Red Fort.
This majestic building stands atop Aegon's Hill, overlooking the entire King's Landing.
Accompanied by James, Corleone walked in the deep corridor, admiring the magnificent decorations on both sides with great interest.
The air is filled with the unique smell of ancient stone mixed with light incense, just like the smell of power.
"How does it feel?"
Seeing Corleone looking around, James beside him couldn't help but tease, "From the muddy cesspit in the riverlands to the most luxurious castle in the seven the Seven Kingdoms, isn't the span a bit big?"
Hearing this, Corleone glanced calmly at the Lannister guards in gorgeous armor along the way and took a deep breath.
"Hi~~~~ha~~~~~!
"Very novel."
"The air here seems to have a different weight. There is no stench outside the castle. People can't help but straighten their backs, as if the whole person is brand new."
Hearing this ingenious answer, James pursed his lips and smiled.
Of course, the Red Keep does not have any odor, because when "the Conqueror" Aegon I Targaryen ordered its construction, he specifically chose the location on the highest of the three hills in King's Landing.
Therefore, it is called Aegon's High Hill.
Not only that, the Red Castle is surrounded by the sea on three sides and is right upwind of the entire King's Landing. The year-round sea breeze blocks all the stench outside the high red brick wall and completely isolates the world of nobles and common people.
"Then again, I thought you would insist on wearing the trophies you got from Karstark."
While walking, James turned back and joked.
At this time, Corleone had already changed out of his old and dusty clothes and put on a cotton robe that was well-cut and made of solid materials.
Although it is not top-notch luxury, it is very clean and tidy, which further highlights his temperament.
"You are what you wear, James."
In this regard, Corleone just stroked his collar. "Although I believe that Duke Tywin is by no means a superficial person who judges people by their appearance, but dressing appropriately is the most basic respect for the meeting."
"After all, I'm not going to beg on this trip."
James nodded, agreeing with the answer.
The two continued to move forward, their boots making a clear echo on the stone ground.
After a moment of silence, he seemed to have remembered something, and his tone became a little cold.
"That Swen Rossby, what are you going to do with him?"
"He is a nobleman. Although he is only a distant member, he is also a real nobleman. He will definitely go through the trial process. It may not be that easy to sentence him to death for arresting the wrong person and a little bribe."
"This is war time, James, and countless people are dying every day."
Corleone smiled and said in a calm tone as if he was discussing the weather, "Fate is unpredictable. Who can guarantee that dear Captain Swen will not encounter some accidents?"
"You know, the reason Stranger is fair is because he never gets special treatment based on a person's last name or identity."
These suggestive words made James pause slightly, and turned his head to take a deep look at Corleone.
His chivalry was at work, and he thought it was not noble to resort to such methods. However, when he thought of what he did in Winterfell, he felt that he was not qualified to accuse Corleone.
After a brief silence, the two finally arrived in front of the heavy wooden door of the Prime Minister's Tower.
Ding~~~
With a crisp sound, two knights in bright red armor blocked their way with their spears crossed.
This movement made James raise his head suddenly and frown. "Get out of the way."
"This Vito·Lord Corleone is my father's guest. My father personally ordered to see him."
"We know, James Ser."
But to James' surprise, one of the knights said coldly, "We are not stopping Lord Corleone."
"The Prime Minister has ordered that only Lord Corleone is allowed to enter alone, and you are not allowed to enter!"
"What!"
These words made James stunned for a moment, and then he straightened his chest forcefully. "I insist on going in with my friends, let me go and tell my father!"
For some reason, James was very resistant to his father meeting Corleone alone, and always felt that something bad would happen.
That feeling...
In the words of Corleone in his previous life, it was as if he had secretly talked to someone, and when he took him home for the first time, he was sent to the kitchen to help.
"This is an order from the Prime Minister, Ser."
The two guards took half a step forward at the same time, sandwiching James in the middle, with no intention of giving in.
The atmosphere was tense for a while. After a few seconds, one of them begged, "Please don't embarrass me, cousin James."
Hearing this, James began to look hesitant in his eyes.
Corleone knew him too well. This guy simply had a soft-spoken character, and he stretched out his hand, gently pressed on his tense shoulders, and advised, "It's okay, James."
He knew very well that this was just a blow given to him by Tywin Lannister.
Maybe it's just a habit, maybe it's unintentional, but Tywin always pays attention to clearly hinting to the other party who has absolute control before starting any conversation.
Even his eldest son could not influence his decision.
Looking at James' anxious eyes, Corleone showed a reassuring smile.
