If you arrest him, it will make…"
"Mother, you just called me by my name!" Joffrey's attention was completely elsewhere, not listening to Cersei at all.
He turned to Cersei and said very seriously, "I sit on the Iron Throne, I am the King.
At this moment, you are merely my subject, you should address me as Your Majesty, not by my name."
Cersei's expression was somewhat displeased; she glanced at the others around, then lowered her head and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, I was merely accustomed to the old address."
"I hope you change your old habits quickly, as I am King now." Joffrey, in a gesture of forgiving Cersei, then turned and said, "Yes, Barristan did indeed expose the usurper's forged will, and he served me well.
But serving me well does not mean he can treat me so disrespectfully.
Earl Janos, I command you, immediately take men to arrest Barristan, lock him in the dungeon, starve him for a few days, and when he bows his head, release him."
Upon hearing the command, Janos Slynt immediately left the hall with his two sons to gather the Gold Cloaks and pursue Barristan.
Littlefinger reminded, "Your Majesty, there are now only six Kingsguard remaining.
We need to find a suitable replacement."
Joffrey said dismissively, "That's simple.
Hound, you shall take this position!"
"Your Majesty, the Kingsguard has always been held by knights." Ser Boros frowned, saying in a deep voice.
"From today, it no longer will be." Joffrey, looking as if he was about to break tradition and establish new rules, turned to Sandor Clegane and said, "Hound, what do you think?"
"I have no objection.
I have no lands or wife anyway, so it doesn't matter if I abandon them, but I'm not doing that knight's oath business." The Hound said in a hoarse voice, walking down the steps and directly picking up the white cloak Barristan had discarded on the ground, dusting it off, and fastening it onto his shoulders.
"King hears the petitions of those present.
If there is business, declare it; otherwise, the court is dismissed!"
Amidst the loud voice of the chamberlain, Sansa nervously emerged from the crowd.
Everyone's eyes fell upon her, like large hands clutching her throat, making her feel suffocated, but she knew she had to be brave enough to step forward, for now, only she could save her father.
"King." Although Sansa tried to appear composed, her voice still trembled.
However, Sansa's fearful demeanor greatly pleased Joffrey.
He smiled at Sansa and said, "Lady Sansa, please come forward."
Sansa raised her head, maintaining her composure, not showing too much nervousness, and walked unhurriedly to the Iron Throne.
Joffrey, however, frowned at Sansa's demeanor, his previous satisfaction gone.
Before Sansa could speak, Joffrey directly said, "I know you have come forward to plead for your usurper father."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Sansa immediately knelt on the ground and said, "I beg for your mercy, for an exception to the law, to pardon my father…"
"My lady, your father committed treason and usurpation, what an evil person must one be to commit such a grave crime?" Archmaester Pycelle suddenly interrupted Sansa's plea, saying fiercely, "High treason is like a poisonous weed; it must be rooted out, otherwise Your Majesty's authority will be greatly damaged, and traitors will spread everywhere."
Varys watched silently from the side, saying nothing.
Queen Mother Cersei sighed, reminding, "Sansa, do you remember what I told you?"
Littlefinger also interjected at the opportune moment, reminding, "Do you acknowledge the crimes your father committed?"
Sansa immediately realized something, hesitated, then nodded, "My lords, I admit that my father committed unforgivable high treason."
As Sansa's words fell, discussions immediately arose in the hall.
Clearly, as the eldest daughter of Eddard Stark, admitting her father's high treason effectively solidified Eddard Stark's identity as a usurper.
"Silence, all of you," Joffrey shouted at everyone, then, with a smile, said to Sansa, "Continue, Lady Sansa."
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