The seventh day of the third month, 120 AC.
Viserys, forty-three years old, was not only overweight and lacking the vitality of his youth, but also plagued by gout, joint pain, back pain, and chest tightness.
The chest tightness, in particular, came and went unpredictably, often leaving Viserys flushed and struggling to breathe.
The vast responsibility of governing the Kingdom required him to appoint a strong Hand of the King to share the burden.
Viserys had considered Rhaenyra, but Rhaenyra's abilities were still lacking, and upon arriving in King's Landing, she would surely clash fiercely with Alicent again!
Besides Rhaenyra, Viserys even considered Daemon and Aegon in the end.
But he worried that Daemon would act impulsively, and he would have to clean up after him.
As for Aegon, Viserys abandoned the idea instantly.
It wasn't that he worried about the ability of Aegon, who was only thirteen, but that Aegon's ability was too strong!
If Aegon were truly appointed Hand of the King, it wouldn't take long before the Red Keep was filled entirely with Greens.
That would only make the situation worse!
After much thought, Viserys found that Otto was the best candidate.
But the prerequisite was for Aegon to leave King's Landing, to prevent the grandfather and grandson from forming a powerful alliance and completely marginalizing him as King.
However, since the Greens wanted Otto to return to the Red Keep, he could also use this opportunity to bestow upon Aegon the title "Duke of the Narrow Sea and the Stepstones".
The next day.
Viserys summoned his council for court.
He held the Valyrian steel sword "Blackfyre" and sat upon the Iron Throne.
"Today, there are two matters to announce.
My eldest son, Aegon Targaryen, is already thirteen, and will soon be fourteen.
I will order him to be bestowed the title Duke of the Narrow Sea and the Stepstones, to guard the Stepstones and ensure the stability of maritime trade.
Secondly, I intend to recall Ser Otto Hightower and reappoint him as my Hand of the King, the Hand of the King."
As Viserys's voice fell silent, the entire Throne Hall plunged into a long silence.
For a moment, everyone failed to react.
What just happened?
Aegon was to be bestowed the title Duke of the Narrow Sea and the Stepstones, to guard the Kingdom's maritime trade?
Wasn't this sending Prince Aegon, who was only thirteen, to the front lines to fight?
"This is madness, I do not agree!"
Alicent, who had been standing beside Viserys listening, reacted and immediately voiced her opposition.
"You're sending our son to guard the Stepstones? Don't you know what kind of place the Stepstones is?"
Viserys's expression remained unchanged as he said firmly, "Of course I know what kind of place the Stepstones is, but what of it?
He carries the blood of the dragon, blood and fire surge and burn within him; he is the King's son, and he should fight to protect the Kingdom!
Furthermore, it's not that I won't support him; ships, men, gold, I can provide it all."
After speaking, Viserys added in a low voice, "Return to your place, Alicent, otherwise Otto won't be able to return, and Aegon will still have to go to the Stepstones!"
Alicent's face froze, and she couldn't help but turn her head to look at Aegon below.
She found that Aegon was completely at ease, as if he had known long ago that he would be bestowed the title Duke of the Narrow Sea and the Stepstones.
Viserys also followed Alicent's gaze and showed some surprise on his face.
He had already prepared to haggle and negotiate with Aegon, but Aegon was even calmer than him.
Seeing many people's eyes fall upon him, Aegon cleared his throat.
"I believe His Majesty is right. I am a son of the dragon, and I should not hide somewhere like an ostrich!
Of course, I am not saying this to target anyone, nor do I intend to target anyone.
I just feel this is the responsibility I must bear as one of the blood of the dragon!"
As soon as Aegon finished speaking, Tyland immediately led the applause.
The ministers who supported the Greens applauded one after another under Tyland's lead, and for a moment, enthusiastic applause filled the entire Throne Hall.
Viserys scanned the hall, feeling both relieved and enraged, his expression momentarily very complex.
He felt relieved because Aegon showed great awareness.
But he was enraged because two-thirds of the ministers in the entire Throne Hall were applauding!
Many faces he was originally familiar with were gone, replaced by many faces that were both strange and familiar.
Upon closer inspection, weren't these all people from the Hightower Family?
The Hightower Family had actually infiltrated his court to this extent!
The court session ended, and ultimately, Aegon was transferred away from King's Landing, and Otto returned to the Red Keep!
And after the court session ended, Viserys was in a great mood.
Now, Rhaenyra was on Dragonstone, Aegon was in the Stepstones, and Alicent and Otto were in King's Landing; he could finally have some peace and quiet.
Furthermore, he didn't have to worry about Aegon continuing to expand his personal influence and affecting Rhaenyra's prestige.
However, he also had to guard against Otto continuing to undermine his authority.
But before that, he wanted to relax and immerse himself in assembling his Valyria Freehold model.
Meanwhile, Alicent sought out Aegon and grabbed his ear as soon as she saw him.
"Viserys is mad, are you mad too?" Alicent gritted her teeth.
"Do you know how deep the waters of the Stepstones are?
Do you know how rough the waves are there?"
That's the Stepstones battlefield!
Not only is there the Triarchy, but also Dornishmen, Braavosi, Pentoshi, Volantenes, and other forces involved!
Aegon pried open Alicent's hand and rubbed his reddened ear.
"Of course I know how deep the waters of the Stepstones are, and I know the waves are rough, but even the fishermen in King's Landing know that the rougher the waves, the more expensive the fish!"
"I don't care about rougher waves meaning more expensive fish, don't give me that nonsense, do you know what you mean?
If something happens to you, will you let Aemond take your place?
That brat doesn't even have a tenth of your ability!"
"Don't panic, when have I ever done something I wasn't sure about?"
Aegon held Alicent's hand and comforted her, saying, "Instead of using your energy to lecture me, why not write to my grandfather and ask him to gather more resources for me?"
Alicent angrily shook off Aegon and left in a huff.
Aegon chuckled, knowing without a doubt that she had gone to write to Otto, asking him to bring more war supplies and troops when he came.
Jokes aside, honestly, Aegon had never worried about the Hightower Family's support for him!
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