Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 242 Divorce Announcement

After much hardship, Euron finally succeeded in replicating the legendary Dornish delicacy, the roasted dragon pepper scorpion. Its unique and wild aroma, along with the sincerity and effort it represented, ultimately melted away Ashara's last remaining reservations.

She finally allowed Euron to hold her hand again, and the rift between them was mended, and they reconciled.

This newly warm feeling didn't last long. News from a merchant ship that had just arrived in Dorne made Euron frown and feel a surge of displeasure.

It is said that Braavos's unfathomable Iron Treasury is inclined to provide the Redwyn family of Greentree with a huge sum of money to help them develop a new and more competitive premium wine to compete with the Kraken Wine that is now selling well in the Free Cities with its unique taste.

This is undoubtedly a direct challenge from the capital power of free trade city-states.

This kind of capital infiltration operation by the Iron Treasury is not the first time it has occurred.

Whether it's the continent of Essos or Westeros, whether it's the glassmaking that Myr is so proud of, the priceless imperial purple dye of Tyroth, or the exquisite and expensive handicrafts and luxury goods of Rhys—in any industry that is profitable and can monopolize the market, you can almost always see the invisible yet ubiquitous hand of the Iron Bank trying to get involved and eventually bring it under their control.

The messenger carrying this important message was none other than Earl Paxter Redwin, who had recently returned to Greenwood. In his secret letter, he not only truthfully reported the Iron Bank's proposal but also specifically mentioned his initial response: "I need to consider it."

Euron smiled as he looked at the letter. He understood that this was Paxter Redwyn's way of making a goodwill gesture, subtly indicating his position: Greenwood valued the alliance with the Iron Islands more than the golden dragons of the Iron Treasury.

Euron appreciated Paxter Redwyn's gesture.

He pondered for a moment, then picked up his pen and wrote back, his words direct and decisive, full of pragmatism: "It's a free golden dragon, only a fool wouldn't take it. Take it first, and agree to their terms."

However, behind this seemingly easy decision, Euron's feelings toward the Iron Bank were far more complex. Deep down, he both loathed and couldn't suppress his envy of the Braavos institution's ability to control the fate of nations with endless funds and even influence the succession of thrones.

He was intimately familiar with the Iron Treasury's operating model: by providing massive loans to the royal families of the seven kingdoms and even various feudal lords, it mired them in debt, thus securing their control. Once a debtor nation defaulted, the Iron Treasury would unhesitatingly fund domestic opposition forces, even directly plotting to overthrow the previous ruler. The newly enthroned ruler, under pressure and international rules, often had no choice but to acknowledge and inherit all of the predecessor's debts. This method of using money as an invisible shackle, manipulating the rise and fall of kingdoms like puppets, filled Euron with genuine disgust, a man who revered direct power and absolute control.

But beyond his disgust, he was also keenly aware of the terrifying and effective nature of this financial power. He longed to find a way to counterbalance or even control this force, but it was like facing a bottomless fog; he had yet to find any clear breakthrough.

Euron knew the principle that "two heads are better than one," so this time he did not act unilaterally. Instead, he gathered Elia, Prince Doran, Oberyn, and Ashara together to discuss the Iron Treasury.

When he mentioned his covetousness for the Iron Bank's vast financial resources, Oberyn burst into laughter, his tone a mix of Dornish arrogance and pragmatism: "If I could rob it, I would have already led my men to rob it! Why are you here pondering this?"

""

Prince Doran sat upright in his wheelchair, a knowing smile on his face. He spoke slowly, his voice calm yet thought-provoking: "Those who think like you have existed since ancient times. The Iron Treasury's money has been coveted by people who could stretch from Braavos to Sunspear. But why, after all these years, has no one ever truly shaken it in the slightest? Its foundations are far deeper than you imagine."

Asara joined the discussion quietly, sharing what she knew: "I've heard that not only does the Iron Throne owe the Iron Treasury an astronomical sum of gold, but many great families throughout the Seven Kingdoms are also heavily indebted. But strangely, it seems no one has ever dared to borrow their money and not pay it back."

Euron listened to the group's analysis, his eyes burning even brighter instead of retreating. He grinned, revealing a ruthless smile that blended ambition and pirate nature: "Hmph, one day they'll know whose rules are tougher. Then, you'll all follow me on a big heist," he said, his voice seductive as he surveyed the crowd, "I guarantee you'll all make a killing!"

His words were so blunt and wild that Ilya, who was drinking water, couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle, shaking her head and scolding, "Listen to your tone! You're nothing like a lord or nobleman; you're clearly a pirate planning to plunder and pillage!"

This was just a minor incident during the winter.

Winter has arrived, and a harsh chill hangs over the seven kingdoms of Westeros.

Apart from the southern Dorne where a little warmth could still be felt, the vast lands from the Wall in the north to Lannister Harbor in the west, from the Eyrie in the Vale to Storm's End in the Stormlands, were covered with thick ice and snow. Rivers were frozen, fields were barren, and a desolate, silver-clad landscape stretched out before them.

