Rhaegar hadn't stayed in Duke Mont's arms for too long before his mother, accompanied by her handmaidens, knocked on the door and took him away.
A lovely child, the future of the Dragon family, loved by all.
Men had to decide the fate of this country with their swords, and they still needed to discuss the details of the war. A child's presence here was not appropriate.
Princess Rhaella, with her silver hair and blue eyes, looked even more beautiful in her blue dress. She was tall and elegant.
The genetic engineering of the great nobles was quite successful, producing handsome men and beautiful women, but the beauty of the Dragon family surpassed that of other nobles.
However, there was always a faint hint of sadness in the princess's brows.
A respectable mother, and also a helpless wife.
It is said that Princess Rhaella, when she was young, fell in love with a low-born knight. The knight won her the Crown of Queen of Love and Beauty. But the hierarchy of Westeros was like heaven and earth; the marriages of great noble children were never their own to decide. The princess accepted her fate and married Aerys, whom she didn't particularly love.
Rhaegar could only sigh at the feudal society, where matching families was practically set in stone.
His great-uncle, Prince Duncan, married a commoner woman, Jenny of Oldstones, choosing love over power, and was even forced to give up his right of succession.
To challenge this hierarchical society was almost to be an enemy of all the nobles of Westeros.
The nobles gained immense benefits through titles and fiefdoms and would not allow anyone to change this system.
As Rhaegar's thoughts raced, he suddenly noticed a slight change in his tree-like panel. In the achievement section, another game of thrones had been added.
Rhaegar Targaryen
Identity: The Last Dragon
Aptitude: Knight's Aptitude (a born Warrior), Sword Heart and Zither Mind (a combination of strength and beauty, you will find balance in knowledge, combat, and art), Sleeping Dragon (unfortunately, you have not yet awakened the giant dragon)
Charm: Likable Dragon
Achievements: game of thrones (little player, you observed a grand scene of power, improving your player aptitude a bit), Warrior (little Warrior, you observed many Warrior duels, improving your Warrior aptitude a bit)
Collection: None.
It seems that attending such meetings and participating in decisions can also increase the achievement of power.
The projection of power can make a humble person radiate immense brilliance.
Since I am of the Dragon family, then I shall join this game of thrones.
Princess Rhaella took Rhaegar out, and not far from the Hand's Tower, two beautiful ladies were waiting.
One was the golden-haired, blue-eyed Joanna Lannister, slender with fair skin, a striking lioness beauty. The other was Princess Elia of Dorne, a beauty in a yellow dress with black hair and black eyes. She was also the mother of The Red Viper, Prince Doran, and others. Princess Elia was older than the other two, but in her youth, she was also a companion to Princess Rhaella, and even after marriage and childbirth, she occasionally returned to King's Landing to visit her friends.
The companions gathered around Princess Rhaella and Rhaegar, chatting and laughing.
Men conquer the world, and women conquer men.
"May The Seven bless them with a splendid victory over those Blackfyre bastards," Princess Elia said.
They couldn't help with the discussions in the Hand's Tower, only hoping the men would win the war... The next day, at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush, various banners fluttered.
The three red dragons on black banners, the golden lion on red banners, the rampant Stag on golden banners, the black fish in red and blue waves, the Red Lion on silver banners.
On the distant river, longships were moored. The master of the Iron Islands, a rare Warrior who didn't adhere to the old ways, also provided a hundred longships for the kingdom's expedition.
House Lannister contributed more resources to this war: a thousand knights and ten thousand infantry. Several of Duke Tytos's children also joined the army.
Ravens flew over King's Landing, and the Warriors stood in tight formation.
Knights in splendid attire and on spirited horses stood at the front. Most of them were children from propertied families, some even knights. They wore cloaks, and their armor bore their family's sigils.
The largest contingent was the Lannister army, with their bright red cloaks and roaring lions, full of fighting spirit. These Warriors possessed the spirit of lions...
Looking closely at the lion army, the Red Lions and yellow lions were distinctly separated. The knights and soldiers of House Reyne bore the Red Lion sigil. Their gaze towards the Lannister troops was not friendly.
