Chapter 573: Alicent’s Return to King’s Landing

The next day, the weather was fine.

King's Landing, Mud Gate.

"Roar!"

A slender silver dragon soared through the sky, flying over Blackwater Bay and crying out. Rhaegar stood on the dock, watching a royal ship slowly sail away. A few small figures stood at the end of the ship, hundreds of meters away. Baelon, dressed in black, held Lyanna's hand as she looked back at him with reluctance. The three of them were heading to Myr, leaving their parents' sight for the first time.

"Prince, the sea is rough. You should go inside and rest," said Arryk thoughtfully. He took off his white robe and put it on the Prince and Princess.

Baelon rubbed his nose and said, "Wait a minute. Dany is still riding her dragon."

"Brother," Lyanna's eyes were red, and she leaned her head against Baelon's chest, feeling safe and secure like a kitten.

Baelon rubbed her head and comforted her seriously: "Don't be afraid, we are the real dragons."

"Roar..."

A young dragon's roar came from behind, as if in response to his words. Arryk turned around and frowned. He saw Nettles, dressed in a rough hemp outfit, rubbing her dark, crooked nose and holding a cage with a young dragon in it. Seeing that someone had noticed her, she pretended to be calm: "I'm just looking. All Dragonkeepers go through this."

A day earlier, she had been an intern Maester at the Royal Academy, "working and studying." Unfortunately, she was caught in the process of "studying" and was expelled from the Academy. Baelon took pity on her and recruited her into the ranks of the Dragonkeepers.

"Well, the journey by sea is long, and it's good to have someone to keep Vermax company." Baelon stepped in to smooth things over, taking care of the commoner girl who had helped him.

"Pfft, hmph." Nettles, a carefree person, gave the "little brother" a flirtatious wink before slipping away with the iron cage. Arryk watched with a frown that could wring a fly to death.

...

The ship gradually disappeared from view, and Rhaegar regretted averting his eyes. Nearby, a vessel bearing the Seahorse flag was moored, its sailors on high alert as they loaded cargo. Rhaenyra, dressed in a long red skirt, was speaking face-to-face with the serious-looking Sea Snake.

"Thank you for escorting our fleet to King's Landing to Lys, ," she said.

"I don't deserve the praise, Your Grace," the Sea Snake replied, crossing his arms. He looked modest, though pride flickered in his eyes. "The war has just ended, and there are many pirates still roaming around the Stepstones. You must be careful."

"Isn't there a naval garrison on the Stepstones?" Rhaenyra asked, puzzled.

"There is, but their fighting power diminishes when they go to sea," the Sea Snake explained confidently. "Volantis and Slaver's Bay are already gathering places for mercenaries and wandering knights. With the Triarchy pirates led by Tyrosh, the forces of the Stepstones are insufficient."

Only a few years had passed since the Targaryen dynasty had conquered both sides of the Narrow Sea. The Free Cities and Slaver's Bay, with their deep-rooted rule, had formed their own armed groups. After the fall of the Triarchy, these mercenary groups had redirected their efforts towards Volantis and Slaver's Bay. Now that these two had been conquered and destroyed, the mercenaries had nowhere to go. Cutting off their access to wealth naturally led to trouble.

Rhaenyra listened carefully, occasionally glancing at Rhaegar, who was looking out at the bay. "I will take Syrax, Moondancer, and the Trickster with me as part of the combat force," she said casually.

Laena had originally been responsible for eradicating pirates. With it's rider pregnant, Vhagar could not go alone.

"Just in case, it would be better to send a warship for protection," the Sea Snake suggested generously. He called over a young man with a sideways glance. "Addam, come and meet Your Grace."

"Yes, Lord," Addam replied, dropping what he was doing to approach.

The Sea Snake placed a hand on Addam's shoulder and smiled confidently. "Addam of Hull, one of the best sailors in my fleet, has won many battles."

Rhaenyra looked him over, her eyes flashing with memories. "You're the shipwright who saved Rhaena and Maekar?"

"Yes, Your Grace," Addam said, embarrassed, his hands betraying his excitement.

Rhaenyra smiled slightly, her eyes flicking between Addam and the Sea Snake. "I haven't thanked you for that, so I owe you a favor."

Addam beamed, his emotions clear on his face. "I will definitely protect Your Grace and the young princes."

"Okay, enough of this nonsense," the Sea Snake interrupted cautiously. "After you arrive in Lys, Your Grace, please take good care of Laena."

"Don't worry," Rhaenyra promised, distracted by Rhaegar, who was turning to leave. She wanted to say goodbye properly, but Rhaegar didn't even look in her direction as he left with the Kingsguard. Rhaenyra was in a daze, her eyes unfocused.

"Stop! Leave him alone!" Suddenly, Baela's voice rang out from the other side. Rhaenyra froze and looked sideways. Baela was furious, her arms outstretched to protect Aemon, who stood his ground. Maris, dressed in a pale yellow dress with her hair tied in a plait, looked miserable, her chest heaving.

"Aemon doesn't want your gift. Don't come any closer!" Baela glared at Maris.

Aemon's face was crumpled in fear, and he cowered behind Baela. Though the news of their engagement had not yet spread, their relationship was closer than ever.

