GOT/ASOIAF: Ruler Beyond The Ice Chapter 320 - 321: Savior (BONUS)

"Nina!" Aegor did not hide his emotions, striding toward her with a genuine smile.

"Lord Aegor."

Nina turned her head, a flash of joy in her eyes before she composed herself and curtsied, ready to greet him formally like any subordinate. But the man showed no intention of keeping their relationship hidden. He walked straight over, pulled her into a bear hug, and lowered his head to kiss her.

Startled, she quickly turned her head so that Aegor's lips brushed her cheek instead.

"Don't do that... so many people are watching."

"What are you afraid of? Who would dare say anything?"

Aegor smiled and glanced around. Everyone quickly pretended to see nothing and continued their work.

In this world, if one were to rank those who had helped Aegor the most, Tyrion Lannister's first place was unshakable. The Stark family might take second place, and following close behind would be this clever girl. She had inherited much from the Imp, managing the Night's Watch Industry in King's Landing since his departure and ensuring he never had to worry about funding for the Wall.

The steady supply of resources from the Night's Watch Industry could easily be taken for granted, but Aegor never forgot that soone worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make it happen.

For such a great contributor and capable aide, he had to show his appreciation clearly, so that her loyalty and dedication would never feel overlooked simply because she asked for nothing in return.

Here in Crown Town, surrounded by his own people, even in Castle Black, Shadow Tower, or Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, Aegor would have welcod Nina openly. Who could stop him? Use it as an excuse to rebel? Report to Robb Stark that he was keeping a woman? Let them see whether the Warden of the North would care about such a trivial matter when life and death hung in the balance.

On this, Aegor allowed himself so arrogance. He had the ans to back it.

---

Nina's strong, commanding air from monts ago was gone. Her face flushed, her body felt weak, and she seed ready to lt in his arms. Flustered, she struggled for a long while before finally freeing herself and standing steadily again.

Seeing her blushing face, Aegor did not push further. He turned, slipped an arm around her, and led her toward the inner part of Crown Town.

"Alright, you've had a hard journey. Co, let's talk as we walk."

Leaving the main gate under many watching eyes, they walked side by side beneath the eaves between large warehouses and dormitories, quietly listening to each other's breathing. A few guards followed several paces behind.

By now, Aegor would not waste breath on awkward, aningless questions like, "Why are you here?" If he had nothing to say yet, he kept silent. As they walked, he studied the young woman beside him. The initial panic and shyness from his sudden embrace had faded. Though the blush on her cheeks lingered, the confidence and composure of a manager and entrepreneur erged. She looked more like a noble lady than many noblewon, making it hard to believe she was born a commoner with neither rank nor title.

The air and charm Nina carried, rare in this male-dominated age were enough to stir any man's desire to possess. And most satisfying of all, this extraordinary woman, regal as a young queen, was entirely his, in every sense.

Once again, Aegor felt grateful to have Tyrion as a friend. The man had not only found this pearl in the sand but had polished her to brilliance before handing her to him. A year later, she seed to shine even brighter.

Eventually, he spoke. "Has your work in King's Landing gone smoothly?"

"Thanks to you and King Stannis, quite smoothly," Nina replied easily. She was no longer the timid girl who stamred and froze under his gaze. Though the joy of reunion was clear in her eyes, her tone was steady. "The Iron Throne punished the Crownlands lords who hesitated and supported King Renly. The Industry used the chance to reclaim almost all its holdings. With ample funds and a sound system, it's running well and has strong montum for growth.

"Speaking of which, I must say, the business strategy and operating model you and Lord Tyrion devised are truly remarkable. I hardly have to intervene. As long as I fill in the gaps and keep watch, the Night's Watch Industry runs on its own, as if it were alive. Especially the clause on 'venture capital for promising inventions and creations'—it's the only way for us to grow in a limited market. Over the past year we've invested in several projects. Most should prove profitable, and even if we lose on so, it won't hurt us."

"Hah, you don't need to give all the credit to and Tyrion. No system is perfect. For the Industry to function, the manager is indispensable." Aegor shook his head with a smile. Nina spoke lightly, but he knew from experience that managing such a vast enterprise was no easy matter. "You didn't co all this way just to bring good news. Why not tell the 'but' straight away?"

---

It was Lord Aegor, after all. Nina's heart ward at his perception. She felt, once again, that he was the man she both admired and loved. Since her face was already red, her embarrassnt did not show. After a mont's pause, she gathered her thoughts and continued.

