As time passed, the feast began to unfold more smoothly; people left their tables and started to dance. Others formed groups and began to converse among themselves. However, one common scene could be observed.
This was Maekar walking among groups of people; whether man or woman, everyone seemed drawn to his charisma. Wherever he went, laughter could be heard along with promises of more banquets or parties.
With the Rank A Charisma of Fate’s Iskandar, he was truly an extremely outgoing person full of charisma. In this short time, Maekar managed to receive about a dozen invitations for entertainment or private meetings.
Sitting in his chair, Jaehaerys observed all this with a deep gaze. He had to admit, even grudgingly, that the cheeky brat truly could win allies as naturally as breathing.
Jaehaerys felt a twinge of envy. If he had such skills, he would have fled Dragonstone much sooner. Unfortunately, that kind of social skill is something one is born with, not something acquired.
Suddenly, his wife’s familiar voice sounded beside him, making Jaehaerys look at her with a calm gaze.
"Do you think I don’t know what you’re doing, Jaehaerys?"
"And?" Jaehaerys showed little reaction to his wife’s words. He felt not a shred of shame in having an intellectual battle with a child of nearly fourteen. Being king often meant having no sense of shame.
"The man I married wouldn’t stoop to being cautious of a mere child," Alysanne spoke with the same calm tone as her husband. Her eyes stared at the man beside her with a deep look.
"Don’t treat me like a fool, Alysanne," Jaehaerys said. "You know better than anyone that this boy is dangerous. He has the ambition and power to tear House Targaryen apart."
"Well, you raised a greedy dragon; now deal with the consequences," Alysanne replied in a casual tone, but Jaehaerys felt a touch of sarcasm in her voice.
Snorting coldly, Jaehaerys refused to accept that he was to blame for Maekar feeling anger toward his own family. As king, he was never wrong; only the pieces in the game moved in a way he didn’t expect. Only that.
"Jaehaerys, you can deal with Maekar, of that I have no doubt," Alysanne spoke with a smile. "But do you think Viserys or Daemon can deal with Maekar?"
Alysanne’s words made Jaehaerys fall silent. Yes, he could deal with the boy. Regardless of what Maekar did, he couldn’t shake his throne, but that didn’t mean Viserys or even Daemon could do anything of the sort.
"Our son has not died; it is not Viserys’s turn to be king." Jaehaerys still nurtured hopes that Baelon would survive, as his worries would end if his son could truly live.
Alysanne remained silent; she also wanted Baelon to survive. She had lost so many sons and daughters and didn’t want another to die. However, after going through so much mourning, she understood that the world was a cruel bastard.
So, since Baelon had become bedridden with the unknown illness, she was already training her broken heart to cremate another of her children. It was truly a cruel thing for a mother to train for.
"Jaehaerys, do you think our children will forgive us for being such bad parents?" Alysanne asked, holding her husband’s hand beneath the table. There was no expression on her face, but there was a touch of sadness hidden in her eyes.
"I won’t let them blame you; they can criticize me as much as they want." Feeling his wife’s trembling hand, Jaehaerys spoke in a calm and indifferent tone. His eyes were still the same as before, as cold as polished steel.
(Note: Chad Jaehaerys.)
"We are husband and wife; your guilt is also mine," Alysanne said, showing a small smile.
Jaehaerys didn’t respond, only squeezed Alysanne’s hand more firmly. Despite the couple’s constant bickering, in the end, their love still burned like dragonfire in each of their chests.
While Maekar was speaking with the Lord of Maidenpool, he heard a sarcastic and unpleasant voice behind him.
"Always seeking attention, Maekar."
Maekar turned and saw Daemon, with Dark Sister at his waist. The arrogant and sarcastic expression on his face almost made him punch that despicable face.
"I was trying to ignore you, but you’re like an annoying mosquito, always buzzing in my ears," Maekar replied to Daemon’s words with a gentle smile. If Daemon were capable of conversing with cordiality at this feast, he wouldn’t mind pretending either.
But since Daemon wasn’t capable of that, Maekar wouldn’t let himself be ridiculed by a reckless clown. It wasn’t in his character to show weakness, especially to someone like Daemon.
