Dancing with Dragons

Black Pearl, wearing a pearl mask, began to sing that song. Under the lights, she was breathtakingly beautiful.

Her smoky yellow dress complemented her brown skin.

The songs Viserys had chosen did not have especially tongue-twisting lyrics; they were mainly sincere and classic.

Black Pearl began singing first: "When you are old, your hair turned white, heavy with sleep.

When you are old and can no longer walk, dozing by the fire, remembering your youth."

A breathtakingly beautiful young girl singing such a bittersweet song created an enormous sense of contrast.

The handmaidens and musicians joined in, chanting in chorus. Flutes, harps, and violins joined the performance as well.

Beautiful music rose, its notes flowing throughout the entire hall.

"Black Pearl!"

"Black Pearl!"

The masked guests shouted the courtesan's name, utterly intoxicated.

To be honest, Black Pearl's voice was pleasant, but it was still inferior to Nightingale's.

But this was a rare chance to hear Black Pearl sing, and with such good lyrics, it felt even more precious.

At the railing on the third floor of the first hall in the Sealord's Palace, Sealord Ferrego leaned against the stairs and watched Black Pearl perform below.

"This song reminds me of my younger days. A teenager can write words that pierce through time and carry such profound philosophy of life. He truly is a genius," Ferrego said.

"Could someone around him have written it?" chief swordsman Kui Luo asked.

"Impossible. Black Pearl is not blind. If that silver-haired man were truly a fool, it would have been exposed long ago."

"After today, the name Silver Traveler will spread across Braavos. Courtesans are singing his songs. This young man has come up with quite a few new tricks," Ferrego praised.

"Would you like to meet him?" Kui Luo asked. "He is on the second floor."

"No need." Sealord Ferrego shook his head, then said in a low voice, "He is indeed outstanding, but I have yet to see his limits. Offending the Iron Throne for an unrealistic future would not be a wise choice either. Let us wait and see."

After Black Pearl's lovely song came a dance performance by the Mermaid Queen and her mermaids.

To the lingering music, the Mermaid Queen and four mermaids appeared onstage, performing a graceful dance.

The mermaids wore white fishtail dresses, their silver decorations sparkling brightly.

Every mermaid wore a silver-patterned half-mask as well.

They danced lightly, their figures supple and enchanting.

Even though their faces could not be seen clearly, it was obvious that they were all beautiful young women.

As the mermaids' movements grew faster, their skirts swayed like lotus blossoms, and waves of applause rose from the crowd.

"Playing hard to get," Viserys commented on the methods of these top courtesans.

That affected contrast was precisely what made the guests seem like toys in their palms.

After seeing that there were no more distinctive performances, Viserys returned to his private room.

A short while later, Black Pearl brought several courtesans wearing masks into the room as well.

Nightingale, whom he had met before, wore a yellow dress. Moonshadow wore a dress that was white on one side and silver on the other; she only liked white and silver clothing.

There was also an exceptionally beautiful girl in a black dress.

Viserys knew that she was Lady of Darkness, and she seemed to have some connection to the House of Black and White.

The courtesans were not especially surprised to see Viserys seated in the private room. Since Black Pearl valued him so highly, he was surely no ordinary person.

"This is the man who wrote lyrics for me, Nightingale, and the Female Swordswoman—Silver Traveler," Black Pearl said, raising a hand in introduction.

"Nightingale."

"Lady of Darkness."

"Moonshadow."

Viserys gave them an elegant bow.

Nightingale, who looked Lyseni, had the finest singing voice. Lady of Darkness was a tall, aloof beauty, while Moonshadow was vibrant and cheerful.

As for Black Pearl, she was youthful and adorable, with the best figure of them all, her curves distinct.

Lady of Darkness and Moonshadow stared at Viserys. Silver-white hair and violet eyes—he was anything but ordinary.

Moonshadow's eyes immediately lit up. "Such beautiful lyrics. I will give you a kiss for this song."

"I am honored."

Viserys looked at the four courtesans. Their backgrounds were all quite complicated.

Aside from the most famous, Black Pearl, Lady of Darkness had some connection to the House of Black and White, while Moonshadow and Nightingale belonged to Moonsinger Temple.

