A betrothal and a fief

On his second day at the Red Keep, a maid told Ghost that the queen wanted to see him. He was very nervous. Was he meeting his future mother-in-law already? Would she give him a hard time?

Sigh, I'm so hungry. Is there no breakfast...

A wicked mother-in-law and all that... As it turned out, he had been overthinking things.

King Aerys's wife, Queen Rhaella, had a beautiful, world-weary face. She remained icy throughout and did not say a single word to him, her air so ethereal that she looked ready to ascend to heaven on the spot.

Queen Rhaella worshipped the Seven. Ghost knew nothing about it and only managed to complete the steps with a septa's guidance.

Only when the prayers were over did Queen Rhaella leave him with the words, "Take good care of Rhaegar," before departing with a great crowd of attendants.

From the looks of it, Queen Rhaella seemed quite easy to get along with.

Starving to death, Ghost quietly asked the maid when breakfast would be served.

"You can eat after morning prayers. What would you like? Barbara will ask the kitchens to prepare it."

Ghost silently noted that the round-faced maid with the braid was called Barbara, then began ordering palace takeout.

It was all high-calorie set meals in generous, filling portions... Barbara headed to the kitchens looking dazed.

Ghost rolled happily around on the bed. He could finally eat an authentic Game of Thrones feast!~(^_^)

There was nothing much to do after breakfast. The king would not summon him until the afternoon. Ghost was so sleepy that he decided to go back to bed.

He slept until the afternoon, when his personal maid woke him to wash and dress, saying that the king wanted to see him in an hour.

Once ready, Ghost stepped out of his room. To his surprise, Varys was waiting in the hall.

The spymaster wore a luxurious, soft purple robe today, and he had changed the powder he wore as well. As soon as he saw Ghost emerge, he gave him a gentle, kindly smile.

"Oh dear, you can't dress like that. It's far too plain. Poor little thing, you must have suffered terribly on the road."

Ghost looked down at his dark green dress, covered in gold embroidery and intricate patterns, and the enormous square sapphire necklace hanging around his neck. Was Varys being sarcastic? But perhaps he simply knew nothing about how extravagantly the court nobility lived under House Targaryen.

Varys said, "It will have to do for today. No need for the veil. Come along with me now~"

Walking beside Varys through the medieval palace, Ghost felt a faint swell of emotion. He really had come here...

Although it was a little unfortunate that he had not transmigrated to the beginning of Game of Thrones, that also meant he had a chance to change history...

There was no saying whether that was good or bad.

"Last night... I disposed of your maid and guards outside the palace," Varys said softly, his voice barely audible, just loud enough for Ghost to hear.

Ghost's steps faltered before he continued forward.

"Prince Rhaegar is renowned throughout the world as a good man... but you would do well to be more cautious. It would be best not to act so rashly again."

Varys thought I sneaked out to see Rhaegar? His eyes and ears are so sharp... then does he know I can change forms? If he really is in league with Rickard, how much does he know?

A chill settled in Ghost's heart. "Yes... I understand."

When they reached the throne room, Ghost felt a little panicked the moment he entered. There were far fewer gold-cloaked guards in the hall, and the front rows were packed with nobles in flamboyant clothes.

Varys slowly led him toward the king. Prince Rhaegar stood before the throne. He looked much more spirited today, and even more handsome...

Goumi's face truly was a work of art. He could never tire of looking at it.

At that moment, Ghost could see only him at the far end of the aisle, ignoring the less-than-friendly looks and whispers around him.

"Is she from Old Valyria?"

"I heard she isn't of the king's own clan. She's descended from great nobles who fled Old Valyria."

"She looks so much like Prince Rhaegar..."

"Hmph, she's nothing special..."

"Prince Rhaegar, sob, sob..."

Ghost: "..." These seemed to be admirers of the prince.

Hmph, as long as this princess consort lives, you're all just side chicks.

Ghost was inwardly triumphant, but his steps grew ever more composed and graceful. Varys held his forearm steadily as they approached the king...

Long platinum hair that seemed suffused with sunlight, a slender, graceful figure, skin like vanishing cream... though those bright eyes were not as deeply purple as Prince Rhaegar's, a closer look revealed clear ice blue within the pale pink.

(The gradient eye color was quite miraculous, but the reason was actually simple: he had drunk the potion the maester gave him. By Ghost's own aesthetic standards, emerald-green eyes looked best with blond hair!)

Among the nobles great and small, all wearing different expressions, the old lion-or rather, the great lion Tywin, as he should probably be called now-had the sharpest gaze.

He quietly watched the girl approaching from afar, unknown thoughts turning in his mind. Guilty, Ghost did not dare meet his eyes, yet could still feel that oppressive gaze.

The king's newly adopted daughter, Rhaenys Targaryen, possessed very distinct features of House Targaryen. Though young-reportedly fifteen-she already had beauty and nobility to rival Prince Rhaegar's.

The nobles privately speculated that her Old Valyrian blood might even be purer than that of House Targaryen.

As for the source of those rumors, Ghost suspected Varys deserved much of the credit.

King Aerys seemed to be in a very good mood today. For once, he had tidied his appearance and washed his unkempt self. Though his nails remained uncut and frighteningly sharp, he already looked far better than usual.

And when he saw Rhaenys, the king actually tugged the stiff corners of his mouth into a smile. Bracing himself hard against the Iron Throne, he struggled to his feet.

Varys nimbly darted to the king's side to support him.

"I am very pleased today." Though Aerys said this, his voice remained stiff and cold. His earlier smile had vanished as swiftly as it had appeared.

"My bloodline will be continued by Rhaenys and Rhaegar together. Though the dragons are gone, House Targaryen will remain strong and prosperous, and its rule over the Seven Kingdoms will be unshakable. Fire and blood!"

The nobles obligingly cheered, while the guards pounded the floor with their weapons.

"Tywin, Hand of the King. Draw up my decree. Grant..." King Aerys paused, then continued, "Duskendale to Rhaenys Targaryen as her fief."

The blond man standing below the king stepped out of the ranks. "Your Grace, House Darklyn of Duskendale has already been executed in its entirety for treason, but collateral descendants of House Hollard remain. I fear the people will not obey their new lord."

"Strip House Darklyn of all its lands and noble status. Burn every last Hollard. Execute anyone who refuses to submit for treason."

King Aerys's tone grew dangerous. "Must I teach you even this, Tywin?"

Tywin turned slightly and signaled with his eyes, and another noble stepped forward. "Your Grace, I beg you to show mercy. Send House Hollard to the Wall in the North to swear the vows of the Night's Watch. Let them give thanks for your mercy and tolerance."

"Mercy... hmph. Those traitors do not deserve their king's forgiveness."

King Aerys suddenly turned to Ghost and spoke in Old Valyrian again. "Rhaenys, how do you think these traitors should be dealt with?"

Here we go again... the Mad King's tests really do find their way into every crack.