Aemond withdrew his gaze, pondered for a moment, and then spoke slowly.
"Send word to the Faith."
Everyone turned to look at the Prince Regent.
"Tell High Septon Owen that the Realm does not permit any form of ecclesiastical military orders."
"This was the agreement reached between King Maegor I, King Jaehaerys I, and the Faith long ago."
"The defense of the Faith of the Seven by force of arms is the responsibility of House Targaryen."
"As of now, the Faith is responsible for preaching, and the Crown is responsible for protection."
"If some people wish to rebuild the Warrior's Sons?"
"That is a breach of the agreement, an act of defiance against the Crown and the Realm."
He paused and continued: "Have Septon Owen step forward and declare these gatherings around King's Landing as illegal assemblies that violate the tenets of the Seven."
"And," Aemond added, "send word to everyone in King's Landing: do not participate in these illegal assemblies."
Inwardly, Aemond sighed. This was his final warning.
If these ignorant masses insisted on persisting in their folly, they would have no one to blame but themselves when the time came.
The council chamber fell into a deathly silence.
Everyone looked at the Prince Regent, at his long silver hair shimmering with a cold light in the sun, and at the straight bridge of his nose.
Grand Maester Noren kept his head down, feeling a wave of unease.
'Does he know? Or does he not?'
But the plan had already been set in motion.
Even if he wanted to stop it now, it was impossible.
Noren remembered the High Septon's words from that night:
"When the riot begins, tens of thousands or more will storm the Dragonpit. No matter how strong a dragon is, it will be buried under the weight of the mob."
Tens of thousands... would it work? He didn't know.
But he knew that if it failed, it wouldn't be the dragons who died, but those tens of thousands of people.
Aemond turned his head and smiled slightly.
"Next, let us discuss my uncle."
Tyland Lannister knit his brows.
"Lord Regent, we speculate that Daemon... he might go to resolve the situation in Tyrosh first..."
"No," Aemond stated. Everyone listened intently.
"He will come. If he doesn't, the Riverlands rebels will lose all faith in that pretender, Rhaenyra."
Aemond continued with a faint smile: "If my uncle comes, I would welcome it. If he faces me and my dragon."
Jasper Wylde, the Master of Laws, interjected: "The Lord Regent is correct. The traitor Rhaenys is dead; only Daemon is left among the Blacks who can truly fight. But how can he hope to contend with you now?"
"True, true," the others echoed in agreement.
Aemond listened to their flattery, his face remaining expressionless.
"That uncle of mine," he spoke slowly.
"As long as he lives, the Realm will know no peace... If he were to die, his head rolling on the ground, wouldn't everyone finally feel at ease?"
The chamber was silent for a heartbeat, then erupted in a chorus of agreement.
"The Lord Regent is right!"
"As long as Daemon lives, the threat remains!"
"It is high time he was dealt with!"
Queen Mother Alicent frowned slightly and spoke up: "Aemond."
Aemond looked at his mother.
Alicent's gaze was complex; she did not want her son to bear the foul name of a kinslayer, even though Aemond had already slain Rhaenys.
Aemond watched her, silent for a moment, and then smiled.
"Mother, do you think anyone besides me is capable of resolving the Daemon problem?"
He pointed to Tyland. "Is it Lord Tyland?" Tyland quickly shook his head. He pointed to Jasper.
"Or Lord Jasper?" Jasper also shook his head.
He pointed to the others. "Or any of you?"
Everyone shook their heads, remaining silent. Aemond withdrew his hand and looked at Alicent with a sigh.
"No one. Only I have the power. Some things must be done by someone. That uncle of mine nearly killed Aegon, and he wants to kill me, he wants to kill our entire family. This isn't just about kinslaying; this is self-preservation."
Jasper Wylde quickly added: "The Lord Regent is correct! This is a move of necessity! Those rebels struck first!"
Erwyn, the Master of Ships, also spoke:
"We should announce this to the Seven Kingdoms, making it clear that it wasn't the Lord Regent seeking to slay kin, but the rebels who first attempted to murder the King!"
