Stannis' sexual relations with Melisandre(implied in the books, explicit in the show) are easily explained.
- Adultery is not illegal in Westeros. Stannis stands for LAW, not morality. Though he does also have a thing for morals, banning prostitution from Dragon Isle and all. Normally, I would think that he wouldn't not be guilty of infidelity. But...
- As King, STannis has the legal authority to break the law provided it's for the good of the realm. Just like a US president might have the legal authority(within the US) to order a covert, technically illegal operation that saved the world.
- More than the legal authority, King Stannis has the DUTY to do it.Here's the thing:
- Stannis' sexual relations with Melisandre is not about getting his rocks off. He is sealing a pact with her and the Lord of Light in order to realize his ends, which in A Clash of Kings is to unite the realm under him.
- Melisandre believes that Stannis is Azor Ahai, the Warrior of Light who will defeat the Others and save not only Westeros for all humanity. The War of the Five Kings is nothing but a distraction and a prelude to the main event. If Melisandre is right and Stannis is the 'Savior', then lots of things that would be unthinkable become thinkable. If that means committing adultery, Stannis is going to do it. If it means useing shadow binding magic to execute your brother, STannis is going to do it. If it means sacrificing your nephew or even your daughter to the flames, Stannis is going to do it. If these 'immoral' things save humanity, STannis is actually bound by duty and law to do them.
Being a king is not all a picnic. Duty is Duty.
And it must be done.
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