Donne.
The afternoon sun pours down from the clear sky, coating every inch of the Water Garden with a golden halo.
This is the most beautiful season in Dorne.
The remaining heat of summer has dissipated, and the coolness of autumn has arrived in this land that is hot all year round. The sea water laps at the rocks on the south side of the garden, making a rhythmic rushing sound. The sound is as gentle as a lullaby hummed by a mother.
There is water everywhere in the garden.
This is the origin of the name "Flowing Water Garden".
Countless small waterways meander through the courtyard, and clear spring water gurgls from the marble sculptures into the pool, stirring up tiny splashes of water.
There are water lilies planted in the pool, one after another floating on the water, lazily enjoying the kiss of the sun.
The stone road was slightly heated by the sun, and there were tiny moss growing in the gaps. It was soft and cool when you stepped on it.
If it were a normal afternoon, Arianne Martell would be lying on such a soft couch, letting the maid fan her, eating figs one by one, and listening to the musicians playing Dornish's unique harp in the distance.
Or have a tryst with a handsome knight and enjoy the sun, sea breeze and primitive joy in a secluded place.
But today was not an ordinary day. She was not in the mood to enjoy such a beautiful scenery.
In other words, she is a more beautiful existence than the scenery.
Walking along the coastal road from Sunspear, I walked in a hurry, stepping on the warm pink stone slabs with my bare feet.
The burgundy skirt fluttered in the wind, revealing slender ankles and a pair of bare feet.
Her feet are small, delicate and white, forming a subtle contrast with her olive skin. Her ten toes are round and plump, like peeled lychees.
The toenails were neatly trimmed, and each piece was painted with crimson nail polish, which was made from crushed cochineal insects brought from Lys across the narrow sea. Only the most noble women in Dorne were worthy of enjoying it.
She walked very fast, her skirt flying, and her long hair blowing in the wind.
Her shiny black curly hair reached her waist, and a few strands of hair stuck to her slightly sweaty forehead, making her big black eyes even brighter.
Also angrier.
There was a flame burning in the boy's hole, and the anger almost turned into substance and spewed out.
Behind her, a tall and tall white-robed knight wearing a white robe followed her step by step.
Alex Oakheart Ser.
He comes from the Reach and is the second son of the Oakheart family. He received the most orthodox knight education since he was a child.
Ten years ago, he was elected to the Kingsguard. Later, when Princess Myrcella was sent to Dorne for marriage, Tyrion, then acting Prime Minister, ordered him to accompany her for protection.
At this moment, the Kingsguard followed Arianne, his eyes always falling on the bare heels of the Princess of Dorne, as if he was still thinking about it.
"Your Highness!"
A maid carrying a silver tray came out from behind the pillar, saw Arianne, and hurriedly lowered her head and saluted.
A few figs fell from the silver plate and rolled onto the stone pavement. One of them rolled to Arianne's feet, touched her toes, and stopped.
Arianne did not lower her head or even slow down.
The fig was kicked away by her and rolled into the pool next to it, causing ripples.
The koi carps in the pond swam in all directions, their tails slapping into tiny splashes of water.
The maid's face turned even paler, and she knelt on the ground without daring to move. It wasn't until Arianne was far away that she dared to raise her head and take a deep breath.
"Your Highness!"
"Your Highness!"
Arianne continued to stride forward. Wherever she went, the guards, gardeners, and servants all bowed their heads to say hello and stepped aside to give way.
However, the Princess of Dorne was not even in the mood to respond to their greetings.
She just walked very fast, obviously coming with some determination that she would not give up until she reached her goal.
The main hall is right in front.
It was a three-story building, located in the deepest part of the Flowing Water Garden, facing the sea. At this time, the palace door was closed tightly, and four guards stood at the door.
However, no one dared to stop Arianne as she walked. When she came to the palace gate, a strong man with gray hair stepped forward and stood between her and the main hall.
He is not particularly tall, but every muscle is as if it is made of iron. There is an old wound on his face from the left forehead to the right chin.
He was holding a huge long ax in both hands. The ax handle was as thick as an adult man's arm, and the ax was as wide as a small shield.
"Stop, Your Highness Arianne!"
"Get out of the way, Heta!"
Looking at the strong man standing in front of her, Arianne responded unceremoniously.
Obviously, she recognized this person.
Ali O Hota, the bearded monk of Norvos.
Thirty years ago, he married Arianne's mother, Mrs. Mellario, from Norvos to Dorne. Later, Mrs. Mellario and Prince Doran separated due to emotional differences and returned to Norvos alone, but left him behind.
It's like a divorced woman leaving her dowry to her ex-husband.
