Today, like any other day, Vlad found himself walking through Illyrio's garden, wondering how things would turn out. It had been a month since the magister told him that his contact with the dragon eggs would arrive in fifteen days, but they had yet to appear. By now, the novelty of being in Pentos had worn off.
A servant approached with a message.
—My lord, the contact has arrived.
Vlad smiled. Finally.
—Let's prepare to meet him —he said calmly, although inside, he was already anticipating the encounter.
For now, things remained peaceful. The King was still alive, and the metaphorical Pandora's box remained closed.
To his surprise, Illyrio's contact was none other than Varys, the Spider. Vlad hadn't expected to find him in Pentos, but rather in King's Landing, but the situation didn't displease him.
Illyrio entered the room with a calculated smile.
—My contact is here —he announced, leading him to one of the sitting rooms.
Upon entering, Vlad raised an eyebrow when he saw the eunuch.
—Well, I didn't expect the infamous Spider to be your contact, Illyrio. A pleasure —he said with a polite smile, hiding his surprise.
If Varys was disturbed, he didn't show it. Instead, Illyrio seemed to have been slapped just by the mention of the name.
—Not many would consider it a pleasure to meet me —Varys responded in his silky tone—, but I suppose you are the exception to many things.
He poured two glasses of wine, one for himself and one for Vlad, before continuing.
—I didn't expect the infamous Red Stallion to know about me —he said with a slight smile, trying to extract some information.
Vlad took his glass elegantly, took a sip, and smiled nonchalantly.
—A good ruler keeps his friends close, but his enemies closer. I know Westeros' politics well. I have my own informants.
Varys kept his unflinching smile, but his eyes analyzed him with sharp curiosity.
—Then tell me, how is the kingdom?
—For now, at peace... —Varys sighed, setting his glass on the table.
—Though not for long, if my friends are right. —Vlad rested his elbow on the armrest of his chair and looked him straight in the eye.
—I suppose you want to talk to me about something other than the purchase of three dragon eggs.
—Certainly —Varys nodded, interlacing his fingers—. I just thought this transaction could be used to improve the kingdom.
Vlad chuckled softly.
—You want to use me to put the Targaryens on the throne... The very same ones who are in this mansion —he said, enjoying the moment when Illyrio almost choked on his wine.
Varys seemed surprised for a brief moment before sighing and nodding.
—Yes. And you should know that the next in line is even worse than our current king.
—And considering your current king, that threshold is quite wide —Vlad remarked with a mocking smile.
Varys laughed, though without true joy.
—It is.
Vlad tilted his head slightly.
—I suppose this is the part where you propose a deal.
Varys nodded.
—Yes. A marriage contract could be very beneficial to you, don't you think? In exchange, the Targaryen's will have an army, and you'll receive 3 dragon eggs as a dowry.
Vlad set his glass down on the table, crossed his legs, and smiled with amusement.
—You want me to marry Princess Daenerys Targaryen.
—Exactly.
Daenerys wasn't a bad choice, but if the Spider thought he would kneel before Viserys, he was a fool.
Vlad made his terms clear: before starting any crusade to place the Targaryen's on the Iron Throne, he needed to take care of his affairs in Essos. Vary's had no objections, for his true intent was to keep the Targaryen siblings away from Westeros long enough to consolidate his plan with the Young Griff — a supposed Targaryen who would be much more malleable than Viserys.
The eunuch never specified which Targaryen he planned to put on the throne, but he didn't seem to consider Viserys a viable option. Most likely, he expected Vlad to kill him when the time came.
But he hadn't considered that if Daenerys married Vlad... well, she would be queen. His queen.
It wasn't Vlad's fault that Varys left so many blanks in his deal, but perhaps the Spider knew and simply didn't care.
After sealing their agreement, where Varys would keep him informed about Westeros and seek more dragon eggs, and in return, Vlad would marry Daenerys and help "save the kingdom," the spider left, assuring him that his presence was needed in King's Landing.
Before leaving, he left a final warning:
—Soon you will meet the Targaryen siblings.
—We're here.
Illyrio woke Vlad early that day to take him to meet the Targaryen siblings. He led him to one of his rooms, just in time to see them standing before him.
Daenerys and Viserys.
Daenerys was a young teenager with the classic Valyrian look: beautiful and unique violet eyes, pale skin, and long hair of shimmering silver-blonde. Slender and with delicate features, she had an ethereal beauty.
Viserys, on the other hand, shared the same Valyrian traits, but with a perpetually haughty expression that didn't inspire respect, but pity. His eyes were a pale lilac, almost colorless, and his bearing pretended authority without any true foundation.
It was he who stepped forward first, with that arrogance based on absolutely nothing. He wasn't strong. He wasn't smart. He could barely ride a horse without falling off. Vlad could already sense that he would not like him in the slightest.
—It's a pleasure to meet you, Drakul —Viserys said, with a presumptuous tone, clearly expecting Vlad to bow.
Vlad nodded politely.
—Likewise.
He could practically hear Viserys' internal scream of frustration when Vlad didn't make the slightest attempt to bow.
—So, we have things to discuss, don't we? —the prince said, sitting down with an air of importance.
Vlad nodded, but instead of following him immediately, he turned to Daenerys.
—A pleasure to meet you, my lady. You are truly a beautiful woman —he said with a slight smile, bowing to kiss her hand.
—The pleasure is mine, my lord —Daenerys replied shyly.
It was hard to imagine that, in the original timeline, this shy and protected young girl would become a formidable leader. After the introductions, Vlad followed Viserys, who was clearly irritated at having been ignored, but eager to talk about his "alliance."
I don't like to lie, but I can manipulate by omission.
—As you know, I am the rightful King of the Seven Kingdoms —Viserys declared in a grave tone, trying to project authority.
Vlad had to make a conscious effort not to laugh in the Beggar King's face. He wouldn't do him any favors by contradicting him so soon.