In the Throne Room, whispers and discussions about the title "White Wolf" were incessant.
As Jon's fame grew, people in Westeros also learned about his white Direwolf. Thus, the title "White Wolf Knight" was a natural fit.
Moreover, even before Jon, the people of King's Landing enjoyed spreading rumors that the Stark Family raised Direwolves as 'nannies'.
This was, of course, a prejudice and a rumor, but Jon being knighted as the White Wolf Knight was a genuine honor.
Although a knight is the lowest rank in the noble hierarchy, this title is also the starting point for obtaining higher peerages.
Not to mention, being personally bestowed by the King carried significant meaning, indicating that Stannis's subsequent rewards would surely be substantial.
There are many knights in Westeros, but only a few are famous enough to be named, even including the 'infamous' Knight of the Laughing Tree.
Even the "Knight of Flowers," Loras, is more of a complimentary nickname than an official honorific.
In short, the prestige of Jon's "White Wolf Knight" title was exceptionally high. Some who had participated in the discussion of Jon's awards that day suddenly remembered Petyr's proposal—to unite Jon and Margaery and grant him the titles of Warden of the West and lord of casterly rock.
While the latter was unlikely, the former, it went without saying, Stannis would surely try to push through.
However, Jon, kneeling before him, was thinking of something else: knightly culture originated from the Faith of the Seven, and Stannis had already converted to the Red God. What kind of ceremony would he use to knight him?
Soon, an attendant approached Jon with a fine steel longsword. Stannis took the sword from the attendant and said, "Jon, this sword was once my personal blade. Now I bestow it upon you. From this day forward, you are the White Wolf Knight!" With that, Stannis drew the sword and lightly tapped it on Jon's shoulder.
With the King's personal sword, the value of this knighting ceremony increased even further.
However, there were no exclusive prayers for the knighting, as the Father, the Mother, and the Maiden are all part of the Faith of the Seven. It would be inappropriate for Stannis to recite the Seven during the knighting ceremony.
Because there were no prayers, the entire process seemed brief, but the'setting' was very grand. First, the knighting took place on the iron throne, and the person bestowing the title was the only legitimate King.
As a Northerner, Jon wasn't particularly concerned with the Faith of the Seven and said nothing. The King's party members were somewhat displeased, while the Queen's party members were the happiest, as this meant their King leaned more towards the Red God.
Jon raised his hand above his head, accepting Stannis's fine steel longsword. The hilt of this longsword was carved with a stag's head, and sapphires were inlaid in the stag's eyes.
Although it wasn't a Valyrian steel sword, it was clearly a fine blade.
Listening to Stannis's proclamation, everyone present knew that even if they were unhappy, they could no longer call Jon a bastard or Snow, at least not in public.
"Rise! Jon Stark!"
Stannis's words echoed through the hall, as if to pass through the Throne Room and spread throughout King's Landing. Dondarrion was the first to speak: "Long live the White Wolf Knight! Long live Jon Stark!"
With him leading the way, Thoros, Martin, and others also spoke up.
The courtiers of both the King's party and the Queen's party, seeing that Stannis did not object, joined in.
"Long live the White Wolf Knight!"
"Long live Jon Stark!"
However, the most excited person at this moment was not Jon, but Sansa. Her fists were tightly clenched as she said to Arya, who was shouting and jumping beside her, "From today onwards, Jon is no longer half our brother; he is our true brother."
Hearing Sansa's words, Arya looked back curiously and said, "He's always been our true brother, hasn't he?"
Sansa, seeing her little sister contradict her again, instinctively said, "It's not the same!" But she quickly realized that perhaps Arya was right.
She would never forget the scene of Jon rushing into Maegors Holdfast to save her. Even a full-blooded brother, how many would go to such lengths for their sister?
In fact, Jon didn't care much about being a Stark or not. He wanted to know where Stannis would actually grant him land.
Although all of Jon's attention was currently on Stannis, he could feel that many people were even more concerned than he was about Stannis's final decision regarding the award.
Especially the two Frey brothers, who had arrived in King's Landing early, not only to ensure the Frey Family's standing in Stannis's new reign but also to arrange a marriage alliance with Jon at an opportune moment.
They also believed that for Jon, a ducal grant was not impossible; as long as he was a duke, his lands could not be small or barren.
They had already planned that as soon as Stannis made the official announcement and the land grant was in place, they would immediately discuss marriage matters with Jon.
Everyone knew that Jon's rewards were far from over. Stannis then spoke: "Jon Stark, you, like your father, fought for the justice of the realm and the honor of the royal family. You reclaimed King's Landing, executed the false king, and maintained the welfare of the people during your defense of King's Landing. This is excellent. I have decided to name you Lord of Harrenhal!"
"Lord of Harrenhal!" Upon hearing this, everyone's first reaction was that Jon had indeed risen to great heights. From a bastard to a duke, what else could it be but a meteoric rise?
Their second reaction was that Stannis intended to use Jon to divide the Riverlands and counter Winterfell and the North.
Rhaegar Frey and Stevron Frey naturally had no objections. Their father, Old Walder, who controlled Riverrun, only dared to call himself a marquis.
It was perfectly acceptable for Jon, as a duke, to marry Roslin.
Moreover, the lands around Harrenhal were not particularly wealthy, and with the commoners displaced, Jon would need Riverrun if he wanted to develop his territory.
Since Jon had become Lord of Harrenhal, the original territories belonging to Harrenhal would likely be expanded. The Frey Family would also gain a steadfast and powerful ally as a result.
"A duke? Jon is like Father now!" Arya exclaimed in surprise.
At only ten years old, she couldn't comprehend the vastness of the North; she simply felt that if they were both dukes, they must be the same.
Sansa also hadn't expected Jon to leap to the rank of duke. She had originally planned to suggest her good friend, Jeyne Poole, for Jon, but now it seemed Jeyne was somewhat unqualified.
Dondarrion and Thoros smiled as they looked at Jon, joking that from now on, they would have to address him as 'Your Grace'.
The members of the Queen's party and the King's party had no further objections. Stannis elevating Jon, a bastard, to a duke was already generous enough.
After all, Jon could be said to be the first person in a thousand years to achieve such merit, and there was truly no precedent for how to reward him.
The grant of Lord of Harrenhal was enough to silence most people, and even these defeated generals could receive some recognition for their 'hard work'.
As for Varys, standing beside Pycelle, he narrowed his eyes and watched Jon intently, wanting to see how he would respond. If Jon truly didn't want to go to the Wall, then he would have no choice but to accept the Harrenhal title.
But then, something unexpected happened to everyone. Jon knelt again and said, "Your Majesty, please withdraw your grants to me. Not only Harrenhal, but also the Stark surname, please take it back as well."
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