Chapter 69: Reunions
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Maria POV
A fortnight later
I stood in front of the doors of my manse early in the morning. Below me, Lionheart servants were standing in two columns on the stair steps, ten on each side, all standing straight and professional.
In total there were twenty, half of whom were male, and the other female. They were the helpers I had called for the special welcoming of my lord, Richard and my dear daughter, Alicent.
My tired eyes remained upon the gates in silence. I was feeling a little jittery with anticipation, eager for their arrival.
Most of my thoughts were on meeting my daughter. How I wished to have my daughter in my arms once more and give her the support any mother would give. The last time I had seen her in person was during her nameday at Castamere, more than six moons ago.
I wished I could have stayed longer there with her, but as a consigliere I was needed in Lannisport, where the main operations and profits were held.
Though she was visiting now, I knew she would not remain in Lannisport for long, which was why I wished to make her stay as grand as possible.
As I thought of the many ways I could dote upon my daughter, I was interrupted by a voice.
"Madam Maria, here is the coat you asked for." It was my assistant, Ellyn, a twenty-year-old lass who held a thick fur coat stretched out in her hands.
"Thank you, darling," I said warmly as I took the coat and draped it over myself. With that, the biting morning breeze did not affect me nearly as much.
Ellyn then made her way down the steps, standing only a few stairs below me.
Moments later I heard the clapping of hooves.
My eyes immediately turned toward the gates as the guards began opening them. Soon four armored knights entered while leading a wheelhouse. Behind the wheel house rode three more knights.
They must be the seven lord's knights my daughter spoke so highly of during her letters with me.
I quickly made my way down the stair steps and began my orders. "Quickly go fetch the horses and unload the wheel house" I commanded.
At once the two neat columns dispersed, servants hurrying toward the horses and wheelhouse to accommodate the arriving guests.
As they did so, I made my way toward the wheelhouse doors, with Ellyn following shortly behind me.
The arriving lord's knights noticed me. Among them I recognized a familiar face, Lady Parren's son, Ser Alfred.
He stood upon the ground while one of my servants led his horse away.
"Greetings, Lady Maria," he said respectfully with a nod.
I gave a polite smile and offered my greetings. "Greetings, Ser Alfred. I hope the journey here was not difficult."
"Not at all, my lady. It was safe and smooth," he responded cheerfully.
"And my daughter?" I asked with slight worry as my eyes drifted toward the still unopened wheelhouse doors. My daughter should have been in a celebratory mood and greeted me with an intense embrace by now.
"Oh, she is doing well. She fell asleep not so long ago before we entered the city. The lord does not wish to wake her." Alfred explained.
At that, I quietly breathed a sigh of relief. It was still quite early in the morning. If I should guess, the hour of nightingale was upon us. After a week-long journey within a wheelhouse, my sweet daughter must have been exhausted.
"I see. Then would it be acceptable for me to enter the wheelhouse?" I asked.
"The lord would not mind," Ser Alfred assured me.
With that confirmation, I approached the wheelhouse door. As I neared it, I intended to knock lightly.
But before I could, the door opened.
The interior of the wheelhouse came into view, and immediately my eyes met Lord Richard's green ones along with a smile upon his face. Resting against his left shoulder was my daughter, still deep in sleep, both arms wrapped tightly around one of his.
I could not help but smirk at the sight.
"Lord Richard, welcome back to lannisport" I said as I curtsied.
"I am glad to be back." He replied with a smirk.
"May I come in?" I asked in a low tone, making sure I didn't wake Alicent.
"Yes," Richard answered, he moved his free hand outward toward me to help me inside.
With Richard's help I carefully entered the wheelhouse, making sure not to disturb my daughter who was still sleeping soundly against him.
The inside was pleasantly warm compared to the cold outside. Thick blankets and soft furs were spread neatly across the cushioned seats, clearly prepared for the long journey from Castamere.
A small lantern hanging above gave the wheelhouse a soft golden glow, while the faint scent of tea and leather lingered within the enclosed space.
My eyes then focused more on my daughter, who was in perhaps the most unladylike manner possible.
My eyes slowly lowered slightly. There, at the corner of her lips, was a faint line of drool resting against Richard's shoulder.
For a moment I simply stared before covering my mouth lightly. "Oh dear," I whispered in amusement.
Richard looked down toward Alicent before quietly chuckling himself. He then took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the corner of Alicent's lips.
"Every time she falls asleep beside me, she refuses to let go for nearly the entire journey," he told me quietly.
As if proving his words, Alicent's arms tightened slightly around one of his while she remained deep asleep against him.
Even her legs were tucked closely beside his own beneath the fur blankets, as though she feared he might somehow escape while she slept.
I made an uneasy smile, somewhat embarrassed and worried for my daughter.
"There is no need to worry, Lady Maria," Richard said softly, seemingly reading my thoughts. "I do not mind it. In truth… I find it rather cute and alluring."
At his words I quietly breathed a sigh of relief, the concern within me easing far more than I expected.
A faint smile rested upon my lips. "You spoil my daughter too much, my lord."
Richard shrugged his head slightly. "Perhaps."
I quietly laughed beneath my breath before taking the seat opposite the two of them.
The wheelhouse shifted lightly from the movement outside as servants began unloading belongings and tending to the horses.
For a few moments the atmosphere remained calm and peaceful. Only the distant sounds from outside and the soft breathing of my sleeping daughter filled the silence.
Then Richard's eyes shifted from carefree to a sharp one. It was now one of those looks he would give when he wanted to speak of business.
