Janny looked at the missing page, which should have recorded Nymeria's first marriage.
Flipping through the book gently, she curled her lips into a smile, as if reminiscing about the joys of her youth.
Though in truth, her youth was anything but joyful.
Voices of doubt had surrounded her at every turn.
Alicent watched her calmly, waiting for her to state her purpose.
"Apologies, I was momentarily lost in thought."
After a brief moment, Janny closed the book and offered a polite smile of apology.
Alicent said coolly, "The banquet is almost over, Lady Janny."
"I wish to get along with you."
Janny spoke softly. "Before coming to King's Landing, I did my research thoroughly. I believe you need a friend to help you."
"I am the Queen. Do you think I would have trouble?"
Alicent's tone carried the weight of her status.
Janny stated bluntly, "I have heard the term 'Greens.'"
Alicent gave her a once-over and sneered, "Yet you wear black."
"With all due respect, I don't hold the Greens in high regard, nor do I believe they pose any real threat to the Crown Prince's position."
Janny's smile remained warm. "Besides, I am a staunch supporter of the Blacks. All of Westeros knows this."
"Then why have you sought me out?"
Alicent was beginning to lose patience.
Janny's expression turned serious as she said, "I will be staying in King's Landing for some time. We can be of use to one another."
"I have a husband!"
Alicent shot her a glance, her tone laced with mockery.
Janny's closeness with Janceph was also well known across the Seven Kingdoms.
"Alicent, you need to adjust your perspective. No one else is willing to help you but me."
Janny's voice was firm. "You fear Rhaegar because of your own greed. I can help you rid yourself of that fear."
Alicent coveted the Iron Throne's succession, yet Aegon had no official claim and few supporters.
She wanted to give up, but she feared retribution if Rhaegar ascended the throne.
Janny's words struck deep into Alicent's heart.
"If we form an alliance, what can you offer me?"
Alicent's gaze locked onto Janny's.
"This is not an alliance—it's mutual assistance."
Janny emphasized her point and continued, "You are concerned for your children's future. I can help secure it."
Alicent's expression remained unreadable as she waited for her to continue.
Seeing Alicent's reaction, Janny knew her gamble had paid off.
"The war in the Stepstones has cost the realm dearly. That territory will inevitably come under the Seven Kingdoms' rule."
"If we win, you can request that the Stepstones be granted to Prince Aegon as his seat. I will support you in this."
Alicent scoffed, "That land is barren—even a man as proud as Daemon abandoned it."
"The King will construct fortifications there. Given its strategic location, it will become a wealthy region through taxation on passing ships."
Janny reasoned, "Only by keeping Prince Aegon away from King's Landing can he avoid stirring trouble."
Alicent fell silent, weighing the pros and cons.
Janny pressed on. "When Prince Aemond comes of age, I can secure a fief for him in Gulltown."
Gulltown had originally been controlled by three noble houses.
The Shetts and a branch of the Arryns had sided with the rebels and had since fallen.
Janny planned to install a new noble family there, fracturing House Grafton's influence.
A move that would win Alicent's favor at no real cost to herself.
The prospect of securing lands for both of her sons was tempting.
The Stepstones were undeniably important—why else would the realm have fought the Three Daughters for it for so many years?
And Gulltown was one of the Five Great Ports of Westeros, making it an ideal seat.
Alicent's breathing grew heavier. She grew serious. "Your offer is indeed tempting. What do you want in return?"
There was no such thing as a free meal.
Whatever Janny sought, it was bound to be significant.
As expected, Janny smiled, her red lips parting as she uttered a single name—
"Rhaegar."
"What?"
Alicent was momentarily stunned, failing to process what she had just heard.
Janny had anticipated this reaction. She slowly stood, a smile lingering on her lips.
"Rhaegar will be King of the Seven Kingdoms. I want to be Queen—his Queen."
Alicent's thoughts scrambled at the revelation.
For a long moment, she said nothing.
Then, suddenly, she shot to her feet and snatched the book from Janny's hands, her eyes cold.
"You're delusional. Rhaegar only has eyes for Rhaenyra. I won't help you."
For reasons she couldn't explain, anything concerning Rhaenyra made her react impulsively.
Janny's gaze flickered slightly. She tilted her head and asked, "In what capacity are you saying that, Alicent? As yourself, or as the Queen?"
Alicent had once been Rhaenyra's closest confidante.
Now, as Queen, she had become Rhaenyra's most despised enemy.
Alicent froze for a fraction of a second, a trace of bewilderment flashing in her eyes.
Compared to Janny, who now coveted Rhaegar, Alicent had been the first to betray Rhaenyra.
A bitter smile spread across Alicent's lips.
"With friends like us, Rhaenyra is truly unfortunate."
…
In the Banquet Hall
Rhaegar arrived at the feast, greeting the noble lords who had gathered from across the realm.
**Aegon was also at the banquet.**
However, he didn't sit at the same table and drink with the Hightower family.
Instead, he sat alone in a corner, drinking gloomily.
**Bang—**
The doors swung open, accompanied by the rhythmic sound of drums and the announcement of the Kingsguard.
**"Lady Jeyne of House Arryn, Duke of the East, Lord of the Eyrie, and Protector of the Vale."**
All eyes turned as Jeyne walked in gracefully, exuding elegance and nobility.
At her sides, Rhaenyra and Alicent accompanied her, the three walking hand in hand.
Jeyne and Alicent's attire remained unchanged.
Rhaenyra, however, wore a red off-shoulder gown, her silver hair braided into an intricate updo, and her violet eyes twinkled with amusement.
