Chapter 133

Compared to Cersei and Jaime Lannister, Janos Slynt wasn’t much of a threat. His interest in Nina felt trivial compared to the suffocating pressure brought by the rumors circulating in King’s Landing. The Night’s Watch enterprises had already entwined themselves with many factions in the capital and didn’t fear a glorified city watch captain. Aegor set the matter aside for now. After dinner, he cleaned up, lay on the bed, and tried to come up with strategies to counter the rumors. When none came to mind, he quickly drifted into sleep.

Summer days were long, perfect for early risers. At first light, the household stirred. After some morning routines, Aegor led a small group to the office.

As per prior arrangements, Casey went to the Night’s Watch industrial park outside the city to oversee training and supervise operations. He also carried a warning to the other "pillar" of the enterprise that Slynt might cause trouble. Nina, though also assigned tasks, was temporarily reappointed as Aegor’s assistant to help him adjust to the sudden surge in workload at the office.

Since they couldn’t get a second desk on short notice, Nina simply pulled a chair to sit beside Aegor’s desk, ready to provide explanations or assistance as needed.
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Arya Stark, ever restless, arrived at the office clamoring to challenge her teacher. Aegor, swamped with work, waved her off to the courtyard to warm up with Jaqen. The Night’s Watch enterprises had grown several times over since he’d last left, but its operations still adhered to the model he and Tyrion had devised. The minor changes didn’t take long for the returning founder to adapt to. Give him a day or two, and he’d have full control of the office again.

After some handovers, Aegor decided to take a break, leaning back in his chair and glancing at Nina. Among common-born girls, her looks were undeniably above average. While Aegor didn’t find her quite as stunning as Tyrion had claimed, he acknowledged her competence. In a world where literacy alone was a rare skill, Nina had not only run the office smoothly in his absence but also ensured a flawless handover upon his return—an achievement that spoke volumes about her talent.

Previously, Aegor had viewed Nina as an inevitable possession, a bird already caged. He’d enjoyed her admiration and infatuation without feeling any urgency to act. However, realizing that someone else—Janos Slynt, of all people—was coveting her sparked a sense of tension. It felt like a child’s toy, forgotten and gathering dust in a corner, but still his. No matter how neglected, it wasn’t for others to touch.

This selfish possessiveness was human nature. Overcoming it required extraordinary discipline. If Nina had been pursued by an honest young man seeking marriage, Aegor would have let her decide for herself. But Janos Slynt, a married man, clearly aimed to exploit her. As the cornerstone of the Night’s Watch enterprises and the protector of its members, Aegor couldn’t stand by and let that happen.

Avoiding entanglements for the sake of convenience was one thing. But if trouble came regardless, what then?
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“Nina, where are your parents living these days? Are they in good health?”

Nina looked up, puzzled by Aegor’s sudden interest in her family. “They’re well. They’re still living in our old weaving house outside the city. Lord Tyrion offered to move them into King’s Landing, but they refused.”

Aegor nodded, steering the conversation into casual family chatter before guiding it to his point. “Nina, you’re an important part of the Night’s Watch enterprises and one of my most trusted subordinates. I won’t stand by and let you be bullied. If any man flirts with you or acts improperly, and you don’t like it, tell them you belong to me. Understood?”

“I... belong to you?” Nina repeated, her heart skipping a beat. The words carried too many possible meanings, leaving her blushing furiously. “Milord, what... what do you mean by that?”

“It means whatever you or anyone else who hears it thinks it means,” Aegor explained. “The ambiguity is exactly what I need it to convey. Do you understand?”

Nina was almost dizzy with confusion but managed to piece it together after a moment. Aegor was marking her as “off-limits” to protect her. It was domineering, yet it also gave her a profound sense of security. Still, the suddenness of it all left her flustered, her heart pounding as her mind spun in disarray.
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Seeing that she understood, Aegor relaxed but felt a twinge of guilt. Nina was likely experiencing her first feelings of love, yet without any romantic progression, she’d been cornered into this ambiguous “claim.” Such domineering declarations might work in a cheesy romance novel, but in real life, they’d be considered absurd unless the person hearing them was already infatuated.

Aegor didn’t have the time or energy for a slow, sentimental courtship. This straightforward approach would have to do for now. Once she had time to adjust, he’d find an opportunity to formalize the relationship and settle this matter once and for all. There was too much chaos to waste time on drawn-out emotions.

A heavy knock on the soundproof door interrupted his thoughts. The receptionist poked her head in. “Milord, there’s a group outside claiming to be from Dorne. They say a prince is with them. Should I let them in?”

“A prince of Dorne?” Aegor straightened in his chair, startled. The domineering act dropped instantly.
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The scandal of the Lannister siblings posed the greatest threat to the stability of the Seven Kingdoms and the foundation of the Night’s Watch enterprises. Janos Slynt’s harassment of Nina was a minor annoyance by comparison. Both were threats to his business. But a Dornish prince, especially the Red Viper, was likely a threat to him personally.

Aegor felt a chill. Personal threats were far more terrifying. You could meet an enemy head-on, but how did you deal with someone intent on seduction?

He hesitated, then decided. “Invite the prince in.” Scanning the room, his eyes landed on his lifeline. “Nina, come here!”

“Huh? I’m here, milord!”

“Stand up and come closer!”

“Why?” Sitting barely two meters away at the same table, Nina was baffled by the order but too flustered to think clearly. She blinked at him, her bright eyes reflecting confusion and innocence.

“No time to explain. Just follow my lead!” Aegor strode over, placed a hand on her shoulder, and leaned on the table with the other, assuming the posture of a lecherous lord.

“Milord?!” Nina, still reeling from his earlier declaration, was completely stunned.

“Don’t move! I’ll explain later!” Aegor barked.

The Night’s Watch oath forbade marriage and fathering children. In the south, this had long fueled rumors that the Watch was a den of men who preferred each other’s company. If he didn’t immediately prove his preferences to Oberyn Martell, the prince’s misunderstanding could lead to endless trouble.
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(What’s happening? If we were back at the residence, fine, but here? Is he declaring ownership in case this ‘prince of Dorne’ gets ideas about me?) Nina sat frozen, her shoulder burning under his grip. His commanding tone left her trembling, heart racing, her mind blank as she dared not move.

Both were tense, maintaining the awkward pose, when the visitors entered.

“Oh—” A clear, feminine voice broke the silence. “Have we come at a bad time?”

Aegor glanced up to see Margaery Tyrell. What? Wasn’t this supposed to be a Dornish prince? Since when did titles get misreported?

Thankfully, the real Red Viper, Oberyn Martell, followed her in. His sharp gaze immediately caught the scene between Aegor and Nina. After a moment of amused curiosity, Oberyn chuckled. “Hmm, are we interrupting the chief logistician’s fun? Shall we step outside?”

“Don’t joke,” Aegor replied, releasing Nina and straightening. “Come in and take a seat. Nina, fetch drinks for our esteemed guests.”

If the visitors were ranked by importance, Oberyn and Margaery were undoubtedly at the top. Still, their pairing was peculiar—a scandalous uncle from House Martell and a youthful maiden from House Tyrell. Their unlikely alliance made sense, though, as both families had been marginalized since Robert’s Rebellion. Finding warmth in mutual estrangement from the power core of the Seven Kingdoms was only natural.

There was no need to overanalyze their intentions. If Oberyn had come alone, it might have been for personal amusement. But with Margaery present, their purpose would be clear after just a few words.