Instead of rushing to speak, Aegor slowly sat up straight in the high-backed chair, leaned forward, placed his arms on the table, interlaced his fingers, and rested his chin on them, using the triangular support formed by his hands to hold up his head as he slowly swept his chilling gaze over everyone's faces, as if scrutinizing their appearances.
...
It was not until everyone noticed his displeasure, and the lively chatter in the room gradually died down into silence, that he spoke unhurriedly.
"It seems House Hightower truly holds great prestige and influence in Oldtown, does it not?" Aegor said, his tone seemingly polite, yet full of sarcasm. His gaze swept over the bronze ring worn by the old Maester, confirming his memory. "Perrin... Maester Stan, I hope I have not mispronounced that. I recall that you are an extremely learned historian. I would never question your authority and academic standing in your own field, just as I have absolutely no desire to hear your insights and opinions in another field called politics."
"If you truly understood what Daenerys thinks, or were capable of assisting a monarch in governing a kingdom well, why have I never read any political books or treatises you have authored, nor has any king invited you to serve as Grand Maester or Hand of the King?" Aegor shrugged, not bothering to hide the contempt in his voice. "Daenerys is the monarch of the entire Seven Kingdoms, not just Oldtown. More than the order and prosperity of a single city or place, she values the sincerity of the loyalty shown by the Reach nobles, because this concerns the stability of the entire realm. If forced to choose between Oldtown and the Seven Kingdoms, I believe both Her Grace and I would choose to prioritize the greater good without a second thought... Not to mention, with so many distinguished individuals present, I truly find it hard to believe that Oldtown would immediately collapse without the lord of the Hightower."
The middle part was addressed to everyone present, and then Aegor turned his attention back to the head of the Citadel and the true power behind him. "No offense intended, but regarding whether House Hightower should be invited to King's Landing, I do not want what you think, nor what he thinks. I only want House Hightower's answer: can you accept it, and how soon can you be ready?"
There had originally been a sentence in this speech, "I want what I think," but it sounded a little too arrogant, so Aegor skipped it.
After speaking, he removed his arms from under his chin and leaned back into the chair, settling into the most comfortable posture, leaving only his gaze fixed on House Hightower's heir as he quietly awaited Baelor's final answer.
Aegor was clearly aiming to settle accounts with House Hightower, and it was likely Daenerys's intention. With House Tyrell having completely surrendered, and House Hightower itself having made a strategic error by opening the gates of Oldtown and the Hightower, the people of Oldtown had no way to directly confront House Targaryen.
Everyone present was a leader in their respective field, seasoned and shrewd. They had already shown their loyalty and sense of duty to House Hightower through their words just now, but if they continued to argue, they might risk being caught in the True Dragon's wrath and buried alongside House Hightower.
Thus, the entire hall quickly fell silent, with no one else speaking up for the lord of the Hightower.
Except for the members of House Hightower themselves.
Humfrey Hightower, the youngest son of Lord Leyton Hightower, stood up in anger, his face flushed red.
As the youngest son of this generation, his youth meant he was destined to have no claim to the inheritance, and thus he had received no political education while growing up. In the delegation, he was the most innocent and guileless, simply there to make up the numbers. It could be said that he was the only one whose admiration and respect for Aegor outside the city had not been an act.
But even someone as naive and simple as him now realized that his supposed savior and great hero had come here specifically to target his own family.
"Lord Aegor, you said Her Grace invited our entire family. Does that include my father, Lord Leyton? He has not been involved in politics for many years, devoting himself to scholarship in his chamber at the top of the Hightower with my eldest sister... He is old and frail, and has not faced the wind and sun for a long time. King's Landing is a thousand miles away. If anything were to happen on the way, what would we, the younger generation, think?"
"The journey is long, that is true, so leaving earlier will allow you to care for the elder and travel slowly," Aegor said, his face still expressionless as he looked at the agitated young man. "As for worries about fatigue or the roughness of the road, you can travel by ship."
It was not that he was heartless, but if he made an exception just because the lord of the Hightower was old, soon the Reach would be full of sick people who could not get out of bed. Leyton Hightower might indeed be in poor health, but if he were left alone in the Hightower, would he need several children, a number of servants, and a dozen guards to accompany and protect him?
