Myrcella quickly walked around the table, poured water into the empty glass as instructed, pulled the guest chair closer, and sat down. After sitting, she observed Aegor's expression again. Only then did she lick her lips, organize her thoughts, and continue speaking.
"My lord, the wartime management model was previously adopted in the Gift. When facing the invasion of the Free Folk and the attack of the White Walkers, a highly efficient system that concentrates all power to maximize strength was undoubtedly the optimal solution. But now the war between humans and the White Walkers is over, and with the North having pledged allegiance to Daenerys, the Gift will not require large-scale mobilization of resources and manpower for a long time. And you will certainly remain in the south for a long time. With no enemies and without your restraint and supervision as Lord Commander, concentrating all power in the Queenscrown command center will inevitably create many problems."
"Hm?"
Aegor cooperatively pretended to be confused. Earlier he had been fully focused on achieving great things, with all his attention on preparing for the southern campaign. He had not had time to carefully plan the future of the Gift. Listening to other people's ideas now could still make up for that oversight.
"One problem is the difficulty of ensuring management quality. Fighting the White Walkers requires centralized command, but life is not like that. The trivial matters and neighborly disputes of ordinary people in the Gift do not require a high-ranking lord to decide. Farming, herding sheep, raising chickens, and tending cattle are not the strengths of soldiers and officers. If Queenscrown insists on managing everything, small mistakes would become common. Causing trouble and disputes would be the real issue.
"The second problem is the threat of corruption. People's hearts are difficult to understand. Your subordinates are naturally obedient and respectful when standing before you. When facing the threat of the White Walkers, they certainly perform their duties faithfully. But what will they be like after peace arrives? Who can guarantee it? They stand in your position but do not possess your awareness and perspective. They will most likely develop improper intentions."
Her tone was very pleasant, and her flattery was rather refined. Aegor suppressed the instinct to smile proudly and gestured for her to continue.
"The third problem is the lack of adaptability and flexibility. Take the current situation as an example. Arya relied on her identity as the first female member of the Night's Watch approved by the Lord Commander and her close relationship with you. Because of that, the officials you left behind became completely flustered and stressed. Why?"
The girl held the glass with both hands but did not drink. She was still nervous, yet she spoke clearly.
"Because they know that every action they take represents you. The Queenscrown command center holds all power in the Gift. When facing infiltration from House Stark, they only have two possible attitudes. Either suppress it or ignore it. There is no middle ground. Because of your existence, it is impossible for them to carry out complex operations such as hindering Arya from expanding Stark influence while maintaining your relationship with her."
Was she not simply discussing the disadvantages of centralization? She was speaking in circles. Was she hinting at the shortcomings of the Great King's Landing Plan, or even criticizing centralized monarchy itself?
Aegor suddenly realized that Myrcella had not come up with these thoughts on the spot. She had likely considered them for a long time and was simply waiting for an opportunity to speak to him.
"So what is your idea?"
"You already agreed to support Arya's request to form a 'Female Night's Watch.' You cannot go back on your word and will inevitably be bound by it. But imagine this. What if other forces within the Gift oppose her expansion for the sake of their own interests? If they restrain this new force, that cannot be blamed on you, correct?"
Myrcella licked her lips again. Her mouth was so dry that she finally raised the glass and took a small sip. Not daring to delay further, she quickly moistened her throat and set the glass down.
"When I was a child, the maester who taught me the history of the Seven Kingdoms once said that in a prosperous kingdom, power must have checks and balances. It is unhealthy for one person to decide everything, but it is also unhealthy if no one decides anything. Problems will eventually appear. The Gift is like a small kingdom, and the Lord Commander is the king. Why not delegate some authority and cultivate several factions and groups?"
"For example, each tribe of the Gift could form a small group. The traditional Night's Watch such as Cotter Pyke could form one faction. The new Night's Watch such as my uncle Jaime and Tywin could form another force. There are also the reclamation teams from the North. Separate them, then use authority, budgets, and other means to balance the conflicts and shared interests between these factions. Force them to compete and contend with one another. In this way, could you not use their hands to restrain Arya and limit Stark influence in the Gift?"
That was indeed a method.
Aegor himself had once belonged to the "Logistics Department faction" within the Night's Watch. Through effort and opportunity, he eventually rose to the position of Lord Commander. Now time had passed, and he would stand at a higher level, treating those below him like pieces on a board. The feeling was quite interesting.
Myrcella was still only a little princess. Her theory was simple, but when she explained it, it became somewhat lengthy. Still, for a princess to know so much while her two brothers, who had once been princes, knew almost nothing, it was difficult to decide whether Robert Baratheon's education of his children had been a success or a failure.
The idea itself was simple and feasible, but the timing was not right.
