The atmosphere at the table grew heavy. Margaery smiled sweetly at Queen Mother Cersei and said: "Your Grace, I will remember your kindness. Hunger indeed turns people into beasts. So..."
Facing Margaery's attempt to show goodwill, Cersei secretly rolled her eyes. Tyrell was indeed hypocritical; no wonder she could bewitch her son.
Margaery Tyrell's gaze first swept over those present, finally settling on Joffrey, and she continued: "My King, after parting with you yesterday, I expressed my concerns about this matter to my father... He is honored to serve the King."
She looked at the King with all her heart and eyes: "If you permit, the Duke of Highgarden would be delighted to continue providing assistance in this regard. Wheat... barley... apples... the Riverlands have just had a bountiful harvest."
Gently raising her glass, her cheeks flushed slightly: "Of course, as your future family, Tyrell also has an obligation to help the King's city through difficult times."
Joffrey was very pleased with Tyrell's loyalty: "As Ser Garlan said, Miss Tyrell is no stranger to charity. I am already convinced..."
He took a sip of wine, revealing an elegant smile: "My kingdom will welcome a good Queen."
Hearing this, Margaery smiled shyly.
Everyone raised their glasses: "To the Queen."
Cersei took a small sip of wine, staring at Margaery, who was whispering with Joffrey, swirling her glass and murmuring: "I am also very convinced."
The dinner continued, with Joffrey's giggles occasionally echoing from the table. He and Margaery whispered like most couples deeply in love.
Green noticed that after Joffrey drank his second glass of summer red, his face had turned crimson, and his voice was slurred with drunkenness.
Green, who was occasionally whispering with Ser Garlan, raised an eyebrow. Joffrey's alcohol tolerance... seemed even worse than what he had discovered.
...
After finishing his third glass of wine, Joffrey played with his empty glass for a while, then suddenly said: "Grandfather, how will you judge Tyrion?"
Silence immediately fell. Duke Tywin glanced towards the head of the table and said: "He will be judged fairly, according to the laws of the kingdom."
Joffrey leaned against the armrest of his chair, pinching his chin, and said: "The evidence is conclusive. I think he can be hanged as soon as possible."
Green's eyes flickered. He exchanged a look with Jaime, then shrugged.
Duke Tywin frowned and said: "Joffrey, Tyrion is your uncle."
Joffrey's response was disdain: "He's a monster, everyone thinks so. To be precise, his true identity now is a criminal. I am a just King."
His grandfather's gaze suddenly became sharp, and Joffrey couldn't help but shift uneasily in his seat.
Seeing this, Cersei quickly spoke: "Father, Joffrey is just making a suggestion to you..."
"Mother, this is a King's command, not a suggestion." Joffrey interrupted Cersei's good intentions.
Duke Tywin glanced at his daughter, who only ever indulged her son, and said: "Joffrey, since you believe Tyrion is not a member of the King's family, then you should grant him the same fair trial as everyone else. That is what makes a just King."
Joffrey sat there, frowning in thought for a while, then unhappily said: "Alright, I can retract the order to dispose of Tyrion immediately."
Tywin and Green: "..."
Clearly, apart from the two of them, Green guessed that everyone else present had realized that Joffrey was trying to make a "deal" with Duke Tywin, and it was a forced one.
Lord Greene had always been far-sighted. Looking at Joffrey's peculiar political tactics, he couldn't help but think about the future heir's education.
Duke Tywin leaned back in his chair. He stared intently until Joffrey's expression stiffened, then calmly spoke: "Let me hear it. What do you want?"
Upon hearing this, Joffrey's eyes sparkled with excitement at the smooth progress of his plan. He first sat upright, then lifted his chin and said: "Robb Stark has already appeared in Duskendale, and he might appear outside King's Landing tomorrow morning. Now... my kingdom faces a great threat, therefore..."
Then, Joffrey Rose from his chair, scanned those present, and announced loudly: "I intend to directly... take control of the government from now on!"
The two Roses beside him remained silent. Green saw Cersei's initial shock, followed by an expression of subtle movement; Duke Tywin remained seated, and as for Jaime... he looked nervously at Cersei.
Seeing that no one responded, Joffrey angrily said: "This is a King's command!"
After a pause, Duke Tywin's authoritative voice rang out: "Please be seated."
Joffrey sat down stunned, but quickly became annoyed by his own "obedience": "You have no right to order me around, I am the King!"
Duke Tywin completely ignored Joffrey's anger. His tone remained calm: "What do you plan to do?"
Joffrey snorted coldly and said: "I won't hide in King's Landing like you when the enemy is at the gates. I will personally lead the troops out. I will personally strip the Direwolf's skin and hang all the traitors."
Duke Tywin's tone remained unchanged: "Then do you know where Stark is now?"
Joffrey's attention was quickly drawn by Tywin's question. He frowned in thought for a while, then guessed: "He's in... Rosby (south of Duskendale, north of King's Landing)?"
Duke Tywin gazed for a while, then replied: "Scout cavalry found them heading towards Sows Horn (west of Duskendale)."
After a pause, Joffrey became angry again: "I didn't send anyone to track them, how would I know!"
"Very good."
Duke Tywin nodded. He stared at Joffrey and said: "Then I'll ask a simpler question: which runs faster, a horse or a soldier's two legs?"
Hearing this, Joffrey was stunned for a moment, then his face twisted, and he angrily said: "Are you mocking me?"
Duke Tywin's voice suddenly Rose: "Answer my question, Joffrey."
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