Today, the laughter and the clinking of glasses merged into a river of sound that echoed throughout the Great Hall of the Sealord's Palace.
The night wasn't just about the spectacular performances by the courtesans and the famous theater troupes; it was also defined by the exquisite banquet—a feast for the senses featuring expensive vintages from both sides of the Narrow Sea.
Attending such a banquet was, naturally, a symbol of status and power.
Unless one was part of the old Braavosi nobility, a Merchant Prince, a high official, or a celebrated figure, getting an invitation to the Sealord's table was nearly impossible.
Viserys was getting a firsthand look at the inner workings of the Braavosi court. Trade was the beating heart of this city-state, whereas in Westeros, the pillar of power was land.
In the Free Cities, merchants and high-status courtesans held elevated positions, firmly established as part of the upper crust.
This highlighted the structural difference between Essos and the Sunset Lands. Westeros was a feudal society governed by military overlords. The lords of Westeros would look down on these "nouveau riche" tycoons, dismissing them as upstarts and cheese-mongers.
The composition of Viserys's private booth was equally peculiar: a group of courtesans and an exiled king.
"Today isn't even the height of the excitement," the Black Pearl explained. "The real chaos happens during the annual ten-day festival commemorating the Unmasking of Uthero. On the final day, at the stroke of midnight, the Titan roars. That is the signal for every reveler and guest to remove their masks in unison."
"Sounds absolutely mesmerizing," Viserys replied, his hands deftly extracting snow-white meat from a crab leg.
The ten-day masquerade carnival sounded lively, sure, but that liveliness belonged to others. Viserys was already mentally calculating his exit strategy.
"Is it really that good?" The cool and elegant Daughter of the Dusk watched Viserys, who was wielding his knife and fork like weapons of war, devouring everything in sight.
A pile of empty snail shells and crab carapaces was already mounting next to him.
She truly lived up to her name, possessing an air of detachment and cold distance.
The Daughter of the Dusk wasn't love-struck; she was simply struck by the massive contrast. Here was a handsome, dignified man eating with such casual, ravenous intensity. He lacked the usual pretension of nobility.
And this was a descendant of the ancient, proud Dragonlords? She hadn't realized they had fallen on such hard times.
"It is delicious," Viserys said, couldn't care less about their stares. Clinging to dignity at the cost of one's stomach was a fool's game.
The best state for a king is to be adaptable.
Face and reputation are things given to you by others when you're out in the world. Right now, the "dignity" of a fallen royal was just a hollow shell.
These sea snails, the giant lobsters, the Sealord's Crabs, and the lampreys were all incredibly expensive. The labor cost alone was exorbitant. If you went to the seafood markets of Braavos, these were items that often had a price but no stock—getting them fresh was a challenge.
"You can have my share, too, Silver Traveler... Viserys. A good knight must have a good appetite." Moonshadow smiled, sliding her bowl of sea snail soup over to him. Her hands were pale and delicate. "I don't care for sea snails."
"I am honored by your gift, Lady Moonshadow," Viserys thanked her.
Moonshadow likely wasn't after Viserys's title; she was probably just charmed by his looks and talent.
"Just don't turn into a fat man," the Black Pearl and the Nightingale teased with a laugh.
"Don't worry, I won't," Viserys promised.
He wasn't joking. His "Gluttony" talent ensured that the food he consumed was converted into attribute energy. Without that talent, he would have developed gout, obesity, or heavy metal poisoning long ago.
"You can have mine as well." The Daughter of the Dusk pushed her small bowl of creamy snail soup toward him.
Viserys looked at her. Dressed in a black gown that hugged her figure perfectly, revealing captivating curves that could draw any man's eye, she seemed shrouded in an icy mist—a mystery of a woman.
It was just that face... she always looked like she was smelling something unpleasant or trying to keep people a thousand miles away.
"You're in luck. The Daughter of the Dusk is usually a woman of few words. Even I haven't received such treatment," the Black Pearl joked.
"If you want it, you can come get it," the Daughter of the Dusk scoffed coldly.
"Braavos has beautiful scenery and great food, but the local wine leaves something to be desired." Viserys, now full, took a sip of the local watered-down wine. It was subpar.
