She simply couldn't believe what she would have encountered if not for this boy in front of her, even though she was gradually realizing that he was also part of the conspiracy against her.
"You don't have to be like this, Madam," Arthur said softly. "This is what you deserve."
Arthur knew that the woman in front of him already knew everything, after all, he had made it too obvious, but the woman still chose to obey.
"This is your reward, Madam," Arthur said something of unclear meaning, but Madam Rona understood his meaning: a reward for dedicating everything to him.
But she no longer cared. Madam Rona's cheeks were flushed with excitement. She looked at Arthur, took his hand, placed it on her chest, and her eyes were filled with dependence and submission. "May I take this as your acceptance of my proposal?"
Arthur's body stiffened slightly upon hearing the last sentence. He looked at Madam Rona's tear-streaked, sorrowful, and broken face but did not reply.
He walked to the food he had set aside, picked it up, and brought the bowl of porridge to her.
"Eat something, Madam. Your maid said you haven't eaten for a long time." Madam Rona nodded obediently, picked up the spoon, and slowly drank the porridge in small sips, her eyes constantly on Arthur.
Arthur knelt on one knee before her, lifted her foot, and gently tended to her injuries.
"Madam," Arthur began slowly, as he gently treated the wound on her foot, "I need you to do me a favor."
Madam Rona immediately put down the empty bowl in her hand and looked at him seriously.
But Arthur did not continue. His fingertips gently and continuously touched the Madam's foot.
"Just give your orders, Lord Arthur." Arthur had remained silent, and the Madam grew anxious, though she enjoyed the young man's touch. "Whatever it is, I am willing to do it for you."
Arthur took out a blank parchment, a quill, and a small ink bottle from his embrace. "I need you to write a letter to Lady Roslin."
Madam Rona took the pen and paper, somewhat perplexed. "To Lady Roslin?"
"Yes," Arthur nodded. "So much has happened in Deep Valley City; Lady Roslin must be eager to know the details. It is best that you inform her personally."
"All the recent events, and your request to inherit Deep Valley City." Arthur paused, organizing his words. "For example, how your husband and father died at the hands of the wildlings."
"Some nobles and officers in the city intended to rebel, inciting unrest to force you to marry them and seize the territory of Deep Valley City. Fortunately, you sought my help in time, and I brought troops to quell it."
"And also, my giving you grain to overcome difficulties, and my giving you half of the spoils."
Arthur gently squeezed the Madam's foot, looking at her with a gentle smile. Although it was only a slight pressure, it was on the wound, causing her a slight pain and making her frown slightly.
Arthur had no intention of concealing anything; sometimes, a half-truth could deceive people better.
"I understand, Lord Arthur." Madam Rona picked up the quill and dipped it in ink. "Whatever you say, I will write. I will write everything according to your wishes."
She lowered her head and began to write, her elegant handwriting slowly appearing on the parchment.
Once this letter was sent, it would mean that both of them had deceived Lady Roslin. Even if Madam Rona didn't know what had happened, it would further bind her interests with Arthur's.
Madam Rona wrote very carefully, occasionally pausing to ponder for a moment, ensuring that the wording was appropriate, and then looking at Arthur to ensure that what she said aligned with his wishes.
Arthur did not rush her, waiting patiently.
A moment later, Madam Rona looked up and handed the written letter to Arthur with both hands, as if seeking praise. "Lord Arthur, do you think this is acceptable?"
Arthur took the letter and read it carefully. The content of the letter largely met his requirements, and the tone was just right. It was essentially everything Madam Rona had seen from her perspective: her husband telling her he was going to do something big, and her father, upon hearing this, rushing out of the city in a panic. Neither of them said what they were going to do.
Arthur did not demand anything here; sometimes, overly accurate information could arouse suspicion, and the Madam's perspective was just right.
The soldiers Arthur led to do the dirty work were lone wolves; they had long lost hope of living. He had avenged them. The Seven Gods had been lost in their hearts when the wildlings killed their families. They only wished to repay him, who helped them seek revenge, with their worthless lives, and then die to join their families.
Arthur looked at a section in the letter about the castle: the soldiers in the castle rioted, instigated by several knights, killing people she trusted in an attempt to force her to marry them. The threats they made were vividly described. From Arthur's understanding of Lady Roslin, whom he had met once, she would easily empathize, especially since most female lords in Westeros faced similar plights.
Then, it described how Arthur had always been stationed outside the city, never allowing his soldiers to enter her castle, until the rebellion occurred. She sent for help, and after Arthur brought troops to suppress the rebellion, he also provided grain and his spoils.
"Very good, Madam." Arthur flicked her small foot, nodding in satisfaction. "Send it out just like that."
"I will also write a letter to Lady Roslin," Arthur said, taking the pen. "We'll send them out one after another."
"You're writing too?" Madam Rona looked at him curiously.
"Yes," Arthur began to unroll the parchment. "As the commander appointed by Lady Roslin, I have a responsibility to report the completion of my mission to her."
"Esteemed Lady Roslin," he murmured the words he was writing, as if to himself, or perhaps for Madam Rona to hear.
"Trusted by you and entrusted with a great responsibility, Little Suleiman has not failed his mission, leading three hundred farmers to relieve the siege of Deep Valley City and completely driving the wildlings out of your territory."
"Madam Rona sought aid in her peril. For the sake of the laws of your land, Little Suleiman assisted Madam Rona in quelling the internal strife of Deep Valley City. Please send people quickly to maintain stability."
"Considering the current predicament of Deep Valley City and Madam Rona's difficult situation, I have decided to gift Madam Rona half of my spoils to help her overcome her difficulties."
"As for any spoils of war I obtained within your territory, anything acquired from your land shall be returned to you in full, without taking a single coin."
"This act is intended to demonstrate my loyalty to your House. Even if the Madam makes promises to me, I will never offend or encroach upon a single piece of Daedings Family's property."
"Furthermore, I am deeply aware of my humble origins, the barrenness of my family's lands, and the suffering of my people, whom I cannot adequately sustain. I humbly implore your compassion, Madam, to allow me to resettle the people who were temporarily moved to my territory during the war, to a corner of your vast lands."
"They will become your most loyal and diligent tenant farmers, tilling your land, becoming your people, your property."
"I only wish, Madam, that you would not drive away the women, children, and elderly who followed those who died in battle. Please send them to my territory to fulfill my oath, and I will support them."
"My House rose from humble beginnings, fortunate enough to receive the favor of Daedings Family's ancestors. With nothing to repay, only loyalty, I swear again, whenever summoned, all those in my House who can wield a sword shall come, until the end of the Long Night."
"Arthur."
Arthur put down his pen and slowly stood up:
"Madam, rest well. With my soldiers present, there will be no danger within the castle. Should you have any requests, you may have your maid inform me at any time."
Madam Rona reluctantly grasped Arthur's hand. "Lord, can you not leave the castle?" Her face flushed as she said this.
Arthur smiled at her without speaking.
"Will you come back to see me?" she asked, gathering her courage, her voice small. "Please…"
"Of course, Madam." Arthur knelt on one knee, took her hand, and gently kissed it. "I will protect you until my death."
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