Half a month later.
King's Landing, the Red Keep.
Aerys cowered in his royal chambers, his eyes darting nervously toward the windows and doors from time to time, muttering under his breath, "Tywin, I will remove you from your position as Hand of the King—"
At the entrance of the chambers.
Ser Gerold and Jaime stood on either side, guarding the King's safety.
Jaime listened intently and said with resentment, "Ser, His Majesty's personal safety is under threat, and we're just going to stand here and watch?"
"We are protecting him."
Ser Gerold's expression was exceptionally solemn as he gripped the distinctive sword at his waist.
Jaime, in a fit of youthful indignation, ran to the window in the corridor.
A large Lannister army entered King's Landing through the Dragon Gate. The gold and red color scheme, along with the banners of the roaring lion, formed a torrent that intensified the panic of the citizens of King's Landing.
With the Heirs of the Eagle and the Wolf captured, the first signs of war were beginning to show.
Neither Crown Prince Rhaegar nor Dragon Prince Daeron were present. His father, the Hand, was acting arbitrarily, not only verbally insulting the King but also privately allowing the Lannister army into the city.
"This is the first vanguard; there are at least two thousand men."
Jaime returned to his post and said excitedly, "If my father had treasonous intent, he could lead his troops into the Red Keep right now."
Gerold met this with silence.
He admitted that he thought highly of the boy and hoped to fill the vacancies in the Kingsguard as soon as possible.
However, the King's move to promote the Hand's eldest son to the Kingsguard still left him stunned.
Even more speechless was the fact that the King and the Hand had argued repeatedly over this matter during Small Council meetings.
In a fit of rage, the Hand had used the King's recovery from injuries as an excuse to force him back to his chambers.
It was called recovery, but it was house arrest in reality.
Jaime urged, "We should step forward and protect His Majesty so he can convene a Small Council meeting, force the Lannister soldiers to withdraw from King's Landing, and have them camp ten miles outside the city."
His words were well-reasoned, showing no small amount of political and military insight.
However, he had overlooked one point.
Gerold glanced into the chambers, and seeing the King's crazed state, he sighed, "Listen, Ser Jaime. All we can do is protect His Majesty; we can do nothing else."
To prevent the other from acting on impulse, he used a formal title.
Jaime was taken aback. Looking at the "White Bull," who was as tall as a city wall, he suddenly found that white cloak exceptionally eyesore.
Would even the Kingsguard compromise?
As the Lannister army entered the city, Ser Gerold turned a blind eye, calling his act of guarding the King's door 'protection'.
If a sudden change occurred...
With only the two of them, how many armored, spear-wielding Lannister soldiers could they stop?
He had the potential of a legendary commander, and his wisdom was more than just'surprising'; he quickly understood the crux of the matter.
Jaime proposed, "We split up. You protect His Majesty, and I'll go find Queen Rhaella to convene a Small Council meeting in His Majesty's name, with Queen Rhaella commanding the ministers."
As long as they could hold out for a moment and drive the Lannister soldiers out of the city.
Once the two princes returned, the Hand would have to obediently clean up the King's mess.
Ser Gerold was clearly tempted, but thinking of how few they were and how this move might drag the King and Queen into danger, he ultimately shook his head and refused.
Disappointment showed in Jaime's eyes, and he leaned against the door, speaking no more.
In contrast, Tywin was in high spirits.
"Ha, now that the Lannister army has entered the city, there are finally no annoying insects making a racket."
Tywin stood by the window and poured himself a glass of wine.
After governing the Seven Kingdoms for so many years, he was tired of stirring in a stagnant pond.
Now he held the heirs of Houses Arryn and Stark, intimidated that idiot Aerys into silence, and planted his own men in King's Landing to ensure everything was secure.
Once the House Targaryen and the Wardens of the Four Quadrants had fought until they were bloodied, House Lannister would step in to pick up the pieces.
Tywin drained his cup and said with satisfaction, "Lannister only stands on the winning side of the scales."
Knock, knock, knock!
