Gales's face instantly drained of all color, turning ashen.
It was as if all the strength had been sucked out of him, and he stumbled back, bumping into the chair behind him.
He pointed at Arthur, trembling all over, and cursed with all his might: "You… you are a viper! A viper from the shadows! The most despicable viper!"
"The Seven Gods will punish you!! Your soul will be roasted in the Seven Hells for ten thousand years!!"
"In the name of the Seven Gods, I curse you!! The Warrior curses you to die by the sword!! The Father curses you to die a terrible death!! The Mother curses you to be childless and without descendants!!…
He roared, each god's name carrying a desperate tremor.
"You will go to the Seven Hells!!"
"You will be cut into a thousand pieces!!!"
"Your name will be forever reviled!!!"
"You are not a lion! You are a viper!! A viper of the Riverlands!!!"
Arthur stood up and slowly walked to Gales's side. He leaned down, his voice as soft as a devil's whisper, sounding in Gales's ear: "Ser, your curses are useless against me."
"Before you consider taking your own life to preserve your ridiculous honor and reputation, I advise you not to be in such a hurry."
His gaze drifted out the window, guiding Gales Legge to look in that direction, where Gales's family was being held.
"If you die."
"If you die with the reputation of a traitor."
"What will happen to them?"
Arthur's voice paused, allowing the silent threat to fester in the air.
"Think carefully about your wife, think about your two beautiful and lovely daughters, and your youngest son who is still babbling and needs his father's protection."
"You don't even need to consider suicide. Think, what will happen to them?"
"The family of a foresworn, a traitor, even a kinslayer."
"How will they live in this miserable world, burdened by your infamy after your death?"
These words were like a cold chisel, piercing Gales's last line of defense.
Arthur straightened up and gently patted Gales's cold shoulder.
"Become the Lord of Willow Wood City, a Great Lord of the Riverlands, a Great Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, protect your family, preserve your honor, and let the Legge Family's bloodline continue through your branch."
"Or, let you and everything about you become a footnote to the truth I fabricated, letting your wife, daughters, and young son bear the consequences of your foolish choice."
"Ser, accepting my proposal is your only choice."
Gales completely broke down. All his anger, honor, and resistance were crushed by Arthur. In the face of his family's safety, even suicide was impossible and seemed so pale and powerless.
The high wall built with chivalry collapsed at this moment.
He slumped in the chair, holding his head in his hands, his shoulders heaving violently.
Suppressed and desperate sobs escaped from between his fingers, like a wounded beast licking its wounds alone.
Arthur knew he had won.
He turned and walked towards the door, his footsteps exceptionally clear in the silent hall.
At the door, he stopped without turning back, leaving his last two sentences: "Enjoy your breakfast, future Lord of Willow Wood City, Lord Gales Legge."
"A pleasant cooperation, My Lord."
Arthur stood in the open space, breathing the fresh air. Since negotiation was not possible, he had to create someone he could negotiate with. He knew that Gales Legge would eventually accept his proposal, even if he refused.
He still had more options, but they were too ugly and malicious, which would cause serious trouble. He could choose Gales Legge's youngest son, or even eliminate the youngest son along with him, and forcibly marry Gales Legge's eldest daughter.
In Westeros, using inheritance law to gain titles and territories was a common intrigue, widely used among nobles, but such forced marriages through war, bringing such intrigues into the open, was somewhat unheard of at this time.
Lucien's hurried footsteps came from behind him, interrupting his thoughts.
His voice carried a hint of undisguised surprise: "My Lord!"
"Tommen has arrived! He's brought the army from Deep Valley City! They're just outside the city!"
Arthur turned around, raising an eyebrow slightly, also a bit surprised: "So fast?"
In his calculations, Tommen's troops would not arrive until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest.
Lucien took a breath, a flush rising on his face, still recovering from his sprint: "The scout said that as soon as Tommen received your order, he didn't say a word, just set off with his already prepared Deep Valley City army, galloping through the night without stopping!"
This kind of unreserved execution and loyalty made Arthur appreciate the young man even more; he could be heavily relied upon.
Led by Lucien, Arthur arrived at Tommen's temporary encampment outside the city, and the sight before him amazed him even more.
Four hundred soldiers were almost all exhausted and sprawled on the ground.
Some were sound asleep, clutching their long spears, snoring loudly, while others leaned against their backpacks, groaning loudly and rubbing their numb thighs.
It was evident that, as he said, they had traveled without rest, galloping through the night; this forced march had drained their last ounce of strength.
Tommen himself, however, was still energetic. This young man, who had been a bit naive when he first followed him onto the battlefield, had now transformed. He wore a well-fitting chainmail, and although it was covered in mud and grass from the rapid journey, there was an inexplicable heroic aura about him.
His face was full of fatigue, and his eyes were sunken, but when those eyes saw Arthur, they immediately gleamed with a bright light. He ran forward quickly,
His movements were a bit clumsy due to the armor, and he knelt on one knee, saluting Arthur: "Lord Arthur!"
Arthur helped him up, patting the dust off his armor: "Rise, Tommen."
"You and your soldiers have worked hard."
Tommen's voice was loud, and he stood straight, looking at Arthur excitedly: "It is my honor to serve you! My Lord!!!"
After a few more simple flattery remarks, Tommen's expression suddenly became somewhat awkward. He coughed a few times, clearing his throat, seemingly organizing his words.
He carefully chose his words, cautiously observing Arthur's expression: "My Lord… Deep Valley City… Lady Rona…
"She misses you very much, and… from what I've observed, she seems… a little resentful and angry with you."
Rona's charming and mature face appeared in Arthur's mind, and a hint of embarrassment crossed his face. Indeed, he had not visited her. He slowly said: "When this war is over, I will go to Deep Valley City to see her."
Upon receiving this reply, Tommen seemed relieved. Because of his resentment, Lord Arthur had not been visiting, and Lady Rona had driven all of them out of the inner keep, finding ways to torment them, even having Old Nicken withhold their food…
Oh, right, Old Nicken. Tommen then solemnly took out a letter sealed with wax from his embrace: "This is from Steward Old Nicken, he asked me to deliver it to you personally."
Arthur took the letter. The wax seal bore the small tower of the Arthur Family, his family's original sigil. He broke the seal and unfolded the letter.
The contents of the letter brought a rare, genuine, slight smile to his face, and he shook his head.
Most of it was Old Nicken's rambling concerns, reminding him to be safe and take good care of himself.
Then, the old man's penmanship shifted, and he began to urge him to marry and start a family soon, to have heirs for the family and continue the bloodline.
At the end of the letter, Old Nicken's tone became serious and solemn,
He hoped Arthur could quickly reclaim Dreadfort, the family castle left by his father.
"That is your family's true home, not that cave, My Lord. Your ancestors are all buried there. You should let the family's banner fly again where it belongs."
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