The king had decided that the duel between the princes would take place the day after the joust. This ant that it could be extended or brought forward from the initial date. Jaehaerys arrived at the stands. He greeted all the nobles he passed with a polite bow.
Rumors spread like wildfire. Many lords viewed him differently after learning how he had defended himself against the rcenaries. Jaehaerys felt disgusted. They admired him for his killing ability. He didn't have a problem with killing. He had killed more than one bandit in the north. But to admire him for that? It made him feel sick.
He sat in the royal box. Only Targaryens and their relatives, as well as mbers of the small council, were present.
He looked at Prince Oberyn Martell with his dark hair and matching eyes. He was thin and tall with a blonde woman at his side—his wife, Cersei. She was as beautiful as they said she was. Still, she looked like a girl with leprosy compared to Daenerys.
"I'm sorry I wasn't at the small council. I had other needs," the Dornish prince said. He did not introduce himself; he didn't need to.
The prince looked at a figure like a diamond drawn on the Dornishman's forehead.**
"The matter was resolved without incident. Gerold Dayne's trial will be soon," he said politely.
"And the other matter, the traitor Ser Lorch?" The prince suddenly seed more dangerous, like a snake baring its fangs.
"The king allowed to deal with it in my own way," he said, not giving many details.
"And Ser Lorch?"
"Sowhere in the ocean," he said simply. He looked at the woman next to the prince, who looked at him with a grin.
Jaehaerys was not a vengeful man. But he couldn't let that woman think she could attack his betrothed and just carry on as if nothing had happened. He wouldn't move against Cersei just yet. However, opportunities arise, and he is an expert at capitalizing on them.
"Ah, my beautiful wife, Cersei Nyros Martell," the prince said as he took her hand and kissed it. The blonde smiled. There was a trace of affection between them.
"Your beauty does not do justice to the rumors, princess. If the Targaryens didn't exist, I would have proclaid you one of the most beautiful won in the Seven Kingdoms," he said. Looking at her smiling face, he tries to hide his anger.
She earned the title of princess through her marriage to Prince Oberyn. However, it did not carry much weight outside of Dorne.
"I am flattered, my prince," she said, ignoring his comnt, allowing him to kiss her hand. Cersei held her breath as she watched the tall prince extend his hand. A primal desire arose within her. Prince Oberyn was not much different.
Jaehaerys ended up shaking her hand. Cersei shifted uncomfortably, insulted.
"It seems my betrothed is calling . I hope we can et later," he said, bidding her farewell.
"I would like to see the weapon everyone talks about," said Prince Oberyn. His eyes narrowed, a hint of anger in them. His mood went from lustful to offended in seconds.
"I'll be happy to show it to you," he said.
'He's dangerous,' he thought about Oberyn. He seed more dangerous than Daemon and Gerold combined.
"Daenerys," he greeted the girl who looked at him. "Brandon", that was one of his guards. He left him with Daenerys to ensure her safety.
She seed torn between smiling at him and ignoring him. She didn't know how to behave in public around him. She had accepted that the idea of marriage didn't displease her. Her mother's words about her infatuation with her nephew had also made an impression on her.
"Jaehaerys," she greeted him. Finally, a tender smile appeared on her lips, unintentionally. It disappeared as soon as she heard a snort behind her.
"Daemon!" Queen Lyanna scolded her son. He rolled his eyes, but stopped causing trouble.
"I hope you slept better, princess," he said. The girl nodded.
"I did," she said. 'Knowing you're close calms ,' she thought, too embarrassed to say it out loud. Her face flushed at the thought. "I also enjoyed the books you lent . I'm embarrassed to say, though, that I have so questions. There are so things I didn't quite understand," she said, feeling Daemon's eyes on the back of her neck. She wondered whether she should say anything at all. She really enjoyed talking to Jaehaerys.
"I'll be happy to answer," said the prince.
"The tournant is about to begin," they heard the Master of Coins say. "Perhaps you'd like to place a bet, my prince?" His smile was sharp and unpleasant.
"I'm not very knowledgeable about tournants, Lord Baelish," he said, declining.
"Ah, yes. You grew up in the North. I sotis forget," the little man said with a smile. "I was friends with Catelyn Stark when we were children. Perhaps she ntioned ?" he asked, wanting to strike up a conversation.
