Chapter 407: The Crumbling Greens


    "Silence! You are in no position to squirm after being caught in the act!" Viserys rebuked angrily.


    For the prince to molest with a nobleman''s daughter was nothing less than a tant affront to the dignity of the royal family.


    Aegon felt an overwhelming sense of injustice. He wanted to cry; he hadn''t even dared toy a finger on the handmaidens, let alone a nobleman''s daughter.


    Meanwhile, Alicent stood by, watching her son with a look of self-reproach. She nervously picked at the nail of her index finger, her n having been simple: allow Aegon to meet the eligible maidens and choose a fiancée befitting his status.


    If no suitable candidate emerged, she would create an illusion—make it appear that Aegon shared a room with Selene, and let the deception unfold naturally.


    But her n was thrown into disarray when Harwin became involved in it.


    And there was Unwin Peake, that scheming man, whose drug for Aegon turned out to be not a mere stimnt, but a potent medicine from Lys, almost leading to a disastrous error.


    "I didn’t mean to touch Selene; she just bumped into me!" Aegon protested, his head throbbing with the urge to clear his name.


    "How dare you! Now, who will you me?" Viserys shot back, his voiceced with incredulity and anger.


    He was genuinely enraged, believing his second son to be beyond redemption.


    It was natural to be attracted to women, but a man should possess character, responsibility, and ountability.


    While his eldest son''s affair with the Lady of the Vale was beyond reproach, his second son''s drunken misbehavior and harassment of a nobledy was utterly disgraceful.


    Though not as heinous as Harwin’s assault on a maid, it was still a matter Viserys, as a father, could suppress.


    Exasperated, his chest heaving with anger, Viserys nced at the Hightower brothers in the hall.


    Otto remained stoic and calm, not uttering a word.


    Ormund was sullen and fidgety, pacing back and forth.


    Yet, a closer look revealed something unusual.


    Otto''s eyes were deep, harboring a hint of shrewdness.


    Ormund seemed agitated, with a hidden touch of excitement in his eyes.


    Their intention was clear: they wanted the Hightowers to continue their ties with the next generation of the royal family, strengthening their bond with the Iron Throne.


    Just like the Vryons, Baratheons, and Arryns, they sought generations of marriages with the Targaryens.


    Aegon’s incident with Selene, Otto’s niece, was precisely what they needed.


    Viserys frowned, sensing something was amiss.


    Despite his suspicions, he couldn’t pinpoint the exact issue.


    Turning to Lyonel, he said, somewhat relieved, "Young people make mistakes. Let him go reflect for now."


    Lyonel, sharp-minded, understood this as the king offering a way out for everyone involved.


    Raising his head, he angrily rebuked his eldest son, "Get out of here and sober up!"


    Afterward, he strode over to the kneeling and crying maid, assisting her personally. "Don''t worry, I won’t let this go," he assured her solemnly.


    Every word and action showcased the Hand of the King’s impartiality and strictness.


    The maid nodded vigorously, her gratitude evident. "I won’t cause trouble. I’ll be obedient..."


    "Don''t be afraid. I will see to it that justice is done," Lyonel said withpassion, ordering the other maids to take her away. This asion was not suitable for a mere maid.


    A Kingsguard stepped forward, roughly lifting the disheveled Harwin and dragging him out the door.


    Remarkably, this scandalous incident, which had caused such a stir, was deftly handled and set aside.


    Lyonel secretly breathed a sigh of relief and gave a grateful look to the king.


    As long as the crown did not pursue the matter further, his eldest son would be spared severe punishment.


    He wouldn’t be imprisoned or stripped of his status and dignity.


    Alicent''s eyes sparkled with determination as she pleaded, "Your Grace, Aegon didn''t mean any harm."


    The situation had already escted, and it was crucial to find a way to mitigate the damage.


    Viserys, still seething with anger, retorted, "His disgrace was witnessed by many. Do you still see him as a child?"


    There was no telling how far rumors of this royal scandal would spread.


