Rhaegar sharply noticed Jeyne's reaction and asked, "What's the matter, cousin?"
Jeyne smiled apologetically. "Nothing, just something that suddenly came to mind. In a couple of days, it will be Lady Rhea's wedding. Lord Yorbert will be back in time, so you can talk to him then."
"Is that so?" Rhaegar kept his expression neutral, but inwardly, doubts arose. Yorbert was Lady Rhea's uncle, and he had passed the earldom to his niece. It made sense for him to return in time for her wedding.
Jeyne resumed her confident smile, got up, and sat next to Rhaenyra. Rhaenyra naturally drew close to her and asked, "I hear your cousin Arnold Arryn is questioning your inheritance?"
"Yes, and I have driven him away," Jeyne sighed helplessly. "The boy was quite good, but unfortunately, too ambitious."
Rhaegar took a sip of sweet wine, listening intently to their conversation. Arnold Arryn was Jeyne's uncle's son, just eleven years old and working as a squire at Runestone. In terms of male inheritance, Arnold indeed had a stronger claim than Jeyne. However, Jeyne had already inherited the Eyrie at the age of three, long before Arnold was even born.
Rhaenyra, concerned for her best friend, took Jeyne's arm. "Protect yourself. You are the first female Lord of the Vale."
Jeyne hummed softly, glancing at Rhaegar. "I said the same to you a few years ago."
Rhaenyra puffed out her chest proudly. "I lost my inheritance rights but gained more. I don't have to fight for my place or make peace with advisers. I have my own fiefdom, and most importantly, no arranged marriages. Over the years, I've traveled between King's Landing and Dragonstone, occasionally visiting the mainland. I've been living a happy life."
Rhaegar glanced at her and remained silent. If Rhaenyra had been more competitive, she would have lived the life she deserved.
Jeyne's eyes filled with envy. She looked at Rhaegar and quietly asked, "Do you plan to follow the traditions of House Targaryen?"
Rhaenyra blushed slightly and rolled her eyes, ignoring her friend's question.
Seeing this, Jeyne's eyes sparkled. She stared at Rhaenyra for a while, making her uncomfortable. Rhaenyra pushed her friend's face away in annoyance, causing Jeyne to laugh uncontrollably.
Jeyne stole a glance at Rhaegar's profile—his long blonde and silver hair, pale handsome face, and clear purple eyes.
As the two women bickered playfully, the party grew livelier. Laenor, having filled his stomach, stood up and excused himself. "Thank you for the hospitality. I'm a little tired and will go rest."
Jeyne smiled delicately. "Then I wish you good dreams."
"Thank you," Laenor replied, smiling as he walked over to Rhaegar. "Cousin, I'll continue my journey in the morning, so I'll head down first."
Rhaegar nodded, watching Laenor head towards the second floor. As Laenor passed a thin male attendant, they exchanged a knowing look, and the attendant followed Laenor upstairs.
Rhaegar watched blankly, feeling a sort of admiration for Laenor. He had just arrived at the Eyrie, the banquet wasn't over, and he had already found his "prey."
Rhaenyra noticed this and pinched Rhaegar's arm. "The Velaryon House may not have a throne, but father is still waiting for you to carry on the family line."
Laenor's preferences were well known—he only played with boys and never touched women. The Sea Snake, Corlys, was very worried about this.
Rhaegar chuckled. "I am not interested in men. Mature women are my favorite." As he said this, he glanced at the three women present and leaned back in his chair. After his father's teachings, Rhaegar had become much more open about his attractions. His father had told him that there was no woman a Targaryen man couldn't capture.
Rhaenyra glared at him, a silent warning. Jeyne and Jessamyn exchanged looks and turned their heads as if they hadn't heard.
The party continued with the three women exchanging drinks and laughter. As the hall began to quiet down, Rhaegar excused himself and went up to the second floor to rest.
...
Night
After the banquet, the three drunken women helped each other up to the third floor. First, they saw Rhaenyra to her guest room, then Jeyne and Jessamyn returned together to the master bedroom.
Creak...
The cedar door closed, and Jeyne patted her red cheeks, her eyes clearing, no longer appearing drunk. Jessamyn didn't even blush as she elegantly walked to the bed and sat down.
Leaning against the doorframe, Jeyne whispered, "You shouldn't have stopped me. By sending out a dragon, the Mountain Clan's rebellion would be quickly quelled."
"Arnold is hiding in the shadows. If you don't lure him out, your lordship will be over sooner or later," Jessamyn warned.
"Rhaegar is my cousin. He will support me," Jeyne insisted.
"Don't forget where he got his heirship from," Jessamyn countered.
Jeyne held her forehead and said no more. Jessamyn's disdain for men was too strong to argue with.
Jeyne walked back to the bedside and laid down languidly, murmuring, "Let's wait a little longer. If Yorbert can't solve the Mountain Clans issue, then I'll ask for help."
Rhaegar and Rhaenyra were also going to attend the wedding in Runestone and would stay in the Vale for a while. With their relationship, there was no fear of not getting help.
...
The Following Day
In the front yard of the Eyrie Castle, Laenor, wearing leather armor, stood in front of the light silver-gray scaled Sea Smoke. Rhaegar and the others were there to bid him farewell.
"I'm leaving. You guys be careful in the Vale as well," Laenor said, giving each of them a hug, his dark-skinned face full of smiles.
"Take care on the road. We'll wait for your good news," Rhaegar urged patiently.
Laenor's smile grew even bigger as he climbed up the soft ladder onto the back of the dragon and waved from above. Rhaegar returned the smile, knowing from Laenor's demeanor that last night's experience had been enjoyable.
"Roar ..."
With a roar, Sea Smoke flapped its wings and slowly rose into the air. Not long after, the light silver-gray dragon disappeared from view.
Rhaenyra stood by Rhaegar's side and said softly, "Jeyne will be leaving soon, so let's follow along?"
Rhaegar looked at Jeyne with surprise. "The wedding in Runestone City is still a few days away, right?"
"We don't have dragons, and we have to bring our gifts, so of course we have to leave early," Jeyne explained, smoothing her long chestnut-colored hair blown by the wind.
"Simple," Rhaegar said, smiling. "Rhaenyra and I will ride the dragons and carry you."
"Before we left for the Vale, I ordered five hundred Dragonkeepers to go ahead with the goods from the Mushroom Set's caravan. They should arrive soon," he added.
After a pause, he continued, "Among them are gifts I have selected from goods all over the world, and they will be specially delivered to the Eyrie."
(Word count: 1,154)