Fire and fury | Daenerys Targaryen

Golden stag

The royal wedding was quite a celebration to attend. But Ardella heard that it was much simpler in the light of the last wedding that costed them a dead king.

In the following month, the new queen gloated with happiness that many whispered that her marriage has suited her. But Ardella knew better which made a knowing smirk to appear on her face everytime she heard court ladies gossiping with envy.

Because the queen Margaery who is supposedly flaunting her new position and husband's vitality to everyone, has been avoiding her like a plague after their meeting at the garden.

However, Ardella was unbothered as she had much more serious problems at hand. Such as the queen mother's menacing eyes following her everytime she is at the company of other lords and ladies.

Even when Cersei was not around, her little spies would shadow her when she takes strolls with Loras in the name of courtship. Ardella could feel the passing maids and the standing guards are reporting their outings to the queen mother.

The Baratheon could only wonder when the lioness will finally strike. She has heard much tales of the wickedness of Cersei Lannister. It frightens her but she has no other way but to play her part in the games.

"Surely, she can't harm the Lady of Storm's End. She has no army, no protection without her uncle's support and no power now that the king is married and has his own queen. Whom I heard is making clear that there is only one queen in the court lately." Ser Davos tried to ease her worries when she revealed the matter.

Ardella scoffed, "How bold of her."

The Baratheon ran her fingers around the brim of her cup with a deep thought. "What about the things I ordered you to do?"

"Ser Hoven has taken charge of the military training and set the infantry camp couple of miles outside of Storm's End. He was my second-in-command during your father's day. He is a capable man with a strong sense of loyalty."

Ardella only hummed for him to continue, "The production of steel has increased as you ordered but with the number of blacksmiths at our disposal, we are a bit behind on bladesmithing."

"I see. Instruct Ser Hoven to keep an eye on spies when you get there. We don't want any leakage." Ardella said and dismissed her advisor but she looked at him questioningly when he didn't leave.

Ser Davos seemed to be hesitant but opened his mouth nevertheless, "There is someone I met when we got here, without your permission."

"Who is it?" Ardella frowned at his confession.

"His name is Gendry. He is Robert Baratheon's bastard."

Then the old advisor told the Baratheon how he met the boy and delivered him to Stannis. Her father's intent to sacrifice him for his blood and how he helped him escape before Melisandre burned him for false glory.

Ardella wordlessly listened to another horrific, disgusting tale of her father's madness. "Would you like to meet him, your highness?" Davos carefully worded the question at the end.

"Why?" She asked but it wasn't because he is a mere bastard of her uncle but due to the shame over her father's actions towards him.

But her eyes shot up when Ser Davos whispered, "He is your only blood on this world."

"Would he want that?"

"Yes, your highness."

When the night came with its cloak of darkness, they sneaked out of the Red Keep. Ardella waited alone inside her ship at the harbor, hoping that the queen's eyes and ears cannot reach her there.