Rhaegar's harp performance ended, and Benjen Stark noticed Lyanna's tears.
Rarely seeing his sister cry, he teased her immediately.
Lyanna responded by dumping a goblet of wine over his head.
Lord Rickard Stark, Brandon, and Eddard watched the scene in speechless disbelief.
"Lyanna, mind your manners!" Rickard scolded sternly.
"And you, Benjen, behave yourself."
Soon, the music shifted into a lighter melody.
Lord Whent announced the beginning of the dance.
Young lords rose from their seats, approaching noble ladies with formal bows and hopeful smiles.
Under Galladon's watchful gaze, Robert coughed awkwardly and walked toward the Stark table.
Moments ago he had spoken proudly about being here for the tournament.
Now he was clearly heading for Lyanna.
Galladon observed calmly.
Lyanna hesitated.
But in the end, she accepted Robert's invitation.
Galladon's eyes narrowed slightly.
If she truly despised Robert, she could have rejected him outright. Publicly. Firmly.
Instead, she wavered.
Observing. Considering.
If Rhaegar had never appeared, perhaps she would have buried her dissatisfaction and married Robert after all.
Galladon lost interest in watching them.
He rose and headed toward the Riverlands' table.
It was time to invite Helena.
An Unwelcome Suitor
As Galladon approached, he noticed tension at the Hightower table.
Lord Leyton stood with a calm but unreadable expression.
Before Helena stood a finely dressed nobleman—around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, handsome, brown-haired, and smiling courteously.
"Lady Helena, may I have the honor of the first dance?"
Helena bowed her head slightly.
"Forgive me, Lord Grafton. I am not feeling well tonight."
The man was Marq Grafton, Lord of Gulltown in the Vale.
A wealthy port lord.
Widowed.
Seeking a new wife.
He smiled again, pressing gently.
"I promise to be gentle. A light dance only."
Lord Leyton remained silent.
The man's status was respectable. An invitation to dance was not improper.
Helena was about to refuse again—
When Galladon stepped forward.
"Forgive me for keeping you waiting, Helena."
He extended his hand.
Marq Grafton froze.
Inviting the same lady at the same moment was a direct challenge.
Helena hesitated for only two seconds.
Then she placed her hand in Galladon's.
Without a glance at Marq, Galladon led her away to the center of the hall.
Grafton's smile stiffened. His face darkened.
Baelor quickly stepped in.
"My sister's fiancé," he explained.
Marq forced a smile.
"I see. My apologies."
He withdrew, though anger flickered in his eyes.
After he left, Lord Leyton merely shook his head.
He knew how Marq's first wife had died.
Poison.
Over a failed trade agreement.
Gulltown was powerful.
But not untouchable.
"Will this cause trouble?" Helena whispered as they danced.
"Grafton is nothing," Galladon replied calmly.
He already knew what would happen in the coming war.
Gulltown would raise the royalist banner.
Marq would choose the wrong side.
And Robert would deal with him.
"If he causes trouble," Galladon added quietly, "I have Just Maid."
Helena still looked concerned.
Gulltown was a major trading port.
Conflict would bring inconvenience.
Galladon drew her slightly closer.
"Those are matters for your future husband to handle."
His hand rested confidently at her waist.
"You need only focus on being beautiful."
Helena's face flushed crimson.
She shivered slightly in his arms.
And the music carried them across the dance floor.
(End of Chapter 34)
A/N:
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