The tournament was held as usual for several days.
The seventh day was the last.
Hundreds of knights from the seven kingdoms competed in the final competition.
It was sunny in the morning.
The tournament field was bustling.
"Your Majesty, have you considered my proposal?"
Corlys sat in the VIP seat and asked the king, tilting his head. Family marriages are a big deal.
"Watch the tournament first. Talk to me when you have something to say."
Viserys ignored him.
Corlys smiled faintly and said nothing more. Every Targaryen generation has internal conflicts. With the king's weak character, he urgently needs a boost. He is determined to win!
Ding ding!
The referee struck the gong, signaling the start of the tournament.
"Where is the queen?"
Viserys glanced at the empty seat next to him and called for a servant.
The servant shook his head repeatedly, looking bitter.
Viserys frowned slightly, sensing something was amiss. Looking at the seats in the lower row, he saw that Rhaenyra was not there either.
"Will there be any trouble?"
His heart beat fast, and he became anxious. Ever since his wife had openly targeted Rhaenyra, the relationship between the two families had become increasingly tense. In the past few days, especially, they had almost come to blows.
The queen and princess were not there, and many people had noticed. She ignored the competition below and whispered to those around her. There was too much gossip in the royal family. The queen's and princess's factions in the court were increasingly confronting each other.
"Your Majesty, here!"
A loud shout suddenly rang out. Kingsguard Arryk stood at the entrance of the competition field with a serious face and held his head high. Two rows of guards in black armor and red robes parted to make a passageway. This immediately attracted everyone's attention.
"What's going on?"
Someone asked in confusion. The minister in the VIP seat and the courtiers sitting nearby shared the same doubts.
Under the guards' escort, Alicent walked out slowly. She wore a stunning, light green gown with pearl earrings. Her light red, curly hair fell naturally around her shoulders. She raised her head slightly and walked toward the VIP seats step by step.
A group of Hightowers, dressed in green with the emblem of the Burning Tower on their chests, followed behind her. Among them was a proud, middle-aged man with golden, curly hair who looked at the guests around him with disdain. He was Hobert Hightower, the head of the Hightower family, the voice of Oldtown, and the lighthouse of the South.
He was also Alicent's uncle and the brother of the old hand, Otto. The Hightower family was there to support their queen.
"Your Majesty, I'm late."
Alicent walked up to the VIP seats, bowed slightly to her husband, and glanced at everyone present. Viserys had a complicated expression and nodded perfunctorily.
Alicent invited her people to take their seats, filling half of the VIP section. Aemon was missing. Rhaenyra kept targeting her. Life at court was difficult, so she showed the world the power of the Hightower family.
"Your Majesty, it's been a while."
Hobert was polite. Viserys smiled unnaturally.
After meeting the king, Hobert looked at Corlys, the Sea Snake, and said hello, "Lord Corlys, I am glad to hear that your fleet has opened up the Stepstones."
Corlys glanced at him and they exchanged a few words.
"Let's talk when we have time. The king is waiting for Her Majesty the Queen."
Hobert laughed. His behavior was obviously decent, but it made people feel uncomfortable. I'm so relieved it's intentional.
Alicent, proud, sat beside her husband. The Hightower family is one of the top families, with wealth and power comparable to the Lannisters and Velaryons. In the Reach, not even the Tyrell family, the feudal lords, can surpass it. There are six large families with a long history of vassalage around Oldtown alone.
Viserys looked at his wife with mixed feelings; the cuts on his body hurt slightly. Her Majesty the Queen entered the venue wearing a green dress, attracting attention to the Hightower family. The people present were silent, acting as spectators.
Nearby, two strong men whispered to each other. Harwin gloated, "The king must be furious that the Hightowers have become famous."
The Strong family had replaced the Hightower family in the court, so the two families were naturally hostile.
Larys's eyes were deep, and he smiled and asked, "What color is the bonfire when the Hightower summons the vassals?"
