The Royal Wedding
Cole carefully wrapped the letter in multiple layers.
Under the candlelight, Winter's Night gleamed with a cold brilliance.
As he gently touched its thin blade, he reflected that those capable of reforging Valyrian steel could be counted on one hand. Suddenly curious about Tobho Mott, despite the man's lack of a noble surname.
"Old friend, I thought we would never meet again," he murmured softly.
The sword turned sideways, catching a single ray of light. Winter's Night seemed to whisper, "Our journey is not yet over, mortal."
Journey?
He shook his head silently.
This letter had bestowed upon him a noble identity, but it also brought greater burdens—responsibilities, more accurately.
Just as Stannis believed in his heart that the Iron Throne and the common folk of the Seven Kingdoms were his duty, as were the noble knights who served the realm—all because he was the rightful heir to the Iron Throne.
And flowing through Cole's veins was a blood debt awaiting settlement.
His enemies were spread across the North, the West, the Riverlands, the Vale—throughout most of Westeros.
So where could he possibly go?
He rose from the table and walked to the windowsill.
Prince Oberyn wanted him to journey to Dorne. When the Dothraki and Tyroshi mercenaries made landfall in Westeros, Dorne would rise in his name.
Was he tempted?
Cole gazed at the stars scattered across the night sky and asked himself, "What should I do?"
He donned black and gold attire, while Duran wore white and blue.
"My lord, I heard they've prepared seventy-seven dishes," the plump Duran said excitedly.
Cole nodded slightly. Word had spread throughout the castle. Everyone knew the Lannisters' generosity; seventy-seven dishes displayed the wealth of the lions.
"Are our gifts prepared?" Cole asked him.
According to Reach tradition, wedding guests presented gifts to both bride and groom on the morning before the ceremony.
They had prepared a gift for Joffrey—a war hammer.
By the time they reached the Queen's Ballroom, it was already crowded.
The Prince of Dorne, Lord Mathis Rowan, and Lord Paxter Redwyne were among the distinguished guests.
During his time in King's Landing, Cole had not dealt directly with Joffrey, but he now presented his gift.
"A happy wedding to you, Lord Joffrey." He placed the hammer upon the table.
"I am the king." Anger flashed across Joffrey's face.
Cole said nothing, merely nodding slightly in courtesy before withdrawing.
Only when Lord Paxter Redwyne presented a model of a wooden sailing ship did Joffrey laugh with pleasure, declaring loudly, "I shall use it as my flagship, sailing straight to Dragonstone to slay the traitor."
His eyes sought Cole's, provocative and challenging.
All eyes turned at once, but Cole remained impassive, taking his seat among the others.
The Imp presented a book to his royal nephew—"Lives of Four Kings."
"This is a text every king should read, Your Grace," Ser Kevan Lannister explained.
Predictably, Joffrey would not miss an opportunity to taunt his uncle.
Lord Tywin presented the king with a longsword. Its scabbard was fashioned from gilded cherry wood, wrapped in oiled red leather and adorned with a solid gold lion's head. The lion's eyes were rubies.
Cole wondered if it might be Valyrian steel.
Indeed, it was a Valyrian longsword.
Joffrey pranced about with glee, asking everyone what name he should bestow upon the blade.
The guests offered many suggestions until someone called out "Widow's Wail." Joffrey seized upon it happily.
He proclaimed he would use this sword to create countless widows. Then, with a swing, he chopped at the book Tyrion had given him.
As the banquet concluded, Lady Ellaria helped Prince Oberyn approach Cole. Looking up, the prince remarked, "What a willful boy."
"I recommend you read this book as well," the prince said to him.
"I know something of the four kings—the Young Dragon Lord Daeron, Baelor the Blessed, Aegon the Unworthy, and Good King Daeron. There were books about them at Storm's End and the Wall."
They departed together.
"Will you leave after the wedding?" the prince asked, walking slowly due to his wounded foot.
Cole nodded. "First to Dragonstone, then to Storm's End. And Your Highness?"
"That brat king wants me to attend his royal council."
They returned to the yard together.
The royal wedding was held the following day at the Great Sept of Baelor.
Cole accompanied Oberyn in a sedan chair. By now, everyone in the castle knew of the close relationship between the Prince of Dorne and the Marquis of Summerhall.
The Great Sept of Baelor was a magnificent marble-domed structure with seven crystal towers. To enter from the main door required walking through a long corridor called the "Hall of Lamps," where countless colored glass globes hung from the ceiling.
At weddings, couples exchanged vows between the tall gilded statues of the Father and the Mother.
They proceeded through the corridor and entered the altar area where the vows would be taken. Witnesses had already gathered to observe King Joffrey I Baratheon wed Margaery Tyrell.
The High Septon wore a crown of gold and crystal. Joffrey was dressed in a dark rose doublet and deep crimson velvet cloak adorned with stags and lions, his crown perched upon golden curls.
Margaery Tyrell wore an ivory silk gown with Myrish lace, countless tiny pearls forming various flowers across the fabric.
The king and queen swore seven vows, received seven blessings, and exchanged seven promises.
Then they exchanged cloaks.
After the ceremony at the Great Sept of Baelor, they returned to the castle for the feast, led by the Kingsguard.
The king and queen followed closely behind, while Prince Tommen carried a basket, sprinkling rose petals before them.
They were greeted by thunderous cheers.
The feast commenced after dusk, with long tables arranged in the throne room, brilliantly illuminated for the occasion.
Cole led Duran forward, and the herald promptly announced, "Ser Cole Julius, Marquis of Summerhall, and Ser Duran Bar-Emmon, Lord of Sharp Point."
Many eyes were drawn to them. Lord Julius's handsome face inevitably attracted the attention of countless ladies. Some thought his natural grace even outshone the day's groom, despite his less ostentatious attire.
Servants in royal livery guided them to their table, while musicians occupied the gallery, ready to entertain the guests.
"The Master of Coin and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lord Tyrion of House Lannister, and his wife, Lady Sansa Stark Lannister."
The Imp heard the herald proclaim that detestable title.
This announcement again captured everyone's attention.
The king and queen arrived on white horses, with servants showering them with flowers and scattering countless rose petals. The Kingsguard escorted them to the high dais.
Cole took his seat at the table and listened as the High Septon completed his prayer. Joffrey immediately ordered servants to fill the wine cups and declared the banquet begun.
The king's seventy-seven dishes began arriving, starting with a thick soup of simmered mushrooms and buttered snails.
Unaccustomed to eating snails, Cole stopped after a single taste.
The singers began performing for the feast. They announced each song before playing. Many were unfamiliar to Cole; on the Wall, the brothers of the Night's Watch could only sing bawdy tunes from the countryside.
However, Cole recognized one melody—"The Rains of Castamere."
The name made him shrink back instinctively.
Another performer named Collio Quaynis sang "The Dance of the Dragons."
The seventy-seven dishes continued arriving in succession, and Cole found himself well satisfied.
Laughter and joy filled the banquet hall. Guests grew merry with Arbor wine and the festivities.
Fools and jesters sang and danced, when suddenly the doors to the great hall burst open and a troupe of dwarfs rushed in.