**"The East greets you, Your Majesty."**
Jeyne approached Viserys and curtsied.
**"House Arryn is a close ally of the Crown; such formalities are unnecessary."**
Viserys smiled warmly.
He appreciated vassals who showed respect and adhered to etiquette—it satisfied his vanity as a king.
After paying her respects, Jeyne stepped aside.
She didn't seek out Rhaenyra or Alicent but instead walked straight toward Rhaegar.
Just then, the dancing segment began.
The nobles gathered, eagerly selecting dance partners, filling the hall with a lively atmosphere.
Jeyne extended her hand with a smile. **"Won't you ask me for a dance?"**
Rhaegar glanced around—the musicians played a cheerful tune, and the nobles danced gracefully.
After a brief hesitation, he took her hand and warned, **"Just so you know, I'm not good at dancing."**
Even though his teacher had been a Water Dancer.
**"That's fine. Just follow my lead—I'll take control."**
Jeyne smiled sweetly and pulled him up.
Rhaegar rose with her and remarked, **"Why does that sound less like dancing and more like battlefield strategy?"**
They stepped onto the center of the hall and started dancing.
Jeyne placed her hands on Rhaegar's shoulders and whispered, **"Dancing and battle aren't so different—the only real difference is the absence of blood."**
Rhaegar was puzzled, sensing a hidden meaning in her words.
Before he could think further, he misstepped and accidentally stepped on Jeyne's foot.
He immediately apologized. **"I told you, I'm not much of a dancer."**
Jeyne let out a small yelp of pain and sighed. **"Take it slow—we have plenty of time."**
**"I don't usually waste time on things I'm not good at."**
Yet, he continued dancing—and continued stepping on her feet.
Jeyne gritted her teeth, stubbornly clutching Rhaegar's coat, refusing to give up.
**From afar.**
Rhaenyra watched the two dancing, a clueless expression on her face.
She had yet to realize what her last remaining close friend was scheming.
**"Rhaegar looks quite happy."**
Alicent's voice drifted over.
Rhaenyra turned to see her approaching with a wine goblet in hand.
She chuckled mischievously. **"Of course he's happy—he's practically flattening Jeyne's feet."**
In just one short dance, Jeyne had been stepped on four times—Rhaenyra was nearly laughing herself to tears.
Rhaegar had always been reserved and indifferent to banquets.
Drinking, dancing—these social activities never truly interested him.
She had danced with Rhaegar once before.
After he ruined her favorite pearl-embellished shoes, she never invited him again.
Watching Rhaenyra's carefree expression, Alicent raised a hand to her forehead and sighed. **"Do you have no sense of vigilance at all?"**
Rhaenyra blinked in confusion. **"What do you mean?"**
Alicent never spoke to her without purpose.
That was something Rhaenyra had learned through years of tension between them.
Alicent let out a small huff and tilted her goblet slightly in Jeyne's direction. **"She proposed a marriage alliance to your father—with Rhaegar as the groom."**
**"Are you sure?"**
Rhaenyra snapped out of her amusement, disbelief washing over her.
Seeing her expression, Alicent smirked smugly. **"Jeyne has her eyes on Rhaegar. I refuse to believe you're so dense that you haven't noticed."**
Hearing this, Rhaenyra recalled her conversation with Jeyne at Runestone.
Even then, she had noticed something off about the way Jeyne looked at Rhaegar.
She had assumed that after warning Jeyne, she would back off.
But clearly, temptation was too strong.
**"Thank you for telling me, Alicent."**
Rhaenyra took a deep breath and strode toward the dancing pair.
**"No need to thank me, Rhaenyra."**
Alicent sipped her wine, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction.
She had indeed agreed to Jeyne's **"mutual assistance"** deal.
But that didn't stop her from informing Rhaenyra.
Yes, she would play both sides.
In this storm brewing around Rhaegar, she would reap benefits from both ends—watching from the sidelines as tigers fought.
At the head of the table, Viserys savored the fragrant roasted lamb while watching his eldest son dance with Jeyne.
From the cheerful smile on his face, it was clear he was in an excellent mood.
He absolutely adored his firstborn, Rhaegar.
Handsome, intelligent, and exceptionally skilled in combat...
Though none of these admirable traits seemed to come from him.
Rhaegar's temperament was rare, even within the Targaryen family.
He was unlike his father, unlike his grandfather Baelon, and unlike his great-grandfather, Jaehaerys I.
Looking through the family's history, Rhaegar's personality most resembled that of two ancestors—
Aegon the Conqueror and Maegor the Cruel.
If there were a third, perhaps it would be Aegon Targaryen, the eldest son of Aenys I, who was slain by Maegor.
All three were wise, courageous, and wholly devoted to serious matters.
Unlike Viserys, his father, and his grandfather, who, while attending to their duties, never forgot to indulge in pleasure.
For that reason, seeing Rhaegar take a dance partner was a rare sight.
Viserys felt deeply gratified—his son had finally grown up and learned to appreciate the pleasures of a woman's company.
And not just any woman—Jeyne Arryn, a lady of noble standing.
Duchess of the East, Lady of the Eyrie, head of House Arryn…
Most importantly—
Jeyne had no parents or brothers and stood alone.
Whoever married her would gain regency over the Vale, and their descendants would become the rightful heirs to House Arryn and the entire region.
Such an advantageous match to strengthen the family—Viserys was more than pleased.
As he continued to watch, an unexpected figure suddenly entered his line of sight.
Rhaenyra pushed through the crowded hall, striding toward the dance floor with unmistakable fury.
(End of Chapter)