[New Side Quest - The Godfather
Description - Being a godfather is no different from being a father. Blood matters less when there is brotherhood at play. And the Tyrant always honors.
Goal - Secure your godson's noble seat.
Reward - New Title]
True, he was indeed Rickon's godfather. Brandon had asked him to be that. But now that little thing had forced him to get involved in a succession rights struggle.
Wylis stayed silent for a while and finished his glass of milk before speaking.
"I think you are looking at this matter the wrong way, Barbrey. It's not House Dustin that should trouble you most. It's House Stark of Winterfell. Rickard will likely inherit Barrowton from you. It is lawful enough, and if you see that he bears the Dustin name, there will be little cause for protest. But you forget what Brandon is.
"Brandon is the eldest Stark, and he never swore the vows of the Night's Watch nor donned a white cloak that would strip him of his birthright. In truth, Ned is little more than a regent. And if my judgment is sound, Eddard already regards me with suspicion."
"After seeing what you are making of Ramsgate, I would fear you as well, Wylis," Barbrey added.
"No, Eddard's distrust borders on hatred. He would take your son for one more of my schemes. In his mind, I would be using Brandon to steal Winterfell from him. And Catelyn Stark would see Rickard as a threat to Robb's claim all the same. You would do well to settle the matter before it can fester. Have Brandon swear before the Lord and Lady of Winterfell, and yield his rights, and those of his heirs, to Winterfell in open court. If that doesn't suffice, have Robert set his royal seal to it. Few disputes survive long when a King has put his name to them."
Barbrey's brows creased. "Must I grovel before Catelyn?"
"I know you have little love for her. And no, you need do nothing. This matter rests with Brandon, not you. Unless, of course, you mean to lay claim to Winterfell yourself. Though I can tell you this, Brandon would never allow it. He gave Winterfell to Eddard of his own choosing."
Barbrey eventually nodded. "I have no such greed, Wylis. All I care about is Barrowtown."
"As you should. The smallfolk of Barrowtown ought to be won over if your claim is to stand firm. Replace the castle's wooden walls with stone, and see the road from Barrowtown to Kingsroad made broader," he suggested.
"I don't have a river of gold like you, Wylis."
"Consider it my gift to little Rickard. If you haven't noticed, I am a man of considerable means. And if it draws House Dustin and House Kaiser closer, what more could I ask for? And should the succession come to battle, I will ride for Rickard. You have my word," he declared and got up, closing the open cabinets.
Barbrey also stood up.
"Those words mean much to me, Wylis," Barbrey said. "I didn't believe Brandon when he first came to me and asked that I seek trade with Ramsgate."
"Ramsgate was indeed in a pitiful state. But I have grand plans for it yet. Come now, I mean to see Ashara and Lyanna. They are soon to bless me with babes. Gods be good, I hope for girls."
Ting!
However, before he even reached the door, a notification appeared.
[Trueborns & Bastards Triggered!]
[Son(Bastard) - Leona Woolfield
Life Points Available - 10]
[Strength - 3/10
Dexterity - 1/10
Intelligence - 1/10
Charisma - 3/10
Vitality - 5/10]
Oh? Was she due?
Leona Woolfield was the wife of Wylis Manderly, the eldest son and heir of Wyman Manderly of White Harbor. And now, since Wylis Manderly only had two daughters before, the arrival of this son meant.
My lad's going to rule White Harbor one day.
But of course, he or Lady Woolfield would never reveal that secret.
####
A week later, Ramsgate,
"Paul hungry."
Dacey frowned and stared up at the giant beside her. "You ate merely an hour ago."
"Paul always hungry."
Dacey sighed and continued walking, doing her duty as Lord Kaiser's squire. Since she was the newest squire, it meant she took on Chett's duties. Now, Chett spent most of his time studying, training himself, and training other men. Meanwhile, she took on the role of Captain of the City Watch.
And since Ramsgate could actually be called a small city now, it really was a significant role. But thankfully, only one subdistrict for housing was finished, so she didn't have too much ground to cover. Still, it was a lot, and there were smaller streets after every few houses. There were bathhouses where some men would try to leer inside the women's side. There was also a large school for smallfolk under construction. And of course, the almost finished metalworks part of the industrial district.
She was supposed to make three rounds every day, speak with each patrol group, and write down any anomalies in crimes or corruption on the patrol groups' part.
Eventually, she arrived at a small road that cut through the housing area, connecting the small road with larger main roads on each end. On that small street was the bathhouse and also the bookshop. It was the first one, and was run by the first native of the town.
Seeing the sheer quality of books and how many there were, she always felt awe. And knowing how Lord Kaiser invented the tool to make all of them, it filled her with pride that she was his squire.
Not many books interested her, however. And they were still expensive. Yet, she had purchased the storybook called Potter's Adventures. She often read it to Lord Kaiser's children, even.
"Let us return, Paul. Lady Ashara and… Lady Ellyn went into labor this morning. I can't wait to see the babes," Dacey said, putting away the books and turning to head back.
Climbing her horse, she rode through the under-construction parts of the city. The most exciting one was the construction of a large arena with giant pillars. She had seen the designs in Lord Kaiser's solar, and she couldn't wait to see it complete.
Eventually, through the Lord's Street, she passed by the under-construction town hall, where the future bailiffs would reside and work. Through the large gate structure, she entered the administrative district, which looked more organised even during construction.
Finally, she passed the castle gates and hitched her horse. She was one of the few allowed freely inside the castle, and as Lord Kaiser's squire, she could even barge into the solar. Which she did.
"My lord! May I see the little ones?" She loudly asked as soon as she entered the ground floor's solar.
Her eyes shone when she saw Lord Kaiser seated on the large settee. But something felt off. The man was reclined, with his head dipped back like he had lost all strength.
"Dacey! I'm cursed!"
Dacey frowned and walked over to her lord. "Are… Lady Lyanna and Lady Ashara alright?"
"Ah, they are fine. The pair of them went into labor at once, stubborn as you please. I was with them both and helped deliver the children. Two sweet, healthy babes."
"Then why are you cursed?" Dacey asked with a frown.
"It's boys! Two more lads once again! I'm cursed with lads, Dacey. I wanted daughters, cute and sweet like Arthria, Rhaenys, and Daenerys!"
"..."
Bam!
"Dad!"
All of a sudden, the solar's door was kicked open, and four-year-old Magnus ran inside with a bow in his hand.
"I did it! I hit the target! Ask Chett! Dad!"
Woosh!
And just like that, Magnus Kaiser was airborne, having jumped in a long dive straight towards his father. Dacey watched it unfold as Magnus landed square on Lord Kaiser's belly and knocked the air out of him. Looking at Magnus' size, she pitied her lord.
"See this, Dacey? I just got two more of these now. I'm cursed."
"..."
Dacey slowly backed away towards the door, watching as Lord Kaiser dangled Magnus upside-down by the ankles, and the boy laughed instead of being scared.
"Good luck, my lord."
That was all she could say before leaving.
______________________
Advance chapters on [PATREON] are in long-form format. I have 12 long chapters of this story on P@treon. That's equal to 45-50 Webnovel chapters.
Check out Wylis X Elia & Wylis X Cersei NSFW art, and advance chapters at [email protected]/MrPlotThickens Or Subscribestar.adult/mrplotthickens
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