After the Iron Bank's envoy finished speaking, the air in the Council Chamber froze for several seconds.
Daenerys was stunned.
Before the surprise had faded from her violet eyes, her red lips stirred slightly, as though she wanted to say something, only to swallow it back.
Instinctively, she turned to look at Luciana.
Luciana's face betrayed little.
She gave Daenerys a slight nod.
The movement was so small it was almost imperceptible. Then she stepped forward and took over the conversation.
"Your Excellency." Her voice was steady.
"This matter involves an enormous sum and a complex contract. It falls beyond the scope of the administrative affairs currently overseen by Princess Daenerys. It would be more appropriate for me to discuss the subsequent arrangements with you."
She turned to Daenerys, her tone gentle but leaving no room for argument:
"Your Highness, leave this matter to me."
Daenerys's red lips moved.
In the end, she said nothing. She nodded and stepped back to sit beside the seat of honor.
As she sat down, she clenched her hands in her lap.
Her violet eyes remained fixed on the Iron Bank's envoy and the unrolled contract.
She had known nothing about this.
Aegon... when had he taken on such an enormous debt? And pledged Lys as collateral?
The Iron Bank's envoy seemed unsurprised by Luciana's intervention and inclined his head slightly.
"Very well. Then, Madam Governor, shall we begin reviewing the accounts?"
"As stipulated in the contract, the third and final installment of the loan was delivered to the designated treasury last month."
"Under the terms, the interest calculated from the arrival of the first installment is now due. I have come to collect the first interest payment."
Luciana sat down opposite the Iron Bank's envoy.
Her gaze swept over the figures on the