The Mountain of Ice and Fire

"Your Majesty, Ghalayan has a few small gifts to present to you," Jeena said, enunciating each word carefully. Her pace was slow, striving to pronounce each syllable clearly.

*

The Common Tongue of Westeros differs greatly from the Ghalayan language.

The fact that High Priestess Jeena could speak the Westerosi Common Tongue was, of course, thanks to her husband, Lord Horas Redwyne, who had taught her.

From this, one could also see Lord Redwyne's shrewdness in dealing with people.

In politics, strategy, military affairs, and personal martial prowess, Horas was unremarkable, but he was not as foolish as he seemed in his interactions with others.

Jeena's ability to speak to the King and Queen in the Westerosi language immediately shortened the distance between them and won the favor of Jorah Mormont, Arya Stark, Arianne Martell, Lady Conny, Earl Toman, and others.

*

The Mountain nodded in agreement to Jeena's request. Thus, chest after chest of fragrant rattan boxes were carried forward by Ghalayan soldiers and lined up in a row.

The first box contained edible spices for His Majesty; the second contained rouge, powders, and beauty spices for Her Majesty the Queen; the third contained refreshing and purifying incense, all crafted into slender, colorful candles. One candle, when lit, would fill the room with fragrance. The Ghalayan people used these expensive incense candles exclusively during sacrifices to the Sea God.

The fourth box held smooth, crystalline pearls, each the size of a pigeon egg, round, bright, and uniform in size; the fifth held an amber-colored coral tree, uniquely shaped like a general brandishing a sword; the sixth held various jades; and the seventh contained Ghalayan's famous sour wine.

As Horas opened each box, Jeena used her clumsy Westerosi Common Tongue to introduce the gifts inside to the Mountain and Janei.

After all six boxes had been presented with Jeena's introduction, interspersed with Ghalayan words, the Mountain signaled to his attendant, Squire Peerce Clegane, to accept them. The squire stepped forward with attendants and carried the gifts into the Mountain's chambers.

"Your Majesty, according to the blessings of the Ghalayan Sea God, we have also brought the twelve most beautiful maidens of Ghalayan. They represent the twelve months of the year, so their names are January, February, March, April, all the way to December." High Priestess Jeena gestured, and twelve maidens wearing white, floor-length gauze dresses, their faces veiled with white cloths, revealing only their large, watery eyes, walked forward in sequence. They exuded a faint, natural fragrance, pure and untouched, like fairies free from dust.

"Your Majesty, please accept Ghalayan's blessings and respect!" Jeena placed her right hand over her left, lightly pressing her heart, and bowed to the Mountain.

The Mountain nodded, indicating his acceptance.

Queen Janei Westerling smiled. "High Priestess Jeena, may we ask January, February, and March to remove their veils?"

"Your Majesty, they are already servants of His Majesty the King, and also servants of Her Majesty the Queen. Her Majesty only needs to command, and they will obey and remove their veils."

Janei smiled, "Your Majesty, are you very happy to accept this respect and blessing from Ghalayan?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," the Mountain said impassively.

"Good, they are your servants, and also mine, so I have the power to command them, correct?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," the Mountain said without changing expression.

He could already feel Arianne's anger beside him, and could also sense Daenerys Targaryen's displeasure, but the Mountain looked straight ahead, maintaining the King's absolute dignity.

Duke Gendry Baratheon, standing at the head of Jaime, smiled. The smile seemed carefree, enjoying the excitement without fear of causing trouble.

"Ser Jaime, do you think Queen Janei will allow His Majesty to take in these Twelve Months?" Gendry said in a low voice.

"Duke Gendry, I don't know," Jaime said expressionlessly.

Theon Greyjoy, standing next to him, smiled ambiguously. "Twelve Months, each girl serving His Majesty according to the month, this is not excessive."

The noble ladies and female courtiers in the hall all had strange expressions. Their moods were also quite complex, and they were not very accepting of His Majesty the King suddenly taking in twelve maidens to warm his bed.

Arya Stark's face clearly showed a disdainful contempt. Her slightly raised right corner of her mouth and disdainful eyes expressed her innermost thoughts—scorn!

*

"Who is January?" Janei asked with a smile.

"Your Majesty, I am January." The Westerosi Common Tongue spoken from the Ghalayan maiden's mouth had a special charm.

"January, remove your veil."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The girl in the center stretched out her delicate fingers and removed her veil, revealing a face as beautiful as the full moon. As expected, she was a beauty from Ghalayan. This beauty was not inferior to High Priestess Jeena, but her temperament was far inferior to Jeena. Jeena had a High Priestess's aura of being in a high position, while January, although very beautiful, was like a small pearl next to a bright moon.

This was a stark contrast in temperament caused by long-term status and position. If January lived a life of nobility and wielded power, after a year or two, the ordinary girl's aura on her body would naturally disappear, and she would also possess the extraordinary glory of a superior.

January was very beautiful, like a girl next door! Her eyes lacked confidence, and she dared not look at Her Majesty the Queen, let alone His Majesty the King.

"Not bad, your beauty gives you the qualifications to stay by His Majesty's side," Janei said with a smile. She looked at Princess Arianne Martell, "Princess Arianne, what do you think?"

Arianne Martell stood up with a very ugly expression. She glared at the Mountain. "Your Majesty, Queen, I am not feeling well. I need to go back to my room to rest. Please, Your Majesty, allow me to withdraw."

The Mountain said, "Granted!"

Arianne Martell snorted coldly but in a very low voice. She got up, and a maid immediately moved her chair for her. She strode out of the King's Hall.

Janei smiled at Daenerys, "Queen Daenerys, His Majesty is pleased to have January, this is a happy event. I propose that we hold a small celebration banquet in the palace for the King and January. What do you think?"

"I think it's excellent!" Daenerys Targaryen didn't have a hint of a smile on her face. She looked at the Mountain, "Your Majesty, what do you think?"

"It is proper etiquette to hold a welcoming banquet for High Priestess Jeena and the Ghalayan soldiers. As for matters between me and January, it's just a joke made by the Queen."

"No, it's not a joke," Janei smiled, "It seems that His Majesty is thinking about February, March, April, and May. If a small banquet is held with January, then what about February, March, and April? We can't neglect any month, right? What do you say, Queen Daenerys?"

"Yes!" Daenerys said affirmatively.

"Then let's do this, let's first take a look at February's appearance. If it's not bad, then next month, we will hold another small banquet for the good union between February and His Majesty. So, who is February? Take off your veil and let us see."

"Yes, Your Majesty." A girl next to January took off her veil, revealing a delicate and petite face.

If January's beauty was as beautiful as the full moon, then February's beauty was as petite and exquisite as porcelain, with a pair of very moving, watery eyes, glancing around, playful and lively.

"Good, a very well-behaved and lively girl, I like her very much. February, are you willing to stay by my side and serve me?"

"February couldn't ask for more," February replied obediently, "Serving Her Majesty the Queen is serving His Majesty the King. February will do her best and study hard. Please, Your Majesty, teach February, who is clumsy."