Ice and Fire: Reign of the Dragon.

Chapter 251: Death of Rhaegar
Rhaegar sat in this luxurious hall, somewhat at a loss.

The young prince never thought that he would be so lucky. Among the dragon riders who came to the East Continent, Aemon and Aerion both refused the rewards of land or actual titles. When Daeron asked if they could help manage the conquered land, both of them decisively refused.

There was no other choice, so Daeron could only hand over the ruling of the conquered lands to his younger brother, the younger Rhaegar, and appointed him "Prince Rikar Rakrond, Protector of the Conquered Lands." He stayed in the East Continent with the dragon Horntide to manage the newly conquered lands.

He was forced to return to King's Landing, not only because of his responsibilities, but also because Queen Jeyne was pregnant.

The entire Red Castle was busy with this matter. Even the seriously ill Queen Mother Samantha brought Beile back to the Red Castle to take care of Queen Jenny nearby.

Regar and a group of new nobles were left to manage the war-torn land.

It was not until the harvest season that Rhaegar realized that ruling a vast territory was not something that ordinary people could do, especially since the one left to him by his brother was a mess that could not be any worse.

Rhaegar still remembered a dispute he had dealt with before setting out for Ho Sulei to attend a banquet hosted by local nobles who had surrendered.

It was not complicated, but difficult to handle. A knight who was granted a fiefdom was horrified to find when he returned to his land that he had been given a ruin, while his brother - simply because his brother was the second son and he was an illegitimate son, he was given a territory with some subjects still left. And the two of them were forcibly conscripted by the subjects of the land by the great lord of the land - the brother of a certain great lord. The reason was simple: the great lord found that the locals were not useful, and the people from Westeros were more useful.

So instead of becoming really rich, the two knights were burdened with heavy debts.

For such a long time, Rega has been dealing with basically these kinds of matters, but he can't solve these problems at all.

They can only tear down the east wall to repair the west wall, barely maintaining a fragile balance.

My thoughts returned to the banquet.

Rhaegar tried to force a smile and raised his glass to toast the lord who toasted him. The dancers in the center of the banquet hall danced faster and faster, more and more intensely, and even the music became more passionate.

"Lord Fulgrim, what's going on?" Rega didn't like this kind of music. He couldn't help but turn his head to look at Fulgrim who was admiring the dance.

After Salesh was enthroned as Duke and Governor, the commander of the Fulgrim Legion also gained unimaginable benefits. Not only did he become the actual controller and heir of a large territory, he also successfully obtained the military power of a quarter of the conquered land.

He now serves as Rhaegar's chief knight, assisting Rhaegar together with the local noble knight Jon Darklyn.

"Your Highness, this is our specialty." Fugen smiled gently, "It is not easy to gather so many dancers who can dance the quickstep. Your Highness, we love you and your brother from the bottom of our hearts, and this is our gift to you."

Lei Qiang suppressed his dissatisfaction and discomfort with the intense music and forced himself to continue watching: "On behalf of His Majesty the King, I thank you for your dedication."

"It's my duty, Your Highness." Fugen said softly.

The music gradually died down, and Rhaegar took this opportunity to walk up to Fulgrim with a glass of wine in hand: "Lord Fulgrim, thank you for your efforts."

Rhaegar raised his glass and clinked it with the terrified Fulgrim, and whispered, "I hope you and Governor Salishi will consider my proposal."

"We know very well that your proposal is beneficial to us." Fugen said sincerely in the same low voice: "But this land has been like this for hundreds of years, asking the noble lords who have surrendered to the king to give up their population." He looked outside cautiously: "Even if the kingdom offers sufficient compensation, most lords will not be willing. Believe me, Your Highness."

Rhaegar gritted his teeth. Although he was young, he could see many things clearly.

These surrendered lords were just as his brother had feared, pretending to obey but actually disobeying. Uncle Viserys was anxious to make the war less intense, but he never thought that the East Continent was different from Westeros, and his brother was not Aegon the Conqueror. The dragon that was powerful enough to subdue all resistance was now only a young horned tide.
This Fugen in front of him is just like that. They just want to drag it out until the big lords are forced to merge with their local lords who used to be tyrants and warlords, and the small lords are burdened with debts and lose their territories.

Finally returning to their dominance.

There is no way to send enough people from within the kingdom. Maybe if the long summer lasts for another ten years or so, there will be enough people, but not now.

"Listen to me, Lord Fulgrim." Rhaegar came closer: "I won't beat around the bush with you. My attitude is very clear. The kingdom is willing to pay some compensation, but the kingdom does not want to lose any power that can be used." "I know your attitude very well, but you also know." Fulgrim laughed: "My father and I are just one of the lords of this land. We can't control most things. Your Highness, my suggestion is that you can recruit farmers from your homeland, or you can buy slaves."

"Impossible!" He refused with absolute certainty.

"I see." Rhaegar's face turned cold. "Thank you for your advice, Lord Fulgrim."

The young prince saluted everyone from a distance, took a sip of wine, and turned to walk towards the terrace.

He wanted to be alone.

Seeing Rhaegar walking away, Fulgrim shook his head and continued to enjoy the dance that was becoming more intense.

The noisy music gradually faded away, and Rhaegar let out a long sigh.

The world is finally quiet.

Ho Sulei is covered with dense vegetation, and it is said that during the reign of the Rhoyna, the olive-skinned people even built tree houses.

Even now, there are still unknown plants growing on the terrace, forming a natural landscape and umbrella canopy.

Rhaegar took a sip of wine, thinking whether he should ask his brother for help. Perhaps it would be better to ask his two cousins ​​and uncles to come. The dragon is enough to make the disobedient guys hand over everything obediently.
But my sister-in-law is preparing to give birth, and my cousins ​​are also worried about their cousin Aegon's troubles.
It’s very difficult.

Just as Rhaegar was thinking hard, a waiter in ordinary clothes stood beside him at some point.

"Didn't I tell you to leave me alone?"

Feeling someone around him, Rhaegar said without turning his head.

"Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, do you know how all the other dragon lords who owned dragons and were exiled died during the Century of Blood, except for your family and the dragon lord Orion Vareses who led the army to the war?"

The man's voice was very low and he spoke very quickly.

Rhaegar didn't hear what he was saying.

"Sorry, y.uh."

Just as Rega turned around to ask, the man suddenly bumped into his arms, causing him to feel a sharp pain in his chest.

Phew.

The sound of the sharp blade piercing the flesh, bypassing the bones, and piercing the heart was so clear.

Just for a moment.

There is no other feeling anymore.

All Rhaegar heard was a roar that shook the earth.

Then, I felt nothing.

(End of this chapter)