Given Ser Brynden's personality, he wanted to speak frankly, but he still chose a more tactful way of expressing himself.
Because... although he had no children of his own, when he was in Riverrun, he often accompanied his busy brother's children.
Young people don't like listening to long speeches from "old men," especially when the person in front of him was a young man who had already worn a crown.
Ser Brynden joked, "King Robb, you conquered Jeyne's castle, and she conquered your heart."
Upon mentioning Jeyne Westerling, Robb smiled shyly and happily.
"King Robb…"
"Uncle, we are family, please just call me Robb."
"My King, please allow me to refuse. You have declared yourself King of the Trident, and you are now My King. As the King of all the lords, whether publicly or privately, everyone is watching you and those close to you, and I do not wish to be an exception."
After a pause, Robb took a deep breath and said, "Thank you…"
Ser Brynden joked again, "I do have a small request. You can just call me Brynden, or Ser Blackfish. I can still fight for the King of the Trident for a few more years."
Upon hearing this, Robb couldn't help but burst into laughter.
After a few more laughing exchanges, Ser Brynden reminded him, "If there are no surprises, we will lose the support of House Frey, won't we?"
Upon mentioning Frey, Robb's expression became somewhat gloomy: "If Ser Stevron (Lord Walder's heir) were still alive, I could talk to him about compensation, but Black Walder… that fellow is not called by that name because of the color of his beard, I assure you. He went too far!"
The Young Wolf's gaze sharpened: "He actually claimed that the Frey girls wouldn't mind marrying a widower. If Jeyne hadn't begged me for mercy, I would have killed him long ago!"
Ser Brynden reminded him again, "They say their King severely insulted House Frey."
Robb was slightly stunned, then he shook his head and said, "This was not my intention, I promise. Ser Stevron died fighting for me, and Olyvar was a loyal and brave squire… This is my fault, I will compensate Lord Walder… with apologies, honor, land, money… anything I can do."
Ser Brynden sighed inwardly and said, "As far as I know, House Frey sent over 2,000 soldiers and a dozen Freys for you. Now that powerful enemies surround us, if they no longer obey orders, I want to know… can Jeyne's family help you make up for it?"
He continued, "King Robb, as soon as House Frey makes a move, it won't be long before everyone will have such doubts."
Brynden's deep eyes looked directly at Robb: "We must prepare in advance, My King."
Robb was startled and said, "I have met Jeyne's brother, Raynald, and he assured me that House Westerling would do its best… to support me."
Ser Brynden reached out and gently patted his nephew-grandson King, whose expression was somewhat unnatural, and kindly said, "Whether good or bad, we have to face it, don't we?"
Robb exhaled and nodded slightly, saying, "Westerling has fifty men, including about ten knights."
After a pause, he added, "Uncle, Jeyne is not only intelligent and beautiful, but also very kind; she has a gentle heart."
Ser Brynden nodded in agreement and said, "I admit, the first time I saw that child, I could feel that she would be a good wife."
Changing his tone, he said seriously, "But you are now going to place a queen's crown on her, and she cannot avoid being 'scrutinized' by everyone."
He continued, "I understand Lord Walder; he is not a reasonable person. That man is both proud and irritable, and cannot tolerate the slightest disrespect. He made a marriage pact with you and almost sent all his troops, intending for House Frey to become the Queen's family. Breaking the marriage pact is one thing, but marrying the daughter of a minor lord, to him, is a great insult to The Twins itself."
After listening to Ser Brynden's words, Robb appeared somewhat agitated: "House Westerling is descended from the First Men, and their bloodline is far more ancient than House Frey. Before the Conquest, the Kings of Casterly Rock often intermarried with House Westerling, and… another Jeyne Westerling was Queen to King Maegor."
King Maegor refers to Maegor I Targaryen, the only son of Aegon the Conqueror and Visenya, and the third Targaryen King to sit on the Iron Throne and rule the Seven Kingdoms, known as "Maegor the Cruel."
Queen Jeyne, an ancestor of House Westerling who shared the same name as Robb's beloved, was one of Maegor I's six wives.
… … … …
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
[patreon.com/TripleCrown07]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"