July 7, 120 AC.
Early morning.
The docks and city gates of King's Landing were already congested.
Nobles with renown from the Seven Kingdoms flocked to King's Landing to attend the engagement feast of Prince Aegon and Princess Helaena.
However, two small factions had privately formed among the nobles.
Two-thirds of the nobles praised Prince Aegon's actions in the Stepstones to everyone they met.
And they declared: The Seven Kingdoms can now resume stable maritime trade entirely thanks to Prince Aegon's brave fighting.
Even more, some boasted about the 'latest news' they had received to anyone they met.
They claimed that the thirteen-year-old Prince Aegon personally charged into battle, killing dozens of pirates in a single charge.
It's a good thing Prince Aegon didn't hear this, otherwise he himself would be embarrassed.
Charging on a Dragon was plausible, but personally charging and hacking with a sword was an exaggeration.
Another smaller group of nobles told everyone about the glorious deeds of Princess Rhaenyra when she was young, when she was called the 'Light of the Kingdom'.
Incidentally, they spread rumors about Prince Aegon, telling everyone that he had been forced out of the Stepstones by the Triarchy and Dorne.
Dorne's actions of avoiding Dragons and raiding the southern regions of Westeros were also twisted as evidence of Prince Aegon's predicament.
In any case, the two small factions each told their own story, firmly believing that the information they had received was the truth!
On the crowded avenues of King's Landing, two groups of people ran into each other.
The family sigil of one group was a scarlet warhorse in a golden shield on a brown background.
The family sigil of the other group was a flock of ravens on a bright red background, surrounding a dead weirwood tree on a black shield.
The former was House Bracken, the latter was House Blackwood. Both great Houses belonged to the Riverlands and were ancient enemies.
Count Humphrey Bracken chose to support the Greens.
For this reason, Count Samwell Blackwood unhesitatingly chose the Black Party, directly opposing House Bracken.
The conflict between the two great Houses was well known throughout the Seven Kingdoms.
Many nobles quietly retreated, preparing to choose a safe spot to watch the show.
Even more, vendors discovered business opportunities and began selling their snacks and drinks to the watching lords.
Sure enough, the two families started arguing the moment they met.
Humphrey had a mocking look and was the first to speak, sarcastically taunting:
"Oh, isn't this Samwell? Today is Princess Rhaenyra's remarriage day. Didn't you go with a thick face to offer your wedding blessings?
Ah, look at my memory, Princess Rhaenyra certainly doesn't need your blessings. After all, it's a remarriage, so wedding blessings don't seem quite appropriate."
"You foul-mouthed idiot, I've noted down these words.
I will definitely convey everything you said to Princess Rhaenyra, and to His Majesty. I hope you can still be so foul-mouthed then."
Samwell retorted darkly, intending to relay Humphrey's words exactly as they were to Rhaenyra and Viserys.
Humphrey's expression changed, but then he thought of something and suddenly revealed a cold smile.
"As you wish, idiot. You will become a sinner to House Blackwood. I await that day."
Having said that, Humphrey turned his horse around and left.
The surrounding nobles who were watching wore expressions of disappointment, having expected a fight and a good show.
After the conflict ended and Humphrey turned to leave, the Golds finally emerged to maintain order.
Now, the Golds in King's Landing had split into two factions,
One faction obeyed Gwayne Hightower, most of whom were from the Hightower Family.
The other faction obeyed the new Commander of the City Watch - Daemon Targaryen, and were all people from the Black Party.
On the first day Prince Daemon returned to King's Landing, King Viserys announced the City Watch would be expanded to 6000 men and that two Commanders would be appointed simultaneously.
Prince Daemon was, as expected, appointed as the second Commander of the City Watch.
With Prince Daemon's influence and methods, Gwayne was no match for him at all.
If Otto had not intervened at the critical moment, supporting Gwayne and offering advice, Gwayne would have long been sidelined. King Viserys even wanted to use the same method to promote Corlys to Master of Ships, but was ultimately refused by Tyland and Otto on the grounds that there was no war at sea.
