Preparing to receive the king

Good weather had become more frequent on Dragonstone since March, and the sunshine was especially warm that day.

Because there was an active volcano on the new island, the plants on Dragonstone had been reviving particularly early in recent years. This year, many fruit trees and flowers were already in bloom.

It should have been one of the finest days of the year, yet Baelon, who had been born in the first spring after the Long Winter ended, had passed away in another new spring. Such was the mockery fate and the gods made of mortals!

Then again, when had this world ever changed for anyone?

After breakfast, Danyla had gone over every detail of the preparations once more with Maester Tigris. It served as both study and practical experience for her.

In Maester Tigris's eyes, Danyla was an excellent student. Not only did she learn quickly, she could apply what she learned to new situations, and despite her young age, she displayed extraordinary talent.

Danyla also felt that she truly had a clever mind in this life, with something close to a photographic memory. Her body was unusually strong as well. After successfully bonding with her dragon, in particular, she felt her strength increasing rapidly.

After successfully bonding with her dragon, she had also begun practicing swordsmanship with Bronn. Over the years, she had become quite a capable little swordswoman.

In this world, funerals were elaborate affairs, especially those of royalty. Taking part in the arrangements herself would give Danyla experience for when she managed a household or ruled a domain of her own.

After all, women's standing in this world was reasonably good. When there was no suitable male heir, a woman could inherit a title.

Of course, there had never been such a precedent in the Targaryen royal family. The Seven Kingdoms were still dominated by men, and the vast majority of people remained accustomed to giving male heirs precedence over female ones.

Compared with the traditions of the other houses of the Seven Kingdoms, House Targaryen's funerals were relatively simple. Still, cremation by Great Dragon fire took their grandeur to an entirely different level.

Apart from the former Freehold of Old Valyria, House Targaryen was now the only house with the power and means to do such a thing.

Given Prince Baelon's exalted status, all the Great Lords of consequence in the Seven Kingdoms would attend in person. Everything therefore had to be considered, from the fine food and wine for the banquet afterward to places where the lords and ladies could converse and rest.

The arrangements had to be worthy of the royal family's rank without being overly extravagant. House Targaryen had always favored simplicity, so quality would have to be the focus.

Maester Tigris had sent people to Spicetown on Driftmark, the seat of House Velaryon, the wealthiest house in the Seven Kingdoms, to purchase the freshest sea fish and various precious spices shipped from the eastern continent of Essos.

Combined with some of Dragonstone Castle's own stores, these would make for one of the finest banquets in the Seven Kingdoms.

As for tableware, besides the pieces made of gold, silver, copper, and aluminum, Danyla had Maester Tigris bring out more than a dozen sets of dragonbone tableware that she had paid a considerable sum to have Myrish craftsmen make.

These were all Danyla's private possessions, however, and she had her own little scheme in lending them for everyone to use.

Each of the seven great houses would receive one set: House Stark of the North, House Tully of the Riverlands, House Arryn of the Vale, House Tyrell of the Reach, House Greyjoy of the Iron Islands, House Baratheon of the Stormlands, and House Lannister of the Westerlands. Relations with House Martell of Dorne were poor, so they would not be coming.

Naturally, a set had to be prepared for their close kin of House Velaryon as well, while every member of the royal family would have one.

The dragonbone tableware included everything from bowls, plates, dishes, cups, knives, and forks to buckets, cases, pots, and trays. The pieces were also inlaid with gold and plated with silver, with plenty of pearls and gemstones set into them.

Danyla had commissioned several hundred sets of this tableware, consuming several thousand kilograms of dragonbone alone. Each set had cost more than a dozen Gold Dragons to make-luxury taken to the extreme.

She intended to seize the opportunity that day to give the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms a proper eye-opener. Didn't they love outdoing one another?

Danyla did not believe they could use these without wanting a set for their own collections. If she was to part with such treasures, surely charging them tens of thousands a set was not unreasonable?

Anyone who could not afford one could look forward to never holding their head high in the Seven Kingdoms again!

The ingredients in Dragonstone Castle's stores were certainly of excellent quality. The meat from the whale Dreamfyre had caught a few days earlier would also come in handy that day, and it counted among the finest ingredients in the Seven Kingdoms.

Danyla had also prepared a carefully brewed drink she called "Dragonfire liquor." It was made by steeping a certain unmentionable Great Dragon waste product in the strongest barley liquor, letting it slowly ferment for a month, then distilling it repeatedly.

Danyla could say with complete confidence that this had to be the strongest liquor in the world. Though potent, Dragonfire liquor did no harm to the body and even strengthened the body and bones. Even pregnant women could drink it.

The liquor prepared for this banquet had been diluted at a ratio of one to ten, yet it remained the strongest of fine spirits. Its health benefits, however, were greatly diminished.

Danyla had also ordered the herders of White Sheep Town to send over a hundred plump goats. With House Targaryen's Dragonriding gathered together, food for the Great Dragons could hardly be neglected.

The goats roasted by her own Flayed Knights were delicious as well, thanks to Danyla's exclusive secret barbecue seasoning.

The seasoning Danyla had developed herself was not complicated, and its ingredients were much like those used for barbecue in China. With the addition of Great Dragon waste products and rock salt gathered near Dragonstone's new island, however, the flavor became truly excellent.

This inexpensive yet delicious seasoning could easily rival the finest spices. Managed well, this seasoning business alone could become Danyla's source of funds in the future.

When the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms gathered, their favorite pastime, besides drinking and womanizing, was competing at arms.

Although a large tournament would be inappropriate for a funeral, a few small contests to liven things up could also serve as a way of remembering the deceased.

During his life, her grandfather Baelon had loved hunting and attending tournaments, earning himself the name Baelon "the Brave." Some contests at his funeral were therefore inevitable.

Danyla had thus ordered Alfred, the captain of her guards, to take his men and put the training grounds in order. Some weapons and armor that had been gathering dust in the storerooms were brought out as well, and the squires were made to service them again.

She also took the opportunity to "reward" Bronn, her two Personal Guard knights, and the twelve Sheepskin Peeler Warriors with a suit of plate armor and a fine Valyrian Steel Sword each. Although each set was worth only a little over sixty Gold Dragons, that was still a considerable sum for an ordinary knight.

Under Bronn's guidance, Danyla had recently made some progress in swordsmanship. Even Bronn could not help praising her talent for becoming a lady knight. He had even used his reward money to commission a small bastard sword especially for her.

Its hilt was made of dragonbone, and its narrow blade was only half a meter long. The scabbard was made from a silver alloy and set with seven kinds of gemstones. It was just right for Danyla.

After Danyla and the others had waited at the main gate for more than half an hour, Harold ran over to report to her:

"Your Highness, they're here! His Majesty Jaehaerys has disembarked and is on his way to the castle."