Chapter 558

To avoid suspicion and ensure his survival in the political minefield of Winterfell, Aegor needed Daenerys to believe—completely and without doubt—that he was genuinely poisoned and barely escaped death.

If he wanted to move forward unburdened by a chain of mutual distrust, there was only one outcome: total conviction. Suspicion among rivals never fades with time or communication; it only festers and deepens. The fear of unknown schemes, of unseen traps, would always loom over him.

In preparation, Aegor meticulously orchestrated the scene of the poisoning in the dining hall. Every detail, from the placement of overturned goblets to the puddle of vomit on the floor, was crafted to create irrefutable evidence of his victimhood. The Unsullied guards assigned to Varys and Petyr were invaluable as witnesses—they could testify that Aegor’s survival was thanks to self-administered first aid and that no one tampered with the evidence after the fact.

Aegor allowed himself a fleeting smile at how well the plan had come together. Yet his relief was short-lived. There was still one major complication—his body’s reaction to attempts at feigning death.

Qyburn, ever resourceful, had suggested a last resort: a potion that could temporarily slow bodily functions to the point of near-paralysis. It worked, albeit unpredictably. The dragon scale gifted to Aegor by R’hllor seemed to interpret poisons and magic differently, sometimes counteracting them entirely, sometimes only delaying their effects. Thankfully, the potion managed to suppress his physical responses, buying him precious time.

Melisandre had tried to assist with spells to simulate a near-death state, such as slowing his heartbeat and reducing his body temperature. However, the dragon scale would interpret any prolonged magical interference as a curse, activating its defenses to dispel the effects. After much debate, they had to settle for a diluted version of the spell—convincing enough for casual observation but risking scrutiny under close examination.

The plan's weakest link was the healer Daenerys had sent. The man lacked both expertise in toxicology and the diligence required for such a crucial task. After a cursory inspection of Aegor’s body, he had declared his work done and wandered off to chat idly with Qyburn.

Reflecting on his past months in Winterfell, Aegor couldn’t help but think back to his experiences with Varys and Petyr Baelish. Observing and interacting with the two legendary schemers in person was nothing like reading about them in books or watching their machinations unfold on a screen. Their subtle manipulations, veiled threats, and relentless plotting had driven home the stakes of the game he was playing.

One of the most challenging parts of his plan had been luring both men into drinking the poisoned wine. Aegor had relied on a series of calculated provocations and carefully staged surprises to accomplish this. His success had been the culmination of weeks of psychological maneuvering.

But killing Varys and Petyr wasn’t enough. Aegor knew that even without evidence, Daenerys could harbor doubts about his loyalty. Trust was fragile, and the mere shadow of suspicion could shatter their alliance. To maintain her confidence, Aegor needed to sell his performance perfectly—not just to Daenerys but to everyone around her.

Thus, his plan unfolded in three stages:

Step One: Ensure all evidence pointed to him as a victim, not a perpetrator. The poisoned wine, the Unsullied witnesses, and his carefully staged escape all worked to reinforce this narrative.

Step Two: Orchestrate a situation that compelled Daenerys—or her representatives—to investigate his condition. Melisandre, as a seemingly impartial Red Priestess and one of the key players in his survival, was the perfect agent to nudge Daenerys toward this decision.

Step Three: Withstand scrutiny without breaking character. Whether it was a healer inspecting his vitals, a handmaid testing his reflexes, or Daenerys herself questioning his loyalty, Aegor had to maintain the illusion of being on death’s door.

When Daenerys’s healer and Missandei arrived, Aegor enacted the final piece of his plan. Downing another dose of the paralysis potion, he lay back on the bed, his body going limp. The potion dulled his senses, leaving him painfully aware of the danger he was in. If his performance faltered for even a moment, the entire charade could collapse.

Every detail was critical. From the labored rise and fall of his chest to the icy touch of his skin, he had to appear convincingly at death’s edge. And yet, as Aegor lay motionless, he couldn’t help but marvel at the precariousness of his position.

He had seen too many brilliant tacticians and schemers—both in fiction and in history—fall due to a single misstep. Their mistakes were lessons he had taken to heart. His elaborate plan, his sleepless nights of preparation, and his reliance on extraordinary measures like Melisandre’s magic all stemmed from one fundamental truth: Aegor couldn’t afford to fail.

This was a gamble—a breathtakingly audacious gamble. And if it succeeded, he would eliminate all threats to his influence over Daenerys. But if it failed… well, he wouldn’t live to see the consequences.