The air in the courtyard seemed to freeze.
The crossbow gleamed coldly in the sunlight.
Its lethal bolt was aimed squarely at Tywin Lannister's heart.
Joffrey's twisted face was filled with sick excitement.
He felt he had never held such power over life and death.
Behind him, the Gold Cloaks tightened their grips on their spears, their points leveled at the Lannister guards in crimson cloaks.
The Lannister guards formed an impenetrable shield wall, sheltering Tywin behind them.
Their swords were drawn as they faced off against the Gold Cloaks.
Both sides stared fixedly at each other, muscles taut.
It seemed that a single command would send blood spilling across the courtyard.
Yet no one dared move first.
Because the man at the point of that crossbow bolt was Tywin Lannister.
Warden of the West, Lord of Casterly Rock, Hand of the King.
Tywin's face looked carved from stone, betraying not a trace of emotion.
He simply gazed calmly at his deranged grandson.
His pale green eyes were pools of unfathomable cold.
Hearing Tywin threaten him, Joffrey showed no fear. Instead, his laughter grew even more unhinged.
"The Mad King didn't dare, but I do!"
"Because I'm the true king! What was Aerys worth?"
"You old bastard! Today, I'll show you who the real master of the Red Keep is!"
Joffrey's finger was already resting on the crossbow's trigger.
Just as the standoff reached the brink of bloodshed,
a soft female voice suddenly rang out from behind the crowd.
"Your Grace, of course you are the Red Keep's sole master."
Everyone turned toward the voice.
Liana emerged slowly from a side entrance to the courtyard, wearing a simple, elegant blue gown.
Without looking at anyone, she walked straight between the two opposing lines of soldiers and approached Joffrey.
Then she