Chapter 284

"Is this chair comfortable?" The princess, looking at the servants and transmigrated nobles walking back and forth beneath the seats, whispered to Count Dane.

"I feel it's too high." Edric blushed a little, unaccustomed to the current atmosphere, "Why must I sit in this chair engraved with the sun? Isn't the sun supposed to represent Nymeria?"

"My father, Prince Doran, sat in this chair engraved with a spear motif," she glanced at the boy beside her and replied wearily, "Since I have inherited Dorne from him, I should also sit in the chair he used."

"But you are a woman, you should sit in the chair representing Nymeria, and I, being male, should sit in yours," the boy leaned slightly closer to her, "My mother said that your grandmother once ruled Dorne from this very chair of mine, and I have never seen Prince Doran sit in yours."

"You haven't seen him sit in any chair—I warn you, I am your wife, and even more, your liege lord," the princess teased sweetly at Count Dane, stealing a glance at Lady Tally downstairs, "Boy, if you ever mention 'my mother said' again in my presence, I will make you regret it."

The news of Prince Doran's death had not yet spread throughout Dorne, but she could no longer wait to take the throne.

To avoid any mishap, she waited only for a few lords to arrive before announcing the succession ceremony.

She could first ascend the throne, then wait for the remaining lords to come and swear fealty.

"What should I say then? No one has told me which seat your grandmother sat in."

"You should say 'my queen says' or 'my princess says'; anything else is wrong," she suddenly laughed, drawing considerable attention, but she was happy to let people see her intimate chat with her young husband, "Do you understand?"

"But I feel it's shameful to sit in Nymeria's seat. Everyone knows it's a woman's seat."

"Shut up." The princess disliked such talk, "My grandmother once held me while sitting in the chair I now occupy, whereas at that time your mother, Lady Tally, was hunting in the borderlands or sewing some cloth! How could she know so much? Listen, just because you have an extra spear doesn't mean you can sit in the spear's seat." She pulled her young husband's shoulder and whispered, "When no one's around, you can sit wherever you like, even beside me."

Count Dane's face flushed instantly. The princess straightened her seat, lifted her chin proudly, and looked down contemptuously at the hall below.

After that came the lengthy oath of fealty procedure.

She listened to each vassal swear fealty before her.

Prince Doran said that the Martells had long suppressed and weakened the borderland vassals—Blamon, Manwude, Fower, Weir, Ilynwood… well, under her ravens, even the counts of those houses could only leave their estates and come to Sunspear to pledge allegiance to her.

She would remember what they said before her, especially Earl Ilynwood. He is Quentin's foster father; if Quentin ever tried to rely on Prince Doran's letters to claim rights from her, he had best remember his oath.

"Your father, Doran Nymeros Martell, is a strong and great man," said Earl Ilynwood, "He has always maintained enthusiasm and an indescribable resolve for Dorne's great endeavor. The Dornish nature is fully displayed in him; if one must describe it, 'unbending and unyielding' is his best motto."

Ilynwood's words practically made her want to laugh.

His motto should be 'indecisive', his great endeavor should be 'silent and few words', and his persistent enthusiasm lies in relentlessly denying her everything.

"My dear earl," Princess Arianne said with a seductive smile, cutting him off, "The one seated before you is not Prince Doran; his corpse has sunk into the eternal green blood river alongside his mother, father, and ancestors—that is the proper place for your eulogy."

The earl looked at her with a puzzled expression.

She could only offer him a gentler smile. "What I need is Ilynwood's oath, not a eulogy for my father, Prince Doran." Hearing herself say that, she continued, "What I need is, when I move against the Lannisters, the Tyrells, and all other enemies"—she placed the emphasis on the last part—"to launch an attack, Ilynwood will give his full support; I need him to steadfastly say 'We Guard the Way' when I and my descendants are besieged by foes."

As she spoke, she realized that no matter how well she controlled her expression or how bright her smile, the sorrow and stiffness in her tone could not be well concealed.

Her young husband smiled innocently, but his Tally mother already smirked at her, and the other lords present seemed to be hiding their expressions, remaining silent.

Earl Ilynwood burst out laughing.

