"This time—"
Princess Arianne lounged lazily against the back of her chair. "—I lived very comfortably there, Prince."
Black eyes met black eyes. After a pause, Prince Doran's weak voice came: "Should I understand that you were uncomfortable last time, Arianne?"
"Mm-hm."
Princess Arianne shrugged. "Not just last time. I've always lived in unease, terrified that you would strip me of my inheritance. You know that very well."
Prince Doran lowered his eyes and stared at the chessboard for a while, his voice devoid of emotion. "You've grown up. I'm pleased."
Seeing her father's reaction, the fire in Princess Arianne's heart flared up again. "It's not that I've grown up, my dear father. It's that you've been forced to take me seriously!"
Father and daughter faced each other for a long time before Prince Doran slowly spoke. "King Crabb has treated you as a useful sword. He is shifting the flames of hatred and isolating you—as well as House Martell."
"I am more than willing to be that sword!"
Arianne's back had already left the chair. Her sharply defined black eyes stared fixedly at Prince Doran, her voice carrying rage she could not suppress. "Besides, House Martell has never needed friends!"
Her full chest rose and fell several times. She barely calmed herself, and a mocking curve appeared at the corner of her lips. "This is still better than marrying some old man, and far better than losing my inheritance. At least—His Majesty Gryn has been very generous to me, hasn't he, Father?"
Unexpectedly—
Prince Doran nodded in agreement. "He—that man has indeed been—good to you."
A trace of suspicion flashed through Princess Arianne's eyes, but her mocking tone did not lessen. "Only good? That man not only helped me avenge myself, he also gave me his trust and bestowed