The Stark Family naturally picked up on Princess Daenerys's intention to cooperate, which was evident in her words. However, they couldn't immediately fathom Princess Daenerys's specific intentions. After all, they wouldn't be so naive as to think that the Dragon Princess would hand over the method for firing dragon porcelain simply out of sympathy for the North's poverty.
For every pay, there must be a beg. And the greater the pay, the greater the beg.
The Stark Family couldn't imagine what benefits they could offer that Princess Daenerys would value. So, for a moment, everyone was at a loss for words.
"Your Royal Highness, you must be tired from your journey. Let me take you to your room to wash up and rest first."
It was the thoughtful Lady Lysa who first came forward to smooth things over.
"Then I shall trouble Lady Lysa."
The bait had been cast. Princess Daenerys had many things on her plate and wasn't in a hurry to set up her plans in the North. But at least she had shown her attitude and subtly displayed some of her abilities. As for how the Stark Family would react, that remained to be seen.
Accompanied by Lady Lysa and several maids, Daenerys and Vada were led to the guest rooms in the main keep of Winterfell. As the core building of the Stark Family's castle, the main keep was entirely constructed of granite, with copper pipes laid within its walls.
The hot spring water from beneath the castle could flow through these pipes to every room in the main keep, keeping it warm even in the coldest seasons.
As expected of the Stark Family, who had produced many outstanding architectural geniuses, this was a unique underfloor heating design in this world.
After Daenerys left, Lord Ellard, his brows tightly furrowed, couldn't help but ask his younger brother, Benjen,
"Did Princess Daenerys's words just now mean she wants us to support her father, Prince Viserys, in ascending the throne?"
Benjen Stark couldn't yet guess Princess Daenerys's true intentions, but he felt his elder brother's words were quite plausible.
"It seems that's the only thing the Stark Family can do for her right now. Although we don't get involved much in the South's affairs, since Prince Baelon's death, House Velaryon and Prince Daemon have been quite active."
"But if it were just for that, Princess Daenerys would never have mentioned both high-yield crops and dragon porcelain. Don't let her young age fool you; her methods are startling. Even the deeply entrenched Hightower Family was uprooted by her."
Lord Ellard, however, spoke with some disagreement,
"Do you also believe that overthrowing the Hightower Family was Princess Daenerys's sole scheme? Foolish! King Jaehaerys, who is as old and decrepit as I am, is the most sinister and terrifying figure."
"Years ago, he first had Queen Alysanne gain the trust of our Stark Family, and then, using those high-sounding reasons, he outright gave The The New Gift to the Night's Watch. Anyone who truly believes that the king who kept the Seven Kingdoms peaceful for decades is a benevolent and gentle old man is truly a complete fool!"
"This time, he sent Princess Daenerys to the North; isn't the trick exactly the same as back then? But I have to say, he's truly lucky. Not only did he have a good wife, but now that he's almost dead, he has a good great-granddaughter."
"It's a pity though, even if he had a ton of sons, in the end, he became a lonely man just like me, hahaha! No matter how clever a person's schemes are, they can't contend with fate!"
Although Benjen had long since grown accustomed to his elder brother's recent demeanor, he still couldn't help but feel a touch of bitterness.
"Brother, why say such disheartening things? Everyone has their own different mission. As the head of the Stark Family, under your rule, the North has been relatively peaceful for the past decade or so."
Although Lady Lysa had presented all the delicacies of Winterfell, the luncheon still seemed rather modest, even falling short of what the Frey Family could offer. This clearly showed the vast difference between Northern and Southern nobles.
However, Daenerys was not someone who valued the pleasures of the palate. Although there was still some probing at the dining table, the overall atmosphere was quite pleasant.
"Thank you for the hospitality. I thoroughly enjoyed this meal. Without the elaborate embellishments, one can truly taste the food's original flavor. Just like the people of the North, simple and unadorned, leaving no burden on the heart."
Daenerys was quite professional at flattery. Her honest and sincere words deepened the Stark Family's goodwill towards her.
Lady Lysa even personally cut fruit and offered it to Daenerys.
"Your Royal Highness is indeed different from most girls. Most Southern ladies are not accustomed to our Northern food and climate. It's rare that Your Royal Highness actually likes it. Then you must stay in Winterfell for a longer period this time. By then, I'll have Rickon take you around to explore."
"Me too, me too! I know all the fun places in Winterfell best!"
Ten-year-old Benard immediately volunteered.
"Your Royal Highness, the Mountain Clans will be coming to the winter market soon to sell their specialties. There will be a lot of fun things then."
Although Benard was similar in age to Daenerys, he was half a head shorter than her. So, in Daenerys's eyes, he was completely a younger brother.
"Then many thanks, Young Master Benard!"
"No need to be polite! You are an honored guest, so of course, I must take good care of you. It's just... it's just, can you teach me how to tame a Lizard Lion?"
Brother, you're revealing your hand too quickly!
"Teaching you is no problem, but taming fierce beasts requires courage and perseverance. As long as you can endure, you can do it."
Daenerys also wanted to test how powerful the Stark Family's heaven-defying talent truly was, so she readily agreed.
As soon as the luncheon ended, Benard impatiently pulled Daenerys towards the training grounds.
Lady Lysa cast a helpless glance at her eldest son, Rickon, and whispered,
"Princess Daenerys is beautiful and intelligent, and few in the Seven Kingdoms can match her abilities. Are you not tempted at all?"
The usually quiet Rickon blushed at his mother's words.
"Mother, I still prefer the simple girls from our North!"
Rickon's words caused several young noblewomen from the North, who were following behind Lady Lysa, to bloom with joy. After all, the reason they had been sent to Winterfell to be Lady Lysa's handmaidens was to secure a good marriage. And in the North, Rickon, as the heir to the Stark Family, was by far the best candidate.
Several young Lizard Lions had long since submitted to Daenerys's might, so she and Benard easily herded them into the kennels next to the training grounds. And the servants of Winterfell, according to Daenerys's request, brought in over a dozen fat geese.
The stomachs of juvenile Lizard Lions were like bottomless pits; they never missed an opportunity to eat. So, upon seeing the plump geese, they immediately became eager.
"Quiet!"
Daenerys tried to communicate with them through her consciousness while giving them commands.
Although Daenerys and they couldn't yet communicate telepathically like dragons, the intelligent young Lizard Lions could infer her general meaning through Daenerys's tone and emotional fluctuations.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"