We Bleed Silver(GOT/ASOIAF Fanfic)

Lord Tarly gestured for the servants to begin preparing the banquet before continuing, "I am honored that you would personally come to Horn hill to discuss this matter with me." He glanced at his wife and daughter sitting beside him. "I have three daughters. My eldest, Samantha Tarly, is married to Sir Ormund of House Hightower, who is also the heir to the Great Tower."

Jacaerys' expression shifted slightly but quickly returned to normal as he quietly watched the Tarly family servants bring in piled dishes. Horn hill was much wealthier than Night Song, and the variety of food was far more abundant. The roasted quail here could only be considered an appetizer, with a wide array of fruits and vegetables from the great plains of the Reach. Some had been made into salads, others into soups, and some were chopped and mixed with spices that were hard to identify. The most eye-catching dish was a salad made with walnuts, grapes, anise, and crumbled cheese mixed with summer vegetables and apples, and another salad of raisins and walnuts. Of course, the highlight of the feast was the wild game meat. Lord Donald Tarly had specifically arranged for hunters to venture deep into the forest, which was why their table was piled high with meat.

A whole wild chicken was roasted to crispy perfection. The Tarly family's cooks had borrowed a method from Dorne, marinating the chicken in lemon juice to make a lemon stew chicken. Along with the chicken, there was the usual roasted lamb chop. The rest of the dishes included some rarer foods, like roasted squirrel, roasted lark, roasted venison, honey-glazed stewed venison, and a massive wild boar, completely roasted. The boar's belly was stuffed with various nuts, and a giant apple was shoved into its mouth to enhance the flavor.

As for the staples, besides the usual bread, Lord Tarly had also prepared a massive lamb pie, with crispy pastry filled with lamb that sizzled as it was cut open.

"My second daughter, Sansa, is nineteen years old," Donald Tarly motioned for his daughter to stand and present herself to Draezell.

"No need, my lord. Let Miss Sansa enjoy her meal," Draezell said. "I have already learned of Miss Sansa's situation from Miss Diana."

"By the gods," Lord Tarly exclaimed before continuing, "Out of courtesy, I must still introduce my youngest daughter, Diana. She is your age, and you have already met her."

"Lord Tarly, I apologize. Due to the demands of the royal family and the needs of my own, my brothers and I cannot enter into a marriage with just one family. So, Miss Sansa, I'm sorry, but after careful consideration and royal advice, I can only enter into an engagement with the already familiar Miss Diana," Draezell said.

"Your Highness, there is no need to apologize," Sansa quickly replied. "It is an honor for House Tarly to marry into your family. It is also an honor for my younger sister."

"Your Highness, please forgive my impertinence as a mother," Lady Jenny asked respectfully. "May I understand that it is you who intends to marry my daughter?"

"Yes," Draezell nodded. "My brother will have another candidate."

"I understand. Thank you for your understanding," Lady Jenny lowered her head in acknowledgment. Meanwhile, Sir Harwin , upon the mention of marriage, began to feign indifference, leisurely eating the food on the table, much like Jacaerys.

"Your Highness, this is a great honor for House Tarly," Lord Donald Tarly's joy was almost impossible to conceal. "I'm not sure about the wedding date and location, but I apologize, Your Highness, as these matters should indeed be decided by you. However, as a father, I cannot ignore these details. After all, due to my failures in raising my children, I've developed a rift with them. I hope you can understand a father's helplessness."

"I understand your concerns, Lord Tarly," Draezell raised his cup in acknowledgment. "I plan to hold a jousting tournament at Dragon's nest, likely to be completed in four months. I will marry Miss Diana at that time as well," Draezell smiled. "Actually, we should have been betrothed first, but since the dates align, why not make it a double celebration? What do you think, Lord Tarly?"

"This is the great honor of House Tarly," Lord Donald Tarly almost couldn't hold back his smile. "Rest assured, Miss Diana's dowry will be entirely fitting for your union. House Tarly will always remember your generosity."

"No worries, Lord Tarly," Draezell smiled. "House Vaelarys is also delighted to be part of Westeros."

The musicians and bards invited by House Tarly began to play beautiful tunes. There were songs praising House Tarly, such as "The Hunter's Song," songs celebrating Draezell, like "Silver Dragon's Bloodline" and "The Prince's Return," and even a ballad about Jacaerys and Lucerys called "The Brave Princes."

The many small nobles under House Tarly's command began to dance, and even Sansa wanted to invite Draezell for a dance. However, Draezell shook his head and declined. In the end, it was Jacaerys who danced with Miss Sansa instead of Draezell.

Although the 19-year-old girl dancing with the 9-year-old boy was somewhat awkward, the guests were all pleased. Everyone, except Lord Donald Tarly, who had just heard the report from the Maester.

"Your Highness, I suggest you spend the New Year here in Tarly before heading to Highgarden," Lord Tarly raised his glass and leaned in close to Draezell, speaking softly.

"I was planning on that," Draezell glanced at Lord Tarly, noticing that he seemed to have something more to say. "Is there an additional situation?"

"Yes, Your Highness," Lord Tarly lowered his voice and leaned into Draezell's ear. "Sir Ormund, my son-in-law from House Hightower, has arrived at Highgarden with Prince Daeron." He glanced over at Sansa, who was dancing with Jacaerys. "As you know, Prince Daeron is the son of Queen Alicent Hightower, and he has some conflicts with Princess Rhaenyra's son. The Queen and the Princess also have deep tensions."

"I understand," Draezell said in a low, serious voice. "The King isn't even dead yet, and they're already tearing each other apart through their children?"

"Your Highness, the supporters..." Lord Tarly seemed to bite his tongue, hesitant to speak the next words. "They are all gathered around House Hightower, and I worry they might have other plans."

"I see they don't want me going to Oldtown," Draezell immediately thought of another possibility. "Lord Tarly, I need more information about the relationship between the Princess and the Queen. My subordinates don't know Westeros like you do, so..."

"I understand, Your Highness," Lord Tarly glanced once more at the people lost in music and revelry, then spoke in a hushed tone, "All the information will be delivered to your room after the feast."

"Thank you, Lord Tarly," Draezell replied quietly.

Lord Tarly nodded and signaled one of his house knights to fetch more intelligence.