Chapter 275

Your Highness, Princess. The maid knocked on the door handle through the bedroom door.

Your Highness, Princess. The maid knocked on the door handle through the bedroom door.

We need to keep 【1】 prefix.

Her husband beneath her was startled by the sudden sound, seeming to want to hide, but the princess gently lifted his face with her hand, holding his purple gaze, and she steadied his confidence with her eyes.

We need to keep names? No specific names.

Excellent.

Translation: Excellent.

The maid waited a moment, then opened the door, keeping her eyes on the floor, afraid to look at them.

Translation: The maid waited a moment, then pushed open the door, her eyes fixed on the floor, not daring to look at them.

Your Highness, the Prince wishes to speak with you. The maid bowed, stole a glance, then spoke carefully.

Translation: "Your Highness the Princess, the Prince requests your presence to speak." The maid bowed, stole a glance, then spoke carefully.

"I have no time," she laughed harshly, then hurriedly shifted, burying her face in her husband's chest, the motion making the little maid bow even lower. "Tell the Prince I'm attending to my husband—I have no time to speak with him; let him wait a bit longer." He isn't good at waiting, wanting to strip me of my inheritance; he doesn't need to be so impatient. Let me keep Quentin a little longer. "If he's too idle, let him go find Cristan; after all, he still has many children."

We need to keep the names Quentin and Cristan. Also, 'little maid' is not a name.

The maid was flustered, nearly crying.

Translation: The maid felt embarrassed, almost about to cry.

"Princess," her little husband said, "go ahead, it's not right to keep the Prince waiting." He braced his hand on her arm, speaking sheepishly.

Translation: "Princess," her little husband said, "go ahead, it's not proper to keep the Prince waiting." His hand supported her arm, he said embarrassedly.

The princess stared at him seriously until he shifted his gaze uneasily.

Translation: The princess looked at him seriously until he uneasy shifted his gaze.

"As you wish, my lord." She wrapped her hand around the little husband's fingers, leaned in, embraced his neck and head, kissed him, feeling something unusual, then she smiled sweetly.

We need to parse: "Yes, my lord." She hooked her arm around the little husband's fingers, bent down, embraced his neck and his head, kissed him, feeling something different, she sweetly smiled.

Better: "As you command, my lord." She hooked her arm around the little husband's fingers, bent down, embraced his neck and head, kissed him; feeling something different, she sweetly smiled.

His face reddened again.

Translation: His face turned red again.

She gave him a kiss, slowly slipped away, casually took a deep purple silk robe, draped it over herself, and headed to the washroom, not forgetting to glance back at him with a smile.

Translation: She bestowed a kiss, slowly slid off him, casually grabbed a deep purple silk robe, draped it over herself, and walked toward the washroom, not forgetting to glance back at him with a smile.

She realized she had overcome the shackles the Prince had sent, and now she must continue her battle against him.

Translation: She understood, having conquered the shackles the Prince sent; now she must continue her struggle against the Prince.

The Prince is too weak.

Translation: The Prince is too weak.

Even if he swiftly and handsomely won the civil war she provoked, he still cowardly spared her life and even gave her a husband she never dared dream of—though he's too young, at least he's not an old man needing a cane, reeking of sourness—she wouldn't think the Prince would kill her, at least not likely, but handing her over to some old man he wants to win over is highly plausible; hasn't he been doing this for years?

Translation: Even if he swiftly and handsomely won this "civil war" she instigated, he still cowardly spared her life and gave her a husband she never dared dream of—though he's too young, at least he's not an old man needing a cane, reeking of sourness—she wouldn't think the Prince would kill her, at least not likely, but handing her over to some old man he wants to win over is highly plausible; hasn't he been arranging this for over a decade?

This is no different from killing her; she has already prepared to die.

Translation: This is no different from killing her; she had already prepared herself to die.

Now she no longer wishes to die.

Translation: Now, she no longer wants to die.

Many of her close comrades have died in droves; moreover, she has doomed several of Uller's sons, her own White Knight, and Fleury's twins—perhaps even Count Franklyn Fleury of Heaven-and-Earth City will hate her for this; the Uller count's heir will now resent her for bringing disaster upon Prison Fortress.

