"What?!"
Duke Ellard's words stunned everyone. Although the North's land was barren and vast, with many uncultivated areas, these were still two plots of land equivalent to top-tier Earldoms. To give them away so readily was truly a grand gesture.
Moreover, the Stark Family's valyrian steel sword, Winter, was the largest valyrian steel sword in existence to date. Duke Ellard's action, while shocking, also left everyone puzzled.
So, the nobles immediately erupted into a clamor, discussing animatedly. After all, land was the foundation of a noble's livelihood, and no one would be indifferent to it.
Lady Emerald even directly complained to Duke Tyrell beside her,
"It seems the North is so poor that all it has left is land. If the Stark ancestors had known how to use land as gold, they wouldn't be so impoverished now."
"These old nobles without sons are truly generous. Anyway, what's wasted isn't for their descendants."
Duke Tyrell seemed to have heard something, but he didn't quite understand.
"Mother, do you think it's inappropriate for Duke Ellard to exchange two barren lands for this slot?"
Lady Emerald rolled her eyes at Duke Tyrell.
"I think that without a good son, one cannot accomplish anything. But if one doesn't even have a foolish son, it seems even easier to get confused!"
The Duke of House Tyrell didn't understand! ⊙▽⊙
"Am I a good son or a foolish son?!"
Marquis Frey, who was closest to the North, had learned some news about Danniella and the Stark and Bolton Families of the North from his daughter, Vada, so he could understand.
So he explained to the astonished Duke Tully beside him,
"The vicinity of Lonely Mountain is perpetually shrouded in poisonous gas; only the fertile land near Long Lake is a good grazing spot, and Cailin Bay has been abandoned for a long time. If these two places are given to Her Royal Highness, who is skilled in managing territories, it might bring unexpected gains to the North."
"Ultimately, don't the ultimate ownership rights of those two lands still belong to their North?"
Duke Tully suddenly realized,
"I knew that black-faced wolf Ellard wouldn't be willing! He's still as black-faced and black-hearted as ever. So he wants to use Her Royal Highness to help him manage his territory!"
"But after your analysis, we in the Riverlands also have a lot of abandoned land, much more fertile than the North's land."
"Stone Hedge, the remnants of the former Mudde Family, Kings of the Rivers and Hills, High Heart left by the Children of the Forest, Gods Eye Lake, and the vast lands to the east are all still empty."
"These are all much more valuable than those two lands in the North!"
Marquis Frey quickly distanced himself from Duke Tully and said,
"If you think those lands are completely under the control of House Tully, you can certainly try."
Duke Tully secretly mused,
"Hmph! Where else would House Tully's commands be useful besides Riverrun?" ←_←
At this time, Vada, who was sitting beside Marquis Frey, had a different opinion.
"I think it's not Duke Stark who's interested in Valyrian weapons, but Marquis Bolton. Is Duke Ellard preparing to exchange a Valyrian Steel weapon for the Bolton Family's future loyalty?!"
"But to give someone a blade, wouldn't that put oneself in a more dangerous situation?"
Marquis Frey looked at his daughter with satisfaction and said,
"Since the Stark Family has given up land, the Bolton Family naturally has to give up gold dragons. Giving a weapon with limited combat power, yet being able to drain the Bolton Family's accumulated wealth over many years, can naturally buy a considerable period of peace."
"This is merely a matter of respective trade-offs!"
"You've also worked hard these past few months; it's best to return to Her Royal Highness's side soon!"
It must be said that the Frey Family has been able to stand firm in the Seven Kingdoms for many years, and the intelligence of successive Marquis Freys has indeed been quite sharp, often able to easily see through the essence of things.
However, almost none of the nobles thought Duke Ellard's action was wise; most people thought the Stark Family had gone mad with poverty.
Even King Jaehaerys couldn't help but look in the direction of the Northern lords, trying to discern their true intentions.
When he saw Benard, who had a smug expression beside Duke Ellard, the Old King's face immediately darkened.
"Are you very familiar with that Benard?"
This sudden question from Great-grandfather made Danniella a bit confused for a moment.
"Hmm, we got along quite well in Winterfell. My little Lizard Lions have also been looked after by him these past few months; our relationship is good!"
"What does Her Royal Highness think? Are these two territories to your liking?"
Since Duke Ellard had already made a decision, he didn't care about others' gazes, so he directly asked Danniella.
Danniella had always wanted these two lands, so naturally, she had no reason to refuse. However, now that she held the initiative, she didn't mind playing a little trick.
"That's certainly no problem, but the land and forests from the banks of Long Lake to the King's Road must also be included within the scope of Lonely Mountain. Otherwise, what use is a barren mountain emitting poisonous smoke?"
New map of the North
Duke Ellard was a decisive person. Since he had made his choice, he would see it through, so he agreed without the slightest hesitation.
"Then the third slot goes to the North!"
Danniella also promptly announced the result.
Looking at Danniella's satisfied smile, Benard couldn't help but stare in a daze. His expression, falling into Duke Ellard's eyes, made the old man gasp for air in anger, only able to fiercely gulp down dragonflame wine to relieve his emotions.
King Jaehaerys's face on the high platform immediately fell. Urax, sensing Jaehaerys's mood, immediately stood up, his golden vertical pupils quickly locking onto Benard in the crowd, letting out a warning hiss.
"Squeak~"
This action further improved King Jaehaerys's mood, so he loudly commanded,
"Since the three Fire Burial Tower slots have all found their homes, everyone can now enjoy the food and wine to their fullest!"
"This is everyone's first gathering since the end of the Long Night and the Winter; you all must enjoy yourselves to the fullest, and the Gods bless you!"
King Jaehaerys was the first to drain his cup of fine wine, and everyone below followed suit, shouting,
"Your Majesty is benevolent, the Gods bless!"
Next, everyone entered a state of free socializing. Danniella handed her sister, Senira, to her mother, Aemma, to look after. She then took her personal maid and went to a nearby fountain to meet the sisters Vada and Meggie.
"Your Royal Highness, Vada has come to apologize!"
Compared to three months ago, Vada was noticeably thinner and more weathered. Meggie and Maya behind her were also in similar states.
Danniella had already heard that ever since her disappearance, Vada and the others had not stopped searching. Vada had even gathered twenty female warriors from the Frey Family to Bear Island to participate in the search.
Marquis Frey had even directly dispatched two hundred family elites to Vada, to be at her command. It must be said that Marquis Frey's investment this time was indeed farsighted.
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