milkstk asked: Have rereads changed your opinion of any Essos characters due to cultural understanding? E.G. I was always suspicious of Reznak in part because he keeps insisting Barristan stops using the style "grace" when referring to the king even though it's still Dany's court & BtB is trying to talk about important things. The last read it dawned on me that the Graces start out as "ladies of negotiable affection" and not only is BtB calling the king a "LoNA" but Dany has the city calling her one as well.
I don’t think that calling Hizdahr or Dany “Your Grace” is a veiled insult, any more than Reznak trying to get Barristan to stop is necessarily suspicious. These are simply the styles the respective cultures are used to. And keep in mind only the Red Graces are temple prostitutes — the other colors aren’t. If indeed the Graces are the reason why Meereenese don’t want to call their kings and queens “Your Grace,” it’s because the title’s already taken, not because to do so would be to impugn the royals’ honor.
