"Congratulations, Aemon, on winning the tournament championship at the young age of thirteen."
Viserys said solemnly.
Aemon looked over at the sound, avoiding Alicent's gaze. He had a rough idea of what was going to happen next.
Viserys smiled and said, "Your grandfather Baelon also participated in the tournament as a mysterious knight and achieved excellent results."
He accepted the canonization and was knighted at sixteen. Not only was he knighted, but Baelon also returned to King's Landing overnight. He entered the Dragonpit and found the ownerless Vhagar. Thus, he became the second rider of the founding dragon.
Aemon hung his lance on the horse's back, turned, and dismounted.
"You are not yet an adult, but your bravery has won the recognition of the Seven Kingdoms. I will canonize you as a formal knight."
Viserys looked serious. He walked down from the VIP seat and came to the tournament field.
"Your Majesty."
Aemon was well prepared and knelt on one knee. In Westeros, a continent where the Seven Gods are widely revered, the identity of a knight symbolizes honor. However, most knights are canonized after reaching adulthood.
The male heirs of the Targaryen family were all quite brave. Grandfathers Baelon and Daemon were both crowned at sixteen. Currently, there is no record of earlier titles.
"Your Highness is only thirteen years old."
Someone whispered, their eyes full of envy. What an honor it is to be a knight at thirteen years old.
Viserys walked up to his nephew and looked down at him. He liked this brat too much. He's brave and stubborn with youthful vigor. If he were his son, the succession to the Iron Throne would be undisputed. Unfortunately, the gods like to tease the world.
Aemon bowed his head in accordance with tradition and glanced up from the corner of his eye.
Viserys sighed and waved back secretly. Harrold held Blackfyre and handed over the hilt engraved with the seven-pointed star.
"Aemon, born of bronze and fire, the Dragon Prince of Targaryen, the heir of Runestone City, the dragon slayer, the warrior who came down to Earth."
Viserys drew the family sword, Blackfyre, and announced his nephew's origin and title: "Today, I anoint you as a knight and the prince of Riverdale, which you have opened up."
Aemon remained silent, his silver-gold hair dazzling.
"In the name of a warrior, I ask you to be brave."
Viserys placed the sword on his nephew's right shoulder and performed the canonization ceremony. He moved the sword from the right shoulder to the left.
"In the name of the Father, I ask you to be fair."
In the name of the Seven Gods, the knight was bound by noble character. Aemon listened silently, feeling the cold Blackfyre moving on his shoulders. This might be the closest time for his uncle to kill him.
"Okay."
Viserys took back Blackfyre and said solemnly, "From this moment on, you are a true knight."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Aemon thanked him respectfully. The canonization ceremony was over.
Viserys looked around, put his hand on his nephew's shoulder, and lowered his voice. "As long as you nod, Blackfyre will still be yours," he said.
He believed his nephew understood what he meant.
"Uncle, I have a new sword."
Aemon smiled and stood up calmly. The thin servant was very discerning and brought the rune sword to his employer. Aemon straightened his back and slung the sword across his shoulder.
Viserys's face changed slightly. When Aemon stood up, he towered over him by half a head, and his frame looked tall and mighty in the iron armor. At that moment, Viserys realized that his nephew had truly grown up.
"You are my uncle and my king."
Aemon assured him, "I am still a member of the royal family, and this will not change."
His uncle treated him very well. If this family relationship continues, he will guard the valley honestly. Be a good nephew.
Viserys was moved and angry when he heard this. He opened his arms to hug Aemon. Aemon bent down obediently and rested his head on his uncle's shoulder.
Clap, clap, clap!
The entire audience applauded, witnessing the bond between the king and his nephew. The united Targaryen family has no rivals. Since the death of centenarian King Jaehaerys, the Targaryen family has struggled with a lack of successors. His Royal Highness has emerged as a strong representative of the next generation.
Hiss—
Vermithor raised his head and roared. His broad brown wings covered most of the arena and swept up gusts of wind. He was also celebrating the driver.
Boom!
Silverwing and Gray Shadow spewed dragon flames, leaving a hot waterfall in the air. Syrax was overwhelmed by emotion and surrounded the bronze dragon.
Hiss—
Vermithor's voice sounded like a bell as he accepted the protection of the three dragons. He was like the supreme dragon king who commanded the dragon group. It was just like when the dragons respected him after he killed Cannibal.
The noble lords looked up, surprised for no reason. Dragons have always been mysterious in the public eye. Their appearance in groups foreshadowed the Targaryen family's prosperity.