Translation: Many of her close comrades-in-arms have died; moreover, she has implicated several sons of Uller, her own white knight, and the twins of Feller—perhaps the Count Franklin Feller of Tianji City will hate her for this; the heir of the Uller Count will also resent her for bringing calamity to the Prison Fortress.

She must live to atone for this crime.

Translation: She must live on to atone for this sin.

A laughable war.

Translation: A laughable war.

She believed the Dark Star's recruits were all as brave as he, but when Sir Damian Shade— not the man who took her virginity—led his troops, they began to flee; she thought Prison Fortress was impregnable, yet when the Prince's great army arrived, the traitors flung open the gates and captured her and her followers in one sweep.

Translation: She thought the recruits of the Dark Star were all as brave as he, but upon encountering Sir Damian Shade—not the one who took her virginity—leading the army, they began to rout; she thought the Prison Fortress impregnable, yet when the Prince's great army arrived, the traitors flung open the castle gates, ensnaring her and her followers in one net.

We need to keep the names Dark Star, Sir Damian Shade, Prison Fortress, and Prince.

She watched Princess Miserla trembling as she presented the queen's golden crown she had made for her to the victor—she had lavished much thought on that crown, yet she had held back from engraving the sun spear, lion, stag, and other beasts of the Seven Kingdoms upon it, so that it could be regarded as the true queen of the Seven Kingdoms.

Translation: She saw Princess Miserla trembling as she offered the queen's golden crown she had forged for her to the victor—she had lavished much thought on that crown, carving the sun spear, lion, stag, and other beasts of the Seven Kingdoms upon it, so as to deem this the true queen of the Seven Kingdoms.

We need to keep the name Princess Miserla. Also, 'Seven Kingdoms' should be translated.

She also saw Sir Andre Datt and other titled heirs or knights being placed one by one into cages and escorted behind her convoy back to Yangji City. Meanwhile, the landless wanderers Gelin, Todd, Ape, and Ober of the Green Blood River, lacking any title, were beheaded before her eyes amid her screams, their bodies tossed carelessly onto the red rock.

Translation: She also saw Sir Andre Datt and other titled heirs or knights placed one by one into cages, following her convoy back to Yangji City. Meanwhile, the landless wanderers—Gelin, Todd, Ape, and Ober of the Green Blood River—without any titles, were beheaded before her eyes amid their screams, their bodies casually tossed onto the red stone cliffs.

We need to keep the names Sir Andre Datt, Yangji City, and Green Blood River. Also, the personal names Gelin, Todd, Ape, and Ober should be rendered as Gelin, Todd, Ape, Ober.

Since that day she has lost her vigor.

Translation: From that day on, she lost her vigor.

She wasn't locked in a cage, but if she were confined to the carriage and not allowed out, calling it a cage would be no issue.

Translation: She wasn't locked in a cage, but if confined to the sedan carriage and not allowed out, calling it a cage would be no problem.

She lay in her own "cage" and slept desperately, hoping to wake and find everything an illusion, that the tragedy never happened, yet the gloomy carriage constantly reminded her that the situation was all too real.

Translation: She lay in her "cage" and slept desperately, hoping to wake and find everything an illusion, the tragedy never having happened; yet the dim carriage constantly reminded her that the matter was all too real.

Throughout the return to Yangji City, aside from the sound of turning wheels, she heard almost nothing else. The Prince had pulled her out of the army and transported her alone; otherwise the journey would not have been so quiet.

Translation: Throughout the return to Yangji City, aside from the sound of turning wheels, she hardly heard any other noise. The Prince had pulled her out of the great army and arranged solitary transport; otherwise the journey would not have been so quiet.

We need to keep the name Yangji City.

Occasionally the cries of flocks flying overhead startled her greatly, and later in her dreams a vulture would appear flying to the corpses of Gelin and others, feasting gleefully.

Translation: Occasionally the cries of passing flocks of birds startled her greatly, and thereafter in her dreams a vulture would appear flying to the corpses of Gelin and company, feasting heartily.

Names: Gelin. Also maybe 'vulture'.

Sometimes, horrifying scenes appear in her dreams, startling her awake.

Translation: Occasionally, too horrifying a scene would appear in her dreams, causing her to start awake.

No one spoke to her. She didn't realize then that the soldiers keeping her company were knights from Starfall City, assigned to guard her—and they were her little husband.

