Chapter 410 Arrangements
Flowing Gardens is located on the beach three miles west of Sunspear, and is the private residence of the Martell family.
More than a hundred years ago, in order to make Dorne surrender to the Iron Throne, the Targaryen family married Princess Daenerys to Sunspear. This water garden was the resort that Prince Martell built for his wife.
The salty sea breeze blowing from the sea dilutes the scorching sun and brings the coolness of autumn.
Walking in the garden, Samwell watched the blood orange trees cast mottled shadows, forming wonderful patterns on the marble floor.
Passing through an elegant archway, Samwell stopped by the fountain.
All kinds of water toys scattered on the ground stop and stand still, as if you can vaguely hear the laughter of children playing here.
"Your Majesty, Tristan Martell has been brought."
Samwell turned around and saw the guards bringing a thirteen or fourteen-year-old child.
He has olive skin and straight black hair, his eyes are weak and submissive, and his appearance is seven points similar to that of Prince Doran.
Prince Doran has three children. The eldest daughter, Arianne, has died in Yronwood City. The second son, Quentin, tried to tame the dragon in Slaver's Bay, but was burnt to charcoal. Therefore, the youngest son, Tristan, is the first son of Sunspear. Heir in line.
Because the "Red Viper" Prince Oberyn was not married and left only a bunch of illegitimate daughters, Tristan was the last of the direct bloodline of the Martell family.
Although the prestige of the Martell family in Dorne has greatly declined after the wars in recent years, the emaciated camel is bigger than the horse. If you want to rule Dorne, it is impossible to ignore the influence of the Martell family.
In fact, Samwell originally planned to let the illegitimate son of the Yronwood family clean up these Martell tribes in the name of revenge, and it was done once and for all.
Even if there is infamy, it is the Yronwood family who will bear it, and the Dornish people will not resent Caesar.
But who would have thought that the illegitimate son of the Yronwood family was so useless that he was beaten up by the Golden Company, and he couldn't even enter Sunspear City.
And Samwell to wipe his ass.
But without this scapegoat, Samwell is a little trickier to deal with these people in the Martell family.
"Your Majesty Caesar..." Trystane Martell felt worried when he saw Samwell staring at him without speaking, "You...you won't kill me, will you?"
"Do you think I'm going to kill you?" Samwell asked.
"I don't think you will."
"Why?" The corners of Samwell's mouth curled up slightly.
"Because..." Cui Sidan summoned up his courage and said, "A true king should possess the virtues of benevolence and forgiveness. Only in this way will more people be willing to surrender to you and pledge their allegiance to you in the future."
Samwell deliberately said with a cold face:
"Forgiveness is not unconditional, nor is it regardless of the target. Your father tried to assassinate me under the guise of forming an alliance, and your sister pretended to surrender but was poisoned in wine. It can be seen that the body of the Martell family The blood of betrayal flows, who knows if you will stab me in the back one day?"
Trystan’s face turned pale with fright, but he still gritted his teeth and said:
"That's why you should forgive me."
"oh?"
"If the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms see that you can even forgive the Martell family who has betrayed many times, then they will not be worried when they surrender."
Samwell laughed loudly:
"Excellent answer. Did you come up with this yourself, or did someone teach you?"
Trystan glanced back and said, "It's... Mrs. Ellaria taught me."
Following his gaze, Samwell also saw the illegitimate daughter of the Prison Gate Castle standing in the distance—
Ellaria Sand.
This woman is also the lover of the "Red Viper" Prince Oberyn. Samwell also met her a few times when he was in King's Landing.
"Bring her here." Samwell ordered the guard.
The guard trotted over and brought Ellaria over.
After some greetings, Ellaria sincerely persuaded:
"Your Majesty Caesar, I beg you to forgive the Martell family. This is not for us, but for you to rule Dorne better."
Samwell smiled noncommittally, and asked:
"You don't want to avenge Oberyn Martell?"
Ellaria shook her head slowly:
"Believe it or not, it never occurred to me to avenge Oberyn. You killed Oberyn in a fair duel on the battlefield, the most honorable way, and I hold no grudges.
Moreover, revenge never solves the problem, it only creates more hatred, more blood.
Doran lost his own life in order to avenge his younger brother, and Arianne killed more people in order to avenge his father.
Dorne has had so many dead over the years, we haven't seen so much blood and death since the War of Conquest.
Dorne has had enough blood.
Enough, really enough.
The current Dornish people only hope for peace, hope that they don't have to worry about food anymore, and hope that they won't be suddenly dragged into the battlefield to avenge a certain nobleman.
Your Majesty Caesar, you should be able to understand the psychological changes of the Dornish people along the way. They are willing to surrender to you, as long as you can show mercy and give them a chance. "
Samwell looked at the two people in front of him and remained silent for a long time.
It was so long that Ellaria and Tristan almost thought that the other party was unwilling to forgive the Martell family.
"I can forgive the Martell family." Samwell finally spoke.
"Thank you, Your Majesty Caesar!" The two thanked quickly, their faces full of surprises after the catastrophe.
"But you also have to pay the price for what you did before." Samwell continued,
"First of all, the Martell family no longer holds the titles of prince and princess, and has been reduced to the title of earl. Secondly, the fief of the Martell family will only retain Sunspear City, and I will distribute the surrounding villages and towns to other families. Finally, Trystane will Be my adopted son, and follow me back to Storm's End."
Trystan looked at Ellaria next to him in bewilderment, expecting her reaction.
Ellaria sighed secretly, she knew how harsh these conditions were, if she agreed, from now on, the Martell family would fall from the throne of Dorne rulers and become a second-tier nobleman.
It is still a second-tier noble who is always guarded by Caesar, and will never have a chance to rise again.
But even knowing that these conditions are harsh, Ellaria also knows that she has no right to refuse.
The Martell family has no bargaining capital.
Ellaria sighed and asked, "If the Martell family is reduced to earl, who will become the new ruler of Dorne?"
"Natalie Dayne." Samwell said, "When she arrives in Sunspear, you will lead the Dorne nobles to swear allegiance to her."
At least Dane is a Dorne noble. Ellaria could only comfort herself in this way.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you for your kindness."
Tristan had no choice but to salute, agreeing to Caesar's conditions.
But suddenly, he seemed to remember something, and asked again:
"Your Majesty, can I still marry Princess Myrcella Baratheon? We have a marriage contract."
Samwell glanced at his adopted son with a strange look, and said:
"The Lannister family has stolen Myrcella, so the marriage contract is of course void. But don't worry, I will help you arrange a marriage contract that matches your current status."
But I still want to marry Myrcella. Trystane wanted to say that, but he didn't dare.
"Yes, Your Majesty, everything is at your disposal."
(end of this chapter)