-Chapter 114-
-POV MC-
"Is this a contest to see who can least annoy me?" I said, sighing.
"Now that the Master of Laws has left us, let's move on to the truly pressing matters of the Kingdom, Viscount Celtigar," said the king, this time addressing his Royal Master of Taxes.
Adrian Celtigar straightened up and then said, "We have noted some delays as well as some concealments thanks to the spies and bailiffs we have dispatched to the territories of the crown's vassals. But since the news of your great victory over the Ironborn, numerous ravens reporting errors as well as carts filled with gold, silver, and wheat are arriving from all over. In total, we have counted a little more than 380,000 gold dragons this month."
'They are afraid, nothing like a good show of force to remind one's vassals who's boss,' I easily deduced.
"Perfect, but continue to watch them closely. We must not miss any piece; it's vital for the kingdom's evolution," I said.
The viscount nodded, and then the king moved on to the next topic: "Lord Monford, since we have seized the Stepstones, how is the kingdom's maritime trade doing?"
"Everything is going perfectly well, given that our ships have priority passage rights over those of the free cities. We have even started to send some merchant fleets with Volantis as their destination in the name of the crown," said the viscount, also the head of House Velaryon.
"Let's hope it continues in this direction," I said, relieved that everything was going well and that our merchant fleet's expansion with the requisition of our enemies' ships.
"Anything in particular to report?"
"The taxes that Viscount Celtigar has placed have had a certainly positive effect on the state of our coffers, but it has also had the effect of gathering the three bastards of Valyria as well as a possible reformation of the Triarchy, which is a non-negligible possibility."
I nodded and said, "Ask your brother to properly monitor the situation of the Strait; he should immediately warn me if foreign ships try to test our limits."
"Very well, Your Majesty," he said.
"Viscount Wylis, how is the expansion of our fleets going?"
Honestly, everything is going very well, Your Majesty, although the progress is slower than expected. By next year, our fleet will be increased to more than 500 ships.
"500?!" I said, surprised by the number.
"Yes, I've managed to order a hundred warships for next year from the Sealord of Braavos as well as 200 merchant ships from House Redwyne and another 100 merchant ships from the free city of Pentos, which sent a peace emissary in exchange for our clemency and support for the new Magister of Pentos."
"He will have it, whoever he is, as long as he remains a friend of the crown," I quickly said, for I did not care much for politics beyond Westeros.
Wylis Manderly nodded, and then he said, "With the crown's new conquest, the Iron Throne now has complete access to all the seas that border our coasts, and we have practically rid our coasts of piracy."
"Practically?" I said, frowning.
"The Three Sisters are lairs for houses with practices similar to House Greyjoy," he said cautiously.
I remembered those insignificant little islands and then said, "Tell them that if such practices were to continue, I would be obliged to repeat what I did to the Ironborn."
"Count Willas, Mr. Farinelli, I have heard very good things about your exploits; I was told I could expect the works to be completed within one to two years."
Surprisingly, the two did not agree on the matter, as Soranos Farinelli said, "No, Your Grace, the works will not be completed for at least ten years."
While Willas Tyrell said, "Within a year, the works will be completed."
I raised an eyebrow and then asked, "I don't understand."
"Mr. Farinelli is a renowned architect, but his work is more focused on quality, whereas I am more focused on efficiency. Most of the workers do not know how to use their tools correctly and are still in training, so I have removed the extravagant and unnecessary steps from the projects as well as the too expensive products and materials."
"But that's an insult to my work, Your Majesty, you had promised that I would have the last word on everything that touches on the capital's architecture."
Quickly, the two launched into a sterile debate on the interest for a kingdom to have a grandiose capital or a functional capital.
I felt a headache coming on, as Farinelli was a renowned architect but also a passionate one, so I said in a conciliatory tone:
"Count Willas is right, we need a city capable of functioning properly and housing all its inhabitants in correct conditions, but do not worry, once all the housing is completed, you will be able to continue to mark the capital with your art until your death, if such is your wish."
He did not seem completely satisfied, but he fell silent and nodded.
"Thank you all for being able to free yourselves, we will resume in five days, apart from the Grand Maester and the Grand Alchemist, you are all dismissed," I said.