On this freezing day, Corren Greyjoy and his eldest son Balon, far away in the Iron Islands, received a letter delivered by ravens across the frozen sea. The letter was from Euron, and the handwriting was simple and strong, just like his own style, yet it conveyed a warm message enough to dispel the cold: "Father, brother: My son Caesar has been born safely, and mother and child are well."

News from across the Seven Kingdoms, channeled through Lisa's secret channels, poured into Euron's hands like snowflakes, each piece carefully copied. Most territories remained shrouded in the bitter cold, nobles and commoners alike huddled in castles or houses, surviving on stored provisions, with little disturbance. However, two pieces of intelligence from King's Landing and the North particularly caught Euron's attention.

In King's Landing: Unusually, snow began to fall in the capital, and a thin, fragile layer of ice formed on the Blackwater River. However, colder than the weather were the hearts of the people. Due to food shortages, large-scale riots broke out among the poor in the Queen's Quarter and Flea Nest. The "Mad King" Aerys II's response was horrifying: he ordered the arrest of more than a dozen ringleaders in the square and had them burned alive in the wild, as a way to intimidate all his restless subjects.

Another matter was even more secretive: Prince Rhaegar Targaryen did not stay in the Red Keep to appease the people. Instead, he left King's Landing quietly with only three of his most trusted Kingsguard—Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Dawn; Ser Oswell Heaney; and Ser Geralt Hightower—his movements were extremely mysterious.

In the North: intelligence points to a more private connection—Lyanna Stark and Prince Rhaegar have been maintaining secret communications.

Combining these two pieces of news, Euron tapped his fingers lightly on the table, a knowing glint in his eyes. He was almost certain that Rhaegar's secret departure from the capital was not on official business; his destination was most likely the North. This dragon prince, known for his melancholy and music, had probably braved the snowstorm to secretly travel north to meet his "Dirty Wolf."

After analyzing the intelligence from all sides, Euron suddenly frowned. He suddenly remembered a crucial matter that had been temporarily put aside by many complicated matters—Rhaegar Targaryen's promise to divorce Elia, which had been made with great conviction, had been stalled for half a year with no substantial progress.

He immediately set off and found Elia and Prince Doran, solemnly informing them of his latest discovery: "Rhaegar has most likely already secretly traveled to the North, probably to meet with that Stark daughter. But there's still no word on his promised divorce; it seems he's long forgotten about it."

Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Prince Doran's worldly-wise eyes. He nodded calmly, instantly understanding Euron's unspoken meaning and the attitude Dorne should adopt at this moment.

"I understand what you mean." Prince Doran's voice was calm and decisive. "Since he is not fulfilling his promise and disregarding the dignity of my Princess Dorne, then we shall settle this matter ourselves. I will, in the name of Sunspear City, formally send a message to all the major castles and nobles of the Seven Kingdoms, announcing this to the world."

Soon, a meticulously worded proclamation bearing the coat of arms of Prince Dorn was copied multiple times and carried to various places by ravens. The proclamation clearly stated: "Announcement of the dissolution of the marriage between Elia Martell and Rhaegar Targaryen."

"The two parties were married in 278 AD at the Great Cathedral of King's Landing on the day of Midsummer's Day, with the Seven as witnesses, thus establishing their legal marriage."

"However, since the Tournament of Harrenhal, Princess Elia Martell and Prince Rhaegar Targaryen have neither wished to continue this marriage, and with the mutual consent of both parties, this marriage is hereby formally dissolved."

"The legitimate child born during the marriage of the two parties, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, shall be placed in the custody of her mother, Princess Elia Martell, upon the dissolution of the marriage."

"The premarital property of both parties belongs to each of them, and there are no joint debts or financial disputes. Everything has been settled."

"This is hereby declared throughout Westeros that, from the date of this declaration, both parties are free to marry and are independent of each other, and neither party may claim any rights based on this marital relationship."

The raven carrying the proclamation of Dorne took flight, like a messenger spreading news of Elia and Rhaegar's divorce to every corner of Westeros.

This announcement caused a huge uproar among the nobles of the seven kingdoms, with the vast majority regarding it as a colossal joke.

Around the warm fireplace and at the banquet, nobles raised their glasses, savoring the royal scandal and uttering undisguised mocking laughter.

The Targaryen royal family's reputation was now reduced to a laughing stock for everyone.

Inside the Red Keep in King's Landing, Aerys II, the "Mad King," was enraged upon learning of the incident, viewing it as a blatant provocation and humiliation of Dorne's royal authority. He roared, and the burning wildfire seemed to flicker in his eyes.

In his rage, he felt utterly powerless—even the Targaryen ancestors who once possessed dragons had never truly conquered Dorne, let alone him now, abandoned by all and growing increasingly insane. In the end, he could only swallow his anger.

Conversely, the Stark family, far away in Winterfell in the North, turned ashen-faced upon seeing the announcement. Although their daughter Lyanna's name was not mentioned directly, she was undoubtedly caught in the eye of the storm. The announcement was like a blinding spotlight shining on them, making the entire family feel extremely embarrassed and pressured.

Prince Rhaegar and Lyanna Stark, rumored to be in the North, were overwhelmed with mixed emotions when they finally saw the letter's contents. The love they had been pursuing was now laid bare before the world by a cold, hard announcement.

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