As the performance drew to a close, the main course began to be served.

First came crab flatshark soup and chilled egg-and-lime soup, followed by lamprey, clam meat, honey quail, roasted lamb chops, goose liver soaked in red wine, buttered radishes, stewed sea snails, and more.

Besides the food, there were all kinds of wines and drinks.

Viserys spotted mainstream spirits such as golden wine from the Arbor, Dorne Summer Red, and Tyroshi pear brandy.

There was even Myrish green wine, Pentoshi white amber wine, and an unfamiliar golden liquor.

The courtesans rarely drank such wines. They drank lower-proof ale, cider, or lemonade.

"May this good fortune never end, and may the Sealord have all his wishes fulfilled."

"May this good fortune never end."

Amid the clamor of voices and the clinking of glasses, the banquet officially began.

Masks could be removed while eating and put back on when it was time to dance.

Viserys removed his silver mask and began eating and drinking without ceremony. To be honest, after watching performances for so long, he was indeed hungry.

There was no excessive small talk. Time to feast.

Though these courtesans were all stunning, Viserys had encountered only the finest. These few fell just a little short of Black Pearl.

The Sealord's banquet was luxurious and grand, and it even included the sea snails Viserys often indulged in.

Moonshadow saw Viserys's face—a youthful yet handsome face, sharp and striking as a razor.

"Silver Traveler is so young?" Moonshadow was startled. "I thought he had to be thirty or forty."

This was the contrast between the image and the real person. They had thought Silver Traveler was some weathered old man whose talents had gone unrecognized, never expecting him to be so young.

"He is only fourteen or fifteen, but he has the mindset of someone in his forties or fifties. You have heard those songs," Black Pearl explained.

"Exiled Dragon." Lady of Darkness studied Viserys's face closely. Violet eyes, silver-white hair, inhuman beauty, and that age. "I should have realized it. Black Pearl has the blood of a true dragon and is very interested in the Sunset Lands."

There could only be one answer.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Lady of Darkness asked Black Pearl.

"Everyone has secrets. His Majesty Viserys did not wish for this secret to be exposed," Black Pearl said indifferently.

Lady of Darkness was on a different level. Even Black Pearl carried herself with reserve before them.

"Could he be your new patron?" Moonshadow asked curiously.

When courtesans wished to bear children and prepare for retirement, they needed to find a handsome partner. But Black Pearl was far too young for that.

"My friend, not my patron," Black Pearl corrected.

"If you come looking for me, I can give you some surprises," Moonshadow said. Her interest in Viserys deepened.

An extraordinary noble from a fallen kingdom, a man as mysterious as a riddle.

Even setting aside Viserys's talent for writing, his appearance alone was devastatingly effective.

"Let us talk after I am full." Viserys ignored Lady of Darkness and Moonshadow, calmly continuing to eat.

Flatshark soup, sea snails, lamprey—devour it all.

Moonshadow and Lady of Darkness were both stunned by Viserys's appetite. How long had this boy been starving, or had he simply been born with an enormous stomach?

The silver-haired true dragon looked tall and handsome, yet his appetite was astonishingly huge.

Viserys felt that the excess food he ate might have been converted into attributes, so it did not burden his body.

Besides the sea snails, Viserys noticed that a newly served blue lobster seemed to have some attribute effect as well, so he focused on those.

A servant brought over a covered dish and set it before them. Leaning over the table, the servant removed the lid.

It was precious Sealord crab, sprinkled with steaming hot seasonings and looking incredibly delicious.

"Eat more. I am not interested in crabs," Moonshadow said with a smile.

These courtesans worked hard to maintain their figures. Only Viserys feasted heartily, eating and drinking without restraint.

Lady of Darkness curiously examined Viserys's figure. He had eaten so much, yet his body had not changed at all. It was truly strange.

This did not look like an act. He genuinely enjoyed the food.

"Eat less. You still have to dance with me later," Black Pearl said.

"You never told me that," Viserys asked curiously.

"I am telling you now." Black Pearl looked at Viserys.

"Can I refuse?" Viserys took a breath.

"Probably not." Black Pearl shook her head. "Do not worry, I will not eat you."

Add Bookmark

Return to Contents

Report Chapter Error

Share with Friends: