-Chapter 177-

-POV Aemon Targaryen-

The door to my solar opened, and Gunthor entered, giving me a look that silently told me my guests had finally arrived.

It took no more than a second for me to see Ulf following Gunthor, with Hugh closing the march.

'He already looks a bit calmer than the last time I saw him,' I thought, observing him briefly, then nodded to my uncle Gunthor, signaling that he could return to his post.

He complied without hesitation and left us alone, carefully closing the door behind him.

"Sit down, both of you," I said, gesturing toward the chairs across from me, on the other side of my desk.

They both obeyed without hesitation and sat quietly, waiting for me to open the conversation. And that's exactly what I did, asking Ulf:

"Today is a big day. Are you ready for what's to come?"

Ulf swallowed slightly at the mention I made of the 'battle' he would have to take part in, then said:

"I'm not sure it's a good idea. I have no experience in combat."

I smiled and said:

"Don't worry, you're under my protection. Be certain that you're in no danger. And even less so if your friend accepts the offer I have for him. You'll be safer than ever."

Hugh frowned at the end of my sentence, showing—as I expected—a reaction indicating I had just taken control of this conversation.

Hugh wanted to ask me a question, but ultimately didn't.

'He's on guard,' I thought, fully understanding why he didn't trust me. But if he was here, it was because he knew that to get what he wanted, he had to go through me.

'He has no other choice.'

Seeing that the newly knighted winner of the squires' tournament wasn't ready to speak, I added, so he would clearly understand what was going to happen today:

"Today there will be a melee made up only of knights. As you saw yesterday during the melees, nobles are generally accompanied by certain escorts, and in this one, some of the greatest lords will participate."

Hugh remained silent, listening attentively to what I was saying, so I continued by adding, as an explanation:

"The reward for the melee is 100,000 gold dragons."

Hugh's eyes widened when he heard the amount I was offering to the winner of the melee. But I didn't stop there.

I went on:

"I'll let you imagine the fierce competition there will be for that prize."

I saw Hugh seriously thinking, and his mind slowly drifting toward the idea of winning that prize.

'He's probably imagining all the incredible things he could do with it,' I thought, recognizing the glint of greed in the giant's eyes.

"Even lords from the Great Houses will fight for that prize. It will inevitably cause a war between each region—whether for honor or for the money. The lords of all the regions will fight for their liege lords."

'Not to mention all the advantages they'll receive if they manage to make their liege the ultimate winner,' I thought silently, certain that the various lords were thinking of winning the prize for their liege in order to curry favor.

'They're all hoping for a marriage or alliance worth far more over time than 100,000 gold dragons.'

Once finished, I patiently waited for Hugh's answer, simply watching him weigh all his options.

After a few moments, Hugh, who seemed to understand where I was going with this, finally asked me in a curious tone: "You want me to take part?"

I nodded simply, which seemed to trigger something in his mind.

"They say you're the best fighter in the Seven Kingdoms, that no knight or man alive can beat you. And having seen you throw that spear, I can attest to your immense strength. So why…"

"Why would I need you?" I said, cutting him off.

Seeing Hugh nod, I simply said:

"I don't need you to fight in this tournament. My knights could take on anyone—even you. Because despite your great strength, you sorely lack technique."

"Thanks?" he said in a half-sarcastic tone with his rough voice, which made me smile.

"It's just the truth. The reason I asked you to come a second time is that I want you to enter my service. I truly admire the strength and ferocity you possess, and I'd like you to put it at my service by protecting my eldest son, Viserys."

"What do I get in return?" he asked in a rather… bold tone.

"Hugh," said Ulf, casting a warning look at his friend.

I raised my hand to stop Ulf from intervening and said, raising an eyebrow:

"Beyond the glory of serving me, the honor of being in my son's close entourage, along with wealth and a reputation that will last for centuries?"

Hugh said nothing, but I could feel the intense longing in his eyes, so I added:

"I know what you want more than anything right now. And you'll have it."

"You're going to help me get it?" he asked, full of hope.

A hope I crushed immediately.

"No. Of course not."

"Then…"

He looked displeased, but before he could finish his sentence, I said, looking him straight in the eyes:

"If you do what I tell you, you'll have so much power that no one will dare stand between you and your vengeance."

"No one but you," he said, because I had been the one to stop him last time.

"All in good time. The Rosbys mean nothing to me," I said, before quickly adding: "And anyway, as long as you show more loyalty and worth than they do, I'll have no reason to protect them from you."

Hugh frowned slightly, then nodded. So I stood up and offered my hand to the man who was very likely one of my cousins, saying: "Do we have a deal?"

Hugh nodded and got up, then shook my hand firmly.

"Perfect. Since we've reached an understanding, from now on you'll be under the orders of my uncle Gunthor. Ulf will show you your new quarters. And I expect you ready and in armor from dawn to dusk. I won't tolerate any sign of disobedience. Is that clear?"

"Yes."

"Yes… Your Highness," I said, emphasizing the lack of formality in the brute's response.

"Yes, Your Highness," he repeated softly, bowing slightly.

That made me smile.

I nodded, then motioned for the two of them to leave.

'With him and Ulf now at my side, I no longer need to fear one of Alicent's or Rhaenyra's offspring getting their hands on Silverwing or Vermithor. Once Viserys is dead, the first thing to do will be to bond them with the two dragons. She won't dare stand in my way—she'll already have enough to deal with thanks to her brother,' I thought, acknowledging that I had done a good job raising Aegon.

He was becoming a far more responsible—and dangerous—young man than the one I knew in the original accounts of my first life.