Winter's Fire → Game of Thrones

xxiv. Mother and Father

Daemon Baratheon

I heard yelling from the walkway I stood on that overlooked one of the main courtyards. Men rushed to the gates and pulled them open as quickly as they could. It was only an inner gate, so I imagine there had been quite a panic at one of the outer gates when it was opened. At least here it is the Red Keep itself so everyone must be more orderly.

"You look like a king looking down at his kingdom," someone behind me commented.

When I turned around I saw Littlefinger. I wanted to punch him in his disgusting, scheming face, but I controlled myself. I do not need Robert going off at me when he returns. I have been trying to quell my anger lately. It is yet to work, but I really am trying.

"That cannot be right because I will never be king," I said, keeping my voice devoid of emotion. "I will never even be the rightful king. Take your schemes elsewhere."

Littlefinger just laughed at my words, but the idiot clearly did not get the message. I told him to take his schemes elsewhere and I meant that he should leave. I may only be a prince out of courtesy to my dead father, but I am still a prince. When I tell someone to leave they need to leave.

"Stannis has finally responded to your letter," he told me. "It has quite an interesting content. He sent it with Andrew Estermont and Alysanne Ashford. I told them I would come and get you and give you the letter, so that is what I am doing."

Rage ran through me and before I really knew what I was doing, I had Littlefinger's surcoat in my hand and held a dagger to his throat. The cocky, obnoxious little prick did not seem so confident now. The fear in his eyes was evident and it was real. He knows I will kill him if he pushes me too far.

I let Littlefinger go, knowing that threatening the smug ass would not get me anywhere. He would just tell Robert about my temper and get me locked in my chambers for a few days. They have even started putting a guard at my door when I am to be locked in my chambers so I cannot sneak anyone in. All because Littlefinger snitched on me.

I stormed through the Red Keep, trying to calm myself down before I got to one of the solars that are used for meetings. There is one that I am given access to thanks to Robert. He used to send me there for my lessons with Grand Maester Pycelle and a few of the nastier Septas when I was a boy.

When I entered my solar I was close to calm. At least I managed to compose myself, hold my head high, and exert a princely manner. I have learned to exert an air of calm and authority because otherwise people in this shit-hole will not show any respect. They will twist you and manipulate you before destroying you if they believe they can. And if they believe they can do something, they will do everything in their power to see it done.

In front of me was a man around Robert's age with a long, pointy beard, brown hair, and bushy eyebrows. He was tall and would easily tower most people in the Red Keep. However, there was something that felt trustworthy about him. That immediately made me suspicious. No one here is trustworthy.

Next to him was a woman around Cersei's age with a round face, blonde hair, and dark blue eyes. She was studying me as closely as I was studying her, but more openly. There was a lack of care about this woman. I wonder how she has managed to survive in Westeros with that type of attitude.

"You must be Lord Andrew Estermont and Lady Alysanne Ashford," I stated, trying to be as welcoming and princely as possible. "Welcome to King's Landing and thank you for coming. I understand my uncle tried to pull quite a few strings to get you here."

"He did, my prince," Andrew Estermont confirmed. "I cannot speak on Lady Ashford's behalf, but Lord Stannis reminded me of how close I once was with your father. He convinced me to speak to the son of Hunter Baratheon. I did not realise that would be you."