Chapter 13: A Matter of Heart and Duty

119 ac

"Pirates!" I snarled as the pirate ship came within sight. "Onward, men! We'll ride down the curs!"

It was a terrible choice of words, as we were on ships and not ahorse. Thankfully, none of my men objected. Instead, they were all busy preparing to overtake the enemy. All the sails were unfurled, and the rowers began picking up the pace.

The enemy ship was small but built for speed. Even with full masts and rowers combined with our knowledge of the sea, it still took near an hour of maneuvering before my two ships could catch up to them. We exchanged missiles as we were beside each other, loosing arrows and throwing javelins. Even as they were pushed hard, the enemy still refused to let themselves into the position to be boarded.

For all the good it did them. This was our sea, and no second-rate pirates could escape once they were within sight. They could stall, but as their ship was wedged between our two ships, it was inevitable. Grappling hooks were thrown, tying our ships together, and planks were lowered.

"Now! Board them!" I shouted.

Me and my dozen men surged forward, and like a hammer, we crushed our petrifed enemies. Swords swung, and men screamed. Pirates were known for their ability to run, but once forced into battle, they fell as easily as anyone else. I took down three men myself, and with every second that passed, my men advanced further.

It didn't take long before we took control of the deck. Some of the surviving enemies retreated below, perhaps hoping the steps and narrow hallways would give them an advantage. I was tempted to descend myself, though I held back. There was simply no point in taking such a risk. Instead, I let my men secure the brig as I stayed on the deck, waiting until the battle cooled down.

After half an hour, a man came up from below and approached me. "Finely fought, m'lord." Captain Hestok said. "No man in fighting shape is left among our foes."

"Any casualties?" I asked.

"Joren was stabbed in the gut and was given mercy. Karnaq and Jon were wounded, though it's not so bad. A spit, and they'll be good as new."

"This is why I tell all the crew to wear some armour on their torso at least. We have near an hour to prepare for the clash; why didn't Joren don anything?"

"He wore a padded suit, m'lord. His opponent was simply a beast of a man who stabbed him through all that with a spear."

A mailed vest or plate cuirass might do a better job at stopping the spear, though perhaps it was unreasonable to expect. Most of the time, gambeson provided enough protection for battle at sea, and treated gambeson had less chance of drowning you than steel.

"You know his kin?" At his nod, I continued. "Good. I'll make sure to give compensation directly to them." Five dragons for each death was a common price as compensation for death on duty. Roughly five years worth of pay for an average soldier.

Hestok followed me as I went to inspect the ship. He was one of the natives, or what passed for one on my island. An odd man, with skin like a Myrmen or Dornishmen, hair like a Westerosi and speech like Pentoshi, though not even he himself knew where he came from. A common tale on these islands. He was a capable sailor and willing to follow orders. I was sure he used to be a smuggler or pirate himself, though I didn't pry much. I knew he had a wife and a few children, and it was easy to understand why he chose a more secure arrangement for himself.

Some of my crew members shared similar stories. While many of the inhabitants kept their distance, some of the wiser ones saw where the winds were blowing and chose to work with us. These, I ensure would be treated well, so the rest could see the advantage of siding with me.

It was slow going, but at least I could say I've seen real improvement in their attitudes.

"A fine ship for a pirate, isn't it?" I asked idly.

"Yes. It can't be more than one year since she was laid down."

"Do you recognize their make? It's not Westerosi, I'm certain." Perhaps Bravos, or any of the free cities, for all I knew.

Hestok hummed. "Bravosi, most like. Though I don't see any Bravosi among their lot."

"Mayhaps they stole it from someone else themselves." I looked it up once more. "A fine prize. We don't have many casualties. I'm sure we can spare some for a prize crew."

Hestok nodded. "She arrives at an opportune moment too. We have an excess of green boys eager for the sea, and the next ship won't be completed until next year. She'll serve well. You're blessed with good fortune, m'lord."

True enough. When I thought about it, it was a rarity for me to lead a patrol personally. I chose to do so today on a whim, as I thought sitting too long on my castle would rot my arse. What were the odds that a pirate ship would be sighted within our patrol routes for the first time in almost a full year, or that we'd won an excellent prize for the effort?

I watched as my men raised my standard, two silver seahorses on dark blue high above the mast. It used to be my personal standard, though I adopted it as South Haven's banner once my position as its lord was confirmed. I changed the Velaryon seagreen to dark blue, however. It seemed fitting.

The crew was in high spirits as we sailed home. Nothing lifted men's spirits higher than victory. I'd like to have the crew remain alert and aware, but there was no harm in letting them celebrate, so I let them sing and dance. Even joined them and showed them how to do a proper Westerosi dance.

No drink, though. I have made sure to instill such discipline in my men since training. No drinking on duty.

It took a few hours of sailing before the docks of Grey Haven were visible from the deck. What used to be a nameless settlement had grown into a sizable trader town. With more than 2000 people, it was small as far as a town was concerned, but it was prosperous and growing rapidly.

The fruit of our labour began to show in the town. The docks were significantly expanded and improved. With pirate activity lessening thanks to our rigorous patrols paired with our reasonable tolls, traders from far and wide passed through our islands. Some even chose to trade here, and every day I saw merchants from who knew how many countries haggled in my market.

Even with the tolls and taxes kept at a reasonable rate, the revenue was growing significantly, allowing me some leeway on how to reinvest all that money. Combined with my enterprises in Driftmark and elsewhere, I was properly well off, even by lordly standards.

I made my way to the castle—which I hadn't named properly, now that I thought about it—and went directly to a room that I've since dubbed my office. Perhaps it would be proper to do my work in my solar, but I was too lazy to climb up all the stairs just to sit and read parchments, so instead I directed for all the necessary paperwork to be forwarded there.

Scarcely did I sit inside; a messenger came and told me how Lady Mysaria was asking for an audience.

"Let her in." I said. Mysaria rarely met with me directly unless it was important.

The Lyseni ambled inside my office in steps typical of a highborn lady. Combined with her fine dress, one would be forgiven for thinking she was a lady in truth. The woman was certainly very beautiful, even if she was beginning to age. Her silver hair was kept in a tidy plait and adorned with small pearls. I offered her a cushioned seat I kept for guests and a glass of wine.

"So," I began. "Is there something you need to say to me, my lady?"

"You've returned." She said it simply. Her rich purple eyes bored into mine in askance. "At least you returned quicker than I suspected, though I must admit doubt in the purpose, my lord. You have plenty of capable captains under your command."

I waved her off. "Nothing clears the mind better than a few days at sea. You should know that we Velaryons are famous for our seamanship and love of the sea. That I found a group of pirates was a godsend opportunity as well. The chance to brush up my sailing and fighting skills at once and an almost brand new ship as a reward."

I kept sparring near every day and attended tourneys whenever I was able to, but real combat was different from practice. I didn't relish the bloodshed itself, but it was necessary to keep one's skill from dulling.

"You know, I'm thinking of expanding this castle." I said. "This castle is defensible enough, though still a bit lacking."

"It only finished building recently." She said.

"Yes, and I'm sure you notice it's on the smaller side." That was the reason why I could finish the construction in less than four years, when the average castle took at least five. "I'm not doing it immediately. I still need to gather the materials first. It would take another year minimum before we could begin construction."

My current castle was merely small square walls made of stone surrounding a main keep. For future expansions, I would merely build more squares and rectangles. The final designs of my castle would likely be several smaller rectangles clinging together. The compartmentalized nature of the design would make it more defensible too, as the fall of one section of the castle would not compromise the rest of the whole.

"I doubt that you came all the way here just to ask me about my day. Is there anything amiss in Essos?"

The network in Essos was a result of my and Mysaria's work. Despite her humble background, the former dancer from Lys was more canny than I gave her credit for. She built and bought several establishments among the Three Daughters to serve as centers of her webs and slipped some informants among the enemy's ranks. Servants, guards, messengers, and who knew what else.

Seven hells, beyond providing some funds and advice, I and Daemon barely did anything. There were even talks of expanding her web to other Free Cities, but as of now, it was more than enough. Our main threat came from the Three Daughters.

"There has been nothing of particular urgency since what you last heard. The most important news is that the daughter of Magister Sanyl of Myr is set to marry the son of Councillor Paenos, which means Paenos will likely keep his councilorship after the next election. For the others, Lys will lower the tarriff for salt for a full year, and in Tyrosh, the head of the shipwright's guild comes under suspicion of misappropriating the guild's fund."

