"Joffrey?"
Duke Tywin's gaze left the map, and the wrinkles on his forehead deepened.
Ser Kevan glanced at Green beside him and said, "The Kingsguard, in the King's name, forcibly took Robert Arryn out of the dungeon."
...
Standing on the tower, the entire King's Landing spread out below.
A thick stone parapet encircled the outside of the tower, and at regular intervals, there were merlons for archers to use. Between them, strings of heads were impaled on the tips of iron spears, facing the city.
"Don't close your eyes! Keep looking! This is what happens to traitors!"
"Hound, make him see clearly. Lord Arryn, your head will appear there in a while."
"You are, after all, the Lord of the Eyrie. When the time comes, I'll have your head impaled on a spear alone, hehehe…"
Staring at young Robert, clutched in Sandor's large hand, and seeing him nearly scared to death, Joffrey Baratheon's excitement grew.
With a flick of his crimson cloak, he leaped onto a nearby wooden crate.
With his hands on his hips and chin raised, Joffrey declared loudly, "I announce that starting tomorrow, Lord Arryn must come to admire them every day until the execution."
He extended a hand: "I, as a merciful King, will personally supervise and listen to his daily confessions…confessions…"
Saying that, his eyes darted to Sandor, and he shouted, "Hound, find a monk then."
Sandor glanced at his King and said, "...Yes, Your Majesty."
King Joffrey nodded with slight satisfaction. After a pause, he suddenly stood there cackling.
It was a while before he finally stopped laughing.
"They are all brave warriors of House Arryn. Since they dared to cause trouble in my King's Landing, as a reward, I will honor their loyalty."
"Every night, I will arrange one…no, two brave warriors' heads to guard Lord Arryn's bed until the last night before the execution…My Hound, did you remember?"
"...You'll be satisfied."
...
Duke Tywin personally led the departure. Due to concerns for the King's safety…Green also followed with his guards.
Before leaving, Green gave Anguy some instructions and then sent him to Maegors Holdfast.
On the way to Joffrey's "exclusive" training ground, a Red Cloak guard rode up and reported to Duke Tywin…King Joffrey had just taken Lord Arryn to the tower.
The afternoon sun was still dazzling. Although Duke Tywin's expression remained unchanged, Green, not far away, noticed…a blue vein throbbing on his forehead.
Duke Tywin kicked his spurs and adjusted the direction of his horse's head.
As they approached the seaside wall, they encountered Grand Maester Pycelle, who was trembling as he walked, clutching a book.
With the continuous sound of hooves, the elderly Pycelle nervously moved aside, then stumbled and sat by the roadside.
Though disheveled and sitting with his legs outstretched, he did not forget to bow towards Duke Tywin.
The entire retinue did not slow their horses. Duke Tywin gave a slight nod as he passed Grand Maester Pycelle, returning the greeting.
While riding, Green gestured: "The King is injured. Bring him along."
Green had heard about this from the Red Cloak guard who came to deliver the message earlier. Although it was just a minor injury, since they had already encountered Grand Maester Pycelle, just in case…it was reasonable to bring him along.
Two Crabb's Blue Cloaks stopped their horses, dismounted, and helped Grand Maester Pycelle up.
"Weren't I supposed to wait for the King's summons?" Pycelle's maester's chain jingled softly, and confusion and surprise flickered in his cloudy eyes.
Due to the distance and the sound of hooves, Grand Maester Pycelle had not heard Green's voice. Recalling the Blood Earl's straightforward style, he couldn't help but become wary, yet he dared not refuse.
He was obediently "escorted" by the two Blue Cloaks.
In front of the stairs of the city wall, everyone dismounted.
A Red Cloak captain looked up and asked loudly, "Where is the King?"
Soon, a voice from the top of the stairs responded, "The King is at the top of the tower!"
Duke Tywin looked up, then stepped onto the stone stairs.
Only after the last Lannister Red Cloak climbed the stairs did Green, with his hands behind his back, follow, surrounded by Crabb's Blue Cloaks.
...
"Hehehe, is this the falcon that ruled the Vale for thousands of years?"
King Joffrey's eyes were filled with mockery and disdain: "They died fighting for you. You can't dislike these people."
He cackled again: "Even if only their heads are left."
After a pause, King Joffrey suddenly said, "I have a good idea."
He raised his chin: "I, as a just King, will correct your shameful behavior. I command you to kiss it. Hound, go get one!"
Seeing Sandor standing still, King Joffrey said angrily, "Hound, didn't you hear my command? Go quickly!"
Sandor Clegane glanced back and said, "King, my back isn't very good lately, I can't reach it."
King Joffrey froze, then said furiously, "You dare disobey my command?"
Jumping off the wooden crate, he was about to kick the Hound when a loud chant suddenly echoed: "Hail—Hand of the King—Duke Tywin Lannister—"
When Duke Tywin's tall figure appeared, everyone bowed in his direction, except for King Joffrey and the Kingsguard.
The top of the tower, which had just been filled with laughter, instantly fell silent.
Step, step, step, step. Duke Tywin walked step by step towards King Joffrey, his Hand's chain glittering golden in the sun.
As Duke Tywin's figure gradually approached, King Joffrey couldn't help but secretly swallow.
Step, step. Duke Tywin stopped in front of King Joffrey, staring at him expressionlessly.
King Joffrey suppressed his nervousness, but said unhappily, "What are you doing here?"
After a pause, Duke Tywin nodded slightly and said, "Your Majesty."
The Old Lion's majesty was too overwhelming. King Joffrey opened his mouth and involuntarily returned the bow: "Uncle."
But upon realizing it, he felt ashamed of his recent actions.
He stiffened his neck and said, "What are you doing here?!"
Duke Tywin's deep gaze swept over the surroundings and said, "I think you can end your game now."
As his words fell, King Joffrey's face flushed: "I'm not playing games! I'm punishing traitors!"
Facing the enraged young King, Duke Tywin said unhurriedly, "Joffrey, I told you, you shouldn't humiliate Robert Arryn. Let me tell you, when someone kneels before you, you must personally help them up, otherwise no one will be willing to submit, and your enemies will only increase. Aerys II failed because he didn't understand this. I want you to firmly remember his lesson."
King Joffrey showed a very impatient expression towards Tywin's lecture.
He quickly grasped the main point: "Lord Arryn didn't kneel before me! He even injured me!"
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