"Believe me, I will gain the Prime Minister's friendship, just like I did with you."
"I heard that the relationship between you is already very tense. Please stop arguing with your father."
"It's not worth it for an outsider like me."
After saying that, Corleone straightened his clothes, calmly stepped in from under the crossed halberds, and pushed open the heavy wooden door that symbolized the pinnacle of power of the Seven Kingdoms.
Watching the door slowly close, James seemed to feel that he and Corleone were completely isolated from two worlds.
"He... is still thinking about me at this time, but just now I was not angry that he wanted to use methods against Swen Rossby...
"Corleone has done so much for me, but I can't help him with anything!"
Recalling Corleone's words, a feeling of regret and self-blame continued to rise in James's heart.
"I'm so damned good!"
He clenched his fists and almost couldn't help but slap himself in the face!
After standing outside the Prime Minister's Tower and watching for a long time, James gritted his teeth and hesitated again and again in his mind, and finally seemed to have made some kind of determination.
Holding the hilt of the Valyria steel sword named "Oathkeeper" in his left hand, his white robe drew a pure light in the night sky, turned around angrily, and strode away from the Red Castle!
There are not many stairs in the Prime Minister's Tower. Corleone went up step by step, counting silently in his mind.
After walking about two hundred levels, a half-open wooden door came into view.
After three standard knocks, after hearing "come in", Corleone gently pushed the door open.
Quite spacious.
This is the first impression of Corleone.
The tall bookshelf reaches Dome, like a wall made of knowledge. Behind the huge carved desk, the king's hand is focusing on the maps and documents spread out in front of him, and the quill moves back and forth on the paper, making a rustling sound.
He was wearing a nightgown, but his calmness and courage were still eye-catching.
Corleone walked quietly to the carpet in the center of the room and stopped. He did not salute or make any noise, he just stood quietly, just like every other furnishing in the room.
Tywin was also focused on his work and did not raise his head. The two of them seemed to have some kind of tacit understanding, and they remained in a stalemate for five minutes.
Finally, after writing the last piece of annotation, Tywin put the quill next to him.
He raised his head, his green eyes staring straight at Corleone, with no trace of the scrutinizing look in his eyes.
"You're late."
There was no comment on Corleone's clothes, nor was there any hint of complaint or accusation. Tywin's tone was very calm, but he naturally revealed a strong sense of oppression.
"I told James that Bat's Hour is going to see you."
"But now, it's Eel's Hour."
He paused for a moment. "You're lucky, I'm already resting at this time on weekdays."
As expected of Tywin.
Listening to these words that seemed to be taken for granted, Corleone secretly admired him in his heart.
This kind of momentum and language art are completely different from when I was talking to Luz Bolton at Harrenhal.
He did not blame or complain. On the contrary, he took the initiative to praise Corleone for being lucky, but also emphasized the time error to make the other party feel guilty.
Even when dealing with an unknown person, he pays so much attention to details. It can only be said that Tywin Lannister has completely integrated his negotiation skills into his ordinary words and deeds.
But fortunately, I have a problem.
Under this strong pressure, Corleone silently opened [Dignity Iv2].
I saw that his back was straight, and there was no look of embarrassment or guilt on his face, nor was he trying to cover up his uneasiness.
Corleone just bowed in an extremely elegant and standard manner, with just the right amount, showing respect without appearing humble.
"I'm sorry, Lord Tywin.
After saying that, he shut up again.
This concise answer actually aroused Tywin's interest.
He expected many kinds of reactions, including excuses, panic, even pretending to be calm and exaggerating, but he didn't expect this kind of... honesty?
"You're not going to explain?"
Tywin asked, no emotion evident in his tone.
"Explanations are just a way for people to cover up their faults and seek forgiveness for their incompetence."
Corleone is still sincere. "I am late. This is an established fact, but time is completely irreversible."
O
"So I chose to face the consequences rather than sugarcoat it with words, so I just apologized."
"As for whether you choose to forgive my mistakes, the decision is yours, my lord."
As soon as he finished speaking, the study room suddenly fell into silence.
Looking at the honest young man in front of him, Tywin even had a rare look of satisfaction in his green eyes.
Although it is fleeting, it does exist, and Corleone's [Insight|v2] keenly captures this.
This means that your judgment is correct.
Tywin Lannister is a person who puts interests first. He appreciates efficiency, hates redundancy, and despises shirking responsibility.
At least at this moment, Corleone showed characteristics that were consistent with his values.
"Sit down."
Finally, Tywin pointed to the chair opposite and extended an invitation.
E