98 Marriage alliances

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POV of Wilhelm, seventh moon 284 AC

The trip had been quite long because I had to travel by carriage and not on the back of my horse as I was used to, which had drastically increased the time we had to invest in the trip for this feast, Maximilian had done his job and had achieved what he had requested, now there will be six tournaments instead of the traditional three which will allow us to make some propaganda, the Westerosis also have many military roots due to the feudal nature of their government, and they have that tendency to admire great warriors.

I was well received by lord Arryn who came personally to receive me, where I consulted him a little about how Robert's government has progressed, and the truth is that the kingdom seems to heal, but it does not progress, especially in King's landing, the city when we left it the streets were clean and the behaviors that the inhabitants of the city had with dirtying the streets had been kindly eradicated, but currently everything returned to normal and with it the diseases that are in the city.

Considering that the population of the city increased because of the war, since the little people were looking to escape from the continuous attacks of the nobles who were looking for loot to profit from the war, leaving the city quite full, many people live in complete misery, since there are not enough houses for the people, and they must be content to sleep in the streets full of filth and rats.

Finally, I arrived at the red keep to give my greetings to Robert, who was waiting for me in the throne room. 

I made my bow, accompanied by my men and fiancée.

''Ah Wilhelm, my friend, no need for such formalities, tell me how life has treated you'' said Robert, rising from the throne and coming to greet me.

''Life has been kind to me, the reach is slowly coming back into the fold and the construction work continues to move forward, soon there will be several cities on the mander river, obviously with your permission'' I said, smiling and shaking Robert's hand

''Bah, don't worry about such stupidities, now tell me... who is the lovely young lady accompanying you'' Robert said without much importance and then looked at Janna

''Janna tyrell your majesty, I am lord Hohenzollern's fiancée'' Janna answered, bowing.

''A tyrell, eh?, I suppose it has to do with keeping the reach stable?'', asked Robert as he took the cup from his cup bearer.

''That's right king Robert to unite the reach the new and old dynasty had to unite or there would be a long conflict to see who stays in power and considering the faith of the seven has already made things difficult enough, it was the best option'' I said with a kind tone.

''Well you were lucky, that girl is adorable, it's just seeing her how she sticks to you, not like Cersei. That woman is a constant headache, complaining about everything and always with that poisonous tongue she must have inherited from her father, she didn't even want to accompany me to receive my lords'' said Robert after taking a drink from his cup

''It's a shame to hear that, but it's a political marriage, not one for love, the benefits of their alliance, but well, all ready for the feast and tournament?'', I said, giving a smile

''Jon?'', said Robert, turning to look at his hand. 

''Everything is ready for the feast, there is food for two weeks of celebrations and the tournament grounds have been prepared and there is good security in the streets'' Jon Arryn answered, staring at me.

''Excellent, if there is no problem I brought some of my cooks who will be able to help with the food, like preparing some foods that might be innovative for your palate, but if there is a problem with that I will understand'' I said looking at Lord Arryn.

Robert looked at Jon with expectant eyes

''Of course, it shouldn't be a problem with the cooks'' Lord Arryn replied.

''Great, where is Charles by the way?, I've been wanting to talk to him'' Robert asked.

''Charles went back to help, he is just outside the castle, they are helping the small folks with food and treatment of minor illnesses, so I recommend you stay away from him at this time'' I replied calmly

''Oh, we'll tell me, Wilhelm, will you be participating in the tournaments? I have heard the story of how you defeated a royal guard in personal combat, I wish to see you fight to see if the story makes merit to your skill''said Roberth placing his hand on my shoulder.

''I don't think I can do it, I'm the one who puts the prizes King Robert, it wouldn't be right for me to participate in winning the prizes, it would make it look like that gold is not in my pockets'' I answered, so I wouldn't have to participate in the combats.

''Ah come on...not even in the tournaments you put up?'', said Robert a bit disappointed

Robert insisted for several minutes on the matter, apparently he was completely determined that I would participate in the melee combat

''Well, you can participate in something... I'm pretty good at fencing'', I said kindly.

''Great, it will be fantastic, finally something interesting will happen in the city, it's boring to see how Barristan and Jaime always compete for the first place in my tournaments'' said Robert

''Charles will be eager to compete for that prize, with your permission your majesty, but I have other matters to attend to and I suppose there are more guests for you to receive'' I said, requesting permission to leave.

''Well, when you have more time we will talk, at least you could come, not like that Ned who refused all my invitations'' said Robert, quite angry.

Robert returned to the throne and put his face in his fist, showing that he was very bored with receiving guests.

With my escort, I retired, but not to my assigned room in the castle, we went to the Prussian enclave that was built in the surroundings of the bank, which is the closest thing to a Prussian city inside king's landing.

The architects had completely fortified the hill and secured the bank as a fortress. 

Arriving at the bank, we were greeted by Maximilian who quickly took me to the main office where all the accounting books were while Janna went to prepare her room for the time we would be staying in the city.

Maximilian walks around me rather nervously as he went through all the books he was supposed to send an annual report, but it would be stupid not to give it a check right now considering I am in town.

Maximilian's nervousness must be just anxiety because all the numbers add up and there are many benefits obtained from the loans we have granted to nobles and merchants.

