"Take care." Rhaenyra said two words softly, and then continued to move forward.
Alicent didn't respond, just watched their figures disappear outside the door.
In the conference hall, only two people, Viserys and Alicent, were left.
The king slowly sat back Iron Throne, the cold feeling seeping into his bones through his robes.
He looked at the empty hall and the sunset gradually sinking into the sea outside the window, and suddenly felt that he had never been so lonely in his life.
Alicent walked to him and gently held his hand. Her hand was warm, but it could not dispel the coldness in his heart.
"Your Majesty," she said softly, "You did the right thing."
Viserys looked up at her, with tiredness and self-deprecation in his eyes. "Right?
I just drove away my most loyal ministers, raised my daughter and her husband to the sky, and handed over the fate of the kingdom to a person I don't trust at all... is this right?"
Alicent was silent for a moment, and then said softly, "At least, the kingdom did not fall into civil war.
At least, when Rhaenyra's child is born, his father will be by his side. At least... you are still alive."
Viserys smiled bitterly. Yes, he is still alive.
In this world full of dragons, conspiracies and ambitions, staying alive may be the greatest victory.
Outside the window, the sunset completely sank into the sea.
King's Landing is shrouded in twilight, the lights gradually light up, and the stars are dotted, as if countless pairs of eyes are watching this Red Keep in the darkness, watching this precarious throne.
At this moment, in the direction of Dragonstone, fifty thousand naval forces are gathering;
Outside King's Landing, King Ghidorah is entrenched in the dusk, its golden scales reflecting the last trace of skylight;
On Driftmark, Rhaenys stood alone on the height of the castle, looking into the distance;
Stepstones, Daemon is planning the next step in his "kingdom".
The charm of power was fully demonstrated in just a few days after Rhaenyra became the official crown prince.
On the first day when the news came out, a noble lady came to visit King's Landing, bringing carefully prepared gifts and warm congratulations.
Those who once shunned Rhaenyra now rush to court her, as if they have never doubted her inheritance.
The next day, ravens from all over the country flew towards Red Keep like snowflakes.
Mrs. Jenny Arryn Earl from Vale was the first to send a congratulatory letter, with a sincere tone as if she had always been the staunchest supporter of Rhaenyra;
House Stark of the North expressed "allegiance to the legal heirs of Iron Throne" in the letter, which was carefully but clearly worded;
The princes of Riverlands seconded the proposal one after another; even several families on the border of Dorne sent ambiguous "congratulations."
The most eye-catching thing is the statement of Driftmark.
Rhaenys Velaryon - the woman who single-handedly supported the crumbling House Velaryon after the deaths of her husband and son - publicly announced,
She and her daughter Laena, as well as all remaining power of House Velaryon, will "unreservedly support Princess Rhaenyra's legal inheritance rights to Iron Throne."
The firm wording and clear attitude of this statement are in sharp contrast to the ambiguity when Corlys was alive.
The magic of power, or... the oppressive feeling of power, is vividly displayed at this moment.
A public statement by Viserys can make those who once hesitated fall over;
The fifty thousand navy of Redd that is gathering towards Dragonstone, and the King Ghidorah that is entrenched outside King's Landing, make this statement seem so "wise".
Redd knows this very well, but is happy to see it happen.
In Red Keep, life was peaceful and comfortable.
When Rhaenyra attended Small Council as the crown prince, Redd would occasionally attend.
The new Hand of the King Lyonel Strong is a taciturn middle-aged man who is experienced and cautious in his words.
He never publicly expressed his support for Rhaenyra, but he also never opposed her.
Every time Rhaenyra made a suggestion, he would either nod in agreement, or put it aside temporarily on the grounds that "we will discuss it later", never letting the situation fall into a stalemate.
This attitude is already the wisest choice for Hand of the King, who has just taken office and whose foundation is not yet stable.
Rhaenyra adapted quickly to the position of crown prince.
She is already smart, and she has been around Redd for so long, so she already has her own ideas on how to deal with power.
She doesn't express her opinions easily at meetings, but she hits the point every time she speaks; she doesn't get too close to a certain faction, but she never alienates anyone who might be an ally.
She is learning, growing, and getting closer to Iron Throne step by step.
Redd spent most of his time on "observation".
When he should eat and drink, when he should take a walk with Rhaenyra, he would take a walk with her. When he should go to Dragonpit to see King Ghidorah, he would go see King Ghidorah.
In the garden of Red Keep, you can often see him lying lazily under the shade of a tree, holding an ancient book borrowed from an unknown bachelor in his hand.
There were fruits and fine wine beside him, as if he was not here to "negotiate" but to take a vacation.
He is waiting.
Waiting for Otto·Hai Tarth's reaction.
The expelled old fox should have returned to Oldtown at this moment.
With his character, he will never be willing to withdraw from the stage of power.
What will he plan in the dark? What method will he use to fight back? What information will he send through Alicent? These are what Redd wants to know.
Also waiting for Alicent's reaction.
Alicent has been reclusive these days and rarely appears in public.
She still held out her pregnant belly and maintained the dignity of a queen, but Redd noticed that the way she looked at Rhaenyra was no longer as friendly as it once was.
That kind of look is more like calculating, weighing, and... waiting.
Alicent is pregnant with Viserys's child.
If it were a boy, he would be Rhaenyra's biggest threat in the future.
Otto was expelled, but Alicent is still in Red Keep, she still has a chance.
What will she do? Will she accept her fate? Or will she plot secretly and wait for the opportunity?
Redd is looking forward to the answer.
As for the issue of Dorne Principality and Stepstones - he promised Viserys to start taking action within a year.
A year is still a long time, so he can first see how the situation develops.
Daemon has established himself as king in Stepstones, Three Daughters's alliance is eyeing them, Tormund and Hai Long are missing... These cannot be solved overnight.
If you attack rashly, you may fall into passivity. It is better to stabilize your position first, observe the reactions of all parties, and wait for the best opportunity.
Game of Thrones is not only about strength, but also about patience.
As for Redd, the most important thing is patience.
That evening, Redd was lying in the garden reading a book as usual.
The setting sun shone through the gaps in the leaves, casting mottled light and shadow on him.
The gentle laughter of the maid and the gurgling sound of the fountain could be heard in the distance, and everything seemed so peaceful.