Shaking himself, Tyrion adjusted his clothes and mused, "The Direwolf has swept through the Westerlands. He can win battles on the field, but he might lose the war in bed."
Bronn's sharp gaze swept the surroundings, and he lowered his voice, "Lord Tyrion, this is a wolf's den."
Tyrion shrugged and said, "I'm a little disappointed. The Direwolf's new bride isn't as stunningly beautiful as I imagined. Cersei would definitely be even more pleased if she knew this."
Bronn asked puzzledly, "Does Queen Mother Cersei still care about such things?"
Tyrion grinned: "Cersei cares a lot if someone is prettier than her. I found out by accident. I was even thinking of using the Direwolf's wife's beauty to make my good sister voluntarily leave Maegors Holdfast… Sigh…"
Bronn looked at the sighing Tyrion and couldn't help but exclaim, "My lord, Lannister truly is a loving family."
...
Dusk was still an hour away, but Riverrun's main hall was already brightly lit, with torches ignited on every sconce. The arriving guests stood behind long tables, and the entering lords and ladies were announced by heralds, their names and titles called out one by one, then escorted by servants to their pre-arranged seats. Both sides of the hall were filled with musicians: drummers, flutists, and fiddlers, as well as those playing horns, harps, and bagpipes.
When King Robb and Queen Jeyne appeared, the maidservants scattered countless brightly colored petals.
After everyone was seated, the Riverlands Septon led those in the hall in prayer.
After the prayer was recited, King Robb announced, "Pour the wine!"
As his words fell, the servants and maidservants busily poured wine into the guests' cups.
King Robb smiled, raised his cup, and declared loudly, "To my wife, Queen Jeyne!"
"Long live Queen Jeyne!" Greatjon led the loud response.
"To Her Grace, the Queen!"
"Long live Queen Jeyne! Long live Queen Jeyne! Long live Queen Jeyne!"
"Roar! Roar! Roar! Roar!" Under the influence of the Northern lords, the hall echoed with the war cries characteristic of the First Men.
Hundreds of wine cups clinked simultaneously, signaling the official start of King Robb and Queen Jeyne's wedding feast.
The musicians played the sweet "My Beloved Wife," and King Robb and Queen Jeyne exchanged smiles.
Amidst the exceptionally lively atmosphere, cup after cup, night enveloped outside the high windows.
Greatjon and other Northern lords approached the King and Queen's table with their wine cups. Greatjon's face was already flushed with drink, and he loudly declared, "King Robb, rest assured, I guarantee your Queen will not have a single strip of cloth on her in bed."
The bedding ceremony is a custom in Westeros that takes place after the wedding and feast. Guests carry the bride and groom to their bed. Along the way, the men carrying the bride gradually remove her clothes, while the women do the same for the groom. They throw the unclothed bride and groom onto the bed, then leave the room. Afterwards, they stand guard outside the bedchamber, shouting advice about the wedding night through the door.
Greatjon was like he was giving a pre-battle pep talk, turning around and raising his cup: "Long live Queen Jeyne!"
"Roar! Roar! Roar!" The men responded in unison.
Daisy Mormont, the heir to the Lady of Bear Island, called out loudly to Queen Jeyne, "Your Grace, we guarantee you'll see a naked King in bed!"
Everyone burst into laughter, and King Robb smiled broadly, looking at his shy Queen.
From morning until now, the usually composed King Robb's smile had barely faltered. He "warned" these boorish First Men nobles: "If you scare away my beautiful bride, I will not forgive you."
Robb Stark's teasing was uninteresting, but because it was rare, it made everyone burst into laughter.
Black Walder roughly pushed through the crowd gathered around the King's table to the front. He grinned at Queen Jeyne, who was seated opposite him.
"Queen Jeyne, the Riverlands people won't be as rude as the Northmen."
As he spoke, he stared below Queen Jeyne's neck, his gaze filled with lewd light, and he rubbed his hands together.
A chilling glint flashed in Robb's blue eyes, and at the same time… the surroundings suddenly fell silent.
"Damn him!" Greatjon slammed a fist onto Black Walder's head.
Black Walder let out a cry of pain and crashed into the table in front of the King and Queen, sending cups and plates flying.
Greatjon, who was about to step forward, was firmly restrained by the people around him; Black Walder was barely helped up by the other Walders, his face now covered in blood.
Just then, Edmure pushed through the crowd to the front, with Ser Brynden behind him.
Edmure was furious: "Black Walder! Don't force me to punish you!"
Blood streamed down Black Walder's forehead, cheeks, and the corners of his mouth. He casually wiped it with a large hand, then slowly revealed a strange smile and said, "I drank too much because I was too happy. Please forgive me, my future liege lord."
Edmure's fist tightened, and then… he looked at King Robb, who was seated upright.
Seeing Edmure's gaze shift, King Robb said nothing, only nodded slightly.
Robb giving him the authority to deal with the situation made Edmure very happy. He felt that his nephew was trusting him more and more.
He glanced at the other Walders who were supporting Black Walder, and mused, "He's drunk. You keep an eye on him."
Edmure really wanted to expel Black Walder from the wedding feast, but after some thought, he gave up on the idea. He didn't want any real unpleasantness to occur during his nephew's wedding.
The maidservants, hearing Edmure's command, quickly tidied up the King's table.
The musicians resumed playing, and the atmosphere in the hall quickly relaxed.
Edmure, the heir to Riverrun, gestured for a cupbearer to pour wine. Then… he spiritedly raised his cup and declared loudly, "To the health of the King and Queen!"
Those around him all raised their cups: "To the health of the King and Queen!!"
The people around the table dispersed, leaving only Edmure and Ser Brynden.
"Thank you, Uncle."
Robb gently held one of Jeyne's hands and continued, "There could be no better wedding. Thank you for everything you've done for me."
Queen Jeyne also expressed her sincere gratitude, while Ser Brynden's face was filled with satisfaction.
Edmure, faced with the sudden outpouring of praise, was not only excited but also seemed a little shy.
The upturn of his lips was uncontrollable. To maintain his humble image, Edmure casually grabbed a small piece of meat from the table and put it in his mouth.
After chewing a few times, Edmure swallowed the food, then took a large gulp of wine and said, "Robb, we are family, I will always… Cough!"
Clang! The cup in his hand suddenly dropped, and dark red wine spilled onto the stone floor.
"Cough, cough, cough, cough…" Edmure's face grew redder and redder. He reached for his throat, his fingernails digging bloody marks into his skin, but the muscles beneath were as hard as stone.
"Cough… cough… cough…" Edmure's eyes bulged. He seemed to want to speak, but could only force out harsh, raspy sounds.
"Uncle!"
"Edmure!"
"…" Lying in Ser Brynden's arms, Edmure's pupils gradually dilated.
Dong~~ Dang Dangdang Dang~ Dang~ Dangdang Dang~~~~
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