The sun was bright and the flowers bloomed profusely as Prince Rhaegar once again arrived at his loyal King's Landing.
Standard-bearers marched ahead, holding aloft great banners, including the black dragon on a red field.
The black dragon on a red field, the Blue and White Crescent Falcon, and the Silver Seahorse and Leaping Trout on a blue field.
The populace cheered for Rhaegar. Rhaegar was clad in black scale armor, covered by a black cloak, which bore the black dragon on a red field sigil. The cloak billowed in the wind from the swift horse, making the Prince appear even more charming and handsome.
Following Rhaegar were five knights: Ser Barristan the Bold, Brynden the Blackfish, Ser Joffrey Arryn of The Vale, Ser Corlys of Driftmark, and Cesar of Braavos.
Their armor shone brightly like the sun. People recognized the sigils, representing wheat, the trout, the crescent falcon, and House Velaryon.
People knew the sky-blue cloaks came from The Vale, that the redhead was Ser Brynden, the second son of House Tully, and that the white armor belonged to Barristan the Bold. The knights surrounded the Prince like stars around the moon, yet they could not eclipse his radiance.
In the entourage were also four hundred handsome young men. They were stunned by the enthusiastic display; the impact of the bustling city of King's Landing was immense. Sugar-coated bullets can also be quite harmful.
Rhaegar's silver hair had grown out; it was indeed quite short, and he looked energetic.
Rhaegar's beautiful silver hair, indigo eyes, gentle smile, and handsome face still made him shine like a blade.
The people shouted his names: "Silver Prince!" "Lucky Prince!" "Rhaegar the spearbreaker!" "Rhaegar the Victor."
The cheers rose higher and higher. It just goes to show that good looks are a huge advantage; if he were a Half-man, he'd probably be called a Little Demon Monkey.
Most of the populace of King's Landing had no idea where the Mountain Clansmen were based, as King's Landing relies mostly on sea trade. But they all knew the Prince had won a great, decisive victory at the Battle of the Valley Road.
Rhaegar spotted the figure of King Jaehaerys II, quickly dismounted, and respectfully stepped forward. The other knights also dismounted and saluted the King.
At home, they were grandfather and grandson; outside, they were sovereign and subject.
King Jaehaerys was surrounded by a group of Lords and ministers: the great and small Lords of the Crownlands, Lord Munde the Hand of the King, Lord Tywin the master of coin, and Crown Prince Aerys the master of ships.
Having not seen him for a while, Tywin appeared even more triumphant. The Laughing Lion was buried, and House Lannister had welcomed a new helmsman. Perhaps only Crown Prince Aerys felt somewhat uneasy, as he currently lacked any prominent official duties.
But Rhaegar knew his grandfather might not be so relaxed. The New Deal of King's Landing was being implemented, and conflicts were deepening.
Heralds loudly announced the identities and names of the victorious knights, sparking waves of cheers among the populace, and brass trumpets sounded. The King had prepared gifts and rewards for everyone.
Cesar handed the gift to the Prince. Rhaegar stepped forward and bowed to King Jaehaerys.
"I killed the usurpers, took their crowns, and present these crowns to the true King."
Before the King, Rhaegar presented the gift—a crude coronet, which came from the Mountain Clansmen Tribe. It was made of bronze, rough and unsightly, simply inlaid with diamonds and gold, and sitting crookedly.
But this was Rhaegar's trophy; the leader of the wildling tribe was, in their eyes, a king.
If dragons could fly, this ceremony would certainly be even more magnificent.
Jaehaerys II raised Rhaegar, his face full of joy. He then returned the coronet to Rhaegar. "Thank you for the gift, my grandson, but this trophy should be kept by the victor. It is a symbol of your achievement."
"As your King and elder, I also offer a gift to the descendant of the Targaryen Family. A warrior needs a great gift, and the time has come for you to formally possess it!" King Jaehaerys II signaled, and Lord Munde the Hand of the King presented a curved sword to Rhaegar.
It was the valyrian steel curved sword with a dragonbone hilt, known as the Shadow of Lys. The blade was jet black and bore ripples.
Lord Tywin's eyes were filled with envy. A skinny dragon is still bigger than a horse—how did the Targaryen Family still possess valyrian steel weapons?
Although this curved sword was far less famous than Blackfyre or dark sister, and was strangely shaped, not being the longsword popular in Westeros.
But it was still a valyrian steel weapon. valyrian steel weapons are currently extremely rare; who would complain about having too many? Tywin had approached many impoverished nobles, but even offering enough gold to raise an army, no one was willing to deal with him.
Rhaegar respectfully received the longsword with both hands and displayed it to the crowd.
In the age of knights and nobles, Kings and Great Lords had to personally lead the charge. Neither Prince Rhaegar's grandfather nor his father were exceptional warriors, but the Prince seemed to have rekindled the Dragon's Blood, the bloodline of Aegon the Conqueror.
