𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 0 - 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑢𝑒

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Harrenhal, 104 AC

Claere Strong

"You must understand that the training ground is no place for a lady, Aliza," Claere Fort scolded.

"But Mother... I just wanted to-" her daughter tried to defend herself.

"Aliza, Aliza, Aliza, when are you going to stop annoying Mother ?" Claere turned her head towards her son's enigmatic voice. It was accompanied by the sound of his cane hitting the floor. She turned her cheek as her son planted a kiss on it. "Well hello mother, is Aliza making you lose your mind again?"

She sighed. "One day she will make me lose it." She turned her head towards her first child, as if Aliza were no longer there, and lowered her voice so that her words would reach only her son's ears. "She's been clinging to your brother even more than usual lately."

"She's had a real fascination with him since she was born. She'll get over it."

Claere was the third wife of Lord Lyonnel Strong. The first had died in childbirth, taking her baby with her. The second had given birth to the honourable Ser Harwin Strong. Honourable as he was, unbearable in the eyes of the former Tyrell. And of course her daughter adored her half-brother.

She had given Lord Lyonel three children. Her first little daughter had not yet reached the age of three. But she was the one who had done the most for the family. And yet it was not her son who would inherit his father's lands, but that of a dead woman whose name no one would remember.

Claere was an ambitious woman, but her ambition extended beyond herself to her children. Yes, she had plans for them. It was out of the question that they would not develop in life. When Aliza would have her first suitors, the wife of the Lord of Harrenhal would not allow her husband to give their daughter's hand in marriage to just anyone.

As for her son Larys, she didn't worry about him. He was like her. Yes, he was the one who resembled her the most. Both physically and psychologically. It was said that you had no preferences among your children. Claere had one. She didn't mean to, but it was the way it was. She knew she was more attached to her son than her daughter. That didn't mean she didn't love her daughter, but their relationship was more complicated, whereas with Larys everything was so simple.

Claere expected so much from her daughter, perhaps too much for a girl who was only fifteen, and she didn't deliver. Aliza was more of a disappointment to her than a source of pride, but she hoped that would change.

"I'm sure it bothers you because you don't like Harwin!" muttered her daughter through her teeth. Claere raised an eyebrow.

"A lady is articulate when she speaks. Perhaps I should stop you from going out until you behave in a manner befitting a lady?"

Claere stared at her daughter with a stern look on her face, and wore a satisfied expression when she refrained from answering. Her daughter now looked at her feet. Surely she would understand. But she had to give her daughter credit for her insight.

The doors to the great hall of the castle, where she now stood, opened and Harwin Strong entered. The matriarch's expression was harsher than before. Why didn't she like her stepson? He was honourable and good. How could anyone not like such a man?

Well, she despised him. Probably because he was the opposite of who she was. Claere was a cunning and calculating woman who would not hesitate to oust anyone who stood in her way. Ruin someone's reputation if it served her and her children? She wouldn't even ask that question.

She despised him for that, because he was everything she was not and would never be, and because he was the only obstacle between her son and their father's legacy.

"I'm sorry Lady Strong, Aliza insisted on coming with me, I didn't think it would be a problem. It's my fault, I should have checked that she had your permission." The deep voice of the eldest Strong child made the Lady of Harrenhal grit her teeth.

There you have it, an example of what Claere hated about her stepson, when all other stepmothers would love it if their husband's son had the mentality, the maturity and all those things that made Harwin Strong a perfect man at first glance.

"She should know. You don't have to watch her every move. That's not your job." Yes, Claere didn't like him, but that didn't mean she was mean to him for no reason. Letting him feel her dislike for him was enough. Besides, she knew how much her husband cared for his eldest son.

"Good, you're all together, that makes it easier for me !" exclaimed Lyonel Strong, who had just burst into the room. "Children, go outside, but don't go too far, I have a big announcement to make." Her husband's words made Claere curious. What was he talking about ? She didn't know. She frowned in displeasure. Why didn't she know what he was talking about ? "I have to talk to your mother first."

Claere thought she saw surprise on her son's face. The woman was glad to hear the news before the children. If she thought it was stupid, she could try to reason with her husband.

After a long silence, the Lord of Harrenhal's three children left the room. Then she sat down in a chair, leaning her elbow on the armrest and resting her chin on her hand. She was all ears. She wanted to know what made her husband so mysterious.

"What's happening ?"

"I think you'll like it." Claere sat up straight. She really wondered what her husband was talking about. "We're leaving for King's Landing." He announced it just like that, without any further details. Leaving her in a state of disbelief.

"And may I ask why we would leave our home ? " his wife asked, trying to hide her surprise.

"I have been appointed to the King's Small Council. I am his new Master of Laws."

Claere stood up as soon as she heard the news. A smile on her face. And approached her husband. "Well done my love, I'm so happy for you, this is great news !" She planted a simple kiss on her husband's lips before taking him into her arms.

That was really great news. King's Landing. A new life was about to open up for them. The capital, the king, the queen, the princess, the court. She already had many plans and ideas in her head. Her daughter would not be useless all her life. Claere would take charge of things when she got there and make sure her children became important people.

Yes, a definite plan was beginning to form in her mind. House Strong in King's Landing would be at its peak. Claere would see to it.

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I'm a bit stressed about publishing this chapter as it's the first I've written in English so I just hope you enjoyed it <33