Game of Thrones: I became a crown prince for a day.

Chapter 653 Fierce Competition
The night is getting darker.

Red Fort, guest room.

A candle burned on the table, dispelling the daunting darkness.

"Your grandfather was Baelon the Brave, one of the boldest knights in the Seven Kingdoms."

"If we really trace back our ancestors, the bloodline is as strong as that of Rhaegar."

A lazy voice sounded, Damon spoke calmly, his dark eyes seemed particularly profound.

"..."

After a moment of silence, Damon leaned back in his chair and said calmly, "That guy wants to take you to the North. Have you decided?"

His eyes were slightly sideways, revealing a hint of inquiry.

As if determining something.

As far as the eye could see, Benilla was standing by the fireplace, lighting the pile of firewood.

Click!

The flints collided and rubbed against each other, producing sparks.

As the firewood burned little by little, the flames dispelled the dampness and coldness in the room.

"I don't have that intention."

Benilla said in a calm tone, and stood up to tidy up the messy books on the bookshelf.

Those were my father's recreational items.

I picked up a book at random, and the cover read "The True History of the Ancient Dragon King".

Daemon glanced at it and said inconspicuously, "That is the only copy in the Pentos Library. Your mother packed it in her luggage. We were really in harmony at that time."

Hearing this, Benilla paused in her packing and slowly closed her eyes.

boom!
The books slammed heavily into the cabinet, shaking off a layer of old dust that was not often cleaned.

Benila opened her eyes and asked coldly, "What do you want to ask? Don't use my mother as bait."

The death of her mother in the delivery bed has always been a thorn in her heart.

If the bond between father and daughter was not inseparable, they would have distanced themselves from each other long ago.

Damon's expression remained unchanged. He said slowly and methodically, "Baeron is young and frivolous. He is in need of a good wife to accompany him."

As he spoke, his eyes, sharp as an eagle's, stared at the eldest daughter.

"Your fiancé just died!"

Benila looked unhappy and said unreasonably, "Do you think I would find a boy who is a few years younger than me, forget the past, and compete with two little sisters?"

Talking about the victim Eamon, his stable emotions gradually got out of control.

"Sorry." Damon was silent for a moment and uttered this.

But from the tone of his voice, there was a sense of relief.

"I will not go to the North. Please refuse my cousin."

Benila just felt tired and turned around to continue cleaning the room.

I really don't feel like continuing the conversation.

Damon raised his cup and poured wine, saying in a bored tone, "It's all a debt owed by our children. Even as a king, you have to be careful in everything you do."

"..."

Benilla turned a deaf ear to him and picked up the feather duster to dust the floor vigorously.

Damon curled his lips, having no doubt that his eldest daughter was imagining the bookcase as herself.

"You shouldn't be in King's Landing."

Daemon thought about it and added: "It's time to go to the fields of Essos, ride your dragon, wear a black suit, and fly a few circles without restraint."

Benilla is a hot-tempered creature who was born to ride on a dragon's back.

Look at the current situation.

She was wearing a red dress that didn't match her skin color, her short silver-gold hair was combed up and she was holding a feather duster in her hand.

Like a maid serving the Red Keep.

Damon complained while drinking, and he seemed to have really become a nagging old man over 50 years old.

But he has a rebellious and cold face, and his lean body is full of strength.

You can't tell her real age at all.

"Don't you think you're noisy?"

The more Benilla listened, the darker her face became, and she frowned as she couldn't stand it anymore.

If I didn't have some filial piety, I would really want to put the feather duster in his mouth.

"Haha, then say something useful."

Damon smiled dissolutely, and suddenly said seriously: "That kid wants you to go to the North together, have you decided?"

Benilla's breath quickened, and her fiery body rose and fell.

Repeated questions, maybe you have Alzheimer's disease!

"Stop talking nonsense, you should go."

Damon tapped the table with his fingers and emphasized, "The north of the North is dangerous. You must go there in person and bring me the most authentic news."

Benila asked in confusion: "Why do you all attach so much importance to the North?"

When the North was mentioned, even Baeron's expression became solemn.

"You'll find out later."

Damon returned to his lazy demeanor and added, "It's best not to know. I've encountered something."

"I can go to the North, what else?"

Benilla knew she had no right to refuse, and she wanted to satisfy her aroused curiosity.

“Look around and experience the local customs and people.”

Damon leaned back with his head raised, and said casually, "Just think of it as going out to relax, don't bore yourself."

"Are you concerned about me?"

Benilla frowned.

"Stop being so self-indulgent."

Damon scoffed.

Benilla was silent for a moment, standing by the fire.

To be fair, she's been pretty unstable lately.

I wanted to go to the other side of the strait to look for Imon, but I was afraid that I would really find a broken corpse.

Since Uncle Collannino was able to come back alive, she firmly believed that Aemon might also have a chance.

After a long while, Damon was lying in the chair and almost falling asleep when he heard his daughter open the door.

He didn't move and closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep.

Benilla opened the door and glanced back at her father who was pretending to be asleep.

"Haha~"

He sneered in his heart and walked out of the room.

“It’s good to get out and about.”

Just before the door closed, the magnetic voice spoke again.

……

The next day.

King's Landing, Dragon's Lair.

"Roar——"

A moss-colored behemoth flew out of the bronze gate and flapped a pair of milky yellow dragon wings to rise high into the sky.

The old dragon circled the sky above King's Landing and flew to the valley along the Dragon Gate. Under the huge shadow, another light green young dragon soared low in the sky, hanging closely behind the old dragon.

