"A private dinner… with the royal family."
"You're not nervous?" Jaymee asked, half-joking.
Rodrik merely smiled. "Of course I am. But grace demands acceptance."
Evening – The Royal Dining Hall
The warm glow of candlelight bathed the long oak table within the private dining hall of the Red Keep. Rodrik, dressed in a deep blue doublet embroidered with the falcon of House Arryn, stepped through the tall wooden doors. To his surprise, the dinner was not just with King Viserys and Princess Rhaenyra.
Corlys Velaryon, the famed Sea Snake, was present alongside his wife, the formidable Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. Rhaenyra sat beside her father, quiet but alert, her eyes fixed on the new guest.
Rodrik bowed respectfully. "Your Grace. Princess Rhaenyra. Lord Corlys. Princess Rhaenys."
Viserys gestured to an empty seat near him with a warm smile. "Lord Rodrik, welcome. Please, sit. We're glad you accepted the invitation."
"I was honored to receive it, Your Grace."
After a round of polite greetings, dinner was served — roasted duck with orange glaze, garlic-soaked greens, and Dornish wine. The air buzzed with restrained tension and curiosity.
Viserys sipped his wine and turned to Rodrik. "How fares Lady Jayne, Lord Rodrik? I was sorry to hear of your father's and brother's passing. Your family has endured much.
Rodrik nodded with composed gratitude. "Thank you, Your Grace. She is well and sends her regards. As for my father and brother… I strive to honor them in the work I do now."
Rhaenyra remained quiet, her goblet untouched. She watched Rodrik with careful interest, waiting for anything unsaid to reveal itself.
As the meal progressed, Corlys leaned forward with a glint in his eye. "Your fleets, Lord Rodrik… they seem to always know where to go. It's as if the winds themselves follow your command. Is it some trick? Magic, perhaps?"
Rodrik offered a small smile. "Neither magic nor trickery, Lord Corlys. It was the skill of my first captain — a man of great experience — who helped me design routes based on seasonal winds, currents, and even migratory patterns. I had that knowledge written down and taught to every captain in my fleet."
Corlys nodded slowly, but then — without warning — shifted to a more pointed question.
"And these reforms of yours — education for the smallfolk, healers in every village… What is your end goal in this, Lord Rodrik? Do you aim to lift them above their station?"
The room fell silent. Even the quiet scrape of cutlery paused. Rhaenys looked at her husband with a flicker of surprise. That question was bold, and by the standards of nobility, borderline offensive.
Viserys opened his mouth as if to interrupt — then stopped. He too wanted to hear the answer.
Rodrik took a moment, folding his hands before him. He looked toward the flickering hearth as he began then towards Corlys & asked " Lord Corlys do you want to hear a story?"
Corlys was surprised by this question & replied in nod to see where it goes.
"When I was but eleven moons old, I conducted a small experiment."
All eyes turned toward him.
"I gave ten gold dragons each to three boys I knew. Each from similar backgrounds. Same age. Same circumstances. I asked for nothing in return."
"What did they do with it?" Viserys asked, intrigued.
"The first spent it all on women and gambling. Within few months he returned to where he started.
Then Rodrik took break which created some suspense then he started again-
"The second bribed a merchant to give his son stable work, ensuring a lifetime of modest security. Saved what little remained."
He paused, looking at Corlys.
"The third used the coin to trade. Took risks. Became wealthy. Created work for others in his village."
Rodrik sipped his wine and returned his eyes to Corlys.
"What would you interpret from this, Lord Corlys?"
There was silence again — but now of contemplation. Even Rhaenyra seemed more engaged, her head tilting slightly in thought.
Corlys studied Rodrik for a long moment. Then leaned back with a soft grunt, not offering an answer.
Rodrik let the question hang in the air. "I don't seek to make lords of smallfolk. But I do believe that everyone, no matter their station, should have the chance to do more than survive. That kind of prosperity strengthens the realm — it doesn't threaten it."
He again looked at Corlys & questions him again " Lord Corlys if you could tell me in the last 300 hundred years what is the major development that has happened in seven kingdom?"
Corlys got stunned after hearing this because he was not able to think of a single thing.
Then Rodrik continues " we have stopped developing Lord Corlys because only education worth its name is only given to the nobels who doesn't have the time or any interest in inovation & the grey rats in the citadel calls themselves the keepers of knowledge whereas they are hoarder of knowledge & only gives it to someone who vows to never marry. How many people you think are willing to give up that?. Each person is different Lord Corlys someone could run faster, someone could swim better , someone is better with sword all things are not achieved through hardwork. People have their own talents they are born with but we are not giving them the opportunity to use it for bettering their life & with it improve our realms. We are only relying on Citadel to take us forward but it's also a stagnated system with old rules driving the young minds so it's not feasible anymore they can help us keep the status as it is but they can't take us forward It's our responsibility that we pass a better world to our latter generations than what we have recieved & a society as per my understanding is as strong as it's weakest link so I am going to make my weakest link strong in Vale Lord Corlys".
Rhaenys gave the barest of approving nods. Rhaenyra's lips twitched, a flicker of a smile playing at the edge.
Viserys lifted his cup. "Well spoken, Lord Rodrik. May such wisdom be the legacy of House Arryn in this new age."
Rodrik inclined his head. "I hope to build more than legacy, Your Grace. I hope to build foundation."
As laughter and fresh courses returned to the table, the tension eased — but not the curiosity.
Rhaenyra's eyes lingered on Rodrik a moment longer than necessary. And Rodrik, despite his calm, was very much aware of it.