Artists from Myr were creating portraits in the distance; it was rare to see so many Braavosi courtesans at once.
The painting style of Myr was remarkably lifelike, relatively more realistic.
Viserys was also making quite a splash, being everywhere the action was.
Even in the portraits of those courtesans, Viserys's figure could be seen.
Viserys danced consecutively with courtesans like the Black Pearl, the Daughter of the Dusk, Moon Shadow, and Nightingale, drawing curious glances from the Braavosi, who wondered about the identity of this silver-haired, silver-masked guest.
Viserys noticed many eyes on him—some annoyed, some displeased, some jealous.
Viserys enjoyed himself, but he also genuinely angered many talented young men.
This was the treatment one received for standing out like a crane among chickens.
However, Viserys couldn't be bothered with their gazes; this was the price of fame, always attracting the envy of the mediocre.
Viserys relied entirely on his looks and talent, without any tricks.
"The silver-haired one, it's the Silver Wanderer," someone quickly deduced Viserys's identity.
"No wonder," some Braavosi felt somewhat relieved. Such a creative genius was naturally highly esteemed, but the courtesans had given him a lot of face.
Nightingale and Moon Shadow were dancing with others on the dance floor; as courtesans, this was also their means of socializing.
The Black Pearl had disappeared, perhaps chatting and laughing with someone else.
For a moment, all the beautiful women on the dance floor were overshadowed by their light and color.
"Why don't you go?" Viserys curiously asked the Daughter of the Dusk beside him.
"I don't like it," the Daughter of the Dusk replied. "My patience is limited."
"Oh," Viserys thought the Daughter of the Dusk, this cold beauty in black, was also a person of strong character. He wanted to ask if she had also trained in the Faceless Art but held back.
Everyone had their secrets; some things shouldn't be asked.
The two found a table and had a small drink, chatting as they sipped.
"Many people enjoy a lively crowd, but I'm not particularly fond of it," the Daughter of the Dusk said.
"Me too," Viserys didn't reply, just nodded.
"I thought you liked a lively crowd. You certainly made quite a splash today, immensely so," the Daughter of the Dusk glanced at Viserys.
Viserys looked at the Daughter of the Dusk, putting down his cup: "I was also passive; the Black Pearl invited me."
"I saw you being very active. But gain and loss are cyclical; you've gained attention, but you've also acquired many envious people," the Daughter of the Dusk's words contained a subtle warning.
"Then you continued to dance with me, putting me on the spot? I originally only offended the Black Pearl's admirers, now it's everyone's," Viserys rolled his eyes at the Daughter of the Dusk.
"I don't care about that. Someone the Black Pearl admires, I also need to observe carefully."
"There's a lot about me worth observing. Do you even want to see my body?"
"If I invited you, would you dare? I'm afraid you can't afford what I want."
"Since you are the Daughter of the Dusk, do you have any special characteristics?" Viserys asked curiously.
Any courtesan had to have some special tricks.
"Of course, I do," the Daughter of the Dusk snorted coldly, then looked at the contents of her cup. "This wine is best from a good region, just like Braavosi food. The fish and shellfish around Braavos are too fishy; only the mudflats where rivers flow through, and deep-sea food are better. Remember your place, Silver Wanderer."
However, the head of the House of Black and White, the Kindly Man, also seemed to have said something about these foods, making one wonder if it was a coincidence or something more.
"Thank you for your advice," Viserys felt that the Daughter of the Dusk was also very thoughtful, and her strategic vision might not be inferior to the Black Pearl's.
While Viserys and the Daughter of the Dusk were chatting, an uninvited guest had quietly arrived.
"The silver-haired Silver Wanderer?" The brown-haired man appeared opposite Viserys.
"I am," Viserys replied.
Hearing someone call him by his alias, he saw that it was someone from the Preston family.
"The Daughter of the Dusk is here too?" The brown-haired youth greeted the Daughter of the Dusk, his heart filled with even more jealousy and dissatisfaction.
Why did this mere foreigner receive so much favor from courtesans? He was just a pedantic man who dabbled in writing.
The Daughter of the Dusk nodded. "Today is indeed a grand celebration in Braavos."
"Insight." Viserys looked at the newcomer, observing the subtle changes in his expression with his eyes; the visitor meant no good.
Behind the young master of the Preston family was a tall bodyguard, who, though masked, had light green eyes and a thick, waist-length red-gold beard.
"Isn't that the Titan's Bastard?" Viserys looked at the bodyguard's appearance and immediately recognized him: a Braavosi, a rough, bearded man.
Later, Mero was the captain of the Second Sons and was killed by Ser Barristan while attempting to assassinate Daenerys.
He hadn't expected that in his youth, Mero was still working for the Preston family.
However, this was also normal; sellswords were always fickle, and it was quite normal to join a mercenary company when one ran out of money.
"Are you a friend of the Black Pearl and the Daughter of the Dusk?" the brown-haired masked man said. "Then you are also qualified to be a friend of Preston."
"That would be a great honor," Viserys said, though he didn't take it seriously in his heart.
These courtesans represented wealth, connections, and information. This noble son of the Preston family didn't seem to have much appeal.
Moreover, according to the Mermaid Queen's modus operandi, the Preston family wasn't exactly benevolent either.
"Forgive my presumption, but I have never heard of the Silver Wanderer's name before. May I ask where you come from?" Preston asked, his words tinged with arrogance.
"From a distant place, of course. I am merely a traveler," Viserys shrugged and replied.
"Oh, it seems you are the Black Pearl's esteemed guest."
"A guest, but we are also friends," Viserys looked at Preston.
Preston understood a few things from Viserys's reply.
The silver-masked, silver-haired man was a friend of the Black Pearl, but not her subordinate; in other words, he wasn't under her wing.
Such a talented foreigner, without any protection, seemed like a natural piece of prime meat.
"Silver Wanderer, your good name has already resounded throughout the Secret City. I would like to invite you to Preston Tower; I wonder if you would agree."
"I love banquets, but I don't like signing any contracts. I come and go as I please. I am just an ordinary traveler," Viserys said. "However, I heard that the Preston family is very wealthy and influential, with courtesans dancing, and all sorts of delicious food and wine?"
Viserys had already anticipated Preston's thoughts. It seemed he wanted Viserys to help promote the Mermaid Queen and also wanted his economic contract?
The Daughter of the Dusk watched silently, this was the path Viserys chose.
If he didn't attach himself to a major power, he would have to solve problems himself, and the Daughter of the Dusk found it difficult to speak up.
"No matter, no matter. We'll only talk about banquets, nothing else," Preston's masked man looked at Viserys, feeling that this young man was a bit unappreciative.
"Outsider, don't be ignorant of what's good for you. Preston wants to be friends with you; just listen," the Titan's Bastard snorted coldly. One could see his muscles, a bloodthirsty and brutal warrior.
"My dance partner is waiting for me," Preston said. "Goodbye, Miss Daughter of the Dusk, Mr. Silver Wanderer."
"This is my invitation. I think you'll consider it carefully," Preston turned and left with the Titan's Bastard.
"Your trouble has arrived?" the Daughter of the Dusk said. "Preston isn't among the top families currently, but they shouldn't be underestimated. If you want peace, perhaps you can also go to the Black Pearl."
"Trouble has arrived, but I'll let him know that I am also the number one trouble," there was a gleam and determination in Viserys's purple eyes.
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