Chapter 192

“Lord Chief Logistics Officer, I wonder if you agree with this sentiment.” Renly Baratheon, his face adorned with a warm smile, fixed his gaze on Aegor. “I have always believed that talent is the key to governance. With the right people, ruling a kingdom becomes as simple as eating a meal. Unfortunately, my elder brother Robert never seemed to grasp this truth. His Small Council is filled with flatterers, incompetents, and schemers. The only one who could be called loyal and wise—Ser Barristan—was dismissed as ‘boring old Barristan’ by him.

When I ascend to the throne, both the Small Council and the Kingsguard will be thoroughly reformed.” As he spoke, his eyes softened as they lingered on the Tyrell flower seated beside him. “My beloved queen, Margaery, believes you possess a talent for governance, and I do not doubt her judgment.

The Rainbow Guard still has vacancies, and when I take the Iron Throne and rule the Seven Kingdoms, there will also be openings on the Small Council. I can issue a royal decree to release you from your vows to the Night’s Watch—should you choose to pledge your loyalty to me. The positions of Kingsguard, Master of Coin, and Master of Laws are yours for the choosing. What say you, Lord Chief Logistics Officer?”

…

What in the world? Aegor froze, his mouth slightly open. He had come to Renly’s camp to plead for mercy, yet somehow the conversation had veered in this bizarre direction. It didn’t take him long to realize—his reputation had likely spread far beyond the ranks of the City Watch and commonfolk. Even high nobles like Renly and Margaery seemed to have been influenced.

…

The Kingsguard offer was obviously tied to his title as “Slayer of the Others.” Thanks to Robert’s indifference, the current Kingsguard had fallen into disgraceful mediocrity; apart from Ser Barristan and Jaime, the other five knights were so obscure they didn’t even have notable nicknames. Robert failed to understand that the Kingsguard, as royal bodyguards, needed both strength and prestige to serve as a symbol of royal authority.

Renly clearly understood this, which explained his decision to hold a tourney to select new guards and his active recruitment of renowned warriors.

Rumors of Aegor’s martial prowess had begun to spread ever since Oberyn Martell, during the Vale rebellion, had intentionally gone easy on him in a duel, allowing him to save face in front of the troops. These rumors had only grown after Aegor exposed Janos Slynt, survived an assassination attempt, and killed several assailants in the process. The sudden arrival of wights in King’s Landing, validating his warnings about the dangers beyond the Wall, further solidified his reputation as a formidable warrior among the nobility.

As for the Master of Coin offer, that was self-explanatory. Renly and Margaery likely assumed that someone capable of building the Night’s Watch industry from scratch could surely manage the finances of the Seven Kingdoms. Both were, after all, merely about generating and managing wealth.

But… why Master of Laws? Aegor glanced at the handsome man with the delicate golden crown seated before him, and a thought began to take shape in his mind: Had Renly fallen for his courtroom rhetoric?

During Janos Slynt’s trial, Aegor had employed a cunning argument centered on the principle of “that which is not forbidden is permitted.” Could this have left Renly, the former Master of Laws and now self-proclaimed king, with the impression that Aegor had a gift for legal matters?

The cost of pretending to be clever in a primitive world was astoundingly low.

The offer was undeniably tempting. If it had been made by Stannis Baratheon, Aegor might have seriously considered it. While he lacked experience in governance, he could have adapted to the role of Master of Laws, leveraging his connections with the City Watch, his intellect, and his meticulous approach to work. Perhaps he could have even negotiated to retain control over the Night’s Watch industry after shedding his black cloak.

Unfortunately, even a child would understand that when abandoning neutrality to choose a side, one must back the likely winner. Having witnessed Melisandre’s powers firsthand, Aegor wouldn’t dare oppose her or the mysterious forces she wielded, no matter how appealing Renly’s offer seemed.

Amid the murmurs of Stormlands and Reach nobles, Aegor carefully chose his words and replied to Renly’s proposal: “Lord Renly, Lady Margaery, I am deeply honored by your faith in my abilities. However… I must confess that I lack the qualifications to govern a kingdom. Managing logistics for the Night’s Watch is one thing, but overseeing the Seven Kingdoms is beyond my capabilities. Besides, even as a sworn brother of the Watch, I can still serve your cause. After all, regardless of who sits on the Iron Throne, the realm will always need the Watch to guard the North and defend against the threats beyond the Wall.”

…

“That’s ungrateful, don’t you think?”

“The king himself extended an olive branch, and this bloody Night’s Watchman dares to act high and mighty?”

“He’s got the credentials for it, unlike you—who only knows how to drink, eat, and swing a sword!”

The murmurs grew louder. Renly’s unexpected invitation had surprised many, but Aegor’s rejection shocked them even more. Renly had only recently declared himself king, and during this transitional period, his dignity and authority were paramount. Aegor’s public refusal, whether out of boldness or foolishness, seemed to be a slap in the face.

Yet Renly’s smile remained unchanged, betraying no hint of his inner thoughts. His ability to maintain a mask of cheerfulness was far more unsettling to Aegor than Robert’s loud tantrums.

“Discussing governance may be premature,” Margaery interjected, her voice as soothing as ever, easing the tension. “The Lord Chief Logistics Officer has significant assets in King’s Landing. To agree too hastily might endanger them. Your Grace, perhaps it would be wise to give him time to consider. Once King’s Landing is ours, he may change his mind.”

Aegor met Margaery’s gaze and couldn’t decide what to feel. Her words, though seemingly considerate, left no room for retreat.

Reputation, Aegor thought, was a double-edged sword. It brought influence but also invited trouble.

“Very well, my queen is right,” Renly said, his voice regaining its warmth. “Lord Aegor, your concerns are understandable. Reflect on my offer, and perhaps, once I claim the throne, you’ll have an answer. For now, return to your business. I’ve already granted your request.”

“Thank you, Lord Renly,” Aegor replied, bowing. He gave Margaery a final glance before taking his leave.

…

Leaving Renly’s camp, Aegor wasted no time and began the ride back to King’s Landing. Whether Eddard Stark could hold the city, where Stannis was, or if Melisandre would kill Renly as foretold by the original plot—all of these questions were pointless to dwell on now. His priority was to return to his industrial park and prepare it for the coming storm.