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When the Sea Hounds first sent a raven to the Engines of Commerce, proposing a marriage between their heiress and King Violet, they were dismissed with hardly a second look their way. How could an honorable house as the Kirammans stoop so low to marry their beloved and full inheritor of the House of Secrets to a Sea Hound?
Scavengers of the realm.
They had no proper bannermen, no lands to claim for their lineage to succeed on. But the Kiramman's also needed passageway through the Narrow Sea. And the Sea Hounds fleets covered the endless waves and drowned all who dared to pass without payment.
House Kiramman: their own empire. Holding the golden keys of Braavos and the Iron Bank, were being crippled at sea. Unable to pass with supplies. Their fleets held under water to be reclaimed by the old gods. A rising sigil for House Sea Hounds, a thorn in their side… easily plucked and thrown away.
But not this fleet.
Bannermen for the free folk. Tens of thousands foot soldiers strong, the King of House Sea Hounds sure made a name for himself once he slayed the dragons in the red keep, and sat himself on the iron throne.
An empire can only gain strength from an ally such as the Sea Hounds.
Caitlyn was a proper negotiator and went behind her mother’s back to meet this self-crowned “king”. See who he was, and if his words were honorable enough to consider. Or her mother would result in purchasing the Golden Company. Their own armies were small in numbers, but who dared tried to conquer the high mountains of Piltover’s Peak. Walls high enough to spot dragons miles away.
No one wise. All were foolish who tried.
Ser Jayce Talis led Princess Caitlyn Kiramman towards the throne room. He bowed before the woman who slouched in the seat; was uncut by the iron throne.
Chosen by men and the new gods.
But that wasn’t what caught Caitlyn’s attention. Mainly, this strong presenting warrior… who happened to be a woman, and called herself a King. The woman’s eyes matched the winterborn. A curse, some called it. But Caitlyn found them very beautiful. Windows towards the future, of mad men and whatever curses roam north of the wall. The Princess looked around at the brilliant display of power and insurgency.
Would this be a diplomatic council?
Caitlyn eyed the woman on the throne, or would more blood spill for the iron throne?
When the King’s eyes fell upon the Princess she sat up, getting a better look before leaping to her feet and walked to meet them halfway.
“My lady.” she greeted, sounding eager and looking very happy.
A tall man cleared his throat, warning.
“Princess,” the King corrected herself. “Welcome to King’s Landing. I hope your travels were fair and short.”
A lord stepped forward and bowed his own greeting for the Princess. “Princess Caitlyn, you stand before Violet of the Sea Hounds: Protector of the Narrow Sea, the dragon slayer, peace bearer to the realm, the unbound, the—”
“Yeah, yeah. I think they understand. You can call me Vi.” Vi spoke up, sounding amused, looking the Princess up and down with appreciation. “I appreciate you arriving quickly, trailing armies and your bannermen. The red keep is no more. You do know that, right?”
Ser Jayce Talis bowed his head once again. “Your grace,” he greeted. “I stand before you with Princess Caitlyn of House Kiramman. The keys to the vaults of Braavos, a great house of the seven kingdoms, Councilors to the first men, and heir to the House of Secrets.”
Vi whistled lowly and raised her brow. “Wow, impressive.” She removed her chosen crown and handed it to the lord. “My lady.” Vi gently took Caitlyn’s right hand and placed a kiss upon it. “We are honored and graced by your presence—”
“Speak on why I was summoned here, Your Grace ,” Caitlyn’s tone was straightforward, and she didn’t move from her place. “House Kiramman are no foot servants. But I came here in good faith, for my people and for the realm. I was told you had a proposal for me?”
Knowing very well what the letters detailed in request for Caitlyn’s hand, but the Princess wasn’t a fool and demanded to hear it from the King herself.
“Yeah, I do.” Vi cleared her throat and looked to her Hand for minor support. “My fleet, and my armies.”
Too simple, in this game of thrones.
Caitlyn frowned in suspicion. Details conveniently left out in every letter. “I’m not here for games, Your Grace. You requested a union between our houses. I stand before you as a representative for the Golden Keys.”