Harwin looked at Her Majesty the Queen's light green dress and replied, "Green."
"Obviously."
Larys smiled even more. The attempt to persuade the princess to marry into the Velaryon family failed, but it did manage to stir up conflict between the queen and the princess. It was an unexpected gain.
Similar conversations took place in every corner of the arena. The Hightower family's vassals, the partners of Oldtown, and the nobles who supported the eldest son inheritance system all cast their eyes on the elegant queen and had their own thoughts.
Everyone realized one thing: The wind is going to blow in King's Landing.
"Hiss!"
A loud dragon roar suddenly sounded, reaching the ears of everyone present.
Boom!
The thin clouds in the sky tore apart and a giant, topaz-colored dragon rushed out, casting a shadow over half of the arena. The dragon swooped down, its light-colored wing membranes rustling.
"Dragon!"
Someone exclaimed. The nobles were horrified and subconsciously dodged.
"Land, Syrax!"
The girl's magnetic voice echoed. The High Valyrian language had an inexplicable charm.
"Hiss!"
Syrax raised his head and roared. His body was nearly 20 meters long and comparable to a house. He circled the arena three times. His wings fanned out, creating a strong wind that overturned the wine jugs on the table. Many noblewomen lifted their skirts, treating the men around them to a feast for the eyes.
Boom!
Syrax had shown them enough and slowly landed on the high wall of the arena.
"Get out of the way!"
A team of people emerged and pushed away the chaotic crowd. Judging by their clothing, they were all young men and women from noble families.
"I have to go."
Seeing this, Harwin left his lame brother and followed them. Cole, who was wearing silver armor and white robes, led the way faster than Harwin.
Bang!
Rhaenyra jumped off the dragon's back, her beautiful face calm. Everyone's eyes were on her. She was wearing a long black-and-red dress. The black hem of the dress revealed her snow-white shoulders, and a red ribbon was wrapped around her arms.
A three-headed red dragon necklace hung around her neck like a swan's, and gold and gemstone rings adorned her slender fingers. She was stunning and exuded luxury.
"Follow me," she said.
Rhaenyra said lightly and walked toward the VIP seat with an air of authority. Several noble girls followed her as her female companions. A dozen noblemen led the way on both sides, acting as guards. Each of them was young and wore a noble badge on their chest.
A few of them stood out more. One had a white mermaid on a blue-green background; another had two blue towers on a gray-white background; and a third had a group of crows surrounding a dead fish on a bright red background.
In addition to these, there were the noble emblems of the Riverlands and the Stormlands. They were all heirs or capable second sons of the family who had voluntarily followed the young, beautiful, and courageous princess.
Rhaenyra walked up to the VIP seat and first set her sights on the gorgeously dressed Alicent.
"Stepdaughter."
Alicent stood up and greeted her with gritted teeth.
"The name is interesting, though."
Rhaenyra ignored it, looked at her father with a complicated expression, and went forward to hug and kiss his cheek.
"I'm not a little girl anymore."
Viserys heard her clearly, and his heart sank.
Rhaenyra's eyebrows showed her stubbornness as she sat in the empty seat in the front row. A large number of noblemen and noblewomen came in; most of them were dressed in deep black, forming a sharp contrast with the green-toned Hightower family.
"Hiss!"
Syrax roared, flapped his wings, and flew high into the sky, playing in the clouds.
Suddenly, the arena fell silent. Everyone recalled the appearance of Her Royal Highness, the image of her riding a dragon deeply engraved in their minds. In terms of pomp and makeup, Her Royal Highness's first appearance was crushed in all aspects.
This reminds people of an important point. Her Royal Highness is a Targaryen and an adult dragon rider. In the past, Prince Aemon overshadowed her, and people almost forgot this fact. But a dragon is a dragon!
"Your Majesty, you should say something."
Lyonel leaned over to the king's ear and reminded him that the situation was about to get out of control.
