Daeron stopped.
Everyone cast their gaze toward the King, confused as to how the Prince had provoked him to such a display of fury.
Tywin's brow furrowed, wondering secretly what madness had taken him.
No one expected what happened next.
Aerys, whose face had been gloomy, suddenly brightened like the sun emerging from clouds and laughed loudly. "Well fought! You defeated two members of the Kingsguard and the renowned Duke Baratheon. I must reward you properly."
The corner of Daeron's eye twitched slightly.
Aerys continued, talking to himself, "Do you remember Daemon Blackfyre?"
"He participated in a tournament at the age of twelve, defeated several challengers, and was knighted by Aegon IV with the sword Blackfyre."
It was an inept analogy, and the sentiment was barely satisfactory.
Aerys reached out his hand and shouted, "Boy, kneel before your King now. I shall knight you."
The noble lords looked at each other, a single thought simultaneously crossing their minds.
Daeron Targaryen = Daemon Blackfyre. Was the King taking this opportunity to knight the young Prince Daeron out of genuine regard, or was he planning to prop him up to replace Crown Prince Rhaegar?
"Your Majesty, be careful with the sword."
Ser Gerold, the "White Bull," handed over his sidearm.
Aerys's mood shifted instantly, and he snapped displeasurably, "I was once a warrior. I do not need you to remind me how to hold a sword."
Aerys leaned on the longsword with one hand, his lean frame descending the steps.
On the tourney ground.
Daeron knelt on one knee, awaiting the investiture.
His entry into the tournament, besides dampening Rhaegar's momentum, was also intended to seek knighthood.
A knight's status was inferior to that of a lord.
However, the title of knight was the best proof of character, representing his extraordinary bravery and making him worthy of trust and service.
Aerys walked up to his Second Son, very satisfied with the kneeling youth. He placed the blade flat on his left shoulder and announced loudly, "From this day forward, you are a knight. You must know to obey your King."
The knighthood ceremony went smoothly.
When Daeron rose, his gaze suddenly became sharp, revealing a brilliance that stood above others.
Aerys was startled by this look and unconsciously took half a step back.
"Screeech—!"
Caraxes, sensing his rider's emotions, stretched his snake-like neck and let out a long, sharp shriek.
Daeron spoke, "Father, let me help you back."
In a daze, Aerys allowed his Second Son to take his arm and support him back to the high platform in front of everyone.
Clap, clap, clap—
A youth achieving fame, a kind father and a smiling son.
The noble lords watched this scene, and enthusiastic applause suddenly erupted in the arena.
Count Tywys and Count Haran in particular clapped so hard their hands nearly swelled, shouting repeatedly, "Daeron Targaryen! The greatest dragon rider in the Seven Kingdoms!"
The cheers rose and merged into a single roar.
Everyone realized one thing: on dragonback, Daeron was a dragon rider; off dragonback, he was still one of the top warriors in the Seven Kingdoms.
In Westeros, a continent that worshipped personal bravery, he was truly the dream lover of every young girl.
—
Daeron bandaged his wounds and ate a piece of gold star cheese.
In Stardew Valley, gold star cheese and Gold Star Pineapple were known as the Mining Twin Stars.
They were the best foods for healing and restoring stamina.
Daeron took out another gold star cheese and ordered Davos to deliver it to Robert.
"Prince?"
Davos was puzzled.
Daeron waved his hand. "Give it to him."
Even though Robert was the culprit who would destroy the House Targaryen, the War of the Usurper had not yet happened, and that irreconcilable hatred did not yet exist.
In the battle just now, Robert's final performance had moved him.
He was a real man!
Davos nodded and took the gold star cheese toward the seats of the The Alliance of the Four Regions.
"For me?"
Robert was stunned, looking first at the gold star cheese and then at Davos, unable to believe it.
He was certain that the Targaryen boy in the tournament earlier had been trying to kill him.
Davos was eloquent and said, "My Lord Duke, your bravery is extraordinary. The Prince admires you and does not wish for you to suffer from your injuries."
The onlookers had varying expressions, harboring deep suspicion.
"Well said. Give it to me then."
Robert laughed heroically, snatched the gold star cheese, and chewed it in large mouthfuls without a second thought.
"Robert!"
Albert was shocked, but it was too late to stop him.
Even Ned frowned, worried the food might be tainted.
Burp~~
Robert let out a heavy burp, waved his hand, and said calmly, "It's fine. Why would the Prince harm me?"
Seeing that he was truly alright, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Davos smiled. "Special products of this quality are very scarce. The Prince doesn't have many on hand either."
Robert felt his wounds and said, "Indeed, a surge of Life Force is accelerating the healing of my injuries."
"Then I shall take my leave."
Davos observed Robert seriously. Seeing his unconventional heroic spirit, he suddenly understood why the Prince had sent the gold star cheese.
The Seven Kingdoms had no shortage of brave warriors and clever politicians, but it lacked men like Robert.
After he left.
Eddard approached and put his arm around Robert's shoulder, making the latter wince in pain. He asked with a smile, "How does the royal-supply Gold Star food taste?"
He said it jokingly, but it couldn't hide his concern.
Robert pushed him away and remarked with emotion, "Daeron Targaryen is a True Dragon, not like Martell's Red Viper."
What kind of fellow would poison his weapon in a one-on-one duel?
He didn't understand why Daeron had held such killing intent.
