-Chapter 101-
-21st day of the 3rd moon of the year 301 AC-
-POV Ronnet Connington-
As I entered the capital, I was greeted by cheers from all sides.
Everyone was happy to see me return, but this time, unlike the last, I was bringing them peace.
'Even though last time, I had brought them liberation from the yoke of the Lannisters' I thought as I observed the misery around me.
I made a gesture with my hand, and the men on the carts we had brought began distributing everything we had carried with us, without halting our procession, further exciting the crowd that seemed famished.
My soldiers quickly intervened to contain any potential disorder, and once calm was restored, the distribution continued smoothly.
Such a scene might have brought me a little joy or pity just twenty days ago, but I didn't know what was happening to me. Since the announcement of Cersei's suicide, I felt as though my emotions were locked away.
Still deep in thought, I urged my horse to continue advancing through the capital, occasionally greeting the people gathered in the crowd, until we reached the walls separating the Red Keep from the rest of King's Landing.
"Ronnet," said Alynne, wrapping me in a tight embrace as soon as I set foot on the ground.
I nodded slightly and returned her embrace, though without the same warmth she felt toward me, before placing a hand on the head of my son, who was waiting nearby.
"You did well," I said, even though I could see the same sadness in his eyes that shone in mine.
I didn't want this experience to prevent him from doing what needed to be done in the future to protect himself and our House.
'Even if the rot is close, it must be uprooted at the source' I thought as I moved forward while removing my gloves.
Then I asked:
"How have the other Houses of the realm responded?"
"The House of Lannister exists in name only. Genna Lannister took ships and left Westeros. We don't know where she is or where she's headed."
"The Slave Bay, without a doubt. I heard that Daenerys has finally managed to bring the Slave Bay under her total control and has renamed it the Bay of Dragons."
"That's a possibility."
"Tyrion has also vanished without a trace."
"It doesn't matter. All the important Lannisters are in my hands."
"The House of Stark has been betrayed by the Houses Bolton and Karstark, who are stationing their troops at Moat Cailin, awaiting a response from us."
"A response to what?"
"To this offer, Your Majesty," said Qyburn, handing me a letter.
"Qyburn, it has been a long time," I said with a slight smile.
"Far too long, Your Majesty," he replied, bowing.
"Did you send Cersei's last letter?" I asked, maintaining the same hypocritical smile.
He looked at me, slightly confused, then nodded.
I nodded in return before looking down at the ground, then asked again:
"And with what poison did she take her life? Did she suffer?"
"No, Your Majesty, she did not suffer. She took her life with an essence of nightshade," he said in a confident and reassuring tone, which shattered the thin restraint I had been holding over the rage I felt just at the sight of his hypocritical smile.
I suddenly grabbed his throat, and feeling the slight resistance, I realized he had also brewed himself a few potions using my own blood.
"Your Majesty, this is not…" he tried to say, but I tightened my grip around his neck before pulling him closer and saying coldly:
"You betrayed me. And you killed her."
"No…" he stammered, completely panicked, but I didn't let him finish. With a brutal motion, I snapped his neck before letting his body drop.
I took a second to observe the terrified expression frozen on Qyburn's face before stepping over his corpse and reading the letter he had given me in total silence.
---
To House Connington,
House Stark has unilaterally broken its oath of allegiance in its pursuit of power.
The Starks have always wanted to reclaim the Crown of Winter that they once cast at the feet of Aegon the Conqueror, but we, the Lords of the North, know that the Seven Kingdoms are stronger united than at war with one another.
It is with this sole objective in mind that all the Northern lords have stood together and risen against the oppressor and usurper, Robb Stark.
If you seek peace with the North, we are ready to negotiate under three conditions.
First, House Stark must no longer be the ruling House of the North.
Second, House Bolton must be named as the ruling House of the North.
Third, release all the hostages you have been holding for far too long as a gesture of good faith.
If you refuse, then I invite you to try sending your armies through Moat Cailin.
Roose Bolton, Lord of House Bolton and Warden of the North
---
"This is an insult," I said as I pushed open the door to my former solar.
"I agree, but we don't necessarily need to fight them," said Alynne as she entered after me.
"Fight?" I scoffed before looking at her. "Fight for what exactly? A vast stretch of land where nothing lives and nothing grows?"
"The North is still a large region," Alynne replied.
I shrugged before saying, as I took off my coat:
"Let them survive Jon Snow and the wildlings first."
"Who is Jon Snow?" asked Alynne, narrowing her eyes.
Ronald, who hadn't spoken a word since I had snapped Qyburn's neck, finally broke his silence and said:
"He is Bran's brother."
"Ned Stark's bastard," Alynne added.
I shook my head at her slightly disdainful tone before saying:
"You'll see who he is in the future and what value he will hold for us."
"What should I reply?" asked Alynne.
"This kind of message doesn't deserve a response," I said, tearing up the letter before tossing it into the fireplace.
"Now, I need to speak with my son alone," I added, dismissing Alynne tacitly.
Although I noticed a slight furrowing of her brows, she obeyed without saying a word.
Once I heard the door close behind us, I turned to my son and asked:
"What are you hiding from me?"