With the successful precedent of Euron "recruiting" bankers from across the Narrow Sea, Tywin Lannister of the Westerlands and Lady Olenna Tyrell of the Reach followed suit.
Whether openly or through backchannels, they dispatched envoys to Free Cities like Pentos and Braavos. armed with heavy chests of gold and promises, they recruited their own batches of seasoned financial talent.
As these bankers took their posts, and under the strategic coordination of Tycho Nestoris, branches of the Continental Bank began to spring up like mushrooms after rain in major ports and cities across Westeros.
Brand new signboards glittered under the sun, and the crisp clacking of abacus beads filled the air at every counter.
The Seven Kingdoms, having just weathered the fires of war, were in a state of rebuilding.
Whether it was nobles desperate to restore their homes or merchants looking to expand their operations, the demand for capital was enormous. The lending services offered by the Continental Bank arrived at the perfect moment. Business was exploding, ledgers were climbing, and the entire enterprise showed signs of flourishing prosperity.
Faced with such success, Euron remained cool-headed.
He had already delegated the specific operations of the bank entirely to Tycho Nestoris, offering guidance only on key strategic directions. He gave the former Iron Bank manager a clear warning: "The situation looks good, but our foundation is not yet solid. Remember, prioritize stability. Better to be slow and right than fast and wrong. Do not rush for quick success."
---
Harrenhal, Late Autumn.
After months of reorganization and reconstruction, the skeletal framework of the castle's core power structure was finally, clearly established.
A formal list of the castle's management hierarchy was confirmed:
Castellan & Chief Administrator: Lord Jon Connington. When Duke Euron was away, he was the highest authority in Harrenhal, overseeing the big picture and handling all military and political affairs.
Captain of the Guard & Master of Whisperers: Dagmer Cleftjaw. Responsible not only for the personal protection of Euron or Jon and the castle's defense but also for controlling Harrenhal's external intelligence network.
Maester: Gormon. With a gold link on his chain, this maester provided core support for Harrenhal's trade and tax systems with his profound financial knowledge.
Garrison Commander: Oswell Whent. The seasoned veteran was responsible for the training, defense, and deployment of all standing armies in Harrenhal.
Commander of Knights: Oswell Whent. He also commanded the knights and cavalry sworn to Harrenhal.
Infantry Commander: Dagmer Cleftjaw. When necessary, he would personally lead the infantry legions into the charge.
Diplomat: Lord Owen Merryweather. Leveraging his extensive network and reputation from the old court, he handled all diplomatic relations between Harrenhal and the other noble houses of the Seven Kingdoms.
Justiciar: Orton Merryweather. Responsible for executing the Lord's laws, trying disputes within the territory—from servant theft to knightly duels to tax resistance—maintaining order and justice.
Steward: Erwin Snow. Managed the complex internal operations of Harrenhal, from resource allocation to servant management, ensuring the smooth daily running of the massive fortress.
Gaoler & Torturer: Lloyd Hutchinson. The dungeons and interrogations were entirely his domain.
Bank Manager & Master of Coin: Tycho Nestoris. Fully responsible for the operations of the Continental Bank and coordinating Harrenhal's fiscal revenue and expenditure; he was effectively the keeper of Euron's purse.
Harbormaster: Sergio (Ironborn). Managed the castle's river port, responsible for merchant ship scheduling and vessel safety.
Master of Builders: Marwyn Stephens. Responsible for construction, repairs, and fortification upgrades, leading teams of masons, carpenters, and smiths.
Master of Granaries: Remil (Ironborn). Managed grain reserves and distribution, ensuring the castle could survive a siege for months (or even years).
Every name on this list represented a crucial gear in the massive machine that was Harrenhal.
With this precise structure and clear division of labor, Harrenhal began to run smoothly. Seeing everything proceeding on track, Euron made a decision: he was going to be a hands-off lord.
Euron clearly realized that even if he sat in this giant fortress all day, his contribution to specific daily affairs would be limited. The major decisions that truly required his judgment as a lord would naturally find their way to his desk; handing professional matters over to professionals was the kingly way to rule efficiently.
Under the rule of King Robert and the Hand of the King, the Seven Kingdoms were trending toward stability. As far as Euron knew, there would be no major wars or chaos for the next fifteen years. His father, King Quellon, was the Master of Ships in King's Landing; if any issues arose, he could always ask his father for help.
For Euron, a more important matter was tugging at his heartstrings—Ashara was due to give birth soon. Their child could arrive at any moment, and he wanted to be by her side.
Once the child was safely born, Euron would set sail without looking back, moving to execute the goal he had set long ago—the conquest of the distant Summer Isles.