Only after the last enemy, the Reach, was completely subdued and the possibility of conflict between the Gift and the North was eliminated could he confidently lift the wartime state in the Gift and begin political maneuvering within this small realm.
"Very good, very good..."
Just as he was about to praise the little princess for her intention to share his burdens, Myrcella hurriedly continued.
"And there is more. The idea of checks and balances is only a long-term suggestion. It does not solve the immediate problem. So it must be paired with methods that can take effect right away. My lord, have you thought about the purpose of the Female Night's Watch and what their responsibilities should be?"
"To solve the social problem caused by the imbalance between men and women after successive wars in the North, and to reduce the pressure caused by the shortage of population, especially the shortage of men, in the Gift. As for their responsibilities, naturally they would assist the male Night's Watch and share the duty of guarding the Wall."
Aegor knew this was certainly not the correct answer. He simply wanted to guide her to continue.
"There is no problem with that, but there are also many problems." Myrcella raised her voice slightly. Her innocent face still carried a trace of baby fat, and the serious expression created an oddly cute contrast.
"If the responsibilities of the female Night's Watch overlap with those of the male Night's Watch, how should duties be assigned? The Night's Watch defeated the White Walkers before without female members, so will the workload actually increase after victory? Just thinking about it makes that impossible.
"The female Night's Watch is currently idle. No, the only thing these women can do now is follow their leader and unknowingly become tools for House Stark to expand influence in the Gift. That is the real source of your trouble as Lord Commander."
Aegor's eyelids twitched.
If Myrcella's first suggestion had been conventional, this second one made him feel as if a blind spot in his thinking had suddenly been illuminated.
He clasped his hands together, leaned forward, and became serious.
"Well said. How do we solve this problem?"
"Since the female Night's Watch already exists and cannot be stopped, you as their direct superior have the responsibility to give them clear duties and tasks. You must place a bridle on them."
Myrcella frowned in thought for a moment, then suddenly relaxed.
"I have it. Just a suggestion. During my time living in Winterfell and visiting the Gift, I noticed something. Northern men pride themselves on being 'real men.' Their attitude toward women is generally not as gentle as that of men in the south. There are even cases where husbands openly beat their wives, and the people around them consider it normal.
"You could assign the female Night's Watch a new duty. They would be responsible for protecting women's right to respect and safety and opposing domestic violence. Then Daenerys could issue an order announcing their authority. Their activities could include the North and even the entire Seven Kingdoms."
Women's Federation?
That term immediately appeared in Aegor's mind.
For a moment he suspected that Myrcella had been replaced by the protagonist of some strange story. But in the next instant he realized that this was an extremely clever idea. It was clever enough to even be described as a poisonous scheme.
Daenerys was also a woman. She would certainly support such a proposal.
However, in a society where male dominance remained extremely strong, if the female Night's Watch constantly preached ideas like gender equality and women's rights to the men who ruled the world, ideas that would sound like nonsense to the people of Westeros, it would be equivalent to opposing the entire world.
If this were truly implemented, he might not need to suppress them at all. Instead, he would need to consider how to support this organization and protect its members while they carried out their work.
"Arya, or rather Maester Luwin behind her, is certainly not that foolish. Therefore you must assign her a deputy, or several women you trust, supposedly to assist her but actually to supervise her. Ensure that the female Night's Watch focuses on this mission so they have no energy left to interfere elsewhere."
"A very interesting idea. Draft a charter later, fill in the details, and present it to me."
"Mm."
Myrcella nodded enthusiastically. Her face brightened after receiving his approval, though the excitement quickly faded.
After calming herself, she spoke again awkwardly.
"But these methods are only temporary solutions. House Stark is not your enemy, and Arya behaves this way because she is holding resentment in her heart. You bear the heavy responsibility of being the Hand of the King and are responsible for the entire Seven Kingdoms. You should not waste your energy scheming against old friends and a sulking girl.
"After you finish your work in the south, you should return to the Gift, arrange the matters that were not properly handled before, and try to reconcile with Arya. Help her release the resentment she carries. That would be the real solution. At that time you could naturally allow her to move the headquarters of this organization that protects women's rights to King's Landing. It might even become a weapon in your hands."
Aegor was stunned.
If someone disobeyed, he could secretly manipulate matters and have the "fist" strike them a few times. With moral authority and Daenerys supporting them, even if it did not truly hurt anyone, it would still make their opponents miserable.
This little princess looked innocent and lovely. Yet her strategies were full of ruthless ideas.
Just as he was still amused and surprised, unsure how to comment on her final suggestion, a knock sounded at the door. A guard announced that an Unsullied had arrived.
"My lord, the Queen summons you."
"What is it?"
Aegor was puzzled. He had visited her only that morning.
"Ships from Pentos have arrived at King's Landing, carrying envoys representing the princes and governors."
(To be continued.)