"The worst thing is when the roast pig doesn't realize it's the main course about to be served on a silver platter," thought Aurane Waters, as he stared at the fourteen-year-old boy in front of him.
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When Aurane boarded the ship, his eyes fell on the apparent leader, a boy of no more than fourteen or fifteen. Hair dyed blue and dark purple eyes that looked a purplish-blue. He was handsome, very handsome to say the least.
There was an inviting smile on his lips as every gesture he made showed that he had received a noble education, specifically, a noble education from Westeros, not Essos.
Aurane was sure that the boy in front of him was a Blackfire. Of course, it was only his speculation, but seeing the leaders of the Golden Company acting respectfully in front of the young man, it was clear that his status was extraordinary among the mercenaries.
Putting all this together and remembering that the Golden Company was a pawn in the hands of the Blackfire, Aurane was almost certain that the young man was a Blackfire.
But the next words from the bearded man, wearing black armor with a griffin on his chest, made his expression change dramatically.
"You stand before Aegon, Sixth of His Name..." The long list of titles came out of Jon Connington's mouth without any delay.
Aurane almost died of fear hearing the man's words, but soon calmed down. From the man's words, the young man in front of him was Aegon, son of Prince Rhaegar and the Princess of Dorne, Ellia Martell. However, as far as Aurane knew, Prince Aegon had been killed along with Princess Ellia.
Aurane heard from Daenerys that Princess Rhaenys was alive, so he thought about the supposed death of the princess.
'If the princess is alive, the prince might be too...' Aurane thought, but the idea of flattering young Aegon vanished as if it hadn't existed.
But there was no chance of him daring to greet Aegon as the law commands a vassal to address the king, for his king was not Aegon, but Aenar and his two Queens, Visenya and Daenerys!
In addition, Aurane found the boy extremely arrogant for considering himself king, especially when two real kings are fighting in the Riverlands at this very moment. If everyone could be king just by talking, then Aurane thought he had returned to the Age of the Hundred Kingdoms.
"Lord Aegon, I, Aurane Waters of Driftmark, am glad to see you. The news that you live is surprisingly pleasant." Despite his thoughts, Aurane greeted the supposed Aegon with a smile as he bowed slightly forward.
When it came to calling Aegon king or prince, Aurane didn't dare either. The boy was probably a Blackfire and if the queen knew that he had greeted a stranger with royal courtesy, he would probably lose all the trust the queen had in him.
Aegon's face changed slightly when he heard the term he was being called, but then he smiled again naturally. He knew that everyone would doubt his identity, it was completely normal under the current circumstances.
Aegon was already mentally prepared for this and wasn't at all surprised, just a little bitter. He was a Targaryen prince and future King of Westeros, but he was treated with suspicion and hostility.
"I am Jon Connington, knight who served Prince Rhaegar for many years and former Hand of the King under Aerys II." Jon introduced himself while looking at the Bastard of Driftmark with a look of slight contempt. Even with many years in exile, the education he had received did not disappear so easily, especially religious doctrines.
Aurane, already used to the nobles' contempt for his status as a bastard, didn't mind and looked at the son of the former Lord of Griffin's Roost, brother of the current Lord of House Connington with a touch of surprise.
The idea that Aegon was a Blackfire was more than halved with Jon accompanying young Aegon.
Aurane's smile became kinder, but he didn't call Aegon prince, let alone king. He wasn't naïve enough to think that the boy would be accepted with open arms by House Targaryen.
As long as the King or Queen didn't confirm Aegon's identity, the boy was still a complete unknown and had no claim to the Iron Throne.
"I have come on behalf of Queen Daenerys to ask why the Golden Company is so close to King's Landing with such a large fleet of ships?" Aurane ignored the identity of Jon and Aegon, he focused only on his mission and the identity of the Golden Company.
"We wish to fight for the true king of Westeros, the King of House Targaryen." It was the Captain-General of the Golden Company, Harry Strickland, who spoke.
Aurane narrowed his eyes as the kindly-looking old man didn't specify which king he would be fighting for, but it was already more than clear that it wasn't for Aenar, but for young Aegon alongside the Captain-General.
Showing an inviting smile, he spoke. "If so, Queen Daenerys will hold a banquet to invite the Leaders of the Golden Company to attend. Obviously, all the Guest's rights will be respected."
A shrewd look appeared in Aurane's eyes. Of course, the rights of guests will be respected while they are in the Red Fortress, when they are outside the Red Fortress it will be another matter altogether.
Aurane looked at Titus behind him and couldn't help but feel a shiver run through his body. He had seen it himself when this man simply tore a person in half, as if he were opening a damm orange!
Aurane had no doubt that Titus could kill everyone present in just a few minutes, and that was because he was still overestimating the Golden Company's abilities. Otherwise, if they were commoners, Titus could kill them all in thirty seconds at most.
Aegon smiled happily when he saw Aurane's gentler look after learning of Jon Connington's identity. At the same time, he felt he had to put on his best clothes and take the dye out of his hair, showing his Valyrian side.
"The Queen is as kind as rumor has it." Aegon spoke with a naturally cheerful and warm tone, causing Aurane to be taken aback.
Childish and naive...
Those were the two words Aurane would use to describe Aegon. Daenerys is kind? That quality never crossed the Driftmark Bastard's mind when he thought of the queen.
Although the queen was young, she was calm and made decisions after the court had spoken its proposals and advice, she could be cold and would kill anyone who dared to be against House Targaryen. The landless nobles were a good example of this, many died in secret and their fortunes, mansions and houses became part of the Royal Coffers.
Compared to the queen, who was equally young and mature, Aurane deeply despised the naïve, childish and arrogant young man before him. Even if Aegon's identity was true, he saw no promising future for the young man, especially after learning that he was aiming for the Iron Throne.
If there was one thing Aurane understood about Daenerys, it was her love for her husband, nephew and king. The moment Aegon spoke the titles before the queen, Aurane could even imagine the painful and cruel death that young Aegon would suffer.
However, despite his thoughts and him predicting Aegon's death, Aurane showed no abnormality on his face and spoke with an even gentler and more courteous tone. "Yes, the queen is famous for being kind and for her great beauty."
Famous for hanging deserters and Septon... Aurane added in his mind.
With greetings given from both sides, the conversation ended and they both prepared to leave for King's Landing.
Titus looked deeply at the young man and stepped back with Aurane, suppressing the urge to smash the blasphemer's head in. What Aurane could think, Titus could too, just as the Bastard of Driftmark, the Commander of the Sardaukar, knew that the young man was already dead. It only remained to be seen when and where, which the king would decide in due course.
Aegon didn't know that in many people's minds, he was already a dead man. The boy was happy and excited to finally be reunited with his family.
Especially after hearing about Daenerys. An impulsive, proud feeling bubbled up in the young would-be king's chest, unaware that he was heading towards death.
The queen's great beauty was known even across continents, so he knew many things about Daenerys.
While in Essos, he had heard that Aenar spent more time with Visenya than with Daenerys, which only made him think that the two were in a loveless political marriage.
In his eyes, if he offered Aenar a large fief, he could marry Daenerys if he won her heart, which wouldn't be difficult. After all, any woman would be happy to be his queen.
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Note: I wrote Aegon thinking of a young, warm, lively, kind and charismatic boy, at the same time spoiled, obstinate and like most future monarchs, with an ego and narcissism bigger than planet earth.
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