Evelyn's body instantly stiffened. She instinctively put her hands behind her back, her knuckles white from gripping.
She raised her head, meeting his probing eyes, and a high wall of vigilance rose in her blue gaze.
Arthur gave her no chance to breathe. He extended a finger and lightly tapped on the blueprint:
"These details of internal mountain construction are probably unknown even to the maesters of the Citadel, perhaps even unheard of."
"And your map-drawing skills are too precise. Your understanding of scale and topography is too perfect."
"You have drawn maps for great nobles."
Evelyn's breathing became somewhat hurried. She pressed her lips together tightly, saying nothing. She felt her throat dry and could even feel her heart pounding violently in her chest.
"Finally," Arthur's voice grew even lower, "your so-called father, Olivier."
"His ability to manage a castle and dispatch supplies for thousands of people, that kind of control over processes, far exceeds the knowledge base of someone serving a remote minor noble."
"Tell me, I will shelter you both."
The room fell into a dead silence, yet the quietness felt like it was constantly drumming on the woman's taut nerves.
Denial was meaningless now, and escape was even less possible. In this castle, under his control, she had nowhere to run.
Countless thoughts flashed through her mind, each leading to an unknown future. After a long silence, Evelyn finally slowly and deeply took a breath.
"Lord Arthur," her voice carried a trace of an almost imperceptible hoarseness, "You are right, we are not from Westeros."
"My family is from Essos."
Arthur did not speak, merely watching her quietly, wanting to see what she would say, motioning for her to continue.
She lowered her gaze, avoiding Arthur's direct stare!
"My ancestors were once obsessed with studying the ruins and technologies of Old Valyria."
"My family believes that Valyria's greatness was not only in their ability to ride dragons, but also in their creation of unprecedented technology."
"The knowledge you see, it is not solely my genius. It comes from my family's generational accumulation of knowledge, from our research into... ancient civilization ruins."
"That knowledge about architecture, traps, public health, and even materials, all originated from the interpretation and restoration of that great civilization."
She lowered her head, no longer speaking, waiting for Arthur's reply.
This explanation was flawless. In Westeros, any technology and knowledge that transcended the era could be explained by the mysterious term "Old Valyria." It was synonymous with magic, power, and lost technology.
Arthur fell silent. He knew that the woman was lying, and he already had some guesses about her identity and origins.
Arthur slowly moved away from the long table, walking step by step to stand before Evelyn, until they were face to face. He lifted her head, making her meet his gaze:
"I don't care what your past has been."
"Nor do I care how powerful your enemies are."
"Since you are unwilling to speak, I will not force you."
"Your knowledge is very useful to me."
"I will protect you until the Long Night ends."
Arthur deeply understood the woman's value. Her knowledge of architectural design within underground and mountain structures was too strange and ingenious. In this medieval world of Westeros, her value could truly be equivalent to one person holding back a million troops. Even dragons would be helpless against him. Once built, he could defend it until he died of old age.
These things were truly terrifying: aqueducts, underground drainage systems, isolated livestock areas, and even designs utilizing primitive piping to regulate the temperature inside the mountain, raising fish in underground rivers, and even primitive cold storage designs.
Evelyn looked up, meeting Arthur's eyes. The blue eyes reflected the young man's silhouette, shimmering.
Arthur paid no mind to her thoughts, merely speaking to himself, like an unquestionable promise and pact:
"As long as you are loyal to me, these new mountain fortresses will be your eternal sanctuary."
The woman looked at the seriousness in the young man's eyes, and her body, which had been tightly rigid all along, finally relaxed imperceptibly.
The long-standing fear and unease that had followed her like a shadow seemed to be temporarily isolated outside by the promise made in this bedroom.
She looked at the young lord before her, this young man who was much younger than her, yet possessed a maturity and ambition unbefitting his age.
She knew that if she agreed, her life would be completely and firmly tied to his.
Evelyn slowly and solemnly bowed. It was a standard, elegant curtsy of a noblewoman.
Her voice was clear, low, and pleasant to hear, echoing in the quiet room.
"As you wish, my young master."
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"