King's Landing, Crownlands
Late 4th Moon, 259 AC
The Small Council members were thinking of possible ways to solve the problems that would inevitably come from the war on the Pretender in the Stepstones, but dealing with the Free Cities when we are economically inferior is not an easy matter to overcome, especially to the Westerosi Lords who look down on the mercantile ways as counting coopers.
Looking around the table to only be met with confused or angry faces at a simple problem was not a scene that I wish to have in the Council that dictates the fate of a kingdom that I live in let alone The One that I will rule in the future, which further enforced my conviction to start on the project of building proper institutions to help me and my family rule this kingdom with more efficiency and competence, but that need to wait for me as I need to deal with my current problems.
Getting tired of waiting for these hopeless people to start using their heads to solve the problem, I cleared my throat to gain their attention and said: "My Lords, there is a very simple solution to solve the problem of Bravos and other Free Cities taking advantage of us during and after the war", those word of mine got me their attention, to which Grandmaester Pycelle asked in a slightly doubtful tone "And what?/if I may ask is this solution, Your Grace", "Why of course Grandmaester, it's the Stepstones" I said, hoping to get some understanding to my words only to be disappointed by the confused replay of Lord Velaryon "I don't understand Your Grace, the Stepstones are the problem, how can they be the solution" , you would think that the descendant of Corlys Velaryon would understand such a simple matter, but apparently he is not only a overreaching sycophant, but also an incompetent fool, and the only reason he got his position is because of a name he didn't earn, it appears I have to look for a replacement soon enough.
There was a semblance of recognition on the Grandmaester's face, which proved that unlike someone else he didn't get his position by his connections alone, his haughty attitude though, is something that needs to be dealt with, and I think his love for extravagance and his unseemly activities can be used to control him, just like the High Sopton has been dealt with.
Lord Ormund sported the same confused face as Lord Velaryon's, which proved another one of the many mistakes that my ancestors kept on committing, favoring Baratheons and Velaryons just for the deeds of some of their ancestors is plain stupid, especially the latter as they get favored way too much, that instead of creating new loyalties while giving favor to some loyal but minor Lords, chief among them are the Celtigars, who never gained Royal favor despite their internal loyalty, the same can be said about Northern and Vale Lords, who never broke their oaths no matter how much the Crown neglected their needs and interest, while the Baratheon showed not once or twice but trice their willingness to rebel against the Crown, and mostly to further their self-interests as with Rogar Baratheon and Borros Baratheon, and that in time where they were shown royal favor just like Lyonell Baratheon rebelled over a broken betrothal, and while something needs to be done about this, now is not the time, as we have to not only whiter this upcoming conflict but to come out of it stronger.
The rest of the Council members showed varying degrees of understanding, and I was proved right by Lord Marbrand when he said "Your Grace you don't mean to hold the Stepstones permanently do you? It was tried before to no success whatsoever", Lord Velaryon was fast to add after getting back his bearing: "I must agree Your Grace, Lord Corlys the Sea Snake himself deemed it a fool errand to hold on to those barren rocks" he finished adding in such a cocky way that proved that he is more pride than intelligence.
My face became as cold as the Northern Winter as I said to him "Corlys Velaryon didn't abandon his effort to hold the Stepstones, because he 'deemed it a fool errand to hold on to those barren rocks' as you say, but because of his inability to do it, despite his legendary seafaring achievements, Corlys Velaryon was but a one Lord, and his wealth was massively depleted on his war efforts, and he was opposed by a united Triarchy while he lacked the most crucial thing to hold them, which that we have in abundant".
Lord Velaryon's face was heating up from the embarrassment and anger as he asked the simple question "And what is this thing? Your Grace", My face split into a shit eating grin as I replied "Why of course my Lord, the answer is in your question is simple as daylight and that is the Royal Authority" he was left astounded at the my simple answer, while I continued "It is no secret that Corlys Velaryon overreaching ambition at the time gained him no favor and no friends at Court, and his declaration of war on the Triarchy with no Royal permission put the nail in the coffin to his ambition to hold the Stepstones, as he can't possibly handle the pressure of the Free Cities as well as the pressure from the many Lords of the Realm who were either envious of his wealth or were his rivals", I stopped talking as I observed the reaction of others, both Lord Rosby and Lord Marbrand were nodding to my words, Lord Tarly on the hand was showing appreciative looks on his stoic face as he thought of the possibility of such endeavor from a military perspective, Lord Baratheon was showing contemplating look while he was thinking of the ramifications of such move on his kingdom, as he no doubt was factoring the proximity of the Stepstones to his domain and the opportunity to maybe annex them if he played his cards right.
My Father's face was as calm as a lake on a sunny day, as we discussed this option as we always do in our Cyvass time, and My Mother God bless her was looking at me with a look of immense pride.
Ser Gerold's and Ser Cristian's as well as Ser Robert's faces were all impassive as men of their positions should be.
Grandmaester Pycelle showed a contemplating face as he was probably thinking as to whom the Crown would grant the Stepstones after taking hold of it, and the same could be said for the other Lords after a while as they started thinking of ways to benefit from this opportunity.
My next words put a damper on their thoughts as I said "Obviously the Stepstones need to be under the direct jurisdiction of the Crown, as we are the only one with enough authority to not bend under the pressure of the Free Cities".
The Small Council Lords' faces were colored by disappointment as some started looking to my father as if to start complaining, the King's response was swift as he said "Well spoken Aerys, I couldn't have said it better myself, the Stepstones after we purge them of the Pretender and his band of pirates and sellswords, would be under the Royal demesne, and as for how to handle the different Islands, that would be left to after the end of the conflict where they would be awarded according to the contribution to the effort of claiming them", the faces of the Small Council Members except Lord Jon and the Grandmaester's lit in joy at the prospect of such an opportunity, ths idea was completely my Father's, as he saw this as a way to entice the Lords of the Realm to contribute to this coming conflict, which I wholeheartedly agreed with.
Besides that, I needed to only appear as I was proposing ideas and not the one making decisions for the Kingdom, because that would only show my father as a weak King who is nothing more than a puppet, and I have no intention of undermining my Father, nor do I want or need to control his decisions, because my Father is a capable ruler who's only negative point was his weak body, something that shouldn't interfere with his role as a King, but we live in a martially inclined society and we need to show the part, therefore we agreed that no matters what we discussed in private he always needs to have the final word in public as his should as King.
Author Notes:
I took some time off to get my ideas together, and here I am.
The next chapter will hopefully be the main event and show some more conversations.
This chapter is the usual 1000-ish words, as I will probably continue to write.
I will not be posting on a daily schedule as I did the first week, because I don't want to burn out, but I will not take more than a day or two unless I am having some personal problems.
1453 words.