But this gift is very special, because Ali ou is the most outstanding warrior in Norvos.
As the captain of the guard for the prince and his wife, this Norvosian has lived in Sunspear for thirty years. He has watched Arianne grow from the time she was born to the time she learned to walk, and then grew into the stunning beauty she is today that has driven countless Dornish knights crazy.
Logically speaking, their relationship should be very deep.
In fact, this is also the case. Arianne usually calls him "Uncle Hota" when no outsiders are present.
However, today's situation seems a little special.
Because the princess is very angry.
After learning the shocking news from King's Landing.
"Get out of the way!"
Seeing that Ali O. Hota was motionless, Arianne raised her voice again. "I have something to see my father, now!"
But in the face of the princess's strong order, the bearded monk still did not move.
"His Royal Highness has an order." His voice was cold, as stiff as the muscles in his body. "He is discussing things with important guests and no one is allowed in."
"Anyone?" Arianne's voice rose louder. "I am my father's eldest daughter, the princess of Dorne, and the heir to the throne of prince!"
But in the face of Arianne's emphasis, Heta just looked at her, his gray eyes as calm as a pool of stagnant water, as if he was looking at a child having a tantrum.
"I only obey the orders of His Highness the Prince." he repeated.
The implication is very clear, you are just a princess of Dorne, at least for now.
As soon as these words came out, Arianne's chest suddenly heaved violently, she bit her lips, and the anger burned like a flame in her big black eyes.
All she knew was that Uncle Oberyn was assassinated in King's Landing and was seriously injured in a coma. His life or death was uncertain.
And she actually found out about this from the gossips of the maids!
Now, she wanted to see her father, but was blocked from the door!
"You..."
"Your Highness!"
At this moment, a voice sounded from behind Arianne.
Arys Oakheart Ser walked in front of Arianne, stood sideways, and blocked her behind with his straight back.
The white robe was extremely dazzling in the sunlight, and the straight spine seemed to be able to withstand all wind and rain.
In front of Heta, Alex Ser raised his chin slightly and said unhurriedly, "Listen up, bearded man."
"Your Highness the Princess wants to see her father, when will it be your turn to agree to it?"
As he spoke, he paused, raised the corners of his mouth slightly, and showed a polite and arrogant smile, "In Dorne, maybe you are used to letting servants tell their masters what to do."
"But if something like this happened in the Reach, or in King's Landing, someone would have their tongue cut out!"
Alex Ser put his hand on the hilt of the sword. His movement was very casual, as if he was just walking in the garden and accidentally met an ignorant servant to teach him a few words.
Because in his opinion, this bearded man from across the Narrow Sea, wearing a burlap robe, did not deserve any respect at all.
As a noble knight born in the Reach, and now a member of the Kingsguard, he is naturally one step above these vulgar monks.
Hearing this, Ali Ou Hota looked at him, but there was still no emotion in his eyes.
The training of the bearded monk of Norvos is very strict. Over the years, he has become accustomed to being unmoved by things other than his master's orders.
"Stand back, Kingsguard."
Ali Ou just reminded, "This is Dorne, and everything is only based on the orders of Prince Doran Martell. As soon as these words came out, Alex Ser's eyes narrowed slightly.
Because he felt the contempt in the tone, that contempt made him more angry than any direct insult.
How dare this vulgar Norvos barbarian disrespect the noble Knights of the Reach so much!
"There's no etiquette at all."
However, as a nobleman since childhood, he still maintained his dignity and did not share the same knowledge with the other party. He just shook his head, glanced at the giant ax in He Ta's hand and said with a contemptuous smile, "I think you don't even know how to spell "axe"."
"Remember, next time you see me, call me "Ser"!"
After saying that, he was ready to persuade Arianne: "Let's wait a little longer..."
"Alex Ser."
However, at this moment, Arianne's voice sounded faster than him.
Alex was stunned for a moment and turned his head.
He saw Arianne standing behind him, the sun shining on her face, giving her olive skin a golden sheen.
Her eyes were bright, as if shining with something more dangerous.
"Please help me, in the name of the Princess of Dorne."
"If anyone dares to stand in front of me and prevent me from seeing my father..."
Arianne's tone suddenly increased at the word "anyone", as if in response to Heta's words just now, she said in a deep voice, "Just chop off their legs!"
Hearing this, Alex Ser was stunned.
Before coming here, he had not thought that there would be a conflict, but this was Sunspear City after all, so if he started a fight in front of the Prince of Dorne's palace.
However, looking at the dependence and expectation in Arianne's eyes, and thinking that they have become inseparable these days, Alex Ser still took a deep breath, turned around, and faced Ali O. Hota.