Translation: No one spoke to her. At that time she didn't yet know that the soldiers accompanying her were knights of Xingzhui City, tasked with guarding her, namely her little husband.

Names: Starfall City.

Indeed, who else could be so conscientious, tasked with protecting her safety and keeping her from being snatched by other rebels? The prince had the boy carry out his duty well. Too bad she hadn't noticed any of this then; otherwise, she could have used the boy to flee together to Starfall City.

Translation: Indeed, who else could fulfill duty, protect her safety, prevent her from being snatched by other rebels? The Prince had the youth carry out his duty well. Too bad, at the time she hadn't observed these; otherwise she could certainly have used this youth, escaping together with him to Xingzhui City.

She rummaged through the wardrobe looking for a suitable outfit, discarding one garment after another.

Translation: She searched the wardrobe for suitable attire, taking off one garment after another.

The weather in Dorn is hot, so she favors loose clothing. Perhaps she should choose a sheer, long‑sleeved thin shirt, so the prince can see that her daughter is already a mature woman, not a little girl still lingering in his cradle.

Translation: The weather in Dorn is hot, so she prefers loose clothing. Perhaps she should choose a sheer long-split thin shirt, letting the Prince see as well that her daughter is already a mature woman, not a child still lingering in his cradle.

Names: Dorn, Prince.

But this undoubtedly provoked the prince.

Translation: But this undoubtedly provoked the Prince.

He would never expect his daughter to dress so revealingly, looking like a prostitute. She threw aside the thin shirt. If Lady Talley were also in Yangji City, it would be best not to let her think her daughter‑in‑law looked like a wanton woman.

Translation: He would never expect his daughter to dress so revealingly, looking like a harlot. She tossed aside the thin shirt. If Lady Talley were also in Yangji City, it would be best not to let her feel her daughter-in-law looked like a wanton woman.

Names: Lady Talley, Yangji City.

She tried on a tight‑fitting robe, but the fabric clung to her, making it hard to breathe; perhaps the prince liked this garment, just as he liked making his children struggle for breath.

Translation: She tried on a tight-fitting robe, but the fabric clung to her, making it hard to breathe; perhaps the Prince liked this garment, just as he liked making his own children gasp for air.

She then selected from the wardrobe a half‑sleeved orange‑red riding outfit, black long leather riding pants, and boots; the ensemble showed off her figure while remaining casual, and she didn't want to dress like a nun, weeping and admitting fault at the prince‑father's knee.

Translation: Thus she selected from the wardrobe a half-sleeved orange-red riding outfit and black long leather riding pants and boots; this ensemble could show off her figure while being casual enough, and she didn't want to dress like a nun, weeping and confessing error at her father‑the‑Prince's knee.

Names: Prince. Also maybe "Prince's father" means the Prince's father, i. e., the King? But we keep it as "father‑the‑Prince". Could also be "the Prince's father". We'll translate it as "the Prince's father". Actually the phrase "He wept and admitted fault at the knee of the Prince's father" means "weeping and admitting fault at the knee of his father the Prince". So father of the Prince? Actually "Prince's father" could be read as "the Prince's father". So we translate: "at the knee of the Prince's father". We'll keep that.

Her outfit is passable. If she insists on seeing Lady Talley, she had better demonstrate her health and vitality; the riding attire undoubtedly does so, for the Talley family are vigorous hunters and the lady would surely praise it. Likewise, it shows the prince that she has not been defeated and will not yield to him—if he tries to force her to give up her inheritance, she will rise in resistance.

Translation: The attire will do. If she must see Lady Talley, she had best display her health and vigor; the riding outfit undoubtedly demonstrates this, the Talley family being keen hunters, the lady would surely approve; likewise, this could show the Prince she has not been defeated nor will she surrender—if he insists on forcing her to relinquish her inheritance rights, she will retaliate.

Names: Lady Talley, Talley family, Prince.

She followed the guards past the pavilions of Yangji City.

Translation: She followed the guards past the pavilions of Yangji City.

Sunlight broke through the clouds, revealing a bright, clear day.

Translation: Sunlight broke through the clouds, revealing a bright, clear day.

She lifted her gaze to the attendants watching her from both sides, adopting her usual relaxed demeanor; she would not let anyone think she was the prince's prisoner.

