"Of course, Your Grace."
"After all, it was House Lannister that bore the sins and infamy on your behalf, staining our hands with Targaryen blood."
"Such a thing is not easily forgotten."
Tywin Lannister stood tall as he spoke, his voice calm and steady.
Despite the furious roar from King Robert moments earlier, the old lion's expression remained composed, as if the storm of anger before him meant nothing.
Yet the words he spoke were sharp—like thorns hidden beneath desert sand.
They pricked Robert's pride mercilessly.
Robert Baratheon's eyes widened.
His nostrils flared as he breathed heavily, glaring at the silver-haired lord before him.
Tywin's words were uncomfortable because they were true.
Years ago, during Robert's Rebellion, House Lannister had indeed played the role of Robert's dark hand.
They had taken upon themselves the bloody task of ending the Targaryen dynasty, ensuring that no surviving royal children would threaten Robert's claim to the Iron Throne.
The deaths of Rhaegar's children had paved the way for Robert's rule.
And Tywin had orchestrated it.
But that was precisely why Robert had never truly trusted the Lannisters.
For years, he had feared the ambition and cunning of the old lion.
Now that long-suppressed suspicion erupted as naked hostility.
Robert's voice dropped into a dangerous growl.
"Then you should understand better than anyone what you have done."
"You rebelled against the Iron Throne."
"For such treason, I should do to every Lannister what was done to the Targaryens."
"Wipe them out completely."
The threat hung heavily in the chamber.
Beside the King sat Eddard Stark, Warden of the North.
As he listened to the two men confront one another, his brow slowly furrowed.
Tywin's calm demeanor stirred old memories in his mind.
More than a decade ago…
During the strange winter known as the False Spring, when the climate had behaved unnaturally warm.
That had been the time when the rebellion truly ended.
Now, standing before them, Tywin Lannister claimed to surrender.
But he showed none of the humility expected from a defeated man.
Eddard remained silent.
He simply watched the old lion carefully, trying to determine Tywin's true intentions.
Tywin ignored Robert's threats.
Instead, he calmly lifted his gaze.
His eyes moved slowly across the room, studying every noble present.
Finally, they settled upon Eddard Stark.
The two men had exchanged few words since Tywin arrived.
But now Tywin addressed him directly.
"Your Majesty," Tywin said evenly.
"You certainly have the right to do as you wish."
"But have you considered what the cost would be?"
His lips curved slightly.
It was not a smile.
Only a faint expression of cold irony.
"If the Iron Throne truly destroys House Lannister, what price will the realm pay?"
Robert stared at him.
Unexpectedly, the King's furious expression faded.
Instead, he gave a harsh laugh.
"The cost?"
"That would only make me happier."
Robert leaned forward.
"Tywin… do you believe you can threaten me?"
"If you truly held power, you wouldn't be standing here as a defeated man."
The King's sneer was obvious.
For a brief moment, Tywin remained silent.
In truth, the greatest flaw in his plans had been Karl Stone.
Robert's suddenly appearing bastard son.
The young man had destroyed too many of Tywin's carefully arranged schemes.
It almost felt as though the Seven Gods themselves had intervened against him.
Tywin's faint smile vanished.
His golden eyes darkened.
"You do have a remarkable son," Tywin said coldly.
"Unfortunately…"
"He is still only a bastard."
Robert laughed loudly.
"But that bastard killed your most beloved son."
"And your daughter."
"Oh—almost forgot."
"He buried your ambitions along with House Lannister."
Mentioning Karl Stone seemed to delight the King.
Even his hatred for the Lannisters momentarily faded as he enjoyed taunting Tywin.
And the effect was immediate.
The old lion's calm façade cracked.
Anger briefly flashed across Tywin's face.
Seeing the conversation spiral toward disaster, Eddard Stark quickly stepped forward.
"Ahem."
"Your Grace, Lord Tywin…"
"Perhaps we should end this pointless argument."
Eddard had not expected Robert to gain the upper hand in a verbal duel with Tywin.
Seizing the opportunity, he tried to restore order.
He first calmed the King, then turned his gaze toward Tywin below the platform.
"I'm sorry," Eddard said bluntly.
"But I cannot consider your request reasonable."
Tywin frowned slightly.
