Tywin Lannister did not sit down.
Rain dripped along the edge of his crimson cloak and accumulated into a small dark stain on the floor. His green eyes scanned everyone at the long table.
Mace·Tyrell subconsciously shrank back, his fat fingers gripping the edge of the armchair.
Grand Maester Pycelle's coughing stopped suddenly. He covered his mouth with a handkerchief and lowered his eyes, as if he suddenly became interested in the ink bottle on the table.
Oberyn Martell still had his legs crossed, but his right hand had been withdrawn from his lower back and placed casually on his knees. There was still a faint smile on the corner of his mouth, but there was no smile in his black eyes.
The moment he saw his grandfather arriving, the eight-year-old king's face turned pale and his lips were slightly open, but he could not make a sound. He looked at his mother and then at his grandfather, his blue eyes filled with confusion and fear.
Cersei is the only one still standing.
She straightened her back and raised her chin slightly, but her slightly trembling body and the white knuckles on her fingers holding the wine glass showed that she was not as calm as she seemed when facing her father.
Fear crawled up from the base of Cersei's spine like a cold snake.
She was familiar with this feeling, growing up, this fear would appear whenever she made a mistake, whenever she tried to challenge her father's authority, whenever she did something he considered "stupid."
But this time it's different.
These days, every night, that damn prophecy of Maggy the Frog always appears in my dreams.
The scene of Joffrey dying in her arms replayed before her eyes every day. The green eyes that were exactly like hers slowly lost their luster, the handsome face twisted into a look of pain, and the lips that had spit out countless vicious words overflowed with foam and blood.
Her little Lion, her eldest son, her future king.
dead.
Was poisoned to death.
And what about the murderer?
That Tyrion, the monster who killed her mother, the brother she had wanted to strangle to death since she was a child...
He is still alive.
Not only was he alive, he was also released!
Why?
Originally, all the evidence pointed to Tyrion, but that Tyrion is now walking around King's Landing arrogantly, "reporting" to the Capital Guard every day, as if nothing happened!
And her father...
Her wonderful father, the great Tywin Lannister.
What is he doing?
He was busy making deals with that damn Farmer, busy appeasing the maggots in Flea Bottom, and dealing with the endless troubles of the Seven Kingdoms. He even started educating the new king on how to rule in front of her and Joffrey's corpse on the day Joffrey died!
As the father, Joffrey's grandfather, Tywin Lannister never... never really did anything about her son's death!
I never really thought about revenge for her!
And James!
When she thought of Jaime, Cersei felt itchy with hatred.
A few days ago, that guy left like this, leaving only a letter saying that he was going to the Wall and that he wanted to learn to fight with his left hand again. It was all a fucking excuse!
He was just running away, running away from Joffrey's death, running away from Tyrion's trial, running away from her!
He left her alone in this red castle full of enemies, facing her indifferent father, the surviving Tyrion monster, and the nobles who were ready to make a move...
He didn't even say goodbye to her.
No.
He just walked away, abandoning her like a worn-out piece of clothing.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and Cersei's breathing began to become rapid.
She could feel her cheeks burning, blood rushing in her eardrums, and the familiar, almost hysterical anger was gradually breaking through her reason.
"Father!"
Seeing that everyone remained silent, Cersei suddenly screamed. The voice was higher and sharper than she expected.
"We are discussing a very important issue related to the Seven Kingdoms justice!"
Hearing this, Tywin did not speak, but just looked at her, his eyes cold and dark, unable to reflect any light.
"Prince Oberyn made a reasonable request."
However, Cersei didn't seem to see the warning in her father's eyes, and continued to be hysterical, her voice getting louder and louder. "His sister, Princess I Lia·Martell, and her two children were murdered when King's Landing fell."
"This is not a wartime misfortune, this is murder, naked and cruel murder!"
With that said, Cersei took a small step forward, almost face to face with Tywin.
"If even the murder of a member of the royal family can be forgotten and covered up, then what law is there for this the Seven Kingdoms? What justice is there?"
"What will Tommen rule in the future? A semblance of peace maintained by lies and blood?"
The voice of Queen Mother echoed in Council Chamber, with an almost crazy obsession.
Mace·Tyrell closed his eyes, as if he couldn't bear to look directly.
Grand Maester Pycelle began to cough again, this time for real, because he was choking on his own saliva.
Oberyn looked at the father and daughter with interest, tapping his fingers lightly on his knees.
Tommen stared at his mother with wide eyes.
He had never seen his mother like this before, her cheeks were red, her eyes were bright, and her voice was so sharp that it seemed to pierce her eardrums.
