The Twin Princesses' Name Day celebration and the exhibition of Valyrian weapons were the first nationwide gathering of nobles since the Long Night and winter had ended, so everyone was in high spirits.
With Danyla's full support, fine food and wine flowed endlessly at the feast. All manner of song and dance performances and Mummer's Shows dazzled the guests, leaving the visiting nobles thoroughly satisfied.
The negative emotions that had built up over three months of the Long Night and winter seemed to find a perfect release at that moment.
By then, Danyla's influence within the Red Keep had become considerable. To take better care of King Jaehaerys, she had begun replacing numerous court ladies and inner court officials with her own people while helping him handle affairs of state, even before the Long Night.
King Jaehaerys naturally knew what Danyla was doing, but all those she removed had other great lords backing them. Most of the people Danyla appointed came from Dragonstone or the common folk and were absolutely loyal to the royal house.
At first, King Jaehaerys merely watched dispassionately. But when he saw that even the atmosphere in the Red Keep had improved, he chose to turn a blind eye to Danyla's actions. In any case, life in the Red Keep had become more comfortable and pleasant for him.
During the Long Night and winter, Harold had also requisitioned two hundred Dragon Guards and three hundred Unsullied to garrison the Tower of the Hand in the name of protecting Viserys, making them the strongest military force within the Red Keep.
Although Prince Daemon commanded three thousand Gold Cloaks, nearly half were men Danyla had rejected while selecting her Dragon Guards. Many had long since secretly become part of Danyla's forces.
Moreover, although the Gold Cloaks had quite