I mulled it over. "The water in Essos seems steady for now." We kept the same strategy I did in the Stepstones all those years ago, namely to cripple Tyrosh more than the other cities to break the balance within Triarchy. There was no special reason we picked Tyrosh. They were simply the closest to the Stepstones and thus the more immediate threat. We saw some results, though nothing drastic. Tyrosh councilors began losing prominence among the Triarchy Council and could only play the role of a tiebreaker at best.

As for the others, our policy was to sabotage any irredentists among their ranks. Usually, by unearthing as many scandals as possible and releasing them to the public until they lose all credibility. Or, at least on one occasion, with made-up scandals. We didn't have to do it a lot so far, thank the gods. In a saner world, no one would even bother, but fools existed everywhere. What else would you call someone who called to conquer the islands where Vhagar and Caraxes roost?

We might not be able to keep this game forever, but we wouldn't need to. Every year where they dallied was every year we became stronger.

"Instead of the Three Daughters, the prince is growing more concerned about the developments in Westeros, and he demanded we build a web of such there as well. As wide as possible."

I took a sip of my watered wine. "I suspected as much. With Helaena claiming Dreamfyre and Daeron hatching his egg, the greens would undoubtedly grow bolder."

Not quite as equal. Dreamfyre was roughly on par with Meleys and Caraxes, but her rider was the gentlest of Alicent's children. Sunfyre was younger than Seasmoke, and Tessarion, Daeron's dragon, wouldn't even be rideable until another five years at the earliest. The black's dragons were larger and more numerous.

"To build a network encompassing the entire Seven Kingdoms will be a tall order." I mused. The realm was simply too large. "My suggestion will be to start in King's Landing and Oldtown. I will provide some funds. Will we begin by buying pillowhouses as usual?"

"It seems to be the right way." She agreed. Men tended to be loose-lipped after a few hours of lovemaking. "Securing the building will take effort. Everything in King's Landing is expensive, especially the land or buildings."

"Nothing that can't be fixed with coins." My domain was already self-sufficient, and my ventures were already growing more profitable. I usually use my money to either develop my island or invest it further in my enterprises, but a spy network in Westeros could, no, would be useful too. "I'll send a man there to help set it up. I have some interest in King's Landing, namely to purchase a warehouse for my products. He can help you look for a plot."

"My network in Essos is stable, so now I'll focus my effort in King's Landing and stay there for the foreseeable future. The prince instructed me to share any and all my findings in Westeros with you as well." Mysaria said.

"That's good." I replied. She rarely talked directly with Daemon, though she never told me the reason. I guessed she still had lingering love for the rogue prince and couldn't bear to see him with another woman.

It was a miracle enough that she would work with us, especially with a brother of Laena.

"If that is all, I still have work to do. I'll call you later. Thank you, my lady."

Mysaria bowed her head slightly before leaving my office, leaving me alone in my room. A stack of letters waited for me on my desk. Invitation to these events and that, reports from my men, the fruit of my imvestments and other ventures.

Some came from ravens. It took a longer time than I expected to train ravens to fly here, but once it was finished, it simplified communication greatly. One of such letters came from Driftmark's raven was in my hand. A curt letter, it only told me to return home as soon as possible.

That sounds important, I thought. I was thinking of visiting Daemon to talk about his plan, so I might as well kill two birds with one stone. I could visit Bloodstone, and there I could ask Laena to return to Driftmark with me. It was a long time since I saw Baela and Rhaena too.

I hummed a song as I did my work for the day, thinking of gifts fit for my three-year old nieces all the while.

We made the journey on Vhagar, Laena and I, along with her twin daughters. I sat in the rearmost position, with my twin nieces Baella and Rhaena wedged between us.

"I still think your daughters are too young for this journey!" I shouted. It was difficult to make oneself heard in the air, what with the wind and the screaming from the girls before me.

"It's not that long a journey, Corwyn. A few winds won't harm them. Besides, I flew with them when they were babes!" Laena shouted back.

It was there that I suspected that perhaps my sister wasn't as great a mother as I used to believe.