"Get out of the way, Ali ou Hota."
He used the formal title and his voice was louder than before. "Otherwise, I, Arys Oakheart, will challenge you to a duel in the name of the Seven Gods!"
After he finished speaking, he pulled out his sword with a loud sound, and the sun shone on the sword, reflecting a dazzling light.
However, facing the threat of the sword in front of him, Ali Ou Hota did not show any fear. Instead, he directly lifted the huge long ax from the ground. The ax blade drew an arc in the air, with a sharp sound of wind, and finally stopped three inches in front of Alex Ser.
Alex Ser could feel the wind brought by the ax blade, and the killing intent contained in it made his legs tremble slightly.
But he didn't back down.
Because he is a knight, a Kingsguard, and...
"Both of you."
Just when the tense atmosphere reached its peak, a voice came from the hall.
The sound was very soft and slow, like a summer breeze.
"Do you want to turn my flowing water garden into a gladiatorial arena?"
As the voice fell, Ali the hall door behind Ou opened, and everyone looked there.
Inside the door, a man was sitting in a wheelchair, slowly coming out of the shadows.
The sun shines on his face.
He was pale and slightly swollen, as if he was exhausted from the pain. His legs were swollen at the knees and hung limply on the pedals of his wheelchair.
His eyes were almost pure black, bottomless, as if he could see through everything.
Everyone knows this person.
Even Alex Ser, who has been in Dorne for just over a year, knows him.
Doran·Martell.
Prince of Dorne.
Also... Arianne's father.
Doran's wheelchair was parked on the threshold, half in shadow, half in sunlight.
He looked at the two people who were at war with each other in front of him, and the corners of his mouth raised slightly, revealing an almost invisible smile.
"Ali OU."
"Put away your axe, I don't want my guests to see Sunspear in disharmony."
As soon as these words came out, Ali ou didn't have any nonsense. He immediately took a step back, lowered his eyes and stood by the door again.
He held the huge long ax on the ground, like a stone statue that would never move.
Then, Doran's eyes turned to Alex: "Ser."
Hearing this, Alex Ser straightened his spine subconsciously.
"I remember that you were ordered to protect Princess Myrcella, but why do I feel that you have been staying with my daughter during this time?"
As soon as these words came out, Alex Ser's face flushed slightly and he tried to explain, "Your Highness, I..."
"No need to explain, Ser." Doran interrupted him, and then ordered in a teaching tone, "I know what the Kingsguard is. My uncle Prince Lewen was also a member of the Kingsguard."
"They swore to protect the lives of members of the royal family, and he even paid the price with his life for this, instead of being here... getting too close to my daughter."
Hearing this, Alex Ser's face turned redder, and he opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
"Father!" At this time, Arianne couldn't help but say.
She walked forward, stood next to Alex Ser, looked at her father in the wheelchair, and said in a high voice, "Father, I have something important to say. Uncle Oberyn was assassinated in King's Landing. It was Eron the Wood family...
"Arianne." However, Doran interrupted her again.
"Go back to your room."
There was no unnecessary nonsense, he didn't even raise his head to look at his eldest daughter, he just tapped his forehead with his knuckles and gave a strong order.
"What?" Arianne's eyes widened and she looked at her father in disbelief.
"I said, go back to your room!"
"But Uncle Oberyn...,."
"No but."
Doran interrupted again, then finally raised his head and stared directly at Arianne: "Go back to your room, now.
Hearing this, Arianne stood there and looked at her father, with no expression on his pale face.
Gritting her teeth angrily, she finally turned around and walked deeper into the garden.
Stepping barefoot on the warm stone slab, step by step, farther and farther.
Alex Ser stood where he was, not knowing whether to follow or stay.
"Kingsguard." Doran's voice sounded, and Alex Ser looked at him.
"What are you still doing standing here?"
After the prince finished speaking, he saluted Doran, then grasped the hilt of his sword and chased in the direction where Arianne disappeared.
The footsteps gradually faded away, and the Water Garden became quiet again. Only the wind blew through the lemon leaves and the waves crashed on the rocks in the distance.
Dolan sat alone in his wheelchair and looked at the empty path for a long time.
"Are you too harsh on her, Your Highness?"
Not long after, a voice sounded from the shadows behind him.
Dolan didn't look back, just sighed softly.
"There are some things she doesn't need to know."
But then he returned to his serious tone and said solemnly, "You don't have to test me. I promised that Quentin will inherit my throne and become the Prince of Dorne. This will never change."
"You just have to do what you have to do."
"Anders·Eron Wood Earl."