Nobles and commoners let out earth-shattering cheers. The Targaryen Family had produced many great warriors and heroes, but the Silver Prince would forge an even greater, glorious chapter. They rejoiced in the flourishing Royal Bloodline, as a strong warrior symbolized a kingdom as firm as bedrock.
"How can a warrior not have a fine horse?" Lord Munde chuckled, and servants subsequently led a black charger to Rhaegar.
Rhaegar's eyes lit up. The charger possessed the majesty of a dragon; it was a beautiful horse. Although he could command a Magic Dragon, he would never refuse a fine horse.
Rhaegar also thanked Lord Munde.
Applause rang out again, and the atmosphere reached its climax in the warmth of the Targaryen Family.
Rhaegar glanced past the smiling faces and flattery. When my Magic Dragon matures and tears across the sky above King's Landing, that will be an even greater glory.
After the celebration, the feast continued.
King Jaehaerys specifically held the banquet in the Throne Room, filled with honored guests.
This was not only due to Rhaegar's military achievements but also to demonstrate to the other Lords that the Targaryens still possessed the blood of great warriors... The next day, after the self-intoxicating revelry, King Jaehaerys II sent someone to summon Rhaegar to the Council Chamber.
Rhaegar had already learned new information about King's Landing from the Rat Catcher: the King and the Hand had given Lord Tywin greater power and adopted Tywin's suggestions, ushering Westeros into the Era of Tywin's New Deal.
Lord Tywin's policies included lowering tariffs in the Three Major Port Cities, which pleased wealthy merchants and promoted trade; deepening ties with the Free Cities and abolishing unreasonable taxes, which also promoted trade; constructing and maintaining roads for easier travel; preparing for a tourney, which would please the populace and the Lords; and severely punishing unscrupulous vendors who added sawdust to bread or sold horse meat as beef, which concerned the common people.
However, Rhaegar heard that Tywin's New Deal had reached its most critical juncture, the point where conflicts with the nobles were most prominent. The edicts limiting noble privileges, issued by Aegon V the Peasant King, were up for debate: should they be completely abolished or merely amended? Many Lords had banded together, demanding the total repeal of Aegon V's policies, pressuring the Crown.
King Jaehaerys was now in a dilemma. If he repealed them all, he would be unwilling to sacrifice his father's life's work, for which his father had offended countless Lords. If he didn't abolish them, his own policy of reconciliation with the Lords and nobles would fail.
"The Prince brought back four hundred guards, which is excellent. Four hundred warriors, even if young, are better than those useless drunkards. More importantly, Prince Rhaegar showed courage, fearlessness, and ruthlessness at the Battle of the Valley Road—he is a qualified warrior who will make those challengers reconsider the Crown's strength," Tywin said. He was no longer just a knight but held the high position of Lord. Not only did he occupy a vital seat on the Small Council, but he was also the Crown's Creditor. It was Tywin who provided the gold that resolved the debt crisis between the Crown and the Iron Bank.
"Yes, my son's four hundred men are all heroes. Those Lords who clamor that the King does not respect noble rights are provoking the Dragon's Wrath," Crown Prince Aerys followed up. He constantly shouted about the Dragon's Wrath, but no one took him seriously. For instance, his suggestion to mobilize the army, build the world's largest fleet, and attack Braavos to make the titan of braavos kneel eventually became a laughingstock.
"Yes, Your Majesty. What Ser Tywin and Prince Aerys said is not without reason. We cannot completely abolish the previous King's decrees; that would only make the challenging nobles think we are weak. Ser Tywin and I have drafted a plan to repeal the most stringent statutes. If anyone disobeys after that, it will be treason," Lord Munde's eyes flashed with coldness. Although he came from the nobility, he also had to consider the common folk.
"Let it be as you say. First, abolish the harsh statutes, and temporarily keep the lenient ones." King Jaehaerys nodded. "Rhaegar, tell us your thoughts."
"I am willing to serve the New Deal," Rhaegar said loudly. Being close to the common folk was the greatest legacy left by his great-grandfather, Aegon V the Peasant King. Those policies also reflected Egg's deep affection for the smallfolk, even though they earned him much enmity.
Rhaegar didn't want to be merely a good person, but he was willing to make the world a little better where he could, because someone had once cared for him in that way.
"It is decided then. Once the edicts are issued, we must first observe the reactions of the Lords near the Crownlands, such as Maidenpool, Maidenpool, and so on."
Hearing the name Maidenpool, Rhaegar's heart skipped a beat. Could the Opposing Nobles this time include Maidenpool?
"I would like to request a location in King's Landing to settle my troops," Rhaegar said.
"As long as it's not too outrageous, it can be arranged," King Jaehaerys responded with a nod.
"I want the Dragonpit," Rhaegar said.