''Excellent work Maximilian, you have surpassed even my projections, so the last big movement we had in the holds was a loan to tyrosh?'', I asked the slim diplomat.

''Yes my king, a loan to tyrosh of ten million golden dragons in gold and silver that will be used to buy swords, spears and armor and hire mercenaries for the war being fought in that area, they tried to buy armor of Prussian manufacture, but I pointed out to them what you said that the sale is forbidden for non Prussians'' Maximilian said smiling

''Good, that will facilitate many of our future plans, there was a request to send a force searching for Valyrian steel, we needed an excuse, and now we have it, we just need lothar to return from his trip to the north, and we will throw him into battle in essos with a few thousand of the knights who belonged to his house'' I said to Maximilian.

''Tyrosh was interested in hiring Teutonic knights to complete his mercenary cavalry, but currently they all occupy administrative or border defense positions, but I can get in touch with the emissary who is here to discuss a mercenary contract for lothar'' Maximilian said smiling.

''Sure, where is Roon?'', I said to my guards.

''Herr Roon is in his camp, apparently he has started training for the tournaments, after he finished talking to the heralds'' said Antti

''I asked him to do it tomorrow.... well, I can't complain about him doing things on time, call him I need him to come, as we will talk about something important''I said while putting away the ledgers.

''Oh... what are we going to talk about? Said Maximilian putting the rest of the books away.

''Marriage politics, I thought you would be a little more autonomous when it comes to looking for a marriage, but apparently you still don't make moves in that area'' I said looking at Maximilian.

''I have been very busy my king, there are many people who want to talk to me, especially why Lord Arryn can not keep secrets, since when they found out how much the bank profits are, almost all the nobles of the city tried to flatter me, bribe me or threaten me to get a piece of the pie we have created and I had to reject them with everything'' Maximilian said a little more serious.

''And you did a phenomenal job, you have the warehouses full and at the same time you are still looking for people to lend money to, maybe much sooner than we thought we will threaten the position of the iron bank, but your duty is not only the bank, as a marriage to get power for Prussia must take precedence in your interests'' I said looking at Maximilian.

''Who has an alliance in mind, with which house?'', Maximilian asked.

''I have information that you have good relations with the Stokeworth, they are a relatively powerful house in the area, they bring a good amount of grain to the city every year, if you marry into that family you could try to get the title of lord, having your own territory so close to the city would help a lot if there is any political turmoil'' I said looking at Maximilian.

''True, but the heiress is already married with no children, but the woman who is available is only the second daughter, it will be difficult to make what you point out my king come true'' said Maximilian

''A woman without heirs... accidents happen every day, where she would leave her only living daughter as heir apparent and there will just be you to take her place as her husband..... Antti'' I said with a confident tone

''Tomorrow'' said the Finn.

''We will start the plans for the accident your majesty'' said the Finnish commander of the city garrison with a deep voice as he left the room

''See?, I gave you all the powers you needed to play with the westerosis even if you did well, you have to be more cold with this, I don't say kill everyone with our finns, but act looking for benefits for us'' I said to Maximilian who was a little bit nervous.

Maximilian was thoughtful for a few seconds before he spoke again

''We can delay the accident?, if the heiress dies now there will be a lot of competition for Lollys hand you said it yourself, the castle is important, Lady Tanda wants me to marry her daughter just give me a couple of days and I will look for the best time to get things done'' Maximilian said with a lot of determination.

''Excellent, well regarding Roon I had planned to look for a marriage with the Tarth, Lord Selwyn was interested in an alliance between us at the end of the rebellion, but something interesting has happened, his heir drowned recently, leaving his daughter Briene as heir, the island of Tarth has everything necessary to become a military and commercial enclave for our mission in Essos with Lothar and later an attack to the StepStones where you could revive what they did before in the area and charge a toll to maritime trade'' I said smiling.

''But you have to consider that Roon has no land and lord Selwyn might not be interested in simply a minor noble, unlike me, who can get him monetary benefits for my control in the bank'' Maximilian said

''We would have to negotiate with about that, but if we promise a considerable financial investment on the island or a large interest free loan to make the marriage happen it would give us a valuable ally to the east'' I said, pointing to the island of Tarth on one of the maps Maximilian had.

''If considering that Roon is very loyal it would be a great plan, what about the troublesome knight in the north?'', Maximilian asked

''Lothar... he loved his wife, from what I understand, according to Helmuth he still carries a reliquary of her, ordering him to marry would be difficult, especially with the fate his sons suffered, three dead Ruppin, and considering the fertility difficulties they suffer I don't think lothar would leave an heir here to be trained before being sent to essos'' I said looking at Maximilian

''I see... well... lady Tanda had invited me to a meal... I was not going to attend, but now priorities changed.... if you allow me, I will prepare everything for the marriage to take place as soon as possible to officially become the husband of the heiress'' said Maximilian smiling, getting up and leaving the room.

Antti tell the commander not to perform the accident, we don't want to cause problems for Maximilian'' I said, turning to see Antti who was behind me.

''Understood'' said Antti leaving the room.

I looked out the window of the room that allowed to see the port.