Aemond watched them, the corners of his mouth curling upward.
"Furthermore... in all official proclamations regarding Jacaerys and his brothers, change their surnames to Waters."
He braced his hands on the table, his purple eye sweeping over the group.
"I am killing bastards who stole dragons and committed treason. That doesn't count as kinslaying, does it?"
Tyland Lannister took the lead in nodding. "The Lord Regent is wise!"
The others followed suit: "The Lord Regent is wise!"
Aemond's gaze landed on the silent Grand Maester Noren. On Noren's swollen face, a smile appeared that looked more painful than weeping.
"The Lord Regent is wise..."
Inwardly, Noren was sighing.
'It's over. Completely over.'
When Aegon returned, he would surely hate both him and Owen.
If they hadn't goaded him, Aegon wouldn't have led the army in person, wouldn't have been gravely injured, and wouldn't be in this state where his life and death are uncertain.
Aemond watched him for a while, then withdrew his gaze.
"That will be all for today's meeting."
Everyone stood up, bowed, and filed out of the room. Grand Maester Noren left. Tyland left. Jasper left. Erwyn left.
Will Simmons was the last to go, catching Aemond's eye before leaving; Aemond gave a slight nod, and Will left with peace of mind.
In the chamber, only Aemond and Alicent remained. Alicent did not leave.
She sat in her seat, looking at Aemond with a complex gaze. Aemond leaned back against the chair, closed his eyes, and exhaled a long breath.
"Mother, is there something else?"
Alicent's eyes grew red, and her voice trembled.
"I know you are the Prince Regent now, and you hold all the power... Aegon... Aegon is nothing now. I'm afraid. I'm afraid that one day, you will find him to be an obstacle."
Aemond looked at her and let out a helpless sigh. He stood up, walked over to her, knelt down, and took her hand.
"Mother," he said softly, "look at me."
Alicent looked at him.
"He is my elder brother," Aemond said.
"Though he is a bit of a fool, we share the same blood from the same womb. I have never had any intention of harming him."
Alicent's tears began to fall.
"You don't need to be so anxious all day," Aemond continued.
"I am not Maegor, and he will not be Aenys..." Aemond gently patted the back of Alicent's hand, smiling.
"Rest easy. You know Aegon's nature. He would not, dare not, compete with me. What I want, he will not dare to take. So, we will always be brothers. He will still be King."
Alicent looked at him, seeing the rare tenderness in his deep gaze. The worries she had carried for years suddenly dissolved.
She reached out and hugged her son. Aemond stiffened for a second, then reached out and gently held her back.
The mother and son stayed like that for a moment, neither speaking.
Finally, Alicent released him, wiped her tears, and managed a smile.
"Good. Good. I believe you."
Aemond nodded and stood up. As for which kingdom Aegon would be King of, that was something Aemond would decide.
Just then, the door opened. Helaena walked in. She was heavily pregnant now, walking somewhat slowly, but her face wore a gentle smile.
Sunlight shone through the window, illuminating her, and her silver hair gave off a soft glow.
Aemond hurried forward to support her. "Why are you here?"
Helaena gave a faint smile. "I missed you."
Aemond smiled as well, guiding her to a seat. Alicent walked over, looking at Helaena's belly with a loving smile. "It's almost time, isn't it?"
"Alys says," Helaena nodded, touching her stomach, "it might be a boy and a girl."
Alicent's eyes lit up. "Twins? Truly?"
Helaena nodded. "Alys Rivers said it should be two."
Alicent was so happy she didn't know what to say. She knew that the witch woman had some real talent.
Aemond stood to the side, watching them, a trace of a smile on his face.
"By the way," Helaena said suddenly, "I have something to tell you."
Aemond leaned down toward her. Helaena whispered: "I had a dream last night."
"What dream?"
"I dreamed... that the sun and moon in the sky fell upon me..."
Aemond faltered.
'Is this an prophecy?'
-----
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