The journey didn't take long, at least, and it'd be over soon. Normally a flight from the Stepstones to Driftmark takes three days, though in consideration of the girls, we decided to make it four, and today was already the final day of the journey. The sun was high in the sky by the time Driftmark was sighted. On our arrival, we were immediately greeted by Laenor and Joffrey.

Vhagar had scarcely landed when Laena jumped down and ran to Laenor. "I haven't seen you so long!" She shouted as she hugged Laenor fiercely.

"Well met, Sister. How I missed you too. I haven't seen you for so long." He craned my neck to where I was helping the twins dismount. "I see you finally brought your daughters with you. And Corwyn?"

Laena laughed. "I've seen Corwyn near every month. He and Daemon are always up to one scheme or another. When I heard of our parents summoning him home, I decided to accompany him as well. I missed our home dearly."

I approached both my siblings with my nieces in tow. "Laenor. It's been a long time." I greeted him in a more moderate way than my sister.

"Good to see you, Corwyn. Have you a sudden yearning to see the family?" He asked me as he clasped my hand.

"Well, I thought it was unfair that I never visit you, even though you visit me so many times, so I decided to balance the scales slightly." I paused. "That, and our parents sending me a curt letter telling me to come home as soon as conveniently possible."

"So I heard. It sounds urgent, though I can't even guess the reason behind such urgency. Come walk with us."

Vhagar yawned and went her way, likely looking for a place to nap. Laena waved her off before we went on our way to High Tide. As we walked, I saw that Driftmark hadn't changed at all since my last visit. The same towers and walls where I was raised. The only change I noticed was a strange garden under the raven tower.

"That? That was Maester Gordon's new garden. Driftmark had difficulties acquiring certain herbs he needed for his concoctions, so he opted to simply grow them here." Laenor said as I queried them.

"I heard Lord Corlys was planning to build a glass garden as well. Perhaps the good maester can use it to grow his herbs once it's done." Joffrey chimed in.

"Father does want to build one, though not immediately. A glass garden is difficult to build." Laenor said.

It was an understatement, if I've ever heard one. One could build an entire new keep for the price of a single glass garden. Most lordly houses that had glass gardens used them as a symbol of luxury more than anything functional.

If Father seriously considered building one, then our finances must still be in great condition.

"Any other developments I need to know?" I asked. "It was rare for me to be here."

"Your drinks have become popular. In the Crownlands, The Vale, and Stormlands, especially. White Harbor and Saltpans have also become common destinations for our merchants lately." Joffrey said.

All of them were in the east, I noted. It was too much to expect good trade in cities controlled by our political rivals like Oldtown and Lannisport. They couldn't blatantly discriminate against our merchants or products, but there were subtler ways to sabotage our trade.

"And Essos? Do we find a market there?" Our merchants had been selling the surplus there, as I heard from their letters. If they were popular in Essos, then it might be worth it to also expand there further.

Joffrey nodded. "Your brandy was slowly growing popular on the other side of the Narrow Sea, Lord Corwyn. A small number of traders from Pentos and Bravos are interested in some deals with you, though I can only guess what."

"I'll see them later." I answered it easily. They would likely negotiate a price cut for buying a larger batch, I wagered. "Speaking of, I've also been thinking of expanding our ventures more, actually."

Ser Joffrey glanced at me. "We already hired a score more men in Hull and Spicetown each this year alone."

I shook my head. "No, not just expanding the production. I mean new ventures."

I have some ideas for more products. Perhaps not liquor. I knew some more liquors unknown to the world, like vodka or rum, but they required potatoes and sugarcane, respectively. Neither were known in Westeros.

Perhaps I could produce something medical related? Alcohol is known to possess sanitizing qualities. We could produce some alcoholic beverages using cheap ingredients such as barley and distill it over and over to produce a liquid with a much higher alcoholic content. I also knew bread mold could be used to create a medicine of some sort, though I had no idea how to even produce that. I wasn't a healer in my previous life. Pity, I was sure it was a potent medicine.

"I have two general ideas so far. The first venture I'm thinking of is making new products. I've been studying perfumemaking lately. The process wasn't so much different from our liquor, and we have few perfume makers in Westeros." Most of our perfumes were bought from the east, according to my research. "The process to make perfumes is just adding oils and anything that smells good, like flowers or such and distilling them. Hardly difficult."