At the very front of the army, Jaehaerys II handed the commander's banner, depicting three blood dragons clashing with a crowned Stag, to Duke Mont. Beside the King, closest was Queen Shaera. Then Prince Aerys, Steffon, heir to the Stormlands, and Tywin, Heir to the Westerlands. Prince Rhaegar was in his mother's arms, along with Princess Rhaella's two companions, Lady Joanna and Princess Elia.
An army expedition was a major event, and it was also necessary for the Warriors to see the future heir apparent.
At this time, it was also necessary to show the unity of the Dragon family, and the loyalty of the Stag family and the Lion family to the iron throne.
The shadow of Summer Hall had not destroyed the Dragon family; the Dragon family would still soar.
Rhaegar glanced around; the Dragon family indeed had few members left. Even including the princess who married into the Stag family, there were only about six or seven direct blood relatives now, and both King Jaehaerys II and the Queen were in poor health and did not have many years left to live.
Rhaegar watched everything unfolding below; this was truly a grand spectacle. He decided to remember these nobles' faces.
Below Duke Mont were, in order, Ser Jason Lannister, commander of the Westerlands army. The tall and burly Ser Gerold Hightower, the White Bull, wearing a white cloak and wielding a longsword, Captain of the Kingsguard, the loyal White Knight. Lord Hoster Tully, a rather unremarkable fish lord, with only his red hair drawing attention. Lord Tully was mediocre, sharp-tongued, and rarely won the affection of others.
This campaign in the Stepstones was a war that would determine the fate of the dynasty, and Jaehaerys also dispatched the White Bull to increase the chances of victory.
These four would be the supreme decision-making body for this war.
Below the group of four came Brynden Tully, the Blackfish, and the fearless Ser Barristan.
Ser Barristan was tall, with wise and piercing eyes. Although not old, he was already famous throughout the Seven Kingdoms. His exquisite martial skills and fearless courage were widely praised. It was unclear whether this knight would inherit the family business of Harvest Hall or join the White Knights.
Ser Jason stood at the forefront of the Lannister troops. He had golden hair and blue eyes, was tall and slender, and possessed the aptitude of a Warrior. Ser Jason's brother, The Laughing Lion, remained in Casterly Rock with his mistress, pushing his younger brother and several children to the front instead.
"May The Seven bless you with victory," Jaehaerys II said.
"Long live the King!" "Long live the King!" Amidst the fervent shouts of the soldiers, Jaehaerys II's pale face flushed slightly.
A discordant scene also unfolded: when Lord Roger Reyne saluted the King, he stepped forward a few paces, standing alongside Ser Jason, forcibly inserting himself into the four-person decision-making group.
Even though the Red Lion's power in the Westerlands was strong, surpassing his liege and overshadowing his liege's glory was still an arrogant act.
"This Lord Roger is asking for death," Rhaegar thought to himself.
Tywin's expression indeed changed. He looked at Lord Roger, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. The Red Lion sent out women like prostitutes, gaining huge profits from the true lion, and now was even greedier, wanting to overshadow the glory of House Lannister.
But Tywin said nothing; Tywin's uncle, Ser Jason, looked even worse.
His eyes were filled with fury, like an enraged lion. "Lord Roger, perhaps you should understand your place."
"Step back, Lord Roger," Jaehaerys II said. He already knew about the chaos in the Westerlands. The Reyne-Tarbeck alliance was eyeing House Lannister, led by The Laughing Lion, and constantly eroding House Lannister's power.
Aegon V had sent troops three times to mediate the chaos in the Westerlands, but once they withdrew, the situation returned to disarray. And now the kingdom had ignited war against the Ninepenny King, and he truly had no strength to mediate the internal strife between the two lions.
"As you command, Your Majesty. Forgive my old and muddled mind," Roger chuckled, then sheepishly retreated back to his own ranks.
He was satisfied to have deflated the lion's arrogance in front of everyone.
"Lord Roger, perhaps you should know that a Lannister always pays his debts," Tywin's voice was like iron as he looked at Lord Roger.
"That's true, but Lord Tywin, your father Lord Tytos said that words are like wind, and one should be magnanimous," Lord Roger laughed, not taking Tywin's warning to heart.