Under the gaze of Aegon, Joffrey had a few drinks, then held his cup and walked over to Ser Criston.
Joffrey stopped beside Criston and started chatting and laughing, but Criston still maintained a poker face.
Soon, Aegon didn't know what Joffrey said, but Criston's face quickly began to darken.
And Joffrey continued talking to himself.
Finally, something Joffrey said seemed to be the last straw.
Criston's face turned ferocious, and he roared, knocking Joffrey to the ground, and then mounted Joffrey, continuing to beat him.
The dancing crowd erupted into chaos, and Viserys on the main seat instantly became tense, searching for Rhaenyra and Daemon in the crowd.
He was truly afraid that that scoundrel Daemon would coax Rhaenyra and elope with her.
However, as screams came from the crowd, Viserys finally realized something was wrong.
Daemon was indeed standing with Rhaenyra, but the two did not run away; instead, they were frowning as they stared at the crowd.
In the crowd, Criston wildly swung his fists, only stopping when Joffrey's face was beaten to a bloody pulp.
Viserys and Corlys stood up simultaneously and began directing the guards to maintain order.
Especially Corlys himself, his face was extremely grim.
He knew Joffrey but hadn't paid him much mind at first, never expecting the person to be beaten to death on the spot.
Criston looked at the people around him, slowly regained his senses, stood up, and ran out of the banquet hall.
Laenor was kneeling beside Joffrey with a sad expression, while Viserys and Corlys could only force smiles as they handled the aftermath.
In a corner no one noticed, Alicent's eyes flashed, and she followed Criston out of the banquet hall.
After Alicent left, Aegon quietly followed, and Hugh, seeing this, also followed Aegon closely.
In the back garden, Criston knelt on the ground, holding a longsword, preparing to commit suicide.
He knew he couldn't escape death, so he chose suicide to preserve his last shred of dignity!
"Ser Criston?"
Just as Criston was about to cut his throat, Alicent's voice suddenly rang out.
"Queen?" Criston looked surprised.
"I believe you had a reason for doing that. Are you interested in becoming my sworn shield?"
Alicent extended an olive branch, wanting to recruit Criston.
Criston naturally wouldn't refuse; as long as he could live, who would want to die?
Moreover, only Alicent could protect him now, and he didn't mind serving Alicent.
Just then, a team of guards came looking, led by another Royal Guard—Ser Cargyll.
"Your Highness, we are here to apprehend Criston Cole under the King's command."
Erryk had clearly heard Alicent's words just now and could only reluctantly bring up Viserys.
Alicent was about to exert pressure to protect Criston when a slightly childish voice suddenly sounded.
"Ser, please tell me what crime Ser Criston committed that caused my father to order his arrest?"
Aegon's figure slowly emerged from the darkness, with Hugh behind him, half his body hidden in the shadows, his pair of purple eyes fixed on Erryk and the others.
"Prince, Criston Cole publicly beat Ser Joffrey to the point of being in a state of life or death, which has broken the law, as Your Highness knows."
"Do I know?" Aegon retorted, slowly walking up to Erryk and questioning him, "Then do you know?"
Erryk looked confused: "I... what do I know?"
He wasn't pretending to be foolish; he was truly stumped by Aegon's question.
"Joffrey publicly insulted me, and Ser Criston Cole couldn't stand it, so he merely taught him a small lesson, do you know?"
Erryk's expression froze. Know?
Of course he didn't know!
Because this was completely fabricated by Aegon!
"Forgive me, Your Highness, I was unaware of this matter. His Majesty did not..."
Erryk's words were interrupted by Aegon before he could finish.
"My father is the King of the Seven Kingdoms. Does he have to report to you even when he goes to the privy?"
Erryk's eyelids twitched. What a huge accusation!
"Your Highness knows I didn't mean that. Apprehending Criston Cole is His Majesty's command, and I am merely following orders. Please step aside!"
Aegon's eyes narrowed slightly.
The original *Fire & Blood* was not presented as a novel but more like historical records, with many events mentioned only briefly.
If Erryk was the one who apprehended Criston in the original text, how did his mother manage to save him?
Or was Criston first taken away by Erryk?
That doesn't seem right either. If Criston had truly been taken away by Erryk, then Laenor and the Black Party would absolutely not have let Criston go!
After all, no one knew what Joffrey had said to Criston, and if it got out, it would negatively impact both families.
While Aegon was contemplating, Erryk had already ordered the guards to restrain Criston.
"Clang!"
Hugh instantly drew his greatsword, holding it with one hand, the tip pointed directly at the two approaching men.
"Without His Highness's command, whoever dares to touch Criston shall die!" Hugh's cold voice was like a biting wind.
The two guards preparing to make the arrest looked helplessly at Erryk.
Erryk, meanwhile, looked down at Aegon, a look of difficulty flashing across his face.
But before he could speak, Aegon spoke first.
"Hugh, why aren't you putting your sword down quickly? They are all Ser's men; you must know your place!"
Hearing this, Criston's heart leaped into his throat, while Alicent's brows furrowed slightly.
Erryk, however, breathed a sigh of relief, thinking Aegon had given up on stopping him, and prepared to order the arrest.
But just then, a sudden gust of wind blew through.
Under the dim moonlight, a golden figure flashed by, accompanied by a faint, almost inaudible dragon roar.
Aegon suddenly said coldly, "Ser, you also need to know your place."
"Ultimately, you are just a guard." Aegon pointed at Erryk.
Although he really wanted to win over Erryk, compared to Erryk, Criston Cole would clearly be a more useful sword!
Although after watching *House of the Dragon*, adapted from *Fire & Blood*, in his previous life, he would also curse Criston as a dog's arse.
But times were different now; he would be the leader of the Greens in the future, and in the original *Fire & Blood*, Criston's abilities were quite good!
"Hugh, Ser Criston is tired. Take him to rest."
After speaking, Aegon looked at Erryk.
"Ser Cargyll, I will explain this matter to my father myself. There is no need for you to take action, understand?"
Erryk looked at Aegon, then at Alicent and Hugh, and finally at the dark night sky.
He let out a long sigh and nodded, saying, "Understood. I will return to report."
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