Chapter 51: Dragonzel's Grand Tour Plan
"Alas."
Diana slowly folded the letter from her father.
Donald Tarly knew that his parenting style had some issues, so this time he gave his daughter the right to choose.
He merely wrote in detail about the pros and cons of the marriage alliance in the letter. As a great noble who had received a complete noble education and possessed rich experience, Donald Tarly knew that the moment he learned that the Royal Family wished Prince Dragonzel to marry as soon as possible, there were actually only a handful of suitable families.
And House Tarly was undoubtedly a choice that all factions could accept—provided Prince Dragonzel himself did not object.
Prince Dragonzel was nominally the Frontier Governor now, and all the Borderlands lords theoretically owed him fealty.
However, the core of the problem was that the Borderlands lords had, over the past several thousand years, separately pledged allegiance to the House Gardener and later House Tyrell of the Reach, and to House Durrandon and later House Baratheon of the Stormlands.
A mere title could not make them abandon tradition.
After all, the House Caron had inherited the title of "Borderlands Commander-in-Chief" for generations, yet no Borderlands noble had ever knelt to House Caron.
Meanwhile, the Tyrells inherited the title "Guardian of the Borderlands," but most Borderlands lords still pledged allegiance to the Lord of the Stormlands.
Earl Tarly self-deprecatingly wrote in the letter that his fellow nobles were too stubborn to save face.
But the fundamental issue was still profit.
House Tarth, having been rescued by Prince Dragonzel, had sufficient reason to change their allegiance.
House Selmy was too weak to resist the change, and House Baratheon was also willing to grant this favor.
But the other families were different. Losing even one vassal would be a blow to their old liege.
So those few houses were still waiting and observing.
However, House Tarly was different.
Having participated in the Dorne War, House Tarly already bore the imprint of the Varezes Family. The two families already had intertwined interests.
Prince Dragonzel needed House Tarly's example, and House Tarly also yearned for Prince Dragonzel to lead them to accomplish great achievements.
Therefore Donald Tarly hoped that his daughter would complete this marriage alliance if possible.
Marriage was not only an important means for the Varezes Family to fully integrate into Westeros society, but also a crucial step for House Tarly to strengthen its influence.
Diana crumpled the letter paper slightly, feeling conflicted.
She and her sister Sansala were both intelligent and perceptive. Naturally they understood the meaning of a marriage alliance.
In this era, the concept of free marriage did not exist for noblewomen.
Even so… Diana could not deny that she held some feelings for Prince Dragonzel.
After all, this young man had saved them, and he had also demonstrated remarkable ability and a rare quality of caring deeply for his family.
"Sister!"
Alan Tarly, still with a bruise on his forehead, pushed open the door and happily dropped down beside Diana.
"What happened?"
Diana frowned when she saw the bruise and immediately pulled open his collar.
Sure enough, there were many bruises on his body.
"Who did you fight?"
"It wasn't a fight, it was training," Alan said while looking around for water.
"That water isn't clean. Drink this instead."
Diana stopped him from scooping up a bowl of water and instead took a bottle of freshly squeezed juice from the cabinet and handed it to him.
"No drinking alcohol."
"Got it."
Alan gulped down a large mouthful of juice.
"Today the Prince's Bloodsworn Brothers were training. I went to watch, but I couldn't beat Lord Aslan Longdel and he pinned me to the ground and beat me."
Alan even sounded a bit proud.
"But I beat those two kids, Jon Tarth and Harlon Selmy. Oh, and a few new knights arrived at Dragon Crystal Tower. One guy named Samwell is really good. I almost couldn't beat him."
"You're not even as old as Ser Harlon. Don't be so disrespectful. This isn't Horn Hill."
Diana flicked her brother on the forehead.
"Even in Horn Hill you must respect others."
"I understand."
Alan rubbed his forehead and looked slightly aggrieved.
"It's just that there are no outsiders here."
"No outsiders?"
Diana sighed.
"Alan, you are the future Lord of House Tarly. Even if we do not particularly like Father, you still have to learn his demeanor and way of speaking so that you can become a good lord in the future."
"I understand."
Alan suddenly leaned closer with a mischievous smile.
"I heard Jon say that the King in King's Landing recommended you and Sister Sansala to marry His Highness the Prince. Is that true?"
"That is none of your business."
Another flick landed on his forehead.
"Even if it were true, we cannot boast about it casually. Your sister and I are only names on a list."