Daemon’s face contorted slightly at Maekar’s words, but he managed to control himself in the end. Which, honestly, was quite surprising to Maekar, as he expected a confrontation to start at that very moment.
The lords around them looked at each other; they all saw the surprise in one another’s eyes and all showed curious expressions. In any universe, watching a family drama was one of the most enjoyable activities.
Because of this, no one tried to stop what was happening. On the contrary, everyone seemed quite eager for such a thing to occur. Although Jaehaerys had made a speech about unity, the Lords didn’t want such a thing to actually happen.
A united House Targaryen was terrible for the lords, as it meant that at any moment a dragon could come flying over them and burn their castle. Harrenhal burned under the black flames of Balerion, let alone their mere castles.
So, instead of a united House Targaryen, they would like a rift between the Dragonriders. For only then could they try to win over a Dragonrider and create a mutual interest group.
With a Dragonrider protecting them, they would no longer have to fear House Targaryen so much.
"By the way, Daemon." Maekar seemed to look for someone around and turned back to Daemon with a smile. "I don’t see your wife, Lady Royce."
Showing a forced smile, he replied in a terribly cold tone. "She doesn’t come to King’s Landing much."
Showing an expression of understanding, Maekar lightly tapped Daemon’s shoulder and spoke in a sympathetic tone. "I understand; I hope you have many sons and daughters."
The expressions of everyone around were strange. Children? They had heard that the marriage between Prince Daemon and Lady Rhea Royce was a complete failure. There were rumors that Daemon hadn’t even consummated the marriage.
After all, three years without children was abnormal.
Either Daemon was infertile or he truly hadn’t consummated the marriage.
However, remembering that Daemon frequently visits brothels and there wasn’t a single silver-gold-haired bastard in King’s Landing, it was truly strange for Daemon not to have children.
Faced with the stares of everyone around, Daemon’s face turned grim; he clenched his jaw, and his hand touched the hilt of his sword.
Maekar continued smiling innocently while looking at Daemon’s grim face with an amused gaze. He wondered if Daemon would truly be capable of drawing his sword before everyone and pointing it at him.
When Daemon was ready to draw Dark Sister, a hand touched his shoulder, and the prince saw his older brother, Viserys, accompanied by his wife, Aemma.
"Our grandfather noticed something wrong, and I came to check," Viserys said with a worried look.
Maekar looked at Viserys and smiled. Despite finding the man somewhat weak, of all the Targaryen Kings, Viserys was loved by the Lords and the common people. Which wasn’t strange, given his affable, generous, and eager-to-please personality.
King Viserys’s generosity was legendary, and the Red Keep became a place of song and splendor during his reign. He hosted countless balls, banquets, and tournaments, and lavished gold, offices, and honors upon those he favored.
However, the man made no truly significant contribution during his reign. Which was a shame. Viserys was a king who liked to maintain the status quo.
"Brother, this must be Aemma?" Maekar ignored Daemon and asked, looking at the beautiful woman beside Viserys.
Daughter of Daella Targaryen and Rodrik Arryn, the woman inherited the beauty of House Targaryen and a stronger face that likely came from her father.
Looking at Maekar, Viserys showed a happy smile and introduced his wife in a proud tone. "This is Aemma, my wife."
"Aemma, this is my half-brother, Maekar."
"It is a pleasure, Prince Maekar." Aemma greeted Maekar very courteously; her voice was pleasant and gentle. Obviously, a very graceful and elegant lady.
"Viserys always said he had a beautiful wife, but it seems he didn’t exaggerate enough when he bragged about you, Aemma." Winking discreetly at Viserys, Maekar spoke with a laugh.
Aemma felt embarrassed but looked at her husband with an even more tender gaze.
Viserys’s smile widened hearing Maekar’s compliment; he let out a loud, generous laugh while placing his hand on his younger brother’s shoulder. Seeing Aemma’s tender expression, he felt that today he would be rewarded in bed with a wild night of passion.
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Read my other books:
House of The Dragon: The Pale Prince
Game Of Thrones: The God-Emperor of Planetos (500,000 words written).
Percy Jackson: Godwyn the Golden.
Game Of Thrones: The King’s Court Wizard