Pycelle's old face grew somewhat fervent. "The gods have not abandoned the helpless people. Queen Daenerys and King Gryn have reforged the Seven Kingdoms, embracing the entire realm with boundless mercy!"
After a pause, his clouded gaze settled on the Lord of Dreadfort. "Envoy from the North, contributing to the great undertaking of the Queen and King is both your honor and a display of true sincerity."
Lord Roose: "..."
Clearly, the Grand Maester's repeated "attacks" had one purpose—to make the North offer contributions of its own and atone for its past "mistakes."
Lord Roose thought in silence... he should have brought one of House Stark's children as an envoy. Then he could have thrown this difficult matter back and forth between the royal family and Winterfell.
Upon the Iron Throne, those violet eyes remained utterly calm.
Lord Roose lowered his gaze and placed a hand over his chest. "Your Grace, it is the greatest honor to serve you and the King. Dreadfort petitions to offer the seven thousand pelts stored in its warehouses, as a token of House Bolton's respect for you and the King."
As his words fell, the surroundings immediately fell silent.
Viscount Willas expressionlessly withdrew his gaze, while Grand Maester Pycelle revealed a less-than-satisfied look. "Lord Bolton, the Red Keep has seen Dreadfort's sincerity, but... what of Winterfell's sincerity?"
After a pause, Viscount Willas's voice arrived first. "Grand Maester, Lord Stark may already have demonstrated his sincerity to His Majesty the King. Please be a little more patient. We ought to believe in the North's determination to return to the Seven Kingdoms."
At this, a trace of confusion flashed through Pycelle's eyes. This was the second time—why was the heir to Highgarden always so eager to help the Lord of Dreadfort out of a predicament?
Could