Wei Sailisi leaned against the long corridor of the Red Keep, eyes wide open—the dim passage was like a dragon's throat, swallowing him whole. The scent of summer forests and thick grass circled inside his muddled mind, like a hand stirring everything into chaos. What was wrong with him? He only remembered stumbling out of the godswood in panic, and the look in his elder brother's eyes—
No. He couldn't think about it anymore! His brother's eyes—He clutched his chest tightly, the silk of his shirt damp and slick. The golden brooch cut into his palm, yet he felt nothing—Brother!! Brother!! How could this be?!!
—The one I deeply cherish, as a man.
…I love you deeply, Wei Sailisi. No one can compare.
His brother's voice still echoed in his ears. That inexplicable sorrow and melancholy—Wei Sailisi trembled all over. Was this the reason?! So this was the reason??
But—but how could it be?! He—he doesn't love Lai An Na anymore?! How could he fall in love with me? We are brothers of the same mother! The Targaryen family has always married among siblings—was I wrong? But I'm not a princess—Wei Sailisi panicked. Was everything wrong after all? Everything I've worked for—what has it led to?
How could Brother not love Lai An Na? Yet he still has to marry?Have I pushed Brother into an unhappy fate once again?!
No! Wei Sailisi hugged his head and crouched down, refusing to accept it.The wish he had cherished—that Lei Jia would find happiness through marriage—was collapsing. At this very moment, he had no courage to return to the godswood. He didn't know how to face his brother.
Brother…
His mind replayed all of his brother's recent unhappiness, the sorrowful notes of the lyre he had just played, and the way he looked at him—like flames, open and resolute!All the answers…
What have I done? That crown of flowers—it was meant for me!
The little prince's face was pale as a corpse. His lips trembled, yet the sounds he made were still—Brother, Brother!
Unconsciously, he kept calling Lei Jia's name. Did he love Lei Jia? Without question, yes. But what kind of love was it?!
Wei Sailisi stared blankly, slowly realizing the answer.The moment of understanding crashed over him like a tsunami. He trembled violently. All the ethics he had believed in shattered just like his ideals and hopes—His breathing turned rapid, sweat soaked his body, his eyes went unfocused, because tomorrow—tomorrow his brother would be married! What had he done? What could he do?! What could he do?
At this moment, the Crown Prince stood alone beneath the heart tree—After learning of his feelings, his younger brother had spoken incoherently, then fled in panic. The brilliant laurel crown lay forgotten on the ground, its gleam like a sky of spilled stars, like crystalline tears shed by the Father and the Mother.
Lei Jia gazed in the direction his brother had disappeared. He did not chase. He did not move.After a long while, he slowly removed the laurel crown still resting on his head, then reached out to pick up the one that had fallen.
His fingertips were icy cold.Hands long accustomed to holding sword and spear could barely support the weight of a crown.
Lei Jia drew a deep breath and forced himself to stand steady.
Everything was… over. Finished.He thought bitterly. This was his punishment—the consequence of letting his emotions run free. Now even his beloved younger brother… had discovered how selfish and despicable he truly was. What had he expected from confessing? To elope? To beg for tenderness? Between brothers… what an unforgivable sin!
Even the imagination of the Faith could not encompass such a thing.They were all trapped by the Targaryen tradition of sibling marriage—Lei Jia gave a miserable smile, his violet eyes dim.
"Wei Sailisi…"He closed his eyes, recalling his brother's bright smile, and murmured softly, calling his name."I'm sorry. I shouldn't have… dragged you into this, harmed your reputation… Rest assured…"
The next day, the Great Sept of Baelor.Outside the white marble square, the people of King's Landing packed in tightly, brimming with joy as they fought for a glimpse of Crown Prince Lei Jia's wedding. He was beloved by the people, his character as kind and noble as the Father and the Mother themselves—When the Crown Prince, dressed in splendid robes, walked out through the stained-glass corridor, thunderous cheers erupted! Even with the Gold Cloaks and two Kingsguard maintaining order, the roaring wave of celebration nearly broke through the barriers. The crowd shouted Lei Jia's name in frenzy! He was brighter than the sun!
Wei Sailisi wore his usual linen-white cloak, wrapped from head to toe.He was shoved around by the crowd, stumbling, but he didn't care. Lost and dazed, he strained to look—he was looking for his brother, Brother!!
Beneath the statue of Baelor the Blessed, surrounded by glittering crystal towers, stood two massive golden statues—Their brilliance stabbed at Wei Sailisi's eyes, almost making him cry. He rose onto his toes and forced his way to the very front. He saw it clearly!
