Chapter 237: Prince Doran's Letter

The contents of Prince Doran's letter were not complex, mainly conveying his greetings and blessings, hoping that the two young people could get along well.

However, at the same time, Prince Doran also mentioned some of the situation in the Seven Kingdoms.

Winter has come.

This is a disaster that the entire world cannot avoid. Even though the continent of Essos is not directly adjacent to the Lands of Always Winter and thus not greatly affected, the temperature has still noticeably dropped.

Viserys watched Arianne's departing figure, then glanced at the withered flowers in the garden, and finally returned his gaze to Prince Doran's handwritten letter.

This letter from Prince Doran was written a long time ago.

The North was the most directly affected by the onset of winter. At that time, Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell wrote to King's Landing for help, and King Robert ordered the Riverlands to supply food to the North, helping the people there survive the harsh winter.

It must be said that Robert was quite righteous towards his good brother, not choosing to stand by when the North needed help the most, but actively offering assistance.

However, the purse that King Robert opened was not his own, but the food of the House Tyrell.

After all, everyone knows that the Tyrells are a big hound, especially in terms of food. The Riverlands, with its pleasant climate and rich resources, is the main food production area of the Seven Kingdoms.

However, although King Robert was generous with others' money, he did not completely treat Lord Tyrell as a fool.

As compensation, Robert Baratheon promised Mace Tyrell a 'Queen's position'.

Of course, it wasn't that the burly Robert was going to marry the plump and foolish Lord Tyrell, but rather that he was setting up a marriage for their children in advance.

King Robert proposed a marriage between his eldest son, Joffrey, and Mace Tyrell's daughter, Margaery Tyrell.

According to the laws of the Seven Kingdoms and the traditional customs of Westeros, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Joffrey Baratheon would be the next king of the Seven Kingdoms.

Therefore, King Robert compensated the Tyrell family with a priceless queen's position, while also facilitating a marriage alliance between the two families.

House Tyrell was very satisfied with this, as they also needed a future queen's position to consolidate their family's influence in the Seven Kingdoms.

However, King Robert's moves were not limited to these. It was clear that he had capable people among his ministers who foresaw the inevitable war for the Iron Throne.

Therefore, they advised King Robert, helping him consolidate his current base.

At the same time, they also took the initiative in foreign policy, actively seeking ways to encircle the Targaryens.

They lobbied the Free Cities, led by Braavos, to be wary and even hostile to the Targaryens, and actively infiltrated their forces.

The secret connection between Dorne and the Targaryens is a secret known to everyone in the Seven Kingdoms but not publicly acknowledged.

However, Robert's confidant, Petyr Baelish, who has recently become a favorite in his court through the recommendation of Hand of the King Jon Arryn, does not advocate taking action against Dorne this winter.

First, because Dorne's geographical environment is complex, the climate is arid, and the people of Dorne are fierce. Even the Conqueror Aegon once suffered a bloody nose there.

Second, the timing of winter is not suitable for expeditions. Now it is the harsh winter, and

the Seven Kingdoms are suffering from a food shortage. Even the rich Riverlands cannot possibly support so many people.

If at this time, the young and strong are drawn from their homes to go to war in Dorne, it is almost like letting those poor families self-destruct.

If Dorne cannot be taken, I'm afraid the nobles' own homes will be in chaos.

Therefore, Petyr Baelish proposed a bold idea, wanting to arrange a marriage between Princess Myrcella Baratheon, who was born just last year, and Prince Doran's eldest son, Quentyn Martell.

However, as soon as Baelish's plan was proposed, it was opposed by King Robert and Queen Cersei.

"Seven hells! You fool!"

"Myrcella is only one year old and still nursing in that woman Cersei's arms, while that Martell boy is already ten years old!"

Robert sat at the head of the round table and took a big gulp of wine from his cup.

Thud—

Then he slammed the wine glass heavily on the table, splashing wine everywhere, and cursed loudly.

The two people have a full nine-year age difference, which is not a big deal for the game of noble marriages.

Not to mention a nine-year difference, even twenty or thirty years is not uncommon.

However, perhaps because Robert had just drunk a lot of wine, his head was a bit dizzy at the moment, and he didn't notice that when he said this, the faces of the two people present turned black.

One was the old Hand of the King, Jon Arryn, who had married the Tully sisters with his foster son Ned during the War of the Usurper.

The other was Cersei, whom Robert referred to as 'that woman'.

The noble blonde woman looked a bit displeased, glaring fiercely at her husband who was drunk and loose-lipped. A deep disgust flashed in her eyes.

However, Cersei hid it well and did not make a scene.

Then she took a deep breath, looked at Petyr Baelish who had proposed this idea, bit her white teeth lightly, and spoke with a cold voice.

"Lord Baelish, Dorne has a deep hatred for the king and the Lannister family."

"And my daughter is only one year old, and you dare to have designs on her?"

Cersei tilted her head slightly, her gaze fixed on Littlefinger, making Baelish feel a bit hairy. He quickly stood up, raised his hands, and explained.

"Your Majesty, Your Grace, please hear me out."

Although Petyr Baelish was a little flustered inside, he remained calm on the surface and explained loudly.

"Princess Myrcella is only one year old now, of course she will not marry Prince Quentyn now."

"Even if she were to marry, it would have to wait until Princess Myrcella has her first menstruation, and that would be a matter of more than a decade from now."

"This is just an opportunity to draw the Martell family closer and create a rift between the Targaryens and the Martells."

Littlefinger was desperately explaining his plan.

He was not trying to sell the princess for peace, but a plan to sow discord and delay the war.

"The Martell family asked Viserys for a queen's position that is not yet visible and did not get a positive response, while the king gives Dorne a princess who is visible and tangible."

"By then, I'm afraid Dorne will have to think carefully. Hatred can be put aside, but interest is eternal."

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