The two dragons, one big and one small, were like the moss covering the earth and the towering pine and cypress trees.

Red Fort, Conference Hall.

Rhaegar leaned against the window sill and turned his head to watch the two dragons fly away.

"You got your wish."

Damon walked around the conference table and moved the first chair at the lower left, which represented the Prime Minister.

The chair is carved with a pattern of a hand holding a key, symbolizing the king's hand.

"You make it sound like I'm worried about your daughter?"

Boss Rega was reluctant and curled his lips and said, "If the family members were not available, it would not be the turn of the two children to lead the charge."

"It's good if you are willing to give it up."

Damon stared at the chair and responded absentmindedly.

The good nephew dared to send his eldest son, who was the heir, to the north, and he also dared to release his wild and unruly daughter.

"Uncle, the family still has to look for opportunities from outside."

Rhaegar turned serious and thought deeply, "The Golden Fields must be developed. The annual grain output is enough to feed half of Westeros."

"Who will be sent this time?"

Damon withdrew his gaze and participated with interest.

"I'll go myself."

Rhaegar didn't trust anyone, and said seriously: "Before that, choose a prime minister to manage the government for me."

"Oh?"

Damon narrowed his eyes slightly and raised the corners of his mouth.

……

In mid-July, the temperature did not drop.

King's Landing.

Hundreds of large ships are moored at Lannimen, flying the flags of nobles from all over the world.

The king has chosen his prime minister, and the important news spreads quickly.

Many nobles who thought they had considerable experience wanted to give it a try.

Red Keep, Throne Hall.

"Your Majesty, the price of the stones in Stormland has suddenly increased by two levels. We may have to increase the funds we prepare."

Jasper reported his work slowly and methodically.

As soon as he opened his mouth, he was taking gold from the national treasury.

Lin Man listened in confusion, and her ears suddenly perked up.

Someone's picking his pocket?

"Lord Lin Man, how much money can the national treasury allocate?"

On the Iron Throne, Rhaegar looked calm.

Lin Man was no longer calm, frowning and criticizing: "Your Majesty, the national treasury is not inexhaustible, and the stones in the Storm Land are very wrong."

The king was very generous in paying the workers the money used to build the prince's palace.

Do you still dare to ask for extra money for consumables?
"You simply don't take my old bones seriously."

Lin Man was indignant and stared at the guy who raised this point.

Lei Jia's eyes flickered, and his voice gradually became heavier: "Master Tiegun, do you think what Master Lin Man said makes sense?"

"Your Majesty, the situation in Stormland is special."

Jasper hesitated for a moment and uttered the excuse he had prepared long ago.

"They are all lands governed by the king, what's the difference?"

Lin Man seemed to be full of energy and asked questions aggressively.

"Uh……"

Jasper was stunned for a moment, hesitating and unable to speak.

A thin layer of sweat broke out on his forehead, and he thought to himself that this old guy was in trouble today.

Lin Man stiffened his neck, his desire to fight rising.

Trying to take money out of his pocket? No way!
Rhaegar watched patiently, looking at Jasper with a playful look.

Otherwise, Lin Man would have been able to serve as a veteran of three dynasties and hold on to the positions of Minister of Finance and Director of the National Treasury.

Such a loyal, pedantic and miserly old man is most suitable to look after the purse.

Even if you become old and confused, your professional ethics will not be confused.

"Your Majesty, I have done my best."

Jasper looked disappointed and said, "I built the Prince's Palace according to your wishes, just to take over the responsibility of being the Prime Minister."

There is hard work even if there is no credit.

A dark line appeared on Rhaegar's forehead, and he said disdainfully: "The position of Prime Minister has not yet been decided. Lord Ironstick has such great ambitions."

As he spoke, he looked towards the side of the hall.

The three brothers Aegon, Aemond, and Daeron stood together, leaning against each other in different postures, poking and whispering, watching the fun.

On the other side, the imperial ministers, led by Sea Snake, lined up in a row.

"He's looking at you."

Yi Geng acted like a slut, with his hands on his belly and leaned close to Lao Er's ear.

Aemond pushed him aside and walked forward with undisguised disgust.

"Your Majesty, the head of the imperial court is related to the foundation of the country, so it is more important to choose someone you trust."

Aemond held his head high, his one eye gleaming with determination.

He also has to elect the Prime Minister.

All the hard study over the past ten years has been for today.

Rhaegar held his chin with one hand, his eyes flickering in thought.

It seems that we really need to consider whether Emond can do it.

"Your Majesty, Prince Aemond is still too young."

Jaspi was the first to get anxious and retorted: "We should select talented people from the Imperial Council, not nepotism."

"Master Tiegun is right."

Without waiting for Rhaegar to speak, Collis took over the conversation and walked out of the queue with his tall figure.

"What do you think, Lord Collis?"

Rhaegar's voice was flat, his eyes darting between the three of them.

Collis's eyes were sharp, and he said solemnly: "Compared with the previous two prime ministers, my qualifications and abilities are not inferior, and I am also the richest family in the Seven Kingdoms. I would like to receive this honor."

Only the position of Prime Minister is worthy of the current status.

The king was in favor of peace, and it was only right that the Velaryons should follow.

Strive for more voice for Chaotou Island and Lannino.

"Lord Collis, please be patient."

Damon, who was standing sideways in the team, spoke easily, squinting his eyes with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Collis turned around and said in disbelief, "Damon, are you also going to run for Prime Minister?"

The two are old enemies, and they know what the other is going to do just by looking up.

Considering Damon's qualifications and resume, even his attendance at the royal meeting was funded by his wife.

(End of this chapter)