Chapter 366: The Iron Throne's Envoy
This was not Petyr Baelish's first visit to Pentos.
The last time he was here, he was recommended by the Hand of the King, Jon Arryn, to carry out King Robert's orders to persuade the Free Cities to form an alliance against Andalos.
This was a suggestion put forward by Tywin Lannister, the Duke of Casterly Rock, after he personally came to King's Landing to meet King Robert upon hearing the news of the death of his youngest brother, Kevan.
Duke Tywin's hatred for the remnants of House Targaryen was well known. Both of his brothers had died at the hands of that bastard.
Unfortunately, Duke Tywin's plan failed. Petyr's plan to persuade the Free Cities was successful, driving a wedge between Braavos and Andalos, and successfully instigating the Magister of Pentos to make a move against Viserys under the guise of an invitation.
But the final result was that Viserys went to the meeting alone and killed all the Magisters of Pentos in the ensuing chaos.
He eventually took over Pentos, broke the anti-Andalos alliance, and from then on, no power could limit the development of Andalos.
The final result of Petyr's last mission to Pentos was not very good, and this time, 'Littlefinger' was even more uneasy.
He didn't want to come because he had done something guilty, but to his surprise, because of his excellent performance last time, that damned old man Jon Arryn and King Robert thought highly of him and specifically asked Lord Petyr to take action personally.
So Littlefinger had to come reluctantly, carrying Jon Arryn's orders, Queen Cersei's secret instructions, and his own schemes.
Lord Petyr Baelish's territory was only the smallest finger on the Fingers peninsula, hence the derogatory nickname, but he wasn't angry, even taking it as motivation.
His lifelong wish was to elevate his class and his thirst for power, hoping to become a great figure.
Therefore, he was willing to become a lapdog for power, but this lapdog was not loyal to its master.
With three intentions for this visit, Petyr Baelish felt a great deal of pressure, but he was not discouraged. Standing outside the seaside palace of Pentos, he took a deep breath to calm his mood.
Then he turned his head to look at Hendry Bracken beside him. The brown-haired young man also seemed a bit nervous. Feeling Lord Petyr Baelish's gaze, he turned his head to look at him.
Then Petyr's face showed a calm and composed smile. He patted Hendry Bracken's shoulder and encouraged him.
"Don't be nervous, Hendry, you're here to see your father."
"Your father once saved the prince's life, and now he holds a high position in Pentos."
"The prince may make things difficult for anyone, but he won't make things difficult for you."
The two were of similar age, but Petyr Baelish naturally exuded a calm demeanor, like an elder educating a younger one.
And Hendry Bracken naturally looked up to him. Hearing Lord Petyr's words, he took a deep breath and nodded, seeming to relax a lot.
His father was a high-ranking official in Prince Targaryen's court, and the prince wouldn't make things difficult for him.
"Yes, I'm here to see my father."
Hendry reminded himself again, receiving Petyr's encouraging smile, and a smile appeared on his face.
Barristan Selmy, the captain of King Robert's Kingsguard, who was standing behind the two, listened to their conversation and remained silent throughout.
Petyr Baelish represented King Robert's official mission, unlike the last time's conspiracy, naturally, a member of the Kingsguard had to accompany him.
He was isolated because he stayed in the Red Keep but despised politics, so he was disliked and ostracized by various factions.
Although the two often argued over disagreements, Barristan's biggest supporter was King Robert, who greatly appreciated this outspoken captain of the Kingsguard.
However, King Robert had been away from King's Landing for more than a year, so this upright captain of the Kingsguard was also seen as an eyesore by some people and was schemed to be driven out of King's Landing to carry out this escort mission.
Barristan Selmy had complex feelings about this trip because he was once a Kingsguard for King Aerys II, swore loyalty to the king, but in the end, he surrendered to the usurper.
If it was just that, it would be fine, as people would forget after a while, but unfortunately, the Targaryen family stood up again on the other side of the Narrow Sea. The escaped second prince of Targaryen inherited his father's and brother's will and re-established the kingdom, which made his feelings complex and contradictory.
"Will the second prince... be different from his father?"
The white-cloaked knight pondered in his heart.
He had seen the second prince when he was a child and even held him in his arms.
But Barristan never thought that the most outstanding heir of the former king was not his eldest son Rhaegar, but his second son, Prince Viserys.
At this moment, the palace doors were opened.
The envoys who had traveled thousands of miles from King's Landing had been standing outside the palace for quite a while.
Two Unsullied soldiers wore light armor, their eyes cold and indifferent under their helmets.
"Lord Petyr Baelish?"
"Please come in, His Majesty has time to see you now."
"Thank you."
The short man with a small beard on his chin smiled politely and nodded.
Then, along with Hendry Bracken, the captain of the Kingsguard, and his own entourage, he entered the Nine Towers Palace.
Viserys, of course, had been waiting here for a long time. He didn't bother to change his clothes or put on the crown that symbolized the king.
Once he would have done so, because he lacked power, he needed to use some external trappings to deliberately emphasize his status and consolidate his rule.
But now he wouldn't. He held the power that could threaten the Seven Kingdoms, and the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms trembled in his shadow. When to send troops to attack Westeros was just a matter of time.
The female knight stood behind him with one hand on the hilt of her Valyrian steel sword. The commander of the Unsullied, Grey Worm, stood not far away on the steps with a spear in his hand, and two rows of Unsullied soldiers looked solemn.
A moment later, footsteps sounded outside the hall.
The rest of the envoy's entourage was kept outside, only Petyr, Hendry, and the captain of the Kingsguard were allowed to enter the hall.
Littlefinger hurried in, a departure from his previous composure, looking quite urgent.
He didn't dare to look at Viserys for too long, but put one hand on his chest and bowed deeply.
"Greetings, Prince Viserys."
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