For this coronation ceremony, Alester, the acting Hand, had really put in the effort. He desperately wanted to get rid of the "acting" part of his title.
Stannis also knew that the coronation represented the royal family's image. Even though funds were tight, now was absolutely not the time to be pinching pennies—especially when facing a "big spender" like House Tyrell. So, he allocated a significant sum for the event.
That meant the banquet tablecloths were ordered from Myr, white fabric featuring a subtle stag pattern that looked luxurious and beautiful.
Even some of the music and singers had been selected from the Free Cities, thanks to that Salladhor Saan.
Salladhor had brought over a dozen ships to join Stannis's fleet, only for almost all of them to be wiped out on the Blackwater. Stannis couldn't repay him directly, so he handed over half of Westeros's trade rights with the Free Cities to him instead.
This actually gave Salladhor even more clout. He quickly pulled together another fleet, which allowed him to procure these fine goods for Stannis.
Additionally—perhaps to show an olive branch or maybe for some other reason—almost every dish on the table was garnished with blue, red, and white roses.
The roses even had dewdrops on them, all freshly picked and placed right before serving.
Stannis and Queen Selyse sat at the head of the table. Jon sat at Selyse's hand, while Mace sat at Stannis's.
If you ignored the title of "Prince" that Dorne insisted on keeping, then "Duke" was the top of the ladder.
Beyond the title, it all came down to whose territory was larger, who could raise more soldiers, whose granaries and vaults were fuller, and who had the bigger voice.
Right now, Jon was lacking in all those areas. From a pure power perspective, looking across the whole realm, he was arguably the weakest Duke.
Jon watched the Tyrells take their seats one by one. Olenna sat next to Mace, followed by Mace's wife, Alerie. Next to Alerie should have been Margaery or maybe Garlan, but instead, it was Lia.
Garlan sat next to Lia, and only then came Margaery.
Mace had physically blocked any chance of Jon flirting with his daughter. It was obvious he was pushing Lia forward, hoping to muddy the waters.
Seeing that Mace was either talking to Olenna or staring at his wine glass, with absolutely no intention of speaking to him, Jon knew exactly what his game was—pretend Jon didn't exist. No attacks, no engagement.
Stannis also noticed something off about the seating arrangement Mace had chosen for his family and spoke up first. "Duke Mace, why don't I see Ser Loras?"
"Your Grace, Loras has fallen a bit ill. He really isn't fit to come to King's Landing. But thankfully, the Seven have blessed him, and he's recovering well. If Your Grace has need, the tens of thousands of Highgarden troops are ready at your command," Mace said, looking into Stannis's dark blue eyes.
Jon's gaze shifted between Stannis and Mace, but through his god's-eye view, he sensed Olenna and Margaery stealing glances at him.
He noticed Sansa striking up a conversation with Margaery. The two were chatting about something, looking like fast friends.
But Jon didn't think Sansa was a match for Margaery. At the very least, Margaery already knew how to play a "persona"—something that, in all of Westeros, only she and Jon really understood.
Arya, on the other hand, looked a bit glazed over. She genuinely hated these kinds of events and was just staring blankly at the banners on the wall.
Jon refocused on Stannis and Mace's conversation. Mace's remark just now could be interpreted as a pledge of loyalty, or it could be seen as a "flex."
Those tens of thousands of troops were the foundation of Highgarden's power. The three major families of the South—Tyrell, Hightower, and Redwyne—had long been tightly bound by marriage.
That was the real trouble. Especially the Redwyne fleet, one of the three great fleets of Westeros.
With Stannis's royal fleet devastated, only the Redwyne fleet and the Iron Islands' fleet remained as major naval powers.
And Balon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands had already declared independence again.
Stannis was in a genuinely bad spot: Daenerys and young Aegon were threats from the outside, rebellions were popping up inside, and he still didn't have a son.
His only real advantage was his age; being under thirty-five meant he definitely still had time to produce an heir.
However, Jon noted that Mace really did spoil his children. Loras disliked Stannis because of Renly—hated him, even—and could just decide not to show up for a major event like a coronation.
Jon figured that without Mace's protection, Loras couldn't be that willful.
After Stannis asked his question, it was Mace's turn. Olenna suddenly spoke up: "Your Grace, has House Martell pledged loyalty to the Iron Throne? If needed, House Tyrell and the Martells share a friendship. Perhaps we could persuade Sunspear to pledge loyalty to the true King."
Olenna sounded sincere, but to Stannis, her words carried a different meaning.