Maris held a delicate gift box in her hand, a dagger inlaid with rubies inside. Her face darkened. "I just wanted to give the Prince a farewell gift."

Bang! Baela flipped the box over and, like a hen protecting her chicks, warned loudly, "Put away your evil thoughts, you wicked woman!"

Aemon nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes!"

Maris's chest heaved with anger, and she opened her mouth to scold her.

"What do you want, Lady Maris?" Rhaenyra approached, her eyes piercing as she looked at the fallen dagger.

Maris hesitated, then forced a smile. She picked up the hem of her skirt and quickly fled the scene. Rhaenyra stared coldly after her, seeing through her scheme. Maris had tried to seduce Rhaegar before, and now she was trying to seduce her sons. 'What a dream!'

"Well done," Rhaenyra praised Baela, who was proud of her success and raised her chin.

"Come with me!" Baela put her arm around Aemon's neck and, despite his resistance, followed her foster mother.

Aemon felt tears streaming down his cheeks. 'They are all bad women,' he thought.

...

As the ships left the dock one by one, Rhaegar returned to the Red Keep. He entered Maegor's Holdfast and went straight up the stairs.

"Brother," Helaena suddenly called out to him from a corner.

"Why are you here?" Rhaegar stopped and saw her standing alone on the edge of the open-air balcony. She was wearing a blue dress, her silver hair flowing naturally. It looked like she had been waiting for a long time.

Helaena, with her hands on her stomach, looked a little confused. "The delegation from the North has left, and Lord Lyman has complained to me about the lack of funds in the treasury."

"He wants you to persuade me to spend less money, right?" Rhaegar guessed, then joked, "I wish every Master of Coin was as conscientious as him, spending every halfpenny twice over."

Helaena nodded in agreement. "Yes, he said you were spending money recklessly."

Rhaegar looked at her and, thinking of old Lyman's desperate plea for help, sighed. 'He really knows how to complain. Even enemies don't complain so directly,' he thought.

There was a moment of silence. Rhaegar took Helaena's hand and, with his other hand on her stomach, asked curiously, "Are you feeling unwell?"

Helaena had been given a leave for her pregnancy. "I'm fine, just as usual." She tilted her head and said, as if possessed, "We need more fire."

Rhaegar was momentarily stunned.

....

The summer passed and early autumn arrived.

King's Landing.

The sun was high in the sky, its scorching rays beating down, causing people to sweat profusely. The Dragon Gate, the majestic city gate, opened.

Gurgle, gurgle...

On the dry road, two carriages rolled over the grass in front of and behind each other. The former was escorted by three Fearless in black armor, with three red dragon banners flying. The curtain was lifted, revealing a head. Alicent glanced around at the Fearless, hoping to see the caravan behind her. She had come from Harrenhal.

The other caravan was much longer and more impressive. Most importantly, the knight carrying the banner with a green topless tower was from House Hightower.

"Is Selene up there?" Alicent asked, her eyes wide with curiosity. She then quietly retreated into the carriage. She had only been allowed to return to King's Landing after her eldest son Aegon married her niece Selene.

"I wonder how my children are doing." Alicent clasped her hands together and closed her tired eyes, whispering a prayer: "Seven Gods, please protect us."

...

Red Keep.

Lyonel was busy directing the servants as they prepared for the wedding ceremony. From the Throne Hall to the Banquet Hall, from the Red Keep's front courtyard to the backyard's Godswood, everything was meticulously in place.

It was noon, and the guests had arrived, the wedding proceeding smoothly. Rhaegar sat on the Iron Throne, watching as Aegon and Selene completed a traditional Westerosi wedding ceremony, accompanied by the reading of a holy brother.

The holy brother, with a stern expression, intoned, "Prince Aegon, please cover the bride with your cloak."

Aegon, avoiding further eye contact, slowly removed his cloak and placed it on Selene's shoulders. In Westeros, the groom's cloak symbolizes that the bride will live under her husband's protection and enjoy the rights of a wife. Afterward, Selene kissed him, marking the official end of the ceremony.

"Oh!" Daeron led the way, followed by Aegon's friends, who spirited the unsuspecting Selene away. According to tradition, the wedding night was an indispensable part of the celebration, and Aegon was no exception.

Maris led a group of noble ladies, who almost stripped Aegon of his pants.

"Hahaha, well done!" Rhaegar laughed heartily, pointing at Aegon, who was surrounded by women. With a mischievous smile, he urged, "Quick, don't let him run away!"

"No, no, no!" Aegon protested, pretending to be dignified, holding his belt with one hand while trying to fend off the advances with the other. He couldn't suppress a smile. "I really want to see it. Let's do it in private."

The noble ladies were all aflutter, unsure how to proceed. After a moment, Aegon let out a scream, "Who pinched me?!"

Rhaegar, hearing the commotion, laughed even more heartily.

Traditional weddings in Westeros were different, often marked by the boisterousness and mischief of the aristocracy. Fortunately, the two ceremonies he had chosen were ancient rites from Valyria, avoiding the filth and aggression typical of Westerosi customs.

At his wedding with Jenny, the boisterous wedding pranks segment was stingily canceled.

(Word count: 1,848)