-Chapter 184-
-POV MC-
"So, how did you find my performance?" I asked Daenerys, who was seated next to me at the banquet.
"It was rather good, but you've just lost any chance of securing the loyalty of House Buckler by humiliating them like that."
"What do you mean by securing their loyalty?" I asked, curious to know her definition of loyalty.
"They will never love you," said Daenerys, locking her eyes on mine with certainty, pointing out my 'mistakes.'
"A person in love or who simply loves you isn't necessarily loyal. If that were the case, traitors wouldn't exist, would they?"
Daenerys frowned but didn't respond, unwilling to admit my point of view. I then continued to elaborate on my idea:
"Do you think all the people who have sworn loyalty to me and all the people living in Westeros love me?" I asked with a slightly mocking smile.
She glared at me but remained silent.
"Believe it or not, but most people don't care who sits on the Iron Throne. All they care about is knowing if they'll have enough to eat the next day, and if so, what they can put on their plates," I said.
"But it matters to the lords who have sworn allegiance to you and who possess powerful armies," Daenerys said.
"I know that, but what matters to the lords isn't necessarily good for me. So, I'm not obliged to listen to and respond to all their whims," I replied.
Daenerys frowned skeptically, and I added:
"I am their sovereign, their Emperor. I am not their servant; it's precisely the opposite. So, I can understand that they want a Baratheon as a spiritual leader and representative, but that will be done on my terms and not because some little dogs have barked a bit too loudly."
"I was like that in the past, uncompromising and ruthless, but the rebellions taught me to be more tempered."
"We are untouchable," I said, extremely confident in the strength I had cultivated over the years and in the potential of the Empire.
Daenerys took a sip of wine before saying, "Men have already killed dragons. We are not invincible, and fear will not serve us in the long term."
"You're afraid of revolts, but know that in your case, I orchestrated them," I said, enjoying the shock and anger I saw in her eyes.
"You thought those slaver dogs could have caused you that much trouble? I gave them the playbook; they only executed my plan," I said, smiling.
"I still don't understand your insistence on undermining everything I was building in Slaver's Bay. We could have lived peacefully on opposite sides of the world. I didn't want your throne; I just wanted to be free."
I stifled a chuckle and said, "Dragons belong to the Targaryens. It seems this is no longer a point we should debate and waste our time on."
Daenerys fell silent, maintaining a mask of indifference, although I could sense her annoyance. So I said, trying to change the subject:
"For these people, fear is a good instrument. I have no competitor they could rally behind, so they either obey or they die. They have no third option."
She didn't respond, so I finished my meal in peace, observing the gathered lords, assessing those who could be useful to me and those whose growth I should stifle so they wouldn't have a say in matters.
---
-POV Garth Flowers-
Immersed in the mind of the rat I had tamed to spy on the Sealord, I watched him enter the banquet hall and begin to converse with many celebrities from Braavos.
He even dared to speak with that dog Tormo Fregar.
Since I had sent a message to inform the Emperor of the situation, I had received no response.
I didn't know how he wanted Tormo Fregar to suffer before dying, but I knew he wouldn't keep his head on his shoulders for long, which managed to ease the burning hatred I felt towards him.
'Without the Emperor, we would have been treated as monsters and roasted like pigs by the most radical septons such as the High Sparrow.'
At some point, the Sealord tapped his glass a few times before finally saying:
"I am happy that you all could come today because all the people gathered here are those I genuinely appreciate."
All those present tacitly agreed to interrupt him with waves of applause, to which he simply smiled while raising a hand and slightly bowing his head.
"It has been several decades since I have been at the helm of the Free City of Braavos, and I have had the chance to meet and employ extraordinary people who have greatly helped me in my task. I have always strived to see Braavos grow, but today, due to my health, I can no longer do so."
'Wait, what is he doing?'
"I would have liked to die as Sealord, but I must face the reality that my condition no longer allows me to steer our magnificent vessel. I do not wish to sink our ship, so it is with immense sadness that I have gathered you all here so that we may elect a new Sealord together."
The crowd's astonishment was such that one could hear everyone breathing, but nothing else.
"With the emergence of the Empire and the Imperial Bank, Braavos is, for the first time in a very long time, being challenged as the leading economic power in the Known World. Braavos today needs a young, intelligent, and wise man who can face the threat from the West with all the calm and courage required. I hope you will all agree to support my designated heir in the vote, Tormo Fregar."
I turned my head so fast that my rat neck almost snapped just to see the genuinely surprised face of Tormo Fregar while everyone applauded.
'What the hell just happened?' I thought.
---
-POV Ferrego Antaryon-
While everyone warmly applauded Tormo Fregar, I feigned a fainting spell to slip away.
Once in my quarters, I ordered everyone to leave except Qarro Valentin, my First Sword and the captain of my guard.
