Morning, 8:30.
"You two need to lay eggs soon."
Daeren sat at the entrance to the Chicken Coop, stroking the two chicks over and over.
The chicks were growing quickly, their soft down gradually filling out.
"Cluck, cluck, cluck."
Coconut was a white chick. Nestled in the farmer's arms, she squinted happily and clucked away.
Daeren set the chicks down and brushed the dust from himself. "All right, I'll come back tomorrow."
He was busy enough to run himself ragged.
After harvesting the first batch of Potatoes, he kept two Silver Stars and one ordinary-quality Potato for the next two days' meals, then sold the remaining seven Potatoes.
The payment had not arrived yet. It would probably come after he went to sleep tonight.
He cleared several obstructing trees, cut some weeds, and petted the chicks while they were out eating grass.
Unless something unexpected happened, this would be his daily routine for a long time to come.
"I've received a letter, and I need to send out two as well."
After tidying himself up, Daeren picked up the fruit basket Lord Owen had given him and casually placed two letters inside.
The letter he had received was naturally the one in the Mailbox.
It invited him to travel to a beach 7.5 kilometers east of the farm to collect a Fishing Rod.
One of the letters he was sending had been written last night, while the other had been written this morning.
He left Dragon Tongue Farm.
As Daeren walked, he looked around and spotted Ser Jon at the foot of the mountain. The knight had risen long ago and was training with his sword in his undershirt.
Daeren did not speak and disturb him, instead wandering around nearby.
Ever since gaining the System Panel, he had continually sensed subtle changes in his body. He was especially sensitive to Life Force.
On his way to Dragon Tongue Farm, he had discovered several wildflowers and weeds that faintly gave off an alluring sensation.
This was a good opportunity to look for them and improve his gathering experience.
Morning, 9:30.
"Good morning, Ser Jon."
Daeren appeared before the camp.
Ser Jon was roasting a wild rabbit and hurriedly rose to his feet. "Prince, were you well on the mountain last night?"
Leaving the Prince alone on an empty mountain, he feared the King would have his head chopped off and mounted on a spear if he found out.
"The cabin was cozy, and the fireplace was warm."
Daeren chuckled, sat beside the fire, set down the fruit basket, and took out the two letters.
"What are these?"
"I need you to return to King's Landing and deliver these letters for me."
Daeren got straight to the point. "One is for Grand Maester Pycelle. Tell him to send it by raven to Dragonstone, to my brother."
At the mention of Prince Rhaegar, Ser Jon perked up. "Yes, Prince. And the other one?"
"Give it to my teacher, Tywin."
Daeren's words were astonishing.
Ser Jon froze, staring blankly at the Prince. His expression shifted from confusion to horror.
Teacher... Tywin...
Wait. He knew those words separately, but together, he could not understand them.
Daeren continued bluntly, "Give it to my teacher and tell him that I am very satisfied with my lands."
He had revealed his secret.
After studying under Tywin for two or three years, this was the first time it had been exposed.
"Prince, I don't understand."
Ser Jon's expression was exceedingly complicated.
Daeren told him directly, "Lord Tywin is my teacher. There is no doubt about that."
"My father, your Liege Lord, is in poor mental condition and cannot give me the instruction I deserve."
"Lord Tywin is a qualified teacher. He has helped me immensely, and I only obtained the lands beneath my feet because he mediated on my behalf."
Ser Jon was completely dumbfounded.
He looked at Daeren with an utterly unfamiliar gaze, as though he were meeting the youth he had spent months with for the first time.
"Ser, I trust you."
Daeren handed him the letters. "You have protected me for two months and fifteen days. I believe you can understand my difficulties."
The unspoken meaning was, We should count as one of our own by now.
Ser Jon remained silent.
Daeren handed over the fruit basket by his leg as well. "These are Special Crops Lord Owen gave me. I am passing them on to you."
"Prince, I am Kingsguard!"
Ser Jon's eyes sharpened as he defended his honor without hesitation.
Daeren waved a hand. "I am not foolish enough to think that things money can buy could win over a White Knight loyal to honor. Things money can buy are not worth my effort."
Ser Jon challenged him, "Then what do you mean, Prince? Are you tired of fine clothes and lavish food?"
It was clear that he was genuinely angry.
Among the Kingsguard, Ser Jon, who came from the Riverlands, was undoubtedly the most mild-tempered. He could endure all manner of difficulties from the King.
Yet now, his words were barbed.
Daeren's expression also turned serious. "I already said it. Ser, I trust you."
"Because I trust you, anything I give you requires nothing in return."
After studying Daeren's handsome face and confirming again and again that he did not appear to be lying, Ser Jon's expression eased somewhat. He said solemnly, "Forgive me. I lost my composure."
"A knight should defend his own honor."
Daeren praised and understood him, then pushed the fruit basket into his hands. "I heard that Ser Oswell Whent, with the help of several other Kingsguard, has already successfully mastered the use of Life Force. You do not want to be left too far behind, do you?"
"Oswell...?"
Ser Jon murmured softly.
Seeing this, Daeren knew he was tempted.
Since the Kingsguard had been established, it had always been limited to seven members.
Among his father's Kingsguard, an old knight from the Stormlands was already frail with age. He had been bedridden and unconscious since last year and likely would not survive this year.
The remaining six Kingsguard were all in their prime.
The White Bull Ser Gerold, Barristan the Bold, and Jon Darry remained in King's Landing to protect their King.
The Sword of the Morning Ser Arthur Dayne, Prince Lewyn, and Ser Oswell Whent had followed Prince Rhaegar to Dragonstone after his marriage, pledging their service there.
Heh, they really dared to do it!
Daeren sneered inwardly.
No wonder his father detested Rhaegar and planned to strip him of his status as heir. It was not without reason.
There were only six usable Kingsguard in total, yet as crown prince, Rhaegar had taken three away.
They were the King's personal guards.
He was not even bothering to conceal his ambitions of usurpation.
"Prince, I..."
After careful consideration, Ser Jon still felt it was inappropriate.
In his heart, he admired the older Prince Rhaegar more than the younger Prince Daeren.
And the reason he had not gone to Dragonstone with Prince Rhaegar was twofold.
First, they were not close enough.
There was no need to mention Ser Arthur and Prince Lewyn. As Dornishmen, of course they would follow Prince Rhaegar, who had married a Dornish Princess.
Ser Oswell was Prince Rhaegar's close friend. He, Rhaegar, and Lord Jon Connington of Griffin's Roost had always been inseparable.
Second, someone had to protect the King.
They could not all leave. Who would protect the King?
Daeren saw his concerns and interrupted, "Ser, I told you that I want nothing in return. Only when your strength improves greatly can you better protect my father and me."
After thinking it over again and again, Ser Jon gritted his teeth and nodded. "All right. Thank you, Prince."
Several of his Kingsguard brothers had mastered Life Force one after another, while he alone had fallen behind.
The Prince had already put it that way.
With no lingering worries, his pride would not allow him to fall behind others.
Before you continue