Chapter 274

"Are you a virgin?" The princess slipped off her sheer gauze robe, striking a pose she thought would be attractive to men, and asked the boy beside her. Seeing him shrink back, she smiled smugly, "You've never touched a girl, never practiced kissing games?"

The boy had a head of platinum-blond hair and deep blue, almost violet, large eyes, which were quite noticeable even in the light.

Under her relentless questioning, his face turned bright red.

The princess slowly drew near, lifted her arm, and gently reached out to cradle his chin, feeling his face flush hot; she chuckled, sensing a slight lift in her fatigue after days of weariness.

He struggled a bit, but touching her hand made him even more shy.

In the candlelight she saw the faint down on his cheeks. Truly youthful, he looked younger than her brother Prince Crystdan, yet his demeanor held a maturity she couldn't fathom; however, his composure clearly did not extend to facing the situation before him.

This is the husband her father, Prince Doran, found for her, who will someday rule Dorne alongside her.

Prince Doran finally agreed to discard those old men whose teeth had all fallen out, and send her a husband who wouldn't die before her.

The person before her is simply too young; obviously this is another round of torment from the prince, but did the prince overlook that old men turn to ash with time, while a boy can grow into a real man?

Ah, poor prince, all he can do is send a child over to placate her—thinking he is the same age as her youngest brother, she feels even more contempt for her father.

Though the boy before her is young, he bears a surname that commands her respect; his appearance at least matches that name—silver hair, violet eyes, and fair skin, just as hers matches the Martells.

The boy's skin is clean, not the complexion typical of Dornish people; indeed, Starfall City is itself the most distinctive place in Dorne, its lords having a different complexion from other Dornish lords—perhaps not easy to grasp—but they lie near the riverlands, interact with them more often, yet remain firmly Dornish, which makes them rather special.

She knew Prince Doran was finally beginning to take her seriously.

But marrying her to such a young boy—is it to keep her from being so impatient, to soothe—using the prince's words—her restless heart? Or perhaps to let her bear an heir later, giving her brother Quentin a better chance to rule Dorne?

No, my good father, whatever you give me, I will take.

I will never neglect your guests, nor your good son-in-law, and I will not let the Dayne family have the slightest grievance.

Once a woman has her first menstruation she can bear children; when do men's seeds mature?

The princess tried to see in her young husband's face the likeness of the Dark Star, Jerold Dayne, and to imagine the legendary handsome man "Dawn's Sword," Arthur Dayne, but the more she looked, the less she saw any resemblance—that Dark Star's face was chiseled like axe and knife, with sharp lines, his deep blue eyes dangerous and lascivious, while the boy's face before her was clear and smooth, his violet eyes steadfast and calm, like a deep spring.

She doesn't dislike it; perhaps the boy will grow to resemble that Dawn's Sword.

"No..." he said shyly.

If Dawn's Sword were here in this situation, I hope he wouldn't say no.

The princess jested, refusing to believe him. Since childhood he has been the heir of a great noble house; no woman with eyes would pass up such fresh meat.

"Never? Like this..." she said, pulling off the lace draped over her—something the Kingsguard knight Ser Arys Oakheart liked, and Alayne could see it in her lover's eyes.

Look, this is what experience means.

She placed both hands on the boy's face, feeling him tremble slightly.

"Surely no maid ever sneaked naked into your bed at midnight?" She didn't know whether Quentin had ever been with a girl at this age, but her other brother had done far more outrageous things when he was even younger.

The maid who took her brother's virginity later vanished from her sight, and Prince Crystdan had stayed honest ever since.

She wouldn't bother the prince with such trivialities—his mind is occupied with big matters!

Moreover, it must be said that Prince Doran has always been strict with his children. Too bad his legs restrict his vision, so he can't watch her like a Dornish viper. And whenever the prince picks for her a match old enough to be her grandfather, she can't help but choose a suitable man, letting him taste what a Dornish woman's daughter is like to the prince.

"No... I went to Black Harbor with my aunt when I was seven..." he swallowed, unable to say anything more.

"So even now you've never really tried?" She lifted his head. Though she is petite, she is at least a grown woman, and in this situation she realized she could learn some of the moves men use to tease her.

"Your hand can go wherever you want; you're my husband, haven't you forgotten? You draped a cloak over me. Or do you just not know what to do?" His face reddened further. This poor boy, she felt guilty. "Didn't your mother teach you?"

"No!" the boy shook his head, embarrassed. "I don't need my mother to teach me."

"So you like boys?" Many noblemen have that inclination, but as long as it's not exclusive, it's fine.

She pressed her unforgettable lips to his cheek and ear.

She didn't need an answer; her hand had already found it for her.

Look, Father, I've long been ready to know how to be a good wife—you should have realized that sooner.

The next day, she and her young husband slept together until noon on a bed tangled with silk.

She had ordered that no one disturb her, yet by noon no one had knocked, nor had a single servant brought even a scrap—they obeyed the order, indeed no one disturbed her. She didn't know whether the servants were heeding her command or the prince's.

If not for hunger, she would truly want to open the window, listen to the rain continue, or have someone keep listening to her voice.

She rose from the bed, dragging a silk sash to the window, opened it, and saw the distinctive towers of Sunspear.

The prince might be there.

The towers were submerged in water mist.

Rain dripped from the eaves with a patter, occasional breezes blew in through the window, and she had to admit the weather was just right.

She poured a full cup of wine from the porcelain jar inlaid with the Starfall sword motif and drank it to ease her hunger.

She turned her head with the cup in hand, only to find the boy sideways, staring at her; she inexplicably felt shy, yet she smiled, met his gaze, and slowly opened her arms.

While he is young, let him commit everything to memory—that is the queen's scheme.

From his gaze she could also see the scheme taking effect, just as she had used it on the White Knight.

However, the White Knight has only his own strength, so slight that he still chooses to squander it on the battlefield. The Daynes are different—Dayne represents Starfall City; if the prince dares to revoke her succession, the entire Westeros will become unstable.

How can the prince want to be a good father while also being a harsh and selfish lord?

Does he think giving her a ridiculous marriage will end her claim? Doesn't he realize marriage will only make Starfall City her support, and a liability for Quentin?

He wants to be a good father, yet he keeps hurting his children's hearts.

Her husband is the count of Starfall City; she will use every ounce of her strength to defend her rightful interests.

Obviously she will leash him, put a halter on his head, make him follow her direction, pull the cart at the speed she demands. As for the actual mistress of Starfall City, Lady Talley, she will also persuade her, as long as she still wants her children and her bloodline to rule Dorne.

Humph, letting me marry a child of Starfall City—this is your greatest mistake, Father.