Chapter 65: Rhaegar's fears

A/N: Hey guys,

Here's today's first chapter.

Thanks to everyone who supported me.

Thanks, Michael for becoming my Pàtreon.

You could read up to 15 more advanced chapters on my pàtreon.

https://www.pàtreon.com/Gnanaa

For the next mass release, if we reach 65 pàtreons, I will upload 8 more chapters.

Enjoy.

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"Enough with that, Jon. We already confirmed what Lord Baratheon had said from multiple witnesses. I knew you do not like him but do not act so low and start slandering him." Said Rhaegar with an annoyed expression. Was Jon on his side or his enemies'? Why was he trying to ruin everything quiet lately?

"But, your highness..." Said Jon as he tried to explain himself, but Rhaegar did not give him the chance to finish.

"I said enough with this already. You do not have to say anything regarding Lord Baratheon. Where Ser Barristan and Arthur?" Said Rhaegar as he tried to change the subject. He did not want to hear more complaints from Jon regarding Edward. Rhaegar wanted to ask for Barristan and Arthur's opinions.

Jon could only shut up and trying to have Ser Barristan and Arthur's support before opening this matter again.

"They should be in the Jousting field, your highness. Arthur's match should be starting, now and ser Barristan must have gone to watch him. Would you like to go and see Arthur's match, my prince?" Said Jon as he wanted to go there and get Barristan's support. He wanted nothing more than killing Edward at the moment, and since he could not do such a thing, he had to have the prince's support.

"Arthur is going to win. It is still the second match, after all. I would rest a little before heading to the waiting area for my match. You can go and watch Arthur if you want." Said Rhaegar as he retreated to his chair while holding his harp.

"As you say, my prince. I would like to excuse myself." Said Jon while retreating to the outside of the tent after getting Rhaegar's permission.

After Jon exited the tent, his expression changed. He had to find a way to convince the other two to condemn Edward.

Jon was also so angry that his prince did not believe him. Rhaegar was his love, and it hurt him that Rhaegar trusted Edward that much.

While Jon was thinking about this, Rhaegar had other thoughts. Rhaegar did not believe Edward completely, but there was nothing to prove otherwise. The witnesses had said the same thing, and Rhaegar could not think of how Edward could manage to control the lance so that a shard would penetrate Ronald's neck.

'What should I do? I am afraid that Edward would use his position as a hand to kill his enemies. Was it the right decision to recruit him? Should I take Ser Barristan's words for it and don't trust Edward?' Rhaegar was in deep thought. He was afraid for his life at the moment. If Edward could do such a thing to Ser Ronald in a Jousting match, he could do the same against him. Would Edward kill him in the same way?

The seed of dought started to take over Rhaegar's heart little by little. If Edward took the position as Rhaegar's hand, their relationship would turn around after some time. Their relationship would be like Aerys and Tywin's relationship. Rhaegar would fear that Edward might kill him anytime.

Rhaegar decided to play a little on his harp to take some burdens from his shoulder. The music always treated his soul.

After some time had passed, Rhaegar returned to normal again. After some serious thoughts, he figured it would be impossible for Edward, who had never participated in any tourney before, to do something like that.

Before long, Ser Barristan and Arthur came back with Jon. When they took Rhaegar's permission to enter the tent, they saw him getting ready to leave for the waiting area.

"We are here, my prince." Said Ser Barristan while bowing his head.

Barristan and Arthur came after being incited by Jon. Jon had told them about the situation with some extras to make Edward appear like the evil he was. But Jon did, not that Barristan and Arthur had already heard about the matter. Both of them thought it was normal. As Jousting's experts, they knew that something like that could happen, so they did not get swayed by what Jon said.

Both of them just followed him after knowing that Rhaegar wanted to see them.

"Congratulations on winning your second match, Arthur." Said Rhaegar to Arthur with a smile. Without asking about the results, he knew that his friend would win.

"I am grateful for your praise, my prince." Said Arthur with a smile.

Rhaegar smiled and started explaining what happened between him and Edward.

"What do you think?" Asked Rhaegar with a smile.

"Although I still don't trust Edward, I had to admit that his personality changed a lot after he became the lord. As for the incident, I don't think that it was on purpose. We all have taken part in Jousting and know that incidents could happen." Said Barristan expressing his opinion. He had noticed Edward's change after some interactions with him in the past year.

"What about you, Arthur? Edward is going to be your brother by law." Said Rhaegar while looking at Arthur. He knew that Edward and Arthur had some problems with each other, even after Edward's betrothal to Ashara.

"He already said it when we met a month ago. He said directly in my face. 'I don't like you, Arthur. Plus, I think you are a little annoying, but for Ashara, I will try to get along with you.' was what he said to me. And honestly, we both don't get along well. He is cunning as always, but his personality had seen some changes. As for this incident, I can't really tell if it was really on purpose or not." Said Arthur, after some thinking. He told Rhaegar about his meeting with Edward before, but he wanted the other to hear it too. He knew that Edward was cunning, and if he wanted to hurt the knight from the Connington's House, he would do it.

Rhaegar retreated to his thoughts for a while, but after a moment or so, everyone could hear him sigh.

"What do you think I should do, you two? Is it a wise decision to recruit Lord Baratheon to our side, or is it a reckless one?" Asked Rhaegar while looking at Barristan and Arthur. He ignored Jon's opinion completely. He knew that Jon's opinion would be biased at the moment, and it would be better to hear the other two's.