(Ellion's POV)
"I heard what you did." I heard King Aerys say as I was standing on the balcony of my quarters, "You really did something brutal to the fucker."
I looked at him, "Yes, Your Grace." I said, "I figured that he'd deserve something like that."
I had returned to the Red Keep after spending the night in the brothel. Killing Pate and getting rid of the body was quite easy; I just had the City Watch cut him into pieces and toss him to the Blackwater Gulf. It is quite nice, having the King's backing. All of these dumb fuckers would do what I said, no matter how absurd it is.
Aerys smiled, tapping the railing of the balcony, "Excellent." He said, "Simply excellent. I am quite pleased with the result."
I nodded, "Yes."
"Did you spend the night there?" He asked
"I did." I said
"Haha!" He said, "I figured you did. I am glad you enjoyed yourself. You did, right?"
I nodded again, "I did." I said, "It was quite the experience. Around 7 or 8 women were run through."
"7 or 8?!" He exclaimed, "What stamina do you have, boy! Hahaha! That is magnificent!"
"I am confident in my stamina, Your Grace." I said, shrugging, "What can I say?"
"Ah, well..." He started, "You are young."
"I suppose I am." I said
"As promised, I will introduce you to Lady Selene Dondarrion." He said, "She'll be quite interested in spending some time with a young man like yourself."
"Is she married?" I asked
"Yes." He said, "But her husband is a spineless coward. A Landed Knight who served Lord Dondarrion. Ah, well, he served him well, so he offered his youngest sister instead of a daughter."
"Hm." I said, "To cuckold a man, is that right?"
"I'm sure you've done that already." Aerys smirked slightly, patting my shoulder, "How many women have you fucked that are married, eh? Don't come to me with doubts like those. I know what you are."
Does he know about Joanna? No, I don't think he would. I made sure that it was kept under wraps. But he is simply assuming that I have fucked many married women, which I did. I don't mind fucking married women, it's one of my favorite pastimes. I just wanted to be sure where he stood when it came to that specific topic.
I sighed, "Very well." I said, "Whenever you think it is appropriate to meet Lady Selene."
"Ah, worry not." He said, "With time. I hear some Houses are coming to court. Things will have to calm down for a bit, I won't give you more names in the near future. But do stay alert, I want the Lords of the Realm to understand that House Targaryen is not to be trifled with."
I nodded, "And what Houses are coming?"
"Some Dornish Houses are going to come, possibly court my son." He said, "House Martell, House Dayne, House Yronwood, House Vaith as well. They were offering daughters and sisters to marry Rhaegar, for a promising future."
"Dornish, huh?" I said, looking at him, "Would you approve?"
He shrugged, "I don't really care." He said, "So long as it is someone of high standing, someone worthy of the Blood of The Dragon. Of course, my son has to approve of her as well."
House Dayne was coming?
That meant that Ashara could come as well.
"House Hightower is also on its way." He said, "Lord Hightower has written to me, offering one of his daughters as well. I sincerely doubt that'll happen, but we'll see."
"Why is that?" I asked
"Why would I marry my son off to a servant's house, hm?" He asked, a slight smirk on his face, "What would the imbeciles think? The other Lords?"
"You are the King." I said, "It doesn't matter what they think. House Hightower is nobility. They may not be the House Paramount of the Reach, but they are nobility. As for the Dornish Houses, if you think it would solidify a proper alliance with Dorne, it could be the right move. But at the end of the day, you are the King; you will marry your son off to whomever you wish. But of course, this is politics, so you have to think wisely about the decision."
"Ahaha!" He laughed, "A bastard turned Knight is giving me advice on the political affairs of the Realm."
He shrugged, "It's just a thought, Your Grace."
"Hm, you might prove a good point." He said, "But it doesn't matter. We'll see what happens when they come."
"Yes." I nodded
"Worry not." He said while patting my shoulder, "I'll ensure your meeting with Lady Selene happens. She is a magnificent woman, trust me."
He then walked away, leaving me alone in the balcony as I was looking over the city.
As I was sure that he was gone, I let out a sigh.
"Man...." I said, looking down, "What have I gotten myself into?"
Genna was right; there would be plenty of political bullshit in this place. But I have to take her advice too. I needed to make friends fast in order to avoid pains in the ass, truthfully. I could have all the personal power in the world, but it'll still be an annoying hindrance to deal with an entire Kingdom at once.
I don't plan to conquer the entire Realm, I just want to carve my small piece of it and achieve true freedom. But to do that, I need to ensure I plant myself properly in the good side of the Crown. But at the same time, I would piss people off, and they would try to see me dead in the future. Dynasties don't last forever, and the time will come when this man will no longer be on the throne.
I have to befriend Rhaegar as well; he's the Heir to the Throne.
If I can be in good graces with both Aerys and Rhaegar, my future will be smooth sailing. Should Aerys come to die in the future and Rhaegar becomes King, I would be fine.
"Hm...." I said, "Well...."
"We'll see what happens."