Chapter 244: The Royal Wedding, the Emperor's Ambition

The mobile castle, pulled by six magic dragons, soared above King's Landing. Butchers in Flea Bottom, cobblers, prostitutes and their patrons on Silk Street, baker's boys on Flour Street, and the Winter Wolves on the city walls erupted in screams and cheers, as the people shouted the name of Emperor Eddard.

After defeating the undead, the Citadel sent out white ravens to announce that winter had ended and spring had arrived. It was Emperor Eddard who defeated the Night King and ended the bitter cold; this past winter became the shortest one recorded in the history of Westeros, and Eddard had become a god-like presence throughout the lands.

The undead did not need to eat, drink, or sleep. Tens of thousands of undead followed Eddard south, and Eddard sent them to the Westerlands to mine, to the North to produce gunpowder in workshops, and to White Harbor, the Three Sisters, and Gulltown to build ships.

More than forty frost dragons, including Balerion the Black Dread, Meraxes, and Vhagar, became Eddard's pets. These frost dragons would become tools for Eddard to guard Westeros, intimidate the nobility, and stabilize his rule; they were, even more so, great weapons for future foreign wars and expanding the empire's territory.

Death Knights such as Aegon the Conqueror, Robert the Death Storm, Prince Rhaegar, Bittersteel, the Mountain, Khal Drogo, and the Goat Vargo Hoat also became tools in Eddard's hands to spread terror.

The undead captain Euron, together with the mermaid fleet of the sea witch Grace, the shrimp soldiers and crab generals, the Royal Fleet, the Iron Fleet, and the Redwyne Fleet of the Arbor, would become the trump cards of the Westeros Imperial Navy.

The Night King became Eddard's subordinate, and Eddard's magical power increased once again. Using elemental forces, he collected high-quality stone from the Vale, high-quality timber from the North, high-quality soil from the Reach, and high-quality sand from Dorne, mixing them with iron from the Iron Islands and mud and sand from the Riverlands to craft this mobile castle. The mobile castle possessed an armory, granaries, barracks, training grounds, gardens, banquet halls, and more, with wine cellars filled with blueberry wine and golden wine.

The mobile castle even had a treasure room for storing dragon eggs. The Three-Eyed Raven, the Golden Lady, and Melisandre helped Eddard search for dragon eggs throughout Westeros. Today, dragon eggs have been found in the Iron Islands, Fair Isle, Tumbleton in the Reach, and Dragonstone.

Once these dragon eggs hatch, they can give birth to more magic dragons.

The mobile castle traveled all the way south from the North, pulled by six magic dragons, with giant eagles and griffins acting as guards, becoming a miracle in the eyes of the residents everywhere. People feared the magic dragons, yet they also felt proud of them.

In the eyes of the residents of Westeros—whether they were Ironborn, Rockborn, Dornish, Stonesmen, Children of the Forest, or giants—Eddard was already one of the gods.

In the North, Eddard was even more legendary than Brandon the Builder.

In the Reach, Eddard was Garth Greenhand come to earth.

In the Vale, people believed Eddard was the Winged Knight reborn.

In the Iron Islands, he was the Drowned God and the Storm God descended into the world; priests trembled as they spoke Eddard's name, and sailors prayed to Eddard's statues.

In Dorne, Eddard became the dream lover of countless men, women, and children.

In the Stormlands, he was Durran Godsgrief. The Church of the Seven publicly declared that Eddard was the incarnation of the Seven on earth, and the rebuilt cathedral on Visenya's Hill in King's Landing was named the Cathedral of Saint Eddard.

Next to the Cathedral of Saint Eddard was the temple of the Old Gods, which enshrined those ancient gods belonging to the mountains, earth, rivers, streams, oceans, and forests. Varamyr Sixskins, Eagle King McCain, Bear King Byars, and other skinchangers became druids of the Old Gods.

In a corner of Visenya's Hill, an Undead Memorial Hall was built. A massive stone tablet stood before the hall, carved with scenes of Cersei, Joffrey, and the necromancers slaughtering followers of the Seven and innocent people. During the undead's rule over King's Landing, tens of thousands of followers of the Seven and innocent civilians were brutally murdered. The Undead Memorial Hall would commemorate the crimes of the Lannisters and the undead, serving as a warning to future generations.

Former Grand Maester Pycelle, under Eddard's orders, wrote the book *The Crimes of the Lannisters and the Undead*, which had already begun to circulate in the Citadel and among the common folk.

The crimes of the Lannisters were remembered by the nobles and commoners, so they posed no threat whatsoever.

Giant eagles, magic dragons, and griffins swarmed around the mobile castle as it arrived above the Red Keep. Eddard, Daenerys, and Jon stood at the entrance of the mobile castle.