"In the end, Prince Dragonzel will decide whom to choose."
"We have no right to interfere."
"Do not mention this to anyone else."
Alan swallowed nervously.
He immediately realized that speaking too much about such matters would be a mistake.
"I understand, Sister. I was wrong."
"Alright, go get some rest."
Diana was about to say something else, but suddenly paused.
"Huh?"
Alan blinked.
"Sister, you forgot again. The Prince arranged new lodgings for us."
"I'm staying in Dragon Crystal Tower, and you are staying in Laurel Leaf Tower."
Alan glanced at the camp, which was piled with books and scrolls.
"You haven't packed your luggage yet, have you?"
"Seven Hells!"
Diana suddenly remembered.
"Why are you still standing there?! Hurry up and help me pack!"
She shrieked while quickly organizing the scrolls with efficient movements.
"Hehe."
Alan laughed foolishly and rushed over to help.
Dorne — High Hermitage
Obara Sand expressionlessly tore up the letter sent by King Albin Dayne.
Acting Lord Quinlan Dayne of High Hermitage and the bastard daughter Amira Sand stood nearby. They had both read the contents of the letter.
Albin requested that Obara propose marriage to Prince Dragonzel, hoping to gain the support of the Varezes Family.
In the letter he even promised to prepare a dowry worthy of a Dragon King's Queen for Obara in order to secure the support of dragons for the so-called King of the Torrentine.
"When did Albin become so foolish?" Quinlan muttered.
He knew this matter was unrealistic.
Especially since the woman he wanted to marry off was Obara—who valued the greatsword Dawn above all else.
"I'd like to taste the Dragon King's flavor," Amira Sand said with a mischievous smile.
"I think the dragon would enjoy tasting you as well," Obara replied irritably.
"Stop fantasizing."
"Quinlan, do you want to try fighting on the battlefield?"
Quinlan nodded eagerly.
Although still young, he was a warrior and longed for glory.
"What about me?" Amira asked immediately.
"I want to go too."
Obara rolled her eyes.
"Albin thinks he can conquer Yronwood and House Martell with his lower body."
"That is his stupidity."
"The only thing that can truly conquer a man is a sword."
She glanced at the torn pieces of the letter.
"This old woman has Dawn. That is enough for this lifetime."
"Quinlan, how many troops can High Hermitage muster?"
Quinlan thought quickly.
"Fifteen hundred men."
"I must leave some to guard the castle and watch House Brax, but we can field five hundred cavalry."
"Very good."
Obara slung the greatsword Dawn across her back.
"Bring our great-uncle."
"Let him see what it looks like when a young warrior wields Dawn."
Dragon Nest City — Silver Blood Tower
Prince Dragonzel stood before a large map, deep in thought.
He already had his own ideas regarding the marriage alliance.
But more importantly, he wanted to travel.
With Valarr overseeing Dorne, Dragonzel had enough time to visit the territories of various nobles, observe the true situation in Westeros, and personally meet the candidates the Royal Family had chosen for him and his brother.
Horn Hill was a necessary stop.
Lord Tarly had already sent a letter informing him that he intended to petition House Tyrell and the Iron Throne to dissolve their feudal ties and re-pledge allegiance to the Frontier Governor.
And Diana Tarly was indeed a promising marriage candidate.
Before going to Horn Hill, Dragonzel planned to visit Lord Royce Caron at Nightsong.
As the lord controlling Prince's Pass, the Carons held the most important route connecting north and south.
If House Caron could be persuaded to support the Varezes Family, Dragonzel's influence in the Borderlands would become far stronger.
Then there were several castles in the Reach:
Goldengrove, seat of House Rowan
Brightwater Keep, seat of House Florent
Highgarden, seat of House Tyrell
Oldtown, seat of House Hightower
The visit to Oldtown came from a request of the Royal Family.
Queen Alicent Hightower had written asking Dragonzel to visit her youngest son, Prince Daeron Targaryen, who was currently residing in Oldtown.
Dragonzel had no reason to refuse.
Afterward he would travel north to Casterly Rock, then east to the Riverlands and the North, and finally south to King's Landing to meet the King.
On the return journey he would also visit House Baratheon.
"Your Highness."
Prince Jacaerys Velaryon knocked on the side door and entered after receiving permission.
"The ravens have all been sent out."
"Maester Visari guarantees that you will receive all messages from Dragon Nest City immediately."
Dragonzel nodded calmly.
"Make preparations."
"We depart in two days."
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