Observing Tymond’s head beneath the steps of the Iron Throne, Loreon, Lord of Casterly Rock and Warden of the West, felt his heart pierced by a sword. His lips trembled as he saw Tymond’s expression of pain, even in death.
Despite all the pragmatism and calm cultivated over decades, he drew his sword and walked toward Maekar with a calm expression.
However, before he could do anything, the Kingsguard surrounded him, staring at him with cold, deep eyes. All of them had their hands on the hilts of their swords.
"I wish to speak with the King." Taking a deep breath, Loreon said in a calm tone.
The Kingsguard did not respond; however, when Jaehaerys’s voice rang out, allowing his approach, they stepped back while watching Loreon with cold eyes.
Kneeling beside Maekar, in the blood of his own son, he raised his head and looked at Jaehaerys. The king stared back at him with those deep, terrifying violet eyes.
For the first time, Loreon understood why his ancestor, Loren I Lannister, the Last King of the Rock, wanted to fight when Aegon arrived in Westeros. This feeling of helplessness and being unable to do anything was simply humiliating.
His son died because of a few words and a woman’s cunt.
Unfortunately, just like his ancestor, Loreon had no choice but to kneel and beg for crumbs of power before the king.
If Maekar had heard Loreon’s thoughts, he would have mocked him instantly. If you dare to enter the game, be ready to die. One’s rise and fall is entirely the fault of one’s own greed and interests.
Loreon wanted a princess and a dragon, and possibly for his grandchildren to have dragon blood to claim a dragon. Because of this, he accepted being a pawn in the king’s hands. The result was Tymond’s death on the very day of their arrival in King’s Landing.
And if Loreon remained in King’s Landing, Maekar would finish the job and eliminate the root of the problem. Regardless, House Lannister had many secondary branches suitable to inherit Casterly Rock.
And this secondary branch of House Lannister would certainly not harbor hatred toward him, as it was Maekar’s actions that put them in power.
"What do you wish to say, Lord Loreon?" Jaehaerys asked in a calm tone; the coldness in his voice even made Loreon’s blood run cold for a moment.
The stories were right; the king’s scowl could frighten even the bravest of warriors.
"I want to recover my son’s body and return to Lannisport." Loreon went straight to his request. However, as soon as he finished speaking, Maekar’s voice rang out.
"That is impossible, Lord Loreon."
"Your son paid for his slanders, but the reputation of House Targaryen has not yet been fully vindicated. Your son’s head must be impaled on a spear and placed in front of the gates of the Red Keep to serve as a warning that House Targaryen does not allow unfounded slanders and that, in King’s Landing, words are also judged."
Every word of Maekar’s echoed in the Great Hall. Everyone could not believe that Maekar was cornering Lord Lannister to the end, not even allowing the body to be held according to the rules.
Maekar looked at the man kneeling beside him with a smile. Seeing his clenched fists and knowing he was about to explode with rage, the prince showed a satisfied look. He wanted this; only then would he have a valid reason to kill Loreon.
After all, Maekar had just killed Loreon’s son; if the man were not feeling vengeful toward him, he would be lying. To save himself from much trouble and conspiracies, the prince wanted to kill Loreon as soon as possible.
Jaehaerys looked at the boy and could not help but show a touch of appreciation in his eyes. Despite all his distaste for Maekar, he had to admit the boy was decisive and extremely intelligent in his actions.
Previously, if Maekar had remained silent, he himself would have allowed Tymond’s body to return to Lannisport, but now that Maekar had brought House Targaryen’s reputation into play, he could no longer allow the body to return to Lannisport.
"Lord Loreon, your son was judged by the gods in a duel and killed in combat, but his judgment by House Targaryen has not happened," Jaehaerys spoke in a deep, chilling tone. "Just as Prince Maekar said, he must serve as an example."
Loreon’s face was red, the veins in his face twisting violently, while his fists were clenched so tightly that his nails pierced his skin.
Then, it all vanished. Showing a calm expression, Loreon stood up and bowed. "Forgive me for being discourteous, my king; I did not think clearly when I pleaded to give my son a dignified funeral."
Loreon’s words were at once a sincere apology, but also a sword against the reputation of the king and Maekar, implying that they would not even let him bury his son with respect.
Jaehaerys’s eyes grew cold while Maekar only laughed. Both looked at Loreon with icy stares. Jaehaerys certainly did not like being criticized; Maekar disliked it even more.
In the eyes of grandfather and grandson, Loreon accepted participating in the game and must bear the consequences of being a pawn in their hands. If he did not educate or teach his son well, it was not Jaehaerys’s or Maekar’s problem.
If Tymond could have remained calm in the face of Maekar’s words, none of what happened would have occurred.
Jaehaerys might be called the Conciliator, but that was on certain occasions and when the Faith of the Seven was involved. If he were truly so conciliatory, he would have reconciled with his wife, daughter, and others.
In the end, a king was always a king, the most selfish being in the world.
If Loreon became a problem, Jaehaerys could very well support other houses to be the Warden of the West, just as he did in the Riverlands and the Reach. Do not think it is difficult; this was the era when House Targaryen was at its peak of authority and power.
Even the Faith of the Seven did not dare fight House Targaryen head-on, much less House Lannister, which had only forty thousand soldiers.
However, unlike Jaehaerys’s thoughts, Maekar was more determined to kill Loreon at that moment. A man who could calm himself in the face of such humiliation was a great danger. How could Maekar allow such a dangerous man, harboring resentment against him, to remain alive?
"I am feeling unwell, Your Grace. I wish to retire to my quarters." Without looking at Maekar even once, Loreon bowed respectfully and spoke in a calm tone.
"Go and rest well; you have a long journey back." Looking at Loreon, Jaehaerys spoke in a deep tone. He gave Lord Lannister an escape route, allowing him to leave King’s Landing the next day.
After all, he could not treat his pawns so poorly; otherwise, no one would become a pawn in his hands in the future.
Loreon bowed once more and left the Great Hall.
Maekar looked at his back with a calm gaze. Then, he smiled and looked at Jaehaerys as if he were a harmless boy.
Jaehaerys could not help but snort seeing him playing innocent. Despite this, the banquet continued, even though the atmosphere was wrong.
However, before the king, even if they were eating shit, they had to smile and praise. Of these lords and ladies living in King’s Landing, 30% were lords with fiefs and spent little time at court; a small portion left their own fiefs and lived at Court; the rest were second sons of nobles or even some knights without truly important families.
The King had to have these people, for the court would be too empty without them. An empty court meant weakness.
However, the atmosphere was already completely ruined. Even with the blood cleaned up, the smell still lingered in the air.
The banquet ended thus, and Maekar was the last guest to leave. As he himself closed the gates, his gaze was still fixed on Jaehaerys sitting on the Iron Throne.
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Read my other books:
House of The Dragon: The Pale Prince
Game Of Thrones: The God-Emperor of Planetos
Percy Jackson: Godwyn the Golden.
Game Of Thrones: The King’s Court Wizard