Melisandre stood before the flames.
The flickering light was reflected in her red eyes, and her entire body was bathed in an ominous, holy glow.
Stannis stood behind her, like a silent stone statue.
His gaze was fixed dead center on the flames, trying to discern the enemy who had framed him.
The color of the flames shifted.
From orange-red to scarlet, and then to an eerie, sickly green.
Blurry images flashed and intertwined within the fire.
He saw the towering The Red Keep of King's Landing, and he saw the iron throne belonging to House Baratheon.
Then, he saw a figure.
The figure was enveloped in a soft halo, their face indistinct.
But he could feel that the person was young and full of vitality.
Countless rose petals scattered around the figure, creating a grand shower of flowers.
The people of King's Landing were cheering.
They shouted a name, but the sound was indistinct amidst the crackling of the flames.
Following this, a crown woven from golden roses slowly descended onto the figure's head.
He turned, and before him was no longer the iron throne that Stannis was familiar with, but an oddly shaped seat, upon which he sat.
"It is he..."
Melisandre's voice rang out, carrying a dreamy intoxication and the certainty of one who saw all.
Stannis's heart suddenly constricted.
Roses?
The sigil of House Tyrell?
And that strange throne?
He had never seen such a bizarre chair.
Could it be the one who was heavily supported by House Tyrell, beloved by the people, young and full of vitality... "Renly..."
"It's actually him!"
Stannis ground the name out through clenched teeth.
It was Renly!
His younger brother!
The brother who had followed him since childhood, the one he had believed would never betray him!
"No... this is impossible!"
Stannis's voice held a trace of disbelief.
"Renly... why would he do this?"
"Because of the throne, my King."
Melisandre turned around, her red eyes reflecting the firelight as if they burned with two twin flames of hellfire.
She had initially chosen to follow Stannis Baratheon mainly because she firmly believed Stannis was the reincarnation of Azor Ahai, as prophesied by lord of light.
He was the legendary hero from eight thousand years ago who defeated the Others with the divine sword Lightbringer.
Melisandre believed that Renly was an obstacle on Stannis's path to kingship, and she had clearly subjectively assumed this matter involved Renly.
She spoke, echoing Stannis's thoughts.
"The iron throne is the deadliest poison in the world; it can turn father against son, and brother against brother."
"Your brother is young, handsome, and well-loved."
"He possesses everything you do not, and moreover, he also has a legitimate claim to the iron throne."
Melisandre's words precisely sliced open the darkest corner of Stannis's heart, exposing all his jealousy and resentment to the air.
Yes.
Renly.
What does he have?
Nothing but a jester who gains favor through smooth talk!
Nothing but a hypocrite who prefers men, securing Highgarden's support by bedding Loras!
Why?
Why was Storms End given to him, while only this barren Dragonstone was left for myself?
Why does he receive everyone's affection, while I only receive dread and distance?
Now, he even intends to use the foulest means to steal the kingship that rightfully belongs to me!
First, he poisoned Robert, and then framed me!
He would even strike against Joffrey and Tommen!
In this way, he would be the only heir left of House Baratheon!
What a brilliant move to kill two birds with one stone!
What a ruthless and cruel brother!
"lord of light has seen his ambition."
Melisandre's voice was filled with sacred allure.
"He uses a false smile to deceive the world. His light is a false light, a counterfeit used to steal your divine destiny."
"He is the servant of darkness, the vanguard of the Long Night."
"My King, you must make a decision."
"For lord of light, and for this world, you must personally eliminate this false king!"
Stannis closed his eyes.
The image from the flames remained indelible in his mind.
The crown woven of golden roses, the people's frantic cheers... Anger, betrayal, jealousy... All these emotions finally converged into a chilling intent to kill.
When he opened his eyes again, there was no trace of hesitation or struggle left within them.
"The law is absolute."
His voice was as hard as the rocks of Dragonstone.
"Renly Baratheon has committed regicide and treason."
"He is no longer my brother."
"He is an enemy of the realm."
"He must pay the price for this."
... King's Landing, the The Red Keep.
Prince Joffrey sat by the window of his chambers, staring outside irritably.
His father, who was always drunk, ignored him, and even hit him in front of outsiders, was dying.
He was about to become the King of the Seven Kingdoms; he would possess supreme power.
Yet his heart was filled with fear and unease.
He was afraid.
He feared his Uncle Stannis, who had been stripped of everything but remained stubborn as a mad bull.
He feared even more his Uncle Renly, who had suddenly left King's Landing and commanded countless supporters in the South.
He felt like a lamb thrown into a pack of wolves.
