Crying

Before that cry rang out, the entire Casterly Rock seemed to hold its breath.

The falling of the red lion flag signifies the end of an era, but only the birth of new life marks the beginning of a new one.

Meanwhile, outside the delivery room, Mace was berating Jon, complaining that he hadn't returned to Casterly Rock immediately after the battle.

Jon naturally wouldn't argue with this worried father about his daughter, and readily accepted all his complaints.

Although Mace may be somewhat presumptuous in handling some matters, her love for her family is genuine. Such a person is always hard to blame.

Moreover, if you put yourself in their shoes, you wouldn't be happy if your daughter chose a son-in-law who didn't meet your standards when you became a father in the future.

Jon had originally planned to take a bath and then visit Margaery, who was still waiting to give birth, but everyone agreed that Jon had just returned from the battlefield and carried the stench of blood and an ominous aura, even the spirits of the dead. In short, it was not advisable for him to be near a pregnant woman.

Just then, Mace saw a man not far away wearing a blue burqa, who looked very clean but had a somewhat gloomy expression, and asked, "What's up with that guy? Why is he also wearing the burqa of a midwife and maester?"

Mace was referring to Qyburn, Jon had arranged as a precaution.

Perhaps it was because Qyburn was so obsessed with vivisection that his overall demeanor wasn't very likable. Or perhaps it was Mace's paternal instincts that made him acutely aware of the other man's uncomfortable aura.

"He's someone I prepared for Margaery, just in case," Jon reassured her, though he couldn't say anything unpleasant like "just in case," he simply gestured for Alerie to distract Mace.

Understanding Jon's meaning, Alerie freed Jon, and Jon approached Qyburn: "How's the recent C-section progress?"

"Sir, during your absence, I performed cesarean sections on seven pregnant women in need. Of the four, only three were successful on the spot, and the other contracted puerperal fever shortly afterward—"

Qyburn's meaning is self-evident; the success rate is about 50/50.

Jon could only have Qyburn use strong liquor to kill the poison, and at the same time change his clothes from head to toe.

Take their blue robes, for example; they were all sterilized with steam.

Unfortunately, conditions are limited in this era.

Whether rich or poor, commoner or noble, the medical conditions available to them are roughly the same. I have already done everything I can.

Even for the wealthy, what they get more of is just a placebo.

Even if we invite the bishop of the Starry Sept to chant sutras, it might not have much practical effect on the mother's safe delivery.

Jon sent Qyburn over not for a C-section, but to have the baby removed should anything go wrong.

"Summarize your entire process for me carefully. In case we really need you, the lady's life will take precedence," Jon instructed sternly.

"Understood, sir."

At this moment, Catelyn was explaining things to Qyburn with a serious expression, stepped forward to comfort Jon and told him not to worry, saying that she had observed Margaery's figure and that the delivery should not be too difficult.

"Sansa and Arya are praying for Margaery in the Great Sept. Jon, you have saved so many people; the Seven will have mercy on you and your children."

"Yes, thank you, Mrs. Catelyn."

Although chanting scriptures wouldn't help, it was still the thought that counted, and Jon couldn't bring himself to say anything that would spoil the mood. The two exchanged a few words briefly, and the anxious wait continued.

Many people are now eagerly awaiting that first cry.

It could be said that the entire Seven Kingdoms were calculating the date of Margaery's birth.

Many people have already brought their gifts and are waiting. If everything goes smoothly, the gifts will arrive in droves. If something else goes wrong, they can prepare in advance.

As a first-time mother, Margaery's first labor would take a long time. According to the midwives' expectations, it was already afternoon, and it was not impossible for her to wait for a whole day and night.

Time passed slowly, and although the Mace were showing signs of fatigue due to their age, they persevered.

Loras and Garlan accompanied them. Garlan had originally planned to return directly to Highgarden, but since it was his own sister giving birth, he simply had his retainers take the army back.

Catelyn was running between the delivery room and the Great Sept.

Arya, unable to stay still, would frequently come to see Jon.

They had been very comfortable with Margaery during their time in Casterly Rock, and a good friendship had developed between them.

Jon knew this was because Margaery was "more skilled than these two wolf girls who hadn't experienced terrible things."

Besides his core family members, Davos was also waiting for an opportunity to speak with Jon.

Finally, as evening approached, Davos found an opportunity to approach Jon.

Jon naturally knew Davos's purpose in approaching him, and he also knew that Davos was a good man, perhaps with reasons beyond his control, but the necessary procedures still had to be followed.

After a brief greeting, Davos steered the conversation to Dragonstone, explaining that the Stone Drum Tower, Dragon Tower, and Sea Dragon Tower on Dragonstone were all created by magic.

Its design and style are so unique; Dragonstone is probably one of a kind after the Doom of Valyria.

"Dragonstone is where the Targaryen rose to power, and many powerful dragons are said to have grown up there. I would really like to visit it if I had the chance."

Hearing Jon's words, Davos felt a glimmer of hope, but Jon quickly added, "There are still many things to do in the Westerlands, plus the Iron Islands and the Free Folk Beyond the Wall. I might not be able to get away for two or three years, or even three to five years. Besides, this is my first child, so it will probably be a long time before he is born."

