iron throne of ice and fire

Chapter 538: Old and New Ministers

[Ahem, I forgot about Barristan who should have stood next to Daenerys in the last chapter, I have added it now.]

At this moment, Metz was expressing his true feelings, his face full of excitement and emotion as if he had met someone after a long separation.

To be honest, the Duke of Metz is actually a very emotional person...

Arianne stood aside, her eyes burning with anger, glaring at the Duke of Mace without concealing her anger.

Matus's gaze quickly swept over Daenerys, with a hint of caution in his eyes, and then he knelt behind the lord, like a silent statue.

The atmosphere in the tent was filled with sadness, as if shrouded by an invisible veil.

Daenerys, who was kind-hearted, had slightly red eyes. Her voice was clear but solemn: "Are you Lord Mace Tyrell, the Lord of Highgarden, the Warden of the South?"

Prime Minister Mace, tears streaming down his face, opened his mouth and said, "Yes, yes, my noble highness, I am your loyal Mace Tyrell."

He wiped the tears from his face, and suddenly thought of something, and added hastily, "I am now the prime minister of the kingdom."

After saying this, he glared secretly at Princess Arianne who came to his side, with a warning in his eyes that was difficult to hide.

Daenerys' eyes flashed with a barely perceptible smile, and she nodded gently: "I have heard about your deeds many times from Regent King Green. The kingdom is thriving under your governance. Please allow me to express my respect for your outstanding contributions."

Prime Minister Mace glanced gratefully at Green standing beside the princess. His tone was respectful and humble. "It is an honor to serve the kingdom with my humble body. Princess Daenerys, this is my duty as Prime Minister. It is my great honor to be recognized by you."

Green sighed slightly and continued, "During the rebellion, Prime Minister Mace, under the orders of your father, led the Reach army to besiege the usurper's lair, Storm's End. It was not until King's Landing was captured that they were forced to surrender."

Hearing this, Daenerys said gratefully: "Thank you for your loyalty and courage, Prime Minister."

Hearing the Targaryen princess personally acknowledge his position as Prime Minister, the Duke of Mace could not hide his excitement, and then glanced at Arianne with a secretly proud look, as if announcing his victory to her.

Then he lowered his head and said respectfully: "The Tyrell family remembers that loyalty is the highest honor. My loyalty will always belong to you, Your Highness."

As soon as he finished speaking, it was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples in the tent.

Many people looked at the Duke of Highgarden who was eager to offer his loyalty, including Earl Matus, a vassal of the Riverlands.

After thinking for a moment, he looked up at the sitting princess and said, "Excuse me, I am the Earl of Goldentree, Matus Rowan. The people of the Reach have always missed the glory and rule of the Targaryens and have been looking forward to your return. Now, we finally welcome your return. Welcome you again, Your Highness, may the gods bless you."

"Thank you for your blessing, Lord Rowan."

Prime Minister Mace glanced to the right, with obvious displeasure flashing across his face. He then raised his voice to Daenerys, "Your Highness, no matter how many difficulties and obstacles lie ahead, the Tyrell family and the Reach will firmly follow you and devote everything to you and the kingdom!"

While Daenerys was thinking about how to respond appropriately, Green's voice came over: "Praise the gods, and praise loyalty. Princess Targaryen cares deeply about the people who have suffered from the war in the kingdom. As the Prime Minister, the Duke of Mace has always been dedicated and responsible. This... everyone can see it."

Daenerys paused, looked at Tyrell gently, and said softly: "Handholder Mace, I admire your loyalty and dedication. I am full of expectations and look forward to witnessing the rebirth of the kingdom. I am even more looking forward to your future wisdom in governance."

The Duke of the Inflatable Fish smiled brightly, and said excitedly: "I will sacrifice my life for you and the kingdom, no matter what!"

“………” Count Matus glanced at the excited Prime Minister Metz, his lips moved slightly, and then he silently stepped aside and stood.