The engagement feast and wedding were to be held in the evening, and the Red Keep was destined to be brightly lit tonight.
King Viserys, wearing his royal robes, got up very early and personally reviewed the day's schedule.
After confirming there were no issues, King Viserys happily summoned the visiting nobles.
King Viserys's words were full of blessings for Rhaenyra and Daemon, as well as for Aegon and Helaena.
"Your Majesty, the union of Princess Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon will surely lead the Kingdom to prosperity."
"Prince Aegon garrisoned the Stepstones, stabilizing the Kingdom's maritime trade. The royal family will surely endure forever!"
Facing the flattery of many nobles, King Viserys was overjoyed.
He seemed to see a strong, prosperous Kingdom.
The rule of House Targaryen would last until the day the world was destroyed.
But the world would never be destroyed, and House Targaryen would become eternal and indestructible rulers!
Just then, the doors of the Throne Hall were pushed open.
Alicent wore a green gown, elegant and noble.
Immediately, many nobles gathered around her.
"Your Highness the Queen, please allow me to offer you my most sincere blessings.
The union of Prince Aegon and Princess Helaena is a fortunate event for the Kingdom and will bring the purest Dragon bloodline to the royal family!"
Humphrey's face was beaming with joy; one might think he was getting engaged.
However, for Humphrey, the engagement feast of Prince Aegon and Princess Helaena truly made him happy, even happier than when he himself got engaged.
The stronger the Greens became, the happier Humphrey was.
He even fantasized about the scene where House Blackwood was annihilated and House Bracken directly annexed House Blackwood's lands and castles. That would be absolutely wonderful.
Half of the nobles who were originally surrounding King Viserys instantly left.
King Viserys felt a bit awkward.
But he still smiled, came to Alicent's side, and gave her a kiss and a hug.
"My dear Queen, you are truly beautiful today."
"Really? So you mean I wasn't beautiful before?" Alicent rolled her eyes and joked.
Otto's return to King's Landing meant he took over the heavy burden of the Greens from Alicent.
Alicent was happy to be at leisure, no longer having to scheme and contend for power with the Black Party. She felt completely relaxed.
In just two months, Alicent looked ten years younger, becoming even more beautiful and captivating.
Her youthful appearance combined with the temperament of a mature woman, plus the status of Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, made Alicent incredibly charming now.
King Viserys was momentarily stunned, but quickly regained his composure.
"You are beautiful every day, my dear, and you become more beautiful each day."
As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding nobles offered their flattery, desperately searching their barren minds for words to praise Alicent.
Facing the flattery of many nobles, Alicent had long been accustomed to it and dealt with the nobles around her with a smile.
It wasn't until Otto arrived that the flatterers around Alicent dispersed.
"I've had enough, Father. You don't know how obsequious they were just now. It made me sick," Alicent complained in a low voice.
"You didn't say that before. Didn't you love being the center of attention?"
Otto rarely smiled.
Alicent let out a light 'huff'.
"That was then, this is now. As Aegon gradually grows up, more and more people are flattering me, and I don't even have someone I can confide in."
"Then you're in for a lot of trouble in the future. When Aegon sits on the Iron Throne, there will only be more people flattering you."
Alicent had a helpless expression, shaking the wine glass in her hand: "I wonder where Aegon is. The letter said he would be back today, but there's still no sign of him."
"Sigh." Otto sighed, "How long have you been awake?"
Otto was speechless.
"You miss Aegon so much, why don't you live permanently in the Stepstones?
Protecting your safety shouldn't be difficult for Prince Aegon."
"Viserys probably won't let me go. I'm not old enough for him to lose interest, and besides, your daughter is incredibly charming."
Alicent confidently brushed a stray strand of hair from her ear.
Otto chuckled softly.
"Your charm hasn't diminished, but compared to your mother, you still fall a bit short."