The next morning, Aemon, after enduring a sleepless night, rode his dragon back to Oldtown.
Ding, ding, ding!
The bells of the Great Sept of Stars rang out as the Sheepstealer flew cunningly past.
At the Hightower, Aegon ran out to greet Aemon and the others.
"What's that on your chest?" Aemond's eyes widened, pointing at the three-headed golden dragon emblem on Aegon's tunic.
"That?" Aegon said smugly, adjusting his newly designed personal crest. "I'm the Lord of the Hightower now, so of course I have to be different." The three-headed golden dragon on a green field symbolized the Green faction's identity and the bright golden sun.
"You? The Lord of the Hightower!?" Aemond was outraged. What did Aegon do to deserve to be Lord of the Hightower? What about all the hardships he'd endured—defeating Aegon, burning Dunstonbury, conquering Starfall, and destroying House Peake?
"You're quite strong, my dear fellow." Aegon opened his arms, swaying forward and clasping Aemond's shoulders. He looked like he was asking for a beating. Aemond's face was gloomy, his hands clenched into fists.
Undeterred, Aegon whispered in his ear, "Don't you know?" He had not only the towering tower but also two powerful, newly minted vassals. He even had a marriage arranged for this trip.
"Aegon!" Aemond's eyes blazed, on the verge of a rage.
"Hey, are you mad?" Aegon leaped back, putting Aemond in front of him. He poked his head out, deliberately irritating him, "There's no point in being mad. I'm so outstanding."
Aemond's chest heaved violently, and a hint of hatred lingered in his eyes. He felt like murder.
"Hey, Lord Thaddeus is waiting for you at Highgarden," Aegon said, pulling back his head and flattering Aemond.
Aemond frowned. Damn it! This was the first time in his life that someone had protected him. His eyes swept over Aegon's personal crest, which matched the Greens' during the Dance of the Dragons. "Your crest isn't as pretty as mine."
"Alright, if you two have any disagreements, talk it out back at home," Aemon said, pushing Aegon aside. He still had business to attend to. He had returned to Oldtown, firstly to see Aegon, and secondly to put pressure on the Citadel.
The Faith of the Seven didn't need it! Even before marrying Rhaenyra and Laena, the Seven had already submitted. Having lost their armed forces for years, the Faith had lost its fangs and was accustomed to being supported. Unlike the Citadel, they were sneaky and engaged in cunning schemes.
Time passed quickly. Aemon spent several days in Oldtown, admiring the sights and buying some local specialties. During this time, Lady Jeyne Rowan, wife of Lord Donnel, visited the tower.
Lady Rowan had brought her daughter, Samantha Tarly, to meet her daughter's future husband.
Aemon observed. Samantha was a tanned, lively girl with a somewhat fiery personality. She was skilled in divination and riding. She and Helaena were about the same age, and they got along well.
But with Aegon... Aemon shook his head.
Lady Rowan, on the other hand, was very pleased with him. Although Aegon usually appeared to be a slacker and unruly, he was well-mannered in public. In particular, he took Lady Rowan on a ride on Sunfyre, which delighted his future mother-in-law so much that she was reluctant to leave. Aemon was even afraid he would scheme against Lady Rowan.
Aemond, on the other hand, was rather rigid in his dealings with others. He never smiled but stood there blankly, unable to hold back a fart. He was not very popular with girls.
After Lady Rowan's carriage returned to Horn Hill, Aemon chastised Aegon, who was reluctant to leave, and led the three siblings to Highgarden.
When they arrived at Highgarden, they were all astounded.
The renovations to Highgarden were complete. Most of the nobles of the Reach had gathered there, with over ten thousand people stationed within the triple walls.
"Greetings to His Royal Highness!" "..."
Led by Lord Thaddeus, the nobles of the Reach bowed and roared a thunderous greeting.
"Nigh!" the Sheepstealer whinnied sharply, frightened by the crowd and reluctant to land. A guilty thief fears discovery. In the past, those caught stealing sheep were beaten by the shepherd and the sheepdog. This time, with so many people, it was a bit risky.
"Behave, Sheepstealer!" Aemond shouted, commanding the unrepentant mud dragon to stop.
Vermithor and Dreamfyre, both dragons accustomed to grand occasions, landed safely in a courtyard covered in grapes and roses.
"Did you do this?" Aemon asked, approaching Thaddeus.
"I did, my prince." Thaddeus puffed out his chest, grinning innocently. "What do you think?"
"..."
Hard to judge.
Aemon turned around, looked at the nobles of the Reach who were in awe of him, and gently raised his hand: "Get up."
"Thank you, Prince!" "..."
The nobles of the Reach breathed a sigh of relief.
"Your will is the direction we move forward," Thaddeus said, raising his head and patting his chest. His Royal Highness had been awarded a new title.
Aemon, the New Southland Lighthouse, glanced at him, genuinely impressed by the Earl's desire for advancement. He was a man of character!
The nobles of the Reach were truly loyal, and Aemon naturally returned the favor. They rushed over, quickly becoming close friends.
"Hehe~~" Aegon watched the excitement and wanted to join in.
Old man Linman ran out and quietly took Aegon away to avoid angering the nobles.
"Helaena, you stay with Lady Dessire," Aemon said.
The moment he turned around, Lady Dessire had disappeared. So had Aemond.
"That brat," Aemon frowned. He summoned Linman and Thaddeus, asking to see Lord Garlan.
As soon as he spoke, Linman declined. Lord Garlan had been depressed since his injury and refused to see anyone.
Aemon felt a little disappointed.