The man leaned forward and whispered what the golden keys meant to the realm. Vi smirked, while looking the Princess up and down. “Is that right?”
Vi waved away a young lad, and held out her arm. “How about a walk with me in the gardens? Get to know me better.” She looked at the knight tightening his grip on his sword. “Your dog can come too, if you’d like.”
Caitlyn didn’t hesitate to grab onto Vi’s arm. “No, that’ll be alright.”
And they walked out of the throne room and out the side doorways, knowing they were being trailed. Though, never too close, nor never too far away. And that was when Vi brought up the proposal of a marriage.
“Unite our two houses? Land and sea.” Caitlyn was toying with a flower Vi had plucked and given to her. “And what could the great Sea Hounds earn from us? We are strategists, you are fighters.”
“A Sea Hound never reveals its hand until it's too late.” Vi kicked a stone off the trail, and kept her attention on the little spies watching them from behind the trees. “You gain balance and free access to the Narrow Sea. The Iron fleet is only 100 ships strong. We are double. A sword and a shield are a knight's bear of arms, are they not?”
Caitlyn scoffed. “Are we your shields to hide behind, Your Grace?”
“I would never put you in harm's way, my Princess.”
“Do you not crave power?”
Vi slowly got the courage to cover Caitlyn’s hand with her own. A gentle touch for a ruthless warrior and risking a peek, holding the Princess’s gaze, Vi whispered a soft “No.” and kept walking until they slowly returned to the castle corridor and walked slowly to draw out this moment.
Caitlyn’s jaw set, but she remained. “I don’t believe you.”
Vi chuckled softly. “You calling the King a liar? Heresy.”
“They call you usurper,” Caitlyn whispered, the soft even-tone reverberating off the stone walls. “Wielder of chains, the dragon slayer, the hound who will mount the world.”
Vi smirked, “And what do you call me? A potential bride? No… a mistress, your weapon, or even your whore?”
“What would you like to be called?” Caitlyn asked instead.
“Yours.” Vi answered without hesitation. Heart on her sleeve and in her eyes.
Caitlyn slowed her pace, pulling on the king’s arm. “You’re serious about this proposal?”
Vi held her gaze once again and lifted both of Caitlyn’s hands into her own. “I would honor you until my dying breath, Princess. I would honor our houses both in name and in pocket. You have my word on that.”
Caitlyn swallowed hard, finally getting a proper look at this Usurper. How beautiful she was. Properly educated, and strong enough to fight her own wars. “Forgive me, Your Grace, but word and honor mean a great deal to House Kiramman. And to me.”
“Money doesn’t buy you honor?”
“Honorable Kings who listen to the demands of their people, bring honor to the realm. What have you brought to your people?”
“Freedom.” Vi answered simply. “A great night’s rest. They don’t have to worry about dragons burning their crops, their children being taken from their mothers, and they won’t go hungry while I sit on the throne. That’s what I bring to my people.” Vi wiped her nose and her eyes wandered to the several women running out of the halls. “And a good fuck.”
Caitlyn tried her best not to smile, but the corners of her lips betrayed her.
And Vi knew it. Reaching up and tucking an invisible strand of hair behind the Princess’s ear. Hair already flawless and mind already made up. Caitlyn covered Vi’s hand with her own and let the King draw near. They met with a soft press of lips, which became more firm as Caitlyn allowed it to happen.
Vi deepened the kiss with her tongue, encouraged by the quiet sighs and whimpers from Caitlyn.
“Wed me, and I’ll make your name the most powerful in all of Westeros.” Vi gasped breathlessly.
Caitlyn bit her lip and leaned forward, pressing their faces closer together. “At least you’re easy on the eyes.”
Vi laughed softly. “As are you, my Princess.” She tilted her head and stole another kiss on expecting lips that smiled into it. “Cupcakes.” Vi pulled away. “Why do you taste like cupcakes?”
Caitlyn grabbed Vi’s chin and brought her closer. “The roads are long and boring. Now shut your mouth and do something well with it.”
Vi moaned, letting Caitlyn pull her tighter against her.