Chapter 186: Alicent and Daemon |
Leaving behind the remaining bannermen, Rhaegar allowed Rhaenyra to lead him back to their bedroom.
As soon as they entered, Rhaenyra eagerly began, "Jeyne is rallying the noblewomen, promising two of them control over their families."
Rhaegar reclined on the bed, his reaction calm. "That was expected."
"Did Jeyne discuss this with you?" Rhaenyra scrutinized him, her gaze suspicious.
"Jeyne is smarter than you think," Rhaegar replied with a smirk. "The Arryn branch in Gulltown is failing apart, and Arnold is finished."
He continued, "Next she'll return to the Eyrie to rally other Arryn branches and comfort the victimized clans, thus securing a group of loyal followers."
The Black Wedding had indeed decimated many nobles, especially those who had either defied or ignored Jeyne's orders. With the traitors eliminated, the Vale's power structure was more malleable than ever. Lady Jeyne seized the opportunity to create a unified regime.
Though the nobles' leaders and heirs had perished, their knights and soldiers remained intact, ensuring that the Vale's overall strength would not be significantly diminished. With royal backing, Jeyne could emerge as the greatest beneficiary of the rebellion, if she can withstand the pressure.
Rhaenyra, shocked by this revelation, covered her mouth. "Are you suggesting that Jeyne might...?"
In his opinion, Arnold's rebellion probably had Jeyne's subtle influence, but the severe consequences - the grave injury to Yorbert and the Black Wedding - were too high a price to pay. It was likely that Jeyne had underestimated the ruthlessness of Arnold and the Mountain Clans.
...
In another bedroom, Jessamyn lay on the bed, her face pale and still in a coma.
The door opened softly, and Jeyne walked in with gentle steps. She sat on the edge of the bed, looking at her friend's face and wiping the sweat from her brow with a handkerchief.
"Jessamyn, you must be strong and wake up," Jeyne whispered, lowering her eyes and taking one of Jessamyn's hands. "Yorbert is getting old, and I need you to help me carry the weight of this responsibility."
Jeyne had successfully gathered most of the noblewomen that evening. Gerold and the old Grimm had also pledged their loyalty to her. Soon she would secure her position as Lady of the Eyrie for a long time to come.
...
King's Landing
News of the assassination of the High Septon of the Faith of the Seven spread quickly throughout the city. Rumors were rampant, claiming that the High Septon had been molesting children in a brothel before his death.
It wasn't just the High Septon; over a dozen other high-ranking priests were found murdered in brothels, their throats slit and their genitals mutilated and stuffed into their mouths.
Within three days, the scandal had caused an uproar throughout the kingdom. The new Master of Civil Affairs, Otto Hightower, also came under scrutiny.
Investigations revealed that Otto had used treasury funds for charitable donations, dividing the money between buying food for the poor and donating it to the Faith of the Seven. Whether these rumors were true or not, Otto's reputation among the commoners was in tatters.
In the Red Keep, Alicent and Otto Hightower dined together in tense silence. Otto ate his steak calmly, seemingly unconcerned by the gossip swirling around him.
"Father, someone is trying to slander you. You'll be held accountable," Alicent said, frowning and barely touching her food.
"Don't worry," Otto replied, putting down his knife and fork and taking a sip of red wine. "I didn't take a single coin from the treasury. Lord Lyman can vouch for that."
While it was true that Otto had financial dealings with the High Septon, but the money came from the Hightower House, and not from the royal treasury. Back at the center of power, Otto was careful not to leave any loopholes for his enemies to exploit.
"But your associate was killed in a brothel, and there are scandals everywhere," Alicent said irritably. Even in the depths of the Red Keep, she had heard the sordid rumors about the High Septon.
"You are mistaken," Otto corrected. "We were comrades in King's Landing, not partners or allies." He laughed and shook his head. "Frankly, I didn't expect Madoc to be so foolish, but it doesn't matter now."
As the Master of Civil Affairs, Otto's primary task was to oversee King's Landing's street sanitation program. Helping the poor had merely been a tactic to gain favor with the populace. Now, he needed to gauge the true state of affairs in King's Landing.
"A group of assassins killed the High Septon and spread these scandals as a warning," Otto mused. "They're telling me not to overstep my bounds, or I'll meet the same fate."
Despite the dire situation, Otto was somewhat relieved. Madoc's death meant he could continue his work without the hindrance of a scandal-ridden partner.
"There is a bit of trouble," Otto murmured, contemplating the complexities of King's Landing's underground networks. "My old informants are too weak now. I need to build a new web of spies to understand what's truly happening in this city."
Otto resolved to reestablish his network and regain control, ensuring that he stayed informed and ahead of any threats.
Alicent lifted her head, gazing at her father with suspicion.
Otto leaned back in his chair and said gently, "You know who has a comprehensive intelligence network at their disposal."
"But..." Alicent began to protest, but Otto waved a hand to silence her. "Acquiring that network is crucial. We need more allies."
Without giving her a chance to refuse, Otto stood up and left the room.
Alicent watched her father's retreating back, her eyes filled with dissatisfaction. She clenched her fists tightly. After a moment, she slammed her hand on the table, straightened her dress, and stood up.
When she opened the door, a Kingsguard stood there, bearing an uncanny resemblance to Erryk.
Alicent adjusted her posture and took a deep breath. "Ser Arryk, accompany me to the dungeon."
"Yes, Your Grace," Arryk replied, following her without hesitation.
They soon reached the dungeon of the Red Keep. As Alicent entered, the prisoners leered and shouted vulgarities.
Arryk grabbed one of the prisoners by the hair and smashed his head against the iron bars until he fell unconscious.
Alicent looked away and whispered, "Thank you, Ser."
"That's my duty," Arryk replied, gripping the hilt of his sword as a warning to the other prisoners, who quickly retreated into the shadows.
"Ser, you can wait here," Alicent instructed as she moved deeper into the dungeon.
Arryk nodded and stood guard as Alicent moved on alone.
She stopped at a cell and peered through the iron bars at the inmate.
"Daemon, I know you can hear me," she said, addressing the white-haired man sitting on the edge of the bed.
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