Aemond looked away, thought for a moment, and then spoke slowly.
"Send someone to inform the Faith."
All eyes turned to the Regent.
"Go and tell High Septon Owen that the Crown does not permit any form of armed holy orders. This is the agreement reached between Maegor the First, Jaehaerys the First, and the Faith. The defense of the Faith of the Seven by force must be upheld by the royal House Targaryen. Today, the Faith is responsible only for missionary work; the Crown is responsible for protection. If anyone wishes to restore the Warrior's Sons, that would be a violation of the agreement, a provocation to the Crown and the realm."
He paused and continued. "Let High Septon Owen come out and declare these gatherings around King's Landing illegal and contrary to the teachings of the Seven."
"Furthermore," Aemond continued, "send someone to tell all the people of King's Landing not to participate in these illegal gatherings."
Aemond sighed inwardly. This was his final warning. If these fools continued to be stubborn... when the time came, he would not be blamed...
Dead silence fell over the council chamber. All eyes were on the Regent—on his long silver hair glinting coldly in the sun, on his straight posture.
Grand Maester Norren lowered his head, feeling a faint unease.
Does he know? Still not know? But the plan has already begun. Even if he wanted to stop it, it is no longer possible...
Grand Maester Norren remembered the High Septon's words that night.
"When the riots begin, tens of thousands or more will storm the Dragonpit. No matter how strong the dragons are, they will be overwhelmed."
Tens of thousands of people... Would it work? He did not know. But he knew that if it did not work, it would not be the dragons that died, but tens of thousands of people.
Aemond turned his head and smiled.
"Next, let us speak of my uncle."
The Hand, Tyland, frowned.
"Regent, we are only speculating about Daemon... He may first go to deal with the Tyrosh matter..."
"No," Aemond said.
All listened intently.
"If he does not come, the Riverlands rebels will lose faith in the pretender queen Rhaenyra," Aemond continued with a slight smile. "If my uncle comes, I could not ask for more. If he dares to face me and my dragon..."
Lord Jasper Wylde, the Master of Laws, chimed in. "The Regent is right. The traitness Rhaenys is dead. The Blacks have only Daemon left who can fight. But now, how can he fight you?"
"Yes, yes," the others echoed.
Aemond listened to their flattery, his face expressionless.
"My uncle," he said slowly. "If he does not die for even one day, the realm will be uneasy for one day... If he dies and his head rolls on the ground, will not everyone be at peace?"
Silence fell over the council chamber for a moment, then echoes rose.
"The Regent is right!" "While Daemon lives, disaster will never end!" "It is time to deal with him!"
Queen Alicent frowned slightly and reminded him, "Aemond."
Aemond looked at his mother.
Alicent's gaze was complex. She did not want her son to become known as an uncle-killer, though Aemond had already killed Rhaenys.
Aemond looked at her, was silent for a moment, and then smiled.
"Mother, do you think anyone other than me can deal with Daemon?"
He pointed at Tyland. "Is it Lord Tyland?"
Tyland quickly shook his head.
He pointed at Jasper. "Or Lord Jasper?"
Jasper also shook his head.
He pointed at the others. "Or you?"
All shook their heads and dared not speak.
Aemond lowered his hand, looked at Alicent, and sighed.
"No one. Only I have that ability. Some things, someone must do. My uncle nearly killed Aegon the Second. He wanted to kill me, wanted to kill our entire family. This is not a massacre... it is self-defense."
Lord Jasper Wylde quickly responded. "The Regent is right! It is all helpless! Those traitors struck first!"
The Master of Ships also spoke up. "We must inform the Seven Kingdoms and make it clear that the Regent did not strike first—the traitors did!"
Aemond looked at them, the corners of his lips slightly raised.
"And," he said, "the three brothers Jacaerys, in the official proclamation, their surname will be changed to Waters..."
He braced his hands on the table, and his violet eyes swept over everyone. "I killed bastard dragon-thieves and traitors—that does not count as kinslaying, does it?"
The Hand, Tyland, was the first to nod. "The Regent is wise!"
The others also repeated, "The Regent is wise!"
Aemond's gaze fell on Grand Maester Norren, who had been silent. Maester Norren's swollen face forced out a smile, uglier than tears. "The Regent is wise..."
He sighed inwardly. It's over. It's all completely over. When Aegon returns, he will surely hate me and Owen. If not for their instigation, Aegon would not have personally led the expedition, would not have been grievously wounded, would not be as uncertain as he is now.
Aemond looked at him for a moment, then looked away.
"This meeting is adjourned."
All stood, saluted, and then filed out.
---
Grand Maester Norren left. Tyland left. Jasper left. Erwin left. Will Simmons left last; before leaving, he glanced at Aemond, who nodded slightly, and then he left with confidence.
Only Aemond and Alicent remained in the council chamber.
Alicent had not left. She sat in her seat and looked at Aemond with mixed emotions.
Aemond leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and exhaled deeply.
"Mother, do you still have something to say?"
Alicent's eyes were slightly red, her voice trembling. "I know, now you are the Regent, and you have power. Aegon... Aegon is nothing. I am afraid... afraid that one day you will think he is in the way..."
Aemond looked at her and sighed helplessly.
He stood, walked to Alicent, crouched, and took her hand.
"Mother," he whispered, "look at me."
Alicent looked at him.
"He is my elder brother," Aemond said. "Though a little foolish, we share the same mother's blood. I have never thought of harming him."
Alicent's tears flowed.
"You don't need to worry all day," Aemond continued. "I am not Maegor, and he will not be Aenys..."
Aemond comforted her and gently patted the back of Alicent's hand, smiling.
"Don't worry. You know Aegon's temperament. He would not do it, and he dares not fight me. He would not dare to take what I want. So we will still be brothers in the future. He will still be the king..."
Alicent looked at him, seeing the rare tenderness in his sincere eyes. Her years of worry suddenly dissolved. She reached out and embraced her son.
Aemond was still for a moment, then reached out and gently embraced her.
Mother and son held each other for a while, neither speaking.
Finally, Alicent released him, wiped her tears, and forced a smile. "Alright. Alright. I believe you."
Aemond nodded and stood.
As for Aegon, he will decide what kind of king he will become.
At that moment, the door opened.
Helaena entered.
Her belly was already large; she walked a little more slowly, but a gentle smile was on her face. The sunlight streaming through the window illuminated her, her silver hair giving off a soft glow.
Aemond quickly stepped forward to support her. "Why are you here?"
Helaena smiled.
"I missed you."
Aemond smiled too, helped her sit, and had her seated.
Alicent came over, looked at Helaena's belly, and smiled affectionately. "Soon, isn't it?"
"Alys said," Helaena nodded, touching her belly, "it might be a boy and a girl."
Queen Alicent's eyes lit up.
"Twins? Truly?"
Helaena nodded. "As Alys Rivers said, there should be two."
Alicent was so happy she did not know what to say—did that witch actually have some skill? The Queen Mother took Helaena's hand, looked left and right, her face full of smiles.
Aemond stepped aside and looked at them; a smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
"By the way," Helaena suddenly said, "I want to tell you something."
Aemond bent down and came closer to her.
Helaena whispered, "Last night, I had a dream."
"What dream?"
"I dreamed... the sun and the moon in the sky... fell upon me..."
Aemond was stunned for a moment. That was an omen of royalty?