---
At a dinner gathering all the core members, Euron formally announced his decision. He once again entrusted authority and responsibility to the governing body led by Jon Connington, instructing everyone to perform their duties and guard this foundation well.
With instructions given, he didn't linger or drag things out. The very next day, traveling light, Euron quietly departed the castle.
---
During his time governing Harrenhal, Euron had come to a stark realization: he completely lacked the patience for tedious, trivial administrative tasks.
Often, sitting on the high seat, his frown would deepen by the hour.
A farmer arguing with another over the ownership of a chicken or a goat would actually bring the dispute before him, the Duke, demanding the Lord uphold "justice."
Can't the Justiciar, Orton Merryweather, decide on such petty matters?
Euron felt an inexplicable irritation—but he had to feign sympathy and reply kindly, "I will investigate this matter and give you a fair answer."
A minor vassal of Harrenhal would submit a petition pleading for a tariff reduction for the coming year. Looking at the lengthy parchment, Euron felt his temples throbbing, though he kept a smile on his face. "Your request makes sense and has sufficient grounds, but it must conform to the laws. I will consider it and give you a reply."
Internally, he was screaming: Tariff rates, fiscal impact—shouldn't Tycho and Maester Gormon calculate and evaluate this together, then just give me a recommendation?
Merchants applying to set up stalls in the emerging "Kraken Market" outside the castle needed his personal approval. Euron passed the buck to the Steward.
Market planning, stall allocation—Steward Erwin Snow should be able to decide this.
Even a request from the local septon for funds to repair the dilapidated sept—a purely expenditure-based project—landed on his desk.
If you want money, go to the Castellan and the Master of Coin. I already authorized them to decide on allocations under ten thousand Gold Dragons. Euron remembered giving that specific order.
During his time at Harrenhal, all these matters, which should have been handled by various officials according to the division of power, flowed like countless tiny streams to him, waiting for his red ink.
This made him realize profoundly that building an efficient system was one thing, but breaking the old inertia of relying on the lord for everything to make the system truly run on its own was another. His very presence seemed to be the biggest obstacle to efficiency. This realization solidified his resolve to be an "absentee landlord."
---
Iron Wind Isle.
Euron bent down, carefully pressing his ear against Ashara's high, swollen belly, feeling the pulse of the new life inside. His voice sounded somewhat resigned. "Could those trivial chicken-and-egg problems really not be solved without me asking personally?" He looked up, grinning. "I finally understand why Robert spends his days drunk on the Iron Throne... dealing with this every day is sheer torture."
Ashara's fingers combed gently through his dark hair, a tender smile playing on her lips. "What? Has our Lord of the Kraken, who terrifies the four seas, had enough of this peaceful life after only a few months?"
"That's not it," Euron retorted immediately. His arm naturally circled her waist as he buried his face in the crook of her warm neck. His voice became muffled but serious. "If it means staying with you like this every day, I could stand this 'peace' for another hundred years."
Ashara felt his restless hand begin to wander. Two clouds of red instantly flew up her cheeks. she gently slapped away his "claw" and scolded in a low voice, "Behave yourself! They are watching."
Rachelna, Nitier, and Zoia—the three sisters—were standing side by side in a row. Six clear eyes stared unblinkingly, focused in synchronization on the couple, as if observing a sacred ritual. Euron felt a wave of helplessness...
Ashara took Euron's hand, her fingertips tracing circles in his rough palm. She looked at him, her gaze clear and candid. "Speaking of political vision and the ability to handle administrative affairs... actually, Princess Elia is much stronger than I am."
Euron's body went stiff, a movement almost imperceptible. He fell into a brief silence. "..."
Seeing this, Ashara wrinkled her elegant nose. Her tone held a hint of playfulness, but no displeasure. "Don't think I don't know you secretly went to see her. Do you think I'm the kind of jealous, unreasonable woman?" She guided his hand to her swollen belly, her voice softening as she sighed. "No matter what, that is your child, too."
"Being able to marry you is truly the luck of three lifetimes," Euron said from the heart.
"Save the sweet talk!" Ashara spat lightly, then her expression turned serious again. "I'm telling the truth. Princess Elia is naturally gifted with intelligence, and she grew up by the side of her mother—the Princess of Dorne, who was renowned for her wisdom. She was immersed in it. When it comes to the brains and vision to handle complex situations, she can certainly be your right arm."
Euron said no more. He simply looked deeply into his wife's clear, accepting violet eyes, his heart filled with indescribable emotion. He leaned down and pressed a gentle, solemn kiss on Ashara's forehead.
All his gratitude, guilt, and promises were contained within that single kiss.
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