There were only three people in the private reception room.
Earl Paxter sat in the main seat, and the silver-haired knight sat in the guest seat.
Even more incredible was that Monford Velaryon was kneeling before the knight!
"Earl Paxter."
"The surveillance of the Divine Grace Light Screen has been obscured by ancient Valyrian magic. What comes next is the truth."
Monford Velaryon shouted in a high-pitched voice.
"This person before you is the eldest son of Crown Prince Rhaegar Targaryen! Aegon VI of House Targaryen!"
"King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm. King of the True Dragons! Heir to the great Valyrian Magic Empire!!"
"The King has returned!"
The voice was so loud it made Earl Paxter tremble with fear, afraid of being overheard.
"The truth"?
Rhaegar's son is still alive?!
"But, fifteen years ago..." Earl Paxter's voice was full of doubt.
It was well known that when King's Landing fell fifteen years ago, the infant Young Aegon had died at the hands of The Mountain.
The silver-haired knight did not answer.
Monford Velaryon smiled slightly, "That infant was just a farmer's child. Varys did it flawlessly, no one noticed. As for after that..."
Varys! A farmer's son?!
Following this line of thought, Earl Paxter automatically filled in the subsequent developments.
Varys used underhanded means to hide the young prince and sent him out of King's Landing one day, then secretly raised him.
"Alas," Monford Velaryon sighed.
"It's a pity that Lord Varys was still framed and harmed to this extent. Fortunately, he didn't reveal His Majesty's whereabouts, truly loyal."
Earl Paxter looked at Monford Velaryon.
House Velaryon was already close to House Targaryen, also possessing Valyrian blood, and had become increasingly decadent in recent years.
It was not impossible for the Velaryons to intend to support the young prince's restoration.
However, Earl Paxter became even more confused. Why choose me? How long have they been colluding in secret, and who else is involved?
"Earl Paxter."
Monford Velaryon slowly stood up.
"The Seven Kingdoms are in the midst of war, the Lords are in panic and disarray, and the common people are suffering. It is time for the country to return to the right track."
Monford Velaryon couldn't help but glance at the quiet King before speaking again.
"The True King will soothe the pain, expel the rebels, and punish the crimes. The Lords who suffered losses to uphold the legitimacy of the Iron Throne will all receive compensation and rewards."
Earl Paxter understood the meaning of these words.
After the War of the Usurper, House Redwyne, which supported the Targaryens and their Liege Lord Tyrell, naturally suffered considerable losses.
He certainly hadn't forgotten.
His two sons were taken as hostages, the reputation of House Redwyne was damaged, their influence at court greatly diminished, and tariffs on wine from The Arbor were increased.
If the King were changed...
Earl Paxter couldn't help but look at the silver-haired knight.
The knight's hair was like molten silver, and his violet eyes were gentle yet majestic.
And that face, the more he looked at it, the more it resembled Crown Prince Rhaegar, the more it looked like a standard Targaryen. He looked sixteen or seventeen, which was exactly Prince Aegon's age.
Monford Velaryon took a step forward.
"Prince Doran has already agreed to a secret alliance. As soon as the royal banner is raised again, tens of thousands of spearmen from Dorne will march north to join the war!"
"Miss Margaery's fiancé is not Renly! The real betrothal is between the Targaryens and the Tyrells. Now it is just to make the Baratheons fight among themselves and consume their strength."
Margaery? Earl Paxter's breath hitched. This can't be true, can it?!
Monford Velaryon continued, "You and I both know the power of the Ship Cannons. By the grace of The Gods, both sides of the Baratheon armies are gathering towards Storm's End."
"At Storm's End by the sea, they will have their decisive battle there."
"At that time, the Fleet will turn and strike..."
Earl Paxter recalled the tragic state of the hill in the outer harbor, as if he already saw the shattered bodies of countless Soldiers.
Ship Cannons!
But this did not make him decide to join Prince Aegon's side; instead, he became more hesitant.
Ship Cannons.
Such terrifying weapons were precisely the handiwork of King Joffrey.
Although he had only gleaned a few fragmented pieces of information from visiting guests, he was already filled with awe for the King's divine power.
Who knew what other terrifying powers King Joffrey possessed?
Could a mere rebellious fleet defeat King Joffrey, who was blessed by the Gods? And this fleet's reliance was on the power granted by the King.
Furthermore, even if the Prince's identity were real, how could it be proven, and how could the Seven Kingdoms be convinced?
Earl Paxter looked at the Prince.
"The sigil on your chest... it doesn't seem to be a Fire Dragon?"
It was a three-legged firebird.
The Prince smiled slightly, "Is that so? Look closer."
Earl Paxter was startled for a moment, but could only look again. But...
A Fire Dragon?!
The original three-legged firebird had changed from golden yellow to blood red, its head splitting into three to become a giant dragon, its wings spread wide, and its tail coiled around.
The sigil of the Targaryen!
"Is it really a Fire Dragon? Look again," the mysterious voice drifted leisurely.
Earl Paxter blinked.
The sigil before him changed again, making his heart pound wildly, his mind buzz, and he collapsed to his knees.
A shield! A Black Stag and a Golden Lion stood on either side!
Paxter Redwyne trembled as he raised his head to look at the Prince's face. Everything had changed.
The golden sunlight had replaced the mysterious silver.
The violet had turned into green crystal.
"Greetings... Your Majesty," Paxter's voice was strained.
Joffrey glanced at him teasingly.
"Rise, Earl Paxter. You truly surprised me. We've been talking about a game for so long, and you haven't truly taken a stance."
Earl Paxter opened his mouth, but didn't know how to explain.
What could he say?
I was just hesitating, I didn't intend to agree to rebellion?
For Kings, even a moment of hesitation or consideration was equally intolerable.
"However," Joffrey stood up and patted his shoulder, "I believe Earl Paxter was merely hesitating on how to refuse and capture the rebel, which is why you didn't immediately stop him. Isn't that right?"
Paxter nodded repeatedly.
Joffrey calmly instructed, "The Redwyne Fleet will be incorporated into the Royal Fleet, commanded by Horas and Horas, and will sail north to the Iron Islands. Desmera will remain by my side to serve. No problem, right?"
Paxter paused, knowing he had no choice, and continued to nod.
Joffrey looked pleased, "From today onwards, you will be the 'Guardian of the Summer Sea', defending the maritime borders and repelling enemies."
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"
Knowing the ordeal was over, Paxter couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, those things just now..."
Joffrey chuckled, "Of course they were fake. Aegon died long ago, and Margaery is still Uncle Renly's fiancée, for now."
Earl Paxter sighed inwardly, understanding the situation even more clearly.
There was only one True King.
Joffrey asked again, "Bethany Redwyne, what is your relationship with her?"
Paxter was startled.
She was a collateral branch of the Redwyne Family, fortunate enough to marry Earl Rowan.
What did the King mean?
Joffrey generously stated, "The Rowan Family is about to be destroyed. You can save her and her child, and even let them inherit the Rowan Family's castle."
For a moment, Paxter was speechless.
-----------
Machine Translation by: https:// randomtranslator.com/
Read 777+ original & fanfic translations in English, Español, Português, Deutsch, Français, or Русский at: https:// randomtranslator.com/
Join our Discord: https:// discord.gg/NSWvfN7vua
-----------