Artys Arryn P.O.V
Fuck this bitch. She's trying to use my Valyrian looks to make Robert angry and wants to use his anger to get what she wants. Thank the gods, Jon Arryn is standing before me, otherwise I don't know what Robert might've done. I need to leave this city as soon as possible.
Still, thanks to the timing of Soryn and Kaelen, now even Robert might get swayed by Cersei's words. Since I will have two swords, Robert would be tempted to take the first one whose ownership is still in question.
The right of conquest is a tradition people usually follow, but it's not an unbreakable law—it all depends on the political situation, which so far was in my favor. But now? I don't know. The king's decision would be final.
Fuck it. Let me handle this shit myself.
I looked at the queen, who was staring at her husband like, You want my sword? Let me show you what manipulation really means.
I took two steps forward, back into Robert's line of sight. His eyes narrowed at me. From his looks, he seems now to be tempted by Cersei's words.
"Your Grace, why not make a bet for this sword?" I raised the blade in my hand. I hope this man with growing belly might accept it.
"The king doesn't make bets. Especially not with the likes of you," the queen spat, dripping disdain.
Oh, he might. And if he does, it would be the first step towards your demise.
"Your Grace, the tourney for Princess Myrcella's name day would be held in two days. I'll participate in that. If I lose, I'll give this sword to the crown."
The room froze. Shock spread like wildfire. As expected, who in their right mind would believe an eight-year-old could win against knights?
"Artys, you will do no such thing," Jon Arryn declared with authority.
"No, no we accept it." Cersei snapped back immediately, eager, greedy.
I ignored her and kept my eyes on Robert. His word mattered. Hers? Worth as much as her cunt.
"You're a bold one, aren't you? Fine, I'll agree to the bet." Robert said, laughing like the drunken oaf he was.
Fool. You just walked right into my trap.
"But what if I win?" I asked, my voice ringing across the chamber. Everyone in the room wanted to know what I would ask.
"Ahh, you've got guts, boy. Fine, name whatever you want. As long as it's within my power, I'll grant it," Robert declared.
Really? Are you sure? Thanks to that gift of archery, I won't miss my target. But he doesn't know that.
"Artys, you can't fight one-on-one against a knight in the tourney. You're risking your life. You would not be doing this." Jon said, voice tight with concern.
"The bet is already on the table. You can't back down, Lord Hand. Besides, my brother will be participating in the tourney for his niece's nameday." Cersei said, a smirk on her pretty face as if she had won the bet even before the tourney begins.
Niece or his daughter? And does this woman really think I will fight her brothers with this eight-year-old body?
Who even said I'd fight in the melee or joust? I'll go for archery, where my victory is certain. Why fight a battle you can't win? And in archery, thanks to the gifts I've received, victory is certain.
"Father, I never said I would take part in the joust or melee. I will participate in the Archery Contest."
I clarified. For God's sake, I am no fool to participate in a tourney or melee against grown-up knights, and I certainly don't want to fight that beast, what was his name... yeah the Mountain or Jaime Lannister.
I admit he is an idiot. Who does whatever his dumb sister asks him to do, but with swords he is one of the finest knights in the Seven Kingdoms, no doubt in that.
"Your Grace, if I win it, I request you to pass a royal decree under which the Vale would be exempt from all kinds of taxes for the next twelve years, and my personal trading and merchant work be free from any kind of tax across the realm for the same period."
Go on, say yes. I will show you what happens when you give a former hedge fund manager complete tax exemption for a decade. The plot might start in ten or eleven years from now, to be on the safe side I asked for twelve years exemption.
"Fine. If the boy wins the archery competition, the Vale will not pay taxes for the next twelve years, and the same goes for his trade work whatever he means by that. If he loses, the Valyrian steel sword will be given to the crown prince," Robert announced and walked towards the door.
You're a fool. Do you realize what you have done? Let's show Westeros what happens. What capitalism does to empires.
"Kingslayer, don't forget my order. Bring me a good whore tonight. And tell your sister to find somewhere else to sleep tonight. I have to attend to some royal task to do in the bed chambers.. Haa....ohhh....haaa." Robert's voice boomed from outside, his laugh echoing.
