Game of Thrones: Dance of the Dragons

As the welcoming ceremony concluded, Viserys arrived at the camp with his family, where a group of ministers, led by Prime Minister Leonor and Linman, paid their respects.

"Thank you for your hard work, everyone. Let's go inside." Viserys looked at everyone with a smile.

Leonor and the others stepped back to let the King and Queen enter first, then they paused slightly and greeted Prince Beller with great solemnity.

"This is a sword forged from black steel. May you, Prince, possess a body as strong as the Knights of the Valley!" This was Leonor.

"Prince, these are medicinal herbs I brought from the trading city-state that can heal the body. I wish you a speedy recovery." This was Finance Minister Linman.

The two men's actions left the other court ministers stunned. They hadn't prepared anything and could only offer their blessings to the prince verbally.

"Thank you all for your blessings. I will have a healthy body." Baylor smiled and nodded, letting the servant beside him accept the gift.

Beller and Renilla then went into the camp's tent together.

Inside the camp, pastries, drinks, and fruits were neatly arranged on the tables for the nobles and their ladies who were participating in the royal hunt.

Viserys ascended the throne and greeted each nobleman warmly and gently, with Baelor by his side. King Viserys personally introduced his eldest son, whom he was most proud of, to the nobles.

The visiting nobles bowed to him one by one, but seeing Prince Beller's weak appearance, they couldn't help but shake their heads inwardly.

Whether such a crown prince can live to adulthood depends on whether the Seven Gods will forgive his sins.

At the same time, Renilla sat among a group of ladies, eating snacks and listening to their casual chatter about the war on the Steps Islands.

"It is said that Lady Joanna was kidnapped while traveling on Lord Sven's ship, passing by the Steps Islands," an old woman said.

"That's really unfortunate. I heard she might be sold to a free-trading city-state and become a prostitute to entertain guests," another old woman said with genuine sorrow.

"My husband said that no king could tame the Steppes for long; it was a desolate place, only fit for barbarians."

"We won't get anywhere discussing this here. Why don't we ask Her Highness what her thoughts are on this matter?" An old woman cleverly changed the subject.

"The battle on the Stone Steps Islands is decided by the King and the Royal Council; I will not offer any comment," Renilla replied flawlessly.

Long before the royal hunt, she had already discussed the possible events with the prince and taken certain precautions.

"Your Highness may not know, but your dear uncle is the mastermind behind this war."

"If it weren't for Prince Damon, the kingdom could have sent envoys to the Kingdom of the Three Daughters to persuade them to resolve the war peacefully." Lady Girard, like a wild and unreasonable dog, tried to place all the blame on Damon.

Renilla was speechless for a moment. She never expected that these noble ladies would be even more eloquent than the scholars of the Citadel.

Just as Renilla was speechless, Beller walked over unhurriedly and answered the question for her.

"Lady Girard, in your knowledge, how many times in a year has the Kingdom of the Three Daughters raided merchant ships across Westeros?"

"This..." Mrs. Girard stammered for a long time.

It wasn't that she couldn't answer, but rather that she simply couldn't perform accurate calculations.

The Stone Steps Islands are geographically important; the port taxes alone can double the kingdom's wealth every year.

Seeing that the other party was speechless, Baelor continued, "The Kingdom of the Three Daughters has repeatedly plundered my ships in Westeros and sold my father's people."

"Even if my uncle started a war on his own, everything he did was for the peace and stability of Westeros and to uphold the authority of the royal family."

"My father will definitely be determined to send troops to support the war on the Steppes Islands and bring this important territory under the rule of the royal family."

"So, Mrs. Girard still believes that all of this is my uncle's fault?"

Having said that, Baylor's gaze fell squarely on the noblewoman. He was quite curious to see what other eye-opening things this gossipy woman, who only knew how to belittle, could say.

Upon hearing Prince Beller's account, the expressions of the noble ladies who had participated in the discussion immediately changed, especially Lady Girard.

At this moment, the noblewoman was rendered speechless by a six-year-old child. Her face was even more ashen than a dried-out loaf of bread, yet she had no way to deal with the other party.

He is the king's eldest son, the Iron Throne, and the sole heir to the Seven Kingdoms. Offending him is tantamount to ruining the entire family.

"Prince Bellor, please forgive my foolish words just now." Lady Girard slowly bowed her head and solemnly apologized to the prince.

Then, she fled the place as if she were escaping.

Having learned from past mistakes, the atmosphere at the scene immediately quieted down, and the noble ladies only chatted about trivial matters, daring not to discuss any state affairs anymore.

"Well done, my brother. By the way, weren't you with Father? Why did you suddenly come here?" Renilla asked, puzzled.

Baylor explained, "My father was worried that my frequent socializing would have a bad effect on my health, so he told me to go outside and get some fresh air."

"Be careful, don't go too far," Renilla reminded her worriedly.

"I'm not a child anymore."

"Besides, with Sir Illicus protecting me closely, there won't be any problems."

He waved to Renilla and left the bustling, perfume-scented camp.

After leaving, Baylor began to seriously consider how to improve his physical training ability during this Royal Hunt.

His pride would never allow those nobles to continue calling him a "weak heir."

Just then, Prime Minister Leonor's second son, Larry, limped up to him.

"Sir Larry, aren't you going to continue listening to those noble ladies?" Baylor turned around, looking puzzled by his arrival.

"Meeting Your Highness is of utmost importance to me, more so than listening to the noble lady speak." Laris, leaning on his cane, performed a standard curtsy with difficulty and obsequiousness.

Baylor, unusually interested, nodded to signal him to continue.

"I know about your tragic past and the terrible rumors circulating today, which must be causing you great distress, Prince," Laris said pointedly.

Baylor astutely understood that Larry was trying to tell him that someone like him could help him solve this problem.

He laughed and said, "Sir Larry, you should know that today is our first meeting."

Larry knew that the prince was asking him to demonstrate his loyalty.

"Prince, could you please have Ilik leave for a while? I have something I'd like to say to you privately," Laris said respectfully.

"Okay." Baylor nodded, turned around, and gestured for Ilik to put some distance between himself and her.

"Prince, personal protection is an order given to me personally by the King." Sir Ilik did not trust the gloomy-looking cripple in front of him.

"It's not that I'm asking you to leave, it's just that I want to give the two of us some space to talk alone."

"Furthermore, I will keep at least a meter's distance, just to protect my own safety." With that, Baylor took the lead and retreated to a safe distance where Ilic could provide timely assistance.

Seeing that the prince was within a safe area, Ilik respectfully left, giving the two enough space to talk.

"Tell me your thoughts and plans," Baylor asked.

"Tonight, that duke will die unexpectedly. And I will personally cut out his tongue for you."

As he spoke, Larry took out a rolled-up piece of paper from his pocket and slowly unfolded it.

"This letter contains a handwritten account of the entire process, including the whereabouts of the personnel and their wages after the event. It is all under your control."

Larry placed the paper on the ground, pushed it between the two of them, and slowly retreated into the shadows.

Baylor took out a white handkerchief, picked up the paper, and glanced at Larry's plan on it.

"Heh, this is interesting..."