There was a knock at the door as someone came to report.
It was House Lannister's lackeys, Amory Lorch and Ilyn Payne.
"What is the situation?"
Tywin asked.
Ilyn Payne had had his tongue cut out by the King's order, so Amory spoke: "The army has entered the city, but the Gold Cloaks guarding the city are very firm in their attitude; they refuse to hand over the defense of even a single gate."
"That fellow named Alliser even threatened to chop me up."
Tywin frowned and scolded, "If the gods gave you even the wisdom of a turnip, you would know to use gentle persuasion and not clash with the City Watch at a time like this."
A turnip was much like garlic.
Amory restrained himself and lowered his head obediently. "That guy is truly arrogant; his words are more biting than the cheapest whore in Lannisport."
Tywin had no interest in hearing this and followed up, "Cersei has been back from the Prince's Domain for days. Have Shaena and Princess Elia returned?"
"No!"
Amory answered immediately, "The opposite shore of Blackwater Bay is guarded by a squad of Dragon Guards. I sent men over to inquire, and one of my subordinates was smashed to death on the spot."
"Smashed?" Tywin noted the word.
Amory hurriedly said, "A Velaryon, wielding a polehammer as tall as a man. my subordinate's head burst like a rotten persimmon."
Tywin was utterly disgusted and waved him away. "Get out, Lorch."
Amory left in a hurry.
Ilyn bowed and followed him out.
Hearing the door close, Tywin calculated, "The other side of the Blackwater Rush is that boy's fief; it's not wise to intrude without permission."
In his mind, it would be best if he could control Princess Elia of Dorne.
Once the war broke out, he could coerce Dorne into sending troops.
"Cersei shouldn't have come back so early."
Thinking of his two children, Tywin felt his vision darken repeatedly.
His eldest son, Jaime, had joined the Kingsguard without permission, and his eldest daughter, Cersei, had come all this way to celebrate for him.
Truly a nest of idiots and fools.
Cersei didn't think so.
She felt that with Jaime as a Kingsguard, he could stay in King's Landing and be with her forever.
She would marry the prince and become queen in the future.
Jaime would protect the prince and could also bolster her influence.
How wonderful!
Full of anticipation, Cersei knocked on Queen Rhaella's door.
"Enter!"
Hearing the response from inside, she pushed the door open happily.
Cersei had changed her strategy.
Since the prince was not easy to conquer, she would first win over her future mother-in-law.
Now that her father Tywin was the one calling the shots in King's Landing, even Queen Rhaella would have to treat her with respect.
At this time, Daeron was on his way back.
Gulltown.
Daeron stopped to rest midway and received a raven from King's Landing.
The content was brief and to the point.
His father Aerys was under house arrest, and the Hand, Tywin, had seized control of the court. Daeron was urgently needed to return and restore order.
The sender was Count Owen, and it was unknown how he had learned that Daeron was in Gulltown.
"My teacher finally couldn't help but show his fangs."
Daeron closed the letter, seeing through the situation in King's Landing with perfect clarity.
First, Jaime Lannister became a Kingsguard, causing Tywin to nominally lose his most excellent heir. Then the Heirs of the Eagle and the Stag came to deliver themselves, handing him the fuse for the War of the Usurper.
Tywin didn't resign as Hand; instead, he gathered his army to enter the city.
This proved he wasn't following the wait-and-see attitude of the original story, but had chosen to enter the fray himself to secure greater interests for House Lannister.
"Prince, the three lords are all waiting for you."
Davos walked out.
Inside the hall.
Besides Lord Grafton, Lord Lucerys and an elderly grey-haired man had unexpectedly appeared.
The old man's hair was grey with silver strands, and his eyes were blue, clearly possessing Valyria blood.
He was Lord Adrian Celtigar, known as the "Red Crab."
The three families that relied on maritime trade to build their wealth were gathered together. They immediately surrounded Daeron and ushered him to the lord's seat.
The three had a clear purpose.
To combine the strength of Gulltown, Crab Island, and Driftmark to form a "Guardians of the Throat Alliance" to resist the encroachment of Three Daughters, which was contesting the Stepstones.