"I rember her once speaking of a foolish, weak young man who tried to win her hand from Brandon Stark." His words were more poisonous than he intended. He felt he had to be on guard with the man. They heard Viserys stifle a laugh.
"I did. I have an ugly reminder of that day. Thanks to Catelyn's rcy, I'm still alive." If Baelish took the comnt badly, he didn't show it.
The trumpets announced the start of the joust. Crown Prince Aegon stood up and gave an opening speech. Jaehaerys paid no attention beyond the mont he was ntioned, raising his hand when he received an ovation from the audience.
A figure among the participants caught his attention.
"The Mountain," he muttered. Daenerys, sitting beside him, wrinkled her nose.
"I don't like him," she said. He always looked at her too much, as if she were a piece of juicy at.
He wondered if Gregor's strength was superior to his. "I'm curious to see how strong he is."
The first joust was between Sir Arthur and a knight from a lesser house. The knight broke three of the royal guard's lances before being thrown from his horse. Ser Arthur, Ser Loras, and Ser Barristan seed to be the favorites. There were others, such as the Clegane brothers and so knights from the Valley. Prince Daemon would have normally participated, but he did not want to take any chances, given his upcoming duel. He took the rumors seriously.
The clashes continued. Ser Arthur swept past his rivals. The Hound unhorsed Ser Barristan after breaking eight lances. Soon, Loras was facing the Mountain. The next duel would be between Ser Arthur and the Hound.
"Princess Daenerys, not in a thousand lifetis would I be worthy to stand before your beauty," said Loras in a chivalrous voice. The princess smiled demurely. "Would you grant the honor of carrying your favor?" he asked, raising his lance.
Normally, Loras would ask his sister for the favor, but this ti, he asked the princess.
Daenerys looked at her betrothed, the question in her eyes. He nodded, knowing the sodomitic nature of the man. Besides, everyone knows he was being considered for the white robe. It wasn't inappropriate. Jaehaerys nodded. Out of the corner of his eye, Jaehaerys saw Daemon grit his teeth as Daenerys tied a ribbon to the tip of her spear.
"I wish you the best of luck, Ser Loras," the princess said before returning to her seat.
Both competitors took their places at opposite ends and prepared themselves.
"It seems Sir Gregor is having difficulty controlling his horse," said Aegon's wife, Princess Myrcella.
"Loras is riding a mare in heat. Dishonest, but clever," said Petyr Baelish.
Daenerys's lips ford a soft line. She had given her favor out of obligation. It would have been disrespectful to deny him in front of all the nobles when he asked. Now, seeing him use a dishonest tactic, she regretted it. She accidentally looked at her betrothed, perhaps hoping he had said no when she asked him.
The knights broke the first lance. Gregor managed to stay in his saddle by a hair. On the second, he wasn't so lucky and was thrown from his horse.
"Sword!" he roared at his squire.
With one blow, the horse's head fell. Jaehaerys was a bit surprised. But he could do the sa. He had once decapitated a bear with an axe.
"Why?" he heard his betrothed ask. She seed angry about the horse's death.
Amid the crowd's cries, Ser Loras gloated. He did not look at the approaching mountain behind him. Dozens of screams made him turn just in ti to block a sword blow with his shield. The wood shattered on impact, and he fell to the ground.
Seeing Ser Gregor's raised sword, ready to deliver the final blow, Jaehaerys grabbed with one hand an empty chair by one of its legs and threw it with all his might. It flew through the air about thirty yards before hitting the Mountain in the back of the neck. The blow knocked Ser Gregor off balance, almost causing him to fall, allowing Ser Loras to escape.
'That blow would have knocked out most n.' Jaehaerys thought, surprised.
"Stop this in the na of the king," roared Prince Aegon, his face stoic despite his shouting, showing no agitation. "Good father," he said, looking at Jai.
"I'll take care of him," said the Golden Lion.
Both competitors looked at the box.
'Gregor seems to want to rip my head off. And Loras... Why are you looking at like that?' the prince thought with concern.
Jaehaerys ignored everyone's stares as he left the stands. The whole situation was giving him a headache.
'Maybe I need a stronger drink. Whisky. I wonder how it's made.'
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