Fourth chapter

297 AL

Lyonel POV

This year was quite good for me, I even started to think that I was becoming lucky. Firstly my shops have gotten very popular, they in every major city and town on Westeros, there will be soon shops in Essos too. With this came a genius idea to establish a spy network across the known world using these shops. Tyrion is a capable and intelligent man.

Secondly, Tyrion started to complain about how I give him too much work, so I let him hire some muscle, but what I have not foreseen was that he would hire Bronn for his protection. It took a while to remember who Bronn was from books, but once I realize who he is I become skeptical and suspicious of him. At first, I thought he is a spy for Littlefinger or Varys. It didn't take a lot of time to like him, so when my investigation didn't bring me anything on him I decided to trust him. I like him, even more, when he taught me some tricks with a knife.

Finally, I found the squire of Rhaegar Targaryen, Ser Richard Lonmouth knight of skulls and kisses, he was as expected a man without a purpose when I learn of him through my spies I decided to give him a purpose, so after a talk, I convinced him to go to Essos and create a sellswords company and I lend him some gold to accomplish this task. He will be useful to me in a couple of years.

This is Westeros so my luck ran out eventually, my first kill was as I expected it would be, but still knowing it did not prepare me enough. One of my "informants" decided he wanted more gold for the information, he rose well for a man who was at the bottom of the chain, he becomes more than just another homeless man on the streets. Now that he tasted a little bit of the good life, of course, he would want more. So I decided he was right, he has become even more valuable to me than before, he becomes a lesson to the others who decided to ask more than they deserve. I cut his throat open, it was surprisingly easy to do so, after a hard look at his colleagues, they spilled everything they know and even more.

Other people in my shoes would probably not take killing another so hard as I did, they think what was the matter is not like they are real people. Well, they might not be, this might be a dream or something, but the blood was real, the dread on his face was real, the fear in his eyes was very real and I remember all of this all my life.

It was hard to sleep for a couple of weeks, but I had work to do. The news I got from my "informants" wasn't good Stannis and Jon Arryn were visiting some brothels and other establishments. I first had to confirm this information, but it seems that the game is starting to begin. They will find the truth about my siblings sooner or later, even with me being a trueborn son of Robert it would bring the war to the realm.

It was time I start to play this game seriously, it time to start to plan what it is need be done to avoid war. After months of thinking and planning it seems war is inevitable, if I marry Margaery Tyrell, there no way to placate Dorne, Martell's hate Lannister's and Baratheon's with my marriage with Tyrell's I definitely won't have any love in Dorne.

Martell's are untrustworthy for a marriage prospect, I don't think they would accept it, but even if they accepted it Tyrell's would probably not like this kind of development and would scheme against me.

Fuck I want to kill the fucking Littlefinger, of course, after investigating Stannis and Jon's movements, it becomes clear that it was him who helps them with it. Killing him bring me a lot of joy, but it is not that easy, it is hard to get close to him, he is a careful man and has city watch in his pockets.

…

"So uncle, how are you doing, are you well?" I ask as Tyrion enters my chambers.

"I doing well, dear nephew, but I believe you asked for me for a purpose." He says and already going for a table with wine on it. "Well you were quite busy it seems."

I enjoy his surprised expression when he realizes the wine bottle is empty, these couple of months were quite stressful, wine did indeed help a little about it.

"Well, I did acquire a taste for Amber gold in the past month or so," I say, he just raises an eyebrow at me. "Tell me how to work that I give to you been?"

"Your shops brought us quite a bit of gold, it will soon reach half a million gold dragons." At least some good news with it I should be able to pay the faith crown's debts. "My investigation to Baelish has some results, I had gathered some records that don't at up, if I could get my hands on his books, there would enough evidence to take him to a trial."

"He has friends in court, and Jon Arryn is the man who brought him there, we need concrete evidence of his treachery," I state, I cannot let give Littlefinger a chance he could destroy my plans given any opportunity.

"Hmm, then I need a little more time, if I can find his records of gold he has, that should be enough." What he said is true.

"You have a year to find it if you need to more man to hire, you can have as much gold you need from our business, only be careful who you hire." This is at least what I can do for him.

"Very well, I have to say without the wine our meeting isn't as fun as before." His japes did lift my mood even a little, he has a knack for what to say at any anytime.

...

I woke up at the ringing bells of the city, walking out of my chambers I met with Sandor.

"What is happening?" I ask but I already suspect what is going on.

"I do not know, my Prince." He answers as we come across Master of whispers.

"Lord Varys, is nice to meet you, would you know why the bells are ringing?" I ask a person who probably knows everything.

"Please my Prince, I am not a lord, and for why the bells are ringing. I do know the answer, Lord Hand Jon Arryn is dead." He states what I already feared.

"What terribly news you bring, I did hear he was bedridden with a fever." I play being surprised at the news.

"Indeed my Prince, you are right a fever took him." I wonder if he already knows the truth. "I should not take any more time from, is already surprising how much to have done in the city and I hear you becoming quite a rich man, you are truly a clever stag."

At that moment I wanted to bring my knife to his throat, not because of anger or hatred for the man, but out of fear. He fucking knows, probably not everything but it seems I can't truly hide in shadows any longer. So the game begins.