The scene was chaotic, with noble spectators surrounding the two men at the center.
Rhea was absent, and Jellor watched the commotion with a dark expression.
Today was his wedding day, yet these two men had ignored all decorum and caused an uproar, disturbing the peace.
"What's going on?"
Rhaegar strolled over leisurely.
"Your Highness."
Jellor forced a smile. "It's Godric Bonell from Sisterton and Pace Corvatt from Coldwater who are arguing."
Sisterton was located in the Three Sisters archipelago in Bite Bay.
The Bonell family were nobles of Sweet Sister, one of the islands in the archipelago.
Coldwater was situated west of the Fingers, near a river mouth. It was a minor noble house of the Vale, sworn to Runestone.
Jellor explained the cause of their conflict.
Sisterton was notorious as Westeros' most infamous smuggler haven, rife with crime.
Pace Corvatt's nephew had smuggled a shipment there to offload stolen goods, only to be double-crossed and killed by the local crime syndicate.
That syndicate, of course, was entirely under Godric Bonell's control.
Having lost both his nephew and the goods, Pace Corvatt couldn't let it go.
Godric was a cautious scoundrel who rarely left Sisterton, fearing retaliation.
Pace seized the opportunity presented by today's wedding to corner him and exact revenge.
Rhaegar listened to the story in full.
He could only sigh—neither man was a good person. It was simply one scoundrel fighting another.
After some thought, he asked, "Corvatt is a vassal of Runestone. Shouldn't you intervene?"
Jellor shook his head in frustration. "Ever since Rhea became Countess of Runestone, these vassals have been openly defiant. Otherwise, they wouldn't dare cause trouble at my wedding."
Rhaegar was speechless.
If even one or two of them couldn't keep their vassals in line, no wonder the mountain clans of the Vale kept rebelling.
"Here's what you should do…"
Rhaegar pulled Jellor aside and whispered a plan in his ear.
After all, this was his former aunt's wedding. As a royal representative, he couldn't just stand by and let the event be ruined.
Jellor's eyes lit up. He immediately thanked Rhaegar and strode toward the two bickering fools.
**Swish—**
Jellor drew his sword and slammed it onto the table, shouting, "Shut your damn mouths! Are you itching for a beating?!"
The room fell silent in an instant.
Pace and Godric, red-faced with anger, continued to glare at each other.
Pace, as a vassal of Runestone, held back his frustration and said nothing.
Godric, covered in thick white hair, had uneven shoulders and a bulky frame like an iron weight.
Turning to Jellor, he sneered and shouted, "Jellor, look at your own vassal! He's the one stirring up trouble at your wedding!"
Having lived among criminals for years, Godric had an unexpectedly sharp and cunning mind.
With just a few words, he absolved himself of blame and shifted the focus onto Pace.
"Godric!"
Jellor bellowed, his gaze sweeping over both men as he growled, "I don't care what grudges you have with Pace, but you will not cause trouble in my castle."
"Ridiculous! I am a guest with the right to hospitality. How could I be the one causing trouble?"
Godric lifted his chin arrogantly, his thick, white-furred jaw trembling with indignation.
"And what do you have to say, Pace?"
Jellor turned his attention to the massive man.
"Hmph! He killed my nephew. I'm merely arguing over the facts."
Pace slammed his fist on the table in frustration.
It was clear that neither man had much respect for Runestone's authority.
**Clap, clap, clap…**
A slow round of applause echoed through the hall as Rhaegar stepped forward from the crowd, his tone laced with amusement. "I hear that some men, full of warrior spirit, are eager for a fight to liven things up?"
His appearance changed the atmosphere once again.
The spectators, who had been enjoying the spectacle, quickly adjusted their expressions and made more space.
"Your Highness, Pace Corvatt has insulted me! He refuses to respect the rights of a guest!"
Godric's eyes darted about as he immediately tried to smear Pace's reputation.
"My lord, I have eyes and ears of my own. I don't need your explanation."
Rhaegar stepped forward, his piercing gaze locked onto the ugly man.
Godric's words caught in his throat. The prince was so close he could practically feel his breath, making him instinctively take two steps back.
Sisterton had originally been a pirate and bandit stronghold that frequently harassed the kingdom.
But that changed when Queen Visenya rode Vhagar to the Three Sisters.
Sisterton surrendered immediately and never dared to rebel again.
The fear of dragons and the royal family had been deeply ingrained in the hearts of the locals in Sisterton for generations.
**"Shut your mouth, or I'll cut him."**
Rhaegar's voice was icy, showing no attempt to hide his contempt.
After speaking, he turned to Jero and, feigning doubt, said, **"Lord Jero, just look at these two esteemed gentlemen—so full of energy. How do you plan to deal with them?"**
Goderich's eyes widened. Just as he was about to assert his right as a guest, a sudden kick landed on his back.
Turning around, he saw a middle-aged man in a black leather coat staring at him with a warning in his eyes.
This man was Baron Balu Sunland, the ruler of the Three Sisters Islands.
Goderich's family was one of his direct vassals.
Baron Balu Sunland was reminding him to keep his mouth shut.
With the Crown Prince's backing, Jero sneered coldly and spoke the words he had long prepared.
**"Your Highness, since these esteemed lords find the wedding too dull, why not hold a small duel to test their skills?"**
As he spoke, Jero swept his gaze over the two troublemakers.
Didn't they want to cause a big scene?
Then let them have a proper stage to unleash their tempers.
**"Excellent! I think that's a great idea!"**
A sudden voice rang out from the back—Rhea's.
She had just been called away by Janseve but rushed back upon hearing a report from her attendants.
Stepping into the center of the crowd, Rhea smirked without warmth.
**"You want to fight? Then fight properly! Like real men—beat each other until you're covered in blood!"**
The people of the Vale, bound by tradition and somewhat isolated, were generally rough in temperament.
Hearing Rhea's words, they immediately cheered.
**"Yes! If there's a grudge, settle it with a fight!"**
**"I'm itching for a fight too—who wants to go against me?"**
**"…"**
The hall was filled with noise and excitement, as all sorts of people joined in the uproar.
After some commotion, Rhea ordered the servants to clear a space in the back garden and led the guests there.
Not far from the weirwood tree, a circle formed around a patch of grass.
Pace and Goderich were shoved forward, one push at a time, their expressions dark with frustration.
**"Go on, my lords. Start fighting."**
Rhea crossed her arms, her gaze icy.
From the side, Rhaegar added, **"Mind your limits. It's a wedding, after all—just draw a little blood."**
**"Fight! Fight! Fight!"**
The nobles watching the spectacle shouted excitedly, some even placing bets on the outcome.
Pace and Goderich had no choice. Reluctantly, they each drew their weapons, staring each other down with fierce determination.
They were already on the fire—if they didn't fight now, the shame would follow them for life.
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**"Ah! Die!"**
Pace roared in anger, swinging his longsword straight at Goderich's head.
*Clang!*
Goderich parried with his curved blade and kicked Pace in the knee, tilting his sword to slice across his opponent's chest.
*Rip!*
Pace's tunic was slashed open, revealing a gruesome wound—one side of his head nearly cut.
(End of Chapter)