Chapter 169: Confession


    Rhaenyra whimpered in surprise, her heart thumping and her body tingling.


    Rhaegar heard the sound and lifted his head to look out the window.


    He saw a little girl squatting under a fish-beam tree, her hands covering a small green insect, her face full of innocence.


    "Let it go, bugs are dirty," a little boy came running, disgustedly reminding her.


    "Oh, okay," the little girl replied. With wide eyes, she picked up the small green worm and threw it onto a branch above her head.


    The bugnded right next to itspanion and crawled toward another young leaf, taking small bites.


    Judging by the speed at which the two little green worms were eating, the young leaves of the fish-beam tree must have been extremely tasty.


    "Rhaegar, the feast isn''t over yet," Rhaenyra said, her cheeks slightly flushed, her heart trembling.


    "No one is looking at us," Rhaegar replied, ncing at the beaded curtain at the entrance of the balcony before lowering his head.As Rhaegar lifted his head and Rhaenyra lowered hers, their eyes met. Rhaegar''s cold violet eyes flickered, his lips crimson, and the knot in his throat moved as he swallowed.


    Rhaenyra''s eyes were moist, her lips slightly parted.


    The wind blew through the beaded curtains, causing them to sway and the strings of beads to move closer together, constantly ovepping.


    Outside the window, the little green bugs on the fish-beam tree were still eating. Two simr white snakes climbed up the branches. The white snakes'' bodies were entwined, their heads touching each other''s, spitting out their tongues and not giving way.


    It was a chilling scene, as if they were vowing to swallow each other alive.


    ...


    On the second floor, in the banquet hall, Jeyne was dressed in elegant attire, holding a ss of wine as she exchanged pleasantries with noblewomen anddies who approached her.


    "Jeyne,e here for a moment," called Jessamyn, who was wearing a blue dress and clutching a slip of paper in her hand.


    Jeyne nced at it and recognized the letter delivered by the raven.


    "Excuse me, I need to attend to some business," Jeyne said to the chatty noblewoman beside her. She set down her ss and left her seat.


    Jessamyn smiled apologetically at the noblewomen anddies who watched them leave. The two of them walked hand in hand to the corner of the stairs.


    Jessamyn handed over the slip of paper and said in a low voice, "There''s been an incident at Longbow Hall."


    Jeyne opened the note, reading the brief message.


    The Longbow Hall has repelled the Mountain ns. Yorbert was ambushed on his way back and was seriously injured.


    The Mountain ns are well organized and are suspected of raiding the Vale.


    "Yorbert is wounded!" Jeyne''s face turned pale, her small hand clenching the note tightly.


    Yorbert was her regent, the one who had taught her how to govern the Vale. His injury would be a great blow to the Eyrie.


    essamyn asked worriedly, "What should we do now?"


    She believed they should take advantage of the banquet to gather more bannermen and besiege the Mountain ns.


    "The Mountain ns hide in the mountains and forests; even if we mobilize our men, we can''t pinpoint their movements," Jeyne sighed, understanding her friend''s concern. "Tell all families to secure their castles and prepare to face the Mountain ns."


    "If we let the Mountain ns ransack the Vale of Arryn, they''ll have plenty of food and supplies for years," Jessamyn worried.


    The Vale was surrounded by the Mountains of the Moon, but the ins in the center were fertile, with highly productive ck soil. If the Mountain ns plundered the Vale, this year''s production would be severely impacted.


    "Jessamyn, you don''t understand my n," Jeyne said with a slight headache. "Go to Rhea and tell her I will return to Eyrie tomorrow. Prepare the carriage for me."


    Jessamyn opened her mouth to argue but knew she couldn''t change her friend''s mind. She nodded helplessly.


    As she walked away, Jeyne called after her, "Have you seen Rhaenyra? I need to discuss something with her."


    She nned to talk to Rhaenyra about solving the Mountain ns problem. With two dragons in the Vale, they could easily repel the barbaric Mountain ns.


    Jessamyn recalled, "Try the second-floor balcony, but she seems to be in a bad mood."


    Last night, ravens from Eyrie brought news that the Kingsguard and royal gifts had arrived. They also reported that the Mountain ns were roaming the Mountains of the Moon.


    Jessamyn had shown Rhaenyra the letter and the apanying list, as Jeyne had instructed, but Rhaenyra''s mood had changed after just one nce. Jessamyn assumed she was worried about the Vale''s safety and paid it no further mind.


    "I understand. Go ahead," Jeyne said, waving her hand tiredly.


    Jessamyn nodded and turned to walk down the stairs. She didn''t notice Jeyne''s expression change to one of cold calction as she watched her friend''s retreating back.


    Jeyne sighed, restored herposed demeanor, and headed toward the second floor. She greeted the nobledies she passed with a smile, responding to each one before continuing to the balcony.


    Through the swaying beaded curtains, Jeyne saw two figures, one in red and one in ck, on the balcony.


    Gently lifting the beaded curtain, Jeyne stepped inside and called, "Rhaenyra, I''m here to see you."


    "!!!"


    Her voice startled Rhaenyra, who quickly looked over, a bit flustered.


    Rhaenyra''s face was flushed and she looked panicked.


    "Jeyne, what brings you here?" Rhaegar, standing behind the rocking chair, appeared unfazed.


    Jeyne froze, blinking in confusion, wondering, "Did I interrupt your conversation?"


    "No! You''re just in time," Rhaenyra replied with a vague smile, covering her chest with one hand. All is calm again, she thought darkly, ring at Rhaegar.


    Rhaegar''s face was full of innocence and pleasure.


    "Jeyne, what did you want to see me about?" Rhaenyra redirected the conversation to Jeyne.


    Jeyne, snapping out of her confusion, stammered, "I received some new information and wanted to discuss it with you."


    "Come sit down and we''ll talk," Rhaenyra invited, giving Rhaegar a look signaling him to leave.


    Rhaegar smirked, and as if no one else was there, he removed his top jacket and draped it over Rhaenyra. "I''ll leave now; you rest a little longer."


    With that, he brushed shoulders with Jeyne, lifted the beaded curtain, and departed. The words that should be said have been said, and the words that want to be heard have been heard. Just go.


    "Come on, ignore him," Rhaenyra said, adjusting her ck blouse.


    Jeyne smiled helplessly and walked over to sit down beside her.


    ...


    Out on the balcony, Rhaegar emerged in front of a group of nobledies and women. Having taken off his jacket, he was left in a ck inner shirt, exposing his solid muscles.


    Thedies blushed and hesitated to approach him. The more mature women remainedposed outwardly but secretly eyed him up and down.


    Rhaegar, in an agitated mood, hurried down the stairs, oblivious to their reactions.


    Downstairs, the scene was chaotic. Two ugly middle-aged men were ring at each other with angry eyes and exchanging harsh words, on the verge of a physical altercation.


    "Such a foolish Coldwater, you are poor, but you cannot stand to see others rich!"


    "Bitch-born Borrell, you are a bunch of scum who deserve to be gutted and hung on the gallows."