-Chapter 38-

-Chapter 38-

-POV MC-

From the royal box, I watched Criston Cole spur his horse and effortlessly knock down one of my knights. I frowned when he made his way to the box and bowed before the queen, realizing that Alicent was trying to show her goodwill to Rhaenyra through her champion.

I turned my gaze away from Ser Criston Cole to look at his mistress, who gave me a brief glance before refocusing on the joust.

I would have done the same if I hadn't heard that annoying voice of Jessamyn.

"The knights of the Vale are generally more enduring; it seems House Royce prioritizes quantity over quality in its knights."

I smiled softly without responding because that bitch was far beneath me. Just because she shared Jeyne's bed didn't mean she could rise to my level.

Arnold wanted to retort, but I raised my hand to stop him from playing into Jessamyn's game. I was all alone against the high nobility for now, and I had to be very careful with my next moves, or I could quickly find myself isolated by Rhaenyra and the Velaryons if they realized that I still intended to depose Jeyne.

Everyone present in the royal box looked at us, waiting for a reaction from me, but quickly lost interest, disappointed by my lack of response.

I gestured to Gunthor to approach, and I whispered in his ear the plan I was going to implement to give Jessamyn a taste of her own medicine. She had been far too outspoken ever since she had developed a sort of friendship with Rhaenyra through Jeyne.

Once I finished giving him my instructions, Gunthor raised his eyebrows at me, tacitly asking if I was sure of myself, and I slowly blinked twice to indicate that I agreed and had fully considered the consequences that might fall upon us.

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-POV Gunthor Royce-

After Aemon told me his plan to counter the Redforts and the growing influence they had in the Vale, I couldn't help but think that he wasn't doing it just to restrict the Redforts' growth but mainly to get revenge on that annoying Jessamyn Redfort.

'Whatever happens, it doesn't matter. We're going to have to start hostilities, and she just gave us the perfect excuse to begin the war,' I thought, giving a hard shoulder to Lord Creighton Redfort's heir, Jasper Redfort, who was chatting with some friends.

"Watch where you're going, damn Redfort," I said, casting him a look that slightly frightened him, still unsettled and confused after the shoulder hit.

"Watch your tongue, Ser. We are not at Runestone."

I raised my eyebrows, stopping and turning back to the little shrimp who had the nerve to answer me, and I said:

"This isn't the Eyrie either. If your sister is ever caught in bed with the usurper, she'll be executed like the sinner she is."

"Take that back right now, or I'll be forced to challenge you to a duel to defend my sister's honor."

I smiled slightly, contemptuously, and said, "Words. You've never fought. You wouldn't even be able to draw your sword if I showed you how."

"Say that again," Jasper said, placing a hand on his sword.

"That's enough," said the heir of House Corbray, pulling his friend closer to stop him from making a mistake.

He calmed down and walked away from me, pushed by his friend who had seen through my plan, but I didn't stop there, for I said, "Pathetic. No wonder your sister has to prostitute herself so your House can prosper."

Everyone who had been watching our exchange fell silent, and the two who were leaving froze.

'Come on, do it,' I thought, discreetly placing a hand on a dagger hidden behind me.

The Redfort heir quickly drew his sword and charged at me. Although I was surprised by his speed, I already knew he was going to do it, so when he got close enough, I had already dodged the sword strike, guided by anger, and plunged my dagger into his throat.

"Your sister should have kept her tongue in her mouth, in more ways than one," I whispered in Jasper Redfort's ear, as he stared at me wide-eyed, shocked as he felt his life slipping away.

When I pulled my blade from his throat, I heard a loud scream, and as I prepared to stab the heir of House Corbray, he threw himself onto the body of his friend, who was bleeding out and convulsing.

'He's smarter than that fool,' I thought, wiping my dagger while looking at Ser Harwin with a small smile.

"Is there a problem, Commander?" I asked, seeing that he continued to stare at me as his men arrived, just like mine, who already had their hands on their sword hilts.

"What happened here?"

"A fool who tried to..."

"Murderer!!! Arrest him! He just killed the heir of House Redfort in front of a crowd of witnesses. What are you waiting for?"

Ser Harwin hesitated, and I said to quickly settle the matter, "This man provoked me to a duel and attacked me dishonorably. Everyone here can testify, including the heir of House Corbray, unless he chooses to lie to the King."

"You provoked him just so you could kill him," said Leowyn Corbray.

"Did you hear that?" I asked the commander of the gold cloaks, who was blocking my way.

He grimaced slightly before stepping aside, and I returned to the royal box without bothering to change. As I resumed my place behind Aemon, everyone noticed the blood now staining my bronze cloak and armor, but no one said a word.

Aemon turned to me and wordlessly asked if I had completed my task, and when I nodded, he gave a slight smile in the direction of the two ladies of the Vale sitting near the Princess before settling back into a more comfortable position.

'The war has begun,' I thought.