The group was led towards the large open terrace of the manor. Two wooden tables had been joined together to make the seating space for more than two dozen people. Jon was already seated in his chair at the far end of the table.
Freydron was the first to spot him, and he quickened his pace as he approached Jon and dropped to his knees.
"Lord Aeos," he greeted, his tone slightly emotional. Even Jon felt a bit awkward at such devotion.
"Get up," Jon said as he rose from his own seat, pulling Freydron up and giving him a light embrace. A warm smile appeared on Freydron's face feeling such warm behaviour from Lord Aeos.
The rest of the officials also greeted Jon, and he received each of them warmly.
"Lord," Missandei was among the last to approach.
Jon gave her a pat on the shoulder and a polit nod of acknowledgnt, "Missandei."
Everyone then took their seats following this ordeal. Slyvia sat imdiately to his right, Rhaenys to his left, and lisandre next to Rhaenys. Asmund, Freydron, and Grey Worm sat beside Slyvia, while Missandei sat beside lisandre. The rest of the officials filled in after them.
"First of all," Jon began, addressing the gathering, "I would like to congratulate all of you on your achievents."
"And I am not talking rely about the recent achievent of capturing two cities, but about what we have been able to achieve overall. I had a vision, so plans, and the determination to build an empire. The greatest empire the world has ever seen, if I may say. I had certain ideals on the basis of which this empire should be built. But it is you all who have actually made it possible to realise those ideals."
"Poverty is decreasing, the people are, in general, happier, and we are one of those few rare rulers whose small folk love him. The economy is prospering, and we have been able to do almost the unthinkable in the past year. We have made the lives of people better and would continue to do so."
"It is you who helped realise my goal of abolishing slavery," Jon said with a nod. "Whatever we have achieved today, your contribution has been imnse."
"So, congratulations once again," he added. The chests of the officials who were praised puffed up with pride. Being acknowledged and praised for one's work was sothing everyone desired.
"Now," Jon continued, "you must all be wondering why I have called this eting."
"Surely, it must not have been only to congratulate you all," he added with a small chuckle.
The people seated around the table nodded in contemplation. This was what on their mind since they had received the summon to arrive at ereen.
"We will discuss quite a few things in this eting, or in the series of etings which will follow in the next few consecutive days," Jon continued. "But before that, let say one thing more."
"Every person present in this room is soone who has my complete trust. I do not expect anyone here to ever betray . If you are in this room, it ans you have earned your right to belong to this table. To this table where you will be witnesses to at least a couple of secrets, if not more."
The people seated around the table had anoter wave pride pass through their bodies as they felt that they were trusted subordinates of the Lord they were serving. But a wave of thought too passed through wondering what could be the secrets he has talked about.
Jon allowed a couple of monts to let his words set in.
"So, where do I begin?" Jon asked to no one in particular. "Let us begin with my identity."
"Many of you might have wondered or might not have wondered about my identity and origin. Who exactly I am. Where did I suddenly pop out from? Let us clear the mist regarding my identity."
"I am an original inhabitant of Westeros," Jon stated, and this did not co as a shock to anyone. It was what most had already guessed. "Specifically, from the North."
This raised so eyebrows. Nothing more. He had a look of Northerner.
"My identity," Jon drawled, raising the curiosity in the room, "I am Jon Snow, bastard son of Ned Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of North."
A few of the officials reeled in shock. Not everyone might have known the na Jon Snow, but Ned Stark, that na everyone knew. They were almost stunned. Bastard of Lord Stark? In their eyes, this was almost a prestigious identity. Being the bastard of a lord paramount was still far better than being smallfolk or a slave.
"Well, this was sothing bound to co out sooner or later. Many people have seen , and more will see in the future. Portraits have already been drawn of . So, if soone has not already recognised , then they soon will."
The terrace remained quiet for a couple of monts. No one had any words to say. Lord Aeos' identity did not really matter to them, yet they could not deny the shock this revelation had caused.
"But," Jon said, preparing to drop another shock, "this na… this identity… of being the bastard of Ned Stark is a lie."
Everyone grew confused. Lord Aeos himself had admitted to this, and now he was saying it was false. Was this so kind of ploy or sche?
"Not a lie in the way you are thinking," Jon continued. "But a lie… like a smokescreen, to hide my true identity. Ned Stark took as his bastard to protect . I am not his bastard son."
The confusion among the attendees only deepened, but their shock only grew with every word.
"My real identity… my real na is known to no more than five people in this world. And today, all of you will learn it."
"I am," Jon said, his voice firm, "Aegon Targaryen. Son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark."
This ti the reaction was less intense than the previous ti. Not because that it was a less shocking news but because it was so shocking that they had no idea how to respond. They say their numb and reactionless.
The silence that followed was so stark that even the breathing of the people was audible. Few of them were not sure if they had heard correctly. And those who were sure of their ears could not fathom what they had heard. Aegon Targaryen? Son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark? Nothing made sense to them. They needed so ti to wrap their head around everything.
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