Melisandre shook her head slightly: "Perhaps it will, perhaps it won't."
Stannis's anger grew: "Will it or won't it?"
Melisandre's voice remained calm: "Both are possible, King."
Stannis's teeth gnashed: "Say something meaningful, woman."
Melisandre's pale fingers lightly brushed over the cover of the silver platter, saying, "The holy fire speaks clearly, and so I speak clearly. There is truth in the flames, but the will of the Lord of Light… is not always so easy to comprehend."
She looked at Stannis, the large red ruby on her throat seeming to drink the flickering light from the brazier: "Give me the boy; that is a surer, better way."
She moved a step closer to Stannis: "Give me the boy, and I will awaken the dragons from stone for you, King."
Stannis's voice was cold: "I told you, no."
Melisandre spread her hands, her voice filled with temptation: "He is but a bastard, and we are to save all the men, women, and children of Westeros, plus the whole world… all the children that might be born in all nations."
Stannis was unmoved: "The boy is innocent."
"He shames you."
Melisandre reminded him, "That boy defiled your marriage bed, otherwise you would have many sons, King."
Stannis said coldly, "Robert shamed me, not the child's fault. My daughter likes him very much… Besides, he is my blood."
"Yes, he carries your brother's blood."
Melisandre continued to persuade: "That is King's blood, and only King's blood can awaken the dragons sleeping in stone."
Stannis's teeth gnashed again: "I don't want to hear such talk anymore. Dragons are long extinct. People of House Targaryen tried to awaken them many times, and they either became jesters or lost their lives. On this godforsaken island, we only need one jester, Patchface (the fool of Dragonstone)."
He waved his hand and said, "Just use the leeches. Do it quickly."
Melisandre bowed stiffly: "As you command, King."
She reached her right hand into her left sleeve and sprinkled a handful of powder into the brazier… The next moment, the charcoal hissed, and pale flames churned above it.
Melisandre picked up the silver platter, presented it to Stannis, and removed the cover… Beneath were three large leeches swollen with blood.
Duke Davos's eyes trembled slightly; this was Edric's blood, King's blood.
Stannis extended a hand and squeezed a large leech. It writhed in his hand, trying to attach itself to his fingers.
Melisandre reminded him, "Say the names, one name per leech."
"Joffrey Baratheon." Stannis threw the leech into the fire; it curled and burned among the charcoal like an autumn leaf.
Stannis grabbed the second leech: "Balon Greyjoy."
After he spoke, the leech was thrown into the brazier, its skin burst, blood gushed out, hissing and rising in a cloud of smoke.
The last leech was clasped in Stannis's hand. He examined it carefully for a moment, then said, "Robb Stark."
Then, Stannis threw it into the flames.
… … … …
… … … …
The sky was clear blue and cloudless, like a giant sapphire.
On a terrace of Highgarden Castle, a gentle breeze blew, and the air was filled with the faint scent of Roses and the fragrance of earth.
Birds flew in the sky, chirping clearly. Duke Mace Tyrell was smiling as he read Glynn's letter, occasionally stroking the triangular beard beneath his chin.
The letter from Glynn from Eyrie, Duke Mace had already read it once last night… today was the second time.
Putting down the letter, Duke Mace showed a hint of regret. After a pause, he instructed a servant to bring a map of the Seven Kingdoms and spread it on the table.
Standing before the map, Duke Mace's gaze fixed on the location of Riverrun. After a moment, a look of regret again crossed his face.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
[patreon.com/TripleCrown07]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"