Alliance of Offense and Defense

In the grand and magnificent Petition Hall, the already noisy crowd erupted in an even greater wave of clamor.

Lord Regent Gryn looked somewhat weary. He slowly leaned back against the finely crafted chair, tilting his head slightly as he gazed straight at the three-headed dragon carved into the vaulted ceiling.

Princess Arianne's gaze flitted through the clamorous crowd like lively flames before suddenly settling on Gryn.

Seeing his current appearance, Princess Arianne could not help the faint smile that touched the corners of her lips.

Gryn merely gave a light wave of his hand at the testimony hurriedly brought over by a Crabb guard. Seeing this, Lord Hand Mace reached out to take it and lowered his head to read.

Princess Arianne's deliberately lowered, husky voice reached Gryn's ears. "Perhaps this is a good thing for you..."

Gryn's brown eyes trembled faintly. He turned his head and met Princess Arianne's deep black eyes for a moment.

In that brief exchange, countless thoughts seemed to weave between their gazes.

Then Gryn calmly looked away. He gave no obvious response to Princess Arianne's madness-tinged "temptation," his expression remaining cold.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Gryn turned toward Lord Hand Mace, who was clutching the testimony, and asked, "Well?"

Mace Tyrell did not speak. He handed over the stack of parchments he had crumpled in his grip.

Gryn accepted them and read through them page by page, his brow gradually furrowing... The details were clear enough, the account coherent enough, and it was utterly convincing.

"Silence! Silence! Silence!"

Once the hall had quieted somewhat, Gryn spoke. "Grand Maester, where are those who provided these testimonies?"

Pycelle slowly straightened his formerly bent back. Solemnity showed on his aged face. "If you announce a public interrogation, I guarantee they will appear in due time, Your Highness