82 The day off
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POV of Wilhelm, fourth moon,284 AC
The life of a ''good king'' is difficult, since it is not only a lot of work in which I must check reports and see progress in my domains.
It was an excellent idea to make that trip to the south because I could finally observe the normal life of the Westerosi in the villages where there are itinerant administrations and I must say that life is horrible, it is one thing to read it in the reports of my men and quite another to see it in person.
Although this year's budget is already allocated and it would not be wise to make changes, at least they will be taken into consideration next year.
The day before I worked as usual efficiently and quickly, reviewing very carefully all the detailed reports written by the Teutonic knights indicating social and economic problems suffered by the westerosi... seeds of rebellion that must be eliminated, a job that requires a lot of concentration to consider all the problems.
As I always like to say, exhausting work is the greatest pleasure in life, because working to achieve my dream of a stable society that could stand the test of time required a strong foundation and for that, you had to work to the point of exhaustion.
It was something I always had in my head, something I always had to constantly remind myself, ''who I am'' and ''what I am''.
The first one is very easily answered, the first servant of the state, the one who must watch over the security and stability of all his subjects so that they can develop their abilities to the maximum of their potential, either artistically, economically or among others.
The second... only a temporary tool at the service of temporary interests, which must be kept away from vices, since by falling prey to your personal desires you leave open the door to the worst evils of a ruler
Corruption by power, power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely, considering that as king and religious leader I have total control over all Prussians.
That's why every day I remind myself of my ''duty''.
not to be like other monarchs that could be seen.
Aerys Targaryen... a deranged madman who destroyed the kingdom out of envy, ambition and desire, letting his personal desires quickly cloud his judgment it was not hard to see why he went mad, seeing enemies everywhere.
the useless Robert Baratheon... he proved to be a good leader and warrior, but when it came time to rule... he hoarded the privileges of power and escaped the responsibilities by throwing it to another man... one might consider a virtue a king who knows he is unfit to rule and cedes power to another is a good sign. ... but while he spends gold as if it were growing on trees, incurring debts and giving favors to his subjects, he is only a puppet that should be removed to bring in someone better... if it were not for the fact that this imbecile is subservient to my plans... he would have already had problems with the drink
That's why I had to always remind myself of those words... not to be like them...
It was quite rare for me to take a day off... always checking books and reports, but as today I had to spend time getting to know my fiancée... for the most important duty of a king... to leave offspring
Starting the day at seven o'clock in the morning as every day when I was not supposed to be on horseback or sleeping in camp
Everything began with a breakfast prepared by my personal doctors, since they controlled everything that I ingested, because of that, they controlled the cooks with an iron fist so that I would never contract any stomach illness.
But all the food that comes out of that kitchen, for some reason, is the most tasteless thing you could eat...those doctors have the ability to make cooked chicken breast almost tasteless or any other food
Because too much salt hypertension...too much sugar obesity
'It was not difficult to find the reason why Roon every time I invited him to lunch to discuss the progress of the projects and avoid wasting time on a council, he usually makes excuses'.
Then I had to brush my teeth using a brush with horsehair with a paste made of mint leaves and flowers... the teeth are one of the first letters of introduction that a ruler must have
Although the nobles of the capital consider yellow and even rotten teeth to be a status symbol because it means they can afford to eat large amounts of sugar, it is damage they do to themselves irreparably... nobles like lothar may be able to regenerate their teeth but not them
After breakfast, I went to the most difficult task of the day, training with Charles
Which could be light training practicing with bottled swords, running, lifting weights or practicing with horses.
Or the hellish training where literally Charles would attack me with everything because he wanted to prepare me to be ready to defend myself against some assassin or some opponent in battle.
Charles moved all his affection for me aside and attacked me as his worst enemy because the Teutonic training doctrine prefers a bloody training several times worse than the real experience to increase the chances of survival in cases of real combat.
And unfortunately this day was the training from hell...
After three hours of being the Teutonic knight's training sack, he ended the training and I went to take a bath.
Which was also a training because inside the fortress as in the cities we had built a bath, only this one was private and had pools with water at room temperature or hot water whenever I asked for it in advance.
So I also add another hour of training because swimming is one of the best exercises, since you use all the muscles, a taste that I share with Roon who considers it in his trainings whenever possible.
After leaving my bath I got ready in comfortable clothes and moved to a room that was made to entertain visitors... which are rare and for the moment it has not been used much more than some party that was celebrated for an important vassal.
Upon entering the room my guards began to spread out around the room.
