The roar of the Old Lion descended suddenly, making Joffrey tremble. His back pressed against the chair, he moved his lips and said, "Of…of course…the horse is faster."
Immediately after, he thought of his current appearance, and his face instantly flushed. His hands were trembling, not only because of the fear the Old Lion instilled in him, but also…the resentment arising from the Old Lion repeatedly shaming a King in front of everyone.
His dodging gaze fell on his fiancée, and seeing Margaery looking like a frightened, pitiful deer who hadn't noticed his discomfiture, he felt a little relieved.
Meanwhile, under the table, a small hand was enveloped by another slender, strong hand. Margaery, who was playing the role of a timid fawn, slightly turned her face and blinked her big eyes.
Green's brows held a slight smile as he mouthed silently to her: "Go."
Margaery's gaze shifted slightly, then she gave a small nod. After Green's hand left, she paused, then subtly stretched her small hand.
Cersei Lannister's voice then rang out: "Father, Joffrey is just joking with you, he isn't serious…"
Hearing Cersei's defense, Joffrey seemed to find an opening to regain his royal majesty. He angrily declared: "Mother, please be quiet. A wise woman knows when to shut up. I am the King, and I know what to do!"
Facing her son's ruthless accusation in front of everyone, the Lioness's first reaction was not anger, but hurt. How well-behaved and adorable Joffrey used to be… She loved him so much… And now, because he was misled by Margaery…
The witch seemed to whisper in Cersei's ear: "She will take everything you cherish…"
Absolutely not!
On the surface, Cersei appeared stunned by Joffrey's sudden outburst of anger, but deep down…her hatred for Margaery reached its peak at that moment.
Jaime, who was about to rise, was stopped by a stern look from his father. He glanced at his daughter, whose eyes were slightly red, and said coldly: "Joffrey, a true King should know how to respect his Mother, especially in front of many people."
Joffrey absolutely refused to admit this: "I didn't, I respect my Mother very much!"
"Father…" Cersei cautiously called out.
The Old Lion snorted softly, closing his eyes for a moment to compose himself, then said: "Let's continue our previous topic."
Seemingly sensing that the Old Lion's anger had dissipated, Joffrey's chin lifted again. He nodded and said: "Very well, when our conversation is over, I expect you to be the first to support my early ascension to power."
After speaking, he sent a somewhat boastful look to his fiancée, while Margaery paused slightly, then immediately returned a perfectly appropriate and graceful smile.
Joffrey's small gestures were all within Hand of the King Tywin's sight. His chest slowly rose and fell as he closed his eyes: "Since you know a horse runs faster than a man…"
He opened his eyes: "Joffrey, tell me, how do you plan to catch up with the North Cavalry, who are skilled in rapid assaults?"
Joffrey said strangely: "Isn't Ser Kevan currently recruiting Sellswords? I will personally lead those riders…"
Hand of the King Tywin coldly interrupted: "I'm sorry, those Sellswords are hired by Lannister, not by you."
Hearing this, Joffrey paused, then angrily said: "Good, very good, I will personally hire another group of Sellswords."
Hand of the King Tywin gazed at him for a moment and said: "Joffrey, are you ready with the gold dragons to hire them? The empty Royal treasury cannot find a single coin."
Sandor Clegane, who had been standing motionless like a statue, quietly reminded: "The Royal family still has millions of gold dragons in debt, King."
Joffrey turned around and glared fiercely at the Hound.
After a pause, his eyes suddenly shifted, and he quickly looked to the left side of the dining table, where the concern he felt… instead gave him more of a sense of mockery.
They must be laughing at the King!
Drunkenness and annoyance temporarily overcame the fear the Old Lion instilled in Joffrey. His face twisted: "After I take power, I will choose a capable Hand of the King. I will find a Hand who doesn't dump all problems on the King."
"Joffrey!" Cersei, uncharacteristically, directly reprimanded her son.
Hand of the King Tywin's lips were tightly pressed into a line, staring motionless at his utterly foolish grandson.
Cersei turned to Hand of the King Tywin: "Father, please forgive him, Joffrey is still young, he's drunk tonight…"
Joffrey roared: "Mother! I'm not drunk!"
"Joffrey!"
"Enough, the performance for tonight ends here." Hand of the King Tywin glanced at Green, who was leaning back in his chair, feigning sleep.
Seeing Hand of the King Tywin announce the end of the banquet, Joffrey was stunned and eagerly said: "This is my banquet!"
Hand of the King Tywin ignored Joffrey. His hands gripped the armrests of his chair. As he was about to rise, Green, who had woken up at some point, suddenly spoke: "King Joffrey, have you considered the consequences of the Baratheon Iron Throne losing Hand of the King Tywin?"
Joffrey seemed angry at being betrayed: "Duke Green, you are my personally appointed Warden of the East!"
Green ignored Joffrey's anger and slowly said: "Robb Stark, who is pointing his sword at King's Landing; Brandon Tully, who is training new recruits in Riverrun; and… well, Lord Eddard's North just finished a war, defending against Ironborn incursions. And there's Stannis Baratheon, barely clinging to life but still eyeing the Iron Throne. Oh, and we must add Doran Martell. I think with even a slight mishandling, they could rebel at any moment."
He glanced at Miss Tyrell: "Actually, what I worry about most are the nearly one hundred thousand refugees in King's Landing."
He sighed lightly: "King Joffrey, forgive my bluntness, but the Seven Kingdoms cannot do without Hand of the King Tywin."
Listening to the list of traitors from Green's mouth, Joffrey's expression kept changing, but when he heard the final warning, his handsome face instantly twisted: "You actually look down on your King?!"
Hearing this, Green was momentarily stunned. He first looked at Queen Mother Cersei, then at Hand of the King Tywin. His clear eyes seemed to ask them: Did he?
After a pause, seeing Joffrey staring intently at him, Green had no choice but to speak: "If my words have offended you, please allow me to explain. My meaning is… if I were the current Hand of the King, I would not have the confidence to bear the burden of the Seven Kingdoms as Hand of the King Tywin does. As for the others…"
He didn't finish his sentence, merely shrugging his shoulders.
After a short silence, Joffrey turned his head to look behind him. The Hound hesitated slightly, then nodded.
With a contemptuous snort, Joffrey lifted his chin: "Once I take power, I will eliminate all those traitors, one by one."
Hand of the King Tywin withdrew his gaze from Green and looked at Joffrey, saying: "How do you plan to eliminate them?"
Hand of the King Tywin's question made Joffrey's breathing heavy with excitement. One of the main events of tonight's banquet was to announce his plan, which he had been preparing for several days, to everyone.
He announced loudly: "I will establish a Royal Army."
The wrinkles on Hand of the King Tywin's forehead deepened, and he confirmed: "Royal Army?"
"Yes, a Royal Army."
With a cold snort, Joffrey continued: "Stark, Tully, Greyjoy, and my two uncles, Renly and Stannis—why can they rebel? It's because those Lords all possess armies loyal only to themselves."
He swept a proud gaze over those present: "The Royal Army I will establish will be composed of experienced soldiers, not farmers who haven't even touched a spear. I will build a powerful army that can sweep across the Seven Kingdoms, loyal only to the Royal family."
He looked around at everyone: "How about it? Once my plan is complete, my kingdom will never see rebellion again, and no one will dare defy the King's commands."
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