Joffrey looked at the vibrant scene before him, feeling his breath grow hot.
How could those women, whom Cersei called dirty and vulgar, be like this?
Is this right?
Their skin was fairer than the noblest ladies in the The Red Keep, their smiles sweeter than honey.
Their eyes... like tiny hooks, capable of ensnaring a man's very soul!
This was completely different from what he had imagined.
This wasn't a dirty den; this was a paradise forged from desire and gold.
"Rosse."
Lynn spoke calmly to the red-haired woman who came to greet them.
"This is my best friend."
Lynn's hand remained on Joffrey's shoulder.
That steady strength calmed Joffrey's wildly beating heart considerably.
"His status is noble, and his taste... is very high."
Lynn's gaze swept over Rosse's shrewd yet charming face, his words carrying an undeniable command.
"Find the cleanest, gentlest, and most understanding girl."
"Make sure she understands that tonight, she is not serving an ordinary guest."
"But a future lion."
A future lion.
Rosse's heart skipped a beat.
She managed to run this pleasure den so successfully not just because of her beauty.
She instantly understood the deeper meaning behind Lynn's words.
This "friend" Lynn brought, who seemed a bit green but had an innate arrogance and cruelty in his eyes, must be someone of extraordinary status.
Even... Rosse dared not think further.
Her smile grew more obsequious, her expressive eyes filled with "I understand."
"Rest assured, my lord."
Rosse winked at Joffrey.
That alluring gesture made Joffrey's cheeks flush, and he instinctively puffed out his chest.
"The women here, they may not have other talents, but they know how to please."
"I guarantee your friend will experience what it means to be served like a King."
She swayed her hips, leading the two through the noisy hall and up a staircase covered with thick velvet carpet, arriving at the most secluded and luxurious suite on the third floor.
The room was burning expensive incense, and the warm air was filled with a sensual aroma that made one's bones tingle.
"Please wait here, both of you."
Rosse curtsied and discreetly withdrew, closing the door behind her.
Only Lynn and Joffrey remained in the room.
Joffrey seemed a little uneasy; he was like a young beast entering the hunting grounds for the first time, both excited and nervous.
He walked to the window, looking at the reveling men and women downstairs, his Adam's apple bobbing uncontrollably.
"Lynn..."
Joffrey spoke somewhat uncertainly.
"Is this place... really safe?"
"My establishment, do you think it's safe or not?"
Lynn poured himself a glass of Dornish red wine and settled comfortably onto the soft sofa.
"And here, you are not a Prince, and I am no longer a Lord."
"We are just two men looking for fun."
"The only thing you need to worry about is whether you'll still be able to walk tomorrow morning."
Lynn's words carried a knowing tease between adult men, instantly inflating Joffrey's pathetic self-esteem.
"I... I'm certainly fine!"
He retorted, feigning bravery.
Just then, there was a soft knock on the door.
A soft feminine voice came from outside the door.
"My lord, may I come in?"
"Come in."
Lynn said calmly.
The door opened, and a figure gracefully walked in.
Joffrey instinctively turned to look.
In that instant, his breath hitched.
The one who entered was a maiden wearing a pale purple sheer gown.
She looked no older than sixteen or seventeen, with a cascade of golden hair falling over her shoulders like a waterfall, shimmering softly in the candlelight.
Her features were as delicate as a statue's, her skin so fair it was almost translucent.
A pair of sky-blue eyes, like the purest lake in summer, clear to the bottom.
She had no body odor, nor the cheap perfumes of common women, only a fresh scent like grass after rain.
She was more like a noble lady raised in seclusion, innocent of the world.
If one disregarded her status, she even seemed more beautiful than Sansa Stark, purer than Myrcella.
"My lord."
The maiden walked up to Lynn, performed a graceful curtsy, her voice like a clear spring flowing over stones, pleasant to the ear.
"Her name is Liana."
Lynn pointed to Joffrey beside him.
