The city was already close at hand, this beautiful, charming, and petite pearl of The Vale, Seagull Town.
Seagull Town is one of the five major cities of King's Landing, located southeast of The Eyrie and south of Runestone. It is similar in size to White Harbor in The North, but smaller than the other three great cities: Lannisport, King's Landing, and Oldtown.
Rhaegar saw Seagull Town's white walls, pristine as snow, and the blue and white Crescent Falcon Banner flying high, matching the azure sky.
What a lovely and beautiful city! Although it carried the smell of fish from the docks, it smelled much better than King's Landing.
King's Landing was huge in population and reeked to high heaven.
King's Landing was originally a military port, but grew larger over time.
Rhaegar had already integrated with the Knights of the Vale. The Blue Knights considered him a bright, handsome, and charismatic true dragon.
In the era of noble houses, a great noble's common touch made others feel overwhelmed. Rhaegar was not putting on an act; it was his nature, a matter of indifference. After all, his common touch attribute was fully stacked.
The Blue Cloak Knights felt Rhaegar possessed great warrior charisma. The Prince was physically robust and skilled in combat, gentle yet not perverse, poised, and tolerant. He endured the Blue Knights' vulgar jokes, treating them like brothers in the barracks, unlike some sons of Lords who were overly pretentious.
Rhaegar and the Blue Knights often sparred. Although the Prince never lost, he gifted the Blue Knights many presents.
However, most of the Blue Knights of the Vale were landed knights, not low-level farmers.
At the Seagull Town docks, Rhaegar saw a crowd gathered, all smiling.
This was not only because Duke Jon had returned, but also because Rhaegar, Prince and Second Heir to the iron throne, had come for a pleasure trip.
Although Prince Rhaegar was young, everyone had heard many anecdotes about the true dragon and wished to catch a glimpse of the Prince's demeanor.
It was a wonderful thing for the citizens of Seagull Town to welcome the arrival of the true dragon.
As the ships began to dock, Rhaegar saw everything more clearly.
On the pier, Rhaegar saw the representatives of Seagull Town's three major Lords: House Grafton, House Shett, and the Arryn family of Seagull Town, as well as the Clergy. These stood in the first and second tiers. Many wealthy merchants, though richly dressed, could only stand in the third tier.
As for the common farmers, servants, and dockworkers, they were considered the lowest tier.
Rhaegar noticed that the number of wealthy merchants in Seagull Town was considerable, occupying a large proportion. This was related to The Vale's geographical advantages: The Vale is mountainous on one side and coastal on the other, making it relatively conservative and less connected to other regions. Land travel to The West, north, and south is difficult, so the primary supply for The Vale comes from eastern sea trade. The influence of the wealthy merchants in The Vale is growing stronger. They are entrenched in Seagull Town, thriving and flourishing.
"Look, here comes my money-grubbing relative from Seagull Town. He looks less like a knight and more like a merchant," Duke Jon grumbled to his Captain of the Guard.
Many nobles were impoverished but extremely proud, while many wealthy merchants had money but no social status. One sought face, the other sought substance.
Due to Duke Jon's displeasure, Rhaegar also noticed the pot-bellied, lavishly dressed leader of the Arryn family, who looked more like a merchant than a knight. The Arryn family of Seagull Town was pragmatic; people couldn't starve to death, so they married into wealthy merchant families and made a fortune. However, they were despised by other impoverished branches of House Arryn, who considered them too vulgar. 'How can our old House Arryn marry the daughters of common merchants? We'd rather starve than lower ourselves. It truly disgraces our family name.'
Everyone has their own way of life, and the Arryn family of Seagull Town had figured out how to survive.
"Count Maekar Grafton, Administrator of Seagull Town, a young and energetic knight."
"Ser Os Shett."
"Ser Roland Arryn." He also had blonde hair and blue eyes, but was pot-bellied—a super-sized Arryn.
"Bishop Petre, a kind man."
"...The Seagull Town Customs and Tax Officer."
Duke Jon introduced them slowly to Rhaegar. These were the leading figures of Seagull Town, requiring detailed introductions, including their children and family members. After them came the minor nobles, and only then did they get to the wealthy merchants.
