-Chapter 111-

-Chapter 111-

-POV Cregan Stark-

"We didn't even get water, and we have to train as hard as the squires," Aegon muttered under his breath.

But evidently not quietly enough to escape Ser Harrold's ears, as he yelled at us: "Train harder, or it's my foot in your arse you'll get!"

"Why do you provoke him? I thought you'd learned from your mistakes. You'll never win against that old man," Mark said.

"I was tired of pretending. It's been six moons that I've had to smile at everyone, knowing full well that none of them truly like me," Aegon replied, relieved to finally be home.

"Your family loves you," I said, trying to reassure him.

"My family loves what I represent. Don't forget what my cousin told us before I left: we are heirs to the highest nobility in the realm, which means they all want something from us," Aegon said, unconvinced of his family's affection.

"Even Prince Aemon?" I asked, picking up on his own words.

Aegon turned toward me, narrowed his eyes, but then suddenly froze and widened his eyes as he looked behind me.

I turned to see what had caught his attention, and my heart leapt in my chest when I saw Prince Aemon smiling, both hands resting on Lady Forlorn, standing just a few feet away.

"Forgive me, my prince, I didn't mean…" I stammered.

The prince smiled, raised his hand to signal that all was well, and motioned for us to follow him as he addressed Ser Harrold: "I'll bring them back once I'm done."

"Take your time, my prince," the aging knight replied.

"You seem tense, Cregan, but it's all right. You're right to question my intentions because they're not as pure as they might appear," the prince said, offering no further explanation.

'So Father was right. He expects something from us in return for his help,' I thought, a bit disappointed.

"First, I'd like to ask you what you think I should do if someone were to betray me. What would you do in my place?" he asked seriously.

"Kill them?" I said, hesitantly, noticing that Aegon wasn't about to open his mouth in his cousin's presence.

'He's still so intimidated by Prince Aemon, to the point that he's afraid to voice his thoughts aloud,' I thought.

"Is that a statement or a question?" the prince asked.

"In the North, traitors are rare, but in such cases, my father executes them without exception," I replied.

"Why?" the prince asked.

"Why what?" I retorted, frowning.

"Why does he do it himself?" the prince pressed.

"Because the man who passes the sentence must swing the sword," I said, repeating the exact words my father had taught me before I came to the Vale.

Prince Aemon nodded, then asked: "You are your father's heir, but what would happen if your father were to die before you were of age to replace him?"

I frowned, and the prince continued, noting my change in expression:

"I'm not trying to scare you; I'm simply asking a question."

"I would remain his heir and complete my training while my uncle acted as regent," I said confidently.

"And if your dear uncle decided he deserved more than life had given him?" he asked.

I stayed silent, unable to come up with an adequate response.

'Uncle Bennard would never do that,' I thought, unwilling to voice my belief aloud.

The prince stopped in front of a door, smiled at me, and said:

"Listen and learn how to rid oneself of pests."

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-POV Aemon Targaryen-

"Uncle Gerold," I said in a neutral tone as I entered my solar.

Gerold nodded as he saw me and said, "Nephew."

I settled comfortably into my seat, taking my time and making no effort to start a conversation with him.

Instead, I gave instructions to Aegon and Cregan to ensure they performed their duties as cupbearers properly.

The two boys placed the cups in front of my uncle and me, filled them correctly, and stepped back two paces each.

I picked up my gold goblet, swirled the Dornish wine inside it slowly, then declared:

"Uncle Gerold, I find myself faced with a troublesome issue."

"What kind of issue?" Gerold asked, visibly unconcerned.

Ever since his father and I had forged an alliance, he had ceased to confront me directly, believing he could act in the shadows without consequence.

"A delicate one," I replied cryptically, adding as I observed his confused expression: "A member of our family has betrayed me, and I am aware of their treachery."

"Does this person know you've uncovered their betrayal?" Gerold asked, feigning ignorance.

'This charade has gone on long enough. I don't even feel like playing with him,' I thought.

"I just informed them," I said calmly, ceasing to toy with my goblet and draining it in one gulp.

"You're not suggesting that…" he began, but I cut him off brusquely.

"Shut your fucking mouth, Gerold," Gunthor declared coldly and flatly.

"Gunthor, don't listen to this…" Gerold tried.

"Shut up," Gunthor repeated, refusing to hear his brother's pitiful excuses.

I tapped my index finger on the table, locking eyes with Gerold, then stated:

"I had planned to go easy on you and rely on you in the coming years despite your hostility, because we're family. It's sad that you've forced my hand in such a way."

"I didn't betray you," he protested weakly.

"You provided information to Otto Hightower so he could gain leverage against me before the king," I said in an even tone.

"I…"

"Don't try to defend yourself. I no longer trust you," I said calmly, not even bothering to raise my voice.

"What are you going to do with me?" Gerold asked after a long, icy silence.

Feigning hesitation, I finally said: "For this bold and daring act, I offer you everything you've always wanted: the seat of House Royce, a fief, and a fleet."

He squinted suspiciously and asked: "What's the catch?"

I spread my arms wide and said: "There's no catch. I'm giving you the chance to establish a cadet branch near Runeport. There's a small, cozy tower there that will now be yours. You'll take with you those loyal to you—guards, knights, and servants."

"This is exile," he accused in a bitter tone.

"Hmmm… No, I'd call it house arrest. And at the first misstep, you'll suffer a hunting accident," I replied, adding with a faintly mocking tone:

"Or perhaps Urrax will mistake you for a sheep. Who knows? Such strange things happen these days, don't they?"

"Father will never agree to this," he tried, believing Yohn Royce would intervene on his behalf.

"Your father has no say over my lands since my grandfather's death. And if you labor under the illusion otherwise, let me remind you that my dragon waits eagerly for any excuse to make you his supper. You're even more foolish than I thought," I replied dryly.

Panicking and out of options, he suddenly turned to Aegon, dropped to his knees, and said, "My prince, I did this for you!"

I burst into laughter at this desperate attempt, while Gunthor lowered his head, ashamed of his brother's behavior.

I laughed long and hard, watching Aegon, whose panicked eyes darted back and forth between me and Gunthor.

"Gunthor, take this fool out of my sight and, please, make sure he understands that I don't want to see him again for a very long time," I ordered Gunthor, who was already aware of the punishment I had prepared for Gerold.

Gunthor violently dragged Gerold out of the room.

Once the door closed behind them, I declared, "Did you see that idiot? I should have had him executed. Why didn't I?"

"Because killing him would make you a kinslayer," Cregan replied hesitantly.

I shook my head and explained, "I don't care about being a kinslayer if the situation demands it. But you're right—reputation is crucial, so it's better to avoid it. However, that's not the reason I spared him."

"Then why?" Aegon asked softly.

"Because whether a person is dead or alive, once punished, they become an example. A symbol, good or bad. That depends on you and others to interpret," I explained.

"You rewarded him for his treachery. Now everyone will think they can do the same. That's a bad symbol, in my opinion," Aegon said, frowning, seeming to break out of his usual reserve.

'His frustration with Gerold's actions is speaking, no doubt, but it's a good sign that he's starting to open up to me,' I thought.

I smiled and asked, "Do you truly believe I rewarded him?"

"The land I gave him can grow nothing, raise nothing, and is terribly small. His keep has only one tower, no walls, and is crumbling. His daughters will serve as tools to reward my men. I assure you, Gerold's suffering will be long and well-known. Everyone will understand that defying me brings no rewards. He will serve as a living reminder of what happens to those who try," I declared, watching my two pupils absorb my words.