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Game of Thrones: Azeroth? This Is Westeros!
Game of Thrones: Starborn Conqueror
Game of Thrones: My Pets Evolve Into Dragons
Game of Thrones: Joffrey the Ruthless Emperor
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Melisandre stood before the flames.
Those red eyes reflected the dancing light and shadows, her whole being bathed in a layer of ominous holy light.
Stannis stood behind her, like a silent stone statue.
His gaze locked fixedly on the center of the flames, trying to distinguish the enemy framing him from within.
The color of the flames was shifting.
From orange-red to scarlet, then to a weird pale green.
Blurred images flashed and intertwined in the flames.
He saw the towering Red Keep of King's Landing, saw the Iron Throne belonging to House Baratheon.
Then, he saw a figure.
That figure was wrapped in a soft halo, facial features unclear.
But he could feel that person was very young, full of vitality.
Countless rose petals drifted around that figure, forming a grand rain of flowers.
The commoners of King's Landing were cheering.
They were shouting a name, but the sound was blurred in the crackling of the flames.
Immediately after, a crown woven of golden roses slowly landed on that figure's head.
He turned; in front of him was no longer the Iron Throne Stannis was familiar with, but a strangely shaped throne, and he sat on it.
"It's him..."
Melisandre's voice sounded, carrying a dreamlike intoxication and all-knowing certainty.
Stannis's heart contracted abruptly.
Rose?
The sigil of House Tyrell?
And that strange throne?
He had never seen that kind of strange chair.
Could it be, that young and vibrant one, deeply supported by House Tyrell and loved by the commoners...
"Renly..."
"It's actually him!"
Stannis squeezed this name through his teeth.
It was actually Renly!
His brother!
The brother who followed behind him since childhood, whom he once thought would never betray him!
"No... impossible!"
Stannis's voice carried a trace of disbelief.
"Renly... why would he do this?"
"Because of the throne, my King."
Melisandre turned around; those red eyes, reflected by the firelight, seemed to burn with two clusters of hellfire.
She initially chose to follow Stannis Baratheon mainly because she firmly believed Stannis was the "Azor Ahai reborn" prophesied by the Lord of Light.
He was a legendary hero eight thousand years ago who defeated the White Walkers with the divine sword Lightbringer.
Melisandre believed Renly was an obstacle on Stannis's path to kingship; this matter was obviously subjectively judged by her as Renly again.
She went along with Stannis's words.
"The Iron Throne is the most deadly poison in the world; it can turn fathers and sons against each other, brothers to fratricide."
"Your brother, he is young, handsome, deeply loved."
"He possesses everything you don't, and, he also possesses the rightful claim to the Iron Throne."
Melisandre's words precisely dissected the darkest corner of Stannis's heart, exposing all his jealousy and unwillingness bloodily to the air.
Yes.
Renly.
What did he have?
Just a jester winning favor with clever words and ingratiating manners!
Just a hypocrite who liked men, messing with Loras to exchange for Highgarden's support!
By what right?
By what right was Storm's End given to him, leaving only this barren Dragonstone to himself?
By what right could he get everyone's love, while he could only get awe and alienation?
Now, he even wanted to use the most despicable means to steal the throne that should belong to him!
He first poisoned Robert, then framed him!
He would even act against Joffrey and Tommen!
Thus, the only heir of House Baratheon left would be him!
What a killing two birds with one stone!
What a ruthless good brother!
"The Lord of Light saw his ambition."
Melisandre's voice was full of holy seduction.
"He confuses the world with a hypocritical smile; his light is false light, false light used to steal your mandate of heaven."
"He is the servant of darkness, the vanguard of the Long Night."
"My King, you must make a decision."
"For the Lord of Light, for this world, you must personally eliminate this false king!"
Stannis closed his eyes.
In his mind, that picture in the flames lingered.
Crown woven of golden roses, fanatic cheers of the populace...
Anger, betrayal, jealousy...
All emotions finally converged into a soul-stirring killing intent.
When he opened his eyes again, there was no longer half a hesitation or struggle in his eyes.
"The law is absolute."
His voice was as hard as the rocks of Dragonstone.
"Renly Baratheon, committed the crimes of regicide and treason."
"He is no longer my brother."
"He is an enemy of the realm."
"He must pay the price for this."
...
King's Landing, Red Keep.
Prince Joffrey sat by the window of his bedchamber, looking irritably outside.
His father, who was always drunk, ignored him, and even beat him in front of outsiders, was dying.
He was about to become the King of the Seven Kingdoms; he would possess supreme power.
But his heart was filled with fear and unease.
He was afraid.
He was afraid of Uncle Stannis, who was stripped of everything but still stubborn as a mad bull.