Aemon's eyes were puzzled, and he noticed the subtle changes keenly. Vermithor is a dragon with extraordinary talent. He is also the only dragon to form a pair. He may have some differences from ordinary dragons. He is a glutton who eats dragons. He has some innate uniqueness.
Late in the evening, at Red Castle's banquet hall.
"Congratulations, Your Highness."
Aemon was surrounded by people. Bartimos of Crab Island was the first to toast. He was glad he had shown goodwill early on and established a deep friendship. The dragon prince, who had no fiefdom or prefix, was promoted to the official prince of Driftmark Island. Although it sounds like his momentum has weakened, his status has actually leaped. He is a royal relative with real power.
Aemon responded to each person individually and finally broke away from the crowd.
With fame comes trouble.
"Aemon."
Alicent had changed into a royal blue dress and was eager to greet him. As soon as he turned around, a pair of arms hugged his neck.
"Today is the happiest day since my wedding. I will remember it in my heart forever." Moved and happy, Alicent boldly pulled him into her arms.
Aemon's face turned red and he bumped into her soft touch. It was long-lost, excessive intimacy. His body was stiff, and he didn't know where to put his hands. He was very grateful for Alicent's generosity. But he had grown up and didn't need to thank her.
Boo~
Alicent kissed him on the cheek and smiled sweetly. "I like the crown very much." She was still rational and didn't pull away after kissing him. Instead, she rubbed the silver-gold head in her arms. There was a significant height difference, and Aemon had to bend down. It was like a sister hugging her brother—without any extra lust.
Aemon broke free from the embrace and displayed a helpless expression. Alicent was unable to control her emotions after they burst out. With so many people watching, it was easy to be misunderstood. Although she complained in her heart, her feelings turned to pity.
Her body returned to normal, and she put her hands on her smooth back. Marriage did not bring her happiness or joy; she was very similar to her mother, Lady Rhea. The difference was that one slept with her husband but had different dreams, while the other was simply a widow. They were both poor women with unhappy marriages.
"Well, you should go and accompany the person waiting for you."
Alicent looked reluctant and slowly released her arms.
"Be careful not to disturb the fetus."
Aemon warned, carefully poking her flat belly with his fingers. Alicent was three months pregnant, but her pregnancy wasn't obvious yet.
"Aemon, don't touch me." She glared at him reproachfully and slapped away his hand. The warmth of his fingertips made her skin feel hot through the fabric of her skirt.
Aemon withdrew his hand in dismay.
"Go quickly. Don't make them wait anxiously." Alicent raised her chin as if to urge her brother to go on a blind date.
Aemon obediently set off.
The dinner was grand, and the banquet hall was crowded. Laena and Rhaenyra sat quietly at the bottom of the table, out of sync with the lively atmosphere.
"Two beautiful ladies, may I sit here?"
Aemon pulled out a chair and squeezed in between the two women.
"It's my honor."
Laena had a gentle temperament and a very pleasant voice.
Rhaenyra glanced at Aemon and moved her chair to the side, making way for an empty seat.
Aemon sat down calmly. From childhood to adulthood, His Royal Highness has never lacked courage. The key is facing challenges head-on.
"You're tired after a day. Eat something."
Laena picked up some dishes and put them on his plate.
Aemon started eating very politely.
"I poisoned it."
Laena said these terrifying words calmly. Aemon paused, mid-chew, and asked in surprise, "Really?"
Laena nodded slightly.
Aemon closed his eyes, continued chewing, and swallowed.
"Aren't you afraid?" Laena asked.
Aemon swallowed the last bite and smiled. "You must eat all the dishes you picked out."
Laena sighed and said regretfully, "But I really did poison it."
Aemon's forehead was covered in cold sweat.
This is the end.
Laena chuckled. "Just kidding, idiot." Then, she picked up the same dish and took a bite.
Aemon breathed a sigh of relief.
"You scared him." Rhaenyra rolled her eyes, speechless.
Laena said, "If you don't teach him a lesson, he won't remember it." She had learned from her mother and was very good at training her husband.
Rhaenyra couldn't help but agree: "You are right."
Aemon looked at the two women suspiciously. Why is there a strange sense of harmony?
"Aemon, my father is very angry." Rhaenyra hesitated, not wanting to say it at that moment.
Aemon whispered, "What about you?"
Rhaenyra was stunned when she heard it. Even Laena stopped moving and looked a little unnatural.
"Your thoughts?" Aemon said, but his eyes looked at the two people.
