Sunlight streamed through a cracked window.
A soft sound came from outside the door.
Carter had been working in the fields since dawn.
He did not return home until midday.
He wiped the sweat from his brow and caught his breath.
Long, mechanical labor did not weary his spirit.
He sat by the window, a faint smile on his face.
This was his home.
His and his brother’s.
It held no valuables, but every stone and plank had been laid by their own hands, alongside their parents.
Clay had hardened into sturdy walls, like the bond that held their family together.
Their mother had died one winter.
Carter still remembered that grey, heavy night.
She had been too weak to lift her hand.
Then her eyes closed.
She had died of exhaustion and hunger.
Every peasant knew that such a day would come for them too.
Their father had left even earlier.
Carter and his brother still clung to hope.
Some villagers said he had been taken to serve as a soldier for some lord.
Others said bandits had killed him.
Carter chose to believe he was a soldier somewhere, simply unable to return.
Carter was one of the hardest workers in the village.
He had kept himself and his brother alive.
Their knight lord praised him, but life never improved.
The grain from his fields was all he had.
He tilled and sowed until his body gave out, just as their mother’s had.
He took a handful of wheat from a worn sack.
He would eat a light meal at noon and save more for his brother, who had not yet returned.
Thinking of his brother in King’s Landing, Carter’s heart twisted with worry.
He feared his brother might offend someone, or be set upon by thieves, or go hungry without work.
But there had been no choice.
If his brother did not find food, they would both starve.
“Brother, I’m back from King’s Landing!” Before his thoughts could settle, a familiar voice came from the doorway.
It was Leon.
Leon had taken a short leave and returned to Loyal Village.
Before leaving the city, he had asked the Household officials whether his position would be kept.
When they said yes, he had hurried home.
“Leon!” The brothers had not seen each other in some time.
They were both relieved to find the other safe.
But Carter’s face fell.
“Did you find no work in the city?” Leon did not answer.
Carter’s heart sank, but he kept his voice steady.
“No work is common enough.
I still have some wheat left.
I will trade it.
Black bread lasts longer.” Black bread was a staple among peasants, though it was coarse and often mixed with husks, sawdust, and grit.
Eating too much of it caused stomach pain and drained one’s strength.
“No need, brother.
I brought good bread from the city!” Leon pulled out a bundle from behind his back.
Carter recognized the cloth, stained with old grime.
He had wrapped Leon’s oatcakes and black bread in it just days ago.
But now the cloth was clean.
Leon unwrapped it to reveal half a dozen white buns, two soft loaves, cold sweet pies, onion pastries, and a fragrant cinnamon cake.
“Leon, where did you get all this?” Carter’s eyes widened.
“From the Princess’s Household.
The princess of King’s Landing is rebuilding the streets and cleaning the city.
She hired many workers.
Some take coin, others take food.
I took food.
I can eat my fill and save some to bring home.” “The princess?
By the Seven!” Carter was stunned.
The most important person he had ever met was the knight lord, and the village headman’s eldest daughter, who the knight was said to be taking as a mistress.
“Yes!
And I was even given a cup of sweet mead by the princess’s handmaiden.
It was delicious, but I could not bring it home.” Leon laughed.
He added wood to the hearth and placed the food on the cookfire to warm for his dazed brother.
“I ate before I left.
You should store these for yourself.
Oh, and in two days, I’ll bring back a sack of wheat or barley.
Later, I can trade some for beans.
The princess says it is our wages.” “Brother, come to the city too.
The work is not too hard.
There is food.
Soon we will have more grain than we know what to do with.” Carter finally snapped out of his daze.
“No.
I will not go.” Leon turned.
His brother’s face was stern.
“Leon, you are young.
You can go.
I will not stop you.
I will encourage you.
But I am different.
The land is our life.
If I go with you, the fields will be abandoned.
The knight will take back the land.
We will both starve.” “I know what you are going to say.” Carter cut off his brother before he could speak.
“Listen to me.
The princess’s food is not endless.
The work in the city will end someday.
What will you do then?
The princess is kind to feed us.
Serve her well.
I will keep the land.
That is the best way.” Leon could only nod.
“I understand.” Their brother had always been like a father to him.
Leon was used to following his lead.
Seeing his brother’s disappointment, Carter knew how to lift his spirits.
He forced a smile.
“You have been away so long.
Tell me about King’s Landing.” Leon set the food on the table.
“First, wash your hands before you eat.” Laughter filled the small house.
As Carter had said, Rhaenyra was frowning over a proposal in the city.
“This plan needs more work.” “Yes, Princess.” When the official left, Elly approached.
She poured Rhaenyra a cup of water and gently massaged her shoulders.
The princess hated being disturbed while working.
Rhaenyra closed her eyes in relief, but her mind was racing.
The work-relief program is working.
Crime is down.
The city is cleaner.
But King’s Landing still has too many people.
She had wanted to start small, but her efforts still felt like a drop in the bucket.
If governing a single city was this hard, ruling a kingdom would be even harder.
(In truth, Rhaenyra was being too hard on herself.
King’s Landing was the largest city in Westeros, far larger than any other.
Most towns were mere villages compared to it.) She would have to pressure the treasury to spend more on infrastructure.
The poor of Flea Bottom needed housing.
Roads and public facilities had to be built.
“Yelena, fetch Maester Ramos and Ser Harwin Strong.” Ramos arrived quickly, dust still clinging to his robes.
He bowed.
“Maester, have you settled into the work?” “Thanks to your patronage, Princess.
I am busy, but I have never been happier.
Even when I was studying at the Citadel.
I think my great-uncle Barth felt the same.” Rhaenyra smiled.
She had stumbled upon a true treasure.
“Maester, I called you to discuss the construction.
Are there any difficulties?” “Everything is proceeding well, Princess.
I brought several friends from the Citadel.
Trustworthy scholars eager to serve the crown.
The prisoners and workers are cooperating.
They are grateful for the food and care.” “Good.
But one more thing.
Housing in Flea Bottom is still too slow.
Prioritize latrines and public wells in crowded areas.” “Tell the wealthy that we can install private water pipes for a fee.
Use that gold to fund public wells in the poor districts.
That will cut costs.” Rhaenyra finished, took a sip of water, and let out a breath.