Translation: She lifted her gaze to the attendants watching her from both sides, adopting her usual relaxed demeanor. She would not let anyone think she was the Prince's prisoner.

The guards escorted her into the Spear Tower; without hesitation she passed through two light curtains and saw the Dorn prince standing and gazing at the pavilion.

Translation: The guards escorted her into the Spear Tower; without hesitation she lifted two light curtains and saw the Dorn Prince standing gazing at the pavilion.

Names: Spear Tower, Dorn Prince.

His guard Aelioheta stood outside the pavilion, tall as a pillar, yet the great axe in his hand was even more terrifying.

Translation: His guard Aelioheta stood outside the pavilion, tall as a pillar, yet the great axe in his hand was even more terrifying.

Name: Aelioheta. Should be pinyin: Aelioheta.

Upon seeing Arlen enter, he turned and silently gazed at her.

Translation: Upon seeing Arlen enter, he turned and silently regarded her.

Name: Arlen. Should be pinyin: Arlen.

"My little princess," he said, but his eyes were full of sorrow, worry, and an expression she couldn't understand.

Translation: "My little princess," he said, but his eyes were full of sorrow, worry, and an expression she couldn't comprehend.

Was she still a princess? She wasn't quite sure, but those words undoubtedly steadied her heart. She nodded in thanks, then walked toward the prince.

Translation: "Am I still a princess?" she wasn't quite sure, but those words undoubtedly steadied her heart. She nodded in thanks, then walked toward the Prince.

She wanted to kneel beside the prince, kiss his hand, weep bitterly, and confess her mistake; but seeing this man tormented by illness, silent and reserved, she felt anger rise and forgot her rehearsed performance.

Translation: She wanted to kneel beside the Prince, kiss his hand, weep bitterly, confess her faults; yet seeing this man tormented by illness, silent and reserved, she felt anger rise and forgot her rehearsed performance.

She had learned how to deal with any man, yet she had not learned how to deal with her father—how unfortunate.

Translation: She had learned to deal with any man, yet hadn't learned how to face her father. Truly unfortunate.

"You have made a grave mistake," she heard the prince say.

Translation: "You have committed a great mistake," she heard the Prince say.

A grave mistake—what a fine way to begin. Do fathers everywhere like to speak this way when educating their children?

Translation: A great mistake—what a fine beginning. Do fathers everywhere like to speak this way when educating their children?

Her mistake was the traitorous confidant; if the gates of Prison Fortress were kept tightly shut, even if the Dark Star and Uller's son were defeated horribly, she could still waste time there with the prince's army; perhaps, after the prince's death, she could rule all as Princess of Dorn, letting the disputes be resolved.

Translation: Her mistake was the traitor among her confidants; if she had kept the Prison Fortress gates tightly shut, even if the Dark Star and Uller's sons were defeated miserably, she could still have wasted the Prince's great army there, perhaps waiting until the Prince's death to rule all as Duchess of Dorn, ending the strife.

Names: Prison Fortress, Dark Star, Uller, Prince, Princess of Dorn. Also "resolve the disputes" meaning "resolve the disputes". We'll translate accordingly.

"Yes, I have made a grave mistake; how do you intend to punish me?" the princess scoffed, "Make Count Dane a widower? That arrangement of yours is excellent."

Translation: "Yes, I have committed a great mistake; how do you intend to punish me?" the Princess sneered, "Make Count Dane a widower? Your arrangements are splendid."

Names: Count Dane. Also "Princess". We'll keep as Princess.

The prince pressed his lips together, seemingly unprepared for her reaction; at this moment he scrutinized her in silence.

Translation: The Prince's lips pressed tight, as if he hadn't anticipated her reaction; at this moment he scrutinized her in silence.

She felt anger again. Silence was his way of educating her, and she knew it all too well.

Translation: She felt anger again. Silence is his method of education; she knows it all too well.

"Or perhaps you could just bury my "great mistake" in your heart, since you're the most tolerant—you can endure and forgive anyone who offends you or the Martell family, and you could do the same for your daughter, right?"

Translation: "Or perhaps you could just bury my 'great mistake' in your heart, after all you're the most tolerant; you can endure and forgive anyone who offends you or the Martell family—surely you can do the same for your daughter!"

