As applause showered down upon the Jousting field, despite all of the excitement built in him, Aegor was merely interested. After witnessing the melee, he couldn't get as excited. There was just simply something extremely exciting seeing different kinds of tactics some men would use against one another to simply win.
His own experience of dueling only heightened it, Aegor knew how difficult fighting was. While being talented, agile, and strong, gave me an edge in combat and dueling. The brain was what kept your head on your shoulders. Aegor might have been a prince but the harsh training he had to partake in, was grueling and tiring.
Even his entire being, even his mind, and willpower would be tested day in and out. Each day Ser Ryam Redwyne would remind him of humility. Telling him how fortunate he was in being a prince even if only a third son. Even taking him in the streets showing him why.
Seeing children younger than him, face muck of dirt and clothes that were rags. He felt angry somewhat, as much as he said to himself of not care about his status. Deep inside either in his brain or heart, maybe it yearned to be higher in the hierarchy.
Aegor understood he couldn't do much to change this. With no coins to his name and only the title of prince, he vowed on that day to fight against all who jeopardize their life.
Aegor oversaw the tourney while thinking about his oath. To Protect all who couldn't.
As his thoughts differed from it, suddenly the horn sounded and the banners changed. Now the banners down below sported the Targaryen house symbol. All three heads in glory.
Riding upon the field was Daemon Targaryen. A pitch-black set of armor he wore with a fierce dragon helmet on his head. His horse was of the same color, going along with his black color scheme.
Daemon's cocky smirk could turn a man thick in rage. He knew of the effect his appearance did on the folks around him. Raising his sword only further increased the exciting screams and shouts.
Across him was a knight he didn't know of. Merely a knight attending to make a name for himself. He wore a smirk once he saw the prince. Aegor frowned and shook his head, not impressed. He already knew what was to become.
As he guessed. Lance in hands colliding against one another, in the first run, Daemon connected with a clean hit to the knight's side. Fortunately for him, the knight's aim was just off target, going slightly off course his arm.
Riding yet again with no delay. Everyone stood on their feet, after two rounds of dominance from Daemon. Applauses loud enough to shake a castle. Daemon braced the lance and replied with his, the chest of the knight was hit extremely hard that the knight fell quickly.
The only thing he felt at that moment was the extreme pain that came from the fall caused by Daemon.
After the show by Daemon, all clapped, whistled, and shouted in compliments and approval. Many Lords looked upon the show with shock, simply one and seven but the boy bested a knight. Quite an achievement.
King Jaehaerys clapped loudly, showing his approval of his grandson. Daemon's father is closely similar as well yet a smile of pride on his face. Viserys just smiled and clapped like most of the family. Rhaenyra shouted excitedly at the display in pure childish enjoyment pointing at her other uncle while clutching the other one's arm.
While most of the family was proud and happy with their relative's display. The only one who couldn't feel the same was Aegor. The slow claps he gave were simply to not show outwards the feud he had with his older brother.
He needed to keep the image of a perfect family to the small folk and noble alike. Aegor and Daemon knew this. Simple Politics.
Yet inside, there was no happiness. Daemon saught to it when he decided Aegor was simply an outlet for his emotions. Forever causing their bond to be strained.
Not to the extent of wanting to kill one another but merely seeing each other caused negative emotions.
Everything after was less entertaining. Daemon went another two rounds making it decently far until he was unhorsed by Ser Ryam Redwyne himself. Speaking of the knight himself. He went on to show one of the best displays in history besting everyone and going 20 lances with a fellow Kings guard forever making it known as one of the best tourneys in history.
While it was enjoyable and satisfying to see, Aegor had other things to do. Many subjects to also think about, especially the individuals he might be marrying. He understood marrying Laena, her being Valyrian blood, and gaining a close alliance with the Velaryon house. Yet the daughter of a second son from house Hightower made his head go through a loop. Although things did make sense in their weird way.
While being a second son's daughter made things difficult for an alliance. End of the day it was an alliance. And if a Targaryen married them it would only make the Hightowers keep it at all costs. While stupid, the Targaryen would also gain a huge army if someone tried to fight against them.
There was gossip about the hand as well. Whispers of a new Hand were becoming a topic, one of the future subjects of gossip being the girl's father. Otto Hightower.
Aegor speculated but he only came to a conclusion that made the most sense compared to his others. The prospect of him being the hand in the future to his brother. To keep him safe and the realm. While the main family might have dragons he will have an army. That's if he was to marry her. He hadn't met her yet so she could hate him. When he met Laena she was different.
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A week after the Tourney, life was back to normal. Aegor was in the yard training again using swordplay against a fellow squire. It didn't take long before he defeated the squire using his superior footwork, dodging an overhead swing to the right and smashing his pommel in the 14-year-old squire's face.
Overwatching his training was the king, Ser Ryam Redwyne, and two girls. Both girls were quiet, nervous, and confused at the king's appearance. Neither of them voiced this in case of offending him.
Both didn't say anything to the other more curious about the boy in front of them. His swift footwork and brutally sharp swings made it unfair against the squires. The way his nearly white hair blew in the wind, and his beautiful pale face concentrated on his opponent bewitched the girls. Enrapturing them, capturing their deep interest. Love although not just yet, crush probably.
They didn't know how caught they were until a gruff voice interrupted them. "What do you think of him?" He asked looking at them but his head still angled to side-eye his grand sons sparring.
They didn't know who he was referring to yet Laena went first, speaking her age. "H-he's great. My brother Laenor can't even do what he does." King Jaehaerys nodded and smiled slightly seeing the girl being embarrassed and nervous.
Then he looked at the other girl, compared to the other girl's dark complexion and white hair. She was of lighter complexion and dark hair, it is a deep shade of brown. Both girls were beautiful as they can at such a young age.
The brown-haired girl said with a blush on her face while picking at her fingernails nervously. "I understand now why mother speaks good words of his looks."
A chuckle came out of his mouth at her comment. "The boy stands out even next to his relatives.".
"His Dueling and Combat make him even more exceptional, once he becomes of marriage age, it'll be of no surprise if he can take down multiple knights at the same time. " Ser Ryam Redwyne said praising the boy. He didn't hide the proudness in his voice.
"You aren't wrong. He is neither a slouch in intellect. He could become a Maester if he wanted to. The boy can speak already three languages. The common tongue (Westerosi), old tongue (North), and High Valyrian." King Jaehaerys said, rubbing his beard and looking at the boy now in interest.
"...All that he needs now is a dragon." A whisper left his mouth. No one but himself knew what he said.
To say both girls were amazed by the older men's words about Aegor was an understatement. They had already a high opinion of Aegor, now they were thinking of different ways to talk to him.
Both were now wholeheartedly interested in being his wife even to the extent they were side eyeing each other in caution. They knew they weren't alone. Most likely in the future, there will be more yearning for his attention. It was only right for someone his standard.
Glancing up, he wiped the sweat off his brow with his forearm. Looking down upon him was two girls. Both were extremely cute, something he couldn't deny, he would of been in danger if he didn't have Rhaenyra attach to his hip.
Waving to them, he raised his eyebrow when both of them glanced away with a slight tinge to their cheeks.
'They must be my candidates? They are quite cute. Are they fine though?' he asked seeing their odd behaviour.