Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 137 I've Got You a Wife—Victalion Greyjoy

Before the morning mist had been completely dispelled by the sea breeze, the docks on Tass Island were already bustling with activity. Barrels of fresh water were being rolled onto the deck, and baskets of fresh food were being replenished. Euron's fleet was ready to set sail again.

The sailors were skillfully adjusting the sails of the two longships, their sails billowing slightly, yearning for the sea. On the dock, Brienne Tass stood out remarkably. She was no longer the shy girl of the night before; her eyes shone with a firm anticipation for the future.

"Goodbye, Brienne," Euron said loudly from the ship's railing. "We'll meet again at the Tournament of Harrenhal."

Brienne then turned her head and looked at her father beside her, her gaze filled with pleading and determination.

Lord Selwyn Tarth gave his daughter a deep look, then glanced at Euron on the ship. Finally, he nodded firmly and said in a deep voice, "Yes, I'll take you with me. Going to Harrenhal, to broaden your horizons, to meet the finest knights of Westeros will surely be of great benefit to your future knightly path."

"I will definitely be there!" Brienne's face lit up instantly with a bright light after receiving her father's permission, and she answered Euron loudly, as if the rising sun had finally broken through the clouds.

The mooring rope was thrown back onto the ship, and the longship slowly pulled away from the dock, cutting into the shimmering sea. Brienne stood on the shore, gazing for a long time at the receding sails, until they became two tiny white dots on the azure horizon.

The cool morning sea breeze caressed Princess Elia Martell's slightly pale cheeks. Standing beside Euron, she watched his still-tall figure grow smaller on the dock, then suddenly nudged him lightly with her elbow, a mischievous yet tender glint in her eyes. She chuckled softly, "It seems the 'Sapphire of Tars' has a particular fondness for you." Her tone was light, tinged with a smug satisfaction at having uncovered his secret.

Euron chuckled and shook his head, his gaze still fixed on the distance. "You're overthinking it, Your Highness. It was simply a swordsman's appreciation for another swordsman, and an agreement about chivalry. Nothing more."

"Oh? Is that so?" Ilya drawled, her smile deepening. "Don't worry, I'm not one to gossip. I'll keep this discovery a secret from Ashara."

She initially thought it was a joke, but then she saw Euron suddenly stop smiling and look thoughtful. He stroked his chin, as if a brilliant idea had just flashed through his mind.

"Now that you mention it," he began slowly, his tone becoming serious and pragmatic, "I suddenly remembered that my brother, Victorion Greyjoy—is still unmarried."

He turned to look at Ilya, his eyes gleaming with shrewdness and consideration: "While the Tass family is not illustrious, Earl Selwyn's family tradition is upright, and Miss Brienne herself is an unpolished gem—she possesses extraordinary resilience and a pure heart. In the future, she will not only become a true knight but also a loyal and powerful companion. If possible—this might be a marriage alliance worth pursuing."

Princess Elijah's eyes widened slightly, completely unaware that her casual joke had acted as a key, unlocking Euron's meticulous calculations regarding marriage alliances and strategies.

She was taken aback when she saw his serious expression as he instantly got into the zone, then she couldn't help but smile and nod thoughtfully, secretly marveling at how extraordinary the young master of the Iron Seed was.

What made her even more amused and exasperated was that Euron was the type to act on impulse.

Euron, almost without hesitation, turned and went to the desk in the cabin, spread out the parchment, picked up a pen, dipped it in ink, and began to write. The letter was concise, almost brutal, getting straight to the point:

[To Father: I am arranging a marriage for my brother, Viktorion, with Brienne Tarth, a daughter of the Tarth family.]

This woman is a good match and will benefit the family. Further details will be provided later. —Yi Youlun

Princess Ilya, watching his swift and almost "frenzied" actions, finally couldn't help but facepalm and laugh in exasperation. The image of Brienne's tall, imposing figure, so unlike any other noblewoman, flashed through her mind. She thought, "Brienne Tass, with that—unique physique—would someone else have snatched her up if she'd been a quarter of an hour later?"

For a moment, she even suspected that this guy was so eager to "sell" his brother away in order to prove his loyalty to Ashara, who was far away in Starfall City, and to completely sever ties with her.

On the azure Narrow Sea, Euron's two longships were cutting through the waves.

A familiar yet incredibly magical sight always accompanied them: schools of shimmering silver swordfish, groups of frolicking dolphins, and colorful moray eels, knife fish, and even highly venomous lionfish, like a loyal honor guard, leaping and swimming joyfully around the longship, as if they were greeting and saluting the ship's owners in their own unique way.

The people on the ship had grown accustomed to this, attributing it to the young master's innate mysterious charm. However, just as the jagged outline of the distant Stone Steps Islands gradually became clearer on the horizon, Euron suddenly raised his hand and issued a clear command.

"Lower the sails! Halt!"

The sails fell with a sound, and the ship gradually slowed down, eventually floating quietly on the gently rippling sea. The crowd turned their puzzled gazes to their young leader.

Euron stood at the bow, his gaze fixed intently on the direction of the Stone Steps Islands, as if he could pierce through the sea breeze and distance to perceive the chaos unfolding in that area. He turned to the others and calmly explained, "My friends in the ocean have just warned me. Dozens of warships are currently embroiled in a fierce battle near the Stone Steps Islands." He paused, his voice carrying an undeniable resolve, "That water has become a boiling cauldron of blood; we need not go in and disturb them."

Princess Ilya, standing to the side, looked puzzled upon hearing this. She tilted her head slightly, looking at the man beside her who could command sea monsters, and softly questioned, "You can summon those behemoths that are like sea fortresses, capsizing warships as easily as a surfer playing with seashells. Let alone these dozens of ships, what would even a fleet of hundreds of ships be to you? You—are you really afraid of getting involved in such a battle?"

Euron finally withdrew his gaze from the distance and turned to look at Ilya, a calm yet meaningful smile playing on his lips. His reply contained not a trace of anger at being offended, but only an almost detached rationality: "It's not fear, Your Highness, it's just that it's unnecessary." Euron emphasized, his tone steady, "Do I look like the kind of person who revels in senseless killing and finds pleasure in watching others die?"

He spread his hands, his posture casual yet exuding powerful confidence. "If they haven't provoked me, and I have no reason to kill them, why should I waste my energy rushing into that sea of ​​blood to invite trouble? Let the vultures and sharks handle their feuds. Our course should avoid foolish quagmires."

Princess Ilya murmured, "A penchant for senseless killing, taking pleasure in watching others die—are you making a veiled accusation against someone—"

You Lun coughed twice to avoid giving anyone a chance to retaliate.

Ilya burst into hearty laughter at Ilya's serious expression.