But he knew that someone who could ride a dragon would never be a despicable coward.
"Did he discover what you were all discussing?"
Lyanna pondered for a long time before blurting out a sentence.
Everyone fell silent.
—
The next day.
Another interesting event occurred at the tournament.
A mystery knight holding a Weirwood Shield appeared and defeated three knights in succession during the joust.
According to the tournament rules.
Losing a match also meant losing one's horse and armor.
So when the three knights requested to ransom their equipment, the mystery knight set a price.
"Teach your squires some honor; that will be ransom enough."
It turned out these three knights were the masters of the three squires who had bullied Howland Reed the evening before.
The mystery knight displayed noble chivalry, immediately exciting the common folk.
They affectionately called him the "Knight of the Laughing Tree."
This was because the Weirwood Shield he carried was painted with a Weirwood tree bearing a smiling face.
However, this act enraged the King.
For some reason, Aerys intensely loathed the foolish pattern on that shield, believing it was mocking him.
He even suspected it was a lackey deliberately sent by his eldest son, Rhaegar, to humiliate him as a father.
Aerys ordered his knights to challenge the Knight of the Laughing Tree the next day to reveal his true face.
Robert was the first to speak up, wanting to win the match for the King.
But by dusk, the Knight of the Laughing Tree had vanished.
Aerys was furious and sent his eldest son Rhaegar to pursue the Knight of the Laughing Tree and bring him back.
His intentions were sinister.
If Rhaegar brought the person back, he would uncover the true face of the Knight of the Laughing Tree and know who had provoked him.
If Rhaegar failed to bring him back, it would prove the Knight of the Laughing Tree was his eldest son's lackey.
But only a few people knew the true identity of the Knight of the Laughing Tree... Evening.
Daeron was sitting in the courtyard feeding his dragon when the Dragon Guards reported that someone wanted to see him.
"Prince, please help me."
Howland looked anxious, like a headless fly bumping into things.
Daeron didn't play games and asked, "What trouble have you encountered?"
"It's Lady Lyanna—"
Howland trusted the Prince who had been willing to help him during their first meeting, and he explained everything in detail.
It turned out Lyanna had discovered the masters of the three squires who bullied him, disguised herself as a mystery knight, and defeated them to seek justice for her father's vassal.
She hadn't expected it would enrage the King and lead to a pursuit by Crown Prince Rhaegar.
Howland said anxiously, "Lady Lyanna didn't have time to return to the camp to take off her armor and ran toward the Gods Eye. I beg you to help her so she won't be punished by the King."
If Daeron was the first person to help him, then Lyanna was the first person to make him feel warmth.
In the vastness of Harrenhal, he only trusted these two.
"If my father sees Lyanna, I am not certain I can plead for her."
Daeron said helplessly.
Howland's face fell, a wave of despair washing over him.
Unexpectedly, Daeron changed his tone and smiled. "However, I can stop Rhaegar from capturing Lyanna, giving her a chance to clear her suspicion."
"That's wonderful!"
Howland was extremely excited.
After sending Howland away, Daeron's smile faded, and he whispered, "It's still happening."
The prelude to the "False Spring" was the meeting between Rhaegar and Lyanna in the wild.
"Screeech—!"
Caraxes slowly rose and lowered his chest, signaling for his rider to mount.
He shared Daeron's emotions.
The sun was setting in the west.
Harrenhal was brightly lit, hosting a grand banquet.
A streak of red crossed the sky like a sharp arrow, heading toward the north bank of the Gods Eye... the northern forest.
Rhaegar rode a snow-white Unicorn, trampling through thorns and bushes, pursuing that strangely familiar figure.
He was full of reverie regarding the Knight of the Laughing Tree, who had made him an innocent scapegoat.
Whoosh! Caraxes flew overhead, his huge wings flapping loudly, and landed in front of the man and his mount.
The Unicorn was startled and nearly threw Rhaegar off.
"Daeron, why are you stopping me?"
Rhaegar steadied his mount and found his brother walking out from the woods.
Daeron did not approach but instead casually tossed something.
Clink!
Rhaegar raised his hand to catch it and, looking closely, saw it was a ring of strange design.
The ring was cast in black iron, and its top had purple fluff in the shape of a bat; it didn't look like an ordinary accessory at all.
immunity ring: "The top of the ring is made of enchanted purple fluff."
Its effect was +4 Immunity.
Daeron showed no expression and said flatly, "Wear this ring well. I hope any decisions you make next are done with careful consideration, rather than irrational, impulsive acts."
"What is so special about this ring?"
Rhaegar didn't waste words, guessing the ring was similar to the special weapons.
Daeron glanced at him, turned back into the forest, mounted Caraxes, and left.
"Hmph, as if he's the only one who can be a riddler."
Rhaegar remained in place, a look of hesitation on his face.
After thinking about it, he still put the immunity ring on his right index finger.
Instantly, a wave of cool clarity hit his mind, and a sense of comfort surged from his spine, relieving the stress and fatigue of the past six months.
His spirit was refreshed, and his thoughts became clear.
Rhaegar was surprised. "Such a significant efficacy."
Thinking of the several times Daeron had produced large quantities of special crops, hatched young dragons, and provided special weapons and rings, he couldn't help but wonder if he had discovered some kind of heritage.
For example, an enchantment technology similar to valyrian steel.