Just then, there was a soft knock on the chamber door.
"Get out!"
Joffrey roared impatiently.
The sound outside the door ceased.
But a few seconds later, the door was gently pushed open anyway.
"It is I, Your Grace."
A voice so soft it could melt butter sounded.
Joffrey turned and saw Liana.
She wore a simple white gown, her long golden hair was loosely pinned back, and her delicate face showed a trace of appropriate worry and concern.
She was like a lily blooming in the mud, pure and untouched by a speck of dust.
Seeing her, the irritation and fear in Joffrey's heart miraculously subsided significantly.
"Didn't I tell you all not to disturb me?"
Although Joffrey's tone was still stern, the earlier violence was gone.
"I was just... worried about you."
Liana walked over to him.
Her clear blue eyes were full of sincerity.
"You will be King soon, and the weight of the entire realm rests on your shoulders. You must be very tired."
No one had ever spoken to him like this.
His mother only taught him how to maintain a prince's dignity.
His father only roared at him.
As for everyone else, their eyes held only awe and flattery when they looked at him.
Only Liana.
Only she treated him like a person of flesh and blood, not merely a symbol of a king.
"Your Grace, Lord Lynn came looking for you just now."
Liana consciously changed her address, keeping her voice very low, as if sharing a huge secret.
"He seemed very anxious, but you were not here."
"Lynn?"
Joffrey paused.
"What did he want with me? Speak quickly!"
"He asked me to relay a message to you."
Liana's eyes sparkled with a hint of adoration and excitement.
"He said that you are the true stag of House Baratheon, the only King capable of restoring the family's glory."
Joffrey's chest involuntarily puffed out.
"He also said that he will be your most loyal sword, clearing away all obstacles for you."
"Obstacles?"
Joffrey keenly seized upon the word.
"Yes."
Liana nodded, her expression becoming serious.
She leaned close to Joffrey's ear, her warm breath tickling him.
"Lord Lynn said that King Robert's death was not an accident."
Joffrey's pupils suddenly contracted.
"He asked me to remind you to be careful of your two uncles."
"Lord Stannis is rigid and stubborn; he believes he is the first in line to the throne."
"And Lord Renly..."
"He has the strong support of Highgarden and the Stormlands, and... and he has already left King's Landing."
"If he had nothing to hide..."
Liana did not finish her sentence, but the unspoken words were more damaging than any direct accusation.
Joffrey's mind went blank with a 'buzz.'
A terrifying thought began to breed wildly in his heart.
Stannis... Renly... "Lord Lynn said that letter was truly clumsy."
Liana's face showed a trace of disdain, as if mocking the foolishness of the person operating in the shadows.
"Did that person truly think that by using this method, they could clear their own suspicion and shift the blame onto others?"
"But he forgot who the biggest beneficiary truly is."
"If you and Lord Stannis fight until you are both severely weakened, who will reap the spoils?"
"It's Renly!"
Joffrey practically blurted it out.
He felt as though he had figured everything out instantly!
This was a chain of schemes!
Renly used slow poison to kill his father, then fabricated evidence, attempting to frame Stannis.
As soon as his father died, he would immediately mobilize his army!
He would wait for me and Stannis to fight a bloody war, and then, under the guise of "avenging his brother," he would return to King's Landing with a great army and legitimately claim the throne!
What a vicious plot!
Both of them are traitors!
Both are kingslayers!
"Your Grace, you are truly wise!"
Liana looked at Joffrey, her eyes twinkling like stars.
That undisguised admiration greatly satisfied Joffrey's vanity.
He felt he was no longer the boy who needed to hide behind his mother.
He was a King who had seen through all the conspiracies!
"Those two damned uncles of mine..."
A ferocity and ruthlessness unsuitable for his age appeared on Joffrey's face.
"They both want to steal my throne! They both deserve to die!"
"I will have their heads chopped off! And hang them on the city walls!"
"Lynn... Lynn was right!"
Joffrey grabbed Liana's hand, gripping it so hard that she winced slightly.
"He is the one truly loyal to me!"
"He is a friend of the realm!"
"Your Grace, what do you intend to do?"
Liana asked softly.
Her eyes were full of trust and dependence on a strong figure.
Joffrey suddenly stood up, and an aura of kingly authority emanated from him for the first time.
"I will let everyone know that I, Joffrey Baratheon, am the only King of the Seven Kingdoms!"
"Anyone who dares challenge my authority shall meet destruction!"
Watching the young king, who had been completely manipulated by a few of her words, a strange smile flashed in the depths of Liana's eyes.
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