Aegon noticed Viserys's expression change, and his brow slightly furrowed.
The old man wanted to continue speaking, but was stopped by Aegon raising his hand.
"I believe you must have suffered an injustice, but this is not the place to talk. Wait for me."
After speaking, Aegon gave a look to his grandfather, Otto.
Otto reacted quickly. He had also noticed the change in Viserys's expression and immediately had the guards from the Hightower Family escort the old man away.
With the old man gone, a smile appeared on Aegon's face, and Viserys also let out a long sigh of relief.
Viserys raised his hand, wanting to give Aegon a hug.
Unexpectedly, Aegon directly bypassed Viserys and embraced Alicent.
"Long time no see, Mother. Did you miss me?" Aegon grinned.
"I'll settle accounts with you later. It's been so long, and you didn't even think to ride a dragon back to see me." Alicent glared at Aegon crossly.
"Mother, you're much prettier now than before I left. Is it because I took Daeron away?"
"Perhaps. With Daeron not around, you wouldn't believe how much free time I have."
Daeron: "???"
Hearing this, Daeron fell into self-doubt. Was he really that annoying?
After the playful banter, Aegon finally came to Viserys's side and actively embraced him.
"I am proud of you, Aegon." Viserys's eyes were filled with satisfaction.
Although he had decided to pave the way for Rhaenyra, this did not prevent him from feeling proud of Aegon.
"Thank you for your praise. I am honored, Father, but you have aged a lot. You must rest more, alright?" Aegon showed concern.
Viserys looked pleased, finding his eldest son's concern very comforting.
However, Otto, who was beside Viserys, gave Aegon a meaningful look.
Daemon also seemed to sense something was off. His sharp, knife-like gaze remained fixed on Aegon.
Noticing Daemon's gaze, Aegon's expression remained unchanged as he walked up to Daemon and Rhaenyra.
"Long time no see, my dear sister. When I heard the news of your marriage, I was so excited I couldn't sleep at night."
After Aegon finished speaking, he beckoned to Aemond.
Aemond couldn't quite suppress the corners of his mouth when he thought about what his brother was going to do next.
But in the end, he still forced back his smile, came to Aegon's side, and took out an exquisite gift box from his chest.
Aegon took the gift box and opened it in front of Rhaenyra. Inside was a large, crystal-clear white pearl.
"Please forgive me for not being sufficiently prepared. After all, the news of your marriage was too sudden. I searched all over the Stepstones,
and only found this one pearl symbolizing purity."
Rhaenyra's face flushed. How could she not hear Aegon's sarcastic remarks?
Aegon held up the pearl, but Rhaenyra showed no intention of taking it, leaving the situation in a stalemate.
At the crucial moment, Rhaenys stepped forward and accepted Aegon's gift on behalf of Rhaenyra.
"My dear aunt, it's been a while, and you seem to have gotten younger. It appears time has left no trace on you, and your figure is still slender."
As he spoke, Aegon didn't forget to glance at Rhaenyra, clearly hinting at something.
Rhaenys looked at Rhaenyra, then at Viserys, and finally sighed.
"Thank you for the compliment, but I am old after all."
No one knew why Rhaenys sighed.
Perhaps it was because she was gradually aging, or perhaps it was for certain secrets that could only be forever hidden in her heart.
After greeting Rhaenys, Aegon completely ignored Daemon and walked towards the Red Keep surrounded by the Greens nobles.
In the crowd, Otto's lips curved up, revealing a slight smile.
Alicent hadn't exaggerated; his grandson indeed had considerable skill.
He had given the Black Party a show of force right from the start, and in a way that was beyond reproach.
After all, Rhaenyra's wedding was indeed sudden.
No one expected that Rhaenyra, who had only recently lost her husband, would remarry so quickly.
Back in the Red Keep.
The previously somewhat quiet feast instantly became lively, but beneath the surface of this liveliness, there were still surging undercurrents.
Aegon took his seat, surrounded by nobles eager to curry favor.
"Your Highness, I heard you utterly defeated the Triarchy in the Stepstones?" Humphrey asked with a laugh.
Hearing this, Aegon smiled calmly, ready to recount his achievements in the most understated tone to create a grand effect.
Unexpectedly, Aemond suddenly put down his knife and fork and laughed:
"I don't even know what the First and Second Wars for the Stepstones were for, playing house?"
At first, the Triarchy's slogans were earth-shattering, but what was the result? My brother crippled Tyrosh in just three months."
"And those two allies of Tyrosh were even funnier. Myr and Lys didn't even dare to fart in the end, terrified of being targeted by my brother and becoming the next Tyrosh."
"To tell you the truth, my brother still has many methods he hasn't used yet, and cracks have already appeared in the relationship between the Triarchy, hahahahaha."
Aemond burst into laughter at the end.
The surrounding nobles, regardless of whether it was true or not, all laughed along with Aemond, while racking their brains to praise Aegon.
Aegon looked modest.
"Luck, just luck. I must also thank Lord Larys for planning ahead for me. I'll toast Lord Larys."
With that, Aegon raised his wine glass and gestured to Larys.
Larys was momentarily stunned, but quickly reacted, hastily raising his glass in return.
For a moment, many nobles looked at Larys differently, putting away their previous disdain for this 'Clubfoot' and coming forward to offer toasts.
After Larys finished socializing with the people around him with a smile, he immediately came to Aegon's side.
"Thank you for your support, Your Highness. I am extremely grateful," he said in a low voice.
"No need to thank me, it's nothing. You are my eyes and ears in King's Landing," Aegon said with a smile.
"It is my honor," Larys said, flattered.
Dong—A bell suddenly rang, followed by elegant classical music.
The wedding began.
The High Septon of the Faith of the Seven began to officiate the wedding.
"If His Majesty hadn't changed his mind at the last minute, the main characters on stage right now would be you and Princess Helaena."
Larys lowered his voice.
"Hehe, today is a good day, it's understandable," Aegon said calmly.
"This might be Prince Daemon's idea, most likely."
As he spoke, Larys looked at the triumphant Daemon beside the High Septon.
Aegon tilted his head slightly.
"My uncle is not simple. Didn't someone say he embodies the greatness and madness of the Targaryens?"
"Someone did say that, but I think he is far inferior to you. Your ambition and talent far surpass anyone.
The Third War for the Stepstones will prove your ambition and talent to the Seven Kingdoms. Everyone will know and acknowledge your greatness."
Larys flattered him, exaggerating Aegon's rather ordinary methods.
Regardless of what others thought, Aegon himself felt his methods were quite average.
No matter how you look at it, as long as it achieves the goal, it's a good method!