This was not like the mother he knew, the Queen Mother who was always elegant, calm and in control of everything.
Instead, she looks like a... shrew.
After a moment of silence, Tywin finally smiled contemptuously, "Justice."
He repeated the word, his voice as calm as if he were discussing the weather.
"So, Cersei, tell me, what kind of justice do you want?"
Cersei was stunned. "I...
,"You want to re-investigate the case from seventeen years ago."
Tywin didn't give her time to think, and continued to sarcastically say in that cold tone, "You want to establish Regency Council, just a month after your son, the former king, was murdered."
He paused and took a step forward.
This step was very light, but it made Cersei retreat subconsciously.
"Joffrey's case has not yet been resolved, the Seven Kingdoms's finances are on the verge of collapse, the North's situation is uncertain, Stannis's whereabouts are unknown, and the Targaryens across the Narrow Sea are growing...
"And you, as Queen Mother, as the king's mother, at the royal council, without the presence of the Prime Minister, supported a Dornish prince to clear up the old scores seventeen years ago and establish the so-called Regency Council."
He paused again.
This time, his eyes scanned everyone at the long table.
Mace·Tyrell lowered his head and avoided that gaze.
Pycelle pretended to clean his glasses.
Oberyn was still smiling, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Cersei's face turned completely pale.
She wanted to speak and refute, but her throat seemed to be blocked by something and she couldn't make a sound.
"You don't care about justice." Tywin answered for her, "All you care about is revenge."
"I care!" Cersei screamed, completely losing control of her emotions. "Of course I care!"
"I lost my son and I understand the pain of losing a loved one! I...
"You don't understand."
Tywin interrupted her, his voice still calm, but it was like a slap on Cersei's face.
"What you understand is Cersei Lannister's pain of losing her son. What you understand is your own anger, your own unwillingness, and your own fear."
"You never really understood what this the Seven Kingdoms needs, what this family needs, or even your youngest son, the King Your Majesty sitting there, what he needs."
As he spoke, he pointed to Tommen.
The boy was so frightened that he almost fell off his chair.
"Look at him." Tywin didn't pay attention and just continued, "He was brought here by you to listen to your quarrels and watch you play power games."
"He is the king, Cersei. Although he is only eight years old, what he needs is to learn how to rule this country, instead of watching his mother teach him how to settle old scores and how to play with power to undermine his prime minister... and his grandfather."
Hearing this, Cersei opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
Her face turned purple and tears began to accumulate in her eyes. They were tears of anger to a certain extent, extreme humiliation mixed with crazy tears.
"As for the justice you mentioned".
Not paying attention to his daughter's thoughts, Tywin just continued to turn to Oberyn.
The Prince of Dorne met his gaze, his smile unchanged.
"Prince Oberyn, I admire your relationship with Princess Yi Lia, but I must remind you that seventeen years have passed.
"Most of the witnesses from that year are gone, the scene has been cleared, and the only possible suspect, Gregor Clegane Ser, is now lying in the ward of the Red Keep, with his tongue cut out and unconscious."
He paused, and there was a hint of unquestionable authority in his voice.
"You have no evidence, no witnesses, no written records, no physical evidence. All you have is the stories spread in Dorne and a heart for revenge."
After saying that, Tywin looked at Cersei again, and also at Mace and Pycelle.
"And you, members of the Royal Council, at this time, support such a baseless trial that will only destroy the stability of the Seven Kingdoms"?
His self-light finally fell on Metz, and his eyes revealed an aura belonging to Old Lion with an infinite sense of oppression.
The Duke of Highgarden swallowed, beads of sweat forming on his fat face.
"What do you think, Duke of Metz?"
Hearing this, Mace Tyrell took a deep breath.
He knew it was time to take sides.
"Your Majesty, the Prime Minister is right."
Mace spoke, his voice a little hoarse, but very firm. "Now is not the time to settle old scores. The Seven Kingdoms is facing too many crises. We should focus on more important things, stabilizing the finances, monitoring Stannis, and dealing with threats across the Narrow Sea."
He paused, glanced at Cersei, and quickly looked away.
"As for Regency Council... King Your Majesty is assisted by the Royal Council and guided by the Prime Minister. I think there is no need to establish it at all."
After speaking, he lowered his head, not daring to look at anyone else.
At this time, Grand Maester Pycelle also responded in a timely manner, "The historical records of the city show that the Seven Kingdoms needs centralized power in times of crisis, not decentralization."
"Regency Council tends to lead to... well, inefficiency, and power struggles."
