Gendry raised the seven-sided golden goblet filled with seven kinds of fine wine, displayed it for everyone to see, and then set it down, officially commencing the wedding feast.
The goblet itself was quite heavy, and it was filled to the brim with wine.
"Can you perform such a feat?" Black Pearl quietly asked one of the Water Dancers from the Braavos delegation.
The guard shook his head solemnly.
"It would be difficult, Miss Black Pearl. We could lift it with some effort, but the key is that the Storm's movements were completely unaffected. He handled it so casually. He possesses divine strength, having reached the realm where even heavy objects feel light in his hands."
Black Pearl nodded.
She looked at the handsome King, who was elegant and possessed a captivating charisma. Yet, like Robert Baratheon, he was as strong as a bull and fearless on the battlefield—a man who loved war above all else.
The Braavosi envoy frowned slightly.
Such a wild man… Would he really not interfere in the chaos of Essos?
If the Storm took two daughters, he would probably demand Lys and Volantis as well.
The crucial question was whether the Long Winter would be enough to restrain the ambition of the Iron Throne.
The first course was a rich mushroom stew, served in gilded bowls.
The soup had a delightful flavor. Although the feast was kept relatively simple, none of the Lords had many objections. The symbolic significance of the wedding feast outweighed everything else.
The King and Queen shared a large golden goblet as they drank.
"Long live King Gendry! Long live Queen Daenerys!"
Everyone present was either a noble or an influential figure from the Seven Kingdoms and across the Narrow Sea. Beautiful and graceful women mingled with handsome, brave, and straightforward men, filling the banquet hall with lively conversation.
The tall and imposing Lady Selyse was something of an anomaly. She lacked conventional beauty and had a cold, stern demeanor.
No wonder Duke Stannis found her presence so bothersome.
The beautiful Lady Alerie, with her long silver braids, sat majestically beside Duke Mace Tyrell.
Lady Catelyn was also quite beautiful, with auburn hair and blue eyes. It was unclear what she was discussing with Lord Eddard.
The younger generation was the happiest of all.
Margaery and Sansa smiled continuously, while Margaery's three cousins were as cheerful as little birds.
Edric Baratheon and Shireen were also experiencing such an occasion for the first time.
The second course arrived—pastries filled with pork, pine nuts, and eggs.
Gendry put a piece of pie into his mouth.
The rich, delicious flavor immediately spread across his tongue.
"This is for Duke Stannis, Ser Barristan, Maester Qyburn, the Handsome Man, and Fletcher."
After Gendry and Daenerys had enjoyed some of the food themselves, they ordered portions to be given to Duke Stannis, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, and several others.
This was a king's prerogative—to bestow favors upon those he valued. For the recipients, it was a great honor.
The heralds then announced the first of the seven singers.
Greybeard, the singer known as Hamish the Harper, stepped forward.
"By the gods and men, the song I am about to perform is a heavenly melody once played in the Whispering Woods and at the Twins. Today, it shall be presented once again before the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms and the distinguished guests from across the Narrow Sea."
He called the song "The Stag of Night."
The singer's fingers brushed across the harp strings, and the throne room immediately filled with sweet melodies.
"The stars in the night are the eyes of the Stag,
The howling winds are their song.
The stars in the night are the messengers of the Stag,
The howling winds are their song…"
The lyrics recounted Gendry's victories in the Riverlands, but behind those beautiful words lay brutal warfare—the Kingslayer with his severed hand and the conquered Twins.
The guests cheered enthusiastically.
"When the King destroys the Lannisters of Casterly Rock, I can compose an even better song for the Storm," the Harper said.
"Then you'll have to compose two," Gendry laughed heartily. "For I want not only the lion's head, but the kraken's head as well."
The guests burst into laughter, and their voices flowed through the hall like a continuous river.
After all, the Lannisters and Greyjoys had reached a point where they were almost universally hated. They had offended nearly everyone and had essentially lost all their allies.
The lion had sacked King's Landing, murdered the relatives of the Targaryens and Martells, stood by while Lord Arryn was poisoned, ravaged the Riverlands, and conspired against King Robert and the Northmen.
The kraken was no better. The Greyjoys had plundered the lands of other Lords, behaving little better than a nest of Ironborn pirates.
The Harper then performed several familiar songs for everyone.
"The Hammer and the Anvil" celebrated the victory of "Breakiron" Baelor, the hammer, and Prince Maekar, the anvil, at the Battle of the Redgrass Field, praising the bravery of the Targaryen warriors.
"The Burning Ships" told the story of Brandon the Burner of House Stark.
"The Golden Rose" praised House Tyrell.
"Queen Nymeria" celebrated the ancestors of House Martell.
"The Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone" delighted the High Septon.
And "My Beloved Wife" ignited the flames of romance in the hearts of young men and women.
People embraced.
People laughed.