After witnessing the power of the dragon, led by Lucerys, the latter two chose to follow suit, betting their lives and fortunes on Daeron.
"Prince, the Royal Fleet is staying idle. If we don't find a way, our maritime business will be ruined."
Having not seen him for a long time, Lucerys had dark circles under his eyes and looked visibly exhausted, showing he had suffered much.
Lord Celtigar said, "The Royal Fleet is under your brother's jurisdiction, but Prince Rhaegar has been missing for over a month and doesn't care about our life or death at all."
Lord Grafton added hurriedly, "And compared to Prince Rhaegar, we trust you more."
Saying this, he pulled a letter from his sleeve.
The content was about Lord Jon Arryn of the The Eyrie summoning his vassals, yet skipping a certain group of them.
As the economic center of the Vale, Gulltown had purchased this intelligence.
Daeron looked at it for a moment, understanding in his heart that Lord Arryn was afraid of dragons and didn't dare be the first to stick his neck out before a total falling out.
Just right, it gave him time to prepare.
"My lords, I understand your feelings, and I am deeply saddened by what your families have endured."
He naturally couldn't refuse the "Guardians of the Throat Alliance" that had come to his door, but he had to state the harsh truths first.
Daeron sat high on the lord's seat, one hand resting on an unremarkable one-handed sword, and gave his answer: "But the situation in King's Landing is unclear. I must return to set things in order first before I can help you guard The Gullet."
The three counts looked at each other and all expressed their understanding.
Three Daughters's struggle for the Stepstones affected the lower half of the Narrow Sea.
Due to the wandering nature of pirates, they had reached the middle section of the Narrow Sea, harassing the three houses to no end.
If the "Guardians of the Throat Alliance" were formed, they could draw a maritime defensive line within The Gullet's range, keeping Three Daughters pirates in the lower half of the Narrow Sea.
Their turning to Daeron was also to add a layer of insurance.
After all, the destructive power of a dragon at sea was still terrifying.
Daeron maintained a calm demeanor as he accepted their oaths of fealty.
Several days later.
King's Landing.
Tywin stood expressionless before the King's chambers, demanding an audience.
"My lord, His Majesty does not wish to see you."
Prince Lewyn spoke calmly, blocking the Hand's path.
His appearance in the Red Keep was thanks to the brilliant maneuvering between the King and the Hand.
Tywin wanted to use Elia to drag House Martell into the mess, requesting Aerys to order the Dragon Guards of the Prince's Domain to bring her over.
Acting on his wisdom of doing the exact opposite of whatever Tywin said, Aerys adamantly refused.
He had Jaime secretly send word to Dragonstone, ordering Prince Lewyn to lead a squad of Dornish soldiers back to King's Landing to protect him.
Tywin's eyes were cold as he raised his voice: "Prince Lewyn, I have urgent matters to discuss with His Majesty!"
Shing! Shing!
The Lannister soldiers behind him all drew their swords, and Amory even pointed his blade at Prince Lewyn.
Drawing swords before the royal chambers was tantamount to a coup.
Prince Lewyn remained undaunted. He scanned them and said calmly, "If you want to rely on these bottom-feeders, then come and try."
He gripped his hilt with one hand. Though he hadn't drawn his sword, a cold killing intent flared out, making those present feel as if they had fallen into an ice cellar.
Tywin was the closest, and he felt a faint stinging pain between his brows.
The two sides were at each other's throats, as if blood would be shed in the next second.
"Screee—!"
Suddenly, a long, sharp screech appeared, echoing over King's Landing for a long time.
Tywin instantly frowned and looked out the window.
Caraxes spread a pair of giant red wings, like a bolt of blazing red lightning, brushing past the majestic Great Sept of Baelor, the fierce wind causing the tower's bronze bells to ring.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The citizens of King's Landing all raised their heads, looking at the red dragon soaring through the clouds.
Such a high-profile and flamboyant entrance announced its return to everyone.
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