Jon's reasons were all perfectly valid, effectively shutting down all of Davos's possible arguments.

I cannot betray His Majesty's trust and entrustment.

Davos himself knew that Stannis's request was rather cold, but as an intermediary, he had to find a way to get Jon to agree to go to Dragonstone and become Dragonstone steward.

Only by keeping Jon under his nose could Stannis govern the country with peace of mind, and raise and nurture an heir.

"Jon, what you say makes perfect sense. You are the Lord of Casterly Rock, the Warden of the West, and soon to be a father. But His Majesty truly needs you. Right now, His Majesty is struggling to govern three places on his own. Baratheon and the Stark are rebelling against the Targaryen's tyranny, and entrusting Dragonstone to you is the most suitable course of action."

Seeing Jon frown slightly, Davos's heart skipped a beat, but he quickly composed himself and continued, "Of course, Jon, I understand how you feel about becoming a father for the first time. His Majesty said that once the child is a little older, you can take Lady Margaery with you to Dragonstone."

"Oh? I wonder how much time Your Majesty can give me?" Jon's expression softened slightly.

However, he still didn't want to go to Dragonstone; he was just trying to buy himself some more time.

If the child can grow to one year old, that is, gain a year, by then the iron mines and smelting workshops in the Iron Islands should be in operation.

He essentially possessed the largest arsenal in the Seven Kingdoms.

If he could arm ten thousand heavily armored soldiers, then naturally he wouldn't need to worry about anything. Under the pressure of ten thousand heavily armored soldiers, Stannis would come to his senses and accept the reality that he had become a regional lord.

And a year later, he could lie and say he wasn't feeling well, the child wasn't feeling well, Margaery wasn't feeling well, Mace wasn't feeling well, Olenna wasn't feeling well—basically, he could just drag it out. As time went on, he would eventually figure it out himself.

Upon hearing Jon's question, Davos managed to utter a single word with difficulty. "Your Majesty, His Majesty says he hopes you will come to King's Landing in a month."

"One month!"

Before Jon could speak, Mace appeared out of nowhere.

"A one-month-old baby is prone to illness. The journey from Casterly Rock to King's Landing crosses the entire Westeros. Davos, tell him that if anything happens to my grandson, the Reach will not rest until they have done so!"

"Lord Mace! Are you going to disobey His Majesty's orders?!" Upon hearing Mace's unrestrained words, Alester immediately spoke up in a very serious tone to remind him.

"What's wrong with you! Who do you think you are!" Mace glared angrily at Alester, his former vassal, as if a thorn had been struck.

When talking about his superiors, he immediately brought up his past siege of Storm's End.

He believed that the House Florent had secretly made peace with the rebels, which had slowed down his army; otherwise, Rhaegar would not have died at the Trident River.

While Mace's words were somewhat treasonous, they seemed to amount to nothing in Westeros.

After all, Stannis's great-grandfather, the House Baratheon Laughing Storm, threatened Aegon V with a mountain of corpses as a dowry because Aegon V failed to marry his daughter to the House Baratheon as promised.

This is tantamount to a vassal openly threatening the king to commit treason.

Such treasonous words left Aegon V, in the wrong, with no choice but to marry his daughter Rhaely Targaryen to House Baratheon.

Robert Stannis's grandmother was Rhaelle Targaryen, which was an important reason why he was able to become king.

Although Mace's threat wasn't anything particularly serious, Jon quickly stepped in to mediate as the argument escalated.

Considering that they were currently in Casterly Rock, Alester had no choice but to endure it for the time being.

Davos, standing to the side, looked utterly helpless. All of his previous efforts had been wasted because of Alester's meddling.

Sure enough, once she realized her family might be in danger, Mace's fighting prowess became exceptionally high.

Not satisfied with just criticizing Alester, he then turned his attention to Davos and started criticizing him as well.

Davos, of course, couldn't talk back and could only lower his head and take the scolding.

Just then, Jon's squire Robert Frey ran over to tell Jon that Margaery had begun to give birth.

Everyone present fell silent.

Jon and Mace rushed to the delivery room and waited anxiously.

Mace faced the direction of the Starry Sept in the Oldtown, the headquarters of the Seven. He prayed silently, muttering incantations aloud.

Jon was also praying for the safety of Margaery and her child; after all, they were his own flesh and blood, and he couldn't help but worry.

Time passed second by second, and tonight there were an unusually large number of stars overhead.

Inside the Great Sept, in New York Town, at the Casterly Palace, and in Port Lannis (Margaery), everything seemed to fall silent, awaiting that cry.

As Mace prayed for the seventh time, a loud cry came from the delivery room.

This relieved everyone.

"That voice! It's definitely a boy!" Mace exclaimed excitedly, even more so Jon.

Davos was also able to discern something from the crying.

His feelings were complicated. He was happy for Jon, but also secretly worried for Stannis. He looked at Jon, whose face was like ice melting in spring.

Becoming a father for the first time is naturally incredibly exciting.

Just as he was about to go forward to congratulate Jon, a maid came to Jon's side, and her solemn expression startled Jon.