"Tonight, he is yours."
"Yes, my lord."
Liana raised her head, her gaze turning to Joffrey.
When she saw Joffrey's face, a look of incredible surprise and adoration instantly bloomed in her clear blue eyes.
Her small mouth parted slightly, as if she had seen an unbelievable miracle.
"Oh my..."
Liana let out a soft gasp, like a dream, instinctively covering her mouth with her hand.
"You... you are..."
Her voice trembled.
And so did her body.
Her beautiful eyes were filled with undisguised admiration and infatuation.
Joffrey was somewhat flustered by her gaze.
He was used to people fearing him, fawning over him, but no one had ever looked at him with such... almost reverent eyes.
Just like those common folk look at the statues of the Seven Gods!
"What?"
"Do you have any other thoughts?"
Lynn chuckled softly from the side.
"No... no..."
Liana quickly shook her head, her cheeks flushed with an endearing blush from excitement.
She looked at Joffrey, stammering:
"I... I've seen you..."
"At the tourney, you sat beside His Majesty the King... you shone like the sun..."
"I... I never thought I would... would be able to see you this close..."
Her voice was filled with maidenly shyness and sincerity; that heartfelt adoration was something no acting could fake.
Joffrey's heart, in that instant, felt as if it had been gently caressed by a warm hand.
His heart, hardened and twisted by years of neglect and mockery, actually showed a crack.
"Alright, my task is done."
Lynn stood up, draining the last sip of red wine from his glass.
Lynn walked to the door, looked back at Joffrey, who was completely captivated by Liana, and a subtle curve played on his lips.
Then, Lynn nodded slightly to Liana.
"Enjoy yourself, Your Highness."
"Tonight, it's on me."
With that, Lynn pulled open the door and walked out, leaving the entire world to the two people in the room.
The moment the door closed, Joffrey felt his heart beat even faster.
He looked at Liana before him.
This dreamlike maiden was gazing at him with eyes full of adoration and infatuation.
"You... you must be Prince Joffrey, right?"
Liana's voice held a hint of uncertainty, as if confirming the reality of a beautiful dream.
Joffrey cleared his throat, trying to make his voice sound more authoritative.
"That's right, I am Joffrey."
"The Seven save us!"
Liana let out a sigh of happiness.
She walked cautiously towards Joffrey, her movements as gentle as a butterfly.
"May I... may I touch your hand?"
She asked in an almost pleading tone, her blue eyes filled with anticipation.
Joffrey paused for a moment, then, as if by some strange impulse, extended his hand.
Liana reached out her soft, boneless little hands and gently held Joffrey's hand.
Her fingertips traced the faint calluses on his palm, marks left by his recent persistent sword practice.
"Your hand... so strong..."
A captivating blush appeared on Liana's face.
"This... this must be the result of years of sword practice, right?"
"I have never seen a warrior as handsome and powerful as you..."
"Even the heroes in the bards' songs would probably pale in comparison to you."
Her voice was soft and gentle, every word like magic, accurately striking at the place in Joffrey's heart that most longed for recognition.
Powerful?
Warrior?
Joffrey felt a little dizzy.
His father, Robert, always called him a coward who only knew how to play with a crossbow.
His swordmaster, Ser Meryn Trant of the Kingsguard, only taught him perfunctorily.
No one had ever used such words to describe him.
"I... I am certainly a warrior!"
Joffrey's chest involuntarily puffed out even further.
"I practice swordsmanship every day!"
"And one day, I will be stronger than my father!"
"I believe you!"
Liana nodded vigorously, a resolute light shining in her blue eyes.
"You are a born King, the rightful heir to the Seven Kingdoms, destined to rule the Seven Kingdoms, a true lion!"
She released Joffrey's hand and walked behind him, gently massaging his shoulders with her soft little hands.
The pressure was just right, carrying a strange magic that instantly relaxed Joffrey's tense body.
