King's Landing, The Red Keep.
Roman followed the Servant with a heart full of doubt; Robert had said only he was allowed to come, so Roman had specifically instructed the Harrenhal soldiers and Fili to stay alert for their safety.
The path was exceptionally long, and Roman took the opportunity to observe The Red Keep.
This palace, built after Aegon's Conquest, had weathered hundreds of years of storms. Under the care of many kings, it possessed an ancient charm, yet it also displayed a new vitality everywhere due to the influence of Harrenhal.
Roman thought to himself, 'If it weren't for so many disgusting things happening in this place, The Red Keep would indeed be a suitable place to live.'
But at the thought of Littlefinger, Varys, Pycelle, and the Lannisters, Roman felt a headache coming on.
It was no wonder Robert complained to Eddard after becoming king, saying he wanted to be a mercenary king, riding freely across the Eastern Continent, fighting by day, drinking by night, and sleeping with a decent tavern wench along the way.
After climbing a long flight of stairs, Roman finally arrived at a room with large windows.
Located at a high vantage point, there was no need to worry about defense, so it was built more like a residence than a military fortress.
At a glance, the entire room was luxuriously decorated, with long sofas arranged around a rich wine-red carpet.
Windows built with large panes of glass lit the room brightly.
A huge specialized fireplace burned with charcoal, surrounded by various precious porcelains. Robert and Myrcella sat on the sofa, the sunlight illuminating them clearly.
When Myrcella saw Roman approaching, her small face instantly turned red, while Robert walked toward Roman with a loud laugh.
"You brat, you've finally arrived. We father and daughter have been waiting a long time."
"Isn't it because the place Your Majesty stays is too remote? It took me quite a while just to climb the stairs. Before entering the door, I thought the Father was testing me by making me walk so long."
Robert laughingly pulled Roman onto the sofa and then pointed to Myrcella.
"Myrcella has been wanting to see you all day, but you were just with that fellow Barristan, making her wait quite a while!"
"Princess Myrcella." Roman bowed in greeting.
Roman's ordinary greeting held a special meaning in the princess's eyes at this moment. Myrcella rubbed her fingers shyly and uneasily, somewhat afraid to look at Roman.
"King Robert, you must have something important to discuss with me, otherwise you wouldn't have called me to such a secluded place."
Upon arriving, Roman had used his White Flame Vision to carefully observe the surroundings of the room and found no secret passages; it seemed Robert had been meticulous.
Robert didn't answer directly, but instead beat around the bush:
"Roman, what kind of image does Myrcella have in your heart?"
Roman: Huh??
He looked at Robert, then at the blushing Myrcella, and instantly understood what was about to happen.
But Roman still found it hard to believe; after all, Myrcella was only seven or eight years old. Could a little girl like her understand these things?
Seeing Roman remain silent for a long time, Robert also became somewhat impatient:
"Why are you being so hesitant now, brat? Just say what's on your mind, I grant you immunity!"
Roman had no choice but to voice his thoughts: "The Princess is a clever and brave girl. She can unite her family and maintain the dignity of the royal family to the outside world, and..."
"Stop, stop, stop!" Robert quickly waved his hand to interrupt Roman. "You little rascal! Since when did you learn to say such flattering words to my face? I have enough sycophants around me, I don't need another one!"
The King grabbed the youth's shoulder with his broad and strong hand. Roman was certain that Robert's sobriety was definitely having an effect.
"I'll just say it straight, Roman. Are you willing to take Myrcella as your wife?"
Hearing these words, the princess immediately covered her face with her hands, but she still peeked at Roman through the gaps in her fingers.
Myrcella wanted to see Roman's reaction, but she was afraid he would refuse outright, so she could only watch him in this half-hidden manner.
Roman was also stunned by Robert's blunt proposal. He knew Robert's political instincts were not bad, so these seemingly joking words must have been carefully considered.
'To counterbalance the Lannisters? Or to further stabilize the trade relationship between the iron throne and Harrenhal? Or perhaps to rely on the Hean Family to intervene in the Riverlands?'
Roman thought back and forth but couldn't find the key. He could only ask tentatively:
"Your Majesty, Princess Myrcella is still too young. You should find a son of a Duke of the right age and status. Why come to me?"
Robert grabbed Roman and whispered in his ear: "Because you will truly be good to her. I'll leave the marriage alliances with Dukes to my two sons; for Myrcella, I only hope for her happiness."
"I am not bargaining with you in the name of a King, but discussing it with you as a father."
An alliance with Myrcella could directly pull Harrenhal into the core power circle of Westeros, and Myrcella was also an excellent woman; this proposal had a hundred benefits and not a single harm for Roman.
But Roman saw no calculation of interest in Robert's eyes at this moment. It truly was as he said: a father arranging a marriage for his daughter. Otherwise, Robert would have had no need to bring Myrcella along.
In past alliances, it was common for the man and woman not to see each other once before marriage.
Roman looked into Robert's sincere eyes, then stood up and returned the gesture.
"Your Majesty, it is my honor to be united with the Princess, but this matter is too important. I need to report to Lady Helaena to discuss it together."
Hearing this, Robert and his daughter thought Roman was going to refuse. Disappointed expressions inevitably appeared on their faces, and Myrcella was even on the verge of tears.
But Roman stepped in front of Myrcella, took the princess's tender hand, and planted a kiss on it. Then, he presented a necklace hanging with a milky-white gemstone.
"Princess, I believe Lady Helaena will also agree to the King's proposal. Please forgive my presumption and accept this necklace."
Upon hearing this, Myrcella immediately turned her tears into smiles. She glanced at Robert, and with the King's gratified nod, the princess excitedly gave the necklace back to Roman.
Roman understood the gesture, moved behind Myrcella, and put the engagement necklace on her.
In the time that followed, Robert and Myrcella warmly insisted on Roman staying to enjoy the delicacies of The Red Keep, leaving Roman with a face full of helplessness.
The banquet he had managed to evade before had found him here.
After everything was settled, Roman hurried back to Harrenhal on horseback; he wanted to have a good talk with Lady Helaena.
On the way, Fili sat in the carriage looking at Roman. She already knew about this betrothal; Roman hadn't hidden it at all.
Fili knew this betrothal was an absolute good for Roman and Harrenhal, and Princess Myrcella was an excellent woman who would surely become a virtuous wife and mother in the future.
But Fili felt a blockage in her heart, as if someone had carved a part of her out.
At such close range, Roman also sensed the girl's mood. He silently held Fili tight, wanting to soothe her trembling.
In the end, Fili spoke first: "It's fine, Lord Roman, I'm fine. Your affairs are the most important. Don't have any concerns, I'm fine."
Fili's voice grew smaller as she spoke. Finally, she didn't dare to speak anymore, fearing she would cry.
Roman understood as well. He kissed Fili's lips without hesitation.
"Trust me, Fili. No matter what happens, I am by your side. I will never leave you!"
"Lord Roman!"
The girl finally couldn't hold it back anymore, hugging Roman and weeping loudly.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I'm afraid of losing you, I'm so afraid! I know I shouldn't be like this, I'm not qualified..."
Another kiss. Roman didn't want Fili to continue her internal struggle. He loved Fili, and it didn't matter even if he faced criticism in Westeros in the future.
In Roman's silent embrace, Fili gradually calmed down. Her tears were gently wiped away by Roman, and the two leaned against each other in the carriage, as if time had paused.
Suddenly, Fili's raven let out a sharp cry.
"Jon Arryn has passed away."