White Harbor
The largest city north of the Neck welcomed another bright morning of the long summer.
The White Knife River flowed into the sea here, and numerous fishing boats set out from the harbor to begin their day's work.
The Manderly Family, who ruled here, resided in the New Castle on the high hill within the city. Today was a big day for the entire Manderly Family.
Creighton Manderly, the family's third-generation heir, had finished his two-year journey through the Free Cities and was returning to the Manderly Family.
Creighton's father was originally only the second son of Lord Wyman Manderly, the current Lord of White Harbor. According to the laws of succession, Creighton was never supposed to be the third-generation heir.
However, half a year ago, Creighton's aunt had a miscarriage, after which Maester Seaworth declared that she could no longer bear children.
The aging Lord Wyman immediately sent people to the Free Cities to urgently summon Creighton back.
Except for Lord Wyman and his two sons, the whole Manderly Family went to the harbor to greet the young man who was about to inherit.
What no one knew was that the young man of the family, slowly disembarking, had been replaced by a soul from another time and space.
Before crossing over, this soul from another time and space had been complaining about the next-gen update of a certain Witcher game, and the next second he arrived in the world of ice and fire, which he was so familiar with.
After receiving the memories, Creighton found that he had become a third-generation descendant of the Manderly Family, someone who had never appeared in the original world.
Not long after being in the Free City, he received a message from the family summoning him urgently, brought personally by Sir Maron Manderly, an elder of the family.
"White Harbor is still the same, with a fishy smell." Creighton's feet stepped onto the land of Westeros, and he sighed, smelling the lingering strong fishy smell in the air.
"Heh, it seems you're used to the smell of perfumes in Pentos?" Sir Maron retorted lightly. He was a man who valued his family greatly, and he was somewhat dissatisfied with this young master who had been away from the family for two years.
On the docks of the inner harbor, the city guard, fully armed, had already lined up.
The Merman Banner flew high, and a group of people were escorted by two lines of guards.
"Come, meet your two sisters," Sir Maron said, leading Creighton towards the crowd.
Willa and Viola Manderly, the two female members of the Manderly Family, wore long, deep green gowns and led the rest of the group to welcome Creighton.
"Oh, the Seven, look, sister, he's grown so much in the past two years," fifteen-year-old Viola exclaimed excitedly, linking her arm with her sister's.
Creighton was a little older than Viola, having just celebrated his sixteenth nameday on the ship.
He walked to the front of the group, and under Sir Maron's stern gaze, the sisters Willa and Viola, along with the rest of the collateral relatives, solemnly bowed to Creighton.
Creighton was still young, but his status as heir placed him far above everyone present.
Ever since the end of the Targaryen Family's bloody civil war, the Dance of the Dragons, establishing an heir, especially a male heir, had become the top priority for the nobility of Westeros.
After the greetings, his elder sister, Willa, who was behaving very gracefully, took Creighton's hand and smiled. "Creighton, Grandfather is waiting for you in New Castle. Let's go quickly."
Creighton nodded. He also wanted to see his grandfather as soon as possible. After all, only Lord Wyman's approval could solidify his position as heir.
Mounting their horses, Creighton and his party passed through Fishmarket Square and followed the castle stairs upwards. A towering and majestic white stone fortress leaped out from Creighton's memory, reappearing before his eyes.
This giant fortress, which could rank among the top three in the North, was the home castle of the Manderly Family. It was called New Castle to distinguish it from the Old Castle at the foot of the mountain.
Under the guidance of the two sisters, Creighton entered the Manderly Family Hall, the core of power in White Harbor. It also had a more resounding name—the Mermaid Palace.
Although he had been here many times in his memory, Creighton was still amazed by the family's deep financial foundation when he stepped inside again.
In this hall, which resembled a palace, the ceiling and floor were cleverly pieced together with thick wooden planks. The surfaces of these valuable timbers were also exquisitely carved with a wide variety of marine creatures by the skilled craftsmen of White Harbor. On the high platform in the center of the entrance, a large, cushioned throne stood, representing the Manderly Family's absolute authority.
Creighton compared in his mind that the style of this hall was definitely more luxurious than the hall of the Stark Family in Winterfell. Although there was still some gap compared to the throne room of the Red Keep, it was definitely unique for a lord.
Sitting on the throne was a tall, burly old man. His silver hair was particularly prominent under the candlelight. Creighton knew very well that he was his grandfather, the Lord of White Harbor, Lord Wyman Manderly.
Willa pulled her pouting sister aside, leaving Creighton alone in the center of the Mermaid Palace hall, facing the cold-faced old man on the throne.
Taking a deep breath, Creighton walked forward and bowed, placing his hand over his heart. "Grandfather, I'm back."
The two faced each other in silence for what felt like an eternity, heads bowed.
"The North Remembers," Lord Wyman suddenly roared.
Taken aback, Creighton quickly realized this was the family motto. He immediately raised his head, meeting the old man's gaze, and responded in a voice just as loud, "The North Remembers!"
The ice on Lord Wyman's ruddy face melted away, replaced by a wide grin. He burst into laughter.
"Haha, it's good to have you back!" The old man's burly frame sprang from the throne. He hurried to Creighton's side, circling him and examining him closely, speaking rapidly, "Excellent, that's my grandson! The beginnings of a mustache, too, hmm… Didn't realize it, you were as ugly as your father when you were young, but you're much more handsome now, good! You're back, rest for a night, and tomorrow I'll take you to Lord Eddard to arrange a betrothal..."
Creighton listened with a helpless expression. Viola in the hall already burst out laughing, while Willa managed to maintain her ladylike composure, although the corners of her mouth still revealed her inner delight.
Lord Wyman continued to ramble, and only when he saw his two granddaughters did he realize he'd said too much. He glared at them and grumbled, "Next month, I'll marry you both off."
It seemed his voice was a bit loud. The two unmarried ladies shut their mouths and retreated into the corner like ostriches.
"Alright, Creighton, you go ahead. Crossing the Narrow Sea isn't easy. Your room has been cleaned for you for two years. We'll talk at dinner. Your father and uncle will be back by then."
Creighton nodded in agreement with his grandfather's words. The quick-witted Willa immediately took her silly younger sister and led Creighton out of the Mermaid Palace, figuring that staying there would only result in a scolding from the old man.
Lying on the bed, which was exactly as he remembered it, Creighton pondered. Lord Wyman was right about one thing: he did have something to do in Winterfell…
(End of this chapter)