The moment Aegon finished speaking again, the crowd erupted into thunderous cheers.
Shipwrights waved their hammers and planes, apprentices whistled, and even the girl who had been trembling moments earlier held the child in her arms with tears gleaming in her eyes.
On Driftmark, in all of Westeros, perhaps even in the entire world, no member of a royal family had ever spoken such words in such a tone.
And so, amid the crowd's cheers, he turned to those three tireless workers, Cole and the Cargyll Brothers. His usual composure returned as he politely "troubled" them. "Thank you for your efforts, sers. Please escort them to High Tide to await Lord Corlys's personal judgment."
At those words, Syrio Valentine's tense shoulders finally relaxed a little.
This was already more mercy than he had expected-the prince had not executed Harlan on the spot, but had instead left his judgment to Lord Corlys.
The noble Water Dancer's heart, long torn between gratitude and duty, had finally found a resolution he could accept.
He did not struggle, allowing Cole and the Cargyll Brothers to lead him away. As he passed Aegon, he murmured something in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"Thank you."
Cole and the others had rushed over in a frantic hurry, following William Blackwood all the way from the training grounds to Hull without even a moment to stop and catch their breath. Yet seeing Aegon, the prince they served, so spirited and as wise and kind as ever, they felt no fatigue at all.
Especially after hearing Aegon thank the three of them for their efforts, they felt as though they were basking in a spring breeze.
The Cargyll Brothers, who had watched Aegon grow up, exchanged a knowing glance, unable to hide their pride and