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Chapter 581: The Grand Ennoblement Ceremony

Standing atop the steps in front of the Iron Throne, the Prime Minister, Jon Clinton, wearing the Hand of the King's badge in place of Tyrion, gazed down upon the vast assembly of major nobles from all the Seven Kingdoms. Many lesser nobles didn't even have the privilege to enter the throne room. He then began reading from the list.

"Count Joffrey Brecken."

From the front row of the Iron Throne's councilors, an aged naval general with graying hair, clad in full armor and still looking robust with age, stood. His son, Hendry Brecken, stood just behind him. Stepping out from the crowd, the elder Brecken approached the center of the throne room and knelt.

"Your Majesty."

With a rustling sound from his armor, he first bowed to the young king on the Iron Throne. Rising, he gave a nod of respect to the Hand of the King on the steps.

"Lord Jon Clinton."

"Old lord, you needn't be so formal."

Facing Count Joffrey Brecken's courteous gesture, Jon Clinton, as Viserys' third Prime Minister, was well aware of the Count's stature in the new royal order.

Joffrey Brecken was the first Hand of the King, followed by Prince Oberyn, and then Jon. The silver-haired man nodded in acknowledgment.

Jon Clinton glanced at the paper in his hand and began to recount the achievements of Count Joffrey Brecken.

As the Commander of the Dragonstone Fleet during the Usurper's War, he had protected the Queen and her son, who had fled to Dragonstone. He later accompanied Viserys to Essos and ultimately, the Dragonstone Fleet played a pivotal role in the counteroffensive on Westeros, successfully reclaiming the Iron Throne.

Joffrey Brecken's merits spoke for themselves, naturally placing him at the forefront of the councilors, the first to be ennobled.

"Lord Joffrey of House Brecken of Twins River City."

"Do you swear eternal loyalty to the Iron Throne, allegiance to your king, allegiance to the Targaryen family, to guard the Three Rivers region, protect its people, fulfill your duties, and judge disputes justly?"

Reciting the oath for the governor, the gray-haired old general knelt once more, solemnly declaring, "I swear, Your Majesty."

Count Joffrey Brecken was granted Twins River City as his domain and became the governor of the Riverlands, wielding significant power.

The second to be honored was the commander of the Third Legion of the Golden Company, Miss Toyne. Although Viserys initially intended to place Jon Clinton second for his vast contributions in coordinating supplies and support from the rear, Jon himself had demurred, suggesting others be prioritized to consolidate loyalty.

"Lord Miss Toyne."

Miss Toyne had led a swift assault on Dragonstone, effortlessly taking King's Landing, then defeating Stannis and capturing the Stormlands. His achievements were undeniable, marking him as one of the most pivotal figures in the establishment of the new dynasty.

However, due to various reasons, including Jon Clinton's opinions, the Small Council deliberated on ennobling lords with significant power. They unanimously believed that the generals who had conquered these lands shouldn't be ennobled there but rather in different regions, ensuring the central power's dominance and avoiding future threats.

Thus, despite his outstanding achievements, Miss Toyne was granted Casterly Rock, the former Lannister stronghold, and named the warden of the Westerlands. The Golden Company soldiers under him were also bestowed with various titles across the lands.

The Seven Kingdoms had been shattered after several wars. Numerous ancient families had perished in just a few years, leaving many castles and lands vacant.

The Golden Company's soldiers only made up a fraction of the total ennoblements, but they were spread across the entire realm.

The middle-aged general, adorned in golden armor and a scruffy beard, also knelt, swearing eternal loyalty to the Targaryens.

Subsequently, the third to be honored was the Hand of the King, Jon Clinton.

His unwavering loyalty to the Targaryens was well-known. He had served as the Prime Minister to Viserys' father, King Aerys II, but was exiled after a defeat. Yet, he bore no resentment towards the Targaryens.

He later joined the new king, aiding Viserys in capturing and establishing Pentos. This city became the springboard for the war to reclaim Westeros. He supplied massive amounts of provisions and coordinated logistics from the rear.

Thus, Jon Clinton, even without participating in frontline combat, was rightfully recognized. Originally from the Stormlands, he was once the lord of Griffin's Roost. Now, he was granted Storm's End and the title of warden of the Stormlands.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

With a face marked by hardships, Jon Clinton knelt before the Iron Throne. From serving as the Hand to a decade of exile in foreign lands, and now, his rise to power, his emotions were a whirlwind. Nevertheless, he composed himself and continued with the ennoblement ceremony.

Each warden's ennoblement was met with thunderous applause from the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms.

Fourth was Euron Greyjoy of the Iron Islands, granted Pyke and named warden of the Iron Islands.

Euron had pledged allegiance to Viserys before the campaign to reclaim Westeros and had distinguished himself in the war against the White Walkers.

He risked annihilation by steering ships filled with wildfire down the Green Fork, crashing into the army of the dead. This daring act shattered the ice, annihilating countless wights.

Later, when Oberyn led an offensive into the Westerlands, Euron aided in a surprise attack on Lannisport, ultimately defeating Tywin Lannister and reclaiming the Westerlands.

Thus, his appointment as warden of the Iron Islands was beyond reproach. However, Asha "the Kraken's Daughter" and her brother Theon looked displeased. Yet, she was wise enough not to voice her dissent openly.

Euron, with his "evil eye", knelt and swore his eternal loyalty. Rising, he basked in the applause of the Seven Kingdoms' nobles, then cast a provocative glance at Asha.

"My dear niece, you should return to the Iron Islands. It's your home," Euron whispered as he passed Asha.

"Uncle will take 'good' care of you."

Euron's expression was dark and lascivious, which was met with a furious glare from Asha. He laughed heartily, pinched young Theon's cheek, and returned to the line of lords.

On the throne room stage, far from the audience below, Jon Clinton was unaware of Euron's whispered words. However, he soon cleared his throat and resumed the ceremony.

The last foreign lord to be honored was Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish, who single-handedly quelled a rebellion in the Vale. He was named warden of the Vale but wasn't granted any castle. Instead, he entered the Eyrie as a surrogate father.

"What's happening?"

"Why isn't Prince Oberyn of Dorne here?"

With all foreign lords ennobled, the absence of Oberyn sparked murmurs among the Seven Kingdoms' nobles, especially those from Dorne.

"Perhaps it's because of the massacre. So many ancient families..."

"He's too ruthless."

However, Oberyn appeared indifferent, as if he'd anticipated this outcome. Amidst the murmurs, many of which were taunts, he never looked back.

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