…………

After finally waiting for the people of the Reach to finish their greetings, Princess Arianne had just adjusted her skirt and was about to salute, but was interrupted by Pycelle who knelt down in front of the princess with a plop.

"My princess!" The old maester burst into tears, his voice filled with regret and self-blame: "It's all Pycelle's fault! Alas, the cunning Tywin deceived the king, deceived me, and deceived everyone!"

He burst into tears: "I have served three Targaryen kings loyally... I am so stupid! Tywin deserves to die!"

Looking at the pitiful and repentant old man in front of her, Daenerys felt quite complicated. Since she set foot on the land of the Seven Kingdoms, she had learned the causes and consequences of the War of the Usurper in detail from Maester Ar.

It was the advice of this person that led her father to open the gates of King's Landing to the Lannister army, which led to the subsequent tragedy of the royal family. King Aerys II was brutally murdered and the Targaryen dynasty was destroyed.

Thinking of this, Daenerys' chest rose and fell slowly involuntarily, but she also understood how cruel her father's rule had been...

After a pause, Green sighed again: "The Grand Maester did make unforgivable mistakes, but it was also he who bravely exposed the Lannister conspiracy and crimes in public in front of everyone when he petitioned. Princess Daenerys, although Pycelle made mistakes, his loyalty is also a credit that cannot be ignored."

After saying this, he scanned the faces of everyone around him.

Daenerys's purple eyes trembled slightly. After thinking for a moment, she slowly said, "Pycelle, I hope you will contribute to the kingdom wholeheartedly in the future. I will look forward to your performance."

A faint smile appeared on her face, and she said softly, "Stand up, old scholar."

Pycelle stepped aside tremblingly, crying and swearing...Finally, it was Princess Arianne's turn to appear.

She stared at Daenerys for a moment, then knelt down and slowly stretched out her hands.

Daenerys smiled and held out her right hand to her: "Arianne Narmeros Martell?"

Princess Arianne stretched out her olive-colored hands and grasped Daenerys's white hands tightly, the color contrast was particularly obvious.

As they stared at each other quietly, tears welled up from the corners of Princess Arianne's eyes and slowly slid down her cheeks.

After a long while, she suddenly grinned, revealing her white teeth: "Welcome home, Daenerys Targaryen. My Royal Highness, the Martell family..."

She moved her lips, wanting to tell Daenerys that the Martell family had never forgotten their past hatred, but when the words came to her lips, she was suddenly speechless.

Although they had harbored deep hatred for each other over the years, what had they actually done for it? For a moment, she was at a loss for words.

In this awkward silence, the kind-hearted Lord Green spoke up for Arianne and said, "Princess Arianne has been secretly planning to expel the usurpers of the Iron Throne. For more than a decade, they have never given up the idea of ​​resistance.

But we have to admit that they are too powerful. Whether it is Martell or Crabbe... everyone has temporarily hidden the sword of revenge and is waiting for the right time. "

He shrugged, as if jokingly: "But the killing of each other among the usurpers surprised me for a long time. Thank the gods."

As the words fell, there was silence in the tent, and then everyone burst into good-natured laughter.

Daenerys turned her head and glanced at Green with amusement. When everyone's laughter stopped, she slowly stood up from her chair.

Her eyes swept across everyone present, and everyone whose eyes met felt her respect and friendliness.

"I am Daenerys Targaryen, daughter of King Aerys II, sister of King Viserys III, Stormborn, Princess of Dragonstone by Queen Rhaella Targaryen." Daenerys' voice was clear and pleasant, yet full of power, echoing clearly in everyone's ears.

As she spoke, she slightly turned sideways and stretched out her hand in the direction of Green, her eyes full of love and pride: "Today, I solemnly introduce to you all..."

When Grimm took her hand, she turned to face the crowd again: "Earl of Crabclaw, Duke of the Eyrie, Ruler of the Riverlands, Protector of the Realm, Regent of the Seven Kingdoms. I am Grimm Crabbe, the betrothed of Daenerys Targaryen."

(End of this chapter)