Rhaenyra took a deep breath and stared at him. "Do you think my thoughts are important?" She knew her standing with Aemon was no longer the same. Perhaps her standing had never been high. Laena had always been favored over her.
Aemon said nothing, holding her soft little hand. Another false proposition. He just needed to express it through his actions.
Rhaenyra interlocked her fingers with his, and a warm current flowed through her heart.
Laena turned her head and raised her glass to take a sip of wine.
"Cousin, congratulations on winning the tournament championship."
Laenor hurried over with an excited smile. Rhaenyra's expression tightened, and she pulled her hand away.
Laenor didn't even look at it and said excitedly, "When you're free, let's spar."
"Okay." Aemon smiled.
Laenor was very happy and chatted for a long time. He is such a charming cousin. He's not only manly, but also a good warrior.
"Laenor, do you have anything else to do?" Laena's eyes were unkind.
Brothers who share the same mother know what farts are like when they stick their butts out.
Laenor shuddered and retreated with a wry smile. Bloodline suppression is terrifying.
Aemon realized this later and said strangely, "He…"
"Don't drink with him; he'll get you drunk." Laena warned strongly.
"If you get drunk, then this man is not worth keeping."
"I know." Aemon nodded his head and felt a chill on his back. He must have recently fallen in love, and all the good and bad memories came flooding back.
Horrible, horrible...
Harold came over. "Prince, His Majesty wants to see you."
"Is there something you can't say here?" Rhaenyra said nervously.
Harold replied helplessly, "Don't worry, Princess. It's just a normal conversation."
Rhaenyra didn't believe him and wanted to protect herself. Aemon held her down. "It's okay. You two talk first."
He knew that, sooner or later, he would have to talk to them alone.
The crypt.
Balerion's skull was placed on the altar and surrounded by circles of white candles. Aemon arrived at that moment. He saw his uncle Viserys at a glance, standing on the edge of the altar and flicking the candlelight with his palm.
Unlike the previous two conversations, this time the location was changed to the crypt.
"Uncle." Aemon spoke first.
Viserys looked at the dragon skull and said nostalgically, "Balerion was the only creature left in ancient Valyria before the Doom."
"What do you think of when you see a dragon, its greatness and flaws?"
Aemon was a little surprised and told the truth. "I have never had the honor of seeing one."
Balerion was a legendary dragon that hatched in ancient Valyria and migrated to Dragonstone with the exiled Aenar. Originally, there were five dragons, but the other four died for unknown reasons. Balerion became the swan song of ancient Valyria. The uncle was the last person to ride Balerion.
"Answer me." Viserys turned around, his expression solemn. "This is important. What did you see?"
Aemon was slightly startled and saw that the uncle was serious and really wanted to hear his opinion. Opinions on dragons.
Viserys stared at him, signaling for his nephew to speak. After a moment of thought, Aemon said seriously, "It's us; it's our family."
The reason the Targaryen family is so glorious today is because of the dragons. The Dragon King family lost their dragons and became ordinary people.
"That's right."
Viserys smiled and warned, "Dragons are our guarantee, but controlling them is an illusion."
"Dragons are dangerous forces. The downfall of ancient Valyria is inseparable from dragons. We must learn from history and use this power with caution."
Aemon nodded in response. "I will," he said. He didn't quite understand what his uncle meant. Was he cautioning himself about the three dragons under his command, or was he telling himself to be careful?
Viserys answered, "Without dragons, we are just ordinary people. Only Targaryens who understand this are worthy of approaching the Iron Throne."
Aemon knew the key was coming.
"I asked you a question. Do you have an answer now?" Viserys looked at his nephew with high hopes. "The Iron Throne is the most dangerous position, unlike riding a dragon, and needs to be guarded by one person."
Aemon did not hesitate. "My answer remains unchanged." He would not accept any kidnapping.
Viserys was annoyed. "You will marry Rhaenyra, right?"
"Of course," Aemon admitted.
Viserys asked again. "Do you also want to marry Laena?"
Aemon nodded.
Viserys said seriously, "Do you know the consequences of having two wives?"
"I think it's time to change some things." Aemon's eyes were deep. The family lacked cohesion and kept repeating the mistakes of internal strife. The Faith of the Seven Gods suppressed the Targaryens, and they should attack it to obtain more privileges. The Velaryon family has dragons; therefore, they should find a way to regain the dragon riders. The eldest uncle played it safe with everything and was dragging the family into the abyss step by step. While things could still be salvaged, drastic reforms were necessary.
After a moment of silence, Viserys said, "I want you to betroth Rhaenyra and marry her as Queen's Husband."
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