"Confidence is a good thing, but excessive confidence is arrogance, and arrogance without power always leads to a fall." Thoughts of Alysanne Targaryen, Heiress to the Ruby Throne of the Imperium of Humanity.
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Just as Alysanne expected, Tyrion's resignation turned the entire political landscape upside down. Maegor and Aegon did everything to nominate someone for the position of Imperial First Counselor.
Maegor sponsored Ardell Tyrell, the grandson of Willas Tyrell, the Duke of House Tyrell and Master of Coin.
Aegon sponsored a senator who came from a plebeian background, Caligula Orison.
Alysanne sponsored Lyarra Stark, granddaughter of Robb Stark and future Duchess of House Stark.
What followed was a political struggle over who had more merit and influence in the Court of Planetos. Naturally, Lyarra was in last place, and many believed she wouldn't even be considered for Imperial Counselor. After all, she had only just begun her political journey a little over two years ago.
From a cupbearer to an Imperial Counselor?
This was utter madness. Even if the Emperor wanted his brother's granddaughter to be Imperial Counselor, he would have to think twice before throwing the entire Imperial Senate into total chaos. So, many were not optimistic about Lyarra's candidacy.
In Alysanne's room.
"Princess, you should have recommended Saera; she has more prestige and has been active in politics for hundreds of years, much better than a complete novice like me." Although Lyarra was excited and even euphoric about being recommended by Alysanne, she herself knew that her chances of becoming Imperial Counselor were almost nil.
She was a mere cupbearer in the Imperial Senate; becoming an Imperial Counselor was the same as going from level 0 to level 10 in an instant. Even if there was nepotism in the Senate, it could never be so blatant, as it would shake confidence in the Imperium.
Alysanne, who was wearing only a bathrobe, had her maids drying her hair with a towel while other maids painted her toenails and fingernails. The princess looked at Lyarra and smiled. "Although you are right, Saera is too impulsive, and her promiscuous reputation is already common knowledge."
Saera, who was next to Lyarra, couldn't help but pout adorably, dissatisfied with Alysanne's assessment. Although she was a bit lustful, she was definitely not the lecherous monster the princess was talking about.
"I'm not a bitch in heat, cousin," she said with a tone full of helplessness, especially because of the sarcastic look she was receiving from Alysanne.
"As I recall, you practically called all the ladies of the noble houses and had a damn orgy with only women." Alysanne said with a tone full of sarcasm, looking at her cousin with a provocative smile.
Saera pretended to cough to disguise the embarrassment she was feeling, especially sensing Lyarra's incredulous and shocked gaze.
"I was only criticized because I didn't invite the Emperor. If he had come, who would dare to say anything?" she muttered, but with the enhanced senses of everyone present, her whisper was no different from shouting.
Alysanne's lips curved into a malicious smile. "If my mother hears your words, she will throw you onto some desert planet for a few decades." The mother Alysanne was talking about was Rhaenys, Saera's grandmother.
Saera snorted coldly and was not intimidated. If her grandmother knew, she would have brought the Emperor to participate. As for her other great-aunts, Daenerys and Visenya, she naturally wouldn't dare to even have such an insane idea.
Daenerys and Visenya's jealousy was more than legendary among women, a reputation earned by making countless women bold enough to seduce the Emperor suffer great consequences.
Naturally, she didn't dare to say anything of the sort in front of the queens. She was sure that if she did, she would wake up on some frozen, inhospitable, and dangerous planet. Saera never underestimated a jealous woman.
Under the gazes of Lyarra and Alysanne, Saera became embarrassed and didn't dare to look into the eyes of the two women.
"How determined is the princess to put me in the position?" Ignoring Saera, Lyarra asked with a solemn tone. She knew better than anyone that it would be a difficult and arduous battle to place her in such an important and powerful position.
But Alysanne's next words made Lyarra show a confused and shocked expression.
"100%," Alysanne replied with a confident tone. Looking at Lyarra's shocked appearance, the princess couldn't help but feel amused. Seeing the elegant and solemn Lyarra Stark show such a shocked expression was quite entertaining. "My father has already agreed to you in the position; I just have to withstand the political pressure from all sides."
"Of course, if I fail, your political career is over." Alysanne said with a provocative smile, seeing the woman's expression become even more shocked. She understood a little why her father loved to provoke others; it was quite a pleasant feeling.
When the Emperor was mentioned, the atmosphere in the room became more solemn. The mere mention of his title made the maids show fanatical and reverent expressions. Saera straightened up on the sofa while Lyarra demonstrated an impeccably elegant posture.
"Honestly, if you weren't the future Duchess of House Stark and my father's brother's granddaughter, you would never reach such an important position. What can I say, having a good father is better than any political achievement." Alysanne said with a smile.
There was only one phrase in Lyarra's mind at that moment.
I love nepotism!!!
Although many might complain that nepotism was a horrible thing, that only happens when you are not the source of the nepotism. Of course, if the person who enters through nepotism is horrible at their job, then they won't go far in their career.
Lyarra knew that the relationship between her grandfather and the Emperor was extraordinary, but today she finally knew what it was like to have help from relatives to climb the hierarchy.
"And the Master of Coin's Grandson and Senator Caligula?" With bright eyes, she looked at Alysanne and asked with a calm tone, although her trembling hands indicated that she was still processing the information that she would be named Imperial Counselor.
"Although my father loves me, he likes to give Maegor and Aegon the same chances, so if I'm not strong enough, one of the two might win." Alysanne said with a confident smile. Although her prestige was severely damaged by the law she proposed, she was still confident in getting the nobles on her side.
Saera frowned, seeing Alysanne's overconfidence. Knowing the Emperor, she felt that things would not be so simple. Although she didn't know Aenar well, she knew enough that the Emperor loved to provoke people, including his own sons and daughters.
Alysanne's overconfidence could very well make her a target of the Emperor's provocation. After all, the Heiress to the Throne couldn't be a spoiled girl with extreme confidence. Looking at Alysanne, Saera expressed her thoughts.
Alysanne, who was previously smiling full of confidence, couldn't help but show a cautious expression. Unlike Saera, she knew her father very well. The possibility that Aenar might be plotting against her so that she would suffer a great blow to her arrogance was very possible!
"Damn, my father is plotting against me." Alysanne spoke with a desperate tone. She knew she had already fallen into the webs of her father's conspiracy. "Maegor and Aegon probably received privileged information and are preparing to deliver a fatal blow!"
Lyarra's joy faded as quickly as it arrived. The future duchess couldn't help but smile bitterly. Easy money vanishes as easily as it came.
"What do we do?" Saera asked with a worried tone. Knowing that the Emperor was plotting to teach his own daughter a lesson in humility, she knew that Alysanne's chances of winning were slim, if not nil.
Showing a thoughtful look, Alysanne calmed down and showed a calm expression. "We will destroy Maegor and Aegon's image. When they start playing this game, these slanders can cushion the political damage."
"As long as we withstand the first impact, we can win." Alysanne finished with a solemn tone. Although she felt pressured, she couldn't help but feel excited. It was the first time she was going against her father, and that made her excited.
She wanted to prove that she could defeat her father in this conspiracy!!!
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Note: Sorry for the lack of updates, I'm taking it easy at the beginning of the year. I'll keep the updates more frequent starting Monday.
Read the advanced chapters on my Patreon!
/GOTSW
Read my other books:
Game Of Thrones: The God-Emperor of Planetos (500,000 words written).
Percy Jackson: Godwyn the Golden.
Game Of Thrones: The King's Court Wizard