When they reached the Baratheon Manor servants came to help unload the carts and prepare the two Baratheon bodies. The three bandits that had been captured were given over to the cities Goldcloaks to be put in cells for their crimes.
"Jaquen, can you get one of the servants to get me something clean to where without completely unpacking my bags?" Harry asked as he hopped off the cart for the third time that day and followed Lord Baratheon through the manor's courtyard and up the step to the front door. It was styled much like a manse but not quite.
"Servants will get pour you some bath water, just follow Jennesia, here she'll take you," Steffon indicated to a young brown-haired woman. Harry nodded and moved towards her before saying over his shoulder,
"Please tell Jaquen where I am when he comes in would you."
"Of course," replied Steffon.
The hot bath was a wonderful thing after a long week of riding. Not only did it clean him but it also soothed away some of the muscle aches. A female servant helped him to wash his hair and soon he was sparkling clean and slightly red and wrinkled just like a newborn babe as he exited the tub.
Jaquen entered the room with a clean outfit for him to wear and the young made protest at his entrance with Harry's nakedness. Jaquen snorted.
"I helped raise the boy, I won't jump him," said Jaquen.
"Just give her the clothes before she faints Jac," Harry said exasperation leaking into his voice. Jaquen obediently handed over the clothing and left to room with a slight smirk in Harry's direction. The young servant woman quickly helped Harry dress and by the end Harry wished to hex Jaquen.
The faceless man had brought him the most feminine outfit he owned, one his father had brought just before he left Braavos. It was robe made of a thin emerald green cloth that almost matched his eyes, with the outline of black dragon's flying stitched upon it. Underneath the robes were a pair of darker green leggings underneath a smoky grey A-lined tulle-like skirt that made the robe puffed up the back and left the front of his legs from his knees down in view abet the green leggings. His shirt was a more solid dark grey that still matched the skirt. When he was finished dressing the serving girl led him down to a small bench. Another handmaiden entered the room carrying a small wrapped item.
"Lord Baratheon gave me a gift to give to you from his Lady," the woman said. She had blond hair to the first maid's brown. Harry smiled at the young woman, almost a girl as she approached.
"Show me?" he asked with eagerness. The girl smiled back at him and set the gift in front of him slowly unwrapping the cloth. Inside was several beautiful hairpins made from grey and black pearls set in silver and Harry gave a small gasp.
"Tell Lord Baratheon, thank-you to him and his wife, they are beautiful," Harry said still staring at the pins. He picked one up and looked at it closer as the blond left the room. Turning to the brown-haired maid he asked,
"Help me, put them in my hair please?" The maid smiled and began through Harry's hair. Undone as it was his hair fell slightly passed his shoulder blades. Shorter than most bearers and women but longer than most fighters, a happy medium. The young maid braided small sections of his hair pulling it back away from his androgynous face and pinned it there. With his hair finished Harry stood and thanked the young woman and asked her to lead her where the others would be waiting.
Complying the maid led him to the others. Harry couldn't help but blush slightly at the sharp intakes of breath that came from the men in the room, except Jaquen, the traitor, who always seemed to have a hold on his emotions and facial expressions.
"You look quite… lovely, Hadrian," Steffon said still looking at Harry with a bit of awe. Harry blushed a darker shade.
"Thank-you for your compliments, and thank-you and your wife for your lovely gift my Lord, the pins are beautiful," Harry said.
"They pale in comparison to your beauty, Lord Peverell," said Prince Lewyn who was standing beside Jaquen. Harry ducked his head as he blushed even further but not before he caught Jaquen's smirk. He sent a silent stinging hex towards Jaquen's inner thigh and fought off giggles as he heard the well muffled yelp.
"Shall we make our way to the keep then? No need to keep my cousin waiting after all," Steffon said gesturing to the door. Harry nodded and took Lord Baratheon's offered arm and was lead out the door.
While the city still smelled, the upper levels were much cleaner and there were much less beggars and homeless lining the street, most likely due to the increased Goldcloak presence. They passed a higher end brothel where the moans spilled out onto the street and male and female whores leered and called at the passing men.
The keep was much quieter with only a passing servant bowing before hurrying on, or an on-duty guardsman. Lord Baratheon lead Harry and Jaquen towards the throne room where the court was in session, Prince Lewyn following behind. As they moved forward across the floor Prince Lewyn whispered to the announcing steward who then stepped forward and spoke.
"Announcing Lord Steffon of the House Baratheon, Paramount of the Stormlands, first of his name and Bearer, Lord Hadrian of the House Peverell, Blood of Old Valyria, first of his name." The King who was slouching on his iron throne sat up as did his wife who was sitting in a wooden throne beside him and his son who was standing at the bottom of the steps below them both.
Harry gave the royal family a once over cataloging the information Jaquen had gathered on each of them. The Mad King, King Aerys II Targaryen, son of Jaehaerys II Targaryen, also known as King Scab, although Harry didn't doubt that anyone who called him that to his face lost their life soon after. Harry could see that the man might have been seen as handsome earlier in his life but now with paranoia and madness hanging over him he was on par with some of the beggars Harry had seen in the Flea Bottom the area near the River or 'Mud' Gate.
He was gaunt to the point of looking almost emancipated, and his silver hair was greasy and looked almost grey from being unwashed. He seemed aged beyond his years. His beard was greasy too and completely unkept as it hung down from his cheeks and chin. His crown was a beautiful valyrian steel with an elaborate dragon-emblazonment, that Harry recognized from the stories of history as that of Aegon the Unworthy.
Queen Rhaella also looked aged beyond her years and tired as she held her four-year-old son, Viserys on her lap. The tiredness did not take away from her beauty however. She held the traditional Valyrian look of silver hair and purple eyes and wore a much smaller silver crown upon her head. Harry turned his face to look upon the Crown Prince. To see the man, he had been sold to marry by his father.
He wasn't hard to look at. At seventeen, a year older than Harry he stood tall at, at least five feet ten inches. His silver hair was cut so it just brushed the top of his shoulders. He was lean and well built and his purple eyes were dark and solemn as he looked upon Harry. He too wore a crown but this one was more of a circlet upon his brow, plain looking but also made of valyrian steel. He was the king the kingdom held it's breath for. His eyes met Harry's and Harry could almost see the crushing responsibility the amethyst pools held in their depths. Harry breathed in deep almost imperceptible as the Prince gave a small half smile, making his already handsome visage even more appealing. At least physical attraction will not be a problem, Harry thought.