Kingswood Hunt

The next day.

Early in the morning, the weather in early spring was slightly chilly.

A White Carriage Palace traveled along the packed dirt road. Kingsguard rode White Horse ahead to clear the way, while the royal guard followed behind on foot.

A cloud of dust rose along the long road.

"Ha... I'm so sleepy."

Aemon rested his head on a pair of soft, springy long legs, rubbing his big eyes ringed with dark circles with his little hands.

Lowering her head, Alicent reached out and pinched his chubby cheek, laughing. "Didn't you have your precious mat? How could you still have insomnia?"

Inside the spacious carriage, Aemon was currently sprawled across the Queen's long legs.

Besides them, there were quite a few others nearby.

Viserys sat in the seat of honor farther inside, his face full of joy at the family outing.

Alicent and Aemon sat side by side on the long bench to the left. Squeezed beside her was a plump Maid holding Little Aegon.

Naturally, Rhaenyra sat opposite them.

The Silver-haired Girl was very quiet, keeping her head lowered against her chest ever since she had entered the carriage.

The remaining two wet nurses accompanying them wisely kept silent.

Viserys was in an especially good mood and chimed in teasingly, "Aemon broke into the Dragonpit yesterday. Maybe he wore himself out."

"Hehe."

Alicent smiled and continued kneading his fair, tender cheeks.

Aemon did not care at all. Lying on his side like a complete slacker, he pressed his little head against the silk skirt and squirmed around to find a comfortable position.

Hard as it was to believe, he had actually dreamed last night.

He had fallen asleep full of anticipation, hugging four dragon eggs and resting on a Sweetgrass Pillow and mat.

Then he had dreamed of a vast forest.

Beneath a large tree, he had swung a pickaxe and dug through the soil, unearthing mountains of gold.

In the end, there had been too much gold to carry, so he could only take the most important thing—a crown.

Could I become King?

Aemon caught the faint fragrance beside him and pondered in secret.

But he had no intention of doing that!

The Iron Throne certainly commanded authority, but few who sat upon it met a good end.

He had Runestone in the Vale at his back and possessed the Targaryen Dragon King Bloodline.

Wouldn't it be better to step in at the right time, resolve the "Dance of the Dragons," then lie back in Runestone and live peacefully as an unrestrained prince?

A prince could stay out of politics and would not have to work from morning till night.

That was far easier than being King, exhausting himself managing state affairs and scheming to preserve his power.

Unable to make sense of it, Aemon chose to feel up Alicent's long legs instead.

"Aemon!"

Alicent laughed helplessly and gave his cheek a hard pinch.

Aemon smiled bashfully.

For some reason, Alicent had suddenly become very indulgent toward him, keeping him by her side and refusing to let go.

The wheels rolled over potholes, making the carriage jolt all the way.

Aemon truly could not sleep. Noticing the sullen girl, he took the initiative to ask, "Rhaenyra, why didn't you come on your dragon?"

Hearing that, Rhaenyra lifted her eyes and glanced at him, her expression rather cold. "Someone didn't want to see me riding a dragon."

She had put it rather vaguely, but Aemon still understood.

Climbing off the long legs, he saw his uncle Viserys's smile suddenly turn awkward.

Aemon withdrew his gaze. Playing dumb would do.

Rhaenyra was bold enough to roll her eyes directly at her old father.

Had he forbidden her from traveling by dragon for her own good, or because he feared she would slip beyond his control?

Who knew?

Near noon, the procession entered the camp.

Creak!

The White Carriage Palace came to a stop, and everyone disembarked one after another.

The camp had long since filled with nobles from all over. At the sight of the King's family, they immediately erupted into enthusiastic cheers and applause.

The nobles of the Oldtown Faction in particular shouted, "Long live darling Aegon!"

They're being this blatant?

Aemon was startled inwardly and turned back toward the carriage.

Rhaenyra still had her head lowered and did not rise to follow, as though trying to avoid it all.