And as the head and backbone of House Hightower, if he did not accept the arrangement of being separated from his land and leaving Oldtown, what good would it do to take only a few younger generations to King's Landing as hostages?
Concede a little here, give way a step there, and after all the back and forth, the Great King's Landing Plan would become impossible.
"Hand of the Queen, you... are you even speaking like a human being?" Humfrey Hightower was young and hot-blooded, and the veins on his forehead bulged at this shameless remark. He swayed slightly, drawing the attention of Aegor's nearby guards. "Do you not have parents?"
"Humfrey!"
Baelor called out in time before his brother committed an irreversible blunder, his stern shout regaining his attention.
The atmosphere in the room was already on the verge of igniting, so Baelor slowly stood up from his seat while keeping his eyes on his brother, careful not to make any sudden movements that might cause a misunderstanding. Only after confirming that his brother had received his warning look and sobered up did he turn to look at Aegor.
"Please forgive my brother's excessive words, Hand of the Queen. He simply loves our father too much, and concern has clouded his judgment. But regardless, your demand that the entire Hightower family move to King's Landing is truly far beyond our expectations... I cannot give you an answer immediately. I hereby request that the meeting be temporarily adjourned. After I convey your and Her Grace's request to my father, he will personally communicate with you during dinner."
When faced with trouble that his own experience and ability could not solve, not acting rashly, speaking nonsense, or making foolish moves, but instead immediately calling a halt and reporting to his superior... this Ser Baelor Hightower could indeed be considered a clear-headed individual. Almost all of Aegor's own staff came from humble backgrounds. They were decent fighters, but very few could be trusted to handle matters independently. Were it not for the fact that they were destined to stand on opposing sides, Aegor would genuinely have wanted to befriend this Ser Baelor and bring him into his cabinet.
"Very well, go ahead, and take your brother with you," Aegor readily agreed to the request, showing no intention of pursuing the young man's earlier offense. Then the latter half of his sentence immediately sent a chill down Baelor's spine. "Except for the two Hightowers, everyone else stay. I have matters to discuss with you."
The heads of Oldtown's various industries who had been mentioned exchanged glances, while Baelor stood frozen stiff.
Bypassing House Hightower to speak directly with their vassals. What could they be discussing that would be good news?
Such blatant and undisguised poaching, openly violating the most basic unwritten rules of the noble game, was something Baelor had never witnessed before.
Precisely because it was unprecedented, they had absolutely no contingency plan prepared.
Yet he had already spoken the words of departure. Could he possibly change his mind now and insist on staying to listen in?
Blindsided by this unexpected move, Baelor felt dizzy for a moment, standing stunned in place for several seconds until Aegor urged him on.
"What, Ser Baelor, are your legs numb and you cannot walk?" Aegor's face showed concern. "Do you need someone to help you up?"
"No need, Hand of the Queen. I will take my leave first!"
An intensely ominous premonition welled up in his heart. This black-clad Hand of the Queen before him was clearly not someone he could deal with. At this moment, the only path was to immediately go and request his father's presence. Baelor gritted his teeth, stamped his foot, gave his brother a look, and the two left the room together.
...
This was House Hightower's keep, the hall they had used for generations to receive visitors and meet with vassals. It was possible there were secret passages or hidden rooms that could be used to continue eavesdropping on the rest of the meeting. Even if there were not, with so many people present, there would certainly be those loyal to House Hightower who would report back.
But Aegor did not care.
What he was about to deploy was an open strategy, a forceful move that could not be resisted or countered.
"Gentlemen."
Before the door had fully closed, he straightened his posture and adopted an expression of warmth and sincerity.
"Daenerys originally intended to appoint a magistrate to temporarily oversee Oldtown during the two years House Hightower would be guests in King's Landing. But I believe this approach is too abrupt and crude. Officials brought in from outside would not understand the local customs, traditions, and specific conditions, and would certainly not be able to govern and manage the city in the most appropriate way. It would be better to let nature take its course, allowing the residents of Oldtown to elect capable representatives to form a body similar to a council, exercising or performing various powers and functions, and filling the management vacuum created by the temporary departure of House Hightower."
"Her Grace, being broad-minded and receptive to good advice, wisely accepted my suggestion. I have simply summarized this reform as Oldtown Autonomy. Now, I need to discuss the specifics with you, clarify the relevant powers and obligations, and work together to advance the implementation of this plan."
(To be continued.)
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