Chapter 587: The Bone Mountains

"Princess Rhaenys."

"Princess Rhaenys."

At that moment, Rhaenys had quietly appeared at the side door of the throne room, silently observing the duel. The nobles of the Seven Kingdoms, engrossed in the duel, were taken aback and hastily paid their respects.

"Ah."

The auburn-haired young woman merely nodded subtly, then ascended the steps.

"Your Highness."

Oberyn, who had been sitting on the Iron Throne with a leg casually draped over the armrest, promptly put his foot down and stood up to greet her. Adjusting his attire, he bowed slightly.

"Uncle."

Rhaenys turned her gaze to the intense duel below.

"Is that the man responsible for my father's death?"

Rhaenys had never visited Robert during his long confinement in the Red Keep, fearing she might impulsively order his execution.

"It is him."

Oberyn nodded gently in affirmation.

"Will he die?"

Rhaenys, having begun to learn the art of combat from the female knight, lacked the keen insight of Oberyn, a seasoned gladiator. She removed her deer leather gloves and asked without hesitation.

Oberyn glanced at the scene. Robert, although showing signs of fatigue, seemed to be gaining momentum. After a brief assessment, he shook his head, offering an opinion contrary to many battle-hardened nobles present.

"Regrettably, I don't believe so."

Many of the nobles had combat experience, but it was typically in large-scale battles, not one-on-one gladiatorial combat where any tactic was fair game. Robert, a renowned warrior on the battlefield, was holding his own due to his extensive experience. Balon Swyft, the heir to Helmcrest, was skilled but still lagged in battle experience.

"Die!"

Before Oberyn could finish, Balon saw an opening and roared, charging at Robert. Yet, it was a trap.

A chorus of gasps filled the room as Robert's hammer met Balon's face, crushing it with brutal force. The grim scene sent shockwaves through the audience.

"I knew it."

Rhaenys remarked coldly, her hand resting on the hilt of her Valyrian steel sword.

"It's good. This means I'll have the chance to kill him myself. With this sword."

She drew a portion of her blade, its gleam reflecting off the dark Iron Throne.

"Viserys gave me this sword so I could exact my revenge."

With that, Rhaenys turned and departed, leaving Oberyn silently contemplating her determined departure.

Two Unsullied soldiers proceeded to drag away Balon's corpse and clean the blood. Robert, without resistance, was shackled and led back to his cell.

Meanwhile, news reached Westeros of major developments across the Narrow Sea. The Dothraki Sea had been unified under the silent Mengo Kao after months of brutal warfare. Many assumed the Dothraki would target the wealthy Free Cities, but instead, they were seen moving eastward.

What lay to the east? The mysteries beyond the Bone Mountains remained an enigma, with only occasional traders from the Jade Sea shedding light on the unknown.