The Red Keep, the king's bedchamber.
Morning sunlight streamed through the tall arched windows, bathing the bedchamber in dazzling gold and red.
The air smelled of expensive incense and new fabric.
Joffrey Baratheon, the newly crowned ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, spread his arms as two handmaidens dressed him in ceremonial robes worked with gold thread and embroidered with the crowned stag of Baratheon and the roaring lion of Lannister.
A trace of impatience showed on his face, and his toes tapped lightly against the lavish carpet without his noticing.
The heavy oak door swung open, and Queen Mother Cersei Lannister walked in. Beneath her gauzy veil, a fresh rose-red scar was faintly visible, lending a touch of viciousness to her cold beauty.
She waved the handmaidens away, leaving mother and son alone in the bedchamber.
Cersei straightened the hem of his robes and said evenly, "Joffrey, Eddard Stark goes on trial today. You must remember your grandfather Lord Tywin's orders."
Joffrey adjusted the golden lion pin at his collar in the full-length mirror and gave an absentminded grunt of acknowledgment.
Cersei stepped closer and lowered her voice. "Listen, my child. Eddard Stark cannot die. Not yet, at least. Your grandfather needs him alive."
In the mirror, Joffrey's eyebrow rose, revealing a trace of confusion and irritation. "Why? He killed Father! He deserves to die!"
"Of course he deserves to die!"
Venom flashed in Cersei's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure. "But killing him now does us no good. Your uncle Jaime is still in the hands of that wolf pup Robb Stark. We need to exchange Eddard for Jaime, do you understand? He is our only bargaining chip to get Jaime back!"
Joffrey curled his lip, plainly unwilling. "Why not use his daughter? Sansa is still in the