GOT: Conqueror Knight - 23/24 (Patreon)

Chapter 23: A Plot So Twisted Even a Pervert Finds It Twisted

“No, Lord!”

“Rhaenys is only three years old! She... she’s not suitable!”

The moment Daelyon mentioned her daughter, especially with that strange smile curling at the corner of his mouth, Elia’s face went pale with alarm.

She knew House Targaryen had always practiced marriage within the family to preserve the purity of their Bloodline.

Back then, because Rhaegar had no sister of marriageable age, the king had even sent Steffon Baratheon, Lord of Storm’s End, across the Narrow Sea by ship to find a “noble maiden of ancient Valyrian blood” to become Rhaegar’s wife.

But fate had other plans. Not only did Steffon fail to complete the king’s task, he and his wife both perished in Shipbreaker Bay.

With no better choice, Aerys had been forced to settle for the next best option and arrange Rhaegar’s marriage to Elia, securing Dorne’s support in the process.

What he probably never expected was that, once backed by Dorne, Rhaegar’s influence would grow stronger and stronger until it threatened his throne more than once.

That was exactly why Elia feared Daelyon might have improper intentions toward her daughter.

After all, if he truly was a Targaryen from three hundred years ago, it was difficult not to wonder whether his sudden interest in Rhaenys came from some desire to “purify” the family Bloodline.

The moment Daelyon saw the strange look Elia was giving him, he understood exactly what she was thinking.

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” he roared. “Do I look like some kind of pervert to you?”

“Aren’t you...?” Elia tilted her head while rubbing her painfully red and swollen backside with one hand.

The implication could not have been clearer.

Daelyon’s eye twitched.

Not even three hundred years ago, during the Conqueror’s era, had anyone ever described him that way!

His enemies had called him a demon, an executioner, the blade in Aegon’s hand.

Those close to him had called him a noble Dragonrider, the Undefeated One, the pride of the Seven Kingdoms.

And now, some idiotic Dornish woman was calling him a pervert who lusted after little girls!

Seven save him. This was outright slander!

Everyone knew that Daelyon Targaryen had only ever liked mature women!

Just then, however, Elia’s body began trembling violently again. She collapsed to the floor, muttering frantically, “Flower milk... give it to me...”

It seemed her craving had returned.

“Some habits never change.”

Daelyon snorted irritably. Without another word, he seized the bedsheet, tore it into strips, and quickly bound Elia hand and foot before tying her securely to the bed.

Once he was done, he crouched beside her and looked coldly at the woman writhing desperately against her restraints.

“I’m only going to ask you two questions. Answer honestly, and I’ll give you what you want.”

“Ask... ask me quickly... I’ll tell you anything!”

She was clearly nearing the end of her endurance. Tears and mucus covered her face, and she looked almost completely out of her mind.

Daelyon wasted no more time.

“The Kingsguard. Where are the three missing ones?”

“I... I don’t know. I only told Rhaegar to have them protect Lyanna Stark until she gave birth!”

“Lyanna Stark?”

Daelyon’s expression immediately turned serious.

“The Stark woman the rebels claim Rhaegar kidnapped?”

“She’s pregnant? Did Rhaegar rape her? And why would you send men to protect a woman carrying your husband’s child?”

The questions came one after another, but Elia was already close to losing her mind again and could only answer incoherently.

“Rhaegar... didn’t kidnap her.”

“They... love each other. I encouraged Rhaegar to pursue his love bravely. He is the True Dragon chosen by destiny. I supported him in following the example of his ancestor Aegon and taking two wives...”

Daelyon stared at her.

For once, even he struggled to keep his expression under control.

Aegon had married both Visenya and Rhaenys largely because the three of them had grown up together and shared bonds that went back to childhood.

More importantly, House Targaryen had possessed four enormous dragons at the time. Who the fuck would have dared object to that marriage?

Besides, Daelyon himself had never cared much for marriage. He had only ever regarded Rhaenys with the affection of a younger brother toward an elder sister.

And he had always known perfectly well that Rhaenys loved Aegon.

To be fair, Aegon had been worthy of it. He was not only a fearsome warrior, but so far ahead of Daelyon in politics that there was hardly any comparison.

In his previous life, after all, scoring single digits on politics exams had practically been normal for him.

...

But that was Aegon the Conqueror!

A man even Daelyon genuinely respected!

Who the fuck did Rhaegar Targaryen think he was to compare himself to Aegon and imitate him by marrying two women at once?

Did he have a dragon?

He didn’t have so much as a dragon scale to his name!

And if he and Lyanna Stark truly loved one another, then he should have stood up like a man and said so!

What possible advantage was there in letting the entire continent believe it had been a kidnapping?

The whole affair had dragged all Seven Kingdoms into war and nearly cost House Targaryen its throne!

And even more fucking baffling...

Judging by Elia’s words, she had encouraged Rhaegar to do all of it?

Was she insane?

She was a Princess of Dorne, yet not only had she encouraged her own husband to run off with another woman, she had even personally asked the Kingsguard to protect his mistress while she gave birth?

Why not go there and tend to the mistress yourself while you were at it?

