House of The Dragon:The Rise of the Emperor of the Seven Kingdoms

The news of Loreon’s arrest and the imminent trial by combat had already spread within a few hours. King’s Landing had not seen such a rare event in a long time. On one side was a lord of a great noble house, and on the other was a Targaryen prince.

Although it was unlikely that Loreon would step onto the battlefield himself, it didn’t change the fact that the battle would determine life and death for both sides.

However, the common folk were not worried about Maekar; despite his youth, the young prince’s physical prowess was already widely known, especially after fighting a legendary Faceless Man. Many were already saying he was the successor to Ryam Redwyne, the King’s Justice.

Two days later.

As the day of the trial drew closer, the lords of the Westerlands had already arrived. The hundreds of lords and ladies had set out more than a week ago and had only just arrived.

They already knew what had happened and, however reluctant, could do nothing; their own liege lord had requested the trial by combat. Had it been before the trial, they might have pressured the king forcefully and politically, but now it was too late.

Trial by Combat was one of the most important laws the lords had created to give themselves a hope of life. If they dared to overstep and tried to prevent the trial, they might see the king annul that law.

And they were not willing to give up that privilege for Loreon. Regardless, Loreon had a brother and a son who was still a child. Even if he died, his lineage would still remain as the lords of Casterly Rock.

-

Inside Maekar’s chambers, Maekar himself could be seen sitting in a chair at the table located on his balcony. The other two chairs were occupied by Gael and Alysanne.

"Who do you think will represent Loreon?" Alysanne asked calmly as she took a sip of juice. "He has the money to attract the best knights in the Seven Kingdoms."

"Even if he has all the money in the world, he can’t make every knight in the Seven Kingdoms arrive with only one day left before the trial," Maekar said with a smile. "However, I am also curious to know who will represent him. Besides Ryam or some member of the Kingsguard, I don’t see who could face me for more than a dozen strokes."

Alysanne did not comment on Maekar’s confidence; she had seen the youth training with the sword and would never forget that scene. Strokes so fast that only a silver flash in the air could be seen. The sword could move as naturally as an arm and as precisely as an experienced butcher.

Honestly, beyond talent, Alysanne did not see how a person could possess such mastery with a sword at Maekar’s age. She even presumed that Ryam Redwyne was entirely inferior to her grandson, which was an insane thought.

Thus, Alysanne was completely confident in Maekar’s victory; it was not an uncertainty, but a fact. The opponent was dead; it only remained to be seen where and when.

"There are still some good knights, especially among the hedge knights. They are more experienced and less honorable. If given a sword and armor, they could become a small problem. There are also some knights from the Reach; they are the region with the most knights and also the deadliest," Alysanne said in a calm and gentle tone.

"No matter who it is, I will cut off their head and then cut off Loreon’s head," Maekar said in a deep tone, looking at Gael and Alysanne. "I didn’t expect him to try to buy my life by hiring a Faceless Assassin. I cannot leave such a man alive any longer. Not when I have important people I must protect."

Maekar knew better than anyone that anyone else would have died in that ambush; just imagining it being Gael or Alysanne made him want to burn the entire Rock.

Gael and Alysanne smiled at Maekar’s words; they had no doubt he was speaking of them. Despite being somewhat hypocritical and false when speaking to others, when Maekar begins to see someone as part of his family, he will fervently protect his own.

The princess took Maekar’s hand and brought it to her lips, where she gently kissed those hands he tried to protect from everything and everyone.

Maekar was surprised by Gael’s act, but he understood what she wanted to show and smiled. It was her way of demonstrating her love and his importance to her.

Seeing the scene, Alysanne was satisfied. She had performed many marriages in her life, especially among her sons and daughters. But Gael and Maekar could easily be among the top three, along with Aemon and Jocelyn, and Baelon and Alyssa.

"I’m glad you’re getting along so well, especially since Gael hardly sleeps in her own room anymore," Alysanne said with a smile, though there was a hint of teasing in her voice.

Gael turned red with embarrassment in an instant; she herself hadn’t expected to have such a large appetite when it came to matters of the bed, but she always felt she had infinite strength when it came to sex.

"I know, your daughter is practically a greedy dragon. My waist is happy and sad at the same time," Maekar said with a laugh, making Gael look at him with a touch of shame and reproach.

Alysanne laughed and found the couple adorable. At the same time, she noticed that the changes in her daughter were getting better and better. She no longer had that excessively gentle appearance and was carrying herself as a true woman should: confident, elegant, and graceful.

While Maekar, Alysanne, and Gael talked happily, elsewhere in the Red Keep, in Loreon’s quarters.

Despite being imprisoned, as a Warden of the West, Loreon was still in his private quarters. However, he was completely prevented from leaving or even receiving visitors.

At that moment, Loreon was calmer than ever, reading a book with calm and serenity while enjoying a glass of wine. He seemed completely relaxed, entirely different from what was expected of him at that moment.

Suddenly, part of the bedroom wall rotated, revealing a passage behind it. Loreon noticed this and showed an expression of caution; he stood up and drew a dagger. However, he did not call the guards outside the room.

"Fear not, my dear lord." The young voice rang out, and a figure in black robes entered the room. His appearance was completely obscured by a long, hooded cloak. "I have come to help you."

"And how could you help me?" Loreon asked with a trace of sarcasm in his voice. He recognized the voice; there was no way not to.

"By being your representative in the trial by combat," the bundled figure said in a deep and slightly excited voice.

"What a fine spectacle King’s Landing will see," Loreon said in a tone tinged with sarcasm and irony. "But can you really kill Maekar?"

"Do not worry about that; despite being strong, he is not invincible," the hooded man said with a laugh full of contempt.

"I am curious, do you hate him so much that you would kill him before the entire kingdom?" Loreon was full of curiosity. He had reasons to hate Maekar, but the man before him did not have a good reason. Was it truly just because of his bastard status?

"A bastard will always be a bastard; how dare he covet the throne?" the man replied in a cold and chilling tone. "When my father dies, the throne will belong to my brother, but my brother is weak and indecisive; I must protect him, especially from Maekar."

At this point, everyone already knew who the hooded man was. The candlelight particularly illuminated the hooded man’s face, revealing a pair of lilac eyes and an extraordinarily handsome face.

Looking at the youth before him, Loreon smiled maliciously. Even if he failed and died, he could still cause damage to House Targaryen. This filled him with a morbid and sickly pleasure.

"Very well, I accept. You shall be my representative."

"Daemon Targaryen."

-------

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Read my other books:

House of The Dragon: The Pale Prince

Game Of Thrones: The God-Emperor of Planetos

Percy Jackson: Godwyn the Golden.

Game Of Thrones: The King’s Court Wizard