The news of Prince Aegon being titled Duke of the Stepstones spread like wildfire throughout the Seven Kingdoms.
Many nobles could not hide their surprise upon hearing the news.
Generally speaking, a royal bloodline granted a title should receive the title of Prince, not Duke.
The intricacies of this decision caused many nobles far from King's Landing who supported the Greens to waver again.
Viserys's intentions were quite clear.
He wanted to suppress Aegon's influence and support Rhaenyra, paving the way for her.
...
King's Landing, Red Keep.
Aegon should have departed half a month ago, but he kept making excuses to stay.
He acted like a complete rogue who did not want to leave King's Landing.
"Didn't you get ready ages ago?
You were even planning to go to the Stepstones with a Count's title originally, so why don't you want to go now?"
Alicent picked up a small cake and put it into Aegon's mouth.
Aegon chewed with a frown, feeling like he was going to be choked to death by the sugar.
Since the court meeting that decided Aegon would go to the Stepstones, Alicent had been by Aegon's side every day.
She even personally fed him during meals.
"I didn't say I wasn't going."
Aegon took a sip of water and waved his hand, refusing the next sweet crisp pie offered to his mouth.
Alicent rolled her eyes.
"Your father has urged you several times, what do you think?"
"Tsk, trust me, he's running out of patience. I definitely need to bring enough supplies and men to the Stepstones."
Viserys gave him twenty longships, two hundred thousand gold dragons, and two thousand men, and expected him to go to the Stepstones?
Isn't that a joke!
He even said he would continue to provide support when he arrived at the Stepstones, as if Aegon was a fool!
Therefore, every time Viserys urged Aegon to leave King's Landing, Aegon would refuse using excuses like insufficient preparation, too few men, and too few ships.
Anyway, if he didn't leave, Viserys would be the one anxious.
He didn't believe Viserys could sleep well before he left!
Knock knock knock—
"Your Highness, Your Queen, His Majesty is here," the guard reported.
As soon as the words fell, Viserys had already walked in.
"Aegon, Alicent, you're both here, that's great," Viserys said, slightly out of breath.
Alicent stood up to support Viserys and helped him calm his breathing.
"Why did you come?" Alicent asked.
"I came to find Aegon. After discussion by the Small Council, twenty longships are indeed too few.
So I have re-mobilized thirty warships and five hundred thousand gold dragons.
In addition, there will be an extra three thousand marines, eight hundred sailors, and fifty artisans of various types, following on cargo ships.
There will be continued gold support later, so you can go with peace of mind!"
While speaking, Viserys kept looking at Aegon; this time, he absolutely had to make Aegon go to the Stepstones!
Aegon's eyes narrowed slightly. Viserys convened the Small Council?
When was it convened?
Why didn't he know?
Alicent looked surprised, raising her head to look at Aegon, realizing that Aegon had been waiting for Viserys here!
"Alright then, I will depart for the Stepstones tomorrow."
"With thirty warships and His Majesty's promise, I am also confident in maintaining stability in the Stepstones."
Viserys's face broke into a brilliant smile upon hearing this.
"I believe you can do it!"
Viserys was very happy.
In his view, Sunfyre was also quite large now and fully capable of combat.
By then, Aegon would inevitably be tied down by the Triarchy and the Dornishmen, just like Daemon, diverting much of the Greens' energy.
This way, he could gradually support the Black Party and expand Rhaenyra's influence in the court.
Aegon was also in a good mood.
With the thirty warships supported by Viserys, plus the aid from the Hightower Family and the Lannister Family that had not yet arrived.
And some negligible aid sent by some Count and Baron families.
Aegon already had a very considerable force in his hands; it was time to go to the Stepstones!
With a face full of smiles, Viserys returned to his chambers.
Meanwhile, in Aegon's chambers, Alicent held Aegon's hand reluctantly.
She really didn't want Aegon to go to the Stepstones to fight; it was too dangerous!
Aegon pulled his hand away from hers, took out a list from under the desk, and handed it to Alicent.
"I'm not very clear on who supported me, there are too many. But I know exactly who didn't support me!
This is a list of the nobles who claimed to support me but provided no aid.
When my grandfather arrives, just give this list to him, and he will know what to do!"
"Okay!"
Alicent accepted the list very seriously.
With this list, the Greens would know who their true supporters were and which ones were unreliable fence-sitters.
-----------------
The next day.
The morning mist had not yet dispersed.
A large fleet consisting of thirty warships and twenty cargo ships departed from King's Landing harbor, plunging into the vast sea fog.
"Hiss-roar!"
A loud roar echoed throughout King's Landing harbor in the early morning.
Sunfyre broke through the fog, his golden scales shimmering and shining in the mist.
Immediately after, Dreamfyre, Vhagar, and Tessarion appeared one after another, circling above the fleet!
"Hiss-roar!"
"Hiss-squawk!"
The roars of the four dragons echoed each other. For a moment, everyone in King's Landing harbor stopped their work to admire this grand spectacle.
Under the deliberate propaganda of the Greens, they knew that Prince Aegon's departure this time was to fight for the interests of the Kingdom's territory and its people!
"Prince Aegon will be victorious!"
Someone shouted the first cry, and the 'plants' who had already infiltrated the crowd immediately raised their arms and cheered, leading the ignorant passersby to shout along.
"Prince Aegon will be victorious!"
"Prince Aegon will be victorious!"
"Prince Aegon will be victorious!"
Everyone followed along and shouted.
Although many people still didn't know anything, everyone around them was shouting, so it couldn't be wrong to follow along!
After hearing the crowd's voices, Aegon specifically returned to the sky above King's Landing harbor and flew three circles on Sunfyre.
"Hiss-roar!"
Sunfyre roared for the last time, then flapped his wings, his golden figure gradually disappearing above the clouds and mist!
--------------------------------------------
For Advanced chapters Visit :: patreon.com/Kaguyahime20