"Aemon, don't fall behind."

Alicent called to him from ahead. She had already been surrounded by nobles.

"Okay!"

Aemon answered, then clumsily climbed back into the carriage and forcibly dragged Rhaenyra out.

Rhaenyra was shocked. "Aemon, what are you doing?"

You could not force a cow to drink by pressing its head into the water.

Aemon furrowed his little brows and said righteously, "What are you afraid of? Let them shout. We can't be cowards!"

In truth, a few shouts did not matter.

This Kingswood Hunt was being held in the name of Aegon's Name Day. The little birthday boy was the protagonist.

It was understandable for his mother's family to shout a few words of "Long live darling."

"I'm not feeling well," Rhaenyra said miserably.

"No!"

Aemon was very forceful, his little face stern. "You can lose the fight, but not the momentum. There are plenty of nobles outside who support you."

Ever since Aegon's birth, the Court had begun to show the early signs of the Black and Green Parties.

Though for now, they were known as the Princess Party and the Queen Party/Oldtown Faction.

The Kingswood Hunt was building up the Oldtown Faction's influence. If Rhaenyra, the spiritual pillar of the Princess Party, cowered now, who would follow her in the future?

"Aemon..."

Rhaenyra swept her gaze across the gathered nobles, struggling inwardly without end.

Aemon ignored her hesitation and urged, "Come on. Perk up and don't lose face."

Although he had a very good relationship with Alicent, he could only quietly apologize.

He was a Targaryen today, and he would be a Targaryen for life.

Looking over the history of the "Dance of the Dragons," there had never been anything good about the Oldtown Faction.

If Aegon had been around his age, then even if he were some lazy good-for-nothing, Aemon could lend him a hand for Alicent's sake.

But Aegon was too young.

Helping Alicent meant helping the Oldtown Faction fight for power and seize the Targaryen family's authority.

By comparison,

Rhaenyra in the original story had been both stupid and bad, and she had ultimately lost miserably.

But now, she was merely a brainless young girl, confused and helpless as she stubbornly endured the pressure every day.

With enough persuasion and proper emotional guidance, she could always amount to something.

After being dragged and pulled along for a while, Rhaenyra resigned herself to it.

The two held their heads high and strode through the large camp where the nobles had gathered.

Along the way, they naturally attracted plenty of attention.

A handsome Targaryen brother and sister with silver hair and purple eyes were the most dazzling presence wherever they went, drawing gazes like crazy.

As a princess, Rhaenyra was used to it.

Instead, little Aemon, who had just said, "Perk up and don't lose face," was teased by countless noble ladies and married women until his face turned bright red.

This is so embarrassing!

Aemon silently broke down, though outwardly he remained as steadfast as a pine.

Before long, they arrived at the grandest and most luxurious royal tent.

Two Three-Headed Red Dragon banners whipped in the wind. Many nobles lowered their heads in respect, entering the tent in groups of two or three.

"Forward!"

Aemon patted his burning cheeks and regained his confidence.

The great tent was lavishly decorated. Gauze curtains drifted like a dream, while solid wooden tables and chairs were arranged throughout.

"Aemon, over here."

Alicent sat amid a cluster of noblewomen and patted the spacious chair beside her, where she sat alone.

With a serious face, Aemon reminded her once more, "Remember, show the bearing of a Dragonrider."

"Okay, you've said it so many times already."

Rhaenyra looked utterly helpless, but the stifling gloom in her heart seemed to have eased.

Aemon nodded in satisfaction, released her hand, and walked toward the small circle.

"You're late."

Alicent smiled calmly, reaching out to embrace Aemon and settle him beside her.

Their legs pressed together, yet the spacious chair was still spacious.

Aemon:...

Alicent ignored Rhaenyra, who had come with him, and introduced Aemon to the noblewomen flattering her.

She had seen the siblings holding hands the moment they entered the tent.

She could not stop the sourness from rising in her heart.