The royal wedding was being held atop the high steps.Lei Jia wore a deep purple robe. On his three-headed-dragon cloak, every single embroidered thread was gold. He shone dazzlingly. The people shouted his name as the Crown Prince slowly acknowledged them with a salute.
Wei Sailisi stared at his brother's crown.Oh—he wasn't wearing the laurel crown Wei Sailisi had poured so much thought into. On his silver hair rested a golden crown, also a dragon. The flames it breathed were formed of rubies. At a glance, it looked as though Brother was wounded, bleeding.
Wei Sailisi stared blankly at him. He could see his brother's eyes, his expression—He was unhappy. He wasn't happy at all!!This marriage was no different from Yi Li Si forcing him to marry Yi Li Ya!What I've done—is it really no different from the Mad King?!
The High Septon, wearing a massive crystal crown studded with seven-colored gems, was very fat. On one side stood Lai An Na. Wei Sailisi looked at her blankly. She hadn't won Brother's heart—yet she married him all the same.The bride wore a dove-gray brocade gown, countless pearls and silver threads shimmering, satin edging and layers upon layers of Myrish lace. Her bridal cloak was white swan velvet, embroidered with a silver-gray direwolf of the ice plains. It looked as though it could bite Brother until he bled—the ruby flames on Brother's crown seemed to confirm that thought.
Rubies. Rubies.Wei Sailisi's heart pounded painfully. For an instant, he felt the world was absurd and laughable—Why wouldn't they just let Brother have a marriage that satisfied him?Why had he committed such a grave mistake?He had never actually heard Brother say he loved Lai An Na. It was he himself—too presumptuous—
He trembled, hearing prayers and hymns of praise.The High Septon asked loudly: was there anyone who objected?
There was! He objected! He wanted to challenge this!!He wanted to shout that this wedding could not proceed, because Brother—Brother did not love Lai An Na!!!
But why didn't he do it?He didn't dare. In the end, he didn't dare. He was a coward.He was afraid—terrified of speaking the truth.If he said it, the North would rage, and the Stormlands would rise with it! Insulted, would they rebel? Could he kill them first? Could he kill Lao Bo, Rui Ka De, Bu Lan Deng—But there were so many people here, so many joyfully blessing them. Would he ruin Brother's reputation once again, place him in danger?
The Crown Prince was the hope of the Seven Kingdoms.How could he love his own younger brother?
Swaying, Wei Sailisi saw the two exchange cloaks.Duke Rui Ka De stepped forward to remove the Stark cloak from his daughter, and Brother draped his purple cloak over the bride's shoulders.
He heard Brother's voice clearly.
"Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger."
And Lai An Na's voice:"Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger."
The High Septon bound the couple's hands with a silver ribbon. Brother held Lai An Na's hand—Wei Sailisi swallowed the scream that was about to burst out of him in hysteria. No! No!!!Yet only a hoarse rasp escaped his throat, like someone whose throat had been cut, drowned in the joyous crowd.
"I am hers, and she is mine," Brother said.
"I am his, and he is mine," Lai An Na said.
"From this day, until death," they said together.
—It's over!! It's over!!!Wei Sailisi froze, hearing only the witch's voice in his head:The gods punish you—those who love you will never obtain you.
What gods? What gods?! This can't be allowed!!
The High Septon raised the crystal and proclaimed that, under the witness of the gods and all the people, Lei Jia Targaryen and Lai An Na Stark were wed. From this moment on, they were one body, one heart, one soul, forevermore. Any who interfered with their marriage would suffer a merciless curse.
Wei Sailisi's legs gave out and he collapsed to the ground.Had he been trampled by the frenzied, joyful crowd? He didn't know. He felt nothing.A white-cloaked Kingsguard at the front rushed over and helped him up. Ya Se Dai En saw the face beneath the cloak.
"Your Highness—"
Ya Se Dai En was surprised, then relieved. The little prince had disobeyed the king's order to attend the wedding. But Wei Sailisi looked badly shaken. Pale and silent, he violently shook off Ya Se Dai En and plunged back into the crowd, disappearing as he ran.
King's Landing erupted in celebration of the Crown Prince's wedding.Many taverns and inns offered free drinks. From Eel Alley to Flour Street, mountains of bread were handed out. Along the tree-lined avenues from the square to the seven city gates, red and purple decorations were tied to branches, to be given to common women and children after the ceremony. Smiling residents waited eagerly for the fireworks, gazing toward the palace atop Aegon's High Hill, brilliantly lit as a feast was held for the newlyweds.What a joyous day!
The Red Keep.The music was lively, and many drank freely.
