"You're very interested in the Targaryens?" Arthur ascended the stairs.
"I'm not so much interested in the Targaryens as I am in dragons." The Black Pearl, Bellegere, giggled.
"I have Targaryen ancestry. I heard his name was Aegon. I have a drop of dragon blood in me; maybe I could ride a dragon. Though that seems impossible now, since dragons are long extinct."
Arthur knew the Aegon she mentioned was Aegon IV, known as the "Unworthy," who had numerous mistresses and bastards.
House Targaryen's famous bastards—Daemon Blackfyre, "Bloodraven" Brynden Rivers, and "Bittersteel" Aegor Rivers—were all his sons.
Arthur stepped through the tall doors of the Sealord's Palace.
The first thing that caught his eye was a spacious hall carpeted with fine gold thread.
The dome of the hall was surrounded by stained glass windows of various colors, casting soft, warm sunlight inside.
Every corner of the palace exuded luxury and refinement, with exquisite murals and sparkling gemstones.
Most striking was the gem-encrusted metal throne at the front of the hall. The floor around it was paved with colored marble like an intricate carpet, drawing the eye toward the seat of power.
Behind the throne was a massive mural made of glass panes. Sunlight filtered through, projecting a vibrant image of Braavos onto the polished floor at the foot of the throne.
While Arthur was dazed by the magnificent scenery,
"Welcome to Braavos," the Black Pearl whispered in his ear, then pulled him to an empty seat.
Many people had already arrived in the hall. They sat or stood, whispered in groups, or danced in pairs to the melodious music in the center of the hall.
Everyone wore a mask, but the materials were far more luxurious than those of the commoners outside.
Gold, silver, jade, ivory, rare feathers—everything imaginable. Arthur even spotted a few people wearing masks of Valyrian steel.
For such banquets and social gatherings, the Black Pearl, as Braavos's premier courtesan, was in her element. She moved effortlessly among the masked crowd, eliciting laughter with just a few words or gestures.
Arthur, on the other hand, felt a bit out of place. He knew few people in Braavos's upper class to begin with, and with everyone masked, he had even less of a clue who was who.
Adhering to the principle that "as long as I'm not awkward, the awkwardness belongs to others," Arthur ignored everyone else and started devouring the pastries, food, and fine wine on the table.
The food was sumptuous, and the wine came from all over the world. Arthur even found golden wine from the Arbor.
He downed several large goblets, feeling that its rich flavor and lingering aftertaste were indeed much better than his own peach wine.
"Silence!"
Just as Arthur felt half-full, a booming shout came from the high platform.
The noisy hall fell silent instantly. The musicians stopped playing, and the dancers halted.
Arthur noticed that at some point, a figure was seated on the throne upon the dais.
Standing on the steps in front of the figure was a swordsman wearing a purple-and-gold mask, with a rapier at his waist bearing a distinct Snow & Peach sigil on the hilt. The shout had come from him.
Syrio Forel. From his build, attire, and voice, Arthur recognized the gold-masked swordsman. He was one of the few people Arthur knew in the hall.
"Thank you all for accepting the invitation," the Sealord seated on the throne spoke.
He wore a purple-and-gold mask. His voice wasn't loud, but his enunciation was clear, allowing everyone in the hall to hear him.
Sealord: "I think everyone knows what the annual ten-day Masquerade and Harvest Feast commemorates."
"The Uncloaking of Uthero," someone replied from below.
Others said: "Uthero unmasked."
"Yes, Sealord Uthero revealed Braavos's hidden face to the world then." The Sealord raised his voice.
"On that day, Braavosi merchant ships set sail for the world, and we welcomed all merchant ships to Braavos—except those of slavers."
The Sealord raised a purple-gold goblet high. "While you enjoy the pleasures of these ten days, please always remember history. Do not forget that our ancestors were once slaves, suffering enslavement!"
"It is their struggle that gave us today, that gave us this great city of Braavos!"
As the Sealord's words fell, everyone raised their goblets, shouting amidst the clinking of glasses:
"Long live Braavos!"
"Death to slavers!"
"We remember!"
The shouts grew louder and louder. Arthur looked around and, to avoid seeming like an outlier, shouted the words of House Royce of the Vale: "We Remember!!!"
The Sealord then gave a few more speeches, thanking everyone for their contributions to Braavos over the past year and encouraging them to defend Braavos's achievements against difficulties and dangers.
"Ah, yes, yes, yes." Arthur nodded in agreement with the Sealord's speech while busily chewing on the newly served delicacies.
After the Sealord finished speaking, to the sound of melodious music and singing, five tall women wearing masks carved from white jade in the shape of fish scales danced in the center of the hall.
Their movements were graceful and synchronized, their slender waists twisting rapidly. The crowd erupted in amazed praise and applause.
"That is the Mermaid Queen and her Mermaids." The Black Pearl had returned to Arthur's side at some point, asking leisurely, "Do they dance well?"
Arthur spread his hands, red from clapping. "To be honest, they've got skills. The dance is quite... invigorating."
"Is the mermaid pendant on your neck from the Mermaid Queen?" The Black Pearl reached out to examine the pendant on Arthur's chest. "I see you wearing it all the time."
"No, this was a reward from a noble lady in the North because I gave her a bag of seeds. Her house sigil is a merman." Arthur swatted away the Black Pearl's hand.
"I don't know the Mermaid Queen. Before today, I had only heard her name."
Surprised by Arthur's reaction, the Black Pearl pursed her lips, a playful glint in her violet eyes. "I can't tell if you're telling the truth, but judging by your reaction and emotion, I'm certain this mermaid pendant wasn't a gift from the Mermaid Queen."
"Miss Black Pearl, I must say your judgment of people is accurate." Arthur raised his glass, his gaze lingering on the enchanting dance and figures of the mermaids in the center of the hall.
Bellegere turned Arthur's face with her hand, forcing his gaze away from the mermaids and onto herself.
"Could you give me a bag of seeds tonight? As a reward, I will give you an unforgettable surprise tonight."