Who the fuck could be more accommodating than that?

Countless thoughts raced through Daelyon’s mind, and he no longer knew what sort of expression to give Elia.

He knew most Targaryens had something wrong with their heads, but this woman was a Martell. How had she managed to become this mad?

Then again, the Dornish were hardly known for thinking normally either.

Daelyon slapped a hand to his forehead and suddenly felt exhausted.

Even three hundred years ago, he had often felt out of place among his own family simply because he was not twisted enough.

Take Aegon, probably the most normal member of the family. He was upright, charismatic, and born to lead, but marrying his own sisters...

Daelyon could never have done that, even with a sword at his throat.

Fortunately, he had been the only child of his particular Targaryen branch and had no sisters.

Otherwise, if that worthless dead father of his had ever tried forcing him into something like that, Daelyon probably would have split the old bastard in half with a sword.

...

“One last question.”

Daelyon remained silent for a long moment before asking, “Where is your daughter, Rhaenys Targaryen? I haven’t seen her anywhere here.”

“She... she’s in the Maidenvault.”

Elia had apparently exhausted herself struggling. Drenched in sweat and breathing heavily, she had regained a little clarity.

“After Rhaegar died, the king sent men to take her there.”

“If I hadn’t fought them with everything I had, he probably would have locked Aegon away too and used him to threaten me. That’s why I’ve had the doors kept shut all day...”

A flash of hatred passed through Elia’s eyes as she spoke, only to be swallowed again by her craving.

“Quickly... I answered everything. Give me the flower milk...”

“So that’s how it is.”

Daelyon nodded, then turned without hesitation and strode through the doorway.

Bang!

The door slammed shut behind him.

“You damned bastard! You broke your promise!”

Elia’s furious curses immediately rang out from inside.

A mocking smile curled across Daelyon’s lips as he glanced back over his shoulder.

“I’m a pervert, remember? And you actually trusted my word?”

With that, he quickened his pace, as though lingering another second might cause her pitiful intelligence to rub off on him.

“Lord.”

Jaime, who had been waiting outside the door, hurried over. His eyes immediately swept over Daelyon’s armor from head to toe.

Only after confirming that every piece was still properly in place did he breathe a sigh of relief.

Putting on plate armor was an involved process. For a knight to dress himself properly without the aid of a squire was nearly impossible.

“Immediately proclaim my orders throughout the Seven Kingdoms in the name of the Iron Throne.”

Daelyon did not waste a word. He continued walking as he issued his command to Jaime.

“From this moment onward, Gerold Hightower, Arthur Dayne, and Oswell Whent are stripped of their positions in the Kingsguard!”

“I want everyone to know that the white cloaks on their backs no longer stand for honor, but for shame!”

...

Chapter 24: A Lannister Unlike the Lannisters

“What?!” Jaime’s face changed instantly.

Strip Ser Arthur and the others of their positions?

How could that be allowed?

“Isn’t that decision too hasty, Lord? Ser Arthur and the others were carrying out Prince Rhaegar’s orders...”

“I’m dismissing all three of them, not just Arthur Dayne.” Daelyon shot Jaime an irritated look and cut him off.

Could this boy not understand what he was saying? Why did every other sentence out of his mouth have to be “Ser Arthur” this and “Ser Arthur” that?

Could he be gay?

Daelyon’s expression abruptly changed. He clenched his backside and made a point of keeping himself facing Jaime.

“If I remember correctly, the duty of the Kingsguard is to remain loyal to the monarch and protect the royal Bloodline until death. It is not to obey the orders of some so-called Prince while ignoring whether the royal house lives or dies!”

His expression turned utterly serious.

“Jaime Lannister, when you put on that white cloak, did you swear to obey the king’s commands or Prince Rhaegar’s?”

“The king’s... His Grace’s, my lord!”

Jaime immediately straightened and answered loudly.

Only then did he remember that the man before him was not merely the current Hand of the King. He was also one of the founders of the Kingsguard and the first Lord Commander of the White Knights.

Whether in seniority, status, or Bloodline, Daelyon was fully qualified to remove any of them from office.

Besides, whenever disputes had arisen between the Prince and the king, Ser Arthur and the others had indeed shown partiality more than once.

At times, even Jaime had wondered whether his sworn brothers were plotting something important with the Prince while deliberately leaving him out of it.

Then again... Barristan Selmy probably knew nothing either.

The old Kingsguard was a steadfast supporter of the king. When Aerys had been trapped in Duskendale for more than half a year, Barristan had infiltrated the town alone and rescued him despite thousands of enemies trying to hunt him down and cut off his escape.

Even the arrogant Jaime of those days had thought the feat almost unbelievable.

Unfortunately, Barristan had disappeared after accompanying Rhaegar to the Trident. No one knew whether he was alive or dead now.

“Please give them a chance to redeem themselves, Lord!”

Even if Daelyon’s reasoning was sound, Jaime could not simply stand by and watch his idol lose his honor so easily.

He planted the tip of his sword against the floor and dropped to one knee, staring earnestly at Daelyon.