The Young Wolf Robb, Queen Catelyn, Sansa, Arya, and Rickon stood with a pack of direwolves, gazing up at the mobile castle in the sky.

Arya's eyes widened. "It seems the news from the North was all true. Father really does have a mobile castle, a magic castle!"

Catelyn said, "Eddard, how do we get up there?"

Eddard blew a whistle, and several giant eagles landed on the ground. Catelyn and the children, along with the direwolves, flew up to the mobile castle.

After the family gathered, they walked together toward the castle hall. The hall was covered with Myrish carpets and used nothing but blue-and-white porcelain tableware. The vases were filled with roses from the Reach, cacti from Dorne, gardenias from the Riverlands, chrysanthemums from the Vale, and so on.

Eddard ordered the servants to serve lemon cakes, caviar, salted bread, roasted trout, wild boar, and other delicacies. Catelyn was surprised to find that Cersei was actually one of the maids.

Catelyn said worriedly, "Eddard, Cersei is a maid? Aren't you afraid this vicious woman will poison us?"

Eddard said, "Cersei is now an undead; she is my puppet. Mind control has left her brain with nothing but obedience. Now, Cersei is a maid; every day she must scrub the castle stairs, wash clothes, and help in the kitchen. This is a way of atonement."

Catelyn was then reassured. Arya and Sansa had no mood to eat; while eating lemon cakes, they toured the study, bedrooms, bathrooms, toilets, stables, animal pens, the sept, the godswood, and more.

Sansa said happily, "This is truly a magic castle like the ones only found in songs!"

Jon and Robb preferred the armory and the training grounds. Eddard said, "This castle will soon be put to use. On the day of the wedding, the nobles will come to the mobile castle to dine."

Robb and Jon would marry their brides on the same day. Robb would marry Margaery, daughter of Duke Mace of Highgarden, and Jon would marry Daenerys. On the day of the wedding, guests from all over the Seven Kingdoms would also witness the engagement ceremony of Bran and Myrcella. In Eddard's plan, in the future, Bran would rule the Westerlands and become the Duke of Casterly Rock.

Myrcella was a sweet little thing; she possessed bright golden hair and emerald-green eyes, and was charming and moving, yet she had none of Cersei's malice. Marrying Myrcella could unite the nobles of the Westerlands and also appease the House Lannister that had already migrated to the North.

The Three-Eyed Raven visited Bran's dreams every night. Now, Bran had already shown the potential to become a Green Seer; he could easily manipulate animals like ravens, wild wolves, and squirrels.

In the future, when Bran grew up, he would become the Duke of the Westerlands and guard the West for House Stark.

Winterfell and the North would be left for Rickon to inherit. Now, Benjen had become the Acting Castellan, and in the future, Benjen would assist Rickon in ruling the North.

After subduing the Night King and the undead, the Night's Watch had completely become the army of House Stark. Eddard transferred Benjen to Winterfell.

Subsequently, Prince of Giant Eagles Michu brought the Hand of the King Jon Connington, Master of Coin Tyrion, Master of Whisperers Varys, Master of Ships Stannis, and Lord Commander of the Kingsguard Sir Barristan, along with other high officials of the Small Council.

The high officials of the Small Council were amazed when they first arrived at the mobile castle.

Tyrion laughed, "This mobile castle is simply tailor-made for a dwarf! Standing on a castle like this, even a dwarf is as tall as a giant."

Varys rubbed his soft hands, "What a magnificent castle, just like His Majesty's magnificent victory."

Eddard said, "My lords, welcome. Let us go to the council chamber to hold the Small Council meeting!"

Everyone arrived at the ornate council chamber. The floor of the chamber was paved with gold, and ivory tables and chairs were used. Myrish carpets were spread on the floor, and the rosewood screens were engraved with maps of the continents of Westeros and Essos.

Hand of the King Jon Connington sat at Eddard's right hand, while Tyrion, Varys, Stannis, and Sir Barristan sat in two rows.

Eddard said, "Lord Connington, during my expedition to the Wall, you were in King's Landing, assisting Robb and completing your work dutifully."

Jon Connington said, "This could not have been done without the full support of all the lords. However, Acting Maester Marwyn is an exception. He spends his days buried in books; if he isn't studying dragon eggs, he's studying giant eagles. A few days ago, he even started studying wights. Archmaester Marwyn often misses Small Council meetings and is unwilling to communicate with the people of the Small Council."

Eddard said, "Archmaester Marwyn is a member of my think tank; he does not like the job of a Maester. Fortunately, the Conclave of the Citadel has selected an experienced, wise, and generous Maester for us."

Tyrion stared with his mismatched eyes, "Is this new Maester on his way from Oldtown to King's Landing?"

Eddard said, "No, the new Maester is departing from Castle Black on the Wall."

Sam helped Maester Aemon to walk before the crowd.

