Arya

Jousting

✿ Reign

Oliver and I left to Cumbeachaux with his parents. I brought my Uncle, my lady's, and Aladar with me. Oliver had to go away for a few days to attend some matters that needed attending.

As we were out in the open, sitting on a chair, Louis beside me, Lucille beside him and many of my people from the castle out in front of us with their backs faced at us their attention were on the fireworks that were ready to be set off due to the success of Port Bay, Louis turned to me, "is there anything I can get you, my dear?" He leaned in. "Some warm...mulled wine?"

"No, thank you. I'm fine." I kept my attention on the people. Louis pulled out the fur of a wolf and placed it on my lap.

"The sound of victory." He exhaled turning to me again, "doesn't that excite you?" He placed his hand under the blanket on my leg. I looked at him in discomfort and he removed his hand sighing. Lucille saw how uncomfortable I am but I kept my eyes ahead. And a firework did not fly up to the sky. Instead, it hit the village and set houses on fire.

"I refuse to have you disappointed, Arya. This, is all for you, you know." He kept his eyes in me. "We'll do it again tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Lucille looked at him.

"We'll do it again! Properly this time!" He yelled at her and walked away. I looked at Lucille and she looked back at me.

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"Arya, there's something you should know. Louis asked for an annulment once more."

I turned to look at her.

"It can only mean he wishes to end our marriage and turn to someone else..." She paused. "You."

"No."

"I saw what he did to you."

"That came out of nowhere. He's never shown the slightest bit of interest."

"When he had his hands on you, he had his hands on Port Bay."

"So he's decided to wed me, and keep all four crowns to himself."

"Thus his suddenly generous acceptance of the fact that you are pregnant. But once done with my son's child, my grandchild, he will want to give you an heir himself.

"Does he honestly think that I would agree to have our marriage annulled? It's ridiculous!" I gasped knowing what he might do.

Lucille came to that realization as well. "No," She whispered, "Even he wouldn't."

"He's going to kill his own son!"

"If you're right, our only chance is to overtake him and his guards. Assuming Oliver will convince the generals in a coup."

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"Oliver will be the leader." My uncle and I spoke in the corridors.

"Oliver carried the drain of his father's mistakes. He represents everything the coup would be against. We need someone the nobles and the nation can rally around. You, Arya, bring the promise of empire. Use that promise that someday soon, Port Bay and all its power and riches will be yours. Use it to make yourself the most powerful person."

"More powerful than my husband?"

"If you want to lay claim to a nation, take Cumbeachaux."

I remained silent to think of his words.

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I attended the jousting tournament with the Portland coat of arms and the crown of Port Bay. People cheered my name knowing that I am not only declaring myself as the Portland Queen, but I too have Cumbeachaux, Port Bay, Avallon, and Auara all in my hands.

As I sat on my chair, Louis got up and stood by me. "You're ready aren't you? It's like we dream the same dream." He caressed my cheek with the back of his fingers.

He did not like that his people were cheering for me so he decided to attend the Jousting tournament. The first try he won against Lord Weylyn. One the second run, he went up against Lord Montgomery. Lord Montgomery struck Louis at his head. Louis fell on the ground with his face on the ground. Lucille gasped and jumped. I was shocked to see this incident. Everyone was silent and in shock.

"Oh, for God's sake, go to him!" Lucille raised her voice and men ran to him. "Is the king all right?!"

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

I stood from my chair and he didn't move. I held onto Lucille and he watched them run up to him.

"The King has been gravely injured!" One of the men yelled. "Where is the physician?!"

Oliver's pov

I git off the horse and entered the but where Lord Montgomery stays and saw that he is still unconscious where I left him. I removed the helmet and knee what I had done.

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"Oliver, thank god you're back." I hugged him.

"As soon as I heard what happened I came as fast as I could." He looked at his mom.
"Vit-il encore?" Does he live yet?

"il s'attarde." He lingers. "il ne survivra pas. ils disent qu'il ne peut pas." He won't survive; they say he can't. "il y a des morceaux de lance coincés dans son cerveau." There are pieces of the lance stuck in his brain. "c'est ce que nous voulions?" Is this what we wanted?

"It isn't," I spoke as Oliver stood in shock. "Louis's fall was out of our hands completely." I looked at Lucille. "Is that not God's will? Now no more blood needs to be spilled."

"None but my father's," Oliver whispered.

"nous devrions dire au revoir." We should day good-bye.

Lucille and Oliver walked inside the room leaving me in the corridors alone.