“I, Jaime Lannister, son of Tywin, swear upon the honor of my house that Ser Arthur and the others are not oathbreakers!”

“There must be some misunderstanding. I can find them and bring them back to King’s Landing so they can explain themselves before His Grace and you in person...”

“Find them? How?” Daelyon frowned at him. “Do you even know where they are?”

The more he looked at this Lannister, the more convinced Daelyon became that something was wrong with him.

He was nothing like the Lannisters Daelyon remembered.

In his experience, those golden-haired, blue-eyed bastards always relied on the money in their pockets. They were arrogant, conceited, and almost impossible to discipline.

Especially that coward Loren.

Every time Daelyon beat him, he would behave for a few days. Then, before long, he would come strutting back out as arrogant as ever.

But Jaime...

Either this boy was a second son, or his mother had borne him by another man!

Looking at Jaime’s righteous expression, Daelyon could not help entertaining the malicious thought.

“Even if I have to search from the Wall all the way to the Summer Sea, I’ll find them!” Jaime declared, entirely unaware of the change in Daelyon’s expression.

In Jaime’s eyes, Arthur Dayne was the finest man in the world, possessing every virtue a great knight ought to have.

They had fought side by side during the campaign against the Kingswood Brotherhood. Jaime knew Arthur was the kind of comrade to whom you could entrust your back without hesitation.

Ser Gerold Hightower had personally draped the white cloak over his shoulders, while Ser Oswell Whent had helped him to his feet after he swore his vows. Every one of them was a good man.

“Are you questioning my decision, Lannister?” Daelyon’s patience began to wear thin when Jaime still refused to yield.

Without warning, he drew his sword and pointed it at Jaime.

“Obey my command, or die clinging to your stubbornness.”

“I will not back down, Lord.”

Jaime rose without the slightest fear and met Daelyon’s gaze.

He had made up his mind to defend the honor of his sworn brothers.

The sight of two white-armored knights facing one another made the Gold Cloaks nearby feel their scalps go numb.

Janos in particular had no idea what he was supposed to do. All he could manage was to pray desperately to the Seven.

Please don’t fight. Please don’t fight...

One was the Hand of the King.

The other was the eldest son of Lord Tywin Lannister.

If the two of them actually started fighting, who in seven hells were the Gold Cloaks supposed to side with?

Fortunately, hurried footsteps sounded nearby at that moment, and another guard in a gold cloak came rushing over.

“Lord! Lord Hand... uh!”

He froze when he saw the scene before him.

What was happening here?

Were two Kingsguard about to fight?

“Speak,” Daelyon snapped.

“Yes, Ser!”

The Gold Cloak hurriedly reported, “Someone is demanding entry outside the Gate of the Gods. They’re insisting that His Grace personally come out to receive them, so Commander Manly sent me to ask the Hand of the King to deal with it!”

Clearly, the man did not recognize Daelyon.

Daelyon frowned.

The Iron Throne might be in a difficult position at present, but demanding that the king personally leave the city to receive someone was still going far too far.

Besides, from what Daelyon had heard, that old bastard Aerys had only left the Red Keep once in the past several years.

“I have to admit, boy, you’re the most troublesome Lannister I’ve ever met.”

Daelyon snorted and slid his sword back into its sheath before lifting his chin at Jaime.

“Now will you step aside and let the Hand of the King deal with something important?”

“I must have owed Aegon a debt in my last life. You lot have turned this kingdom into a damned mess, and I still have to crawl out of my grave to clean up after you!”

Daelyon sounded as though he were merely complaining, so Jaime took it as tacit acceptance of his request.

Relieved, he immediately turned and stepped aside.

But just as Daelyon passed him and Jaime raised his head to follow, a dark blur flashed across his vision.

Damn!

Jaime instinctively tried to jerk his head aside, but he was still a fraction too slow.

Bang!

A fist the size of a sandbag slammed into his head and knocked him unconscious.

“Just as I thought. There’s no chance this boy was sired by Loren.”

Seeing Jaime collapse again, Daelyon shook his head in disappointment.

“He never learns. How did House Lannister produce someone this stupid?”

Then he turned to Janos.

“You. Go inform that sycophant, the Master of Laws. Have him send the order I just gave throughout all Seven Kingdoms immediately!”

“And take this boy back to his quarters.”

After pointing at Jaime, Daelyon told the Gold Cloak who had come with the message to lead him away.

Watching Daelyon stride off, Janos wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and glanced down at the unconscious Jaime.

“This new Hand of the King is one devious bastard.”

He turned to carry out Daelyon’s orders.

The instant he did, however, he found a pair of cold violet eyes right in front of him, staring directly into his own.

“I didn’t mean...”

Bang!

Before Janos could finish apologizing, another sandbag-sized fist smashed straight into his bandaged nose.

Blood immediately poured out.

Clutching his nose in agony, Janos looked up, only to find that Daelyon was already striding away. All he could see was the white cloak vanishing into the night.

Through the haze of pain, Daelyon’s voice seemed to ring in his ears.

“I’ll remind you one more time. Don’t speak ill of me behind my back.”

“I told you already. My hearing is very good.”