The more he spoke, the lower his voice became, and finally he almost turned into a rotten old man mumbling to himself.
Council Chamber fell into a dead silence.
Cersei stood there, her face still red, but the madness in her eyes had faded, replaced by an almost empty despair.
She lost.
Total loss.
In just a few words, her father broke through all her disguises and exposed her ugliest and most selfish thoughts in front of everyone.
Mace betrayed her.
That old fox Pycelle has never been on her side.
And Oberyn...
She looked at the Prince of Dorne.
Oberyn remained in that position, smiling and saying nothing.
It was as if all this had nothing to do with him.
Damn it, weren't you the one who brought this up today? You should say something, Red Viper!
Seeing no reaction from everyone present, Tywin slowly walked to the head seat of the long table, next to King Tommen, but did not sit down.
He put his hands on the table, leaned forward, and scanned the entire scene.
"Well, if no one has any objections... I think this farce should be over."
But just then...
"I have."
A voice sounded.
Not Cersei.
Not Mace.
Not Pycelle.
Not even Oberyn Martell.
Everyone looked towards the direction where the sound came from, the door...
Council Chamber's door was pushed open again.
A familiar figure was still wearing the simple dark clothes, with Longsword hanging around his waist. His face had no expression. The rain had wet his hair and shoulders, but he walked as calmly as if he was walking in his backyard.
But the appearance of this person made Tywin clenched his fists.
Vito·Corleone.
Why is it always you!
"Lord Tywin is right."
Corleone said as he walked, "Seventeen years have passed, and most of the witnesses are gone. Gregor Clegane Ser can't speak now."
"But luckily... we found him."
As he spoke, Corleone stepped aside slightly, revealing a man behind him.
He was wearing dirty and tattered clothes, and his exposed skin was covered with old and new scars, whip marks, burn marks, and cut marks. Some were knotted, and some were still bleeding.
His hair was stuck into strands with dirt, and his face was so dirty that his facial features could not be seen clearly. Only in his eyes, there was still an almost crazy fear.
He walked strangely, with one leg trailing behind him, as if he was injured.
Corleone held his arm with one hand, as if to make sure he wouldn't fall or run away.
However, when this man appeared at the door, Tywin Lannister's pupils shrank almost imperceptibly.
He recognized this person.
Even though the other person was completely unrecognizable, even though his outfit and condition were completely different from the image in his memory.
But he recognized it.
Amory·Lochy!
Seventeen years ago, Tywin ordered him and the Mountain to lead a group of Lannister soldiers to "clean out" the Red Keep after the fall of King's Landing to ensure that the Targaryen family would not leave any bloodline that might threaten Robert's throne.
And they executed it... very thoroughly.
So thorough.
Tywin still remembered the description from the Magic Mountain himself: Princess Y Lia·Martell was raped and strangled to death, Princess Rhaenys was dragged out from under the bed and stabbed dozens of times, Prince Aegon was grabbed by the ankle and her head was smashed against the wall...
Once cleaning goes beyond "necessary".
That became an atrocity.
And Amory·Lochy was the one who dragged Princess Rhaenys out from under the bed. The one who stabbed the girl dozens of times.
Afterwards, Tywin asked him why he stabbed the little girl dozens of times, but Lochy said it was because she kept screaming and refused to shut up. Tywin said bluntly, saying that if Lochy had God's Gift's IQ, he should have coaxed the child and then used a soft silk pillow to attack her.
That's more respectable.
Later, during the War of the Five Kings, Tywin sent him to the Riverlands and asked him to "collect food" with Gregor Clegane, and even entrusted him to manage Harrenhal on his behalf after he left Harrenhal.
However, it wasn't until Roose Bolton convinced Vargo Hutt to betray him that Harrenhal fell.
Since then, Amorley Lochy has disappeared.
Tywin thought he was dead.
Killed by Bolton, or dealt with by the warrior group.
But now...
Here he is.
He was brought to Maegor's Tower by Corleone, brought to the royal council, and brought before Oberyn Martell.
Tywin's eyes moved away from Lochy and fell on Corleone's face.
That Farmer Knight is also looking at him.
Their eyes met in the air.
That sense of calm control, as if everything was within his expectations and calculations.
Tywin Lannister's heart felt a chill for the first time.
He couldn't help but wonder, how did Corleone find Lochy?
Lochy should be imprisoned by Bolton, or on the run. Even he himself sent many people to search for him, but found nothing.
Corleone How could it be possible to find him in such a short period of time and bring him to King's Landing?