    "Your Grace, Prince Aegon is young and foolish. There are still ways to remedy this situation," Lyonel interjected at the right moment, his voice calm and measured.


    As the Hand of the King, Lyonel understood the importance of salvaging the royal family''s dignity. As long as Aegon hadn’t ruined a noble girl''s chastity, there was room to maneuver.


    Viserys listened, his heart agreeing with Lyonel’s logic.


    Otto stepped forward with a solemn expression. "Rumors are dangerous. This concerns the dignity of the royal family and must be taken seriously."


    "What do you suggest?" Viserys asked, his tone still sharp.


    Otto pretended to ponder before replying, "Selene was already considered a candidate for Prince Aegon''s marriage. By proceeding with the marriage, we can quash the rumors."


    "Marriage again?" Viserys was taken aback.


    Alicent, holding Hena tightly, interjected, "Selene is a young girl and a victim. This marriage would preserve her reputation."


    Hena stared nkly at her mother, herrge eyes filled with confusion. She had noticed a w in the n. ncing at Aegon, she bowed her head silently, knowing that speaking up might cause more trouble.


    Viserys, sensing something amiss, questioned, "Is Aegon truly opposed to the girls of Hightower?"


    Otto quickly added, "Aegon’s reluctance stems from his unfamiliarity with the Hightowers."


    Viserys narrowed his eyes, his gaze shifting between Aegon and Otto. He began to suspect there was more to the situation.


    Aegon, seemingly unfazed by the idea of a Hightower bride, spoke with impatience. It was clear the girl from House Hightower had yed a part in the incident, and now Otto and Alicent seemed eager for the marriage to proceed.


    For a moment, Viserys felt as if he saw a trap closing around his son.


    Otto coughed lightly and continued, "Your Grace, a marriage between Aegon and Selene would unite our families and cover up this scandal."


    Viserys hesitated, mulling over the proposal. "It’s not a bad suggestion. I will think about it carefully."


    Though inwardly repelled by the idea, he couldn''t deny its potential benefits.


    Lyonel opened his mouth to speak but then closed it, helpless. His own son was in trouble, and he couldn’t think of a better solution.


    The atmosphere grew tense as events seemed to be steering toward a union between the two families.


    Just as Viserys was about to agree, Aegon suddenly burst out, "No!!!"


    He shouted excitedly, "I don''t want to marry Selene! I didn’t defile her chastity!"


    He couldn’t hold back any longer as he watched events spiral into the worst possible oue.


    Aegon feared his mother’s domineering influence and loathed being constantly lectured by her. The thought of marrying a girl from House Hightower, so simr to his mother, was unbearable.


    Alicent snapped back, chiding, "Aegon, you have no ce to speak here!"


    "You’re discussing my marriage," Aegon retorted defiantly.


    Alicent ignored his defiance and continued sternly, "If you don’t marry Selene, how will you restore her reputation? What nobleman will still want to marry her?"


    Suitable girls for Aegon were scarce. The nobles of Westeros were acutely aware of the rift between the ck and Green factions and recognized the Green party''s vulnerability.


    As the Queen’s firstborn son, Aegon was inevitably seen as a representative of the Green party. None of the major nobles were willing to marry their daughters to him. Compared to minor noble daughters, a marriage with the Hightowers would better stabilize the royal family''s alliances.


    Aegon shook his head frantically, refusing, "I won’t marry her. You can’t force me."


    "Aegon, this is a great opportunity. Why do you refuse?" Otto quickly stepped forward, grabbing his grandson’s cor. "Unless you can find a better house to join, tell me, can you?"


    Unaware of the deeper intrigue, Otto’s reaction was instinctively political, aiming to avoid harm.


    Aegon’s eyes were filled with helplessness, unable to find a rebuttal. He only knew the whores of King’s Landing.


    Otto released his cor and admonished, "No candidate? Then be quiet."


    Watching his second son being reprimanded, Viserys felt a deep sense of unease. He spoke in a muffled voice, "In that case, let’s proceed with the engagement."


