Serenei stepped off the ship, her boots sinking slightly into the muddy dock of King's Landing. The smell of saltwater mixed with the stench of the city's unkempt streets, and she wrinkled her nose in distaste. Lys had always been pristine, with its canals flowing clean and its streets immaculately arranged under the warm sun. King's Landing, however, felt filthy, chaotic, and far less charming than she had imagined.

She adjusted the silken scarf around her neck, pulling it tight against the chill, though the city’s grit seemed to seep into her skin no matter how carefully she composed herself. The hustle of the market nearby and the unsavory crowds made her skin prickle. She couldn’t help but compare the unrefined mess of this place to her home—a city of beauty, of order.

"Why am I here?" she thought, her fingers brushing the jeweled ring on her finger.

Her family’s fortune had dwindled to the point of ruin, and Lord Hightower had made her an offer. He was a man of influence, wealthy enough to restore her family’s name. She had little choice, despite the discontent gnawing at her.

By the time she reached the gates of the Hightower’s residence, her thoughts shifted. She’d heard whispers. The king had an eye for beauty, and his tastes were as vast as his kingdom. If he was drawn to her, her family’s fortunes could be restored in a heartbeat. The idea was enticing seductive, even.

As she stood in the tower’s shadow, her resolve began to solidify. She would play the game. It had worked for countless women before her. Why not her?

Her lips curved into a faint smile.