"How have our dealings in Essos gone?" he asked quietly. "Has the family business been smooth?"
At that, my posture straightened slightly.
"It has, my lord," I responded. "The eastern trade routes continue to bring strong profits. Our merchants have grown wealthy and have bought establishments in the free cities of Tyrosh, Lys, Pentos, and Myr. Conrad has been overseeing the operations personally and frequently sends his assassins to recruit capable people and protect our dealings. He has been corresponding with me often regarding the progress."
Richard listened attentively while absentmindedly adjusting the fur blanket around Alicent's shoulders.
"We have also begun establishing stronger ties with several merchant families in Pentos," I continued. "Some have shown great interest in long term partnerships with the Lionheart family. The profits from dyes, spices, and our food products alone have exceeded expectations these past moons."
Richard gave a small nod. "Good. Continue strengthening our foothold there, but avoid drawing too much attention for now."
"As you command, my lord." As we finished our talk, Alicent's eyes slowly fluttered open.
For a brief moment she looked dazed, her eyes still clouded with sleep as they wandered around the wheelhouse. Then her gaze landed upon me.
The moment recognition reached her face, she immediately released Richard's arm and sat upright.
"Mother?" she uttered softly.
Before I could even respond, my daughter had already thrown her arms around me. With that, our reunion as mother and daughter truly began.
…
Kevan Lannister POV
The afternoon sun shone upon Casterly Rock, lending warmth to the otherwise cold winds blowing in from the western coast. The castle itself was far livelier than usual due to the preparations for Jaime and Cersei's nameday celebration.
Servants constantly moved through the halls, carrying decorations, food, wine, and other supplies, while noble guests from various houses slowly arrived throughout the day.
I was walking through one of the lower halls when a servant approached and gave a respectful bow.
"Ser Kevan, Ser Galahad has arrived," the servant stated.
At those words, I gave a small nod before making my way toward the lower courtyard entrance.
It did not take long before I spotted him.
The courtyard was crowded with activity. Servants unloaded belongings from wagons while horses were led toward the stables. Noble lords and ladies were guided by attendants toward the lounging areas that had been prepared for them.
Among them was Galahad, who leaned against a wagon while conversing with the Crakehall brothers.
Galahad must have made quite an amusing jape, for booming, cheerful laughter came from the Crakehall brothers as they left his company. They greeted me as they headed inside Casterly Rock. I returned the greeting before continuing toward Galahad.
As I drew closer, he noticed my approach, pushed himself away from the wagon, and straightened before walking toward me.
"Greetings, Lord Kevan. I hope your day is well," Galahad said as he came near and extended his hand toward mine.
"Greetings to you as well, Galahad," I replied warmly as we clasped forearms. "Welcome back to Casterly Rock."
"It is good to be back," he replied with a nod.
I looked him over briefly before giving a faint smirk.
"You seem to have grown taller and broader compared to the last time we met." I complimented.
A small chuckle escaped him.
"That I have. I have been eating well, as you can see." He rolled up his sleeves to display his well-developed arms, making an amusing face before giving me a playful wink.
A booming laugh escaped me in response to his actions.
A short while later, the two of us began walking slowly through the courtyard while servants continued moving around us.
We spent the time catching up, and I learned more about his experiences as a lord.
From what he told me, his work had proven quite interesting. He spoke of the reconstruction of Castamere and the progress that had been made. He also shared how he had begun improving the crops, housing, and security of the smallfolk living upon his lands.
In time, he asked about my own exploits, though mine seemed rather underwhelming compared to his.
Much as it had been when he served as my squire, little had changed. I still oversaw the affairs of Lannisport, spending my days examining ledgers and documents while occasionally listening to the problems of merchants and smallfolk.
Yet Galahad listened with interest, and so I found myself rambling on about the occurrences of my daily life.
When I finally finished, I felt slightly embarrassed.
"I am sorry for the useless rambling. I simply needed to get it off my chest," I admitted.
"No worries, Ser Kevan. I am all ears. You may think it is useless rambling, but I believe your experience governing Lannisport will help me govern Castamere and my own lands as well."
"I am glad to hear that," I replied with a laugh, feeling reassured by his words.
"You are welcome to stay within the Rock during the festivities," I offered. "Proper chambers and servants can be arranged immediately." I added.
Galahad, however, shook his head politely.
"I thank you for the generosity, Ser Kevan, but I already have a residence within Lannisport. Preparations have already been arranged there." He replied.
At that, I gave a slow nod of approval.
It was a responsible decision.
Before either of us could continue, Galahad suddenly looked back toward several men standing behind him.
"Ah, there is one more matter for which I wished to ask permission," Galahad said.
My eyes followed his gaze toward three chests currently being unloaded from one of the wagons.
They were made of dark, polished wood, and each was carefully carried by Galahad's trusted men rather than the ordinary servants.
"They are gifts that I intend to reveal to Jaime and Cersei during the nameday celebration," Galahad explained. "I wished for them to remain unopened until then."
At once, my curiosity was stirred.
"Now you have made me curious," I admitted with a small smile.
Galahad only smiled slightly in return.
I looked toward the nearby servants.
"Handle the chests carefully and have them brought securely inside. No one is to tamper with them." I announced in a serious manner.
"At once, Ser Kevan," the servants quickly responded.
As the servants carefully carried the three chests deeper into the Rock, my curiosity only continued to grow.
Galahad and I resumed our conversation as we slowly made our way toward my solar.
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Chapter 70 coming soon…