"Oberyn Martell of House Martell? The Red Viper?!"
The words startled everyone as if from a dream.
Starting from the matter of poison, Kal's suspicion turning toward House Martell instantly made the four people at the long table jolt in shock.
First of all, House Martell coming to King's Landing this time carried a strange, inexplicable air from the beginning.
If they had done something, that would at least make sense.
The problem was that they had done nothing at all.
They had even been somewhat perfunctory when participating in Kal's tournament.
But it was precisely because they had done nothing that it became the most suspicious point of all.
What was even more important was that, strictly speaking, House Martell bore a grudge against Robert Baratheon.
If suspicion were aimed at them, it would not be unreasonable.
After all, they had ample motive to act.
In the past, they indeed dared not do anything.
But now, the Lannisters were gone.
Without the powerful support of House Lannister, the Baratheon claim to the Iron Throne was hollow, desperately needing strong allies to uphold it.
People had originally believed that House Martell, after the fall of the Targaryen dynasty, had once again developed an interest in the center of power.
Yet after arriving in King's Landing, they showed no great desire for that position.
Instead, they indulged in their own pleasures.
Thus, in the end, the position of queen to Robert still fell to House Tyrell, who had long prepared for it.
So what exactly had House Martell come to King's Landing to do?
Had they truly just come to take a look, asking for nothing?
At the long table, as Kal's words awakened them, everyone present fell silent without realizing it.
Varys furrowed his brows even tighter, lowering his head as he stared at the wood grain on the table, lost in thought.
"If they truly are the ones who plotted Robert's death, it… seems possible," under the heavy atmosphere, Eddard Stark, the Hand of the King, could not help but say.
Unbidden, his mind returned to what had happened during the Rebellion—the slain Aerys lying in a pool of blood beneath the Iron Throne, his throat cut by a Kingsguard sworn to him.
And Elia, wrapped in crimson cloth and placed at the foot of the Iron Throne, together with the bodies of her children—Aegon and Rhaenys.
If House Martell still remembered former hatred, then killing Robert at this time also seemed to have enough reason.
Because this could cause this currently unstable Iron Throne to fall into chaos, and plotters and ambitious ones could also fish in troubled waters.
At the same time, this also explained why Oberyn Martell, Arianne Martell and others, after coming to King's Landing, did nothing except eat, drink, and enjoy themselves.
Because they actually were waiting for one chance.
One chance to kill Robert.
Hearing Eddard Stark's words, Kal could not help tapping his finger on armrest of seat, his eyes slightly narrowing, making people unable to see what he was thinking.
"I want to know, if this matter really was done by House Martell, then whether Stannis Baratheon participated in it."
As he spoke, Kal opened eyes and looked toward Hand Eddard Stark and Master of Whisperers Varys before him. "Who can tell me?"
Facing King's question, Eddard opened mouth wanting to say something, but immediately closed it, turning head to look at Varys as well.
As Master of Whisperers, what he knew certainly was more than what he, Hand, knew. After all, entire King's Landing was his eyes.
Facing several burning gazes, Varys had no choice but to let out bitter laugh.
"Your Grace, I think no one can tell you answer to this question."
"To speak honestly, after arriving at King's Landing, Stannis has never again had even slightest contact with people of House Martell—"
However, just as Varys's words fell, he supplemented once more: "But if they really are conspirators together, I think maybe in places we cannot see, they already reached transaction, and naturally would not need to come to King's Landing to scheme conspiracy against King."
Hearing this, temperature of atmosphere on scene lowered several degrees more.
A kind of chill that made hair stand, a fear that shook courage, suddenly struck hearts of everyone.
Barristan Selmy was the most keen. Feeling hairs on his skin stand up, he could not help turning head to look at King Kal, who was filled with killing intent.
Kal's tapping finger on armrest stopped. He raised head to look at Varys, who had finished these words.
"After meeting ends, dispatch Gold Cloaks for me at fastest speed to surround House Martell's manor, and at same time I want to know where Oberyn Martell is."
