Guard Count +1

Guard Count +1

Since the King was willing, there was naturally no room for refusal.

Viserys was greatly pleased and burst into laughter. "Excellent. As Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, do you have anyone to recommend?"

"Uh..."

Harold was momentarily speechless as he quickly sifted through the candidates in his mind.

The Kingsguard ranked by martial prowess. Since he was getting on in years, he usually remained by the King's and the Princess's sides.

Among the remaining Kingsguard, Cole's fighting ability was unquestionably exceptional.

He had defeated the Cargyll brothers, both Kingsguard themselves, one after another at a tourney. He was at the peak of his strength.

But Cole was deeply favored by the Princess and was widely acknowledged as the "Princess's Kingsguard."

Harold furrowed his brow, torn no matter whom he chose.

Besides himself and Cole, Ser Lorent and the Cargyll brothers were evenly matched, all experts capable of taking on ten men alone.

The King's protection could not do without their efforts.

That left the remaining two...

At last, Harold settled on someone and leaned close to whisper in the King's ear.

"So it's him."

After hearing him out, Viserys came to a realization and called to one of the White Knights standing by the door. "Ser Steffon, your King needs you."

Aemon had no choice in the matter, so he turned his gaze toward the entrance.

The two White Knights standing on either side turned around at the sound.

Aemon saw clearly that the one on the right was the White Knight who had driven the wheelhouse to receive him earlier that day.

"Your Majesty, what are your orders?"

Ser Steve Darklyn strode over, his attitude exceedingly sincere.

Viserys straightened his clothes, his expression solemn. "Starting today, I want you to serve as Aemon Targaryen's knightly instructor and help him become a true knight."

"Teach Prince Aemon?"

Ser Steve was immediately dumbfounded. He had never heard anything about this.

After assigning the task, Viserys added, "If there is anything inconvenient for you, you may say so."

"Speak freely," Harold interjected solemnly.

Steve quickly recovered and said gravely, "It would be my honor, Your Majesty."

The King was a very tolerant man who considered the wishes of those around him.

But once he wore the white cloak, he could not allow selfish desires to interfere.

"Very good."

Viserys patted his arm and looked at his eldest nephew. "What do you think? Shall this White Knight instruct you from now on?"

The weight carried by a Kingsguard was no small thing.

"It would be my honor as well." Aemon stood up, his chubby face utterly serious.

This was not something he could refuse, nor was there any reason to.

In this era, the Kingsguard still carried considerable prestige, unlike the haphazard collection of useless placeholders in later generations.

He was still young and needed loyal, brave protectors like this.

At worst, he would refrain from badmouthing his uncle behind his back and keep any little schemes hidden from others.

"Haha, good."

Viserys beamed. The more he looked at his eldest nephew, the more pleasing he found him, and an indescribable joy filled his heart.

After all, they were close blood relatives.

In the past, in order to secure his hold on the Iron Throne, he had been distant and cold toward his young nephew, failing in his responsibilities as an uncle.

Now that his own line was flourishing, it was time to show some care for his nephews and nieces.

Just look at that chubby, fair little face. The more he looked, the more lovable it seemed.

He was far more sensible than that disgraceful wretch of a younger brother.

Aemon continued eating.

What a good child, Viserys thought, despite being quite young himself.

The next day.

Little Aegon's second Name Day celebration was held, serving as a warm-up for the upcoming Kingswood Hunt.

Guests from every faction arrived in droves, packing the Red Keep to the brim.

"Yaa, yaa~~"

A large group of princes and nobles gathered around, teasing the guest of honor of the day.

Little Aegon was held in the arms of a plump maid, while Alicent watched over him from the side, smiling as she displayed him for everyone to admire and praise.

One moment, she said his hair resembled his father's; the next, she said his eyes did too.

"His nose looks like mine too, doesn't it?"

Viserys held a wine cup in one hand and pinched his eldest son's cheek with the other, making the little thing cry out loudly.

