The Stormlands still had forces left behind by Young Aegon, but they were at the end of their strength and nothing to fear.
The Riverlands were in complete chaos. Once the host arrived, surrender would come quickly.
The Westerlands had been ravaged into a wasteland. Adam Marbrand and Damion Lannister were still roaming around the Gods Eye, but wiping them out was only a matter of time.
The Reach was still struggling to hold back Euron's assault.
Lo Quen planned to finish cleaning up the Riverlands and the Stormlands first, then march south and deal with the Ironborn and the Reach in one stroke.
He swept his gaze over the sea of kneeling nobles and spoke evenly. "Since you've all offered me your loyalty, I should also make the rules of this new dynasty clear from the start."
Every noble went still, listening hard, unease tightening in their chests.
Lo Quen raised one finger. "First: the Crownlands will be greatly expanded. All Riverlands territory east and south of Harrenhal will be placed under the Crownlands' direct rule. Likewise, all Reach territory east and north of Highgarden will also be folded into the Crownlands. Every noble on those lands will swear directly to me, no longer to the lords of the Riverlands or the Reach."
The moment he finished, suppressed gasps rippled through the hall.
Nobles stared at one another, stunned.
It was a naked attempt to weaken the great lords and strengthen royal authority.
The Riverlands, at least, were losing mostly outlying land. But the Reach was having a huge piece cut away.
Highgarden sat at the heart of the Reach, and to its northeast stretched the rich plains of the Mander, packed with fertile fields and important castles. Once those lands became Crownlands, the Reach's strength in the years to come would be badly diminished.
But the lords of the Reach and the Riverlands weren't here. The nobles who were present, though shocked, mostly wore expressions that said it wasn't their problem, or worse, that they were quietly enjoying it. No one spoke up in opposition.
Lo Quen took it all in and smiled to himself, coldly.
Then he raised a second finger and delivered an even heavier decree.
"Second: I will place certain key passes and fortresses across the Seven Kingdoms under direct royal administration. Moat Cailin in The North, the Bloody Gate in the Vale, Golden Tooth in the Westerlands, The Prince's Pass and the Boneway in Dorne, Summerhall in the Stormlands… these strategic positions will be garrisoned and managed by troops I assign. The local nobles will not interfere."
"In addition, the Iron Islands will be placed directly under the Crownlands, with no lordship established there. And all nobles on the islands subordinate to Dragonstone will swear directly to me, no longer to the Great Lord of Dragonstone."
This time, the room erupted.
Nobles from nearly every affected region went pale.
Lady Anya Waynwood of the Vale and Lord Gilwood Hunt turned white as parchment, both looking ready to step forward and protest on the spot.
Even Lord Anders Yronwood of Dorne, Lo Quen's father-in-law, showed open shock, clearly not expecting that move.
The rest of the Dornish nobles exchanged looks, their faces dark as stormclouds.
And then, in the thick of that tension—
"Your Grace!"
A firm voice cut through the uproar.
Ser Waymar Royce shoved his way forward half a step and dropped to one knee without hesitation. He lowered his head, voice ringing out clear and loud.
"I, Waymar Royce, in the name of the Heir to Runestone, and on behalf of House Royce, give my full support to Your Grace's decision. Royal control of the passes will strengthen the unity of the Seven Kingdoms, ensure your decrees are carried out without obstruction, and better defend us against foreign foes. House Royce will be loyal unto death. Your will is our direction!"
That sudden kneel and declaration left every noble who had been about to object staring in disbelief, the protests they'd prepared sticking in their throats.
Countless gazes snapped to Waymar's bowed back.
Wasn't this kid declaring his loyalty a little too fast?
Many nobles from old houses cursed inwardly. That Royce brat was really going all out to curry favor in the new dynasty, to the point of handing over the very gateway of the Vale himself?
With Waymar Royce setting such an obvious "example," some lesser nobles, already weak or eager to secure a place in the new order, exchanged glances and stepped forward to declare their stance.
"Your Grace, I support your decision!"
A few scattered voices rang out. They were not many, but at this moment they sounded especially grating.
Most of the remaining nobles, particularly the powerful great lords, grew even more grim-faced.
These people were truly shameless, willing to throw away all dignity just to get ahead.
Yet now they were stuck. To openly oppose this would mean not only defying Lo Quen, but also instantly drawing a line between themselves and these "surrendering" nobles. The situation became complicated in an instant.
