"Even most of the prominent vassals in the Westerlands can only wait outside. You could count on one hand the people actually allowed to stand in this room and speak."
"Your Majesty, the reason I wanted you to stay at Casterly Rock for a few days was to make it easier to govern the Westerlands by borrowing your authority, just as House Tyrell did at Highgarden."
At this point, Alliser's tone was no longer as calm as before. "Although I am now an earl personally appointed by you, these ancient noble houses of the Westerlands still see me as nothing more than a member of an ordinary noble family from the Crownlands. They haven't shown me the respect due to my station."
Viserys did not turn around. His gaze remained on the volumes lining the shelves, as though he had not heard what Alliser had just said. Instead, he asked a seemingly unrelated question. "Alliser, have you come here often since arriving at Casterly Rock?"
"Yes."
Although Alliser was puzzled by Viserys's sudden question, he answered quickly.
A hint of urgency entered his voice. "Ever since coming to Casterly Rock, I've worked hard to carry out your instructions, Your Majesty. Apart from clearing out a few old letters, I've kept almost everything in this study as it was. I thought that would make things easier for me as well."
Viserys sat down behind the long table and gestured for Alliser to sit too. Only then did Alliser pull out the chair opposite him, though he did not sit immediately. First, he neatly arranged the ledgers at hand, turning their covers toward Viserys.
His movements were gentle and steady, without so much as bending a corner. The topmost ledger had already been bound along its edge with brass rings, and its