“I don’t see why people think that Stannis would make a better king when I’m here.”

“I’m here.”

“It’s not as though he’s charming or thoughtful. He only thinks of duty, and duty isn’t ruling. To rule you must truly care for your people. I don’t think Stannis has ever cared about anything. He’s certainly never cared as much as I have. No one has ever cared as much as I have.”

“No one has ever cared as much as I have.”

“That’s sweet of you to say, Brienne. Loyal to the last, my Brienne the Blue. You’ll rise high in my service, I promise. My breastplate. Let’s see how it looks in the mirror. Handsome. Yes. Handsome.”

“Yes, handsome.”

“See? Don’t I look kingly? One must look the part, something Stannis would do well to remember. And I certainly look the part. Ah yes. I love you.”

“I love you.”