Rhaegar had only exchanged a few words with Yara before she was called away by other noble ladies.
He hadn't even had a chance to take a sip of water when a tall, white-haired old man approached, accompanied by two teenagers.
The man and the young people bore a tower-like emblem on their collars: a yellow burning tower on a black triangle, set against a flame-like red background. This was the coat of arms of the House Grafton, lords of Gulltown.
With a warm smile, the old man bowed slightly. "Prince Rhaegar, Grimm Grafton at your service."
Rhaegar stood and returned the greeting, "Lord Grimm, it's good to see you again."
The purpose of this trip was to garner support from the influential lords of Gulltown, so a friendly demeanor was essential.
Gulltown, with its natural harbor on the Bay of Crabs, south of Runestone, was one of the five major cities in Westeros, rivaling White Harbor but smaller than Lannisport, Oldtown, and King's Landing. The Grafton House held significant wealth and influence in this crucial city.
"Prince, you have grown even more handsome and noble since I last saw you," Grimm said, his tone friendly. He then introduced the teenagers. "These are my grandchildren, Joffrey and Jonelle."
Rhaegar observed them closely. Joffrey, about sixteen or seventeen, was handsome with the Grafton House's signature black curly hair and light gray eyes.
Jonelle, similarly aged, was strikingly beautiful with a notably fit physique. To Rhaegar's surprise, Jonelle had silver-blonde curls and purple eyes—a classic Valyrian appearance.
"Miss Jonelle's hair color..." Rhaegar began, glancing curiously at Lord Grimm.
Grimm laughed, his eyes shining. "My grandmother was Lady Prudence of House Celtigar. Jonelle inherited her Valyrian characteristics from her great-grandmother two generations ago."
"Ah, I see. Lady Jonelle is truly a sight to behold," Rhaegar praised, genuinely impressed.
He recalled the historical connection between the Grafton and Celtigar Houses. The Graftons' wealth made them desirable allies, and many great houses sought marriages with them.
Moreover, in the brief history of House Targaryen, it was mentioned that Lady Prudence had once saved Rhaegar's great-grandmother, Queen Alysanne.
Feeling a genuine warmth, Rhaegar's smile broadened, and he engaged in an even more enthusiastic conversation. Jonelle stood by her brother's side, her head slightly bowed and her cheeks tinged with pink as she stole glances at Rhaegar.
The conversation concluded. Rhaegar broached a serious topic, "Lord Grimm, the war between the Kingdom and the Three Daughters is about to begin, and we need your house's support."
"Prince, I've already received the raven," Old Grimm replied cheerfully. "The Grafton House of Gulltown is ready to fight for His Majesty and for you, Prince, whenever needed."
"Excellent," Rhaegar said, his respect for the old man increasing. "With your family's help, the kingdom will surely defeat the Triarchy."
The kingdom needed loyal bannermen who could step up in critical moments.
"Prince, I still have to catch up with a few old friends. You young people can carry on better without me," Old Grimm said, excusing himself and leaving his grandchildren behind.
As the old man departed, Rhaegar, Joffrey, and Jonelle found themselves in an awkward silence.
"Prince, let me pour you a glass of wine," Jonelle offered delicately, picking up the wine bottle with a shy, timid expression.
"Thank you," Rhaegar said, taking a polite sip despite not usually drinking wine. He felt even thirstier afterward.
Old Grimm's quick promise and leaving his grandchildren behind signaled a clear intent. Rhaegar understood what he meant. He glanced at Jonelle. She was a pretty girl, her Valyrian features making him feel a sense of kinship. However, he didn't favor shy girls.
Turning his attention to Joffrey, Rhaegar said, "Joffrey, I see you wear a sword at your waist. Do you practice swordsmanship?"
"Yes, Your Highness," Joffrey replied formally. "I have been studying and practicing since I was young."
The Grafton House was known for its strict and thorough training.
"Relax," Rhaegar waved a hand. "You're a bit older than me, so let's just talk casually."
After a moment's thought, Rhaegar asked, "How skilled are you with a sword? Have you considered becoming a knight?"
"Yes, Prince," Joffrey's eyes lit up but then dimmed as he added, "My sword teacher says my talent is average. It's hard for me to excel."
"Talent is important, but hard work and dedication are the keys to success," Rhaegar encouraged, offering an olive branch. "Are you interested in taking up some official positions?"
"I've only managed some accounts with my grandfather. I have no experience in governance," Joffrey explained, though his excitement was palpable.
"You could start by serving wine and observing how other advisers handle their duties," Rhaegar suggested, leaving no stone unturned in his efforts to draw Joffrey closer.
Rhaegar wasn't interested in marrying Old Grimm's granddaughter, so he decided to focus on her brother. He believed Old Grimm would understand his intentions.
After chatting with the siblings for a while, Lady Rhea came downstairs and called the attendants to arrange the banquet.
The wedding banquet was still two days away, but a reception banquet had to be held for the arriving nobles.
Long tables were set for the feast. Rhaegar, as heir, sat at the head table with Lady Rhea, her betrothed Gerold, the esteemed Lord Grimm, and other high-ranking nobles.
Lady Rhea presided over the event, while Gerold sat beside her.
Rhaegar, with his noble status, sat across from them, alone at one end of the table. The people of the Vale were passionate, and the atmosphere at the banquet was lively, with much shouting and laughter. Rhaegar played the role of spectator, responding to toasts from time to time.
Nearby tables were filled with noble ladies and their daughters. Many of them were drawn to Rhaegar's handsome face and sought to speak with him. Old Grimm, seeing an opportunity, called Jonelle over to pour wine for Rhaegar, citing his discomfort in doing so alone.
This action set off a flurry of activity. Other nobles, seeing a chance to present their daughters to the prince, began calling them over for various reasons, hoping to catch Rhaegar's eye.
The nobles at this table were not fools. They knew the kingdom was preparing for war with the Triarchy, and Rhaegar's presence in the Vale was a clear sign of his intentions to rally loyal supporters. They understood the potential benefits of aligning their families with the royal family.
The greatest benefit would be a marriage alliance with the royal family. If their daughters or granddaughters could attract Rhaegar's attention, their family's future would be assured.
Rhaegar found himself surrounded by eager young women. The attention was flattering, but the enthusiasm was overwhelming. The noble ladies vied for the chance to pour him wine, nearly tearing each other apart in the process.
From a practical standpoint, Rhaegar thought, what good is it to pour wine for him when he doesn't even drink it?
Halfway through the banquet, a dragon's roar echoed from the sky above the castle. A gust of wind kicked up dust and rattled the hall's glazed windows.
(Word count: 1,188)