As night deepened, the reception hall in the Red Door courtyard was brightly lit.
Expensive honey-scented candles, from House Waxley of the Vale, burned.
The scented candles from the Vale were considered superior, more expensive than the local whale oil candles in Braavos.
While Westeros was a feudal, manorial state, it was vast and rich in resources.
The signature products from each region, such as Arbor Gold wine, Dornish Summerwine, and Vale scented candles, were also popular throughout the known world.
A long wooden table, covered with a black and red tablecloth and adorned with clusters of flowers, had been set up in the center of the reception hall.
The scented candles added to the aroma, making it truly a luxurious meal.
However, despite the grand scale of the banquet, there were only two diners: Viserys Targaryen and the young, arrogant Braavosi city watch captain, Cyssa Zarodin.
Both were young, but their appearances were strikingly different. Viserys had long silver-white hair and purple eyes, while the Braavosi man had brown skin and brown eyes.
The early Braavosi people were all descendants of escaped slaves, with no noble blood whatsoever.
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Viserys wore a black silk jacket embroidered with the three-headed red dragon sigil, while Cyssa was still in his grey-brown clothes.
The Braavosi knew that the kings of the Sunset Kingdoms had house sigils: flowers, fish, and stags. And, of course, true dragons.
Viserys didn't know many of Braavos's upper-class figures.
He was still a child when the agreement was signed, and besides, the old Sealord had long since died.
Now, if Viserys were to seek out the current Sealord and his officials, the difference in status was too great, it would be of little use, and he had no connections.
Once he demonstrated his worth and influence, the Sealord would naturally come to him. For Viserys to go to the Sealord's Palace now would truly be to invite humiliation.
Instead, the young city watch captain, Cyssa, was of appropriate status and had already dealt with Viserys.
From the look of the city watch captain, Viserys guessed he was also trying to gauge the exiled king's movements, using it as a stepping stone to advance.
"Thank you very much for your care during this time, Lord Cyssa. You helped me solve a big problem; these new servants are very loyal," Viserys said, as the butler poured a glass of Arbor Gold wine for Cyssa.
"It's just a small matter," Cyssa waved his hand, dismissing it.
Both were young men, and their conversation was relatively free and easy.
Furthermore, although the Targaryens had lost their kingdom, the value of their bloodline remained.
The city watch captain felt his vanity greatly satisfied by attending this dinner.
Viserys didn't have the money to hire a dedicated sommelier, so he could only have the butler serve.
An upper-class banquet should have footmen and beautiful maidens. But now, he was short on cash, so everything was kept simple.
The mansion currently employed old cooks and old washerwomen; their skills were good, but they had no aesthetic appeal whatsoever.
"I don't remember you being this kind of person," Cyssa said with some surprise. Legend had it that this Viserys was an arrogant, doomed king.
"Life is difficult, and one must grow," Viserys said lightly, then changed the subject. "The thought of the usurper still sitting on my Iron Throne cuts me to the core."
Cyssa twitched his mouth; it was still the same old tune.
The servants first brought crab and flat shark soup and chilled egg and lime soup, followed by honey quail, roasted trout, foie gras in red wine, buttered radishes, and sea snails.
Cyssa looked at the lavish meal; Viserys had truly gone all out.
But Cyssa also wondered how Viserys could keep eating and drinking like this without running out of money soon.
In fact, the upper class never lacked food, but banquets were also a form of etiquette.
At a certain level, everything from food to clothing, housing, and daily necessities was meticulously refined, which was why the noble class could all connect with each other.
"I'll have a taste first."
"Please." Out of politeness, Cyssa decided to symbolically taste a spoonful of soup—who knew that one spoonful would ensnare him.
Cyssa savored the taste of the soup; it was indeed excellent.
The problem was that this exquisite deliciousness didn't seem like something the cook he had recommended could create.
"This..." Cyssa then began to bite into the honey quail, followed by the crispy roasted trout, dipped in chili sauce.
