Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 240 Deception and Honesty

With the arrival of the newborn Caesar, Euron's life inevitably shifted. He spent significantly less time with Ashara and Dayne than before.

The hurried conversations during the day and the sudden decrease in evening strolls seemed to be shrouded in an invisible mist, as if the leisure and intimacy that once permeated the sunlight were now enveloped.

Whenever he faced Ashara's clear yet slightly questioning eyes, even Euron, who was used to hiding his emotions, felt a rare and distinct sense of guilt. This feeling was both unfamiliar and uncomfortable to him.

He realized that this continuous, almost deliberate deception made him feel far more uncomfortable than the trouble that had followed his accident with Ilya.

That time might have been a loss of control under the influence of alcohol, but this time, it was he who, in a sober state, deliberately placed Ashara in an awkward and neglected position. This sense of guilt, stemming from reason, was like a fine thorn, pricking his heart, which usually only considered power and conquest, bringing an indescribable sense of stagnation and frustration.

Euron's voice was low and deep in the dead of night, carrying a rare sense of self-analysis and regret. He looked at his sleeping son Caesar, then at Elia, and said frankly, "I feel—very sorry for Ashara. The accident with you before was a mistake, and now knowingly continuing to deceive her is making a mistake on top of a mistake."

Ilya listened quietly, her eyes showing no surprise, only a hint of understanding and a touch of pity. She sighed softly, her voice gentle yet cutting to the heart of the matter: "Yes, it's really unfair to treat her like this."

After a moment of silence, Euron seemed to have made up his mind. He raised his head, his gaze hardening. "I can't go on like this anymore. I want to tell her everything about you, and about the child."

Ilya gazed at him, offering no words of dissuasion, but simply nodding slowly in approval of his choice. She knew this was the only path to the righteous, even if the road ahead might be fraught with thorns.

"Whatever she may blame me for after hearing this, whether she's angry or contemptuous," Euron continued, his tone resolute, "and whatever decision she ultimately makes—I will accept it. But I cannot deceive her any longer."

Looking into the unwavering determination in his eyes, Ilya finally responded softly, her words carrying a hint of support and relief: "You're right."

Euron did not hide anything. He also told Prince Doran, Oberon, and Arianne about his decision to be honest with Ashara and his subsequent conversation with Elia.

After listening, Oberyn nodded first, his arms crossed, his tone as direct as ever: "You should have done this a long time ago. Hiding and deceiving will only deepen the rift until it becomes irreparable. This way, although it's painful, at least it's aboveboard."

Prince Doran sat upright in his wheelchair, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest. He pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly, his words carrying the profound consideration of a patriarch: "Honesty is necessary; it can prevent greater calamities in the future. However," he changed his tone, his gaze sharpening, "Miss Ashara's promise is of paramount importance. She must keep this secret, not only because of the child's existence, but more importantly because of the sensitivity of her identity. It concerns Ilya's reputation, and it concerns the stability of Dorne."

Arianne reacted the most strongly. The thought of their complicated relationship and the potential turmoil filled her with anxiety. She couldn't help but step forward, her voice urgent, emphasizing, "Yes! There are some things that absolutely cannot be said! Especially those between us—you and me…those specific details and past entanglements—not a single word can be revealed!"

The following day, Euron found Asara, his expression more serious than usual, and led her in silence to the Tower of the Sun. Asara was filled with doubt, wondering why they had come here so suddenly, until she stepped into the room and saw Ilya Martell sitting on the couch, gently cradling a newborn baby.

Ashara froze, her beautiful eyes filled with pure surprise and confusion. Her gaze shifted back and forth between Ilya and the child before finally looking at Euron with bewilderment.

Euron took a deep breath, not avoiding her clear gaze. With heavy unease, he frankly and clearly told her all the secrets he had kept hidden in the past: the accident with Ilya, the origin of the child, and his inner struggle and guilt.

As he spoke, the surprise on Asara's face gradually faded, turning into an incredulous shock, and finally into deep sorrow. She remained frozen in place, as if immobilized by an invisible force, unable to utter a single word.

Only the uncontrollable tears, like pearls from a broken string, slid continuously down her smooth cheeks, silently dripping onto the carpet, telling of her broken heart at that moment.

A suffocating silence fell over the room, with only Asara's silent tears streaming down her face.

Finally, Ilya looked up, her eyes filled with sincere apology, and whispered, "I'm sorry, Ashara. This—shouldn't have happened, and you shouldn't have been involved."

Euron stepped forward, his voice heavy and hoarse, taking all the blame upon himself: "No, it's all my fault."

But now that things have come to this, the only thing I can do is stop lying to you. I don't ask for your forgiveness, but—this matter doesn't just concern me alone; it concerns Ilya and the child's reputation and peace.

Ashara seemed not to have fully heard these words. She raised her tearful eyes and asked a crucial question: "Ariane,..."

"Oberyn, Prince Doran—they all know?" Her voice trembled slightly.

Euron nodded heavily: "Yes."

Asara fell into a long silence again, seemingly processing this heartbreaking truth and contemplating her place. After a long while, she finally raised her eyes, looked directly at Euron, and asked the question she feared most: "You—do you want to break off our engagement?"

"No!" Euron's answer was swift and firm. "I love you, Ashara. I will still keep our promise and marry you in two years. I'm telling you all this today only in the hope that you will know about this child and try to accept him. I don't want our marriage to be built on another hidden life."

Asara shook her head, her face filled with confusion and pain: "I—I don't know what to do now." She was in a state of utter turmoil.

"Ashara—" Euron's voice was filled with pleading and helplessness.

Asara raised her hand and forcefully wiped away the tears on her face, trying to calm herself down. She took a deep breath and made a clear yet detached decision: "I will not tell anyone about this child, not even my brother Arthur." Her tone became calm, but carried a defensiveness born of hurt. "But as for the rest—please let me be alone."

After saying that, she stopped looking at the two people inside the room, turned around, and left this heartbreaking place.

Ilya gazed in the direction Ashara had left, letting out a soft sigh filled with understanding and a hint of helplessness. "Let her have some peace and quiet," she said gently, turning her gaze back to Euron. "At times like this, she needs to process all of this alone; anyone getting close could become a burden."

Euron's brows furrowed, his face etched with rare frustration and reluctance. He said in a low voice, "I know—I never intended to hurt her like this. I don't want to see her so heartbroken because of me." This sense of powerlessness made him feel utterly defeated.

Ilya gazed at him, her eyes calm and clear, as if they could see through the fog of all emotions.

She spoke slowly and firmly, "She's sad because she cares. Euron, she loves you." She paused, then continued, her voice soft yet strangely persuasive, "So, trust her, and trust yourself. She may need time, but she won't leave you because of it."

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