The Kingdom's Future 2

Stannis ground out through clenched teeth, "Mace Tyrell."

Tyrion pursed his lips. Lord Mace had forced Stannis to eat rat meat... Heh heh...

He hurriedly shoved aside the thought that had nearly gone astray and said, "Your Grace, the Lannisters and the Tyrells are allies known throughout the Seven Kingdoms, but..."

He lowered his voice slightly. "...I believe the Tyrells' true ally is Crabb. When I served as Acting Hand of the King, and later as Master of Coin, their private dealings were very close."

Stannis's blue eyes shifted slightly, and his gaze upon Tyrion was appraising. "If the Tyrells and Crabb reached some kind of private alliance, their actions could not have escaped Lord Tywin's eyes."

"Yes, Tywin Lannister noticed the irregularities long ago."

Tyrion shrugged his small shoulders, mimed a stabbing motion, and continued, "I imagine he never dreamed he would be murdered by his own grandson."

Stannis pressed his lips tightly together. After a pause, he coldly reminded him, "Joffrey is a bastard, as are Tommen and Myrcella. None of them are Robert's seed."

In the dim hall, the hearth crackled, scattering sparks that traced brief, brilliant arcs through the air.

After a short silence, Tyrion displayed a somewhat ingratiating smile. "Of course. That is a fact no one can change, my king."

Stannis snorted coldly. "As lords of the realm, they once ignored Cersei Lannister's crimes. Once the Faith's trial..."

As he spoke, his teeth suddenly ground together again. "By law, the Faith has no authority to judge that incestuous woman. That is the king's authority. As the lawful king of the Seven Kingdoms, I should stop this unlawful trial by the Faith, an act tantamount to rebellion."

Hearing Stannis's utterly emotionless words, Tyrion's pupils involuntarily contracted.

Then Stannis clenched his fist. "Maegor the First established