Names: Martell family.

"Watch your words, Arlen," the prince said, turning the armrest, "Don't try to test my patience. You've done such a wrong thing and have not the slightest remorse. Perhaps I am truly mistaken, or perhaps I ought to punish you."

Translation: "Mind your words, Arlen," the Prince turned the armrest, "don't try to test my patience. Having done such a wrong, you have not a shred of remorse. Perhaps I am truly mistaken, or perhaps I ought to punish you."

Names: Arlen, Prince.

"Punishment? Haven't you punished me enough?" she said, heartbroken, almost crying, "I was brought back by your troops from Prison Fortress; no one spoke to me, no one told me what was happening outside…" Apart from the little husband, "Come tell me, over this long time, how many times have you seen me? How many times have you talked to me? Not once, not once! I'm wondering, just how long do you intend to torment me before you're satisfied?"

Translation: "Punishment? Haven't you punished me enough?" she almost cried out in anguish, "I was brought back by your army from the Prison Fortress, no one spoke to me, no one told me what was happening outside……" besides the little husband, "you come tell me, over this long time, how many times have you seen me? How many times have you talked with me? Not once, not once! I wonder how long you intend to torment me before you're satisfied."

Names: Prison Fortress, little husband. We'll keep as little husband.

"I hope you reflect on your mistake."

Translation: "I hope you reflect on your mistake."

"I was wrong. I told you "I was wrong"—is that what you expected?" she finally burst into tears, "I knew nothing, and you just handed me over to a stranger—isn't that punishment?" She began wiping her tears, trying to appear strong, "I am the Princess of Dorn; my marriage—you only arranged it in a small chapel, with only clerics and your guards attending—not even you were present. Do you know how much I wished you would appear at the last moment of my wedding, how much I wished Quentin would escort my hand to my husband? I've had enough of your insults."

Translation: "I was wrong. I told you 'I was wrong'—is that what you expected?" she finally burst into tears, "I knew nothing, yet you handed me over to a strange man—isn't that punishment?" She began wiping her tears, trying to appear stronger: "I am the Princess of Dorn; my marriage, you merely arranged it in a small chapel, only clerics and your guards attended—indeed you didn't even show up—do you know how much I wished you would appear at the last moment of my wedding, how much I hoped Quentin would escort my hand to my husband? I've had enough of your insults toward me."

Names: Princess of Dorn, Quentin. Also "small chapel". We'll translate as small chapel.

"Insult?" the prince looked at her in shock.

I am the eldest granddaughter of Princess Alyssa Nymeros Martell, I am your eldest daughter and Dorne's heir—how can you humiliate me like this?

Quentin is not at Sunspear now, nor in Dorne… As for the wedding's scale, the grand weddings of the Seven Kingdoms right now are just jokes; I don't intend to repeat past mistakes, making the wedding attendees complicated. And the Dayne family is not a vain one; Lady Dayne also fully agrees… Moreover, don't forget, you are the criminal who instigated rebellion; the war just ended, you cannot expect me to still hold a grand wedding for you—this would be an insult to the families who suffered losses because of you." He wore a stern expression, not allowing her any resistance; after a while he slowly said, "I have done all I can to find a suitable marriage partner for you; you should be grateful…

For example, those old men who are about to die?

Those old men are just a smokescreen. You are the Princess of Dorne, your age is advancing, you must have a betrothal; otherwise the Lion will suspect me—you and others already have betrothals, this is what I wanted to hide from the Stag and the Lion.

The other old man.

He is quite young, about your age.

Who is he?

The Mad King's younger son. I wanted to use this betrothal, when the time is right, to launch a counterstrike against the Stag and the Lion, to repay years of hatred; however, your betrothed suddenly died, making this betrothal unenforceable. Upon receiving the news, I have to reconsider for you.

You should have told me earlier.

I'm sorry, your entourage is full of loose-lipped companions, and you yourself is rather careless—forgive me for saying so—but in short, you cannot keep a secret, and neither can your companions—otherwise the Black Cells would not have fallen so easily into my hands.

She felt a bit embarrassed.

