Red Keep, Maegor's Holdfast, Queen's Ballroom.
Under countless torches and candlelight, a troupe of court dancers twirled and leaped in the hall to the sound of graceful music.
Cersei sat comfortably on the Queen's Throne on the high platform, smiling as she spoke with her eldest son.
"Little Joff, this is your tourney. The feast isn't over yet, why aren't you playing there?"
Cersei herself had left early because she didn't want to stay with the disgusting king, but she remembered Joffrey enjoyed feasts very much.
"Mother," Joffrey showed a awkward expression, like a child asking for something from an adult but wanting to save face and not beg.
"Is Valyrian Steel Sword very powerful? I want one too."
Valyrian Steel, said to be forged by magic, was an important tool for him to verify his guess.
He had already confirmed during the feast: the strange sensation and the faint blue light were not illusions. Earl Yohn's armor might really have magic.
Magic Perception, Magic Sight? Cheat?
He needed more samples.
For example, the Valyrian Steel weapons in the Red Keep Vault.
He just needed permission.
The Crown Prince, who had just turned twelve, shook his mother's arm, his face full of anticipation and desire, "I heard many people have them. I'm a Prince, how can I not have one? Mother must have a way."
Cersei smiled broadly and pulled Joffrey into her embrace.
"I knew you wanted something. This is all your mother is good for."
Joffrey just urged her for the "candy".
Cersei couldn't resist at all. "Valyrian Steel is quite precious. Many families pass it down as their ancestral sword. It's worthy of my son."
"Okay. There should be some suitable ones in the vault. Robert hasn't used them for a long time, feel free to choose."
Robert! You would never dream of it, would you? The one who will inherit the Iron Throne is Jaime and my son, of Lannister blood!
Hmph, what if Old Jon and poker-faced Stannis find out? Jaime and I are still fine, aren't we? You're just causing trouble for yourselves!
Cersei stroked the Prince's face affectionately. The handsome face before her seemed to turn back into the adorable smiling face of a baby in her arms in a trance.
Time flies so fast. Twelve years, twelve years old, it's time to learn how to rule the kingdom.
"Remember, my son."
"You are the Mighty Lion, the Crown Prince of the Seven Kingdoms, the future King of Westeros. You only need to speak, and you can have everything."
"If anyone disobeys, you must punish them most severely!"
"Think of your grandfather Tywin. With a single rendition of 'The Rains of Castamere', all the Lords of the Westerlands were struck with awe!"
"Fear, obedience, only then will the kingdom grow stronger."
Cersei's teaching was simple and clear.
The Prince showed a bright smile, "I understand everything."
Of course I understand. 'The Rains of Castamere', the complete destruction of the disrespectful Reyne family and Tarbeck family, polished the glory of the Lannister family.
The ballad clearly sings: And now the rains weep o'er his hall, with no one there to hear.
The Farman family of Fair Isle once refused to be ruled. Duke Tywin only sent singers to play this song in the castle hall, and the Farman family immediately bowed their heads and submitted.
Listening to this song, looking at his own hall, Earl Farman must have felt terrible at that time.
I understand.
Fear and violence are not the only things, but they are as indispensable as air is to humans.
"Rest assured, Mother. I will become the greatest King of Westeros and make our family even more glorious."
Cersei was even happier, holding the Prince and talking non-stop, chatting about ordinary trivial matters for a while, and then instilling concepts of power.
She didn't stop until Joffrey showed a clearly distracted expression.
"Hannah," Cersei waved to the back and explained to her son, "She is more familiar with the Red Keep, loyal and capable, and can guide you."
A maid with chestnut curly hair and a somewhat familiar face stepped forward and bowed.
"Your Highness, it is my honor to serve you."
Joffrey nodded slightly. The Vault Pass was in hand, the operation was a great success.
The inconspicuous Tyrion put down his wine glass and silently followed.
...
The group walked through the Red Keep at night.
Torches crackled, and beyond the firelight were deep shadows.
Where were Varys's "Little Birds", where were the secret doors and passages of the Red Keep, here, there, in unknown places.
Joffrey inexplicably remembered the prayer of the Red God religion, "The night is dark and full of terrors."
Even so, I will have the last laugh.
"This is the Queen's wish," Hannah said to the guards of the vault.
The four soldiers immediately unlocked the heavy iron chains and pushed open the oak door together.
Joffrey was the first to step inside, exploring carefully.
The Hound and Hannah followed closely.
The uninvited Tyrion wandered around.
Unlike the long-depleted treasury, the vault was only used to store various antiques and treasures that were difficult to convert into cash. It also had to maintain royal dignity, so it was quite dazzling, showing the luxury of royal power.
After walking around for a long time, Joffrey gained a lot.
The Valyrian steel was as black as smoke. There was a short axe, two small hammers, a long sword, three daggers, and seven chain links.
There was also a ruby and two square sapphires, three deep purple crystal balls, a glass candle, and a greatsword that looked unremarkable.
Almost everything was confirmed or rumored to be related to magic.
Besides being able to sense them, in that strange vision, the black Valyrian steel was enveloped in a translucent white light, similar to the green light of bronze armor. The glass candle also had faint patterns of various shapes and colors.
It's really magic, I can see magic.
Joffrey felt a sense of relief and peace from the bottom of his heart.
He had always known the dangers of this world.
All men must die.
He believed in his abilities, but a dagger, a cup of poisoned wine, or a hidden arrow could end all his plans.
As long as he was Joffrey, there was not a day he didn't live in these dangers.
Now it was different.
Magic, praise magic!
One day he would gain true power and look down on the world from a higher dimension.
"Uncle, do you believe in magic?"
Joffrey was curious about Tyrion's thoughts at this time. Was he observing himself, or was he immersed in pain?
Tyrion was reading an ancient book with his head down, looking a little melancholic.
"Perhaps there is, perhaps there isn't."
Joffrey, what else do you know? What exactly do you want me to do? Is my Tysha really gone without a trace?
"Reality is too absurd, always illogical. What is there to believe in? Sorry, I've read too many books."
Joffrey agreed completely. It was a pity he could only say such stupid and boring things now.
"I heard that Valyrian steel swords are made with magic and are extremely sharp. Haha, with such a sword, who can still be my opponent?!"
Joffrey waved his hand. "Take all of these."
Hannah and the Hound immediately began to act.
"Good nephew," Tyrion closed the book and tapped it three times.
"For the sake of me coming all this way with you, have mercy and take this Book of Dragons too."
"Heh, as you wish."
"Much obliged." Tyrion handed over a large volume. "Here is a Chronicle of Four Kings personally copied by Archmaester Cressen. Is Your Highness interested?"
Joffrey disdained to even glance at it. "I know them, Targaryen kings without dragons."
"I don't need this book, I can become the greatest king myself."
Actually, he was quite interested.
Besides, Tyrion seemed to have another meaning.
"For Uncle's sake, Hound, take this whatever chronicle. It will definitely be useful when I can't sleep at night, haha."
A joke quite characteristic of Joffrey.
Tyrion smiled along.
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