"Ser Lynn!"
Joffrey rose the moment he saw Lynn.
He wore a smile.
By now, he both respected and feared Lynn.
Lynn had not only shown him what a true "king's life" was like.
He had also brought down Petyr Baelish during that upheaval without ever showing his hand.
In Joffrey's eyes, Lynn could do anything.
"You seem to be in a good mood today, Your Highness."
Lynn smiled and nodded, his gaze drifting almost imperceptibly toward Liana beside him.
Liana understood at once. She gave Lynn a barely perceptible curtsy, then obediently stepped aside.
"Of course!"
Joffrey puffed out his chest proudly.
"My guard, the Hound, killed the Mountain!"
"Now all of King's Landing is singing my praises!"
"Oh? Is that so?"
An inscrutable smile curled Lynn's lips.
"Then you must reward your brave warrior well, Your Highness."
"Naturally!"
Joffrey waved a hand grandly.
"I've already decided. Once he's healed, I'll make him Lord Commander of the Kingsguard!"
The image of Jaime Lannister suddenly flashed through Joffrey's mind, and he hastily corrected himself.
"No! I'll have my father make him an honorary knight!"
Joffrey was already imagining himself swaggering before Sansa Stark with a "knight" guard who had killed the Mountain.
"I'm afraid... this beautiful Lady Liana might not agree."
Lynn changed tack, looking at Liana beside them.
Liana froze for a moment, then immediately understood what Lynn meant.
Joffrey followed Lynn's gaze toward Liana.
A trace of confusion crossed his face.
"Liana, what's wrong?"
The color was slowly draining from Liana's face.
A hint of terror surfaced in her beautiful blue eyes.
Her body began to tremble, and she instinctively edged behind Joffrey.
"I... I..."
Liana stammered, her voice thick with tears.
"Y-Your Highness..."
"That Hound... he... his face..."
As though she had remembered something utterly terrifying, tears