Could it be that Corleone's human network is wider and deeper than he imagined.
Or maybe this guy has been monitoring the layout a long time ago and planned today's scene from the beginning.
It's terrible.
Such an opponent.
"Prince Oberyn said he still lacks a witness."
Corleone looked away and continued to speak.
He pushed Lochy, and the bruised man staggered forward a few steps, almost falling.
"I think this knight might be able to provide some useful information."
Hearing this, Oberyn stood up.
He didn't look at Corleone, nor at Tywin, his eyes were fixed on Lochy.
There was fire in those eyes, and the hatred, pain, and anger accumulated over the past seventeen years were all burning up at this moment, almost turning into substance.
"Armory·Lochy Ser."
Oberyn spoke, each word seeming to be squeezed out from between his teeth. "Do you know me?"
Lochy raised his head, his dirty face, his eyes full of fear, his gaze stayed on Oberyn's face for a second, and then quickly moved away, as if he had been burned.
Then, he saw Tywin, and his eyes lit up, as if he had seen a savior, but then the light went out again.
Because he saw the expression on Tywin's face.
Cold.
indifferent.
It's like looking at an insignificant object.
"Speak." Corleone said softly behind Lochy.
The sound was not loud, but Lochy's body trembled obviously, as if it was not a word, but a knife pressed against his vest.
"I... I..."
"I know you, Prince Oberyn."
"Very good." Oberyn walked around the table and walked towards Lochy step by step. "Then, you should also know why I am looking for you."
Lochy started to tremble.
His leg injury made him unsteady and swaying, but he relied on Corleone's support to keep him from falling.
"Seventeen years ago."
Oberyn stopped in front of Lochy and asked one word at a time, "King's Landing fell and the Red Keep was occupied by the Lannister army. My sister, Princess Y Lia·Martell, and her two children, Princess Rhaenys and Prince Aegon, died that day."
He paused and his voice suddenly rose in pitch.
"How did you die, Lochy Ser?"
Lochy's lips trembled.
His eyes glanced at Tywin again, as if asking for help.
But Tywin didn't respond.
He just stood there with his hands behind his back and no expression on his face, as if everything happening in front of him had nothing to do with him.
"I... I don't know..." Lochy murmured.
"I don't know?" Oberyn smiled, that smile was cold and piercing, "Then tell me, where were you that day? Were you in the Red Keep?"
".. in."
"What are you doing?"
.. Execute the command."
"What order?"
Lochy was silent.
His body trembled even more violently, and sweat oozed from his forehead, mixed with dirt.
Corleone whispered something behind him again.
No one could hear the content clearly this time, but Lochy's reaction was even more violent. He raised his head suddenly, his eyes filled with pure fear, as if he remembered something extremely terrifying.
"Clean..." he murmured, "Clean the Red Keep... make sure... make sure the Targaryens leave no legacy behind!"
"Whose order?" Oberyn asked, his tone becoming urgent.
Hearing this, Lochy looked at Tywin again.
This time, his gaze stayed for a few seconds.
Tywin met that gaze. There was no emotion in his green eyes, only a bottomless coldness.
Lochy swallowed.
"Yes... yes...
He stammered and couldn't speak for a long time.
Oberyn waited for a few seconds, then smiled, "Don't you dare say that."
"Don't you dare say that person's name in front of him!"
Lochy lowered his head and huddled up, like a frightened beast.
Council Chamber fell into silence again.
The sound of rain came from the window, pattering, like a countdown.
Tommen looked at all this, holding Seven-Pointed Star pendant tightly in his little hands, and moving his lips silently.
Cersei had already sat down. She slumped in the chair, her face was pale, and her eyes were staring blankly ahead, as if her soul had been sucked out.
Mace and Pycelle lowered their heads, not daring to look at anyone.
Tywin still stood there, with his back straight, like an unshakable statue.
Knowing that nothing more could be asked from this guy's mouth, Oberyn turned around and looked at Tywin.
"You heard me, Lord Tywin."
Tywin said nothing.
His light moved away from Oberyn's face and fell on Corleone.
Their eyes met again.
This time, the corners of Corleone's mouth raised slightly.
An almost invisible smile made Tywin's heart completely sink.
"But...
Almost at the same moment, Oberyn suddenly changed the subject.
"Lochy Ser is just the executor after all. He may not remember the details."
He paused and looked across the room.
"So, I think we need another witness, a more direct, more important witness."
As he spoke, Oberyn turned to Tywin, his lips colliding up and down as he spoke a name.
"Gregor Clegane the Mountain!"