The returned Wei Sailisi stood quietly in a shadowed doorway, watching his brother inside the hall.He sat upon the throne, with Lai An Na seated beside him. Hundreds, thousands of candles lit the dim hall far too brightly. Brother—Lei Jia held a cup of Arbor wine, sipping lightly, his ivory-sculpted face showing only calm.
He turned, smiling as he spoke with his new wife.Oh! No!!He took Lai An Na's hand! Led her to the center of the hall! They danced the first dance! Crown Prince and Crown Princess! First them, then the other lords and ladies!The elegant paired steps—two by two! From now on, at every banquet and grand celebration! They would always appear together!
Wei Sailisi let out a sob only he could hear.He finally understood. He longed to be the one standing at Brother's side!Morality, taboos—none of it could bind his heart—
What have I done? What have I done?!
He covered his face and collapsed onto the steps.He didn't want to hear the joyful music, didn't want to see the dancing men and women in the hall—this was his irreversible fate.He heard footsteps—pat, pat. Oh, it was Ti Li Ang. Ti Li Ang in leather boots. Ti Li Ang who had also attended the wedding.
Ti Li Ang carried a large bottle of wine, two crystal cups tucked under his arm. He walked over and handed one to his friend without a word.
Wei Sailisi took it mechanically and downed it in one gulp.Was it fiery? Intoxicating? He didn't feel it.He stared straight at the brilliant ballroom, craned his head back, and said,"Do you know Na Li Shi Targaryen?"
Ti Li Ang nodded gravely. "That queen. I know."
"Why couldn't she grasp happiness? I'd be different. If I were her—when my father announced in the year 153 After Conquest that I'd be married to that bastard elder brother Ai Gen—I'd go find the brother I loved, Ai Meng, and demand to elope with him. Yes! Just like Ya Li Shan! Find a place to marry first, then tell everyone that no one is allowed to tear us apart! Even if they send me to the ends of the world, even if they force me to marry Ai Gen, I would only recognize Brother Ai Meng as my husband! After I die, my soul would still return to Ai Meng's side!"
The prince let out a dry laugh."See? That way, she and Ai Meng could be together. They'd be happy, right?"
Ti Li Ang's eyes were deep. He spoke gently with his friend."Maybe. But do you think Ai Meng—the future dragonrider—would have agreed to elope? He did possess noble qualities, after all…"
"What's so hard about it?" Wei Sailisi's eyes shimmered with watery light."They loved each other since childhood—If I were Na Li Shi, I'd disguise myself as a maid, sneak past the guards, run into my brother's bedroom, take off all my clothes, and stand there openly waiting for him. I'd tell him I love him, that I'm willing to oppose the entire world for it! To hell with engagements! I'm his bride!! Brother would never refuse—"
As if drunk, he continued to giggle."Brother loves me too! He wouldn't refuse at all!"
This…Ti Li Ang couldn't help but carefully glance toward the Crown Prince's chambers in the Red Keep. He thought Kingsguard would be stationed at that door tonight—no one would get in.Still, he'd better keep an eye on Wei Sailisi…
They drank cup after cup of Arbor wine until the bottle was quickly emptied.
"Why can't happiness be grasped?" the prince murmured again."It was so—so close… I can't become a Kingsguard. Ti Li Ang, you're incredibly clever, you know? Remember? Long ago, I said I wanted to be a Kingsguard, and you said, no, that wouldn't do, that wouldn't do—"
Ti Li Ang clumsily reached out, patting Wei Sailisi's back again and again.
Wei Sailisi kept his head tilted back, eyes shining with moisture, stubbornly refusing to let it fall—until—
The music in the hall grew even more jubilant. Young lords and ladies surrounded the newlyweds, escorting them to the bridal chamber. Oh, they laughed and joked through the corridor inlaid with silver mirrors as they went.
Lei Jia smiled faintly. He knew that by custom the bride and groom should be stripped and held together—but he glanced back at Ya Se Dai En and Qiong En Ke Lin Dun.
The two young men immediately understood and stopped the crowd.The Crown Prince calmly took Lai An Na's hand and stepped into the bedroom suite. Then the Kingsguard closed the door from the outside.
Wei Sailisi heard the click of the lock.He imagined what would happen inside and began to tremble violently—And tomorrow. Tomorrow everyone would talk about the Crown Prince's wedding night! Would they speak of the little she-wolf of the North's cries of pleasure?
He couldn't bear it anymore. At last, he covered his face and cried.
"I don't want to stay here anymore! I don't want to see them get up together tomorrow morning! I don't want to see them wave to everyone from the balcony!" he shouted—
According to the maesters' records, Wei Sailisi, Prince of Summerhall, hastily left the Red Keep on the night of his brother's wedding and rode for his fief.
...
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(End Chapter)