CHAPTER 160
After the trial concluded and the new queen was crowned, a grand feast was held.
The great hall was filled with captains and nobles while servants moved constantly between the long tables, carrying roasted meats, seafood, bread, ale, and wine.
Throughout the celebration, no one mentioned Euron Greyjoy, whose body had already been cast into the sea according to Garon's orders, as though the usurper had never existed.
Because of the miracle everyone had witnessed during the trial, nearly every captain present regarded Garon as the reincarnation of the legendary Garon of the White Staff, taking turns raising their cups to honor him.
Garon accepted every toast without refusing.
Amid the constant clinking of cups, laughter echoed throughout the hall, and the atmosphere became increasingly lively.
Asha Greyjoy sat upon the Seastone Chair at the head of the hall, silently watching Garon converse with the lords and captains of the Iron Islands.
Although she wore the smile expected of a newly crowned queen, inwardly she gritted her teeth, struggling to suppress the frustration threatening to erupt.
She was clearly the Queen of the Iron Islands.
Yet everyone's attention revolved around Garon.
"So..."
"So this is what you wanted."
"You want me to become your puppet?"
"Don't even think about it."
The defiance flowing through Asha's Greyjoy blood stirred once again.
The Ironborn had never believed in quietly accepting fate.
They believed only in taking what they desired.
"If I can't surpass him with military strength or political influence..."
"Then I'll conquer him another way."
"I am a woman."
"So I'll use a woman's greatest weapon."
"No matter what..."
"I, Asha Greyjoy, will never submit."
Determination once again filled her eyes.
At that moment, Garon seemed to notice Asha sitting alone upon the Seastone Chair.
He immediately raised his wine cup.
"To Queen Asha!"
The moment his voice echoed through the hall, every captain rose to their feet.
"Long live Queen Asha!"
"Long live the Iron Islands!"
Asha looked toward Garon, who had effortlessly commanded such unanimous support.
She pursed her lips before revealing a brilliant smile.
Raising her own goblet, she answered loudly.
"To Garon of the White Staff!"
Instantly, the entire hall erupted.
"To Garon of the White Staff!"
Garon laughed heartily before emptying his cup in one gulp.
The celebration became even more spirited as everyone continued eating and drinking without restraint.
Only after the feast finally ended did Garon arrange for the drunken captains to be escorted back to their chambers throughout Pyke.
Afterward, he personally accompanied Asha toward the Sea Tower.
Neither of them spoke during the journey.
Only the crashing waves beneath Pyke's towering cliffs broke the silence.
Crossing the swaying rope bridge, they finally reached the chambers that had once belonged to King Balon.
Now...
They belonged to Queen Asha.
"Your Grace."
"You should rest early."
"Tomorrow we still need to discuss the deployment of troops with the captains."
Standing outside the entrance to the Sea Tower, Garon made no move to enter.
He merely inclined his head before preparing to leave.
Behind him, however, Asha suddenly spoke.
"I've thought of a new arrangement regarding our alliance."
Garon immediately stopped.
His expression became calm as he slowly turned back.
"A new arrangement?"
"I don't remember agreeing to alter our original terms."
Asha smiled faintly.
"That's only because you haven't heard it yet."
"Once you do..."
"I'm certain you'll understand."
Garon narrowed his crimson eyes slightly.
He could not yet determine what Asha intended.
"Go on."
Instead of answering immediately, Asha turned and walked toward her chambers.
"The doorway isn't the place for this discussion."
"Come inside."
"We have the entire night."
A thoughtful look crossed Garon's face.
After only a brief hesitation, he followed her.
As soon as he entered, Asha quietly closed the heavy wooden door behind them.
That simple action caused Garon's eyebrows to twitch almost imperceptibly.
He had already guessed her intentions.
"Garon..."
Asha slowly approached.
Her footsteps were steady.
The firelight reflected within her eyes, revealing emotions too complicated to describe.
"Or perhaps..."
"I should call you Garon of the White Staff."
She stopped directly before him.
Only a single step separated them.
"I know what you've done."
"You gave me my crown."
"You gave me vengeance."
"And you've also placed me in a position where I have no choice but to rely upon you."
A bitter smile appeared upon Asha's lips.
"I understand your intentions."
"You want to use me to control the Iron Islands."
"You want these islands to become part of your ambitions."
"You're right."
Garon neither denied nor concealed it.
His gaze merely became deeper.
"So..."
"What exactly is this new arrangement?"
Asha looked directly into his eyes.
"The future of the Iron Islands cannot forever depend upon the miracle of Garon of the White Staff."
"I refuse to become your puppet."
"I want to become your true ally."
"An ally no one can ever replace."
She suddenly reached forward and grasped the front of Garon's leather armor, drawing him closer.
Their faces were separated by only inches.
"If you've used power and miracles to bind me..."
"Then I'll use the Greyjoy way to bind us together."
"The Greyjoy way?"
A faint smile appeared on Garon's face.
He gently lifted a single finger, stopping Asha from moving any closer.
"And what exactly is the Greyjoy way?"
Asha remained completely undiscouraged.
"Haven't you heard our words?"
"We Do Not Sow."
"Oh?"
Garon remained expressionless.
"So tell me."
"How do you intend to take what you want?"
As his words fell, Asha calmly loosened the fastenings at the collar of her clothing.
The heavy garments slipped from her shoulders, revealing the powerful, athletic body shaped by years at sea.
She slowly stepped backward.
Without the slightest embarrassment, she allowed Garon to look upon her.
Her breathing became slightly heavier.
Her eyes burned with fierce determination rather than hesitation.
"Men conquer kingdoms."
"But women conquer men."
"Garon..."
"If we become one..."
"Our alliance will never be broken."
"I will bear your child."
"He will inherit House Greyjoy."
"He will sit upon the Seastone Chair."
"He will carry both Greyjoy blood and Glover blood."
"Your son..."
"And your descendants..."
"Will truly rule these islands forever."
A flicker of surprise appeared within Garon's crimson eyes.
In that instant, he completely understood Asha's intentions.
She was attempting to reverse everything.
Rather than remain under his control...
She intended to bind him through blood and family.
Silence filled the room.
Behind Garon's calm expression, countless thoughts rapidly crossed his mind.
He carefully examined the woman standing before him.
Like a leopardess...
Dangerous.
Beautiful.
Bold beyond reason.
He silently weighed the value of the proposal she had placed before him.
"A child carrying my blood..."
"Ruling the Iron Islands beneath the Greyjoy name..."
A faint smile gradually appeared on Garon's lips.
"Feudalism..."
Although he had memories from another world, he understood better than anyone that attempting to establish a centralized empire in Westeros was nothing more than fantasy.
The feudal system had existed across Westeros for thousands of years.
Its foundations reached every castle, every noble house, and every corner of society.
It could never be overturned within a single generation.
"If centralization cannot yet be achieved..."
"Then allowing my bloodline to inherit through the existing feudal order..."
"May indeed prove more stable in the long run than relying solely upon military conquest and divine authority."