"Braavosi wine is indeed unrefined. Everyone agrees the best vintages come from Dorne and the Arbor," the Black Pearl agreed, being a gourmet herself.
"You could come to my place. I have excellent wine," Moonshadow said, looking at Viserys. As a courtesan, seduction was second nature to her.
"His Grace Viserys has three distinct talents," the Black Pearl interrupted, introducing him to the group properly. "First is his pen; his lyrics are famous across Braavos. Second is his tongue; a royal palate capable of appreciating fine cuisine. And third is his blade; he is a genius swordsman."
"You flatter me," Viserys waved his hand dismissively.
His moderate modesty only enhanced his image. Not only was he the descendant of Dragonlords, but he was also multi-talented.
Moonshadow's eyes had the predatory gleam of a headhunter, but Viserys gave her no feedback.
Right now, Viserys was planning a major operation; he wasn't in the mood to sow wild oats all over Braavos. Besides, in terms of connections and intelligence networks, the Black Pearl completely outclassed Moonshadow.
The dinner eventually wrapped up amidst laughter and conversation. The long tables on the first floor were moved aside, leaving the center aisle open for dancing.
Men and women began seeking out their partners, ready to shine on the dance floor.
"Let's go, Knight," the Black Pearl said to Viserys, putting on her mask. "The first dance is mine."
"With pleasure, beautiful maiden," Viserys replied, taking her arm.
Viserys had learned some court dancing as a child. He wasn't exceptionally graceful, but he wouldn't embarrass himself.
The fact that the most dazzling courtesan in the room was giving her first dance to Viserys was sure to drop some jaws.
Moonshadow looked like she wanted to eat someone. It seemed that on this particular food chain, she was completely suppressed by the Black Pearl.
The Black Pearl and Viserys led the way, followed by the Daughter of the Dusk, the Nightingale, and Moonshadow.
They seemed to form a small clique. The Black Pearl had complex connections, the Daughter of the Dusk remained mysterious, while the Nightingale and Moonshadow were tied to the Moonsingers.
As Viserys led the Black Pearl out of the room, they encountered other courtesans near the spiral staircase.
There was the Mermaid Queen with her four Mermaids, the Veiled Lady who only revealed her face to her lovers, and the Poetess who always carried a book.
The top-tier courtesans of Braavos were all present.
"Lady Black Pearl, and who is this?" asked the Mermaid Queen, who wore a silver mask.
She saw only silver hair and beautiful violet eyes, sensing an extraordinary aura, but the mask obscured his face.
"The man who writes my songs. The Silver Traveler," the Black Pearl introduced him. "And my first dance partner."
The Mermaid Queen and the Poetess had thoughts of recruiting Viserys, but this wasn't the time.
Still, the Mermaid Queen, the Poetess, and the Veiled Lady were all stunned. They hadn't expected the Black Pearl to be so casual.
A good lyricist was rare, certainly, but usually not enough to warrant this level of face-giving.
The first dance... countless noble sons and wealthy scions were waiting for the chance to be her partner. It was the hottest ticket of the night.
But the Black Pearl had other plans.
"It will surely be a beautiful dance," the Mermaid Queen complimented politely.
"I hope so," the Black Pearl replied, her expression neutral, before descending to the first floor with Viserys.
"You don't like her?" Viserys asked quietly.
"Of course not," the Black Pearl whispered. "Do you see her four Mermaids? When the Mermaid Queen is unwell or simply not in the mood, the Mermaids handle the... social interactions for her. The noble courtesan keeps her reputation clean, while the poor Mermaids are just dolls to be played with."
"That's..." Viserys could only think that it was a clever, if cynical, business model. Like buy-one-get-four-free.
"It is the rule of the Mermaids. It has always been so," the Black Pearl said with a raise of her brow.
"And those Mermaids?"
"Poor Mermaids. When one goes, a new one replaces her," the Black Pearl said calmly.
"I thought Braavos rejected slavery?"
"They aren't slaves. They are daughters of good families, or girls hoping to rise to fame through the courtesan's path. They want to be somebody, but in reality, they will forever be servants to the Mermaid. Tools."
Where there is light, there is destined to be ugliness, Viserys thought to himself.
This was Braavos. It was a place of power struggles.
There was radiance, and there was darkness. There was glamour, and there was rot.