Laena looked at me. "That doesn't sound true to me. Surely there's more than that?"

"It's a bit more complex in reality, but the gist is more or less right. You wear perfumes near every day, and you don't know that?"

"You swing a sword every day. Can you make one?" She shot back.

I shrugged. "Fair enough." I turned my head toward my brother and his lover. "What do you think?"

My brother hummed as he pondered my question. "It's not impossible, but from what I can see, you aren't completely sure how to make perfumes yet. I'm not saying you can't try it, but perhaps waiting until you can do it right is prudent. I've heard it took you one year to perfect your liquor, so perhaps you can do the same."

"I know. I won't begin selling it until I can get it right; don't worry. We still need to find someone who can make perfumes anyhow." I answered him.

"You said you have two possible ways of expanding. What's the second one?" Laena asked.

"That one was simpler. I intend to buy more ships." I said.

Laenor's face scrunched. "Are our ships insufficient for your purpose?"

"No, but more ships are always welcome. With the Stepstones largely pacified, trade between the east, west, and south has also increased. I intend to capitalize on the opportunity. A dedicated trade company will do the trick. Unlike my other ventures, this will likely be headquartered in South Haven instead of Driftmark."

"I suppose you will continue tinkering with your perfumes as you build this trade company?" Laenor asked.

"Of course."

Laena hummed in interest. "A trade company. How exciting. Do you wish for Daemon's help? He loves to complain about how poor the Stepstones are. Perhaps I can convince him to join in this venture of yours."

I laughed. "He has no interest in such matters, but if you want to try convincing him, then go ahead."

As we reached the tower where my old room was located, I saw a maidservant approach us.

"Lord Corwyn. The Lord and Lady Velaryon are waiting for you." She said it as she bowed.

I raised an eyebrow. My parents were certainly eager. I motioned for her to continue. "Lead the way, then."

She led me back outside of the towers, through familiar courtyards and hallways, to one of the more-used sitting rooms. Mother's favourite. Once we arrived, she knocked at the door before curtsying and leaving me to enter the room alone.

Inside, I found my father and mother. They both have aged noticeably since the last time I've visited them, with new wrinkles creasing their faces and grey in their hair. Both still looked graceful for their age. Father kept a full head of hair, and Mother was every inch a proud, elegant lady.

Mother smiled as she saw me. "Corwyn. I hope you find no trouble on your journey here."

I shook my head. "Vhagar is a lot more spacious than many of the ships I've sailed on." I pulled out one of the chairs and took my seat. "That reminds me. Laena brings both of her daughters here. This is the first time you'll meet both, correct?"

Father frowned. "They can't be older than three. Shouldn't such a long journey by dragonflight be difficult for them?"

I shrugged. "So I told Laena."

Father and Mother looked each other in the eye.

"I will speak some sense to the girl." Mother said with a groan. "It's not that I'm ungrateful to see my granddaughters. But I swear, even as a mother herself, she can still be so terribly reckless."

I smiled. If my sister thought being a mother would protect her from my parents' nags, then she would be greatly mistaken.

Father rang a small bell, and servants came in, bringing trays of small dishes and refreshments. As we waited for them, we spoke on various topics, namely what I've done these past few years. I told them stories of my efforts to build my castle and settlement, of my attempt to rule all my citizens, and of repelling pirate raids. I even told them of the occasional melees and jousts in the Stormlands that I participated in.

My parents, on their part, seemed interested in my stories, as they listened with rapt attention. Not once did they interrupt me. It was only once the servants were gone that they finally began the talk of import.

"It's good to see you've found your strides and is prospering on that island." Father said. "I know you have it in you to be a great lord."

I picked a small number of almonds from the jar. My parents knew my taste well. "What else do you want to talk about with me? I'm not opposed to visiting home, but it hardly sounds urgent."

Father glanced at Mother.

"What do you think on the matter of succession?" Mother asked.

This again? Was there a new development I hadn't heard about? "Nothing new. Is there something amiss about the succession?" I doubt Viserys had changed his mind on the heirship, lest I'd hear it myself even as I was in South Haven.

