The year 111 AC was destined to be a year recorded in history.
A tournament was held in King's Landing to celebrate the fifth wedding anniversary of the King and Queen.
Queen Alicent and Princess Rhaenyra, due to the different colors of their banquet dresses, were divided into the Greens and the Black Party.
And the King's eldest son, Prince Aegon Targaryen, stole the show at the dinner party, being held in Viserys I's arms the entire time.
In 111 AC, half a year after the tournament, Daemon and Viserys I fell out again.
Daemon was exiled back to the Stepstones, reportedly because he seduced Princess Rhaenyra.
In 112 AC, the former commander of the Royal Guard died, and Ser Criston Cole took over as commander.
Grand Scholar Runetell died, and Grand Scholar Meiluosi took over.
In 112-113 AC, Queen Alicent felt the time was right and proposed that Rhaenyra marry her son, Aegon, but Viserys I refused.
The King threatened her with the right of succession to the throne, and Rhaenyra was forced to accept marrying Laenor Velaryon, who was a well-known homosexual in the Seven Kingdoms.
Ser Criston Cole and Princess Rhaenyra became enemies, reportedly because the Princess was unwilling to elope with him and humiliated him.
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The year 114 AC.
On the training grounds outside the Red Keep, Aegon, holding a wooden sword, was sparring with Criston.
The sound of wooden swords colliding was incessant, and Alicent watched from the side, her eyes full of admiration.
At the age of six, Aegon began practicing swordsmanship, at that time just simply learning to swing a sword.
Now at the age of seven, Aegon could exchange a few moves with Criston, progressing so quickly that even Criston was shocked.
Of course, if Criston went all out, Aegon could only last two moves.
Even in a real life-and-death fight, Criston could cut off Aegon's round little head in an instant.
"Your Highness, your progress is too fast, perhaps it won't be long before I have nothing left to teach you."
Criston put away his wooden sword, his tone full of astonishment.
"Thank you for your praise, Ser Criston, of course, if you can hit me lighter next time, I will be eternally grateful."
Aegon rubbed the areas on his body that had been reddened by the wooden sword.
A look of embarrassment flashed across Criston's face.
When he sparred with Aegon, he needed to concentrate, and when he concentrated, his strikes would unconsciously become heavier.
"Your Highness, your exquisite swordsmanship is making Ser Criston struggle, he has to be serious," Ser Alec Cargyll said with a smile.
He was definitely not flattering Aegon, but speaking the truth.
Aegon waved his hand and smiled, "Stop talking, I'll get proud. Have you eaten? Want to join me?"
Before Criston could speak, Alec repeatedly waved his hand in refusal.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but we have a place to eat."
"His Majesty wants you to protect me closely, and people are most vulnerable when they are eating, stop talking nonsense, follow me," Aegon said with a wave of his hand.
In the end, Alec still followed Aegon to the dining hall for a meal.
Sitting opposite Aegon, Alec seemed a little constrained.
"Relax, Ser, do I look scary?" Aegon joked.
"I am a little nervous, Your Highness," Alec let out a sigh of relief, "But it's not like you said, it's because I thought of the bards' praises of you."
Aegon smiled without smiling and did not answer.
It was unclear when, but a saying had spread throughout the Kingdom.
The current Prince Aegon had the demeanor of Aegon I the Conqueror, the founder of the Targaryen dynasty.
The spread of this rumor was undoubtedly a powerful blow to Princess Rhaenyra's authority.
It was precisely because of this that few people in the Red Keep would mention it, so as not to anger Princess Rhaenyra and Viserys I behind her.
"I don't like those rumors, my love for my sister is beyond doubt."
Alec was silent, not knowing how to answer.
Aegon's tone was undoubtedly serious, but the expression on his face was thought-provoking.
"Also, Ser Alec, I recognize your ability and loyalty, so you can say some things in front of me, do you understand what I mean?"
Aegon's words made Alec's face turn pale, suddenly realizing his recklessness in daring to discuss the matter of the heir to the throne.
If the King or the Princess heard this, he wouldn't be able to wear this white cloak anymore.
The primary duty of the Royal Guard was to protect the King from harm and threats, not to care who the heir to the throne was.
White knights swore to obey the King's commands, keep the King's secrets, offer counsel when the King needed it, remain silent when not needed, be at the King's disposal and defend his honor.
Strictly speaking, whether the Royal Guard protected others depended on the King's personal wishes.
Some Kings believed it was natural to send the Royal Guard to protect their Queens, children, siblings, and even various cousins near and far.
They would even send the Royal Guard to protect their lovers, mistresses, or bastards.
But other Kings would choose to let royal knights and soldiers do these jobs, and keep the seven Royal Guard by their side forever, serving them.
Viserys was the former; he let Aegon choose a Royal Guard to protect him.
Aegon did not hesitate to choose Ser Alec Cargyll, the Royal Guard who was fiercely loyal to the Greens in the original novel.
If he had the chance, Aegon would also not hesitate to win over his twin brother, Ser Erryk Cargyll.
This would not only avoid the outcome of the brothers killing each other and dying together in the original work, but also win over two capable personal bodyguards.
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