The Whispers, the banquet hall.
Long tables were arranged in the center and along the sides of the hall.
The tables were laden with dripping roast meats, fresh fruits, and various wines and ales.
Watching the young maidservants bustling back and forth across the hall, Grim was thinking of other things.
The maids wore blue, round-collared dresses that fell past their knees.
The traditional dresses of the maidservants at the Whispers were very long.
It made one worry they might step on their own hems or have them stepped on, tripping at any moment, and they easily swept up dust.
Grim secretly dubbed them “floor-mop skirts.” With the maids swaying in front of his eyes every day, Grim finally couldn’t stand it anymore.
Under the guise of his maid Kaleia, amidst his many busy affairs, he specifically arranged for someone to alter the length of the maids’ skirts, shortening them to just below the knee, and outfitted each of them with brown, mid-calf soft leather shoes.
Paired with a headscarf, the Crabb maid outfit was born.
After the alterations, Grim finally found the maids pleasing to the eye.
The reason he borrowed Kaleia’s name was that Grim worried if he used his own name and the skirt-altering incident spread, given Westerosi habits, he would earn some shameful moniker like the “Skirt Baron.” The Mother of Dragons: “Blood of Old Valyria, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, the Unburnt, Queen of Meereen, Breaker of Chains, and Mother of Dragons!” Grim: “…, the Skirt Baron!” *Refuse.
Absolutely deny it.* The credit belonged to the naturally clever Kaleia.
* * * Amidst various roars of laughter, the crowd continuously raised their goblets, and the atmosphere in the hall grew ever more fervent.
* * * Grim sat alone at the high table belonging to the lord, with only Kaleia standing by to serve him, clutching a wine flagon.
By custom, only the lord’s family or honored guests were permitted to sit with him at the high table.
“Kaleia, leave the flagon here and go join the feast,” Grim said.
“Look over there, your little friends are all at that table.” Kaleia’s small face looked quite hesitant.
Grim smiled and reached out to take the flagon from her.
“Go on.
I’ll call you if I need anything.” “Then…
I’ll go take a look.
I’ll be right back!” Not long after Kaleia left, a pair of slender, soft hands appeared in Grim’s vision, taking up the flagon to pour his wine.
“My lord, you will spoil Kaleia.” “Lady Surana, you always manage to appear right when I need you.” “I appreciate your recognition.
I would appreciate it even more if you could appropriately reduce my workload.” Lately, both Herschel and Surana had been run ragged by the endless stream of tasks Grim assigned them.
“Have you run into a problem?” “They call themselves woods witches.
Do woods witches not need to trim their nails?
I am certain they haven’t cut them since the day they were born, not to mention the perpetual stench clinging to them.
I have had no appetite since yesterday.
The few healers in the Whispers have great grievances against them.
Gathering them all together is a disaster in itself.
I even thought of my dagger, which I haven’t used in a long time.” Grim understood.
“It seems the woods witches lack the self-awareness of being captives.” Pausing for a moment, Grim continued, “Surana, we must admit they have a unique expertise in treating wounds and using herbs.
The Crabb soldiers need more healers.
With more healers and good poultices, we can save many men.” “Veterans of a hundred battles are our precious wealth.” “You are far-sighted.
I understand, my lord.
I just couldn’t help wanting to draw my sword to frighten the disobedient ones.” Grim nodded.
“Well, as I just said, they are captives, so you have already found the right approach.
Arrange for men to do it.
Whether it’s trimming nails or scrubbing them clean with brushes, have the soldiers put swords to their necks first, and you will find it much easier.” “Thank you for your help, my lord.” After speaking, Surana looked toward the other side, frowning imperceptibly.
Kaleia’s slender hands held a goblet, and she was chatting happily with the maids her own age.
Grim followed Surana’s gaze and also looked at Kaleia, whose small face was flushed red.
“Kaleia learns everything very quickly.
As her mother, you should be proud of her.” “You possess a merciful heart.” “Saplings need time to grow, Lady Surana.” Within the Thorn Company, only Empara and Lyra were qualified to attend the feast.
Attending a feast hosted by the lord for the first time, Empara and Lyra were both very reserved at first.
After a few cups, under the strong atmosphere of the feast, the two also began to speak loudly and drink heavily.
Glancing at Empara, Surana blinked and said, “I heard you are very satisfied with her figure.” *Maester Aehl…* Grim chuckled softly.
“Empara is a straightforward warrior.” * * * Somewhere in King’s Landing, in a dimly lit room.
Littlefinger, Petyr Baelish, had a pair of grey-green eyes, greying hair, and a slight build.
His dark grey robes were neat and tidy, making him look like a septon.
Petyr Baelish looked up, an elegant smile rippling at the corners of his mouth.
“Baron Grim Crabb.
A very unfamiliar name.” “Yes, my lord.
Her Grace the Queen seems very interested in him.
I have looked into it.
Fifteen years old, a half-wildling noble from Crackclaw Point.” “A model loyalist of the Targaryens…” The corners of Petyr Baelish’s mouth maintained a handsome curve, his gaze calm.
“One must not rely on what floats on the surface.
Anything unverified is no longer credible.
The magic of King’s Landing attracts the footsteps of the ambitious every moment of every day.” “My lord, forgive my dullness, but should I arrange for someone to go and investigate further?” Petyr Baelish shook his head slightly before saying, “No need for special arrangements.
Since Her Grace the Queen has taken an interest, the little fellow will soon appear in King’s Landing.
The Red Keep has no secrets.” Petyr Baelish murmured, “Chaos is a ladder.” * * * One month later.