphine and Lysandra, who had been seated to his left and right respectively.

''What do you think of him?'' Seraphine finally asked, as the heavy doors slammed shut behind them and the noise of the throne room died away behind them.

It wasn't Kaelarys who answered, it was Lysandra. ''Arrogant. Narcissistic. Vain. Shall I continue? He is exactly what you'd expect from someone who hasn't lifted a finger in his entire life.''

''That may be, but it is still brave of him to come to us so openly and without warning,'' Seraphine retorted.

''You mean stupid, don't you?''

"He's the second born, isn't he?" Kaelarys cut them off, not wanting them to argue once more. It wasn't heated, but they liked to bicker now and again. Just as siblings do.

Kaelarys didn't contradict any of Lysandra's words, because everything she had said was true. Bu Long did indeed seem arrogant, conceited and in love with himself – just like someone who had been carried by privileges all his life without ever having to go to any real effort. But Kaelarys knew that you should never judge a book by its cover alone.

As a second-born prince at the royal court of Bu, it was anything but easy to stay alive that long. Unlike in Valyria, where the eldest was almost always the undisputed heir, the God-Emperor of Yi Ti personally decided who would ascend the Jade Throne. And in doing so, neither birth nor tradition counted, but only who the God-Emperor deemed 'worthy.' A second or third son—or even a daughter—could succeed if he or she proved him or herself superior.

All of which made life at court a dangerous, never-ending game. Everyone, from the most insignificant attendant to the most closely related relative, was plotting their own hidden schemes to advance their own position on the social ladder. Which prince or princess you swore your loyalty to could mean the difference between success or failure. But this loyalty was always conditional, depending on the success of the chosen candidate.

This also meant that every rival would have to be eliminated sooner or later – whether through open confrontation or silent intrigue. The danger was omnipresent, and a 2nd prince like Bu Long had probably had more than one close call.

That Bu Long had dared to enter the dragon's den at all was remarkable. It was either the desperate attempt of a boy who saw no other way out, or the well-calculated step of a man who was sure of his undertaking.

"Yes, but his mother is not one of the wives of the God-Emperor, only a concubine. That doesn't mean he is any less worthy than the others, but his stain in the blood makes him a target for many," Seraphine stated.

Lysandra raised an eyebrow and gave Seraphine a sceptical look. "And yet here he is. That means either he is supported by someone in the shadows, or he is seeking our support."

Kaelarys stopped, slowly turned around to face the two women and folded his arms. "Have there been any rumours about him that have reached your ears? I must admit that my attention has not been particularly centred towards the East of late."

Seraphine shot a questioning glance at Lysandra, but she just shook her head and shrugged uncertainly. "Not that we know of,'' she eventually said.

Kaelarys frowned, his eyes narrowing in consideration. ''See if you can find out anything by tonight,'' he requested. ''I can't believe he's been around so long and we know so little about him. Either he is unimpressive, or he is very good at letting people know only what he wants them to know about him."

Lysandra nodded decisively. ''I'll reach out to my contacts in Yi Ti. If there is anything we need to know about Bu Long, it will be made known to me.'

Kaelarys stepped forward, his hand gently cupping her cheek as he placed a kiss on her forehead. ''Please do,'' he said softly. ''The more we know, the better we can play the game. In the meantime, I will attend to the preparations for the festival.''

This could be an interesting evening.

---

Men scroll

Men see

Men smile

Men gifts Stones

Men leaves Review

Men leaves happily.

Yours,

Jasonenrick!