Aemon blended in by the table laden with delicacies, holding a plate as he ate with great enthusiasm.

No one knew him, so he could do as he pleased.

He watched the excitement while enjoying the food.

"Prince, you are still growing. You should eat smaller meals more frequently."

Ser Steve, clad in silver armor and a white cloak, stood nearby and felt it necessary to offer a reminder.

Aemon raised his head, the corners of his mouth covered in sticky jam, and smiled innocently. "All right, Ser."

He had eaten enough anyway.

Ser Steve nodded lightly, and much of the troubled look on his face faded.

He had heard about Prince Aemon's conflict with Cole yesterday and had thought he would be an unreasonable little devil.

Now it seemed he was quite easy to get along with.

Aemon wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin. He had no idea what the other man was thinking, or he would certainly have told him.

You're happy too soon!

Speaking of which, this Ser Steve was quite trustworthy.

Out of the corner of his eye, Aemon caught sight of the man's weathered face, one that did not match his age.

He was not as intimidating in appearance as Gonsal, nor as handsome as the Seagull Knight.

He was relatively short and plain-looking, always wearing a serious expression with his brows tightly furrowed.

He looked rather dependable.

He's under my command now. Aemon was delighted.

After eating and drinking his fill, he began searching the hall for a familiar lovely figure.

Rhaenyra had promised yesterday to take him to the Dragonpit, and he had not forgotten.

"Huh? She isn't here?"

Aemon gave the hall a rough scan but saw no sign of Rhaenyra.

Just then, a figure entered from outside, passed through the guests coming and going, and hurriedly found the King.

After soothing his son, Viserys was happily enjoying the flattery of his ministers.

"Your Majesty, urgent military news has arrived from the Stepstones."

Tyland Lannister leaned close and reported in a low voice.

Viserys turned and saw his Master of Ships.

He stood tall in luxurious black clothing, his golden hair neatly slicked back, while his handsome face was filled with gravity.

"Your Majesty..."

Tyland spoke again, intending to explain the situation in the Stepstones.

Viserys waved a hand and cut him off directly. "Tyland, we will not discuss this today."

"But—" Tyland froze.

"Let the Sea Snake and Daemon worry about it first."

Viserys did not care in the slightest. He turned to pick out some food, unwilling to burden himself with needless troubles.

Standing by the same table, Aemon witnessed everything.

Viserys noticed him too and gave his nephew a kind smile.

Aemon returned the smile and left the table.

It concerned his father, Daemon, but he was not particularly worried.

The Crabfeeder might be troublesome, but he was still destined to be dealt with.

He had barely gone far when Viserys was irritated by the pursuing Tyland and began shouting, using the excuse of looking for his daughter.

"I'll go look for her."

Hearing this, Alicent roughly guessed where Rhaenyra was.

The two had been childhood friends and shared a secret hideout.

However, after Alicent married Viserys and bore him children, Rhaenyra's position as heir had been shaken, and their relationship had gradually grown distant.

With Rhaenyra absent, she was likely avoiding everyone.

Aemon's eyes lit up. He had just wanted to say he would go with Alicent to look for her, but he was told to help watch the child.

"No, I don't know how."

Aemon's face filled with bitterness. He was still a child himself.

"Yaa, yaa~~"

Little Aegon was stuffed into his arms, scrunching up his little face as he protested.

"Don't make a fuss. I'm resisting too."

Aemon frowned, utterly unwilling.

Little Aegon refused to yield and struggled with all his might. "Yaa, yaa~~"

"Speak properly." Aemon's face darkened.

You were already two years old. Why the hell were you still babbling? Did you think you were a newborn Helena?

"Yaa, yaa~~"

Little Aegon shook his head, showing him no respect whatsoever.

"Good for you. Don't you dare lose face."

Aemon was no pushover either. How could he lose to a Bichon?

Holding Little Aegon, he slipped out of the crowd and casually took a plate of Blueberry, his smile gradually turning wicked.

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