Rhaenyra was enraged by Rayder's words, and her eyes grew even more resolute: "I fear no one. I will only live according to my own will."
Though her words were childish, they revealed an indomitable will.
Rayder looked at Rhaenyra, a hint of surprise in his heart.
He hadn't expected this seemingly pampered little princess to possess such determination and courage.
He began to re-evaluate the girl before him; perhaps she wasn't as weak as he had imagined.
However, Rayder didn't show it. He merely said indifferently, "Then I'll see if you can do it."
His words still carried a trace of mockery, but his eyes held a hint of curiosity and expectation.
Rhaenyra said nothing more. She merely gave Rayder a cold glance, confident that she would forge her own path.
The more Rhaenyra observed Rayder's dismissive attitude, the more she disliked him.
In Rayder's eyes, she seemed to be nothing more than a pretty object, or even a servant to be ordered around at will.
He had completely dismissed her recent words as a jester's performance, not taking them seriously at all.
The thought of marrying this man filled Rhaenyra with dread for her future life. She couldn't imagine how terrible it would be.
She stood up, intending to leave, not wanting to spend another second with Rayder.
Seeing Rhaenyra about to leave, Rayder called out to her, his tone a mix of mockery and command:
"Either you obediently come back now and pour me some wine, being a compliant ornament;"
"Or you stand on the highest table in the center of the banquet hall right now and display your determination to defy fate in front of all the nobles present."
Rhaenyra turned back and gave Rayder a cold look, filled with anger and indignation.
However, in Rayder's eyes, she was nothing more than a childish brat throwing a tantrum, completely lacking any deterrent power.
Rhaenyra was deeply stung by this condescending gaze, as if she were a clown. She snorted coldly, turned her head, and left the banquet hall.
Rayder watched Rhaenyra's retreating back, a cold sneer playing on his lips.
He didn't care about Rhaenyra's feelings; to him, she was merely a tool for a political marriage.
However, he didn't realize that his attitude had deeply hurt Rhaenyra and laid a hidden danger for their future relationship.
Rhaenyra walked out of the banquet hall, her heart filled with grievance and anger.
She couldn't simply submit to fate; she would never accept it.
She would prove to everyone that Rhaenyra was not an object to be manipulated at will; she had her own will and determination, and she would use her own hands to write her own destiny.
Throughout the banquet hall, many people were secretly observing the situation.
After all, with a major war imminent, internal stability would determine their attitudes and choices.
Viserys watched his angry daughter, Rhaenyra, leave. He was not unaware of her inner thoughts, but he hoped his daughter would come to terms with it herself.
After all, as nobles, even if they could ride great dragons and become Dragonriders, they could not escape becoming sacrifices for intermarriage and alliances.
He thought of himself and his wife, Aemma; their marriage also involved an exchange of political power. A marriage purely for love was too much of a luxury among nobles.
Viserys said to Rhaenys, who was nearby: "Go watch Rhaenyra, try to reason with her. Don't let her do anything impulsive."
Rhaenys did not object and followed, leaving the banquet hall to pursue Rhaenyra.
Daemon, with only one arm, angrily said, "As her father, you just watch?"
Viserys was equally furious at this moment and replied, "Then tell me what I should do?"
His words were filled with helplessness and anger. He knew that as a father, he should protect his daughter, but he also understood that as a king, he had to consider the interests of the entire kingdom.
He hoped Rhaenyra could understand his difficulties and accept this reality.
Daemon looked at Viserys. He knew Viserys's situation was not easy.
But he still couldn't accept that Rhaenyra, such a young girl, was to become a sacrifice in a political transaction.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions, and then said, "Perhaps we can talk to Rayder and ask him to be kinder to Rhaenyra."
Viserys shook his head and said, "You know Rayder's character; he won't change his mind easily.
Now, we can only hope that Rhaenys can persuade Rhaenyra to accept this reality."
Daemon said nothing more. He knew Viserys was right.
All they could do now was hope Rhaenyra could overcome this difficulty herself.
In Rayder's view, Rhaenyra was just a young girl trying to resist a marriage arranged by her parents.
In his previous life, she would be considered a spoiled child in her rebellious phase, lacking a complete childhood.
In this regard, Rayder didn't mind making up for it, letting her know how to be a good girl.
Rayder wiped his hands and glanced at the roasted suckling pig and lamb chops, thinking of bringing some to his three dragons.
After all, they hadn't tasted this kind of seasoned roasted food before. Previously, they had always eaten it cooked by Dragon Flame, without any seasoning.
Just as Rayder was about to act, some nobles who had been observing nearby gathered around him like pesky flies, all wanting to probe Rayder's background through conversation.
Some even feigned drunkenness, trying to gauge if Rayder had any intention of selling Dragon Eggs.
It was clear that for Rayder, who possessed three dragons, they didn't believe he wouldn't have Dragon Eggs.
After seeing great dragons, few could resist the temptation of owning one.
For this, they were even willing to take risks.
Rayder looked at these nobles, a hint of amusement in his heart.
He knew what these people were thinking, but they didn't know his true nature.
He was not someone who would be easily tempted, nor would he sell his Dragon Eggs for money.
His dragons were his companions, his most loyal comrades; he would never betray them for profit.
Rayder picked up a piece of roasted meat and ate it unhurriedly, rejecting all the so-called exchange conditions proposed by these nobles, showing no regard for their feelings.
He would directly slap anyone who dared to overstep their bounds. Rayder now believed he didn't need to curry favor with anyone, so he acted as he pleased.
As Rayder left the banquet hall, eating and collecting, he carried numerous spoils of war, completely disregarding the stares of others, and caring nothing for face or reputation—such things were simply unnecessary.
However, all the meat dishes from the banquet were packed up and taken away. The roasted suckling pig and whole lamb he carried were only a small portion; most of it was stored in his system space and taken away.
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