Honest Conversation

The atmosphere was suddenly getting a little weird. Victor took Ashara to a small bench facing the ocean an sat down, still holding her hand.

"You are quite smart Ashara. You surely guessed that Prince Doran didn't send you her just to teach my sisters etiquette. Why would he use his sisters designated lady-in-waiting for something trivial like this, right?"

Ashara was very surprised by Victor' honesty and frank conversation which made her even forget about the both holding hands.

"I was very curious at first but the comfort I felt here made me slowly forget my doubts. I really enjoy my time her, but I know that someday the reason for this will come to light. I just hope it will be something to be happy about." Ashara said a little timid. The uncertainty was making her a little afraid.

"I know you must be wondering why I am telling you this. I think you behaved very well over the last few months, and you shouldn't have to carry a secret concern with you all the time. This will prevent you from being truly happy and worry-free. Nobody can feel truly at ease like this and integrate in a new family and environment. I am not sure how you will like what I am going to tell you, but at least you will know the truth."

As Victor was getting to a crucial point, he could feel the little hand he was holding tightening up. Even though the proud dornish girl was seemed always full of confidence, she was still not yet mature enough to handle such a situation. Victor didn't want to let her wait for too long and continued.

"House Martell and House Di Natale have a mutually beneficial alliance going on. I predicted certain events in the future which seemed very unlikely for Prince Doran. In the end we made two different deals, both including a beneficial alliance. You just need to know that what I predict will happen you will stay with me and House Di Natale for the future, likely forever. You and House Dayne became a bargaining ship in a negotiation between me and Prince Doran.

I am not sure how you will feel about this in the future, but right now everything is still up in the air. But I am very confident in my ability and the future I predicted. So, you just get familiar with the thought of staying with me and my family in the future. In a year or two you will probably understand what I am talking about, but right now that is everything, I can offer to you as an explanation. I hope you can feel my sincerity and can trust that I have no ill-will towards you."

Victor was a little nervous when he finished his explanation towards the beautiful purple eyes that seemed to look straight into his soul. Nobody would enjoy the fact that they were used as a bargaining chip between two powers. All that was left was to wait whether the truth would be rewarded.

Ashara kept staring into the sea towards Dorne for a few minutes, still holding Victor's hand but staying quiet. When she gathered her thoughts she responded.

"I guessed something like this already. My brother would have never agreed to this if Prince Doran didn't place a very high interest in this exchange. It felt like a deal from the beginning. But I must admit that I could feel the sincere warmth of a family in Canahs, especially coming from your female family members. I think your honesty and willingness to explain yourself to me and make me as comfortable as possible in my situation is already more than I would have ever expected. I know you treasure your female family members a lot of Victor, but in most parts of Westeros marriage of noble women, even one of their own daughters, is just a bargaining chip and it was always like this.

My brother and I have a good relationship, but if there is a need to sacrifice me for the well-being of the family, I don't think he would think for too long. Using the marriage of a male family heir just to keep the daughters of the family away from the fate of forced marriage is something unheard of from where I come from. So, you don't really have to worry about me having too much of an opinion about my situation.

If I am not humiliated, I can sacrifice everything else for House Dayne and right now I consider my situation to be very far away from anything like a sacrifice. Or do you think being a lady-in-waiting for the future princess of Westeros wasn't some political deal? That my brother, the kingsguard, wouldn't profit from this? I never expected something different than being used as a political tool by the family for as long as I can remember." When she reached the end of her explanation, she couldn't really hold back the tears coming down. Victor kept hugging the little girl that couldn't stop sobbing for a while.

"All you need to do is live a happy life in Canahs with my family. I will settle everything else. I promise in five years at most you will have complete clarity over your future. But you should be aware that I have no intention for you to ever leave the Di Natale family again." 

Ashara was not at all surprised about Victor's declaration, but she was a little happy about this. They spend the rest of the day quietly slandering along the sand beach of Canahs and returned home in evening. Diane was already waiting at the door of Ashara's courtyard and rushed straight into her arms upon her arrival.

"Bad brother! Smelly brother! Don't steal sister Purple from me!"

Victor and Ashara burst into laughter and the depressing mood was instantly cleared by the innocence of Diane. Victor carried the little girl away from Ashara and she kept screaming and punching at Victor who couldn't stop laughing. In the end Isabella came looking for her daughter and came into the yard seeing such a scene. In the end Victor was the only one that was scolded.