Game of Thrones: The Red Dragon Lord

"It's been many years," Lilith said with a warm smile. "I remember when you left Three Towers Castle. You were just 14 then. Look at you now—so handsome, a fine young man."

She gestured to the children standing beside her. "These are my son, Lucas, and my daughter, Betty."

Turning to the children, Lilith added, "This is your elder brother, Gavin."

The two children stepped forward shyly but spoke in unison, "Brother Gavin."

Gavin's smile softened as he knelt slightly to their level. "Lucas, Betty, I brought something special for you."

He took the gifts from his attendant, handing Lucas an elegant silver dagger with a gem-encrusted hilt. For Betty, he presented a delicate pearl necklace that shimmered under the light.

The children's faces lit up with joy. "Thank you, Brother Gavin!" they exclaimed, their voices ringing with excitement.

Gavin chuckled warmly, gently ruffling their hair.

That evening, Gavin hosted a grand banquet on Bloodstone Island to celebrate the arrival of his uncle and family. Governors, naval commanders, and other influential figures from the Stepstone Islands filled the great hall, mingling amidst the sumptuous feast.

The atmosphere was electric, with a famous Essosi troupe performing on a raised stage. Dancers moved gracefully to the rhythm of drums, and acrobats leaped and spun to the crowd's delighted cheers.

At a quieter corner of the hall, Gavin overheard the governors discussing their islands' industrial progress. Turning to Edmond, he asked with a curious smile, "Uncle, how are paper sales going?"

Edmond took a measured sip from his goblet before replying. "Better than I ever imagined. The income from the paper business has far outstripped the territory's tax revenue. At first, the Citadel resisted fiercely—they're wary of anything that threatens their monopoly on knowledge—but demand has continued to grow. I've even started expanding into the Riverlands. The only challenge now is keeping up with supply."

Gavin frowned slightly, tapping his fingers on the table as he considered the issue. "The Citadel's resistance doesn't surprise me. They fear what they can't control. But don't worry about production. I've already arranged for a new factory to come online next month. That should help ease the bottleneck."

Edmond nodded, relief evident in his expression. "That's good to hear. By the way, there's news about Qyburn—the scholar you asked me to find. Word is, he's traveling with a group of mercenaries in the Riverlands. They call themselves the Brave Companions."

Gavin's eyes lit up with interest. "Uncle, when you return to Westeros, could you deliver a letter to him for me?"

Edmond raised a skeptical brow. "I've heard troubling things about Qyburn. He was expelled from the Citadel for his experiments on living subjects. Are you sure he's someone you want to involve?"

Leaning back in his chair, Gavin's expression grew contemplative. "I studied under Qyburn during my time at the Citadel. His knowledge spans medicine, agriculture, and intelligence work. Despite his reputation, his skills could be invaluable here. We lack a maester, and I need someone capable of training others in various disciplines."

Edmond sighed but nodded. "I'll deliver the letter, but tread carefully. A man with his history might bring more than just knowledge."

Later that evening, Lilith approached Gavin, a sealed letter in her hand. "This is from Margaery. She's inviting you to her sixteenth name day next year."

Gavin smiled, taking the letter. "The situation here is stabilizing, and I've missed the Reach. Tell her I'll attend—I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Lilith's expression softened before shifting to something more calculating. "Gavin, now that you've grown into such a capable lord, have you thought about marriage? With all you've accomplished, a strong alliance through marriage could only benefit you."

Gavin hesitated for a moment. "I haven't given it much thought."

Lilith gave him a knowing look. "You should. A strong marriage would bring stability to your lands and provide an heir, which would reassure your subjects. I could suggest some matches if you'd like. If you were in the Reach, families would be lining up to wed their daughters to you."

Her words lingered in Gavin's mind as he retired for the night.

Lying in bed, Gavin mulled over the idea. Lilith wasn't wrong—an heir would stabilize his burgeoning rule.

The thought of Daenerys Targaryen crossed his mind. A union with her would grant him a claim to the Iron Throne and the power of dragons. Yet memories of her descent into paranoia, as seen in his previous life, made him uneasy.

Then there was Margaery Tyrell. Her beauty and political acumen had always intrigued him, and her charm could help consolidate his rule. But the timing didn't feel right—there were other priorities to address first.

With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Gavin finally drifted into a restless sleep.

The next morning, Gavin's guards interrupted his routine with an urgent report. "My lord, Governor Boris requests an audience. He's waiting in the study."

Without hesitation, Gavin instructed, "Bring him in."

Boris entered and bowed deeply. "My lord, Bloodstone Island is in urgent need of more newly graduated administrators. With the new factories coming online, I'm struggling to keep everything running smoothly. If possible, could I retain at least ten of the new recruits?"

Gavin rested his chin on his hand, contemplating the request. After a moment, he nodded. "This can be arranged."