Storm's End is built on the cliff of Shipbreaker Bay.
The city wall facing Narrow Sea is one hundred and fifty feet high, and thousands of years of waves have washed the surface of the city rock as smooth as a mirror.
The name of the castle is appropriate, as the wind here never stops roaring, circling, passing through the holes in the city wall, and wailing.
But today, the sound of the wind was drowned out by the din of the feast.
The afternoon sun slanted across the courtyard, and Aemond·Targaryen looked up at the sky.
Lothron is flying through the clouds, and the young Black Dragon is extremely excited. The strange territory, strange dragon, and strange smell make it restless.
It dived from time to time, its wingtips almost brushing the spire of Storm's End's tallest tower, and then pulled up again amidst the exclamations of the nobles.
"It looks just like you."
Helaena did not know when she came to him. She did not ride Dreamfyre, but arrived in a carriage with Aelin·Velaryon.
At this moment, she was wearing a light blue dress, with long silver hair hanging around her shoulders, and her clear purple eyes were looking at Aemond with worry in her eyes.
Aemond turned to look at her, his purple eyes softened a little.
"When a dragon chooses a master, he chooses someone who is like-minded."
"Lothron knows what I want."
Helaena said uneasily.
"I know what you want."
"That's why I'm afraid...Aemond."
"I've seen a lot these days..."
"Blood will dye the earth red, and dragons will bite each other."
"Gods is hating us Targaryen..."
Aemond holds her hand.
The hand was cold and trembling slightly.
"Gods has never favored us."
"What about blood? What about dead people?"
He raised his hand and stroked her cheek with his fingertips.
"Helaena, there is no oracle, and there is no need for prophecy."
"I just need you to live and live better than everyone else."
Helaena stared blankly at Aemond in front of him.
At this moment, a dragon roar came from the sky.
Everyone looked up.
A forty-meter-long blue dragon emerged from the clouds, Tessarion, "Blue Queen".
Not long after, Daeron·Targaryen landed steadily, patted Tessarion's neck, turned around and walked towards the courtyard.
The ten-year-old boy has a handsome appearance, his silver hair is flying in the wind, and his face is almost female-like, but the heroic spirit between his eyebrows is unmistakable.
"Blood and fire are one!" The young man looked at the family members who came to greet him and opened his arms with a bright smile.
Aemond went up to the younger brother and gave him a firm hug. "Your riding skills are getting better and better, Daeron."
"This is my talent," Daeron blinked, "Lord Hightower said I was born a dragon Knight."
He turned to the others, greeted Aegon, Helaena and Aelin in turn, and finally said with a smile, "I heard that I won't be the youngest in the family soon?"
Aegon nodded lazily. "Yes, mother is giving birth again, this time it's twins."
"That's just right." Daeron took out an exquisite wooden box from the dragon saddle, "I brought Mind-Nourishing Tea from Oldtown, which is a treasure from the Far East Eastern Continent Essos."
"The caravan from House Tall returned from the Jade Sea three months ago. The bachelor said it is very good for pregnant women."
Aegon took the wooden box. The coat of arms of House Hightower was engraved on the box. "You are serious, brother."
At this time, Ke Lys ton·Ser Cole came with two Kingsguard, and his eyes fell on Aemond.
"Your Highness," Cole said, "Queen asked me to remind you that today is the celebration of Duke Stormlands. Don't cause trouble."
Aemond smiled, "What do you think I will do?"
"I don't know." Cole looked directly into his eyes and paused for a moment, "Duke Borros invites you out of courtesy to members of the royal family. It does not mean that he agrees with our position."
"Stormlands... is still Blacks's territory."
Aemond's smile did not change, "Thank you for reminding me, Sir."
Cole performed a standard Knight ceremony, and then led people to the main hall of the castle - they brought congratulatory gifts on the order of the king.
In the banquet hall, candles are brightly lit.
Duke Borros Sitting on the main seat, the seventy-year-old man is still tall and tall, chatting and laughing with the nobles around him who came to toast.
The long tables are arranged in a straight line, with Aemond on the right side, and fifteen feet away on the opposite side, where Blacks's seat is.
Aemond took the bread and salt from the maid's hand and ate it carefully.
This is an ancient guest etiquette, which means that guests who come to visit, even if they are enemies of life and death, are not allowed to harm each other under the roof of the host.
Anyone who tramples on Guest Right will violate the most sacred laws and will be spurned and hostile by all nobles, the world, and even Faith of the Seven.
He could feel the eyes on him at the table, including respect, curiosity, scrutiny, and hostility.
Aemond has not appeared in public for two years. What does Prince, who executed Vaemond on the order of the king in Throne Room and confronted Prince Daemon in court, look like now?
"Prince Aemond."
A crisp voice came. Aemond, who was talking to Helaena next to him, turned his head to look.
A slim girl stood in front of him and stretched out her hand to him.
The girl is about fourteen years old, with beautiful black hair flowing like a waterfall, bright face, and dark blue eyes.
She is the granddaughter of Cassandra·Baratheon, Stormlands Duke Boremund.
Behind her were three younger girls, Maris, Elinor and Floris. Stormlands people called them "Four Storms".
Aemond took her hand with a smile and gave a standard hand kiss, "Miss Cassandra, nice to meet you."
Cassandra blushed on his face. "Prince, Your Highness, I have long admired your many deeds."
"You tamed Vhagar in Tidepool Island, and defended the dignity of the royal family in Throne Room... I admire you very much."
"My sister has been picking out skirts since yesterday," the ten-year-old Maris behind her playfully interjected, "I have changed a dozen dresses."
"Maris!" Cassandra glared at his sister in shame, then turned to Aemond, "Your Highness, after the banquet... can I invite you to take a walk with me?"
"Storm's End's Glass Garden, the roses there are in bloom."
This is an obvious sign.
Helaena, who was sitting next to Aemond, tightened his fingers slightly, while Daeron raised his eyebrows with interest.
Aegon and Aelin looked meaningfully at Aemond.
Aemond let go of his hand, smiling gently but keeping a polite distance.
"Thank you, Miss, for your kind invitation. However, I came to Storm's End this time mainly to celebrate the Duke's birthday. I'm afraid I don't have much free time."
The smile on Cassandra's face froze for a moment, but he quickly returned to his proper demeanor. "Of course... I was too presumptuous."
She bowed and stepped back, with a trace of unwillingness flashing in her eyes when she turned around.
The three sisters followed her. Elinor whispered, "I'll just say it, Prince will reject you."
Maris said unconvinced, "Sister, you are so beautiful, but he doesn't even look at you..."
"Shut up, you two." Cassandra scolded in a low voice. She never couldn't get what she wanted.
Cassandra's eyes swept across the hall coldly, and finally landed on the three brown-haired boys at the Blacks seat.
Especially the one Jacaerys wearing a black eye patch.
An idea grew in her mind.