The festive air in the feast hall almost suffocated Falia Flowers.
The musicians played old-fashioned tunes, either extolling the glorious history of the Shield Islands resisting the Ironborn, or praising distinguished guests like the Royal Family and Highgarden.
Shields Forged, The Bloody Oak, The Rains of Castamere, Ours is the Fury, The Golden Rose...
It made people drowsy.
The jesters and The Clowns pretended to be funny, but they weren't funny at all, especially when they used mockery to create laughter.
Of course, Falia was a prime target for the jesters.
The Lord's bastard daughter, what a suitable identity. There was no need to worry about her retaliation, and it could attract the attention of the guests.
She could only concentrate all her attention on the work itself to avoid greater embarrassment.
Fortunately, Lord Beric Dondarrion was a polite gentleman. He didn't tease or molest her, nor did he utter a single frivolous word.
He just spoke with other guests about things she couldn't understand.
Falia didn't understand at all. What did "The First Fleet has been rearmed and is ten times more powerful than before" mean?
Wasn't "Divine Grace" just a simple blessing?
What did "Captains and liaison officers of each ship are to be appointed primarily after examination from the descendants of each family" mean? Was it referring to the Shield Islands Fleet?
Hadn't they already formed an alliance? Why did the Royal Family still want to interfere with fleet appointments?
Falia Flowers had never heard of such a thing.
And these formerly proud and selfish Lords had put up almost no resistance. The King wanted their most precious fleet!
The most bizarre thing was that these people with seats often suddenly stopped talking, followed by a dazed and blank silence, but finally smiled at each other, as if they had successfully finished talking!
It was simply a nonsensical nightmare.
Falia only felt that if she wasn't insane, then they all were.
But this was simply impossible.
In short, she was completely out of place with them, in two different worlds. One in the sky, one on the ground.
What exactly happened?
Falia Flowers was deeply depressed and confused.
It had only been three days since her father received the Raven from Highgarden, the warships of the Shield Islands had only entered the harbor yesterday, and the King and the people from Highgarden had only entered the Castle late last night.
What could possibly happen in such a short time?
Time passed by little by little.
Falia Flowers kept herself busy running around serving, trying not to think about any sadness. But time still passed so slowly, it was only noon, and she already felt like a whole year had passed.
Fortunately, her father also finally seemed to be tired of the noisy feast, and walked out with Garlan from the high platform, allowing the guests to rest freely without formality.
She had the honor of accompanying Lord Beric Dondarrion for a walk in the Castle.
The small Castle accommodated too many guests.
But the air was still much fresher and more comfortable than in the feast hall, making the smile on Falia's face more genuine. As long as she didn't think about Garlan.
Hmph! Men!
"Falia Flowers?"
Lord Beric ahead spoke up, asking. He didn't turn back, his steps didn't stop.
He really looked down on people.
Falia rolled her eyes at him, "You guessed right."
Beric Dondarrion was facing the flower path, but inexplicably chuckled twice.
His Light Screen was equipped with a monitoring function.
"Falia, you're quite bold. Why were you so timid at the feast?"
"Interesting."
Beric Dondarrion turned around.
The man's eyes seemed certain that she had done something bad, and Falia couldn't help but feel stunned.
"Falia Flowers, are you willing to be loyal to the King and serve the country? Even if it requires you to enforce the law impartially on your own kin and relatives, treat everyone equally, and never conceal anything?" Lord Beric suddenly questioned.
Falia was even more confused.
Suddenly.
A Soldier appeared from somewhere, wearing a Six-Pointed Star cloak, one of the King's Royal Guard.
The Royal Guard walked towards her.
Falia couldn't help but take two steps back, hesitating and uneasy as she spoke, "My Lord, this is the Hewett family's Castle, you are His Majesty the King's representative, don't do anything foolish."
Beric Dondarrion smiled, "Don't worry, this is the King's Divine Grace, a medium for truth and power."
Falia looked around and realized that they had walked to a quiet corner, with no outsiders present.
Should I cry for help?
Falia hesitated for only a breath. No, Father didn't care at all, Stepmother and my good sisters wished for something to happen to me, even Garlan...
Who would care about a bastard daughter? Only more scolding and contempt.
She closed her eyes tightly, giving up the struggle.
In her blurred senses, a figure approached, walked behind her, shhh, it seemed to be a dagger...
...
Beric Dondarrion returned to the hall.
Before long, the earls and sers gathered again, only the women and children were all absent, and most of the dishes and servants had been removed.
The atmosphere became much more serious and proper.
Falia Flowers realized: the feast was over. Now, it was the adults' meeting.
I should leave, she thought.
But the magnificent "Light Screen" wanted her to stay, even to sit down and occupy a seat!
The malicious stepmother wasn't qualified, but I am!
As soon as she thought of this, she couldn't stop trembling all over, and the phantom pain in the back of her neck instantly disappeared without a trace, then recurred, but the pain turned into pleasure.
I am the King's person now!
The lords and sers she once knew looked over at her. Falia no longer flinched, but looked back at them calmly, smiling gently and confidently.
Thump thump~
Lord Beric knocked on the table: "His Majesty has approved Falia Flowers to be the liaison officer for the First Fleet of the Shield Islands Fleet, to convey the will of the Royal Family and the Ministry of the Navy, and to make petitions and reports to the Hewett family."
The nobles' eyes flickered. Speaking of which, Falia is indeed of the Hewett family bloodline, so this appointment seems to be nothing improper.
Moreover, the Royal Guard possesses that kind of power, and Highgarden has already made its choice.
Lord Humfrey Hewett showed a relieved smile to his bastard daughter, "Falia, work hard from now on, and don't let down His Majesty's trust."
Falia felt her eyes inexplicably moist.
She held back her tears, but her voice couldn't be completely calm, "Yes, Father."
"The Gallant" Garlan cleared his throat, "Everyone, I regret to inform you that the vicious and cunning Kraken, Euron Greyjoy, is sailing towards the Shield Islands with over a dozen warships! He will arrive this afternoon!"
The hall immediately burst into an uproar!
Everyone looked at Garlan Tyrell. What's going on? How did you know? Why did you only just find out?
"This person is not worth worrying about," Lord Beric said to appease them, "The Royal Fleet has already set sail from The Arbor and is expected to arrive in the next day or two. That's over three hundred powerful warships! They are only stronger, not weaker, than the current Shield Fleet!"
Garlan Tyrell sighed inwardly, but he could only take on the thankless role, "It's just that Greyshield Island and Greenshield Island might suffer some losses."
The nobles from the two islands couldn't help but look gloomy.
Their territories were the closest to the northern shipping route, and now the fleet was all gathered at Oakenshield Island. How could their homes defend against the Ironborn?
Damn Kraken!
Wasn't Euron a pirate on the other side of the Narrow Sea? Why did he have to attack the Shield Islands? It has to be said, it was indeed unexpected.
Cunning Kraken!
People looked at Garlan, their gazes seemingly reproachful.
But Garlan had only just received the news. From Beric Dondarrion.
But he couldn't argue.
"His Majesty has instructions," Beric said solemnly.
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