I smiled at the stunned look on his face and then said:
"Ask the question that's burning your lips."
"Why?" he asked.
"Why what?" I replied, wanting him to be more precise.
"Why did you abandon your post? Why did you give up fighting against that snake? And most importantly, why did you lie about your health condition?" he asked, shocked.
I smiled and then said, "Tormo was wounded; he participated with Bellegere Otherys in that vain assassination attempt that backfired on him. He would have had no qualms about having me assassinated. I don't want to die for his ambition."
"So you fled your duty to save your life," he said, stunned, in an accusatory tone.
"Never," I said, glaring at him just for considering it.
"Then why?" he asked in a more tempered tone, remembering who I was and everything I had done for Braavos as Sealord.
"For several reasons. The first is that I don't want to die. In fact, to be completely honest, I'd say I'm not ready to die because I have a family to protect. House Antaryon, although a great House in Braavos, could face troubled times in the future. The resurgence of dragons is not a good sign for Braavos, and I want to advise my family members to navigate peacefully through this storm," I said before continuing with the following arguments.
"The second is that, in all honesty, I think Tormo Fregar did what needed to be done. He found a solution to remove a thorn from Braavos's side and acted accordingly. It is said that the Emperor was on the verge of death. If he had been Sealord, perhaps the assassination attempt could have been successful. He is decisive, cruel, and cunning. In these troubled times, that is what Braavos needs."
"Even if it leads Braavos to war against the dragons?" Qarro asked in a worried tone.
"Stop believing that dragons are invincible. The Valyrian pyromancers had hundreds of dragons and struggled for centuries to subdue the Ghiscari Empire and the Rhoynar people. A dozen dragons are nothing in comparison, and apart from the Emperor, few know how to use magic in Westeros, whereas in Essos, it's not uncommon."
"Especially since the dragons hatched, pyromancers, maegi, and others are being born more and more quickly."
"Time is our best ally. In the meantime, we must prepare for all eventualities, and if possible, I prefer to ensure the future of my family and Braavos at the same time rather than die from a treacherous blade."
Qarro didn't seem satisfied with my explanations, but I didn't have to justify myself. He bowed while silently asking if he could leave, and with a gesture of my hand, I dismissed him.
'Good luck, Tormo. We'll see how you handle things.'
---
-POV Beric Dondarrion-
Waking up the morning after my arrival at the castle, I was quite pleased because the situation plaguing the Stormlands had come to an abrupt halt thanks to the Emperor's intervention.
A civil war would have cost too much for all the Noble Houses.
'Whether in gold or blood,' I thought with relief.
Although the marriage between Allyria and me had allowed a certain good understanding between House Dayne and House Dondarrion, the Dornish bandits robbing caravans or simply raiding border villages in the Stormlands were not lacking in the slightest.
The situation had slightly evolved since Empress Arianne had been repudiated.
A fearsome band of outlaws named the Avengers of Princesses had appeared, and I even doubted it was one of my former friends and drinking companions who was behind it.
This band of outlaws robbed all the Empire's caravans, primarily targeting those bearing the imperial mark that merchants could inscribe in exchange for a percentage of their profits.
A healthy way for the Empire to protect the lucrative trade of Westerosi merchants essential to the economy while finding alternative sources of revenue to implement the Emperor's grand projects.
'Like Harrenhal,' I thought, recalling the order that had been recently given.
All the lords of the Empire had to participate in the construction effort by sending workers, masons, oxen, horses to pull heavy loads, and various materials to renovate, or for some parts, completely rebuild Harrenhal.
The Emperor's Hand had sent messages by ravens to assure all Noble Houses that their significant participation would be rewarded with a reduction or even an annulment of their taxes for the year or the coming years, based on the market price.
For example, for me, who has many horses of all kinds that I struggle to feed due to last year's drought, giving a draft horse that has become a burden for my farms and would represent a loss of income in the future in exchange for a tax reduction on my crops is a simple and totally legitimate way to limit my losses and optimize my profits.
Many have done the same by giving herds of oxen and draft horses that didn't represent much to negotiate a tax cancellation. Some have done worse by capturing beggars and thugs on their lands to send them to Harrenhal for forced labor to buy back their freedom.
Knock... Knock... Knock...
My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on my door.
"Who is it?" I asked, placing a hand on my sword that rested within reach.
"It's me, Lord Dondarrion," said a small voice that I recognized as one of the servant girls assigned to me, a young girl from a village who had probably been hired for the occasion given her inexperience.
"Come in," I said, releasing the grip on my sword on the table.
"The steward asked me to deliver a message from the Emperor. You are expected in the castle courtyard in half an hour; the Emperor will go hunting, and you are invited."
"Very well."
The young girl bowed awkwardly before fleeing. I shook my head, slightly amused by the spectacle, before getting up to prepare. I certainly wouldn't be the only one invited; the real discussion would start at that moment.