After Aegon departed, Rhaenyra sought out her father in private.
"Father," she called softly.
King Viserys sat in silence, his face drawn and shadowed by thought. Seeing his somber expression, Rhaenyra lowered herself beside him, her voice trembling.
"Father… I can't bear this any longer. Perhaps you should never have named me heir to the Iron Throne."
Tears welled in her eyes.
Viserys's heart softened. He sighed, weary and sad.
"What happened today was my own rashness," he said gently. "But Aegon swore he would not challenge your claim. Stay quietly on Dragonstone. So long as I live, no one shall shake your right to the throne."
He brushed away her tears with his thumb, his own gaze hardening with resolve."When we return," he continued, "I'll see Aegon settled with lands of his own, far from King's Landing. That will put an end to this strife. Do not cry, my daughter."
Rhaenyra lowered her head, silent, while the King's thoughts churned behind his calm expression.
He had underestimated the affection between Aegon and Helaena, and even more so Alicent's growing disdain for young Jacaerys. If so, then it was better to send Aegon away from the heart of power, to let his name fade among the nobles and smallfolk alike.
Only then could Rhaenyra's succession proceed unchallenged when he was gone.
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
Seven days ago, King Viserys made a proclamation before all the realm: Prince Aegon and Princess Helaena were to be betrothed on the seventh day of the seventh moon this year, and wed exactly one year hence.
*
The Council Chamber
Within the Small Council hall, Lord Jasper Wylde set down the jade sphere that marked his authority as Master of Laws.
"Ser Harwin Strong's duties have been handed over," Jasper reported. "As per His Highness's request, Ser Gwayne Hightower shall assume command of the City Watch."
Prince Aegon inclined his head in approval. "Excellent. Ser Gwayne is both capable and loyal. He will serve the Watch well."
"Putting aside Ser Gwayne's relationship to Your Highness," interrupted Lyman Beesbury sharply, "this appointment is irregular from the start."
Lord Lyman Beesbury, Viserys's Master of Coin and a steadfast supporter of Princess Rhaenyra, sat stiffly in his chair, his tone edged with disapproval. Yet his protest fell flat.
The Small Council held only seven seats, the Hand of the King, Grand Maester, Master of Coin, Master of Laws, Master of Ships, Master of Whisperers, and Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.
Among them, the Hand, Lord Lyonel Strong, had long favored the Blacks. But of late, for reasons unspoken, he had ceased to attend council meetings.
Grand Maester Mellos remained neutral, loyal only to Viserys himself.
The Master of Laws, the Master of Ships, and the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, however, were all aligned with the Greens. Supporting Gwayne's advancement was merely the first step. The post of Master of Whisperers still lay vacant, and Aegon already intended to raise Larys Strong to fill it.
"I concur with Prince Aegon," said Ser Tyland Lannister smoothly. "The City Watch falls under the purview of the Master of Laws. Lord Jasper has acted within his right."
Tyland, younger twin to Lord Jason Lannister of Casterly Rock, represented the Westerlands at court. His words cut through Beesbury's objections with casual precision.
The Westerlands, rich in gold and silver, were neither the largest nor most populous of the Seven Kingdoms, yet they were beyond question the wealthiest.
Long ago, Aegon the Conqueror had defeated King Loren Lannister in the Field of Fire. Loren had bent the knee, surrendered his crown, and kept his seat at Casterly Rock, ruling thereafter as Warden of the West.
For generations, House Lannister kept its pride, aloof from the Iron Throne. That began to change under King Jaehaerys, when Lord Lyman Lannister sheltered Jaehaerys and Princess Alysanne during Maegor's tyranny. Still, it was not until Viserys's own reign that the Lannisters' influence at court truly grew.
Lord Tymond Lannister had supported Viserys at the Great Council of 101 AC. When Viserys took the throne, Tyland was named Master of Ships and had held the post ever since.
In alliance with his brother, Tyland now followed a simple creed: support the King's eldest son, Prince Aegon. And as the Greens' power swelled, so too did his arrogance.
He no longer treated even the King's Hand with deference, let alone Lyman Beesbury of Honeyholt.
Beesbury's house, once a vassal of House Hightower, had since drifted into Rhaenyra's camp under Viserys's favor. Tyland, backed by Aegon's growing might, had no reason to heed him now.
"Lord Lyman," said Jasper Wylde with a smirk, "I am the Master of Laws. Unless you wish to exchange seats, leave the law to me, and you may balance the ledgers yourself."
Tyland burst into laughter.
Beesbury's face flushed red. "The City Watch answers to the Crown alone!" he snapped. "Your authority over them is only nominal!"
Aegon tapped the tablem once, twice, thrice, and the room fell silent. His eyes fixed coldly on Beesbury.
"Tell me, Lord Lyman," he said softly. "What do you mean by that remark? Are you implying I am not of royal blood?"
Steel rang. Ser Criston Cole, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, drew his sword in a single motion, its point leveled at Beesbury's throat.
"To question royal blood is treason," Criston said coldly.
"Enough," Aegon commanded. "Put away your blade. This is a council chamber, not a battlefield."
Criston obeyed, sheathing the weapon with a sharp click.
Aegon's voice softened, though his smile did not reach his eyes. "Lord Lyman, you are seventy-one, yet your sight seems keen enough. Surely you can still see my hair, silver, not brown. My eyes, purple, not plain."
He leaned back, lips curling in amusement. "Look closely, my lord. Silver hair. Violet eyes. Not brown hair and brown eyes."
The mocking lilt in his voice hung heavy in the air.
But Lyman Beesbury had weathered too many courts and too many kings to be cowed by a boy.
"I have never questioned Your Highness's noble blood," he replied evenly. "Yet I maintain that the appointment of the City Watch's commander requires the King's direct approval.
"If His Majesty does not name the post himself, then by custom, the Chief Commander must succeed."
He drew himself up, voice ringing through the hall. "Instead, you had Lord Jasper reassign Ser Lyonel Rykker to guard the prison gate, and placed Ser Gwayne Hightower in his stead! Ser Lyonel has served faithfully for years without fault. To remove him thus is clear abuse of power, using public office for private favor!"
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