"The succession crisis is growing more likely, and everyone agrees a dispute is inevitable. Too many lords have all but sworn themselves to the cause of Aegon, with only Viserys' life stopping everything from boiling over. We'd prefer it if Rhaenyra can ascend without any problem, but as things stand, a conflict is bound to happen, and war will follow." Father said.

I frowned. "A conflict doesn't necessarily mean war, does it? A great council can be considered a conflict in a way, though I believe you don't want the matter of succession to be turned to the great council under any circumstances."

"No lord of Westeros will vote for a woman as long as a man is available." Mother replied. Of course. A lord always sought a warrior as their king and women were rarely warriors. "You're also right. Conflict doesn't always result in war, but that depends on how we move forward. We need strong allies ourselves to protect the rights of Laenor's children."

Father spoke once more. "The situation at court is unacceptable. We barely have any allies in the small council and few in Red Keep at all. Some whisperers, aye, but not someone who has the king's ears."

"Is that so? So you want to build an alliance with someone on the small council?" I replied, though I didn't have much stock in it. The Lord Commander and the Master of Laws were firmly in the green's camp, but the Master of Coin was in ours, while the rest were either very impartial or hid their allegiance well. Which one of them would we court?

Father clasped his hands as he looked me in the eyes. "Lord Lyonel is a capable Hand, and high in his grace's esteem. He has two sons, both of whom will likely climb higher in the coming days. Of his two daughters, the younger is unmarried."

"You're one and twenty. It's about time you do your duty." Mother added her voice.

I furrowed my brow. So the time had finally come, after all.

I suspected I couldn't maintain my dalliance forever. I was no longer a second son without any responsibility. With a land of my own, I would need to secure it with my blood, in more ways than one.

"Is that what you have in mind?" I asked them.

"Yes. The younger Strong girl is of an age to be married and close to you in age. Lord Lyonel is anxious to see her married to a good man." Father said.

I racked my mind, trying to remember Lord Lyonel's daughters. I remember his sons well, as noticeable as they were, but the daughters weren't as noticeable. Both lived in King's Landing during my stay there, I know. The older one, Jocey, was already married to a Butterwell for some years now. The younger one, Elinor, should be one or two years younger than me. I assumed she was already betrothed to someone. So she was unspoken for?

"The Strongs are studiously neutral." I replied. "And considering how they seem loyal to the king, they might follow the king's will without any push from us."

Father nodded. "They might. But we can never tell. The green's control of the capital grows daily, and we may never know if they can convince Lord Lyonel eventually. That would harm our cause significantly. His elder son is likely to rise to become the Gold Cloak's Lord Commander and his second son to a high position himself."

I don't have much talent for politics. I lamented. Give me an enemy to kill, and I could imagine a dozen different ways to do it, but when it came to politics, it all came down to guesswork.

Rhaenyra would not like it. I had a feeling she wasn't the sort of woman who was fine with sharing her man. Not that I ever met many women like such. I was not looking forward to our talks.

"I will think about it."

Mother looked at me in sympathy. "I know it's sudden, but we all need to marry eventually. It might sound daunting to know you'll spend the rest of your days with someone you barely know, but it's necessary, and we do care about your happiness. Elinor will make a fine wife." She smiled placatingly. "Perhaps you can try to get to know her better. Maybe start writing a letter to her?"

"Perhaps I'll do so." I said it a tad distractedly. "If that's all, then I'll return to my chamber."

"Of course. However, we need to ask: Is there a reason you may refuse the match? As your mother said, we do care about your happiness." Father added.

Reason? Oh aye, there were plenty of them. Such as the fact that I was the secret lover of the princess of the realm and the father of her children. That I was put between a rock and a hard place. The marriage is a necessity, but the princess certainly wouldn't like it, and I had no way to reject the marriage without explaining why.

"No. I have no reason to reject the match at all."

"Corwyn!" Rhaenyra greeted me cheerfully as I entered her room. "It's been such a long time since we've last met."

"By more than four months, yes. I'm aware." I eyed her in the dim light of dusk. "I'm glad to see you recovered well."

She shrugged her shoulders. "It gets easier once you get used to it." She took a comb and began combing her silver hair. "I'm grateful for that. I still remember how difficult Aenar's birth was."