He was even more afraid of Uncle Renly, who suddenly left King's Landing and had countless supporters in the South.
He felt like a lamb thrown into a pack of wolves.
Just then, a gentle knock sounded on the door of the bedchamber.
"Get out!"
Joffrey roared impatiently.
There was no sound outside.
But a few seconds later, the door was still pushed open gently.
"It's me, Your Grace."
A voice soft enough to squeeze out water sounded.
Joffrey turned and saw Lyanna.
She wore a simple and elegant white dress, golden hair simply pinned back; on that fresh and refined face was a trace of just the right amount of worry and concern.
She was like a lily blooming in sludge, pure without a speck of dust.
Seeing her, the irritability and fear in Joffrey's heart miraculously calmed down a lot.
"Didn't I say not to disturb me?"
Although Joffrey's tone was still severe, the irritability from just now was gone.
"I just... worry about you."
Lyanna walked to his side.
In those clear blue eyes was full sincerity.
"You are about to be King; the burden of the entire kingdom rests on your shoulders; you must be very tired."
No one had ever spoken to him like this.
Mother only taught him how to maintain the dignity of a prince.
Father only roared at him.
And others, looking at him, had only awe and fawning in their eyes.
Only Lyanna.
Only she treated him as a flesh and blood person, not a symbol of a King.
"Your Grace, Lord Lynn came to see you just now."
Lyanna consciously changed the address, voice dropping very low, as if sharing a huge secret.
"He looked very anxious, but you weren't here."
"Lynn?"
Joffrey was stunned.
"What did he want with me? Speak quickly!"
"He asked me to bring you a message."
Lyanna's eyes flickered, carrying a trace of adoration and excitement.
"He said you are the true stag of House Baratheon, the only King who can restore family glory."
Joffrey's chest puffed out unconsciously.
"He also said he will be your most loyal sharp sword, sweeping away all obstacles for you."
"Obstacles?"
Joffrey keenly caught this word.
"Yes."
Lyanna nodded, the expression on her face becoming solemn.
She leaned close to Joffrey's ear; warm breath tickled Joffrey's ear.
"Lord Lynn said King Robert's death wasn't an accident."
Joffrey's pupils contracted sharply.
"He asked me to remind you to be careful of your two uncles."
"Lord Stannis, rigid, stubborn, he believes he is the first in line to the throne."
"And Lord Renly..."
"He is deeply supported by Highgarden and the Stormlands, and... and he has already left King's Landing."
"If he has no ghost in his heart..."
Lyanna didn't finish, but those unspoken words were more damaging than any direct accusation.
Joffrey's brain buzzed.
A terrible thought bred wildly in his heart.
Stannis... Renly...
"Lord Lynn said that letter was simply too clumsy."
A trace of disdain appeared on Lyanna's face, as if mocking the stupidity of that person in the dark.
"Does that person think using this method can clear their suspicion and splash dirty water on others?"
"But he forgot who the biggest beneficiary is."
"As long as you and Lord Stannis fight until both sides suffer, who will reap the spoils without lifting a finger?"
"It's Renly!"
Joffrey almost blurted out.
He felt he instantly figured everything out!
This was a chain stratagem!
Renly harmed Father with chronic poison, then forged evidence, trying to frame Stannis.
As soon as Father dies, he will immediately gather his army!
He wants to wait for me and Stannis to fight to the death, then under the name of "avenging his brother," bring a large army back to King's Landing and ascend the throne legitimately!
What a vicious scheme!
These two are both traitors!
Both kingslayers!
"Your Grace, you are truly too wise!"
Lyanna looked at Joffrey, stars shining in her eyes.
That undisguised adoration greatly satisfied Joffrey's vanity.
He felt he was no longer that boy needing to hide behind his mother.
He was a King who saw through all conspiracies!
"My two damned uncles..."
On Joffrey's face appeared a hideousness and ruthlessness inconsistent with his age.
"They both want to steal my throne! They both deserve to die!"
"I will cut off their heads! Hang them on the city walls!"
"Lynn... Lynn is right!"
Joffrey grabbed Lyanna's hand, strength so great it made her frown slightly.
"He is the one truly loyal to me!"
"He is the friend of the realm!"
"Your Grace, what do you plan to do?"
Lyanna asked softly.
In those eyes was full trust and reliance on the strong.
Joffrey stood up abruptly; a majesty belonging to a King emanated from him for the first time.
"I will let everyone know, I, Joffrey Baratheon, am the only King of the Seven Kingdoms!"
"Anyone who dares challenge my authority will face destruction!"
Looking at this boy King who was fooled crippled by her few words, a strange smile flashed deep in Lyanna's eyes.