The earl was a tall, formidable man with slightly graying hair; though aged, he was strong and sturdy, now looking like a brave warrior. She couldn't help but wonder, if this man suddenly launched an assault on her, who could save her? Or, when he led a great army behind Quentin, who could be a worthy opponent for such a valiant commander?

"Your Highness Princess, I seem to see Nymeria's grace in you." He bowed his lips, knelt on one knee, "Just as my father passed away and I spoke to your father Prince Doran thus—I, blood of the noble, guardian of the Stone Road, Earl of Ilynwood, solemnly swear fealty to the lawful ruler of Sunspear, heir of House Nymeros Martell: when you have need, I will clear brush and cut stone for you; when you sit peacefully on your throne, I will guard the vital passes and keep enemies at bay. We Guard the Way, the Way is set, the road is peaceful."

"In the name of Nymeros Martell, I have heard your oath. Please rise, Earl." Her eyes never left the earl, yet he kept a compliant smile, learning from the preceding earls as he returned to his seat.

At that moment she took her young husband's hand, and together they rose from their seats.

"By my side are the blood of the noble, guardian of the Rushflow River, guardian of the Dawn, and Edric Dane, Earl of Dane of Starfall." She lifted her young husband's hand and announced to the guests below, "Our marriage was arranged by Prince Doran and Lady Dane of House Tally, witnessed by many knights and lords," she seemed to see Earl Ilynwood mocking, "I shall rule Dorne together with the man at my side."

At that moment, Earl Dane released her hand and knelt on one knee before her.

"I, Edric Dane of House Dane, swear deathless fealty to the woman before me—Princess of House Nymeros Martell, ruler of Sunspear, Dorne's co‑monarch, my Nymeria, my love." He clasped her right hand with both hands and gently kissed it.

"Rise, my love." She saw the light shining in the boy's eyes, "Just as Nymeria united with the Dawn Sword Ser Davos Dane, I hope our descendants can rule Dorne as theirs did, governing Sunspear and Starfall as they did."

The hall then burst into enthusiastic applause.

The violinists and singers began to play and sing lively songs and accompaniment.

She waited a while, then reached out, and the sound in the hall abruptly ceased.

"We once swore fealty to Robert Baratheon, and this custom has endured; we have followed his sons and daughters," hoping no one would notice the word "daughters," "but the usurper Robert and his children are dead, and his brother has no claim to share the late king Robert's glory. I will not pledge allegiance to the lone‑island Stannis." She swept her gaze over all the lords, vassals, knights, and soldiers, even the serving servants, "Tell everyone that Dorne will return to the state left by Queen Nymeria—my meaning is clear: the wars and clamor of the Seven Kingdoms will have nothing to do with us anymore."

The hall duly filled with murmured conversation.

"The Iron Throne will soon receive my letter; if their eyes are not faulty, the signature will read 'Andals, Rhoynar, and First Men, and the Queen of Dorne'."

"Long live the Queen of Dorne!" her young husband stepped before her, knelt, and then shouted excitedly.

Afterward came the lords and knights of the hall.

As she waited for the final unified shout, terrified cries and near‑uncontrollable chaos erupted outside the city.

As she charged out in anger, with many counts and knights bursting from the hall, a golden dragon landed on Sandship Fort.

The dragon's roar and hiss caused tremors everywhere, and mice, rarely seen usually, scurried out from every corner.

Arianne was both shocked and frightened, gripping Edric's hand tightly.

Though young, her husband's conduct surpassed that of many astonished, shouting lords.

"Someone is on the dragon," Earl Dane whispered, taking her hand.

"Gods!" she heard the servants shout, "That's Prince Quentin! Prince Quentin is riding the dragon!" She could hear the servants' excitement.

Arianne felt her whole body trembling—not from fear, but from utter rage. She turned, dragged the bewildered Earl Dane into the inner chamber, and then harshly ordered her newly appointed captain of the guard, William Wells.

"What?" Wells said, somewhat doubtful and uncomprehending.

"You heard my words," she snarled, "Without my permission, Earl Ilynwood is not to leave Sunspear by even a single step."

After repeating the order, she actually felt quite fearful, wondering idly, if Alleras hadn't gone to seek her mother, would he question her command?

After William received the order and departed, she turned and clung tightly to her royal consort.