The white cloak fluttered with Ser Jaime's almost trotting steps; he paused briefly in front of the study door, then pushed it open and entered directly.
"Jaime." Duke Tywin stood with his hands behind his back in front of the wall adorned with a map of the Seven Kingdoms, glancing at Ser Jaime's figure, and called out in a flat tone.
Duke Tywin's voice subtly calmed Jaime's anxious heart; after approaching, he patted his chest and said, "Father."
Glancing at his eldest son again, Duke Tywin continued to stare at the map on the wall and said: "Kevan is appeasing the Dornishmen in King's Landing, and I have entrusted the investigation to Ser Adam (the current Commander of the Gold Cloaks) and Maester Pycelle."
Investigation?!
Ser Jaime's voice carried a hint of urgency: "Father, it is known throughout the Seven Kingdoms that Oberyn Martell is an excellent warrior, and he is also the Red Viper, skilled in poisons. Tyrion can't even hold a sword steady; how could he possibly kill such a formidable person? He must be innocent."
"Speculation cannot be taken as fact…"
Duke Tywin turned to his eldest son and continued: "The guards told me they all saw in that room: the dead Prince Oberyn, Tyrion holding a bloody weapon, and a screaming black-haired woman. Jaime, these are the facts witnessed by many."
Ser Jaime thought he had found an important point of doubt; he immediately asked his father: "A black-haired woman?"
Duke Tywin pressed his lips together, paused, and replied: "She is a mistress Prince Oberyn brought from Dorne."
Ser Jaime opened his mouth, murmuring in surprise: "Mist… mistress…"
Seeing the unease on Jaime's face, Duke Tywin frowned and said: "Ser Adam and Maester Pycelle will soon bring back the detailed investigation results. I will send someone to tell you; go back and wait."
"If…"
Hesitating several times, Ser Jaime finally spoke: "Father, if Adam and the others cannot find the true culprit, how will you deal with Tyrion?"
Duke Tywin's voice was calm as he said: "Under the witness of the gods, Tyrion will receive a fair trial."
After a moment of silence, Ser Jaime clenched his fist and said: "Father, do you truly believe that Tyrion killed Prince Oberyn? Moreover, he has no reason to do such a thing; he must be innocent!"
Duke Tywin's voice was slightly cold: "He will receive a fair trial."
Ser Jaime sensed Duke Tywin's anger, but thinking of his brother, he chose to continue persuading: "Father, Tyrion is your son, we should…"
Duke Tywin suddenly interrupted loudly: "I have no sons!"
His chest slowly rose and fell, then he turned and said coldly: "Please go and perform your duties, Kingsguard."
...…
Dragonstone Map Room.
News of the death of the King of the Iron Islands reached Dragonstone; Stannis Baratheon, visibly aged, looked up from the map table and said: "Is the news reliable?"
Davos Seaworth looked at the excited faces of everyone and said: "Your Majesty Stannis, I can confirm it. This morning, Salladhor Saan (a pirate and Sellsword captain from Lys, Davos's friend, Chapter 203) also brought the same news: Balon Greyjoy indeed fell from a bridge during a storm."
As he spoke, he glanced at Melisandre, wrapped in red gauze; he seemed to smell the scent of burning blood again, and hear the sizzling of leeches in the hot brazier (Chapter 268).
No sooner had Onion Knight finished speaking than Ser Axell Florent (Stannis's wife's uncle, acting castellan of Dragonstone, Chapter 266) excitedly said: "The Lord of Light has acted! This is the wrath of the true god!"
Queen Selyse Florent devoutly chanted: "Praise the great Lord of Light!"
Stannis looked down at his own hands and said: "Does the Lord of Light's hand have age spots, does it tremble?"
His teeth gnashed, and he looked at Melisandre, saying: "It sounds like an accident, not the power of the Lord of Light."
"Thunder, rain, wind, bridges, all things on the earthly plane…"
Melisandre's steps were light, and the large red ruby on her neck glowed red; she continued as she walked: "Are all tools chosen by the Lord of Light; no one can stop the will of the true god."
Queen Selyse echoed loudly: "No one can stop the will of the true god!"
Stannis's teeth gnashed again; he glanced at Queen Selyse and said coldly: "Quiet, woman, you are not praying before a night fire now."
He gazed at the location of the Iron Islands on the map table, then continued: "The Greyjoy branches are many; they will eventually be defeated one by one by Lannister…"
His gaze shifted elsewhere: "Davos, I want you to send the fastest ship, carrying my envoy to the Iron Islands, to proclaim my pardon."
Upon hearing this, Davos looked at the gnashing Stannis; his "god"… was now regretting his words.
Stannis continued: "If they are willing to repent their treason and swear fealty to the true King, I shall… grant them full forgiveness. If those little squids don't want to be devoured by the Lion, they can only choose…"
"They won't."
Melisandre approached, her tone soft: "I am sorry, Your Majesty Stannis, this is not the end of things; the Iron Islands will soon have two crowns."
Stannis's voice was like winter: "Two crowns? Two usurpers will appear on the Iron Islands?"
Melisandre nodded gently: "Yes, I foresaw it in the sacred fire."
"There are no lies in the sacred fire."
Queen Selyse came to Stannis's side and earnestly continued: "The Lord of Light sent Melisandre to guide you to the pinnacle of glory; please heed her advice, I beg you."
Stannis's teeth gnashed; after a pause, he said coldly: "In my opinion, so-called prophecies and decrees are lies piled upon lies! Even if there is truth in the flames, it is full of traps."
Melisandre extended a hand and placed it on Stannis's arm, as if calming his anger.
Her hoarse, low voice sounded: "Ants cannot understand human language, and all humans are ants before the true god, the Lord of Light. Sometimes I mistake warnings for prophecies, or prophecies for warnings, but the fault lies with me, the interpreter, not the divine. However…"
Her eyes seemed to burn with fire: "One thing I am certain of, Your Majesty, your envoy and pardon will not be of much use. Your Majesty, you must let the Seven Kingdoms see fire, a fire that proves the true King's strength."
"Show my strength?"
Stannis snorted: "Are you referring to the few hundred soldiers I left at Storm's End, or the less than two thousand remnants on Dragonstone? Or perhaps the Royal Fleet, primarily composed of Salladhor Saan's pirates?"
Queen Selyse spoke: "Your Majesty, your army is more numerous than Aegon's three hundred years ago; compared to him, you only lack dragons."
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