High above the tower, the sun blazed like a fierce, dazzling flame.
Everyone stood in silence, as if struck by this sudden "accident," momentarily speechless.
Astonishment… confusion… bewilderment… those present seemed not yet to have recovered from the shock.
The entire scene seemed frozen in time.
A gentle breeze brushed past, but it could not break the deathly silence; only Joffrey's heavy breathing was exceptionally clear.
Lord Tywin's body was taut, like an enraged Lion struggling to suppress his fury.
His clenched teeth ground audibly.
Ser Kevan then spoke, calling out, "Lord Tywin."
Hearing his brother's voice, Lord Tywin's hand, clenched into a fist behind his back with veins bulging, slightly relaxed.
His gaze shifted to Joffrey, who was still glaring at him resentfully, and his eyes narrowed slightly.
After a brief pause, Lord Tywin spoke, "Kevan, arrange it immediately; today's incident must be a…"
"Grand Maester Pycelle, please examine His Majesty's wound." Lord Greene's voice sounded from behind the others.
Lord Tywin and Ser Kevan both turned to look; Lord Greene nodded slightly to them both, but did not stop his steps.
Lord Greene came to the battlement, symbolically glanced down, and then announced loudly, "The traitor, Lord Arryn, using King Joffrey's benevolence, attempted an assassination."
He glanced at Joffrey's hand, then declared, "King Joffrey was wounded by the sneak attack but successfully counter-killed; the brave King personally executed Lord Arryn. May the Gods protect the King."
A moment of silence.
Lord Greene's gaze shifted to the Old Scholar, who had "shrunk" beside Lord Tywin, and his voice sounded again: "One of the witnesses—Grand Maester Pycelle, please record this personally and inform the Maester's Tower to convey it to the Lords of the Seven Kingdoms."
Maester Pycelle looked pitifully at Lord Tywin, who was gazing at Lord Greene, and his voice, lowered, was tearful: "Lord Tywin, I didn't mean to come; it was Earl Green… his guards said the King was injured, it was he… he kidnapped… invited me."
Lord Tywin ignored the cowardly Old Scholar; while suppressing his anger, he pondered the unexpected incident that had just occurred before his eyes.
Earl Green, under the watchful eyes of everyone, seemed to be excusing the King's atrocity, but he knew… the true purpose of the person before him was to directly establish the King's "crime."
Lord Tywin was considering the possibility of concealing this matter and the subsequent impact, rationally weighing the pros and cons.
Before he could think clearly, King Joffrey, who had sobered from his anger, suddenly shouted, "Earl Green is right! Lord Arryn tried to assassinate me, so I killed him!"
He raised his bandaged hand: "I was injured! He ambushed me!"
Joffrey's acting was clumsy, but Lord Greene still cooperated with him, making a gesture and saying, "Protect the King."
"…" Two veins bulged on Lord Tywin's forehead.
Ser Kevan approached his brother and whispered, "Lord Tywin, there are too many eyes and ears today."
Lord Tywin imperceptibly nodded his chin; his gaze shifted slightly, he glanced at his grandson who had hidden behind Earl Green, then turned and left directly.
When Lord Tywin and Ser Kevan's figures disappeared, Maester Pycelle, who usually walked with a tremor, unusually agilely scurried to King Joffrey's front.
He said sadly, "Your Majesty, are you alright? Please let me examine you…"
"Get lost." King Joffrey disgustedly shook off the Old Scholar's wrinkled hand.
Maester Pycelle trembled in fright: "Yes, yes, alright, I will treat you later."
Lord Greene rubbed his head and sighed, "King Joffrey, perhaps you really need a few days to recover from your injury; I see your grandfather is still angry."
At the mention of Lord Tywin, a flicker of fear crossed Joffrey's face, but he still feigned fearlessness and snorted coldly.
After a pause, Lord Greene slowly continued, "For the matters that follow… perhaps it would be better for Queen Mother Cersei to discuss them personally with Lord Tywin. This way, you and Lord Tywin won't have to bother meeting again for this matter."
Hearing this, King Joffrey's green eyes moved, and he said, "Good, very good. Leave such small matters to Mother; I am very busy."
Lord Greene nodded slightly and said, "Yes, you are busy with affairs, and you also need to recover from your injury, King Joffrey."
Thinking that someone would "deal with" the Old Lion for him, King Joffrey's mood immediately became pleasant.
"Earl Green, I see your loyalty, and I will reward you."
Saying this, King Joffrey frowned in thought for a moment, then asked, "Is there anything you want? I will grant you anything."
Lord Greene thought for a moment and said, "If possible… please allow me to send 'Lord Arryn' back to the Vale, King Joffrey."
Hearing Lord Greene's request, King Joffrey's expression immediately changed, and he said unhappily, "No, he is my prisoner; I will still impale his head here for all to see the fate of traitors."
Grand Maester Pycelle glanced at King Joffrey and said, "Your Majesty, I think… he can no longer see clearly…"
King Joffrey angrily interrupted, "Then sew him up. You, you will sew him up with your own hands."
Lord Greene did not insist on his request: "King Joffrey, your generosity is known throughout the Seven Kingdoms, but… I truly cannot think of anything I want at the moment, which is quite vexing."
After listening, King Joffrey chuckled, "It's alright, you can take your time to think, and come find me when you've decided, Earl Green."
...Maegors Holdfast, Queen Mother's Small Council Chamber.
Cersei Lannister's mood at this moment was as joyous as the summer sun. She gracefully walked towards the window, as if drawn by an invisible delight, her magnificent skirt swirling as she turned.
Sunlight streamed through the stained glass onto Queen Mother Cersei, adding a beautiful hue to her; her beautiful eyes sparkled with undisguised excitement and anticipation.
Ser Jaime, standing by, watched Cersei, who was like a young girl; he actually… felt a little unwell.
Queen Mother Cersei stood by the window, sipped some summer red, and looked at the beautiful scenery outside, saying, "Greene Crabb… he is a fearless Knight…"
Ser Jaime walked over, sighing, "Cersei, your praise makes me a little jealous."
Queen Mother Cersei held her wine glass, curled her lips, and said, "For me, Lord Greene challenged the Old Lion, and what makes me happiest is… he won the victory."
Ser Jaime said helplessly, "Father must love your assessment."
Queen Mother Cersei glanced at Jaime, saying, "If you would defy the Old Lion for me, I would be even more pleased, and I would also like your fearlessness in bed even more."
Ser Jaime shrugged: "Cersei, I don't want to conflict with Father, but I can get rid of the marriage partner he arranged for you."
Queen Mother Cersei's voice was slightly mocking: "Jaime, if I were you, I would challenge the Old Lion without hesitation, for you."
Ser Jaime suddenly remembered Tyrion's words: "Cersei, Lannister is a family that loves each other."
Being glanced at by Cersei, Ser Jaime couldn't help but laugh: "Of course, how exactly, still needs to be confirmed."
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