Ignoring Aegon, Robert looked at the surrounding vassals and spoke in a calm tone. "We have a big problem."
"We don't know what kind of ambush, trap, or any shit that incestuous mind placed in the Kingswood." Robert looked at everyone present with a penetrating and strong gaze. He might despise Rhaegar, but he never dared to underestimate the man's intelligence.
In a completely fragmented dynasty, Rhaegar still managed to gather forces and counterattack, extending the lifespan of the Targaryen Dynasty for almost two decades. Even a fool would not underestimate Rhaegar; he was not someone who could be faced without plans.
Therefore, Robert dared not lead his army along the Kingsroad towards King's Landing. Rhaegar had almost twenty years for the war; he didn't believe there was nothing in the forest, be it an ambush or traps, and he didn't want to lose men in a damned forest.
"We can burn the entire forest." The Castellan of Storm's End, Cortnay Penrose, made a suggestion that made the surrounding lords show thoughtful expressions. It wasn't that the plan was bad; on the contrary, it was very good, but every time someone used fire to burn something, the fire turned against them.
"The wind is not in our favor, especially this summer." One of the lords commented with a touch of helplessness; the idea was good, but there were many variables, especially when it came to playing with fire. If the fire were blown by the wind, the chances of hitting the army could be great.
"I can help with that."
Suddenly, a young, yet calm voice spoke with a confident tone. Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Aegon standing up. Many showed dissatisfaction in their eyes; no one believed that a fifteen-year-old boy would be able to solve such a problem.
"One of my vassals is named Melisandre, a Red Priestess who was expelled from the Faith of the Seven for practicing taboos. She is a witch capable of controlling flames." Aegon didn't wait to be questioned and spoke of their plans.
Murmurs sounded around, everyone's eyes changed when they looked at Aegon again. There was no longer the contempt from before, but rather a touch of caution in their gaze.
The Red Faith was a giant that no one wanted to face. It was practically a nation capable of controlling fire. If it weren't for its members being so dispersed and the Red Faith's lack of ambition, many already believed it wouldn't be difficult for the Faith of the Seven to create a theological kingdom.
Aegon having managed to get a Red Priestess, even an expelled one, to join his group, already showed that Aegon had extraordinary charisma.
Robert, on the stone throne, looked at Aegon with a deep gaze, but smiled. He showed no caution; a toy was a toy, no matter how extraordinary it was. Aegon was not dangerous; the only danger he could represent was the army of mercenaries, but does an army of mercenaries truly possess loyalty?
If he gave them lands, titles, and houses, would these people still truly be loyal to Aegon? So, Robert was not at all worried, as he could make Aegon's greatest strength betray him with a simple promise to accept them back to live in Westeros.
"Call your witch, boy." Robert said in a calm tone, yet no one dared to look into the eyes of Robert, the Storm King.
Aegon suppressed the feeling of anger at being treated like a child and whispered a few things to Varys, who quickly disappeared from everyone's sight. Robert looked at Varys's back with a confused gaze.
Robert felt that the bald man with pale skin and purple robes was familiar, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't remember where he had seen this man. This feeling was annoying; it was as if the word was on the tip of his tongue, but no matter how hard he tried, the word simply wouldn't appear in his mind.
It was the same feeling Robert was experiencing at that moment, which made the king's expression turn cold. He looked at Aegon again and narrowed his eyes.
Perhaps sensing Robert's gaze, Aegon turned and faced the Storm King with a calm expression, without a trace of fear reflected on his face.
Aegon could feel anger towards Robert, but he definitely didn't feel fear. He grew up surrounded by dangerous spies and always fought a battle with Varys, someone ten times more dangerous than Robert, at least in his opinion. Robert was far from being able to scare him as Varys did.
A look of appreciation flashed in Robert's eyes, but upon seeing the silver-blonde hair, that look disappeared as quickly as it appeared. No matter how good Aegon was, his hatred for any Dragonspawn was greater.
In the end, he would kill Rhaegar and then kill Aegon; he couldn't allow these incestuous abominations to continue living any longer.
(Note: I find Westeros a bit strange; it's possibly normal to marry your uncle's daughter, but condemnable to marry your sister or brother. Anyway, hypocrisy.)
Minutes later, a beautiful woman with long red hair, eyes, and robes appeared before everyone. Countless men swallowed hard upon seeing the woman's beauty; their throats felt dry, and their eyes practically fixed on the woman.
Honestly, no one could blame these men; Melisandre was truly beautiful, coupled with her exotic charm and red hair, she was practically a loyalty test with legs, long and truly beautiful legs.
"My dear lords." Melisandre ignored the lustful glances at her body and greeted the lords, then looked at Robert. "Your Grace." This time, she knelt before the Storm King.
Despite being different from his other version in a different timeline, there was something that hadn't changed in Robert: his lust. He had no wife, but he had half a hundred bastards, most of them children of servants, some ladies, and young maidens who had not yet married.
At that moment, Robert's blue eyes narrowed; he didn't hide the lust he felt in his gaze, staring at Melisandre like a succulent piece of meat. Ready to devour her at any moment, or rather, even at that moment, under everyone's eyes.
Even without looking directly at Robert, Melisandre could feel the Storm King's hot and burning gaze, as if he wanted to possess her right there, in the middle of the hall, under the eyes of all the Lords of the Stormlands.
However, this didn't make her angry or anything; Melisandre merely showed a smile and raised her head, looking directly into Robert's eyes.
"Witch, are you capable of controlling the flames and setting the entire forest on fire without my army suffering any harm?" Robert was direct in his question. His eyes stared at that beautiful face with a touch of expectation.
"It is possible, my king." Melisandre didn't find the task particularly difficult; she was a Red Priestess, playing with fire was practically among her most common daily activities. Although controlling fire to burn an entire forest was somewhat tiring, it was not arduous work for her.
Melisandre's answer greatly satisfied Robert; he was already tired of staying in the Stormlands; he wanted to go to Riverlands and fight Rhaegar again. This time, the incestuous bastard would not have Arthur Dayne to save him again.
"Then don't waste time, do it." Robert was not a man to hesitate, much less to wait; almost twenty years of waiting had already made him fed up with waiting. He increasingly wanted to sink his hammer into Rhaegar's chest and see those beautiful rubies thrown into the air.
"Yes, Your Grace." Melisandre replied with a respectful tone. And under the eyes of Aegon and others, she left the throne room, gently swaying her hips.
Robert looked at the Red Priestess's buttocks and felt a familiar fire in him. He looked at Aegon and spoke in a tone that left no room for negotiation or even refusal. "Boy, I want this witch for myself."
Aegon's fists clenched tightly; he had never felt such anger as at that moment. Robert didn't even give him the slightest respect. Despite the bubbling fury in his chest, his expression remained calm and respectful. "Since Your Grace desires Melisandre's company, she will appear in your chambers."
Varys, who was in the background, watched the entire scene with a calm expression, yet his eyes indicated a touch of pleasure. Seeing Aegon humiliated only made the Eunuch happier, as Aegon would need his services or he would never get out of this situation where he was practically a puppet for Robert and the other noble houses.
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Read my other books:
Game Of Thrones: The God-Emperor of Planetos (500,000 words written).
Percy Jackson: Godwyn the Golden.
Game Of Thrones: The King's Court Wizard