After the war against the undead ended, Maester Aemon's nearly seventy years of service at Castle Black finally came to an end. He prepared to return to Oldtown to enjoy his twilight years, but was appointed as an Archmaester by the Conclave in Oldtown and voted to be the Grand Maester.

Previously, due to Aemon's Targaryen blood, the Conclave in Oldtown did not trust Maester Aemon at all, and Maester Aemon had stayed at the Wall for nearly seventy years.

However, the Archmaesters of the Conclave were even more repulsed by Archmaester Marwyn. In this era of the resurgence of spiritual energy, Marwyn was an authority in the field of magic research. Fearing that Marwyn would serve as Grand Maester in King's Landing for a long time, they immediately bestowed the title of Archmaester upon Maester Aemon and elected Maester Aemon as the Grand Maester of the Small Council.

Everyone stood up one after another to welcome the arrival of Grand Maester Aemon. Aemon said, "I am already a blind man. I never expected that at such an age, I would still be able to serve as Grand Maester. I fear I am old and frail and unable to fulfill the duties."

Eddard said, "Maester Aemon, Sam will attend the Small Council meetings on your behalf, Maester Norman will be responsible for treatment, and Archmaester Marwyn will also help. You only need to contribute your counsel."

Sam had already become Maester Aemon's apprentice. The diligent and studious Sam would become Maester Aemon's successor, the Grand Maester, in the future.

Eddard said, "Spring has come. I want to promote the Stark Estate throughout the Seven Kingdoms. People who join the Stark Estate can use livestock and farm tools like the curved plow provided by House Stark for free, and have priority in working in Stark workshops to learn skills such as blacksmithing and weaving."

Varys said, "Your Majesty, since you have mastered magic, why not use magic to farm and produce goods? Why return to the old path of farming? I remember you possess the Bounty Horn; once the horn is blown, sweet melons, corn, and wheat can appear."

Eddard said: "Please remember, all magic has a price; abusing magic leads to corruption. The Balrog and the Night King possess powerful magical strength, but they are both evil, corrupt creatures. If we use magic even for farming, then magic will pollute the earth, the forests, and the sky, and it will poison our souls."

Maester Aemon agreed, "Indeed, magic is sweet, yet pastoral life is the true return to simplicity."

Eddard said: "Westeros is too reliant on the Braavos Iron Bank. We must establish the Stark Bank, with headquarters in King's Landing, and branches in Lannisport, White Harbor, Oldtown, and Gulltown. In the future, Maidenpool, the Shield Islands, Fairmarket, the Weeping Town, the Iron Islands, the small town of Lord Harroway, and Eastwatch must also have branches."

The Griffin Hand, Jon Connington, said: "Your Majesty, the upcoming wedding is a grand event the Seven Kingdoms have long awaited. Nobles from all over the Seven Kingdoms have gathered in King's Landing, filling every inn and tavern in the city. Many nobles could not find inns to stay in and had to pitch tents outside the walls of King's Landing."

"Tents along both banks of the Blackwater River have sprung up like bamboo shoots after a rain. During the wedding, there will be tournaments, singing competitions, theatrical performances, and more. People from all over the country are pouring into King's Landing."

Ser Barristan frowned and said: "The security of King's Landing will be a huge test. Thieves, bandits, and human traffickers will surely take the opportunity to commit illegal acts. I will lead the soldiers of the Kingsguard Army and remain on high alert."

Eddard said: "Rest assured, we have magic dragons, giant eagles, and griffins in King's Landing. At critical moments, I will also release frost dragons, Balrogs, and Nagas. King's Landing is absolutely safe; the lawless will be much better behaved."

On the day of the wedding, thousands of nobles poured into the Great Sept of Eddard on Visenya's Hill. The Great Sept of Eddard became a sea of silk and fur, and the sunlight passed through the crystal glass, casting a seven-colored rainbow.

Daenerys wore a purple-gold silk gown, with the three-headed dragon emblem of House Targaryen engraved in rubies on the chest. Daenerys's long silver-white hair hung to her waist, and her purple eyes were captivating, like a fairy fallen into the mortal world.

Margaery wore a pale blue brocade gown, with seven-colored roses carved from cat's eye, lapis lazuli, sapphire, ruby, agate, emerald, and pure gold.

Robb wore a grey fur coat, with a silver-white cloak pinned by a direwolf brooch. Jon wore a black silk coat. Grey Wind, Ghost, Nymeria, Lady, and Shaggydog huddled together, witnessing the wedding of Robb and Jon.

The High Septon and the Druids of the Old Gods blessed the two pairs of newlyweds, Margaery and Robb, and Jon and Daenerys, in the name of the New and Old Gods.

