Seeing his son Tyland receive Princess Danyla's special regard greatly eased Duke Lannister's anxiety. Jason Lannister, however, looked indignant as he quietly sneered at his younger brother when he returned to his side.
"Tyland, I never knew Her Highness thought so highly of you! No wonder you risked your life to get intelligence out of the Mountains of the Moon."
"Then we'll be counting on you to bring a Great Dragon back to Casterly Rock."
Tyland's heart was brimming with joy. Why would he care about his brother's mockery?
"Of course I'll do my best! Haven't we already sent the final payment to Holy Flame Island? With Her Highness's reputation, she certainly won't break her word. But two Great Dragons fell at Oldtown during the surprise attack by the Iron Islands, after all. Some further delay is unavoidable."
"You!"
Jason lowered his voice beside Tyland's ear.
"Then why was this Great Dragon sent to Highgarden first? House Lancaster won the first slot at the auction, after all."
Tyland glanced at the nobles from the Westerlands who had arrived with them, then said pointedly under his breath,
"Do you really not know why, Brother?"
"House Tyrell has always stood firmly behind Her Highness."
With so many nobles from the houses of the Westerlands present, Danyla fully assumed the bearing and authority of a ruler at that evening's banquet. She had little interaction with the nobles in attendance, merely accepting their greetings and bows with a composed expression from the seat of honor.
Mungo, holding a curved Valyrian steel sword, and Bennard, leading a Direwolf, made those approaching to offer their greetings and respects terribly nervous.
Once the banquet reached its height, Duke Lannister finally approached Danyla again, accompanied by Duke Tyrell.
"Your Highness, congratulations to the Royal House on disposing of