Chapter 57: Return to Governance

Going back to my lordly duties was very easy. Ruling this small land of mine was easy in general, especially since I have had all of the lords who were under and not loyal have 'accidents' where their families all died, from young children to the Lords of the Houses.

I thought back on what the old raven had told me, of how I will always result in killing because if that was the easier way to deal with a problem. Well, he was right, I guess only after the modern age comes around can I go back to watching movies and chilling as a good guy.

But here, this time, I have to be a cut-throat man. My ambition is simply too high to not be so.

Anyway, it seemed like my now dead son hadn't been good. Well, he wasn't bad, but he hadn't been good either. He had tried to be like me… but he didn't have future knowledge so he failed miserably and lost 7 million Gold Dragons.

His idea was to have some maesters come up with some faster moving ships. Yeah, things like that don't just appear out of nowhere, he was acting without knowledge.

I could tell the maesters to build me gunpowder (which I never would) and even if I described it's properties, it would still take decades before any progress was made, even with the best minds in Westeros working on it.

So yeah, kinda dumb for my son to expect men with knowledge to spew things out magically. What a dumbass, I would question if he was even my son with this dead brain kind of behavior, but then I remembered that technically he was related to the Fray, so yeah… 

Currently I had access to a little over 13 million Gold Dragons, meaning I had the ability to use them whenever I wanted. Of course my Net Worth might be over 50 million, but none of that mattered at the moment.

Currently my Claw Point was one of the best regions to live in Westeros, that was the problem, it was one of the best when it needs to be THE best. Still, there were many matters to take care of, marriages, see if anyone under me had gotten some bravery after my death, slit some throats here and there, set that House of White & Black in flames.

*knock* *knock* 

"My lord, may I come in?" Once I heard the familiar voice a smile came to my face.

"Of course, Ser Davos Seaworth," I called on the man, the one which I probably trusted the most amongst my troops, "My father trusted your counsel."

"But your brother didn't," stated the man grimly as he entered. Unlike the flea bottom-looking man, now he had a well trimmed white beard and grey hair, showing some signs of boldness. But still, he looked like a lord, even though his clothes favored practicality over looks, anyone could tell they were expensive. 

"My brother was a fool, and he died like one." I told him, making the man's brows raise in shock, and he couldn't school his face back to calmness once he heard that.

I knew the rumors going around, after all, as soon as I came home my mother and brother died, coincidentally putting me in the line of succession. It was too convenient, anyone with half a brain could see that.

Most think of me a kinslayer, of course the lords do at leasts. The peasants couldn't care less, as long as they are fed, are busy with good work and entertainment, then they won't care.

"M'Lord," Davos' commoner accent slips through, "I wouldn't say something like that out loud."

"Of course you wouldn't, and shouldn't either," I said with confidence, "But… I trust you Lord Seaworth. My father used to say that you were his most trusted man, behind doors of course, wouldn't want any silly lord taking that as an insult to their foolish pride."

At the mansion of my previous life, Davos' eyes turned melancholic. Damn, he really cared about my past life as Arthur. Or I guess this body's father, now I just need to make him care the same way about me.

...

[ Davos ]

Davos looked at the young man and didn't know what to make of him, he was a mystery to everyone… just like Arthur had been a damn mystery.

No one ever knew what he was thinking, but they knew that as long as his orders were followed then good things would happen to those on his side. He was like a lucky charm.

He felt his eyes grow a little misty at the mention of the man. But Davos held himself, it wouldn't do for a knight to cry in front of his lord.

But looking at Lord Oliver, he couldn't help but feel a small smile appear on his face. 'He is his father's son after all. Already the same vibe Arthur had encompasses young Oliver.'

Just talking to Oliver made him feel at ease, even the scandalous words he spoke seemed like honey sipped out of them. Making someone feel like their trust on them was immense, and that was how Davos felt. He had followed a man like this before, and it led him to fortune and a good friend.

"Anyway, Ser Davos, I have told you all of my secrets. Ones that could have my head chopped off or sent to the walls." Said Oliver full of confidence, making Davos feel like the man was looming over him even though he was sitting down.

"My father trusted you with his life, I want to do the same. Will you serve me Ser Davos like you served my father?"

The sea knight smirked, the answer was obvious to him all along. As the big silver haired figure in front of him, was replaced by a gout man with dark eyes and a knowing smirk. 'Ah, my old friend, it seems like my days won't be filled with sadness of your death anymore.

This time… I won't let your legacy die before it's duty has been fulfilled.'

...

It didn't take long for Davos to see just how uncanny the resemblance between father and son was. Because except for Arthur's dark eyes, every other part spoke of Oliver's Valyrian descent.

While the boy's father wouldn't be considered someone ugly, he couldn't be called pretty either, just average or slightly above that at best.

But Oliver was different, his Valyrian looks gave him an exotic appearance, his good looking face and big body would tempt any whore in Flea Bottom, at least that was what Davos could get out of this.

They drove next to each other, and Oliver was wearing some colorful lordly clothes with well crafted chainmail armour below it.

They rode on horses with no guards around them, Davos doubted that they needed something like that when he saw the sword on the young lord's back, it seemed more like a slab of metal than a sword.

But he wouldn't make a judgment so soon, after all, his job is to serve, not question every small thing his friend's son did.

Still, they reached the dock and talked about ships and new ideas for ships. Davos immediately noticed how Oliver was trying to hide something and was using an old tactic that Arthur used against spies… bore them to death, they are human too, and without important information then they will leave.

...

"Okay Davos, I want you to go to Dorne and deliver a letter for me… no, not deliver… I want you to smuggle it in. Officially you will be going to Bravos for business, and will be paid accordingly, but I want this out of everyone's eyes. Can you do this for me my good man?"

Davos bowed. "Of course my lord."

And just like so, Ser Davos Seaworth left for 'Bravos' with none being the wiser. Even Oliver was quite satisfied with his work. They even did everything publicly as there was nothing to hide here.

...

Don't forget to throw some power stones :)

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