Chapter 143: A War of Words II
"Prince, a marriage contract is also a kind of alliance," Doran remarked, his tone both suggestive and pointed.
Viserys’s performance had impressed everyone. Not only were Doran and Oberyn pleased, but even Arianne, who had initially been difficult, found her opinion of him shifting. She knew exactly what Doran was hinting at, and the realization made her usually confident heart race. She glanced at Viserys, then quickly looked away, her composure faltering. Doran, Oberyn, and Manfrey all watched Viserys with expectant smiles, making his heart pound with unease.
Viserys hadn’t anticipated facing this situation so soon. Refusing the proposal could ruin the favorable position he had just established, but accepting it would likely place him under House Martell’s control. He found himself trapped in a difficult dilemma. Adding to his anxiety was the fact that the Martells hadn’t mentioned Arianne’s past, particularly her lost virginity. While Viserys wasn’t fixated on that detail, he was more concerned about the implications of a relationship he hadn’t yet fully understood.
After a brief pause, Tyene returned with a gold-encrusted box. She opened it and removed a parchment tied with a fresh red ribbon, which looked as though it had been replaced multiple times. At Doran’s subtle nod, Tyene unrolled the parchment, revealing a beautifully crafted marriage contract, its edges adorned with intricate gold threading.
Oberyn picked up the contract and presented it to Viserys. “Prince, this marriage contract was signed by me and Ser Willem in Braavos under the witness of the Sealord. If you and Arianne fulfill this contract, Dorne will commit to helping you reclaim the Iron Throne.”
Doran, who had remained silent, did not dispute his brother’s words. Viserys realized that this was a serious offer. House Martell clearly saw potential in him, not just as a political pawn but as a future ruler with the capability to form an army and retake the Iron Throne.
Arianne, who had been outspoken earlier, now watched Viserys closely as he read the contract. Despite her calm exterior, her fingers, intertwined beneath the table, betrayed her nervousness. The realization dawned on her that this contract was likely the reason her father had dismissed her previous suitors, including Daemon, in favor of something greater.
Tyene and Sarella, standing nearby, also watched Viserys with anticipation. The prospect of having such a distinguished and handsome brother-in-law seemed like a dream come true.
Viserys could feel the weight of everyone’s expectations. A simple nod would make him a part of the Martell family, with all the benefits and complications that entailed. The marriage seemed like a foregone conclusion, and he could easily imagine being in Arianne’s bed by nightfall.
But Viserys knew he couldn’t agree so readily. He understood that House Martell’s strategy had always been to support the weaker side to maintain their own strength. If he were dealing with a lesser house, he might consider the alliance, but the Martells were far too powerful. This marriage contract wouldn’t just tie them to his cause; it would bind him to theirs, and in that dynamic, it was unclear who would truly hold the power.
Gathering his resolve, Viserys smiled and said, “I would be the luckiest man in the world to marry Princess Arianne.” His words brought smiles to everyone’s faces, and Arianne’s olive skin even flushed slightly. But then he added, “However, now is not the best time to fulfill the marriage contract.”
The atmosphere instantly shifted. The once lively garden seemed to fall silent, and the birdsong was replaced by an oppressive stillness. Doran, Arianne, and Oberyn’s smiles vanished, replaced by expressions of surprise and tension. Oberyn subtly leaned back, distancing himself from Viserys, while Manfrey looked equally astonished. Anyone else in Viserys’s position would have eagerly embraced the offer, but Viserys’s hesitation had caught them all off guard.
“What does the Prince mean by that...?” Doran inquired, lifting his teacup with a measured calm.
“Dorne is too powerful. I’m concerned that I’ll be swept along,” Viserys responded bluntly, plunging the room into silence. The Martells stared at him as if he were some newly discovered species—could he really say that so openly?
“And what about Daenerys? House Martell is willing to consider a marriage alliance with her as well,” Arianne interjected, her voice tinged with a strange mix of anger and hurt. Since Viserys had made his stance so clear, she saw no reason to hide her emotions.
“Dany is out of the question too. There’s a merchant in Pentos, Illyrio, who has arranged a Dothraki marriage for her...” Viserys began.
“Are you suggesting that the Martells are less desirable than those horse-riding savages?!” Oberyn’s tone had sharpened, his displeasure clear.
“Prince Oberyn, Princess, please let me explain. I refused the merchant’s offer. Dany and I are the last of the Targaryen bloodline. If she marries that Dothraki, their child would have a claim to the Iron Throne, and I would become an obstacle to the Dothraki’s ambitions in Westeros.”
“So, you suspect that we Martells might do the same to you?” Oberyn asked, his voice tight with controlled anger.