Chapter 557

Inside the Red Keep

Eggon was presently fraught with distress. News of the recent Riverlands War had reached him, detailing how the Dothraki and Dornish forces had crushed their enemies, conquering several cities, and defeating the Tyrells of Highgarden. They had also taken Oldtown.

But herein lay the issue—his uncle was recuperating in Highgarden and had not been present in the battles. His dragon, during the conquest of Oldtown, had burned down the Sept of Stars, toppling the statues of the Seven.

In King's Landing, where the Faith of the Seven was the dominant religion, this caused quite an uproar.

Some claimed that it was the King's directive for the dragon to commit this act, showing contempt for the gods. Others argued that the King wasn't even present on the battlefield, only his dragon had flown to Oldtown, and thus committed this sacrilege.

"Would you dare to punish the dragon?"

Varys' "little birds" and Ramsay's internal affairs department had silently monitored public opinion regarding this incident.

They had both submitted similar reports to Viserys, suggesting that the Iron Throne and the Small Council were testing the waters. The Faith of the Seven was losing its grip on public sentiment, especially after their inaction during the White Walker invasion and the prophecies of the Red Priestesses coming true.

The faith in the Seven was waning, and royal authority was gaining weight in the eyes of the people. It was the mortals, after all, who had stood up to save the world when the gods had not.

Despite the wavering faith, there was a group of fanatical followers who were extremely dissatisfied. They had tried to storm the Red Keep but were repelled by the Unsullied.

The Unsullied showed no mercy, loyally executing their master's orders against these rioters who had neither armor nor weapons. It was a one-sided massacre.

The corpses were piled high, the steps of the Red Keep stained red with their blood, and by nightfall, everything had been cleaned, leaving no trace.

Eggon had rushed out upon hearing the news, and he recognized some familiar faces among the corpses. They were his former companions, the sparrows that had led him.

His inner fear intensified, his complexion turning slightly pale.

The maidservant attending to Eggon thought the young prince was merely shocked by the bloody scene, unaware of what he had previously done.

However, now his uncle had suddenly sent for him, and Eggon's heartbeat quickened.

He instinctively knew that his secret was out.

"I'm doomed..."

The silver-haired youth felt an impending calamity as he followed the Unsullied through the Red Keep's gardens towards the Small Council chamber, his mind blank.

His forehead was breaking out in a cold sweat; he didn't even know which leg to move first. For someone his age, it was too early to be involved in court intrigues; he simply didn't possess the skill or cunning.

If Eggon had remained low-key, biding his time, he might have had a slim chance. But any minor slip-up would lead to suppression.

How could he possibly be a match for those born and raised in King's Landing, seasoned in courtly deceit?