Sitting on the beach three miles west of Halberd City, Flowing Water Gardens was the private residence of the Martell family.

More than 100 years ago, in order to submit Dorne to the Iron Throne, the Targaryens married Princess Daenerys to the city of Halberd, a garden of flowing water that Prince Martell built for his wife.

The salty sea breeze blows from the sea, which dilutes the heat of the scorching sun and brings the freshness of autumn.

Samwell walked through the garden, watching the dappled shadows cast by the blood orange trees and form a wonderful pattern on the marble floor.

Passing through an elegant archway, Samwell stops by the fountain.

There are all kinds of water toys scattered on the ground, standing still, as if you can vaguely hear the laughter of children playing here.

"Your Majesty, Tristan Martell has been brought."

Samwell turned around, and saw that the guards had brought a child of thirteen or fourteen.

He had olive-colored skin and straight black hair, and his eyes were soft and submissive, and his appearance was seven points similar to that of Prince Dolang.

Prince Doran had three children, the eldest daughter Arlene had died in Ellenwood City, and the second son Quentin tried to tame the dragon in Slaver Bay, but was burned to charcoal, so the youngest son Tristan was the first in line to the throne of Halberd City.

And because the "Red Viper" Prince Oberon was not married, leaving only a bunch of illegitimate daughters, Trisdan is still the last person in the Martell family's lineage.

Although the prestige of the Martell family in Dorne has greatly decreased after the wars of recent years, the emaciated camel is bigger than the horse, and it is impossible to ignore the influence of the Martell family if they want to rule Dorne.

In fact, Samwell originally planned to let the illegitimate son of the Ellenwood family clean up these Martell people in the name of revenge, and they were all gone.

Even if there is infamy, it is the Ellenwood family who bears it, and the Dornish people will not resent Caesar.

But who knows, the illegitimate son of the Ellenwood family is such a waste, and he was beaten by the Golden Regiment, and he couldn't even enter Yang Halberd City.

And Samwell to help him wipe his ass.

But without this scapegoat, Samwell has a bit of a trick to do with these people in the Martell family.

"Your Majesty Caesar......" Tristan Martell was worried when he saw Samwell staring at him and didn't speak, "you...... You're not going to kill me, are you? ”

"Do you think I'm going to kill you?" Samwell asked.

"I don't think you will."

"Why?" The corners of Samwell's mouth curled slightly.

"Because ......," said Tristan with courage, "a true king should possess the virtues of mercy and forgiveness, and only then will more people in the future be willing to surrender to you and pledge their allegiance to you." ”

Samwell deliberately said with a cold face:

"Forgiveness is not unconditional, nor is it objectless. Your father, under the guise of an alliance, intended to assassinate me, and your sister pretended to surrender but poisoned the wine, so it can be seen that the Martel family has the blood of betrayal in their bodies, and who knows if you will stab me in the back one day? ”

Tristan's face turned white with fright, but he still gritted his teeth and said:

"That's why you should forgive me."

"Oh?"

"If the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms see that you can forgive even the Martell family, who have betrayed them repeatedly, they will not be worried when they surrender."

Samwell laughed:

That's a good answer. Did you come up with it yourself, or did someone teach you? ”

Trisdan glanced back and said, "Yes...... Lady Ellalia taught me. ”

Samwell followed his gaze and saw the bastard daughter of Fort Prison standing in the distance—

Ellalia Shad.

This woman is also the lover of Prince Oberon of the "Red Viper", and Samwell has also met her a few times when he was in the king's time.

"Bring her here." Samwell commanded the guards.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The guards trotted over and brought Ellaria over.

After some greetings, Ellaria sincerely persuaded:

"Your Majesty, I beg you to forgive the Martell family, not for us, but for you to better rule Dorne."

Samwell smiled noncommittally and asked:

"You don't want to avenge Oberon Martell?"

Ellaria shook her head slowly:

"Believe it or not, I never wanted to avenge Oberon. You killed Oberon in a fair duel on the battlefield, and this is the most glorious way of all, and I will not hold a grudge.

Moreover, revenge never solves the problem, it only creates more hatred, more blood.

Dolang lost his life in order to avenge his brother, and Alianne killed more people in order to avenge his father.

Dorne has died too many people in recent years, and we haven't seen so much blood and death since the War of Conquest.

Dorne had shed enough blood.

Enough is enough, really enough.

Today's Dornish only hope for peace, for no longer to worry about food, and for not being suddenly dragged into battle to avenge a nobleman.

Your Majesty Caesar, you should be able to understand the psychological changes of the Dornish people along the way, and they are willing to submit to you, as long as you can show mercy and give them a chance. ”

Samwell looked at the two people in front of him and was silent for a long time.

So long that Ellalia and Tristan almost thought that the other party was unwilling to forgive the Martell family.

"I can forgive the Martell family." Samwell finally spoke.

"Thank you, Your Majesty Caesar!" The two hurriedly thanked each other, their faces full of surprise for the rest of their lives.

"But you also have to pay for what you did before." Samwell continued,

"First of all, the Martell family no longer holds the titles of prince and princess, and is reduced to the title of earl. Secondly, the Martell family's fiefdom will only keep Yang Halberd City, and the surrounding villages and towns will be divided among other families. Eventually, Tristan will become my adopted son and follow me back to Storm's End. ”

Tristan looked at Ellaria beside him in confusion, expecting her reaction.

Ellaria sighed to herself, she knew how harsh these conditions were, and if she agreed, from now on, the Martell family would fall from the throne of the ruler of Dorne and become a second-tier nobleman.

is still a second-tier aristocrat who is always on guard by Caesar, and will never have a chance to rise again.

But even though she knew that these conditions were harsh, Ellaria knew that she had no right to refuse.

The Martell family has no bargaining capital.

Ellaria sighed and asked, "If the Martell family is demoted to the rank of count, then who will become the new ruler of Dorne?" ”

"Natalie Dane." Samwell said, "When she arrives in Halberd City, you will lead the nobles of Dorne to swear allegiance to her." ”

At least Dane was a Dorne nobleman. That's all Ellaria can do to comfort herself.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you for your kindness. ”

Tristan had no choice but to salute and agree to Caesar's terms.

But suddenly, as if remembering something, he asked:

"Your Majesty, can I still marry Princess Mysella Baratheon? We have a marriage contract. ”

Samwell glanced at his adopted son with a strange gaze and said:

"The Lannisters have stolen Misetra, and the marriage contract is null and void. But don't worry, I'll help you arrange a marriage contract that matches your current status. ”

But I still want to marry Mycella. Tristan wanted to say that, but he didn't dare.

"Yes, Your Majesty, everything is up to you."

(End of chapter)