Princess Arianne Martell, petite yet striking with her dusky skin and bold eyes, beamed as she linked her arm with Jaime Lannister's. "The arrival of Casterly Rock's lion in Dorne is indeed a delightful surprise."
Jaime felt an uncomfortable stiffness. For some inexplicable reason, Arianne reminded him of Cersei. She possessed the same confident, provocative allure. His father could never have anticipated that the Princess of Dorne would possess a character so akin to his daughter's.
"You are as beautiful as the rumors suggest," Jaime smiled, his tall, handsome visage at least sufficient to satisfy the Dornish princess.
"I beg to differ," Arianne teased, playfully planting a light kiss on his cheek before declaring, "Father, I have brought Ser Jaime."
Prince Doran, confined to his wheelchair, regarded Jaime with a calm, heavy-lidded gaze. He invited him to take a seat, then proceeded directly to the point. "You wish to marry Arianne?"
"Indeed, Your Grace," Jaime readily acknowledged.
"Is that so?" Prince Doran gazed distantly toward the garden. "Your father is quite aware that Arianne is my heir. However, for that very reason, I shall not allow her to wed you."
Jaime rose in indignation, fury welling within him. "Then I shall return to Casterly Rock. May you live to see Arianne wed that beggar king, Viserys." It was a thoughtless remark, one he'd heard from Renly, but in his fury, Jaime seized upon it.
Prince Doran's complexion turned ashen. This long-term invalid appeared more panicked than ever before. "Wait, Ser Jaime," he gasped, looking at him with desperation. "Where did you acquire this information?" The secret pact, hidden for so long… if Robert learned of it, his wrath would obliterate Dorne.
Jaime stroked his chin, feigning a contemplative expression. "You need not concern yourself with that. Originally, my father wished for me to remain silent, but given your humiliation of Casterly Rock…" He let the threat hang in the air.
This time, Doran appeared less fearful. "What do you desire in exchange?"
Jaime shrugged. "You need not relinquish your beloved Arianne. You may offer a cousin instead, provided I find her acceptable." He believed that if he explained that Arianne was but a reckless copy of Cersei, his father would understand.
"Very well, that poses no issue," Prince Doran sighed in relief.
"And," Jaime added, "you will host a banquet to declare Dorne's eternal loyalty to King Robert and his rightful heir, Prince Joffrey."
Prince Doran did not even furrow his brow. "That is, of course, reasonable." He would play the game, for now.
When the news reached King's Landing, the Queen of Thorns leisurely savored cherries. "What did I say? Jaime Lannister's journey was to fortify his nephew's position. He lost Arianne but gained Dorne's public support. A shrewd move."
Loras, freshly returned from Renly's side, bore a flushed visage. "In that case, Renly's proposal becomes less viable. Casterly Rock and Dorne together are a formidable bloc."
The Queen of Thorns glared at her grandson, vexed by his lack of ambition. "What is so dreadful about it? If Renly seeks rebellion, let him. I am curious to see whether the stones of Casterly Rock are harder than Renly's head." She spat out a cherry pit, her gaze sharp. "To be honest, I fail to comprehend what you see in him."
Loras bit his lip, momentarily resembling a petulant bride. "Renley had confided in me… he has a strategy to sow discord within the factions of Casterly Rock."
The Queen of Thorns cast a penetrating glance at Loras, choosing to remain silent. Some plans were better left unspoken.