"These are for…"
Gendry ate sweet cornmeal, oatmeal bread baked with chopped dates, apples and oranges, and roasted wild boar ribs.
He then ordered portions of the wild boar to be sent to Lord Eddard, Duke Tyrell, Lord Arryn, and Prince Oberyn.
"For Lady Brienne and Miss Dacey, and for Lady Melisandre and Miss Tyene. They are all people I respect," Daenerys added.
More and more dishes were served, and more and more performances took place.
Although Gendry was not a glutton, his tall, powerful body consumed enormous amounts of energy. Combined with the training he had received from the Pyromancer, this gave him an unusually large appetite.
Gendry continued eating while also serving food to his bride.
Another hearty eater was Arya.
During her escape, that girl's journey had practically become the tale of an orphan wandering through the world.
"The King eats so much," Ser Dickon whispered.
"Only by eating well can one become a strong knight," Lando Tarly said as he looked at his son.
"Have you seen the King's usual hammer and shield? Most people can't even wield them, yet the King can move swiftly while holding them in one hand."
Gendry continued eating heartily while bestowing delicacies upon the Lords, distinguished guests, and confidants he valued.
Daenerys, meanwhile, awarded food to noblewomen and young ladies.
"It's a bear!" the children shouted joyfully.
After the singers left, a short, old bear awkwardly danced to the sound of flutes and drums.
"This tastes good."
The newly served dish was fresh trout, boiled and coated with crushed almonds.
The tender white fish tasted surprisingly good.
Gendry ate some before ordering portions to be sent to Duke Edmure and several noble heirs.
The next course was honeyed quail, which he gave to Little Silver Tongue and Brown Ben.
Daenerys also remembered the knights of the Hundred Companions, Count Darry, and Ser Boros.
"Hahahaha!"
Lord Tyrell's comical, fat jester, Butterbumps, made everyone roar with laughter while the ladies enjoyed roasted heron and onion-cheese pie.
"The acrobatic troupe has arrived!" the herald announced.
The Pentoshi acrobatic troupe, sent by Magister Olyvar, entered the hall.
They performed somersaults and handstands, sometimes balancing on one foot atop a plate and at other times forming enormous human pyramids.
It was a gift from the Pentoshi, provided without charge.
The acrobats performed extraordinarily well, while Gendry continued enjoying the feast.
One performance followed another, and each was accompanied by another delicious dish.
This time, there were crabs cooked with strong Eastern spices, large lamb chops stewed in almond milk with carrots, raisins, and onions, and freshly baked fish cakes that were still hot to the touch.
"Next singer, Corleyro of Tyrosh!"
The heralds immediately summoned the next singer, Corleyro Quyntis, whose crimson beard made him particularly distinctive.
He performed a sad love song in High Valyrian called "Dance of the Dragons," followed by a vulgar and lewd song.
The accompanying main course consisted of whole roasted swans, feathers and all, stuffed with dates.
Only kings could afford to make such an extravagant display, favoring enormous birds such as swans and peacocks.
Unfortunately, Gendry did not particularly enjoy the taste.
Next, four Pyromancers performed a spectacular fire act, making four ferocious beasts appear to attack one another amid the flames.
"Try this."
Fortunately, the dishes that followed were much lighter.
There was beef broth, mulled wine sweetened with honey, and large pieces of chicken stewed with white almonds.
Daenerys was almost full by then, while Gendry continued enjoying the feast.
He also ordered portions to be given to his squire Anguy, Jon, Lothor, and others.
Then several pipers, trained dogs, and sword swallowers entered the hall, each performing their own acts.
As the performances continued, more dishes were served.
One juggler simultaneously spun three longswords and three axes, drawing gasps from the audience.
Finally, the ceremony approached its conclusion with the playing of "The Blackwater Rush," a song celebrating the Storm's great victory.
Galleon of House Cuy spoke in a booming voice.
"'The Song of the Blackwater Rush' tells the story of the kingdom's salvation."
The drummers began playing a slow and solemn rhythm.
"The Dark Lord broods in his high tower," Galleon began to sing. "His heart as black as endless night…"
"Yellow hair, black soul," the musicians chanted in unison, accompanied by a long flute.
"He dines on envy and slaughter, his cup filled with hatred. His shrewish mother incites the Child: 'We shall steal the kingdom with our swords and kill all the King's children.'"
Then the song continued:
"A brave Prince, his hair the color of charcoal, his eyes the color of the sea. He has a beautiful bride, her hair the color of silver-gold, her eyes like lilac."
The musicians chanted again as a wooden harp and violins joined the performance.
It was said that the singer's original version contained seventy-seven verses.
However, Gendry had ordered it to be shortened considerably. Otherwise, it would have taken far too long.
Some guests were already becoming drowsy, but most remained in high spirits.