"And these are the gentlemen and wealthy merchants of Seagull Town. I imagine you can feel their enthusiasm, Prince Rhaegar," Duke Jon said, his tone lukewarm. He had no affection for these merchants. He had heard many stories of impoverished nobles marrying into merchant families for money, which truly disgraced their houses.
But Duke Jon had no good solution. People had to live; they had to survive. Although Duke Jon was worried, he could not stop the situation from worsening.
The faces of the Seagull Town merchants were already brimming with joy and smiles. While money was great, it needed the protection of power. And what could be more effective than gaining the Prince's goodwill? Even if they traveled to King's Landing later, they would have protection.
The Seagull Town merchants eagerly waved their arms toward Prince Rhaegar and performed their courtesies.
Although Rhaegar was young, he was handsome and stately, with silver hair and indigo-blue eyes, just like the Dragon Kings spoken of in stories. The only regret was that the Prince's hair was too short, not the long hair typical of his lineage.
Rhaegar looked at the Seagull Town merchants. Their expressions were fervent, their clothes bright, and they were scented with various spices.
Seagull Town's handicrafts and tailoring were also famous. It exported spices, fruits, large pumpkins, and incense from The Vale. It was also a safe harbor, a place to stop on the way to Braavos in The North. Because it was not far from the Free Cities, many people imitated the hairstyles and dress of the Free Cities.
Rhaegar saw the merchants' faces, which were filled with desire, longing, and passion. Most of them were stout and well-fed, dressed in exquisite clothes. In contrast, many minor nobles wore outdated clothing and looked sickly, clearly suffering from poor nutrition.
The fragmentation of The Vale was already very severe. The valley lands were fertile but parceled into small plots, leaving many landholding nobles living hand-to-mouth. This was unlike The South or The West, where one had rich land and the other held gold mines.
Meanwhile, the merchant community engaged in import and export trade, represented by Seagull Town, was developing quite well.
Rhaegar knew that the rise of one and the fall of the other was a clear trend. It was just that The Vale was unique, and the trend was accelerating faster here.
These merchants and citizens were the new elite of Seagull Town. They were ambitious and energetic, and would soon shift from commercial speculation to political speculation. Commercial speculation yielded profits measured in multiples, while political speculation yielded countless profits.
Rhaegar thought this might be the great tide of history.
The third estate of wealthy merchants and citizens in Seagull Town was slowly rising and would soon join the Game of Thrones, unwilling to be outdone. Furthermore, many cities in the Free Cities were governed by bankers and merchants, which inevitably spurred on the Seagull Town merchants. A Seagull Town interest group was slowly forming, combining these merchants, minor nobles, and citizens. Even many second-tier Lords would join them to push the tide. Even if there were no Littlefinger, there would be an Oldfinger.
Rhaegar thought, I should also harness these forces. Perhaps this is a form of interception.
After a brief welcome, everyone followed Count Grafton to the banquet hall. The Count had already prepared a rich feast to welcome Duke Jon, Prince Rhaegar, and their entourage.
Rhaegar saw the merchants were in high spirits. It seemed this trip to Seagull Town would yield quite a few gifts.
Money was a good thing, and Rhaegar was very friendly towards them, considering their generous gifting.
Rhaegar followed Duke Jon forward to the banquet hall, with others surrounding the Prince and Duke like stars orbiting the moon.
The merchants were immersed in the Prince's warm smile, which melted them like spring snow. They were utterly charmed by the Prince's charisma.
Even if they were rich, their social status could not be quickly elevated; they still had to kiss the nobles' boots.
The wealthy merchants were already rubbing their hands together, having prepared various gifts for Rhaegar.
Incense, clothes, spices, dried fruits, handicrafts, and more.
One wealthy merchant slapped his forehead, thinking: Prince Rhaegar is well-developed and doesn't look like a child. Perhaps he needs that kind of service.
However, Duke Jon despised such sneaky dealings, so the merchant extinguished the idea of sending a few Lyseni girls to Rhaegar.
Moreover, if the Old King found out, it would be a capital offense.