Lord Gilwood Hunter stared at Waymar kneeling on the ground, his beard trembling with rage. At last, unable to hold back any longer, he strode forward.
"Your Grace, you must not! The Bloody Gate is the land route's throat, the lifeline of the Vale of Arryn. It has always been guarded by the Vale's liege lord and must never be placed under outside control. This goes against ancient traditions and rights!"
The other Vale nobles who had not knelt quickly echoed him.
"Yes, Your Grace! The Bloody Gate must not be handed over!"
Lo Quen seemed to have expected this. A smile appeared on his face.
"Lord Hunter, Lady Waynwood, and all my lords of the Vale, if I remember correctly, you swore allegiance to me, and to the future Great Lord of the Eyrie, at the Eyrie itself. Is that correct?"
The Vale nobles froze for a moment, then nodded.
Lo Quen spread his hands. "The defense of the Bloody Gate naturally falls under the authority of the Great Lord of the Eyrie, that is, my child. Since my child has not yet been born, I, as his father and as King, am making this decision on his behalf. For the overall security of the Seven Kingdoms, the Bloody Gate must be placed under direct royal control. What, exactly, is the problem?"
Those words left Lord Hunter and the other Vale nobles completely speechless. Their faces flushed red, then pale. They wanted to argue, but could find no grounds to do so, and could only stand there in frustrated silence.
Lo Quen then turned his gaze toward the Dornish nobles.
Lord Anders Yronwood's expression shifted again and again. Finally, he clenched his teeth, stepped forward, and placed a hand over his chest.
"Your Grace, House Yronwood supports your decision. Yronwood Castle has guarded the Boneway for generations. From today onward, the duty of guarding the Boneway will be handed over to the lord you appoint."
For the sake of his house's future, he chose complete submission.
Lo Quen nodded in satisfaction. "Very good, Lord Yronwood. A wise choice."
He then looked to the other Dornish nobles. "And what of the Prince's Pass? Where is House Fowler of Skyreach?"
Luo Wen immediately lowered his voice and said, "Your Grace, House Fowler refused to swear loyalty and has already been wiped out by our forces. Their twin daughters have been taken into custody."
Lo Quen swept a cold gaze across the Dornish nobles. "In that case, I won't ask about the remaining fortresses one by one. These vital chokepoints of the Seven Kingdoms will, from this day on, be under my direct control. No one is to raise objections."
The overwhelming display of force, along with the bloody judgment they had just witnessed, was still fresh in everyone's mind. No matter how dissatisfied they felt, not a single noble dared to step forward and oppose him openly.
Looking at the nobles below, seething with anger yet unable to speak, Lo Quen showed his warmest smile of the day and raised a third finger.
"Third: regarding the appointments of the major lords. The Warden of the West and Great Lord of Casterly Rock will be held by the child of myself and Myrcella Baratheon. The Warden of the East and Great Lord of the Eyrie will be held by the child of myself and Sansa Stark. The Warden of the North and Great Lord of Winterfell will likewise be held by the child of myself and Sansa Stark."
"As for Dorne, the title of Prince of Dorne will be abolished. The title of Warden of Dorne will be restored, and the title of Great Lord of Sunspear established, to be held by the child of myself and Ynys Yronwood. The Great Lord of Riverrun will be the child of Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey. The Warden of the South and Great Lord of Highgarden will be the child of Jorah Mormont and Lynesse Hightower."
The list stirred up another wave of unrest.
This was effectively placing all the most important realms firmly under Lo Quen's own bloodline, secured through marriages and descendants.
The arrangement for the Great Lord of Highgarden, in particular, left many nobles exchanging uneasy looks.
At this moment, a Vale noble spoke up cautiously.
"Your Grace, according to what we know, Great Lord Edmure Tully and his wife Roslin Frey went missing during the Red Wedding. We fear that…"
Lo Quen's face immediately took on a look of regret. He sighed softly.
"Great Lord Edmure Tully was a true warrior. From what I later learned, during the tragedy of the Red Wedding, he did indeed manage to escape the Twins with Lady Roslin. Sadly, during their flight, he gave his life to protect his wife. Fortunately, Lady Roslin survived, reached Conquest Keep safely, and was found to be with child. This child will inherit the Tully name and Riverrun, carrying on the bloodline and will of House Tully."
The words sounded sincere and heartfelt, yet some sharper nobles caught something else beneath the surface.
They frowned slightly and exchanged glances, vague suspicions forming in their minds. But faced with absolute power and overwhelming force, not one of them dared voice those doubts aloud.