Chapter 478: The Great Sept of Baelor

"The wedding will be held in the main hall of the Great Sept of Baelor, which can accommodate around seven hundred distinguished guests."

"Thus we must limit the number of attendees, Your Grace."

"But the wedding will surely involve more than seven hundred people, the rest must wait outside the main hall."

"These others are not without purpose; their presence serves to remind those seven hundred with envious eyes how glorious their noble seats are."

A court steward, dressed in a finely crafted black leather short robe, was chattering incessantly to Viserys.

And Viserys, wearing a soft casual outfit, his face clean-shaven, his silver-gold hair flowing freely, seemed to only half-listen to the court steward, merely nodding and responding with indifference.

"Hmm."

"Alright."

"That's fine."

"You handle it."

Meanwhile, he was surveying the grand religious center of the Seven Kingdoms.

A magnificent domed structure of marble, with seven crystal towers standing tall, each with a giant bell that would only ring on significant occasions, such as royal weddings or funerals.

The Great Sept of Baelor, also known as Baelor's Sept or the Holy Sept of Baelor, was constructed by the ninth Targaryen to ascend the Iron Throne, Baelor Targaryen I.

Baelor Targaryen I, also known as 'Saint Baelor' or 'Baelor the Blessed,' established the Sept atop Visenya's Hill in King's Landing, replacing the Starry Sept of Oldtown as the heart of the Faith of the Seven in Westeros, laying the foundation for the supremacy of royal power over divine.

Because of the King's visit, the Great Sept had been emptied of all people a day in advance.

Even the monks residing here were forbidden to step out of their rooms, and on the day of the wedding, all would be driven out to prevent any possible mishaps.

Now they could only peek curiously from their rooms, eager to glimpse the renowned young Dragon King who had established a new kingdom and been crowned King.

*Clatter Clatter*

The whole Sept was silent except for the clear echoes of the footsteps of three individuals. A female knight, her hand on her sword's hilt, followed her King, equally observant of their surroundings.

She did not believe in the Seven. Strictly speaking, she had no faith except in Viserys.

He was the most radiant light in her life, sweeping across a bleak sky, utterly changing the fate of a Valyrian orphan. Mia's gaze fell back on Viserys, hiding a faint admiration before lowering her head.

Then they passed through the long Hall of Lamps in the Sept, with many colored glass orbs hanging from the ceiling. Passing through two doors, they finally arrived at the main hall.

Here, the grand altar of the Seven stood beneath a vaulted ceiling of glass, gold, and crystal, the floor of marble, and the large window frames filled with stained glass.

"Your Grace will enter through the main door, hand in hand with the Queen, and walk up the red carpet to make vows between the gilded statues of the Father and Mother," the middle-aged court steward, still prattling on, began to explain.

"The vows are as follows..."

"This place is quite good," Viserys interjected, finally taking in the appearance of the Great Sept's main hall, finding it in line with his expectations for the wedding venue.

The court steward, caught off-guard by the interruption, could only take in the grand surroundings, take a deep breath, and agree with Viserys' casual remark, nodding.

"Yes, Your Grace."

"It is indeed quite good."

How could the place for royal weddings and funerals be anything but magnificent? And Viserys had been touring the Great Sept as if he were a visitor, immersed in it all.

"Hmm?"

Only then did he notice the subtle change in the steward's tone, realizing that his attitude might have been a bit impolite.

"I apologize, Wes. I was a bit distracted."

"But rest assured," Viserys tapped his temple, "I have a good memory. I can remember everything you've just said after hearing it only once."

Although he did not know how the world described him, some claimed that the young King was arrogant, his noble Targaryen bloodline looking down upon the common folk.

Others disagreed, saying Viserys was quite humble.

He treated nobles and commoners equally, and sometimes even showed contempt for the nobility while being kind and humble to the common people.

But Viserys' sudden earnest apology startled the court steward named Wes, who had only served one other king, King Robert Baratheon, and his Queen Cersei, who had never been gracious to him, much less apologized for any perceived slight.

"Your Grace," the startled steward began, ready to insist that he had taken no offense.

"Your Grace!"

At that moment, the portly High Septon arrived from afar, relieving the anxious court steward.

He emerged from behind the seven-pointed star made of colored glass in the Great Sept's main hall, his fat body laboring down the stairs, puffing slightly as he approached Viserys, bowing and greeting him.

"Your Grace."

Then the High Septon nodded to the female knight and court steward in turn.

"Ser."

"Master Wes."

The female Kingsguard and court steward also nodded in response.

"High Septon."

"I am but a servant of the Gods, without lands or titles, unworthy of being called 'High,' Ser," the fat High Septon explained, his chubby face quivering with a polite smile.

"I apologize," the female knight responded, her hand touching her sword hilt as she bowed her head in apology. She was indeed unfamiliar with Westerosi culture, assuming that all personages should be addressed as 'My Lord.'

The plump High Septon merely chuckled and then turned to Viserys, speaking sincerely.

"Your Grace."

"The crypts of the Great Sept house the tombs of past kings, including your father. Would you like to pay your respects?"

The silver-haired youth was taken aback by the word 'father.' Aerys? In truth, he had never regarded him as such, so much so that he had not paid his respects since arriving in King's Landing.

After some contemplation, Viserys nodded.

"Yes."