Daeron stopped.
Everyone's gaze shifted, looking at the King in confusion. They didn't know how the Prince had offended His Grace to trigger such an outburst.
Tywin frowned, wondering to himself, What madness is this now?
But no one expected what happened next.
Aerys, whose face had been dark with rage, suddenly brightened as if the clouds had parted. He laughed loudly. "Well fought! You defeated two Kingsguard and the renowned Lord Baratheon. I must reward you properly."
Daeron's eye twitched slightly.
Aerys continued, speaking to himself yet loud enough for all to hear, "Do you remember Daemon Blackfyre?"
"He entered a tourney at the age of twelve, defeated several challengers, and was knighted by Aegon IV with the sword 'Blackfyre'."
It was a poor comparison, and the implication was even worse.
Aerys reached out a hand and shouted, "Boy, kneel before your King. I am going to knight you."
The lords looked at each other, the same thought sprouting in everyone's mind simultaneously.
Daeron Targaryen = Daemon Blackfyre?
Was the King knighting young Prince Daeron out of genuine appreciation, or was he planning to prop him up to replace Crown Prince Rhaegar?
"Your Grace, be careful with the blade."
"The White Bull," Ser Gerold Hightower, offered his sword.
Aerys's mood flipped instantly. He snapped, "I was once a warrior. I don't need you to tell me how to hold a sword."
Leaning on the longsword like a cane, Aerys walked down the steps with his gaunt, wiry frame.
On the tourney grounds.
Daeron knelt on one knee, awaiting the knighting.
He had entered the tourney not just to dampen Rhaegar's momentum, but also to seek this very title.
A knight's rank was lower than a lord's.
But the title of Knight was the best calling card he could have. It represented martial prowess and trustworthiness—qualities that drew men to follow.
Aerys walked up to his second son. He was incredibly pleased with the boy kneeling before him. He laid the flat of the blade on Daeron's left shoulder and proclaimed loudly:
"From this day forth, you are a Knight. Remember to obey your King."
The ceremony went smoothly.
When Daeron stood up, his gaze turned sharp, revealing an aura that seemed to tower over others.
Aerys was startled by the intensity of that look and unconsciously took a half-step back.
Skreee—!
Caraxes, sensing his rider's emotions, stretched his snake-like neck and let out a long, piercing shriek.
Daeron spoke, "Father, let me help you back."
Aerys, still a bit dazed, allowed his second son to take his arm and support him back up the high platform in full view of the crowd.
Clap, clap, clap—
A young hero, a loving father, and a filial son.
The nobles watched the scene, and thunderous applause erupted across the arena.
Lord Tytos Blackwood and Lord Whent, in particular, clapped until their hands were red, shouting repeatedly, "Daeron Targaryen! The greatest Dragonrider of the Seven Kingdoms!"
The chant caught on, spreading like a wave.
Everyone realized one thing: Daeron was a Dragonrider in the sky, but even on the ground, he was one of the realm's deadliest warriors.
In Westeros, where martial valor was worshipped, he had just become the dream lover of every maiden in attendance.
---
Daeron bandaged his wounds and ate a piece of Gold Star Cheese.
In Stardew Valley, Gold Star Cheese and Gold Star Pineapples were known as the "Mining Twins."
They were the absolute best foods for healing and recovering energy.
Daeron took out another piece of Gold Star Cheese and instructed Davos to take it to Robert.
"Prince?"
Davos was confused.
Daeron waved his hand. "Give it to him."
Even if Robert was the man who destroyed House Targaryen in the original timeline, the War of the Usurper hadn't happened yet. There was no blood feud between them right now.
In the fight just now, Robert's final stand had impressed him.
He's a man's man!
Davos nodded, took the Gold Star Cheese, and walked toward the seating area of the STAB alliance.
"For me?"
Robert was stunned. He looked at the cheese, then at Davos, hardly believing it.
He was pretty sure that Targaryen kid had been trying to kill him in the arena just moments ago.
Davos, ever the smooth talker, said, "My Lord, your bravery is unmatched. The Prince admires you greatly and does not wish to see you suffer from your wounds."
The surrounding lords had different expressions, mostly deep suspicion.
"Well said! Hand it over, then."
Robert laughed boisterously, snatched the cheese, and shoved it into his mouth without a second thought.
"Robert!"
Elbert Arryn was shocked. He tried to stop him, but it was too late.
Even Ned frowned, worried the food might be tampered with.
Burp~~
Robert let out a massive belch, waved his hand, and said calmly, "I'm fine. Why would the Prince harm me?"
Seeing that he really was okay, everyone let out a breath of relief.
Davos smiled. "This specific high-quality produce is extremely rare. The Prince doesn't have much of it himself."
Robert felt his shoulder. "He's right. I can feel a surge of vitality speeding up the healing."
"I will take my leave, then."
Davos observed Robert closely. Seeing the man's reckless heroism, he suddenly understood why the Prince had sent the cheese.
The Seven Kingdoms had no shortage of fierce warriors or clever politicians, but men like Robert were one of a kind.
After Davos left.
Ned leaned in, draped an arm around Robert's shoulder—making the latter wince in pain—and asked with a smile, "So, how does the Royal Family's special food taste?"
He was joking, but his concern was evident.
Robert pushed him off and sighed with feeling. "Daeron Targaryen is a True Dragon. Unlike that Martell Viper."