I waited patiently for my guests to arrive, but it seemed that time was not advancing.
''What time is it,'' I asked a Teutonic knight.
I'll go check on my king'' said the Teutonic knight leaving the room.
I waited a few, minutes when the knight re-entered the room.
''13:23 or so read the clock tower'' replied the knight.
''I shouldn't have put the meeting at 15:00.... well... why don't you bring the musician and a piano so we can pass the time'' I said to the knight who quickly saw to my orders.
Shortly after a nobleman arrived who had taken up his profession as my court musician... again to entertain guests who seldom come.
Classical music was one of the few luxuries I could not refuse and now, with a day off after so long working for the good of my people, it was almost impossible to refuse to hear the works of the great composers of the past....
For several minutes, I listened attentively to the music...enjoying and relaxing to the melodies
After he finished a long piece of music without pausing, I applauded his work and he bowed and walked away
'Who would have thought... bored by doing nothing'.
''Bring the chess set so we can do something while we wait for the tyrell's'' I said as I leaned back in my chair
While I was still waiting for my guests to arrive I started to play the fun game of chess..., as it served to sharpen the mind... besides the Teutons are formidable enemies in this game
'London system... son of a bitch,'....
I played with my bodyguards' chess, winning more games than I lost, until finally the Tyrells arrived at our meeting, followed closely by Antti.
I got up from my chair and went to greet my guests.
''Mother...my dear fiancée, it is a great pleasure to have you on this beautiful day'' I said with a warm smile.
''I thank you for the invitation...son'' said Lady Olenna.
''Thank you very much for the invitation'' said Janna smiling and blushing as I took her hand and guided her to the table.
'The benefits of being physically attractive'
We sat down at the table and I gave orders for the food to be brought, this time something more flavored
''I regret that my daughter was not more proactive in seeking you out... but it seems she was too happy in her chambers'' said Lady Olenna
''From what I understand Janna asked to meet with me on several occasions, but I see my affairs with regard to seriousness, ordinary, important, urgent, if something more important happens, I will obviously move our meetings'' I said smiling
''See?, I told you, I tried several times only I always got postponed'' Janna said pouting
''I apologize for that... but it is necessary for me to be present in many places to monitor the progress and check my men's accounting for corruption'' I said as I arranged my cutlery.
The servants brought the food and considering that most of the kitchen helpers there were former tyrell servants they prepared what the old ruling family used to eat.
As they had also prepared apple strudel with cream which was Janna's favorite dessert.
For several minutes, there was conversation about aspects of my past.
''More wine mother, it's arbor wine...from your home'' I said pointing to the wine butler.
''Thank you...I have a question for you, my son...what was your father like?'', Lady Olenna asked.
''My father... well... I really don't know... I could say about what a trustworthy person thought, since I never met him... according to Charles my master... he was the best knight he had ever seen, when he swung his sword he looked like a lightning bolt that was able to finish all the enemies that dared to stand in front of him... my master was defeated several times by him... but he died in a battle he could not win... thinking that faith in god would help him and it did not happen'' I said what Charles always thought about my father.
''Do you think you will be as good a knight as your father... my future husband?'', said Janna as she joined her hand to mine
''I don't think so... my father trained with the sword since he had the ability to make a fist and he had many years that he was the crown prince training day after day searching to being the best knight who had ever lived... I have the burden of ruling and I can't afford to train so much... I keep myself in good physical shape to avoid illnesses because I am fat'' I said while I observed that Janna had her eyes lost in me and putting aside the dessert she loved so much.
''Oh... well, I suppose I should retire and you should have your servants and guards leave so that you can enjoy the privacy''said lady Olenna getting up from the chair.
Janna grabbed my arm and put her head on my shoulder
''Oh... that will be a problem... by orders given by the previous king, the Teutons who are my guards cannot leave me alone... and I cannot give orders against those orders, for that reason, I... I should have learned to sleep having guards in my room at all times'' I said a little nervously
''You see?, mother I told you, I tried to enter their room and no matter how much I told them to leave me alone, they wouldn't leave the room and you didn't believe me'' said Janna looking angry at her mother
''But how will you do it on the day you have to consummate your marriage'' said Olenna quite surprised
''Well... tradition states that vassals, friends, relatives, priests and servants must be present to witness the act, to avoid future problems of nullity, my grandfather was present for the entire nuptial act of my father with his wife''I said the royal marriage customs and watched as slowly Olenna and Janna's faces filled with horror
'Oh... culture shock'
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