"Your Highness, you must be tired, aren't you?"
"Let me help you bathe and change, alright?"
Her voice was like an enchanting spell, making it impossible for Joffrey to refuse.
He was like a puppet, allowing Liana to remove his ordinary cloak and unbutton his clothes.
As he stood naked in the warm bath, feeling those soft little hands gently caress his body, Joffrey felt as if he were floating on clouds.
He had never had such an experience.
The handmaidens in the The Red Keep always served him with fear and distance.
His mother, Cersei, though she loved him, her love came with a suffocating possessiveness.
Only Liana.
In her eyes, there was no fear, no calculation.
Only pure and unreserved adoration and infatuation.
She praised Joffrey's "strong" body, his "handsome" face, and his innate "kingly aura."
In her words, Joffrey was no longer the unruly Prince despised by his father and scorned by his vassals.
He was a god about to reign over the world.
Joffrey was completely captivated.
He began to boast to her endlessly about his "heroic deeds."
He told her how he had bravely "repelled" the rioters in the streets of King's Landing.
He told her how he had used a crossbow to accurately shoot a commoner a hundred paces away.
He embellished all his cruelty and foolishness into decisiveness and wisdom.
And Liana remained the most loyal listener.
She looked at him with the most adoring eyes, praised him with the most beautiful words, fulfilling all of Joffrey's deepest fantasies of heroism and power.
That night.
Joffrey felt as if he had truly lived for the first time.
He was no longer someone's son, someone's Prince.
He was a man, a conqueror, a true King!
...The next morning, as the first ray of sunlight streamed through the window onto his face, Joffrey slowly opened his eyes.
There was no hangover headache; instead, there was an unprecedented feeling of refreshment.
He felt his body filled with strength, as if he could kill a lion with a single punch.
He turned his head and saw Liana sleeping beside him.
The maiden lay on her side, her golden hair spread across the pillow, her long eyelashes casting a quiet shadow in the morning light.
She was sleeping soundly, a satisfied, sweet smile still on her lips.
Looking at her pure and flawless sleeping face, a strong sense of possessiveness welled up in Joffrey's heart.
This woman was his.
The first woman in this world who truly appreciated and adored him.
He carefully sat up from the bed, not wanting to wake her.
He dressed and walked out the door; Lynn was already waiting there.
"Your Highness, did you sleep well last night?"
Lynn's face held a knowing smile.
"Good... very good!"
Joffrey answered instinctively, his cheeks feeling a little hot.
"This is a King's life, isn't it?"
Lynn patted his shoulder.
"The iron throne is responsibility, and this place is enjoying the fruits of power."
"Only a King who truly knows how to enjoy power can exercise power better."
Joffrey nodded, half-understanding, but he completely agreed with Lynn's words.
Isn't power meant to be enjoyed?
Otherwise, what's the point of power?
Last night's experience brought Joffrey more satisfaction and joy than sitting on the iron throne and receiving the homage of thousands.
"Ser Lynn... my best friend..."
Joffrey hesitated for a moment, but still couldn't help but ask.
"When... when can I come again?"
He was already eager to see Liana again.
To once again experience that feeling of being adored, looked up to, and served like a god.
He had tasted the sweetness and was thoroughly addicted.
Lynn smiled.
The little fish was hooked.
"Of course, Your Highness."
Lynn's eyes deepened.
He looked at Joffrey's face, which was filled with longing, and slowly said.
"As long as Your Highness wishes, you can come every day."
Lynn's tone shifted, and he said with a hint of regret.
"Liana's parents died when she was young, leaving her alone and helpless."
"A poor girl forced onto a path of no return to survive."
"If Your Highness wishes to see her, you'll need to make an appointment in advance, you know."
"After all, she still has to receive other guests."
Watching Joffrey's face gradually darken, Lynn knew his objective had been achieved.
He chuckled softly, then turned and left, closing the door behind him.
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