After the talks with my parents, I decided that I needed to meet Rhaenyra directly. I even contemplated sailing here on a trader's ship myself before I thought better of it. It would be improper for me to visit the princess alone, so instead I pestered Laenor to come with me, with the excuse that he would see his youngest son. He was likely still playing with his 'children' even now.

"I'm sorry for not being there with you. I was planning to visit, but I mistimed it." I said.

"I'm not sure if I can still forgive you for missing Jace's birth, however." She said disapprovingly. "It's unlike you to not be present at

I raised my arms placatingly in response to her accusing eyes. "I'm sorry for that. I didn't expect he would be born early." I was always planning to be present during Jace's birth, much like I did with his older siblings, but my habit of delaying my travel bit my arse for once. He was born earlier than predicted.

Rhaenyra chuckled. "Any more excuses, Corwyn?"

"No." I kissed her brow. "I have no excuse. It was a poor way to treat you, I know. You visit me so often on my island, and I managed to miss the one visit when it counts."

Indeed, she kept true to her word and visited me often with Laenor in South Haven, despite the distance. Rhaenyra had become a fixture in my humble court. I was even certain Jacaerys was conceived there.

"How are the children?" I changed the topic. "They're well, I hope?"

Rhaenyra nodded happily. "Yes, all of them are healthy. Aenar is growing rowdier by the day. It has become a lot more difficult to make him sit down and eat lately." She laughed as she said that. "Naerys is turning more active too. Jacaerys is growing bigger, though he's a babe, so he hardly does anything except cry."

She ceased for a moment. "Oh, have you seen Jacaerys today?"

"I've seen him this noon, but he was sleeping." I replied. "I'm glad to see him well. I've played with Naerys and Jace too. It's good to see how much they love their uncle."

Rhaenyra chuckled. "And your gifts. Do you need to bring so much? You'll spoil them rotten."

I grinned. "Anything for my beloved nephews and nieces."

She put down her comb and smirked as she pushed me to sit on her bed. "I see you've taken a bath."

I shrugged. "You know how much I mislike the dust and sweat of travel. I took my cleanliness seriously."

She scooted closer. "Thank the seven for that. I never understood how so many men could dislike a bath."

I raised my eyebrows at her lack of subtlety. "You only gave birth not so long ago."

"It's been well over a month; I'm fine now. You say it yourself that I recover well, and I haven't seen you in so long."

I sighed. I was here to speak of an important matter, but this woman was insatiable. Hopefully, this will put her in a better mood, at least. Depending on how the talk progressed, she might bar me from Dragonstone entirely.

At least she wouldn't kill me. I've eaten some of her food. Surely she wouldn't break guest rights?

The night marched on. The light of the full moon shone through the crevices between the closed shutters of the window. Rhaenyra was still abed with me, our arms and legs entangled under the woolen blanket. The soft feather inside the pillows under my head felt heavenly.

"You look distracted again." She spoke, her voice tinged with concern. "You do that a lot today. What's in your mind? Perhaps you're still tired from your journey?"

I steeled my mind. There was no point in delaying then. "There is something I must ask of you."

She cocked an eyebrow in curiosity. "Oh? What is it, pray tell?"

I looked at her in the eyes. "What would you say if I told you my parents have a match in mind for me?" I said, trying to hide the nervousness in my voice.

Rhaenyra sighed unhappily at my words. She sat straighter after I spoke. "Who?" She asked simply; her voice lacked her usual warmth.

"Elinor Strong. Lord Lyonel's younger daughter." I answered.

"Can't you refuse it?"

"I thought to, but I don't know how I should even do that. I have no reason to refuse them." I shook my head. "I just want you to know."

Rhaenyra fell silent. The night was very quiet in the Dragonstone, I noticed. Not even the distant cries of seagulls could be heard. Nothing else was audible save for our breaths.

"What do you want, then, if you won't even refuse it at all?" She asked. Her tone was growing even colder. "What do you think you will accomplish by telling me? Will you just marry the girl and expect me to wait for you on the side?"

"I was thinking of accepting the match." I said slowly. "Perhaps it would be for the best for you as well. If I remain unwed, men would question why." It wasn't difficult to see how a few would reach the conclusion that it was because I had a secret lover myself. "However, I won't expect you to be the second or such."

"From what I heard, you just want to share my love. Is that the sum of it?" She asked.