    "Good. I will inform Selene. The poor girl has been crying a lot," Alicent responded quickly, a weight lifted from her heart.


    The marriage was hastily finalized.


    Aegon stood frozen, almost in shock. He had only had a bit too much wine. How had things gone so wrong? Why was he being forced to marry a Hightower woman, someone he despised?


    His chest tightened with resentment as he struggled toprehend his fate.


    Aegon gritted his teeth and stormed out of the hall.


    "Where are you going?" Alicent asked, her voice urgent.


    "I''m going back to the Twin Castles, my fiefdom," Aegon snapped, his steps brisk and his tone irritated.


    "You have a betrothal to attend to. You’re not going anywhere," Alicent replied firmly.


    Aegon pushed the door open with force, turning back with a disgruntled usation. "You arranged the marriage, so you can handle it yourselves. No one cares what I think anyway."


    With that, he left without looking back. In that moment of solitude, he felt a small sense of gratitude. At least his father had given him a fiefdom, and Rhaegar had built a castle for him. Otherwise, he’d be left to rot in a brothel.


    Alicent watched her son leave in exasperation, calling his name in vain. The more she shouted, the faster he walked away.


    "Mother, he’s afraid of you," Hena observed calmly from the sidelines.


    "What did you say?" Alicent was stunned, thinking she had misheard.


    "You have excessive expectations of him," Hena replied, her voice steady. As an introvert with a keen mind, she had her own prating view of the situation.


    "Mother, I won’t attend the engagement banquet either," Hena continued softly, breaking away from Alicent’s embrace.


    Alicent looked at her daughter, feeling a sudden unfamiliarity. "You didn’te to the party this afternoon," she said, trying toprehend.


    "I’m not of age yet. Let’s wait until I turn sixteen," Hena said, her eyes clear. She nced at her heavily pregnant elder sister, Rhaenyra, who stood silently watching the family drama unfold.


    "I’m going back to rest," Hena added, giving a curtsey before excusing herself.


    She guessed that her brother wouldn’t return to King’s Landing anytime soon. nning ahead, she intended to ride Dreamfyre to Harrenhal’s Castle the next morning to seek refuge, avoiding both her mother and her eldest sister.


    "They are gone?" Viserys''s brow furrowed deeply, and he nearly lost his bnce.


    "Your Grace," Erryk, standing guard, quickly stepped forward to assist the stricken king.


    Rhaenyra''s face tightened with concern as she moved to support her father. In Rhaegar''s absence, the burden fell on her shoulders.


    "I''m fine. The matter is settled. Everyone, go and rest," Viserys forced a smile, leaning on Erryk for support as he left the hall.


    Rhaenyra''s eyes were filled withplex emotions as she rubbed her swollen belly. She too sensed the undercurrents beneath the recent conflicts. Sighing softly, she resolved to return to Dragonstone once the matter was resolved.


    Counting Rhaegar and Aemond, who were away, it seemed that of the six Targaryen children, only little Daeron had yet to consider leaving.


    A good haven, but everyone seemed eager to escape.


    Members of the royal family filed out of the hall, followed by the advisors.


    By the end of the day, only the three Hightowers remained in the firece hall.


    Ormund smiled, pleased with the prospect of another family marriage. Unless the Tyrells were ousted, the Hightower House would need to rely on marriage to the royal family to elevate their status.


    Alicent stood frozen, disoriented by the realization that both her children had abandoned her. If she had known, perhaps she wouldn''t have organized the festival or plotted this marriage alliance. Maybe it would have been better to set up Aegon and Hena in a traditional match.


    Otto sighed, stepping forward to pat his daughter''s shoulder. "Don''t be sad. The fledglings will grow up someday, and you''ll still be their mother."


    "Father, I want what''s best for them," Alicent murmured.


    "I know," Otto replied. "I used to think the same way. That''s why you’re a queen."


    "Is that so?" Alicent''s heart tightened, her eyes zing over as she pondered his words.