Purple Card: Kingly Demeanor

Rhaenyra galloped all the way, crossing streams and heading straight for the mountains.

Only when they reached the cliff's edge did she pull on the reins.

"Come down and look at the scenery below."

Rhaenyra smiled brightly and rubbed the little head in her arms.

Aemon had curled up entirely in her embrace, his silver-gold, shoulder-length hair blown into a mess.

It was March, and the wind was enough to blow anyone stupid.

After a long while, he gritted his teeth and said, "If I come down with a cold, you won't be getting out of nursing me."

"Whatever you want."

Rhaenyra was in high spirits as she gazed over the dense forest below the cliff.

It had been a long time since she had felt this carefree.

Not even riding Syrax over Blackwater Bay had felt as satisfying as today's wild ride.

She was no longer lost.

She had found the path she needed to take and soothed the rebellious feelings she had toward the responsibilities she ought to accept.

"Hyah! Hyah!"

Cole wore a worried expression as he quickly caught up.

Aemon glanced over and saw the small guard unit and the livestock following behind.

"Princess, you ride a horse as swiftly as you ride a dragon."

Duke Jason was panting heavily, sweat pouring down his face.

For a lord protector of an entire region, the road to winning a woman's heart had truly been fraught with hardship.

"You have all worked hard, my lords."

Rhaenyra replied blandly. After a moment of silence, she tried giving an order. "The scenery here is good. We can make camp first."

"No problem. Leave it to me."

Duke Jason thumped his chest hard, nearly making himself vomit.

Aemon could not bear to watch any longer and slipped off the horse to wander around.

The more he looked, the more alarmed he became, his gaze turning strange.

He walked beneath a towering tree and reached out to touch its rough bark.

"It looks like the tree from my dream."

Aemon circled around it, and no matter how he looked at it, it resembled the tree beneath which gold had been dug up in his dream.

"Squeak!"

Suddenly, the Gold-Nosed Rat darted out and threw itself at his feet, tugging at his trouser leg.

Rustle, rustle...

From one corner of the forest emerged a White Hart, its coat as white as satin.

Aemon's eyes widened. He had to crane his neck to look up at it.

The White Hart's eyes were lively, and a pair of broad, enormous antlers crowned its head. Its form was imposing and majestic.

By rough estimate, it stood over two meters at the shoulder and was nearly five meters long.

Including its lofty antlers, it was taller standing than a small house.

"Is that an albino giant elk?"

Aemon's breathing quickened slightly. It was the first time he had seen a creature that could rival a dragon.

At least, a young dragon.

The appearance of the White Hart immediately caused an uproar.

The livestock drew their longswords one after another, assuming battle stances.

"Princess, get behind me."

Cole looked astonished, but he remained faithful to his duty of protecting the princess.

"Wait."

Rhaenyra was startled at first, then tried to stop them.

Aemon wanted to say something too, but after hesitating, he stayed quiet.

The White Hart was much bigger than expected. The small guard unit could not handle it.

The livestock would have to lend their strength.

"It truly is a White Hart, a sign from the gods!"

Duke Jason's eyes shone as he immediately organized the others to surround it.

Before dragons came to Westeros, the White Hart had been the symbol of royal power.

Seeing a White Hart meant he was favored by fate. Perhaps he might even marry a princess.

Among the crowd, his status was the highest. More than a dozen young noblemen eager to prove themselves rushed forward.

"Bellow~~"

The White Hart proudly raised its neck and slowly approached on all fours.

Before it stood two figures shielded by the White Knight.

Aemon frowned and asked softly, "Is it coming for you?"

Rhaenyra stood there blankly, unable to tell.

"Then it's coming for me."

Aemon became serious.

A crown had appeared in his dream.

If Rhaenyra could not seize it, then it would belong to him.

"Surround it!"

At Duke Jason's command, several ropes were thrown out.

Startled, the White Hart hastily withdrew its gaze, only for its antlers to be caught by the ropes.

It can't be that easy, can it? Aemon thought.

Sure enough.

"Bellow!"

The White Hart cried out angrily, shaking its head and struggling violently. Five or six young noblemen were instantly thrown to the ground.

The next moment, the White Hart leaped seven or eight meters and charged straight into the terrified Duke Jason.

Bang!

When Duke Jason landed, he happened to fall in front of Cole.

Cole was immediately alarmed and shouted, "Protect the princess!"

Ser Steve's face changed as well. He gripped his sword with both hands and aimed it at the steadily approaching White Hart.

"Don't move. Don't hurt it first."

Aemon hurriedly spoke up.

The White Hart would not have appeared for no reason. There had to be some cause.

"Squeak."

The Gold-Nosed Rat climbed onto the backpack, covering its mouth with its tiny paws.

Aemon guessed blindly, "You took something valuable from it. Hand it over."

