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

Chapter 153: Chapter 152 – Before the Great Council of King’s Landing (IX)

Maekar walked through the halls of the Red Keep; wherever he passed, he heard servants, guards, and knights greeting him. He greeted everyone back with a smile, even the servants.

Finally arriving in front of the room, Maekar saw Ser Ryam Redwyne. The man looked more tired than usual; he also noticed the Kingsguard’s posture was more stooped than before. Age weighed on everyone, including this legendary man who would be remembered for centuries to come.

“Ser Ryam, is the king well?” Maekar asked with a smile, looking at the man who could fight him should he attempt to usurp the throne. He had to admit, the old man was formidable. Even now, there was not a single opening in his stance.

The man might trust him, but he would never let such feelings keep him from staying on guard to protect the king.

“Still a bit sluggish, but he’s better.” Ryam answered in a calm tone, his eyes fixed on Maekar from beneath his helm. Looking at the prince’s burned hand and arm, he narrowed his eyes.

He had heard stories that the prince fought the black dragon at Dragonstone, but he had not expected the damage to be so severe. Fortunately, watching the agile movement of the hand, he saw there was no serious damage to the prince’s hand movements.

“I imagine you already know I’ve been summoned by the king,” Maekar said, seeing that Ryam was still blocking his entry.

“The king said he was getting dressed and asked that you wait a moment.” Ryam, recalling the king’s words, spoke with a hint of helplessness in his voice. Clearly, he too understood the king wanted to provoke the prince a little.

An intimidation tactic before the conversation had even begun? Maekar could not help but think with a smile. If it were Daemon, it might work, but him? Jaehaerys could make him wait a whole day standing in front of the door, and he would only find it amusing.

Jaehaerys wanting to intimidate him and try to gain the upper hand before the conversation even began was, to Maekar’s eyes, rather endearing.

Knowing he would probably be left standing there for a while, Maekar looked at Ryam and spoke with a smile. “Your older brother is a good man, Ser Ryam.”

Robert Redwyne, the man who had helped him conquer the Reach, was truly a good, honorable man. Unfortunately, that kind of kindness was a weakness in this world. Even though he felt no guilt lying to and deceiving so honorable a man, he liked being around that sort of man.

“Our father raised us that way.” Ryam looked at Maekar and answered in a calm tone. “Fortunately, my brother usually stays in the Reach and rarely comes to King’s Landing, or he’d constantly be deceived by trusting the wrong people.”

“You underestimate your brother,” Maekar said with a laugh. Even if he were an honorable fool, he did not think Robert was that foolish. You need to be strong to deal with certain people who only learn through force, not through dialogue.

Just as Ryam was about to reply, he heard the king’s voice from behind the door.

“Ryam, let Maekar in.”

The Kingsguard turned and opened the door, allowing Maekar to enter the room. He gestured for the prince to go in, and so he did. Once Maekar had entered, Ryam closed the door and resumed his watch.

Inside the room, Maekar saw Jaehaerys and Alysanne. Both were breaking their fast with a simple breakfast, nothing too heavy for the morning.

“I thought you’d make me wait a while longer.” Maekar sat down beside Alysanne, kissed his grandmother’s cheek, and said to Jaehaerys with a smile. He behaved quite casually and freely, nowhere near as formal as he did in public.

Jaehaerys looked at Alysanne with resentment. He had wanted to do exactly what Maekar said; unfortunately, his wife was present and would not allow it. Because of that, the upper hand in the conversation belonged to Maekar.

Maekar did not seem anxious; he took a slice of bread, spread grape jam on it, and ate it with a smile. His violet eyes narrowed as he stared at Jaehaerys with a taunting look. He would not start the conversation. Jaehaerys would not start the conversation either.

What followed was a rather pleasant breakfast, in which everyone ate in silence. Not an awkward silence, but a comfortable one.

Still, Alysanne frowned and looked at the two men with a touch of helplessness. “By the gods, are you two children? Talk already and get out of my sight.”

Maekar and Jaehaerys rolled their eyes at the same time, both quite displeased with the comparison. It was obviously a silent struggle, political and full of great resolve between them, which Alysanne had reduced to a childish spat.

“The High Septon is coming; I don’t want to see him dead in King’s Landing.” Jaehaerys got straight to the point. “Before you speak, he will suffer for touching the blood of House Targaryen, but not in King’s Landing.”

Maekar’s smile vanished at those words, though it soon returned as before, but the smile no longer held its former warmth. “Very well, I promise he won’t die in King’s Landing.”

Jaehaerys looked at his grandson with a skeptical gaze. Maekar had agreed far too quickly. Knowing the boy’s cruelty, how could the king feel at ease with such simple words?

“This is not a joke, Maekar,” Jaehaerys spoke again in a solemn tone. “He cannot die in King’s Landing; this city has hundreds of thousands of the faithful. All it takes is a single spark to set this city ablaze and turn it into hell.”

“I care little for the people of this city; they can burn in the hell they worship, and I would only watch with a cup of wine,” Maekar said in a cold tone. “If they start a riot, it only shows they have no loyalty to their king. The penalty for rebellion is death, whether by human hands or dragonfire.”

Maekar’s words brought a deafening silence over the room. Even Alysanne looked at her grandson with a calm, deep gaze. The implication in his words was more than obvious to anyone listening.

Kill all who rebel.

Jaehaerys broke the silence, looking directly at Maekar. “You would be nothing more than a tyrant.”

“Maesters may write books, but what good is that if the people cannot even write their own names?” Maekar said in a calm tone. “Besides, you overestimate people’s capacity to remember.”

“I could burn hundreds of thousands, but if I then declared them traitors and cut taxes in half the following year, would I be called a tyrant or a wise king?” Maekar asked with a smile.

Jaehaerys fell silent; Maekar’s words were harsh, cruel, and could very well come true. Still, he preferred to believe there would only be more chaos when that happened.

“I will say it again, he cannot die in King’s Landing.” Jaehaerys spoke again, but this time his tone had changed completely. There was no room for Maekar to refuse.

“But I already said I wouldn’t kill him.” Maekar answered, taking a bite of bread with grape jam.

“I know you’re angry; I’m angry too, but I’ve already ordered his punishment. That ugly sept in Oldtown will be burned within a few days.” Jaehaerys, sensing Maekar still was not taking this seriously, spoke in a pointed tone.

My son’s life is worth one septo in Oldtown? Maekar thought, a chill running through his body. Was Jaehaerys so obsessed with keeping balance and peace in the realm that, even with his own grandson murdered, he still wanted to maintain this facade of prosperity?!

A laugh escaped Maekar’s lips, drawing Alysanne and Jaehaerys’s attention. The former showed concern on her face, while the latter wore a calm expression.

“I always wondered about our house’s words,” Maekar remarked in a cold tone. “I thought fire was about the dragons, and blood was speaking of our family.”

“But, to you, it seems there’s probably nothing but the throne and the illusion of peace in your eyes.” Maekar went on, his tone chilling. “But let me tell you something, Jaehaerys.”

“Don’t ask me to stay calm and watch my son’s murderer parading gloriously over a red carpet and receiving everyone’s praise.”

“Go fuck yourself, you and your shitty reign of peace.”

———

Note: I just woke up, sorry for the delay, dude

Read my other books:

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

Game Of Thrones: The God-Emperor of Planetos

Percy Jackson: Godwyn the Golden.

Game Of Thrones: The King’s Court Wizard