Viserys also ate and drank heartily; good wine was an excellent medium.
Cyssa was also shocked by Viserys's large appetite; this exiled king could eat and drink. And he was using expensive ingredients; he would surely eat himself into bankruptcy sooner or later.
"Your Majesty, what an appetite," Cyssa praised.
"It's alright," Viserys said.
With the Glutton's talent, he had indeed become a bit of a big eater, and he didn't get fat from eating.
Cyssa finally became convinced that every dish here was extremely delicious; even at the Sealord's palace, he had never tasted such flavors at the banquets he had attended.
Cyssa didn't believe that the cook he had arranged had such skill; good things didn't circulate on the market.
The best cooks, blacksmiths, and painters were all highly sought after, in the Sealord's Palace, in the Governor's mansion.
If this cook had such a skill, would she still need to cook for this exiled king? The salary Viserys offered wasn't particularly attractive either.
"These dishes are truly excellent; I could eat and drink like a whale," Cyssa commented, then looked around. "Did you get a new cook in your residence?"
"No, it's still the old cook I arranged before," Viserys shook his head.
Of course, it was good, Viserys thought. Viserys himself hadn't cooked, only guided the old cook.
There was a significant difference between first-rate, second-rate, and truly exceptional.
"May I see that cook again?" Cyssa asked.
"Of course you can."
The stout cook was brought out, and Cyssa generously gave her a reward.
"This skill is truly divine," Cyssa praised.
The cook, however, looked flattered and glanced at Viserys. "Lord City Watch, these dishes weren't entirely made by me. My master said a distinguished guest was coming, and I was guided in cooking."
"I didn't expect you to have such a talent?" Cyssa said in surprise.
Viserys shrugged and said, "Please don't laugh; I'm actually a gourmet. I've been in Braavos for several years, and while other skills haven't improved, I've only developed a taste for good food."
"Wonderful, this is wonderful. Come, let's have a toast!" Cyssa laughed heartily.
Cyssa thought of the mushroom poisoning case, but the Sealord had already made a conclusion, so there was no need to dwell on it too much.
Besides, even if he was a gourmet, a noble of Viserys's status wouldn't condescend to cook.
Originally, Cyssa thought Viserys was a handsome good-for-nothing; now he had become a handsome, good-for-nothing who enjoyed and understood good food and drink.
But even so, this could be considered a special skill.
After a few glasses of wine, the two men spoke loudly and expansively.
"The world is a circle, Your Majesty Viserys," Cyssa said.
"Indeed it is."
"Do you know that the Usurper has already defeated those scum from the Iron Islands and is now as solid as a rock? If I were you, I would enjoy life."
The Braavosi also detested those pirates from the Iron Islands.
"I'd love to, but I yearn for my Iron Throne."
"Then I wish you success. To be honest, I've also thought about the Sealord's throne," Cyssa winked.
"That's a glorious dream," Viserys praised.
"Definitely, but we're not like the Sunset Continent here; the Sealord isn't a harsh king who'd rip out my tongue."
"May we both achieve success."
"Certainly."
"Your Majesty Viserys, I do have an impertinent request," Cyssa said. "I'd like to bring a very important friend here for dinner."
"Of course you can," Viserys said. "Oh, is it a relative or your superior?"
"No, it's a courtesan I'm currently pursuing. I'm trying to win her favor..." Cyssa said openly.
"I also suggest you get to know a few courtesans; they are the heart of Braavos. The burden of a king is too great; why not enjoy life while you can?" Cyssa advised.
"Which one? The Black Pearl or the Mermaid Queen?" Viserys also became interested.
"Neither. Those famous courtesans are beyond my means to invite. I'm currently sponsoring a younger courtesan," Cyssa said, embarrassed..
Viserys nodded.
Courtesans moved between the Sealord, religious groups, assassins, and merchants; they were the trendsetters of Braavos.
The network he wanted was now opening up.
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