What kind of man poisons his weapon in a duel?
He didn't know why Daeron had shown killing intent earlier.
But he knew one thing: A man who could ride a dragon was no coward who used underhanded tricks.
"Did he figure out what you guys were discussing?"
Lyanna, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly popped the question.
The group fell into silence.
---
The Next Day.
Another interesting event occurred at the tourney.
A mystery knight bearing a shield painted with a Weirwood tree entered the lists and defeated three knights in a row during the joust.
According to the rules of the tourney, the loser forfeited their horse and armor to the winner.
When the three defeated knights asked to ransom their gear, the Mystery Knight named the price.
"Teach your squires honor. That is all the ransom I require."
It turned out these three knights were the masters of the three squires who had bullied Howland Reed the previous evening.
The Mystery Knight had displayed noble chivalry, which immediately excited the smallfolk.
They affectionately named him the "Knight of the Laughing Tree."
This was because the Weirwood on his shield bore a carved smiling face.
However, this act enraged the King.
For some reason, Aerys loathed the silly drawing on that shield, believing it was mocking him.
He even suspected it was a lackey sent by his eldest son, Rhaegar, specifically to humiliate him.
Aerys ordered his own knights to challenge the Knight of the Laughing Tree the next day and unmask him.
Robert was the first to volunteer, eager to win the joust for the King.
But by twilight, the Knight of the Laughing Tree had vanished.
Aerys was furious. He sent Crown Prince Rhaegar to hunt down the Mystery Knight and bring him back.
His intentions were malicious.
If Rhaegar caught the knight, Aerys would unmask him and find out who was provoking him.
If Rhaegar failed to bring the person back, it would prove the Knight of the Laughing Tree was indeed the Prince's lackey.
But only a few people knew the true identity of the Knight of the Laughing Tree.
...
Evening.
Daeron was sitting in the courtyard feeding his dragon when a Dragonkeeper reported that someone wanted to see him.
"Prince, please help me."
Howland Reed looked anxious, like a headless fly crashing into walls.
Daeron didn't play coy. "What kind of trouble are you in?"
"It's Lady Lyanna—"
Howland trusted the Prince who had helped him upon their first meeting, so he explained everything in detail.
It turned out Lyanna had discovered the masters of the three squires who bullied him. She had disguised herself as the Mystery Knight, defeated them, and sought justice for her father's bannerman.
She hadn't expected to enrage the King or be hunted by Crown Prince Rhaegar.
Howland said frantically, "Lady Lyanna didn't have time to return to camp to remove her armor. She fled toward the God's Eye. I beg you, please help her. Don't let the King punish her."
If Daeron was the first person to help him, Lyanna was the first person to make him feel warmth.
In this massive Harrenhal, he only trusted these two people.
"If my father sees Lyanna, I can't guarantee I can save her," Daeron said helplessly.
Howland's face crumbled, despair washing over him.
But Daeron's tone shifted as he smiled. "However, I can stop Rhaegar from catching her, giving her a chance to clear her suspicion."
"That would be wonderful!"
Howland was overjoyed.
After sending Howland away, Daeron's smile faded. He whispered, "So it begins."
The prelude to the "False Spring" was the meeting between Rhaegar and Lyanna in the wild.
Skreee—!
Caraxes slowly rose, lowering his chest to the ground, signaling his rider to mount.
He shared Daeron's emotions.
The sun was setting in the west.
Harrenhal was brightly lit, hosting a grand feast.
A streak of red tore through the sky like an arrow, rushing toward the northern shore of the God's Eye.
...
The Northern Woods.
Rhaegar rode his snow-white unicorn, trampling through thorns and bushes, chasing that inexplicably familiar figure.
He was full of curiosity about the Knight of the Laughing Tree who had caused him to take the blame unjustly.
Boom—
Caraxes flew overhead, his massive wings beating furiously as he landed directly in front of the rider.
The unicorn was spooked and nearly threw Rhaegar off.
"Daeron, why are you blocking me?"
Rhaegar steadied his mount and saw his younger brother walk out of the woods.
Daeron didn't approach. Instead, he casually tossed an object to him.
Thud!
Rhaegar caught it. Looking closely, it was a strangely shaped ring.
The ring was made of dark iron, and the top was adorned with enchanted purple fluff shaped like a bat. It didn't look like ordinary jewelry.
[Immunity Band]: "The top of the ring is made from enchanted purple plush."
Effect: Immunity +4.
Daeron kept his face expressionless and said flatly, "Wear this ring. I hope the decisions you make next are the result of careful deliberation, not irrational impulse."
"What is special about this ring?"
Rhaegar didn't waste words. He guessed the ring was similar to the special weapons.
Daeron glanced at him, turned around, disappeared into the forest, and flew off on Caraxes.
"Hmph. Everyone speaks in riddles these days."
Rhaegar stood there, looking hesitant.
After a moment's thought, he slipped the Immunity Band onto his right index finger.
In an instant, a coolness washed over his mind. A sense of comfort surged from his spine, relieving the stress and fatigue that had built up over the last six months.
His mind sharpened; his thoughts cleared.
Rhaegar was surprised. "Such a significant effect."
Thinking of the large quantities of special crops, the hatched dragons, the special weapons, and now this ring that Daeron had produced, he couldn't help but wonder if his brother had discovered some ancient legacy.
Perhaps... something like the lost art of Valyrian enchantment.