"But the old families of the Crownlands are recovering, and the lords of the Narrow Sea who supported the new king have quickly gained a foothold in King's Landing. They soon began coveting the Night's Watch Industry's profits, seeking a share. With Stannis's strict rule pressing them from above, the situation is still manageable, but with Aegon's rebellion not yet crushed, the King cannot watch over the Night's Watch Industry to shield us. The nobles don't dare seize by force, but they use every trick to get in. While investing in new projects, many nobles have insisted on joining."

"The South has been at war, so the Night's Watch Industry's market can't expand much. It shouldn't need large amounts of financing, right?" Aegor guessed the truth. "But people keep forcing money on you, demanding you acknowledge them as shareholders and give them a share of the profits."

"Exactly. The projects we've invested in aren't highly profitable, but all the nobles have their eyes on paper, books, and dragonglass. We must pay them dividends, and they cannot be too small, or they accuse us of pocketing the rest. The result is that while the Industry's total profits are steadily rising, the Night's Watch share is shrinking, and the amount we actually keep is stagnating or even falling." Nina pressed her lips together. "Our current monthly profit is close to three thousand gold dragons, but after paying dividends, keeping so for operations, and spending a little to maintain relationships, the Night's Watch is left with barely one thousand."

So that was it. Before leaving King's Landing, Aegor had dealt with the greedy City Watch commander and befriended his successor. He had also brought Yarar Deem under his control, securing dominance in both the underworld and the public sphere, creating a favorable environnt for business. But such influence was enough only for dealing with thugs, not for the noble ga. No one could stop titled lords from taking their share.

If they were not given enough profit, they would turn into competitors. It was wishful thinking to appeal to them with talk of "needing the money to fight the White Walkers." Aegor himself had once intended to make everyone rich together. The Industry's current predicant was simply a return to the normal state after the rare luxury of keeping all the revenue.

As long as he kept things in check and did not allow the Industry to beco a tool for others' enrichnt, he had no desire to fight a second front, playing court gas in King's Landing while preparing for war against the White Walkers.

He was about to reassure Nina that this was inevitable and not her fault when she lowered her head, bit her lip, and said softly, "That's not the worst. So nobles, especially a certain Florent, have set their sights on ... wanting both and the wealth."

The Florents? Seven hells, was there anyone more troubleso than the Queen's kin? Even without soldiers in King's Landing, they were far more formidable than the late Janos Slynt. Aegor rubbed his temples, feeling a headache. Worrying about the money was one thing, but he first asked, "Did they do anything to you?"

"Would they dare? People in King's Landing still rember what happened to your rivals." Nina's eyes ward at his unspoken concern. With a man like Stannis on the throne, no one dared try to take a common-born girl by force. She added playfully, "It's just that the constant harassnt beca unbearable, so I left things to my deputy and ca north to seek refuge with you, my Lord Aegor."

Deputy? Is he reliable?

Aegor wondered but did not ask. He slipped an arm around her shoulders, already thinking of how to resolve the problem, when a voice that made his scalp prickle called out.

"Master—"

Arya ca running up, breathless. He had not seen her so flustered in a long ti.

"What's wrong?"

"You ask what's wrong!" the girl cried angrily, clearly ready to say more. But she glanced at Nina, thought better of it, and instead stamped her foot in frustration. "How could you be like this! Hmph!"

Like what? Both Aegor and Nina looked puzzled. Before either could speak, Arya turned and bolted as quickly as she had arrived, vanishing from sight. Watching her run as though her backside were afla, Aegor almost thought the White Walkers had attacked Crown Town.

"What did she an to say? And why run off?" Aegor was baffled. "Aren't you on good terms? Did you upset her?"

"No, I haven't even t Lady Stark yet." Nina looked equally innocent, but then recalled sothing. "Oh... I forgot to tell you. I had planned to sail to Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, but a storm in White Harbor forced to travel by the King's Road instead. While staying in Winterfell, the Stark family's Maester asked to bring you a female prisoner from House Greyjoy for safekeeping, and Lady Stark sent two soldiers north with us to urge Arya to co ho."

Aegor already knew about Asha and had made preparations. But the latter news delighted him. "That's great... Wait, soone! Close the gates of Crown Town's inner keep, and call on the idle n to assist the Stark soldiers... in bringing their second daughter ho! And don't say it was my order!"

(To be continued.)

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