Early in the morning of the Small Council meeting, within the king's solar atop Maegor's Holdfast.
King Viserys I sat at the head of the long table.
Aemond stood a single step behind his father, calmly surveying the faces seated along both sides.
These people formed the very core that sustained the daily workings of the Seven Kingdoms.
Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King, occupied the first seat to Viserys's left.
Opposite him sat Lyman Beesbury, Master of Coin, a man in his fifties from House Beesbury of the Reach.
Beside Beesbury sat Jasper Wylde, Master of Laws, a bald and stout nobleman.
At the center of the table sat Larys Strong, Lord Confessor—known as the Clubfoot—who was leisurely sipping a cup of fine wine.
When Aemond's gaze passed over him, Larys lifted his eyes slightly and met the prince's look with a polite smile.
Harwin Strong—brother to Larys, lover of Princess Rhaenyra, and the true biological father of her three bastard sons.
House Strong had once stood firmly with the Blacks.
But a sudden fire consumed Harrenhal; Lord Lyonel Strong and his eldest son Harwin both perished, leaving the second son, Larys, to inherit the title.
Not long after Otto Hightower's return as Hand, Larys Strong was elevated to the Small Council as Master of Whisperers.
A ruthless heart, Aemond thought.
Now House Strong had turned to the Greens.
Nearby, Ser Criston Cole, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, stood by the doors.
At the far end of the table sat Grand Maester Mellos, ever ready to advise the king.
Viserys rubbed his temple and nodded tiredly. "Yes. Is there anything else?"
"Your Grace," Lyman Beesbury hesitated, his gaze shifting briefly toward Aemond, "there is one more matter… Prince Aemond approached me yesterday with a request to withdraw one hundred thousand gold dragons from the treasury."
"A castle…" Viserys murmured.
His eyes lingered on his second son, momentarily unfocused—then sharpened again as he recalled that this son now commanded two dragons.
"Two hundred thousand?!" Beesbury nearly sprang from his seat.
"Your Grace! This is—this is far too extravagant! Even with a full treasury, such an expenditure must be treated with caution!"
"How can this be called extravagant?" Viserys replied coolly.
"My son requires a castle worthy of his station."
"That land will also become his domain."
He paused, sweeping his gaze across the table. "As for his current holdings, they may be… expanded somewhat."
The chamber fell silent.
An independent domain.
That meant Aemond would no longer be merely a prince, but a true lord—possessing land, levies, and independent revenues.
Otto Hightower did not speak, clearly avoiding any appearance of self-interest.
Jasper Wylde immediately said, "Your Grace is wise. Prince Aemond is gifted and fully deserving of such an honor."
Larys Strong gently set down his cup and smiled. "This will also strengthen royal authority around King's Landing, Your Grace."
Tyland Lannister, Master of Ships, hesitated briefly before nodding. "I also support Your Grace's decision."
Though Grand Maester Mellos frowned slightly, it was clear that Viserys's affection for Prince Aemond left no room for argument.
Only Lyman Beesbury protested again. "Your Grace, even if land is to be granted, it must be carefully considered."
"The lands near the Kingswood are crown lands, traditionally reserved as royal hunting grounds. If they are granted as a fief to Prince Aemond, what of the rest of the royal family?"
"The royal family?" Viserys's voice turned cold.
"My eldest son Aegon resides on Driftmark. My eldest daughter Rhaenyra holds Dragonstone. My youngest son Daeron lives in Oldtown with the Hightowers."
He cut Beesbury off before he could continue.
"I have made my decision. The riverside estate and the surrounding one hundred miles are hereby designated as Aemond's domain."
Turning his head, Viserys asked, "And have you considered what this land shall be called?"
"That name…" Viserys continued without waiting. "Let it be called Moonspire. Lyman Beesbury will allocate two hundred thousand gold dragons from the royal treasury for the construction of the castle."
"Otto and Jasper will draft the official decrees and announce to the Seven Kingdoms the establishment of Prince Aemond's sovereignty over Moonspire."
At this, Aemond smiled faintly and looked toward Beesbury.
Now even His Grace favors me.
The king himself is my backing.
What game do you think you're playing with me?
He also silently thanked Rhaenyra—named heir to the realm—for her feud with Queen Alicent, and for the rumors surrounding her bastards and her scandalous reputation.
Because of that, she had remained away from King's Landing, shuttling between Dragonstone and Driftmark, rather than staying by the king's side.
Aemond had not expected matters to proceed so smoothly.
Two hundred thousand gold dragons from the crown, plus another fifty thousand from House Hightower—more than enough.
Moonspire… the name was acceptable.
Silence settled over the council chamber; there seemed to be nothing left to discuss.
Viserys looked around at the assembled councillors. "Is there anything else? If not, we will adjourn for today—"
"The envoy from the Triarchy has been waiting a long time," Otto reminded him. "You promised to receive him yesterday."
Viserys froze for a moment. "My memory fails me… I nearly forgot. Let them enter."
Otto nodded to Ser Criston Cole at the door.
Footsteps sounded from outside, drawing nearer.