Linman had broken some big news for him. Lady Dessire was pregnant!
Aemon's eyes widened slightly. Linman, folding his hands, whispered, "According to the maester's diagnosis, Lady Dessire is a month pregnant."
Going back in time, it was right around the time of Lord Tyrell's death.
Aemon remained expressionless, deeply shocked. According to history, Lord Tyrell should have lived until the Dance of the Dragons, with only an infant son to inherit the title. Lady Dessire, as regent, remained neutral during the Dance of the Dragons.
Aemon had deduced that Garlan was a short-lived man, likely dying young for various reasons. Such cases were not uncommon. Lord Tyrell's son of Riverrun died just before the Dance of the Dragons, leaving his grandson to inherit the title.
It was unimaginable. Even with Lord Tyrell's early death, Lady Dessire could still get pregnant.
"So miraculous?" Aemon wondered. So be it. If she gave birth to a boy, he would be able to take over Lord Garlan's responsibilities. Highgarden wouldn't fall to a branch of the Tyrell family.
Thinking of this, Aemon felt less guilty about trapping the Reach. Although he didn't feel much guilt to begin with.
After three days, Aemon and his companions decided to leave.
Aemond looked glum, as if he was reluctant to leave.
"I'm going to have a good drink when we get back to King's Landing," Aegon said happily.
Aemond glanced at him, and his expression darkened even more. It was hard for Aemon not to see the clues.
Helaena: "He's fallen in love with someone he shouldn't."
"Huh?" Aemon was surprised.
Aemond looked up quickly, his face flushing instantly, whether from anger or embarrassment.
Seeing this, Aemon said to himself, "Oh no."
"Prince, we're here to see you off!" Thaddeus appeared at the right time.
The nobles of the Reach formed a large circle to bid farewell to the four dragonbloods.
Before leaving, Aemon instructed Thaddeus to keep a close eye on Prince's Pass. He also told him, "Have your carriages ready, and march to King's Landing at any moment."
"Why haven't they returned to King's Landing yet?" Viserys complained unhappily at the royal council.
The ministers gave him a wry smile. Who could possibly manage a bunch of little ancestors?
"You know, Your Majesty," Corlys said, leaning back in his chair. "With Prince Aemon leading the charge, this outcome is not surprising." That guy had been a grandfather since he was a child. With a grown grandfather leading three little ones, it was normal for contact to break off, and for accidents to happen.
What need for a wheelbarrow?
Viserys was humiliated. "Is that what I'm talking about? I'm worried about them messing around."
A few days ago, he received two letters at once. One was from Aemon. It announced that House Peake had participated in the rebellion, that Aemond had burned Dunstonbury, and proposed that the castle be given to Aemond.
He hesitated. One of his two sons would definitely stay in the Reach. But he couldn't bear to leave either one there.
The second letter broke his predicament. From Urwin Peake, he expressed sincere repentance and offered a castle in exchange for forgiveness. It was a perfect match. With a stroke of his pen, Viserys decided to give Urwin a chance and grant Aemond the fief of Dunstonbury. He sent the letter to Starfall, asking Urwin to speak directly to his nephew.
Aemon certainly hadn't received it. Lord Donnel had.
Aemon told him, "You didn't."
Lord Donnel hadn't received it either.
"The rebellion in the Reach has been quelled, and the royal family has an extra castle. Nothing could be better." Viserys felt relieved, a smile on his face. He was oblivious to the fact that his two beloved sons, with two thunderbolts, were about to blast him in the face.
The King of the Hightower and the Fall of House Peake.
"I heard Daemon went to Qohor and bought a batch of fine tapestry silks to make new dresses for each of the children," Alicent said, pouring wine for her husband. "Helaena is a girl, so she needs to make two more sets. The brat doesn't need one."
Viserys smiled. Especially the nephew, who is a real rich man. "Go back to the Vale and do it yourself."
Alicent smiled a little. Her husband had no contact with Aemon, but she did. Aegon was given the Hightower, and Aemond was given the Castle of Dunstonbury. Her brother Gwayne was rewarded for suppressing the rebellion and became the new Earl of Oldtown.
Even Helaena had gained hard-earned benefits in this civil war.
Viserys had forgotten about Helaena's marriage. He had to forget.
Viserys's smile was bitter. His daughter had secretly escaped from King's Landing on a dragon, making her attitude very clear. If he pressed her any further, who knows what might happen. After all, Aegon's marriage was settled, and the first step in the expansion of the royal family was successfully completed.
What are Helaena's plans for the future... Let's wait and see.
Knock, knock, knock!
There was a polite knock on the door, and Tyland appeared excitedly.
"What good news is this, Lord Tyland?" Viserys asked.
Tyland said cheerfully, "The Citadel has recommended a new Grand Maester, and he's just outside."
"Oh?" Viserys straightened up and couldn't help but glance sideways. The seat of the Lord Advocate was empty, and the next Grand Maester was occupied by the drowsy Mellos.
Hearing Tyland's words, Mellos shuddered, his cloudy old eyes filled with resentment.
"Call him up," Corlys looked back at Tyland and spoke for the king.
Viserys suddenly came to his senses. Tyland nodded vigorously and went out to bring the person.
Soon, the man appeared. A young man with a short haircut, wearing a gray acolyte's robe, not tall, dark-skinned, and with an unremarkable appearance.
Everyone ignored his short stature, and their attention fell on the neck of the young maester.
Orwyle was introverted, touched the seven chains on his chest, and introduced himself, "It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty."
"My name is Orwyle, the new Grand Maester recommended by the Conclave."
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