Lucas Lannister was walking through the streets of Lannisport. Two guards dressed in Lannister colours were walking a couple of steps behind him.
Wherever he passed, people were looking at him with respect and admiration in their eyes. They bowed to him in greeting, and whispers of praise echoed behind his back. What Lucas had done, the transformation of Lannisport, had changed the lives of even the common folk. It was surreal and extremely rare for a noble to be respected this much by the small folk. It was unprecedented.
The streets were clean, free of filth and garbage. There was no accumulation of shit and piss behind or around the houses. A well networked drainage system carried wastage out of the city. The streets did not smell like they used to and even those localities in which the poor resided, were extremely clean and well maintained.
Clean water had also been made available to the people free of cost. Tap connections had not yet been brought into individual houses, but at every few hundred feet, public taps had been installed.
People had the option to get a personal connection to their homes. They simply had to pay a one time installation charge and a fixed monthly fee for the privilege of having water inside their houses.
For now, very few common people were willing to pay for this privilege. Free water available at every turn of the street was already a luxury.
Previously, they had to carry water from long distances and use it sparingly. As they grew accustomed to this comfort, Lucas knew they would soon crave more and personal connections in houses would follow.
Lucas was incurring a huge expense to maintain the water supply. Four massive water tanks had been constructed at the outer edge of the city, and a significant amount of labour was required to operate the wheel system that continuously drew water from the river and then pumped it into the tanks so that it could be supplied to the taps. And the labourers were paid by Lucas himself, not by House Lannister.
To secure this investment, Lucas had extracted a promise from Tywin. He alone would be responsible for managing the household water supply.
If and when profits began to roll in, once people started opting for private connections, no other house would be allowed to operate within Lannisport.
Lucas had made sure that his investment would not be undermined for any reason. He did not want that in later stages some other player, some other house was included in the business to reap profits in the name of strengthening alliance or for whatever reasons.
Lucas continued walking and soon arrived at a less crowded, chaotic and an isolated section of the city. His destination?
One of the most prestigious whorehouses in Lannisport, if a whorehouse could be called prestigious. Do not misunderstand him. Lucas would never claim to be a saint. But this time, he was not here to indulge in personal pleasure. He was here to find someone.
As soon as Lucas arrived at the entrance, a small commotion broke out in the gallery.
"Lord Lucas Lannister is here," the echo of the announcement echoed through the building.
Lucas had barely taken a step forward when a middle aged man came running toward him. The man was breathless and was gasping for air. It was obvious that he had arrived in a hurry.
"Lord Lucas," the man bowed deeply. "I am the owner of this brothel. What service can we be of to you?"
"We have the best women," he whispered, leaning closer to Lucas. "We also have a couple of virgins, if you are interested. Our services will not disappoint you."
"I have heard a lot about your brothel," Lucas stated calmly. "But today, the purpose of my visit is something else."
"I have heard that my cousin, Tyrion Lannister, has been staying in your establishment for the past few days. I am here to meet him. Inform him that I am here."
"Lord Lucas," the owner hesitated for a moment, but Lucas merely raised an eyebrow.
That was enough and whatever the owner wanted to say struck in his throat.
"I will immediately inform Lord Tyrion," the owner said quickly. "Meanwhile, please wait in the room."
"Show Lord Lucas to my personal room," he ordered one of his servants before hurrying away to find Tyrion.
The servant led Lucas to a room on the ground floor. It was modest, with minimal decoration. A small bed, a wooden table with a couple of chairs, and a few flower vases. Nothing extravagant.
Lucas took a seat on one of the chairs while his guards remained stationed outside.
The relationship between Tyrion and Lucas was neither particularly warm nor cold. Both Lannisters were absorbed in their own lives, one buried in whorehouses and wine, the other building a metallic empire. Even so, there existed an unspoken bond between them.
Lucas could recall a few instances when he had shared meaningful conversations with Tyrion. Conversation he had enjoyed having with Tyrion and he was certain that Tyrion too had enjoyed those conversations.
Unlike many residents of Casterly Rock, Lucas had never treated Tyrion with disdain. He had never mocked him, belittled him, or referred to him as some hideous creature. He had treated the dwarf as he would any other man, normally, and with a subtle respect.
And that respect had earned him Tyrion's warmth. Or at least, as much warmth as Tyrion was willing to show to anyone outside his closest circle which included only one person, Jamie Lannister.
Lucas even remembered a few occasions when Tyrion had openly praised and congratulated him for his achievements and what he had been able to do in regards with the Metallic town.
It was after some time when someone stepped into the room. The dwarf of Casterly Rock. Tyrion Lannister.
His hair was disheveled, his clothes wrinkled. It was obvious that he had been busy with some tiresome activity. What activity, exactly, did not need to be stated. At the very least, however, Tyrion appeared sober enough to listen, understand, think, process and make decisions about whatever Lucas was here to talk about.
"Cousin Lucas," Tyrion grinned as he took in the sight of him. "What a surprising visit. Not even in my wildest dreams did I expect you to come to a brothel to speak with me."
He took the seat opposite Lucas and settled in comfortably.
"Now," Tyrion said, eyes gleaming with curiosity, "what do I owe this visit to?"
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