Damn, what has Cersei done that is making him insult her so much in front of so many people, or is it like that all the time? Who cares, let's see what has my grandmother left for inheritance.
"You, arrogant child. Do you just realize what you did, you bet a Valyrian steel sword." Jon spoke angrily.
I understand his anger. I am eight years old, and by my current actions anyone would think I am a spoiled brat which I am not. I only did that because of the boon of archery that celestial gave me.
"Don't worry father I would win this. But I think we should focus on my inheritance. So Ser Soryn could you tell me exactly what has my grandmother left to me?"
I tried to shift Jon's attention towards inheritance. I am also curious what else I am going to inherit though Varys has already told majority of it I think but there should be more.
"Good Luck with your competition of archery. May the seven be with you." Cersei looked at me as if she was looking at prey.
Yeah, you think I would lose? It's impossible. But if someone were to tamper with my equipment… I hope she does not do that. Well, it would be good if I take my own bow and arrow to the competition as a precaution.
You never know what this blonde psychopath is up to.
"Lord Arryn," Yohn Royce said while giving a respectful bow.
"Lord Royce, it has been a long time." Jon Arryn gave Yohn a brotherly hug.
Gay, I don't care if you guys share a kiss as long as I am not the center of attention. I just bet a Valyrian steel sword, I don't know what kind of lecture my father will give me.
They both finished their hug and after that Jon's gaze turned towards me.
Here we go, with the lecture. Perhaps I should get something to eat; the lecture would be long.
"Artys, how could you be so irresponsible? You just bet a Valyrian steel sword. Our house could have had two of them!" Jon Arryn was angry at his son's stupidity.
"Lord Arryn, if you don't mind, I would like to know how a merchant family managed to get their hands on a Valyrian steel sword?" Lord Eldon Estermont asked my father.
Bought it. Valyrian steel is rare, yes, but it's also currency in itself. You can sell it, barter it, even use it to pay debts. A perfect investment for anyone with sense.
"Master Caius, late husband of Lady Athenodora, got this from a debtor who had taken a huge loan from him. As repayment, Master Caius took his sword. The true origins of this sword are not known to us." Soryn explained.
"Little lord," Petyr Baelish, Master of Coin chuckled softly. "Perhaps you'd share what prayers you offered the Seven to earn such good fortune?"
"Agreed." Commented Varys.
Oh, not much. You just need to get hit by Truck-kun, and gifts like this will be there in wholesale for you.
Though in my case, it's thanks to you and Cersei that I got them. If you two hadn't pissed the celestial for taking the life he gave me, I might not have such gifts.
Before I could reply, Soryn stepped forward, bowing lightly.
"Lord Arryn, please take a look at this." He handed Jon Arryn a folded parchment sealed in blue wax. "This is the inheritance will left by Lady Athenodora."
Jon looked at it, and it looked like his mood became a little better. I was curious too what was there in the inheritance? Varys told me a few parts, but there must be more to it.
"Father, what has grandmother left me?" I asked excitedly.
Soryn looked at Jon Arryn and then scanned the room before looking back at him. Well, what's the problem? Just tell me what my inheritance is.
Then I noticed the places Soryn looked—there were the Small Council members, the queen and her brother were in the room.
It might not be a good decision to discuss my inheritance in front of these people.
"Lord Arryn, what's the hurry? We'd also like to know what exactly your boy has inherited," Cersei said with an arrogant smirk.
"Your Grace, it's rather a private matter," Jon replied evenly.
He clearly doesn't like her much. And what does this bitch think that her family is the richest in the realm? That might be true in Westeros, at least in terms of liquidity. But assets? That's another story.
The Starks have more land under their name than House Lannister could ever dream of—though, to be fair, most of it's practically useless. You can't farm it nor have any natural resources besides wood.
Still, the nobles of Essos they're richer than any Westerosi lord, and far more cash-heavy. But to Cersei, her daddy's gold must seem infinite. She doesn't even know her family's mines will soon run dry.
"The Small Council is adjourned." Jon Arryn spoke loudly with authority.
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