He looked up at the Lord of Winterfell.
"Lord Commander Eddard Stark."
"Are you saying I cannot even make this one request?"
Eddard considered for a moment before answering firmly.
"You know what House Lannister has done."
"According to the laws of the realm…"
"The only punishment for such treason is death."
Tywin's voice became colder.
"I did not ask for my life."
"You know that very well."
But Eddard said nothing.
Both he and Robert understood Tywin's importance.
As long as Tywin lived, he remained a potential threat.
Robert would never truly feel secure while the old lion still breathed.
From the side, the King laughed harshly.
"Only the victor has the right to negotiate."
Tywin slowly turned his head.
He looked around the hall.
Dozens of nobles watched him.
Their gazes were filled with hostility.
Tywin understood perfectly.
As the defeated side, House Lannister was nothing more than prey.
And the nobles gathered here were hunters.
The Iron Throne itself was the executioner's blade.
Tywin inhaled slowly.
Then he spoke again.
"Very well."
"Your Grace. Lord Stark."
"I believe I must demonstrate my sincerity."
His voice echoed through the chamber.
"House Lannister is willing to relinquish all nominal power over the Westerlands."
"The Lannister family will surrender its titles, lands, and ancestral privileges."
"Everything."
"These are my terms."
The room fell silent.
But then—
Robert burst into cold laughter.
"From the moment you started this rebellion, Tywin, you already lost everything."
"You are merely a defeated man."
"Do you think I'm foolish enough to let you keep anything?"
He leaned forward.
"Even in a knight's duel, the loser forfeits everything."
"His land, his armor… even his life."
"Why should this be any different?"
Eddard said nothing.
But his silence indicated agreement.
However, Tywin simply smiled faintly.
"Perhaps."
"But these things still belong to House Lannister."
"And you have not yet taken them."
Robert narrowed his eyes.
Tywin continued calmly.
"If you reject my offer…"
"The thirty thousand Lannister soldiers still waiting outside will remain your enemies."
The room grew tense.
Tywin's true intention was finally revealed.
"I assure you," he continued, "if the Iron Throne chooses cruelty, the Lannister army will fight to the death."
He turned slightly.
His gaze swept across the Northern nobles present.
"Tell me…"
"How many northern soldiers must die to defeat them?"
The meaning was obvious.
If the war continued—
Who would pay the price?
Who would bleed?
Tywin pressed his advantage.
"And let us not forget…"
"Across the Narrow Sea, House Lannister has hired a large mercenary army."
"We paid them vast sums of gold."
"If they do not receive the remainder of their payment…"
"I doubt they will quietly disappear."
He paused.
"Oh yes."
"We also borrowed heavily from the Iron Bank of Braavos."
"And the money we paid so far was only a fraction of the total."
These were naked threats.
Yet Tywin spoke them calmly, as if merely stating facts.
The surrounding nobles exchanged uneasy glances.
Even those who had moments ago been eager to see Tywin executed began reconsidering.
Tywin had struck directly at human nature.
Robert suddenly slammed his fist on the table and stood up.
"Then let blood wash away your sins!"
The King's killing intent surged.
But Eddard Stark sighed quietly.
He could see the problem clearly.
If Robert insisted on destroying the Lannisters completely…
The war would continue.
And countless more would die.
Eddard stepped forward again, blocking the King.
"Lord Tywin," he said carefully.
"You surrendered because you understand the situation."
"You know that submission to the Iron Throne is the least costly path for your house."
"So if we truly wish to end this war…"
"Let us all show a little patience."
Tywin listened calmly.
"Lord Stark," he replied.
"I have already told you my terms."
Robert snorted.
"Ned, you don't actually believe this treacherous bastard, do you?"
"Your Grace…" Eddard sighed helplessly.
In truth, Robert was not entirely wrong.
Throughout this war, Tywin Lannister had played countless schemes.
He had devastated the Riverlands.
He had lured the Northern army into battle.
He had even attempted to seize King's Landing as a hostage.
If not for the unexpected rise of Karl Stone, the outcome of the war might have been very different.
Tywin had gambled everything.
He had placed the entire Lannister legacy upon the board.
And for a brief moment…
He had almost won.
But now the game had changed.
And the fate of House Lannister hung by a thread.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)