So, I have done my best to find a suitable match for you—his teeth are intact, his body healthy—you must have felt that already—he is of noble birth, his family wealthy, his connections deep. More importantly, he is full of vitality and has a strong sense of justice. He is brave, loyal and kind—these are not empty words, nor are they just empty titles based on surname; he has proven these through his experience. After the war, surviving men are dwindling; this is already the best I can do for you.

Just a boy.

A boy. I've heard reports that you like this boy.

She finally felt her face flush.

So, you want me to marry a boy and call it a reward? Have you forgotten my surname?

"Nymeros Martell," he said softly, "I haven't forgotten; it's you I've forgotten. Your foolish rebellion has almost ruined this name's reputation, and I will lose honor over it, paying the price for your stupidity.

"This name was already disgraced when my sister, my aunt Princess Elia, died!" Arianne retorted, "But you don't care, do you? You only care about your own reputation…

The prince's face darkened.

I love my brothers and sisters no less than you do—or rather, you have never loved your own siblings." He began to cough lightly; it was clear he was enduring pain.

At last, Arianne thought, he is finally going to bring up Quentin, finally going to mention the succession.

Arianne closed her mouth, hoping to ease his pain a little, yet astonished at his viciousness in being able to make such a decision with a clear conscience.

You summoned me just to say this?

This world is always full of regrets." He picked up the letter in his hand and gestured to her. She had already noticed the letter.

"The document stripping me of my inheritance?" she gave a bitter smile, reaching out to take it.

You're overthinking it; it seems your little husband hasn't told you the news. Ah, this again proves he's someone who can keep a secret." He gazed deeply at her, "Open the letter and have a look.

She opened the letter. "Who is Aegon VI?"

Someone you might think is not a boy." The prince looked at her, "He claims to be the child of Princess Elia and Rhaegar Targaryen, the infant rumored to have been slain by Gregor Clegane." The prince seemed to see her doubt, "The first letter I received was his proclamation of conquest sent to all realms, arrogant and rude; I didn't pay much heed—at that time he claimed to have taken Storm's End, and I took a long while to verify the truth.

Why give me the letter?

You are the Princess of Dorne. From another angle, you are also the protagonist of this letter; read on, he is asking for Dorne's help and hinting at the possibility of a marriage between you and him.

That shows your patience isn't enough; otherwise I would still be unmarried.

Don't provoke me, Arianne.

So you want me to abandon my husband and go to Aegon VI's bed? Am I a prostitute?

He looked at her as if she were a stranger.

Of course not, I'm not asking you to go to his bed… If his identity is true, he is also Elia's child, which is at least some comfort. I have already sent people to make contact; originally this task would have been best for you to undertake, but you are already married, and Lady Dayne won't let you go adventuring.

Adventure. She immediately thought of a good idea.

You could order Ser Andrey Datt and the Sand Snakes to go together to the Stormlands to investigate his true identity. To earn your forgiveness, they would surely strive." This was the only way for her remaining companions to gain freedom.

That's also an idea, but I'm sorry." The prince said flatly, "There are many things you don't understand." Whose fault is that? "Obara died in the mob for your foolish cause, and we will send Andrey Datt's head to the Iron Throne as punishment for his treason, while the other Sand Snakes—frankly speaking—are not suited for this task.

Andrey Datt? He's already dead?

Yes. To protect your honor, he voluntarily took all the blame. In outside rumors, he used your trust in him to kidnap you, together with the white knight, to support Princess Myrcella's coronation, and he used you to threaten me into agreeing with his actions.

She felt a strong bitterness.

You don't really think rebellion has no consequences, do you? Someone—someone you love—will pay the price for your foolish actions.

Ha ha, the people I love…" She felt angry again—if it weren't for the prince trying to strip her of her inheritance, if it weren't for his excessive patience, how would she have crowned Myrcella? "What have you paid then? Just heartache? I see you looking heartbroken every day.

I have lost my honor.

Damn honor.

I had to annul a marriage and kill the person I swore to protect.

She felt a chill run through her body.

Who?

Princess Myrcella." The prince glanced faintly at the small garden outside, a light breeze stirring his gray-and-white hair, making him look quite ordinary. "Ser Manderly has already taken a company of cavalry, bearing the rebels' heads—I left Princess Myrcella's corpse whole—and is heading to King's Landing to atone, while Ser Qiongen Toland, who followed him, will turn toward Storm's End to investigate this Aegon VI's background.