Upon seeing Duke Tywin seated, Cersei's arrogant stride paused slightly, but seeing that he wasn't looking at her, she lifted her chin.
Her gaze shifted to Duke Green, Jaime, and Ser Garlan beneath the stained-glass window; she nodded slightly and walked towards where Duke Tywin was seated.
The closer she got to the Old Lion, the Lioness's proudly held chin unconsciously lowered.
She offered a lady-like smile: "Father."
The Old Lion's golden-green eyes flickered, glancing at his daughter, and he gave a slight nod: "Cersei."
Cersei had just gracefully taken her seat when her father's voice rang out: "What new trick is Joffrey up to now?"
Cersei knew her father was a man who never spoke idly, so her heart immediately became a little flustered. Could it be... had Joffrey angered the Old Lion somewhere again?
She forced a smile: "Father, Joffrey is actually always grateful for your hard work for him. He... perhaps he just wants to get closer to you. He worships you, he loves you."
Duke Tywin gazed at Cersei and said, "I hope so."
Noticing that Duke Tywin's expression had softened slightly, Cersei's emerald eyes flickered. She leaned in a little, lowering her voice: "Father, Joffrey is your grandson, Tywin Lannister's grandson, yet his fiancée dresses like a whore..."
"Cersei." Duke Tywin bit out, interrupting his daughter's counsel.
Cersei tried to speak again, but he coldly cut her off: "Don't let me hear your foolish ideas again."
Feeling the Old Lion's suppressed fury, Cersei did close her mouth, but she turned her face away, sitting there... her chest heaving visibly, telling her father that she was also very angry.
Seeing this... the veins on the Old Lion's neck bulged. He paused, barely managing to suppress his anger.
Then, he glanced at Jaime, who was talking and laughing over there, and lowered his gaze.
A moment later, a servant's chant rang out: "Presenting—Joffrey I, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men—Ruler of the Seven Kingdoms—of House Baratheon and Lannister—and the King of the Seven Kingdoms' fiancée—Margaery of House Tyrell—"
Hearing Margaery's name appear alongside her son's, Cersei secretly rolled her eyes. Duke Tywin slowly Rose, and everyone looked towards the door.
Joffrey, chin held high, appeared with a sweet-faced Margaery.
After the salutations, Joffrey scanned those present and announced cheerfully: "Everyone, welcome to the dinner prepared by me and..."
Speaking, he exchanged a smile with his fiancée, then continued: "...Margaery."
Joffrey led Margaery by the hand to the dining table and announced: "Please be seated."
Everyone took their seats. King Joffrey sat at the head of the table. To his right were: Queen Mother Cersei, Duke Tywin, Ser Jaime; to his left were Margaery, Duke Green, Ser Garlan.
The appetizer was mushroom and butter snail soup, followed by a skewer of quail meat and roasted pike.
Joffrey's lips curved upwards. He raised his glass: "Thank you all for your contributions to the kingdom. To the Seven Kingdoms."
"To the Seven Kingdoms." Everyone raised their glasses.
Candlelight flickered, and musicians played cheerful melodies.
Setting down his glass, Joffrey looked at his fiancée and said: "Miss Tyrell, you look truly beautiful tonight. Your dress... hmm, yes, it perfectly complements your figure."
Margaery demurely pursed her lips into a smile, her Rose-colored lips parting slightly. She was about to speak when Queen Mother Cersei's voice rang out.
"I suppose... you must be feeling cold?" Cersei hooked her lips, scrutinizing Margaery.
The dining table instantly fell silent. After a pause, Margaery sat upright and respectfully replied: "Your Grace, while Highgarden is warmer than King's Landing, my father taught us that there is a fire within the Tyrell body..."
As she spoke, her moist eyes briefly swept over Joffrey, her alluring red lips quickly curving into a smile. She looked at Cersei, then continued: "He taught us that the House Tyrell family does not fear the test of cold."
As her words fell, Ser Garlan, sitting beside Green, nodded in agreement: "Yes, the Duke of Highgarden has the same expectations for his children, but privately... he demands that my brothers and I must take good care of our sister."
He finished with a shrug.
Ser Jaime raised his glass to Joffrey's fiancée, smiling as he said: "You are the most captivating Rose tonight, Miss Tyrell."
Hearing Jaime's praise, the smile on Cersei's face stiffened for a moment. Hindered by the Old Lion sitting between them, she forced herself to suppress the urge to glare at him.
At this moment, the two silent "observers"... Green and Tywin's gazes seemed to unintentionally meet.
Margaery's expression held a maiden's unique shyness. She first thanked Ser Jaime for his praise, then looked at Queen Mother Cersei.
Her gaze swept over Cersei's attire for the evening, her eyes subtly revealing hope: "Your Grace, your gown tonight is truly magnificent; the fabric, the embroidery, the accessories, they all sparkle together... I'm sorry, I've never seen such a beautiful gown."
Ser Garlan once again agreed: "Yes, I've never seen one either."
Cersei held her wine glass, chuckling softly: "I suggest you... should be more concerned with the armor suitable for you to wear, whether after you become Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, or before that."
She swirled her glass: "I hear... yesterday, you and Joffrey went to visit the refugees gathered at Kings Gate?"
"Yes, My King cares deeply for his people."
After speaking, Margaery looked at Joffrey with admiration. He smiled and nodded, a little unnaturally.
Ser Garlan, proud of his sister, spoke up: "When Margaery was in Highgarden, she, like His Majesty, also cared greatly for the suffering people. She personally distributed food and clothing to them, and everyone called her the Light of Highgarden."
Margaery smiled, pursing her lips: "They are all very kind. They love King Joffrey."
Kind? Cersei's lips curved into a sarcastic arc, and she said coldly: "They will also repay you by disemboweling you. I still advise you to be careful. Kind Miss Tyrell, it hasn't been long since the last riot of King's Landing's commoners. Don't find out too late that a few squads of guards cannot stop the atrocities of those people."
Her beautiful eyes shifted to Green: "At that time, if Duke Green hadn't killed so many people , Joffrey and I might not have escaped danger so easily."
Hearing his mother mention the last King's Landing riot, and recalling his own experience at that time, Joffrey's face immediately darkened. His voice was laced with displeasure: "Mother, you like to make a mountain out of a molehill too much."
He looked at his fiancée: "She cares less and less about the facts, perhaps it's because she's getting older."
Upon hearing this, Margaery quickly lowered her gaze, while Cersei's face stiffened.
Joffrey continued to explain to Margaery: "Mother and I were never in real danger... right?"
After speaking, Joffrey looked at his mother, his gaze filled with warning.
Cersei's hand, holding the wine glass, trembled slightly. She forced a faint smile and said: "Of course, not everyone knows the King's bravery."
Joffrey was not satisfied with Cersei's answer. He said coldly: "Mother."
Her chest showed a distinct and slow rise and fall. After a pause, Cersei still... nodded slightly, saying: "You are right, My King."
Only then did Joffrey show a satisfied expression.
Ser Jaime's voice, tinged with anger, came over: "Joffrey, your mother is worried about your safety. This has nothing to do with facts."
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