Dancers from the Summer Isles entered the great hall, dressed in brightly colored feathered robes and shimmering silks.
"A beautiful dance," Gendry commented.
The dancers' bodies were incredibly flexible.
Gendry continued eating and drinking, yet remained as clear-headed as ever.
When the grand finale, roasted wild ox, was served, it was time for the pigeon pie, another famous specialty of the feast.
"The pigeon pie has arrived!"
Seven cheerful chefs carried the enormous pie slowly into the great hall.
Everyone stood up, shouting and cheering while clinking their goblets together.
The pie was two yards in diameter, golden-brown and crispy.
From within came the sounds of birds chirping, flapping their wings, and squabbling.
"Come on."
Gendry switched to a silver carving knife and, together with Daenerys, cut into the pie.
A hundred white doves immediately burst out, flying wildly in every direction before eventually settling on the windows and rafters.
Feathers filled the air.
"To love!"
The hall erupted in cheers, while fiddles and bagpipes from the musicians' stands played a lively tune.
Gendry picked up his bride, and the two spun around joyfully.
Everyone ate the pigeon pie, topping it with a spoonful of lemon curd.
The singer Alaric of Essos then took the stage.
This time, he performed "The Bear and the Maiden Fair," which had also been one of Robert's favorite songs.
"…Bear!" the singer roared, his joyful voice shaking the rafters.
"Oh, people are saying, come see the beauty!
Beauty?
He understands, but I am a bear!
All black and brown, covered in fur!"
"Down the road from here to there.
Here! There!
Boys, goats, dancing bears!"
"Bear, bear, that bear!"
The atmosphere reached its climax.
Everyone followed the singer's rhythm.
The King raised his golden goblet.
The mixed wine still tasted somewhat strange, having lost much of its original flavor after being blended together.
"Let's dance," Gendry said.
The squires immediately cheered and pushed the tables aside, clearing enough space for dancing.
Those who had been seated became lively once again.
The festive dancing had finally begun.
"Da-da…"
A gentle melody began.
The first dance was led by Gendry and Daenerys.
Their movements were elegant and captivating.
Black hair and silver hair.
Blue eyes and violet eyes.
They were the undeniable stars of the dance floor.
"Truly beautiful."
Duke Tyrell and Lady Alerie danced gracefully.
The Red Viper, Prince Oberyn, danced passionately with his lover.
Even Duke Stannis, gritting his teeth, danced a tune with his troublesome wife.
Lady Marei of Myr, a beautiful woman with black hair and large dark eyes, danced so gracefully and sensually that she captured the attention of nearly every man in the hall.
Then came the younger generation.
Ser Garlan and his wife danced together.
Edmure danced with Arianne.
Mendys Crakehall and the exiled Prince Jalabhar Xho also took the floor together, with the prince dressed in an extravagant feathered costume.
"Clap, clap!"
Their dance was so graceful and captivating that everyone applauded.
The King and Queen continued dancing.
Daenerys's purple gown swirled around her, radiant beneath the lights, as Gendry held her in his arms.
Eventually, Gendry returned his somewhat tired bride, Daenerys, to her seat.
However, people immediately began lining up to ask him for a dance.
Gendry's first partner was Margaery Tyrell.
She was a beautiful woman with brown hair, brown eyes, and a graceful figure.
She smelled faintly of rose perfume.
"Your Grace, you dance beautifully. You truly are a descendant of the Dragon King and the Storms," Margaery said.
Her large brown eyes were beautiful and captivating, while her thick, curly brown hair cascaded lazily over her shoulders. Her skin was smooth and flawless.
"Thank you for dancing with me," Gendry replied. "House Tyrell is also descended from the Green Hand."
"But nearly everyone in the Reach is," Margaery said with a shy, sweet smile.
Gendry returned the beautiful girl to her table.
The second person to dance with Gendry was somewhat unexpected.
It was the Black Pearl of Braavos—or rather, the Brown Pearl, Belaquo Osneris, the fourth of her name.
"Noble King, I wish to dance with you, assuming you do not mind dancing with a foreign guest," Belaquo said.
Belaquo was young and beautiful.
She wore a dark-yellow silk gown with a plunging neckline that complemented her brown skin.
Her black hair was tied back with a golden net, while a necklace of black jade and gold rested against her chest.
"I have some dragon's blood in me as well," Belaquo said.
"I've heard of that Merry King," Gendry replied as he danced with the courtesan.
He had to admit that her beauty was quite alluring.
Gendry danced with the Black Pearl, gradually closing the distance between them.
The Black Pearl clearly wished to fall into his arms, but the dance eventually forced them apart again.
"If you become my guest, I can give you more," Belaquo whispered. "Actually, I also want to taste the Dragon King."
"Viserys Targaryen went to Braavos. Didn't you fancy him back then?" Gendry asked.
Gendry knew that the Black Pearl was an extremely mysterious woman.
