Chapter 32.5- The Seadragon's Roar

“It would be a pleasure, Princess” Na, someone was probably just putting her up to it. Well, either that or she was bored. I remembered my time on Driftmark. Being a Lordling had been quite droll, all things considered. I couldn’t imagine that it was any better being a Princess. Especially considering how much more closely she was probably being watched in the Red Keep than I had been in High Tide.

I got to spend my time picking fights with Vhagar, training Igneel, and generally being a terrorist around the castle. All things that I doubted the vipers that nested in this snake pit would let anyone get away with.

And so we had ridden out of the castle. Unfortunately, being accompanied by the Princess meant my anonymity was basically a non-starter. Escorted by only Ser Ben, I was basically just a rich noble. Notable to some extent, but this was King’s Landing. Cole’s white coat and the red and black livery of the dozen guards that made up Rhaenyra’s entourage stuck out like sore thumbs.

And if I expected Rhaenyra to lead me to anywhere truly interesting, then I found myself sorely disappointed. She led me to all the same stores that had bored me on my first day of exploring. I could see why they drew her attention though. The tapestries and rugs were marvelous for this time period, but Corlys had accumulated so much wealth during his voyages that we pretty much had one of these every few corners in High Tide. And the exotic stores just failed to deliver. What did I care for Ivory tusks or ornate silver jewelry. Still, I tried my best to feign interest as Rhaenyra led me from store to store.

She even greeted a few of the merchants by name. Impressive because I genuinely would have taken her for the type to forget that the people who sold her stuff were human too. And when we arrived at a jewelry store with a set of Jade earrings that even I had to admit were impressive, I allowed Rhaenyra turn her attention elsewhere before subtly purchasing them. And Ben had said my habit of carrying ungodly amounts of gold on my person would do nothing but get me killed. Well, here it was getting me a bright smile from the most eligible maiden in the realm.