"I won't ask you that, and I won't betray my wife by having a mistress either." I saw her expression soured further and realized that perhaps I had misstepped somehow. "Nor will I force you to share my love. If you believed it'd be better for us to keep our distance for the time being, then I'd acquiesce. I already gave you two sons and a daughter, but they're not of my line. I have a duty to my house as well."

Rhaenyra's expression turned wroth. "Is that what you see your family as? A duty? Now that you've done yours, it's time for you to leave for another woman?"

She was growing stubborn, I noticed. I didn't know if it was my fault. But I had no intention to back down. Instead, I kept my face neutral, even as I met her sharp glares.

"Marriage is a duty, Rhaenyra." I said softly. "But what we had was not moved by duty; you know that." Not entirely. It certainly began for duty, though not even in my most callous moment would I call what we had now a mere duty. "What would you have me do? Reject the match? What reason should I give if they ask me why?"

Once again, we sat in silence in that room. I waited patiently for her to gather her thoughts.

"No." Rhaenyra suddenly said in a hard tone. "You're mine, and I'm yours. What we have can't be shared. I will not have you run off with another harlot." She glared at me. Her breath quickened as she spoke. "Nor will we split. I will allow you to marry her, but as long as you do, then I will take another lover with me. It's only fair."

I felt an annoyance bubble within me. I gave her a chance for us to split amiably. Why did she insist on making it difficult? Not only did she demand I betray my future wife, she even wanted to betray me as well, even as she appealed to my loyalty?

We had been together for more than four years by now, yet this might be the first time our relationship was truly tested.

"If you can't bear the thought of sharing me, then I'll understand. However, why do you want to do that?"

"So you'll understand my feelings. By the Gods, Corwyn." Rhaenyra near shouted. She took several long breaths after she realized just how loud she was. "You don't want to share me, do you? Then don't ask me to share you."

I pinched my nose. "This is for your children as well." I hissed through gritted teeth. "Our children." I added in a lower voice. "We need allies to make sure their rights are protected. My parents are merely concerned with that."

"How convenient then, that the only thing that you will suffer is a new wife."

I narrowed my eyes. "'No matter how difficult a task is, if something must be done, then it will be done. Because being a ruler means more than just doing what you want, but also what you must.' I remember hearing that from you. Was that a jape? Would you put your own selfishness above your children's needs?"

She really insisted on making things more difficult. I understood her position, but damn it, couldn't she understand mine? From the way she spoke, one might think I was being purposely unfaithful to her.

She huffed in annoyance. "Alright. Go marry your Strong girl, then. I'm not opposed to each of us finding another lover, as long as we're not separated. However, before I can give you my agreement, I need a promise from you."

"What promise?" I asked wearily. All this arguing had thinned my patience. At this point, I just wanted to get this over with.

She grabbed my right wrist harshly. "That you belong to me. Swear it to me right now. Swear now that your heart will always belong to me. I don't care who you married. Just make sure you will never put her above me in your heart, just like I will not put anyone above you."

I met her gaze evenly and slowly, gently, grabbed her hand with my own and removed it from my wrist.

"I promise my heart will always belong to you, and I will not put anyone above you in my heart." I said it with enough earnestness in my voice to convince her. Even as I glared sharply at her.

Just like that, I vowed to treat my future wife as the second in my own heart, just to satisfy this envious princess. So much for an honourable knight of the realm. Unlike Laenor, I couldn't claim it was made with her agreement. The experience left me with a bitter taste in my mouth.

"For your own good, I hope you'll remember your oath, Corwyn, lest I make you regret it." She snarled. "Now, get out of my chamber."

I scowled at her words. I dressed without saying a word, put on my tunic and jacket, trousers and boots, and moved just as silently. At least I got that over with. I just wanted to go home, free from all this nonsense.

As I approached the door, I turned my head to face her.

"And you will keep to your agreement, for your own good."

Author Notes:

I have a premonition this chapter will be controversial among the readers.

Anyway, I still can't write romance drama worth a damn. This part is always the most difficult to write. Like damn.

Anyway, of Rhaenyra's children. Aenar - born 115, Naerys - born 117, Jacaerys - born 119. Their sexes are all decided by coin flips, by the way.

Reviews are always welcome.