She was a social butterfly and one of the centers of power in Braavos, probably connected to both the Sealord and the Faceless Men.
"He was too down and out, with nothing but a withered shell," Belaquo replied.
"But you are different. I like the warmth, steel, and ambition in your eyes."
She smiled.
"Actually, I am still a virgin of Braavos. The Black Pearl is priceless."
"You want to enter my court."
"No. I am simply me."
As the song ended, the smiling Black Pearl left the dance floor and returned to her seat. She did not dance with anyone else afterward.
Cunning and wild people, whether male or female, were difficult to control.
A daring Sansa Stark, her cheeks flushed, also stepped onto the dance floor.
She danced with Gendry.
"One dance."
The sweet and innocent girl was a delight to behold.
She was gentle and lovely.
However, Sansa truly resembled a Tully more than a Stark, with her red hair, blue eyes, beautiful appearance, and graceful figure.
Her sister, who devoured food with a knife and fork, was far more like a she-wolf.
Sansa often daydreamed about weddings.
She imagined herself dancing joyfully at a wedding feast, with every eye upon her and her Prince Charming by her side.
In those dreams, everyone's face was filled with happiness.
But reality was different.
"How could this be?"
Having such a handsome King who already belonged to someone else filled Sansa with regret.
After finishing the main course, all the other food suddenly tasted bland to her.
"Thank you for your kindness," Sansa said, blushing.
She then hurried back to her seat, ignoring the other invitations to dance.
Gendry next invited Dacey and Brienne to dance.
They were both loyal guards, and both were exceptionally tall.
Dacey was quite beautiful, with a slender, graceful figure and a shy smile that brightened her long face.
"Thank you, Your Grace."
Brienne was somewhat surprised by the invitation, but she maintained a smile throughout the dance.
Apart from Renly, only the King and Queen had ever shown her such courtesy.
Then Duke Stannis announced with a rare smile:
"It's time for the bedding ceremony. A sword for its sheath, a wedding for the bridal chamber…"
"To bed! To bed! Bedding ceremony!"
The Lords shouted together.
Both newlywed couples were somewhat nervous.
Daenerys's slightly flushed face revealed a hint of fear.
"Don't be afraid," Gendry reassured her.
He had already made thorough arrangements.
The bedding ceremony was one of Westeros's most infamous customs.
Traditionally, the men would carry the bride backward toward the wedding chamber, removing her clothes along the way while shouting crude jokes and making embarrassing comments about what would happen that night.
The women would do the same to the groom.
After everyone had their fun, the couple would be left together in the bridal chamber while the guests remained outside, continuing their jokes and shouting through the door.
That was the traditional wedding custom of Westeros.
However, the King had already ordered everyone to maintain a certain level of decorum, even the more vulgar Lords.
"Time for the bedding ceremony!"
The musicians once again raised their flutes, drums, and fiddles and began singing:
"The Queen takes off her shoes,
The King casts aside his crown."
Ser Barristan, Duke Stannis, and several others carried Daenerys away and hurried directly toward her chambers, sparing her from the worst of the crude jokes.
The other Lords laughed heartily, amused by how shy the bride was.
Gendry and Ser Michel, however, were not so fortunate.
The women surrounded them and began removing Gendry's clothes, revealing his powerful arms and muscular physique.
The women admired his impressive build.
Some even became bold enough to pinch him a few times.
"I heard that the men of House Baratheon are Stags!" the Queen of Thorns exaggeratedly told her granddaughter.
"He's certainly a Stag," Lady Selyse said with a laugh, covering her face.
"It's time to send the groom!" Lady Catelyn shouted.
"That's a strong Stag!" Ser Justin of the Stormlands shouted while standing on one of the long tables.
"I'm waiting for the Stag and the Dragon to race!"
"Hahahahaha!"
After a long while, everyone began shouting again.
"To bed! To bed! Bedding ceremony!"
At least they left the King his undergarments, sparing him from even greater embarrassment.
The music from the balcony became increasingly suggestive.
"The Queen sheds her gown,
The King sheds his breeches."
The noblewomen escorted Gendry to the entrance of the King's bedchamber and wished the newlyweds a pleasant night.
Once the door closed, the noise from outside gradually faded.
Gendry gently caressed Daenerys's shining silver hair.
Daenerys was both excited and nervous.
"Kiss me," she whispered.
Gendry leaned forward, and the two shared a passionate kiss.
The wedding night continued in the privacy of their chamber, far from the noise and laughter of the feast.
For the newlyweds, it was the beginning of a new chapter.
Like iron being forged beneath a hammer, the two of them would temper and strengthen one another.
That night, both King and Queen took another step forward together.
Outside, the palace squires could still hear the sounds of celebration coming from the King and Queen's chambers.
It was destined to be a long and memorable night.
________________________________________
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