Under the witness of nobles from all over Westeros, Myrcella Baratheon and Bran were betrothed. Eddard officially appointed Bran as the Duke of Casterly Rock in the Westerlands, though until Bran comes of age, Ser Brynden Tully will manage the Westerlands for House Stark as the Warden of the Westerlands.

Subsequently, amidst the cheers of the people, the moving castle descended above Visenya's Hill, lowered a wooden staircase, and the nobles walked into the hall of the moving castle one after another.

The hall of the moving castle was larger than the Throne Room and could rival the Hundred Hearth Hall of Harrenhal.

Duke Mace, Lady Olenna, Prince Oberyn, King Theon, Edmure Tully, Lord Hoster, Lysa Arryn, Stannis, Renly Baratheon, and others occupied the honorary positions on the highest platform.

North caviar, black truffle, boiled eggs from the Vale, pork chops, sister's stew from the Three Sisters, peacock meat and lark meat from the Reach, roast trout and black pepper steak from the Riverlands, and spicy snake meat from Dorne were served one after another, and the singers began to perform.

Tom of Sevenstreams performed "The Army of Justice," praising commoner heroes; the Blue Bard performed "The Eternal Rose," praising Margaery's beauty; Symon Silver Tongue performed "The Brown Soup and the Golden Hand"; Marillion performed "The Fall of the Eyrie"; Wat performed "The Night Without Lions"; Bethany performed "The Love of the Dragon and Wolf"; Arik performed "The Conquest of Stark." Song after song left the audience exhilarated.

The "Siren's Song" by the King-Beyond-the-Wall Mance Rayder intoxicated countless people, yet when Prince Rhaegar Targaryen began to play the silver-stringed harp and performed "The True Dragon Queen," every member of the audience was stunned.

The black and white bears danced funny dances in the hall. The court fool Moon Boy, Stannis's fool Patchface, Lady Olenna's fool Butterbumps, and the Frey House fool performed on stilts in the crowd, mocking every guest around them. Tyrion flirted with a prostitute named Shae at the wedding feast. Ser Jorah watched Daenerys get married and could not help but shed tears.

After the wedding ended, the bridal chamber pranks began. Greatjon Umber, Lord Rickard Karstark, King Theon, Domeric, Fellan, Jory Cassel, Ser Wendel Manderly, and other northerners yelled and threw them onto the wedding bed.

Tormund Giantsbane, Harma, the King-Beyond-the-Wall, Mance Rayder, Night's Watch brothers Pyp, Donal Noye, Qhorin Halfhand, Yoren, Eddison, and others sang ballads while making lewd jokes outside the bridal chamber.

Robb married Margaery, and Jon married Daenerys, consolidating the alliance between House Stark, House Tyrell, and House Targaryen. Westeros was unprecedentedly united.

In the following days, the tournament began. Ser Brienne of Tarth eliminated the Knight of Flowers Loras, Barristan, the Red Viper Oberyn, and other experts one after another. In the final, Brienne defeated The Hound Sandor and won the championship crown.

Brienne was personally knighted by Eddard. Eddard was not a knight, and according to tradition, only a knight can knight a knight. However, Eddard was already the spokesperson for the Seven Gods on earth, and his knighting of Brienne signified immense glory.

The marksman Fellan won the runner-up in the shooting competition, and the championship was taken by the Marches archer Anguy. Jalabhar Xho from the Summer Islands won third place.

Jalabhar Xho was an exiled prince, originally the prince of the Red Flower Vale in the Summer Islands. He had dark skin. He lingered in the court of King's Landing for years and later participated in the war against the undead at the Wall, performing brilliantly.

After the competition, Jalabhar Xho requested Emperor Eddard to send troops to attack the Summer Islands and win back the Red Flower Vale for him.

Eddard pacified him: "When the time comes, I will naturally launch an expedition to the Summer Islands, but for now, the time is not yet ripe."

After the wedding, there was an extra map table in the Painted Table Hall of the moving castle.

This was a map of Westeros and the continent of Essos across the Narrow Sea, with terrain such as forests, rivers, mountains, and towns clearly delineated.

The continent of Essos across the Narrow Sea was Eddard's true target.

The first stop of Eddard's conquest was the Stepstones.

The Stepstones were an archipelago located in the middle of the Narrow Sea, once the Arm of Dorne, a land bridge connecting the continent of Essos and the continent of Westeros. After the Arm of Dorne fractured, the Stepstones were formed.

This place was a pirate den, seriously affecting the trade of Westeros. Sometimes, pirates would run to Dorne, the Stormlands, Tarth, Estermont, and other places to plunder, abduct commoners, and sell them to slave traders across the Narrow Sea.

Tyrosh, Lys, and Myr were located in the southwest of the continent of Essos, adjacent to the Stepstones. Tyrosh, Myr, and Lys were at war year-round. Once Eddard captured the Stepstones, he could conquer these three wealthy cities.

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(End of this chapter)