( Arianne POV )
Arianne frowned, but remained calm. She had tried for so long to get him to open up to her, she wasn't going to let go of this chance so easily. Let him say what he has to say.
"You have my discretion." She replied.
"I am serious, dear." Willas replied, his tone almost sharply rebutting her. "You cannot say a word of this to anyone, including Tyene."
...
Arianne wanted to blow up at him. Who did he take her for? Someone who spilled words to everyone? A secret is a secret. Unless her family was directly threatened, she would not speak of it to anyone.
Now, what was so important? Did he have a paramour, or did he find Tyene kissing another Reacher knight, perhaps? She wouldn't be shocked that one of these stupid little Reachmen thought her cousin wasn't old enough to do what she liked.
Still, half-smiling, she urged him on.
"Speak, Willas. I won't say a word."
"Good." Willas nodded back. "I am pleased to hear it. No doubt that the past few days have troubled you, and I apologize for it."
Is that what he wished to apologize for? And this required all the secrecy in the world? What game was he playing?
It was time that Willas learn that she could play too. Instead of saying anything, she chose to stay silent.
"Your uncle Oberyn's arrest in the capital…it was planned."
This time, Arianne couldn't control her words.
"Planned?"
Willas nodded.
"Your uncle knew of our…plans for Margaery and Joffrey. He came to offer his help."
"His help?" Arianne questioned. "For what?"
"For the elimination of a troubled case."
Arianne's eyes widened.
"Your uncle and my grandmother met in the greatest secrecy." Willas continued without even taking time to breathe. "They agreed on terms."
"Terms?" Arianne's teeth were clenched now. "What terms?"
"Terms for his aid in clearing the Tyrell name from such an act." Was her betrothed's answer. She saw him lean on his cane further, drawing in a breath. "I will be blunt, dear. Your uncle proposed to take the fall for Joffrey Baratheon's death."
Arianne couldn't believe her ears. Of course, it was the Tyrells! Of course, it was those scheming bastards, and Willas knew! He knew and he didn't say anything!
"And?" Arianne asked, trying her hardest not to burst out in anger.
"Prince Oberyn asked several things in exchange for him taking the fall. The first being that we convince Tywin Lannister to name Gregor Clegane as champion of the crown if Prince Oberyn asked for a trial by battle."
Suddenly, Arianne's eyes lit up. Now she knew why her uncle had done it. Vengeance. Vengeance for Elia and for house Martell. She repressed a bright smile, but if a month with the Tyrells taught her anything, is that there was always more to it.
"The second was to ensure that no harm would come to the other Dornishmen in the capital while the trial was going on." Willas continued. "It could have exposed them to reprisals. We had to huddle them in the same wing of the Keep, but they seem to be doing alright."
"You, did it?" Arianne asked. "How?"
"Poison." Was Willas' only answer.
"I know that." Arianne frowned again. "How?"
"We used the Stark girl for it."
"What became of her?"
"She disappeared along with Lord Baelish, the Lord Regent of the Vale." Willas replied. "We think he has taken her to the Eyrie where he will try to use her to bring the North to his side."
Arianne wanted to laugh. For once that one of the Tyrell's pawns had escaped! However, her joy soon subsided as a realization crept up on her.
"And you didn't tell me anything, why?" Arianne growled. "We are to be married, my uncle offered this pact and you kept it hidden from me?"
"It had to be kept as secret as possible. Even I wasn't informed of this until very recently."
"Very recently? When?"
"Five days ago."
"And why didn't you tell me five days ago, Willas?" Arianne asked with contempt. "We are to be married. My uncle made a deal with your family. With our marriage, we will be linked. I will be your family, Willas. Why did you not trust me?"
"The time wasn't right." Willas answered simply.
Arianne rose from her chair at these words.
"Are we or are we not to be married, Willas?" she screamed out.
"We are." He answered calmly.
"Then start acting like it." Arianne retorted defiantly. "I am to be your wife. I deserved to be informed of developments like these."
"Very well." Willas nodded.
Before Arianne could answer back by asking him to stop just agreeing with her and actually start putting his words in actions, they were rudely interrupted by one of the guards.
"Lord Willas, I must speak with you. It is a matter of utmost urgency." The man said.
"I see." Willas rose from his chair, still leaning on his cane. "Sorry, Ari. I must go. I will be back."
"As you say." Arianne scoffed.
Once he had closed the door, Arianne wobbled slowly to the bed. She nearly wanted to break down crying.
Of course, her uncle was right in wanting to get vengeance for their family. Oberyn always wanted this, and such an opportunity could not be passed up. A few months ago, she would have had applauded this decision, but staying with the Tyrells gave her a view of politics that she didn't have in Dorne, and this announcement had her stomach tied in a knot.
And those small lessons all came to her at once. All of them pointing to a grim realization: the Tyrells had won. They had outplayed and outmanoeuvred house Martell in every way.
House Martell would take the fall for Joffrey's death, and Dorne would be scorned whatever happened at the trial. Clegane would die whatever happened, and the Tyrells knew this. A lapdog less for the Lannisters, and their precious Margaery would just marry the next king.
As for the Martells, they would have control over both a prince and the heir to Sunspear. With them and the Lannisters working hand in hand, Quentyn and Oberyn were both trapped in the capital, both houses would never let go of such important figures as these. Guests in name, hostages in reality.
They had played on Oberyn's wishes and done so with the utmost care. All they needed to do now was drag Quentyn along, or, and it sent a shiver down her spine, get rid of him.
Not now, of course. But once it is clear that Dorne had no other choice to bend to the Roses. All without a single drop of Reacher blood spilled.
And, of course, a hostage she was too. The Tyrells would brag otherwise, but she knew it very well, now. The Tyrells had perfectly played the game of thrones. They had locked house Martell in a series of golden cages and they held all the keys.
Arianne wanted to slump down on the bed and cry in her pillow. She had always wanted to be the strongest princess of Dorne since Nymeria, but she was now just a hostage in a far-away land. Her dreams of being the true ruler of Highgarden were gone and buried.
Would Nymeria shame and scorn her? Her descendant, reduced to serving the Reach for the remainder of her days? What would the founder of House Nymeros Martell say?
She wanted to be the strongest woman in Dorne, the one everyone would look up to as the greatest ruler since Nymeria herself. But now…now she just felt little. She was no Nymeria reborn; she was just the lonely princess in the tower, but it was not a dragon guarding her but a rose with the sharpest thorns. And there would be no knight to save her from her flowery prison.
She felt the door open once again, revealing her betrothed, who looked quite pale.
"What is it?" she asked, in a defeated tone.
Willas took a deep breath before answering.
"The Ironborn have taken the Shield Islands."
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