Viserys knew what was happening and said solemnly, "Today, we will compete for the tournament championship. I hope you will do your best."
Dingding!
The referee rang the gong, signaling for the duelists to enter.
Alicent took a deep breath and silently picked her nails with both hands.
The Cargyll brothers, who were guarding the left and right, looked at each other and walked down from the VIP seats to participate in the duel.
"I'll go too."
Gwayne Hightower volunteered, vowing to win the crown of love and beauty for his sister. The Queen's faction, also known as the Green Party, began to act.
Rhaenyra crossed her legs and said confidently, "Cole, you go too."
"Yes, Princess."
Cole was stunned for a moment before walking down from the VIP seat. With his martial arts skills, getting a good result is not difficult.
The rest of the Black Party fell silent for a moment before several people walked out one after another.
Harwin, with a perverted smile on his face, was the first to leave. He was targeting Gwayne Hightower in the green cloak. Harwin is the commander of the capital garrison and Gwayne is the deputy commander. Teaching the other a lesson will help control his subordinates.
Rhaenyra glanced at a few people and nodded slightly. She maintained the demeanor of a crown princess. The colder and unkind she was, the more unattainable she seemed.
The contestants left the field one by one.
The referee rang the gong, and a duel began.
"Where is Aemon?" In full view of the crowd, Rhaenyra stood up and sat next to Laena.
Laena sat next to her and immediately ran away, her body stiff. "I can't afford to offend you. I've been looking for you for a few days, but you wouldn't see me."
Rhaenyra lowered her posture and held the other's white palm. She had learned from Mysaria that Alicent would be demonstrating today and had prepared a more overwhelming threat in advance. Similarly, after being reminded by Mysaria, she took the initiative to beg Laena.
Laena remained silent.
Rhaenyra frowned. The other party didn't want to lie and simply didn't want to tell her.
"You must know. Just tell me if he will come back." Unable to bear the anxiety in her heart, she clenched her hands.
Laena glanced at her and felt old feelings for her again, so she said softly, "Wait a minute." Rhaenyra let go of her hand.
Ding ding!
The gongs rang, and the duel began.
"Go!"
"Go!"
In the second round, Arryk and Cole charged on their war horses and collided.
Bang!
Cole raised his lance, and my dear Iron Guard brother flew off immediately. Arryk fell heavily but was fortunately well-protected by his armor. He got up and called for his squire to hand him his sword.
Cole held the shield in one hand and the meteor hammer in the other, reminding Arryk, "Brother, be careful."
"You don't have to pretend to be a good person." Arryk waved his sword and charged. His movements were fast and precise.
Cole flashed a glimmer of contempt, raised his shield twice to resist, and swung the meteor hammer to fight back. He was tall, and his martial arts were superior. Within a dozen rounds, the Meteor Hammer knocked the longsword away and hit the opponent's chest mercilessly.
"Puff!"
Arryk spat out a mouthful of blood, fell to the ground, and fainted.
"Good fight!"
The Black Party cheered and shouted Cole's name.
Cole took off his mask and looked at Her Royal Highness the Princess, hoping for a smile or praise.
Rhaenyra lowered her head, lost in thought.
Disappointed, Cole clenched the handle of the meteor hammer.
Ding ding!
The next contestant to appear was none other than Arryk's brother, Erryk.
Cole rode on horseback to fight, and the outcome was basically the same. Erryk lasted a few more rounds, but was almost hit on the head by the meteor hammer. After dodging it, he was hit in the right leg.
Then, contestants from all parties appeared, including the high-spirited Harwin, who wanted to avenge his previous shame at the hands of Cole.
Clang!
He immediately knocked his opponent down, avenging the "Bonebreaker."
Cole got up angrily, not caring whether they were in the same group, and danced with the meteor hammer.
Harwin had more strength than flexibility.
After taking several hits in a row, his collarbone broke again, and he surrendered, shouting in humiliation.