Bread (End)

The pupils of Princess Arianne's eyes contracted slightly. Though the intelligence of the Redwyne Fleet's disastrous defeat was shocking enough, Prince Doran's handwritten letter held a more peculiar "appeal" for her at this moment.

She had never forgotten that, deep down, her father had always preferred her younger brother to inherit Dorne...

Princess Arianne's fingers unconsciously tightened around the hem of her skirt. Seemingly casual, she glanced at the letter in Gryn's hand and asked with a smile, "May I see it?"

Gryn's gaze settled on her. The corners of his lips curled faintly into a smile as he said, "Of course. We're one of our own, after all."

"Very well, as you command, my Lord Regent."

Princess Arianne gave a seemingly helpless little shrug. As she spoke, she rose from her chair and lightly settled directly into Gryn's lap.

Turning her face to him, she offered him an utterly enchanting smile. One hand curled around his neck like a vine, while the other naturally reached out and took the letter.

Princess Arianne's large, bright black eyes quickly finished reading the letter. After a pause, her gaze shifted to Gryn, and she said with slight suspicion, "It seems to be nothing more than my father's usual greetings and blessings?"

Gryn patted her back and shifted aside, letting her sit down. He himself left the chair, stood before the small round table, and reached for the golden wine cup.

"When he wrote the letter, he had likely only just learned that I had become Lord Regent of the Seven Kingdoms. Judging by the timing..."

After thinking for a moment, Gryn continued, "He should only learn in the next couple of days of Lannister's crime of tainting Baratheon blood. Well, that's my estimate based on the speed of ravens."

"Mm-hm."

Imitating Gryn's