Years ago, Mace's eldest son, Willas, had jousted with Oberyn Martell—the "Red Viper," the guy with a swarm of bastard daughters.
During the joust, Willas was injured and left with a crippled right leg. Yet Willas didn't seek revenge; instead, he forgave the Martells and even became friends with Oberyn.
That was the source of the "friendship" Olenna mentioned.
Olenna's question was a needle hidden in silk, essentially questioning Stannis's capability.
Before Stannis could reply, Selyse spoke first: "Lady Olenna, the Martells have already sworn loyalty to the Iron Throne. Prince Doran is unwell, and Prince Oberyn is overseas and couldn't make it back in time. His Grace has reserved a seat on the Small Council for Prince Oberyn."
Selyse explained with pursed lips, and Stannis followed up: "Prince Doran's loyalty is beyond question, though we cannot ignore Duke Stark's efforts in securing it."
Stannis looked at Jon. Mace, Olenna, Alerie, and the rest all turned their gazes to Jon as well.
Margaery, who was chatting with Sansa, also turned her head.
Even if Mace didn't want to look at Jon, he had to now.
"Duke Stark captured Amory Lorch at the Battle of the Green Fork—the man who shamelessly murdered Rhaegar's daughter, Rhaenys. And at Darry, he slew Gregor Clegane, the one who killed Rhaegar's wife. Not long ago, Gregor's head and the captive Amory were sent to Dorne."
Stannis's point was clear: Willas might have forgiven Oberyn, but Jon had actually taken out the murderers the Martells had been dreaming of killing for years.
Amory Lorch was originally supposed to be eaten by a bear, but now that he was in Martell hands, he was probably in for a world of hurt.
Hearing Stannis's praise, Jon said humbly, "Men like Amory and the Mountain, who draw their swords against the weak, would be despised even by the most merciful Mother."
Whether the Tyrells wanted to admit it or not, Jon's luck in bagging those two was undeniable.
Even if he hadn't sided with Stannis, taking the Mountain's head to Dorne would have earned him a decent standing there.
"The Lord Duke hates evil as a true enemy. A true knight indeed," Olenna praised.
"You flatter me, Lady Olenna." Jon drank a full cup, accepting her compliment.
"When is your name day, Lord Duke?" Margaery's mother, Alerie, suddenly asked.
Jon was surprised, thinking she might be provoking him. To be honest, Jon didn't have much of an impression of Alerie. He wasn't sure what kind of person she was.
Olenna sensed something was off, her hand holding her teacup trembling slightly. Stannis also frowned, looking a bit displeased.
Not far away, Sansa paused for a moment too, because bastards and name days weren't usually topics that went together.
Sitting next to Alerie, Lia smirked slightly. Who would care about a bastard's name day?
Alerie's question cooled the conversation. A decorative rose suddenly fell from a plate, making the atmosphere even more awkward.
Jon didn't know Alerie's intent, but he answered calmly, "Well, I suppose if my mother were still alive, and if one day I could find her, perhaps then I would know my name day."
Jon studied Alerie's silver-gold hair and blue-green eyes, trying to figure out what this woman was really asking.
Suddenly, she covered her mouth with her hand, realizing she had misspoken.
"I am terribly sorry, Lord Duke," Alerie said, panic flashing in her eyes. "I only heard that people born in different months have different personalities. I was just curious about you, nothing more."
Seeing her reaction, Jon smiled with relief. Two peas in a pod indeed. No wonder she and Mace had been together for so many years.
Considering Margaery and her three brothers were each about two years apart, it was clear the couple's relationship was quite good.
Alerie looked to be around thirty-seven or thirty-eight, older than Stannis, but you couldn't see a single wrinkle at the corners of her eyes.
Next to Lia, you could easily believe they were sisters.
"Lady Alerie, there's no need to blame yourself. I think none of us should dwell too much on the past. Looking to the future and building it is what matters most. Just as House Tyrell has chosen to stand with King Stannis, the future of the Seven Kingdoms will surely be brighter," Jon said with a smile, seeming completely unbothered by the small slip-up.
Stannis also showed a rare smile. "Duke Jon is right." He raised his goblet. "To the future of the Seven Kingdoms."
"Long live the Seven Kingdoms! Long live King Stannis!"
Further down the table, Alester, Axell, and other members of House Florent, along with Davos, Melisandre, and Adrian, all raised their cups.
At that moment, Davos spoke up: "Your Grace, Jon is your most capable subject, and Lady Margaery is Duke Mace's favorite and only daughter. Why not let the young ones open the dance for us?"
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