The small dining hall of the main tower (the Kingspyre Tower) was lit with candles, bright as daylight. The clinking of knives, forks, and plates mixed with laughter, and everyone wore genuine smiles. The dinner was modest in scale since William had returned so suddenly that there was little time to prepare, but all the important figures of the castle were present. William chatted with Maester Tothmure about amusing incidents in the academic city; discussed hydraulic workshop experiences with Archmaester Mollos; talked with Captain of the Guard Ser Raymund Grell and several other knights about the tournament; then turned around to whisper something that made his sister Minisa laugh. She quickly put down her utensils and covered her mouth to chuckle. He could converse wittily with everyone while maintaining elegance.
Lord Walter and Lady Shella exchanged a smile and lightly tapped their glasses, seeing satisfaction and relief reflected in each other's eyes.
Everyone enjoyed themselves. After dinner, the Maester and knights took their leave, and the Whent family moved to the study, sitting casually. Others assumed William had returned out of longing for his family, but Walter calculated the timing and realized that William had come almost immediately after receiving his letter saying he would not go to the Oldtown. After a brief chat, Walter asked the purpose of William's return.
The secret chamber was hidden in a discreet location, with an ingeniously designed switch. Only professional Warlocks could find it, so it had not been revealed to others. William also felt that what he had experienced was too extraordinary to explain properly, so he simply said the steam engine had a problem. The steam engine had always been handled by the Warlocks, and to an outsider, it seemed miraculous. Coincidentally, the Warlocks were going to Oldtown to discuss the steam engine with William, and the straightforward Walter didn't suspect anything, only advising William not to worry and to solve problems gradually.
Then Walter enthusiastically spoke to William about Harrenhal's development. The textile workshop produced goods continuously, eagerly purchased by merchants waiting in Harrenton; the forging workshop greatly reduced the cost of weapons and armor, allowing the Whent family's army to undergo a full rearmament.
After confirming that the hydraulic workshop could generate stable profits, Walter boldly used family savings to restore Harrenhal's standing army to three thousand, including one thousand cavalry, and sold weapons and armor from the forging workshop at low prices to vassal families, helping them increase their strength. Though still short of the Whent family's peak, it was much better than six years ago—back then, they could only field a thousand soldiers, which had long bothered Walter.
Lady Shella and Minisa were uninterested in economics or military matters, quietly chatting about women's topics. When William began recounting events in Oldtown and his experiences in Ten Mile Town, they eagerly joined in. Minisa was very curious about Margaery; it seemed the little rose's reputation was already spreading across the Seven Kingdoms. Lady Shella asked many questions about the eldest daughter of Randyll Tally, Talla, calculated her age, realized she was only three years younger than herself, and guessed her mother's intentions. William wiped a nonexistent cold sweat from his forehead. For the battle at Ten-Mile Town, he followed the official account from the Highgarden, giving most credit to Garlan. Even so, Walter marveled at their achievements and lamented the two knights' sacrifices, while Shella and Minisa were pale and repeatedly warned him not to repeat such actions.
After happily chatting for a while, Shella, worried that William would be tired from the long journey, told him to rest early, and the family bid each other goodnight.
Having not returned to Harrenhal for six years, William found everything unfamiliar. Shella personally led him to the bath, arranging for someone to bring his change of clothes. After he bathed, she guided him to the bedroom.
Just before reaching the bedroom, Shella, who had been leading the way, stopped at a window along the corridor, turned her back to William, and remained silent. He glanced outside; the night was overcast, with few stars visible. The dark sky seemed to conceal something fearful.
Shella was silent for a long while, and William, feeling curious, heard her soft voice: "William, why did you come back in such a hurry?"
Was this a woman's intuition? William smiled bitterly in his mind. "Hmm? Glop Vaty told me the steam engine had some trouble, so I…"
"William!" Shella turned to him, lowering her voice but tinged with anger. "I am your mother. Whatever it is, don't hide it from me."
Shella's red hair flickered like flames in the candlelight, reminding William of her maiden name, Lothston. A thought crossed his mind, connected to that name.
They stared at each other for a while, sensing Shella's resolve. William couldn't help smiling, and after a moment of contemplation, he spoke: "Mother, how have Father and Sister been lately?"
"No serious illnesses, just minor ones constantly. The Maester can't explain why," Shella sighed, clasping her hands tightly together.
"But they've never been like this before, have they?"
Shella seemed slightly surprised. "This time, your return is related to their health? And… you want them to go to Oldtown to avoid… what exactly?"
William lowered his voice a little. "Mother, do you believe in the curse of Harrenhal?"
Shella paused in shock, lowering her head for a moment before looking up at William again. "If someone else asked me that, I would say I don't believe it. After all, I am a Lothston. You know why the Lothston family perished, don't you?"
"I read about it in books," William replied. He had obtained the chain of historical knowledge in the Citadel.
According to A World of Ice and Fire, the demise of the Lothston family was caused by Mad Danelle. Obsessed with black magic, Danelle and the Lothston were ultimately wiped out during the reign of Maekar I. Harrenhal was handed over to their loyal knights, the Whent family.
"Some of Lady Danelle's relics eventually came into my possession. I know certain things, but only half-believe them," Shella said, raising her hand high to touch William's head. "Do you remember the serious illness six years ago?"
Seeing Shella's face full of love, William felt a little guilty and lowered his head.
After patting him, Shella realized her son had grown too tall and withdrew her hand, both relieved and sad. "After you recovered, it was actually my idea to send you far away from Harrenhal, which is why you went to Oldtown."
William nodded in sudden understanding. He had indeed wondered why Walter had not sent him to Riverrun to serve as a squire.
"When you were sick, I regretted it deeply!" Shella pressed her lips together, staring into William's eyes. "So now, as long as it's for you and Minisa, for your father, my children, I would rather believe it exists."
William took a deep breath, stepped closer to Shella, and whispered into her ear, "The curse of Harrenhal is real. I may have seen Lady Danelle Lothston."
Shella's breath caught. She widened her eyes, staring at William in disbelief.