"Squeak."

The Gold-Nosed Rat put on a pitiful act, still hoping to get away with it by being cute.

Aemon did not indulge it. He grabbed its round body and nearly squeezed it flat.

"Squeak."

The Gold-Nosed Rat finally behaved.

With both little paws at its mouth, it fumbled around and pulled out a small flower.

The White Hart stared fixedly, stepping over the unconscious Duke Jason as it drew closer.

"Prince."

Cole's eyes widened, and sweat beaded on his clenched hand.

"Don't panic. Give it to him."

Aemon snatched the wilted little flower and tossed it before the White Hart.

The White Hart seemed none too intelligent. It lowered its head without hesitation, sniffed it, and ate it like a cow chewing peonies.

Everyone present was thrown into turmoil by the sight.

Duke Jason suddenly groaned and woke up, screaming, "Catch it! Don't let it get away!"

Bang!

The White Hart kicked with its hind legs, sending him flying two meters away.

In that brief moment, the ropes around its antlers were pulled tight.

Gonsal's expression darkened as he wrapped the rope around his arm.

"Help me, Ser."

Aemon called out.

Ser Steve did not understand why, but seeing the prince spread his arms, he hurriedly picked him up.

Before the White Hart could struggle, the small figure climbed onto its back.

Bold yet cautious, Aemon reached into his backpack and pulled out a handful of Sweetgrass.

The White Hart took one look and could not look away.

The grass smelled so good.

After chewing two mouthfuls, it abandoned its intention to buck.

However...

"Bellow!"

The White Hart violently tossed its head, breaking free of the ropes around its antlers before turning and leaping several yards away.

"Aemon!"

"Prince!"

Rhaenyra and the guard unit were horrified, but it was too late to stop it.

Some young nobles standing at the forest's edge tried to block it, only to be knocked over by the gale whipped up by the White Hart's incredible speed.

Rhaenyra was utterly dumbfounded, her limbs turning cold.

But then Aemon's terrified shout came from the forest. "Take care of Duke Jason, and tell him I saved him!"

Even while in dire straits, he did not forget to claim credit for himself.

"After them!"

Gonsal roared and swung onto a horse, racing after them.

The prince had only said to catch the deer. He had not said to ride it.

By then, the White Hart had already vanished without a trace.

At the entrance to the camp.

Viserys looked exhausted as he staggered inside.

Behind him, a cart carried the corpse of a Brown Wild Deer.

"Your Majesty, this Wild Deer is quite fine as well. It may be the best prey from this hunt."

Tyland followed at his side, his flattering words never ceasing.

Viserys waved a hand, indicating that he did not care.

Since they had failed to catch the White Hart, killing a Wild Deer would have to do instead.

His feelings were complicated. He did not know whether to be happy or disappointed.

If there truly was a White Hart, Otto would surely make an issue of it again.

But if he never saw the White Hart, that did not suit a King's status either.

Suddenly, a disturbance broke out behind them.

"Protect the King!"

"..."

The guards hurriedly drew their swords and surrounded the King.

"What happened?"

Viserys was slightly startled as he turned to see what was going on.

Amid the commotion, a flash of white burst from the forest.

Bang!

A noble White Hart leaped out, its powerful body facing the sunlight as it landed lightly upon the lush grass.

"Slow down, slow down."

Viserys's vision swam. Squinting against the dazzling light, he saw the tiny figure on the White Hart's back.

"It's the prince!!"

Ser Harrold was deeply shocked, but his shout steadied the chaotic scene.

The White Hart lowered its head, chewing fragrant medicinal pellets.

Aemon broke out in a cold sweat and wiped his forehead. "It finally stopped."

At that moment, a brilliant panel appeared.

"Special creature containing magic detected. Obtained a generous amount of magic."

Beside the golden hourglass: Essence count: 57

On the card panel, the Beast Feeding Pill priced at 60 Essence vanished. At last, his Magic Essence was no longer in the single digits.

Aemon let out a breath, and a purple card appeared in his hand.

Kingly Demeanor: "Gain the White Hart's recognition and possess a kingly bearing that inspires greater respect, trust, and worship."

The card gleamed a dazzling purple, a reward from an incredible stroke of luck.

Pop~

The purple card shattered, turning into a milky-white glow that burrowed into his chest.

Aemon felt nothing. He merely cast a casual glance toward the camp entrance.

Yet with that single look, he exuded an extraordinary presence.

Viserys stood dumbfounded, staring in shock at his young nephew standing beneath the sunlight.

The sunlight, the White Hart, and the boy formed a breathtakingly beautiful scene.

Rumble!

Just then, Gonsal arrived with a squad of Vale Knights.

The coldly gleaming armored soldiers surrounded the silver-haired boy riding the White Hart.