Varys nodded in reply: "Prince Oberyn Martell is now staying in one brothel, together with his lover, and this brothel originally belonged to Petyr Baelish—"
"What meaning?" Kal heard hidden meaning in Varys's words.
"Prince Oberyn bought it after coming to King's Landing, and some soldiers he brought were settled in this brothel."
"Hehe—" Kal let out a cold laugh. "You just do what you should do, leave rest all to me."
"Yes, Your Grace."
Temporarily handling one more suspect, Kal took deep breath, closed eyes, letting himself calm down.
As he drew back killing intent in his heart, people present finally felt somewhat better.
"All right, regarding this matter, all conspiracies are only guesses, but no matter what, at least we must find truth of matter."
"Hand Eddard Stark," Kal looked toward Eddard.
"Your Grace."
Facing suddenly urgent and severe situation, Eddard knew what he could do was not much. He could only do what humans can and leave outcome to fate.
"As you wish, I am willing to give my two uncles one chance."
"Issuing decree, summoning Lord Renly Baratheon of Storm's End, Lord Stannis Baratheon of Dragonstone, and Lord Mace Tyrell of Highgarden, to enter King's Landing for reporting duties, and making clear I want them to bow heads and swear allegiance to me!"
"Additionally, if they do not obey order, regard as treason!"
Finishing proclamation, Kal struck tabletop with one palm, forceful and resounding, producing sound similar to metal.
Barristan Selmy, seated at Kal's right hand, instinctively lowered head to look, discovering that thick wooden table before Kal was not only burst open with one crack by his palm, but also one bronze ring inlaid on it to serve fixing and decorative function was also broken apart.
Sudden thunder-like sound frightened everyone, making shoulders twitch, eyes widen.
Eddard Stark could only, after sighing in heart, rise and salute.
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Since this is so, this matter will be like this for now—" After giving orders, Kal remembered Robert still lying in throne hall. "Regarding His Maj— regarding my father's funeral, at what time will it be held?"
Compared with icy tone just now, Kal's tone at this time was clearly much gentler.
Hearing him mention this matter, sorrow in Eddard's heart rose again.
"Originally planned to wait until Your Grace arrived at King's Landing and then let you preside over King Robert's funeral. Since you have now arrived, then naturally it is for you to take charge."
"Then hold cremation tomorrow at early morning, at square outside Baelor Great Sept. I will personally preside for him, and let common folk all send him off. He liked bustle most."
"And now mobilize armies, must not let any one of House Martell leave, and at same time ships outside harbor must be strictly controlled. Forget it, seize them directly."
Finishing speaking, Kal lowered eyes, stood up, turned around and prepared to leave.
But Kal had only taken two steps when he was stopped by Eddard Stark.
"Wait, Your Grace!"
Kal turned head, looked at him without speaking.
Eddard had never felt such great pressure from Kal. This was as if two different people compared to young man who once followed at his side learning how to govern.
"Regarding King Robert's will, it has not yet been read—"
Hearing this, Kal could only let out sigh. "Read, Hand, I am listening."
Receiving Kal's confirmation, Eddard rose, taking out sealed parchment from one box he had brought.
"Since Lord Renly is not present, only remaining two witnesses can confirm validity of this will."
After taking out Robert's will, Eddard did not open it at first moment. Instead he looked toward Ser Barristan Selmy and Grand Maester Payton.
After both examined carefully, they gave confirmation.
Immediately, several councillors beside long table rose and stood, nodding heads in attendance.
"Following is will of Robert the First of House Baratheon, of Andal and—"
"I again appoint Lord of Winterfell, Hand of King, Eddard of House Stark as guardian of entire realm, after my death temporarily governing affairs of realm in my stead."
"After my son Kal returns to King's Landing, return powers, and assist him in formally ascending throne as king."
"Uphold—, protect—, —·old and new gods."
In one or two minutes, at council before king, Eddard Stark finished reciting this Robert's final will.
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