While Sunfyre and Sheepstealer ravaged Tyrosh.
King's Landing.
Red Keep, Hand's Tower.
"Father, did you need me?" Alicent pushed the door open and entered.
"Has Aegon heard about Rhaenyra's remarriage?" Otto stood up and asked.
"After Rhaenyra and Daemon's wedding date was set, Viserys wrote to tell Aegon."
Alicent sat on Otto's seat, feeling quite speechless.
"Even now, he hasn't given up the idea of Aegon and Rhaenyra mending their relationship."
Otto looked at Alicent, who was leaning back in the Hand's chair, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes.
But it wasn't because Alicent was sitting in the Hand's chair, but because of her current state.
Although Alicent lacked political wisdom before, she was generally motivated.
She never slacked off and wouldn't show such a decadent appearance.
"It seems Aegon has taken too good care of you these past few years. Look at you now, decadent and completely lacking a Queen's dignity!"
Otto reprimanded Alicent as he had before.
But Alicent didn't listen attentively as she had before, instead maintaining a listless appearance.
"You're my father, why would I pretend to have a Queen's dignity in front of you?"
Suddenly, Alicent sat up straight, her face serious: "Aegon said, 'A mother rises with her son's status.' I am the mother of Egon Targaryen."
"As long as it's not something that crosses a line, I'll do whatever I want. I've already restrained myself quite a bit."
Having said that, Alicent lay back down with a look of complaint.
"Father, those few years after you returned to Oldtown, Aegon was still young, and I was truly exhausted."
Otto fell silent.
At that time, Viserys had removed him from his position as Hand of the King.
He had expected Alicent to be suppressed by the Black Party, but he hadn't expected her to endure.
Although many nobles had actively joined the Greens, she hadn't lost influence in King's Landing after all.
Seeing Otto silent, Alicent continued:
"Those years, I really, I was tired every day. Later, Aegon slowly grew up, and I finally felt relieved."
Now, Aegon has finally grown up and can stand on his own.
You've also resumed the heavy responsibility of Hand of the King, so let me have a good rest for a while.
That boy Aegon, really, it's been so long, and he doesn't even know to come back and see me. How long does it take to ride a dragon back to King's Landing?"
Otto wore a helpless expression.
"How long has Aegon just been in the Stepstones?
The Stepstones are barren, without even a single village, and are occupied by a large number of pirates and other forces.
Aegon needs a lot of time to clear out and organize the Stepstones. How could he have time to come back and see you?"
"What about Rhaenyra's wedding?" Alicent asked, resting her chin.
Otto took a deep breath.
"I called you here because I wanted to discuss Rhaenyra's wedding with you."
"We probably don't need to handle Rhaenyra's wedding, do we? Viserys has been terribly busy lately."
Alicent laughed.
"Not handling the wedding. Her wedding doesn't need us to handle it either."
"Then what is there to discuss?"
Alicent poured a glass of golden wine for Otto, then poured one for herself and savored it slowly.
"This wedding is unusual. I originally thought Viserys would try to keep the scale of the wedding as low as possible, after all, Rhaenyra was only recently widowed."
But I clearly underestimated Viserys's determination. He wants to build momentum for Rhaenyra and hasn't deliberately reduced the scale of the wedding.
According to the information gathered by Larys, Viserys is preparing to bring Daemon and Corlys back to the Small Council, as well as Rhaenyra."
Otto rubbed his temples.
Originally, following Aegon's suggestion, he had planned to support Larys as the Master of Whisperers on the Small Council.
But Viserys had never relented, refusing no matter what.
Now it seems Viserys is preparing to support ministers from the Black Party.
"Are there still so many positions on the Small Council?"
Alicent pouted.
"Who does he want to remove? Ser Tyland? Or Lord Jasper?"
"I don't know. Viserys hasn't made a clear statement, but I think they will participate in the Small Council as advisors."
"Advisors?" Alicent's eyes widened slightly. "Advisors don't have real power."
"Who knows? If he's really planning to replace someone, it's highly likely he'll replace Lord Jasper, with Corlys serving as Lord of the Law."
"His love for Rhaenyra is truly touching." Alicent couldn't help but laugh.
"Love is certain, but it's more likely a debt." Otto said lightly.
He understood Viserys too well.
Alicent rolled her eyes and complained, "Fortunately, my little Aegon is excellent enough. That bitch Rhaenyra only sleeps with wild men."
I'm really curious if she'll still mess around with other men after marrying Daemon.
She could give birth to three sons with brown hair, brown eyes, and flat noses. I don't know what else she wouldn't dare to do!"
"Instead of worrying about her messing around, why don't you write a letter to Aegon and tell him to be mentally prepared when attending the wedding?"
"That's true, I'll go write the letter now."
Alicent got up, preparing to leave.
"Wait." Otto called out to Alicent.
"What is it?"
"There's only so much you can write in one letter. Don't write such nonsense as 'Are you eating well?' or 'Are you sleeping soundly?'"
"Really.... I understand."
Alicent was speechless. Otto even wanted to control what she wrote in her letters.
After Alicent left, Otto sat back at his desk.
Returning to King's Landing, Aegon's prestige in King's Landing shocked him.
He had thought Aegon's prestige in King's Landing might be high, but he hadn't expected it to be this high.
No wonder Viserys was jumping up and down, insisting on granting Aegon a fief.
If he considered it from Viserys's perspective, granting Aegon a fief was indeed the optimal choice.
It's just a pity that Viserys still underestimated Aegon's ability.
Otto looked at the few letters from the Stepstones on his desk, a look of pride flashing in his eyes.
Judging from these few letters sent back by Aegon, the Stepstones would be on the right track within a year at most.
But he always felt that there was an ambition in Aegon's words to expand his territory to the east.
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