Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 163 The Secret Chamber - A Scheme in the Dark

The ball had not yet completely ended, and the atmosphere was still lingering with the afterglow of the music and the pleasant buzz, when King Coron found Euron. His voice was low and carried an undeniable command: "Now, go and escort your fiancée, Miss Ashara, back to rest. Then, come to me immediately and come with me to a place."

Euron, though puzzled, knew his father's solemnity was no ordinary matter. He immediately nodded, walked toward Asara, gently escorted her back to her brother Arthur Dayne, bid her a brief farewell, and then quickly returned.

King Corinth said nothing, gesturing for Euron to follow, then turned and led his son through the gradually quieting corridor toward a more secluded area of ​​Harrenhal. The torches in the corridor cast long shadows on the ancient, rough stone walls, and their footsteps echoed in the emptiness.

Finally, they stopped in front of a heavy stone gate.

Two figures stood before the gate: Oswell Heaney, Kingsguard, and Ser Gerald Hightower, "The White Bull." Like two silent statues, they merely nodded slightly to King Coron without uttering a word. King Coron returned their greeting with a glance, then pushed open the stone door and led Euron inside.

Beyond the door was a spiraling stone staircase leading downwards, where the air instantly became cold and damp, with only a few torches on the wall providing dim light. They walked down in silence until they reached a secluded and solemn stone chamber.

Inside the stone chamber, the atmosphere was heavy and solemn, the flickering torchlight illuminating the faces of several powerful figures in Westeros.

Lord Tywin Lannister sat to one side, his golden lion brooch still strikingly sharp in the dim light, his expression calm, as if everything was under control. Lord Walter Rivers, lord of Harrenhal, stood to the side, his face displaying the cautiousness characteristic of a master. Lord Rickard Stark and his impetuous eldest son, Brandon Stark, stood in the shadows, the resolute fortitude of the North etched on their brows. Jon Arryn, Lord of the Eyrie and Warden of the East, was also present; he appeared slightly weary, but his gaze remained sharp.

When King Coron entered with Euron, the group simply nodded slightly and said nothing more; their silence itself spoke volumes about the significance of the meeting.

After a while, the stone door was pushed open again.

Lady Olenna Tyrell, Queen of the Thorns of Highgarden, entered with her eldest grandson, Velas Tyrell. Her shrewdness and worldliness complemented Velas's composure in a wonderful way. Next came Lord Hoster Tully of Riverrun, his gait carrying the characteristic steadiness of a Riverlands lord. Then came Prince Oberyn Martell, the Red Viper of Dorne, a playful smile playing on his lips, as if this secret gathering were a spectacle about to unfold. Finally, Robert Baratheon arrived, reeking of alcohol and women's perfume, his arrival accompanied by a flurry of activity.

Almost all the most important rulers of the seven kingdoms were gathered in this unassuming stone chamber.

A brief silence fell over the stone chamber, broken only by the crackling of the burning torches.

Lord Tywin Lannister, seated at the boundary between shadow and light, broke the silence first. His voice was steady and cold, devoid of any emotion, yet carrying an undeniable weight.

"Now that everyone's here, let's begin."

He surveyed each of the powerful lords present, his gaze as cold as gold. "Our current king, Aerys II, his condition is evident to all of you." His words were cautious, but the accusations were incredibly sharp: "His behavior has become increasingly tyrannical and outrageous. He keeps pyromancers at great expense and frequently executes his subjects by fire. Surrounding him are only a group of sycophantic and incompetent men."

He paused briefly, allowing the weight of his words to settle in everyone's hearts. "The endless, oppressive taxes have long been a source of resentment throughout the seven kingdoms, and I'm sure those of you present here have suffered greatly as a result. And what do people call him in private these days? — The Mad King."

He then shifted his tone to praise, but it was equally cold and calculating: "Prince Rhaegar, with his literary and martial talents, wisdom and benevolence, his abilities and virtues are evident to all. He is the one who deserves the Iron Throne, the one who should be the true king of the Seven Kingdoms."

Finally, he delivered his definitive conclusion, clear and resolute: "I believe that Aerys II is no longer fit to be king. It is time for Prince Rhaegar to take his place."

Lord Rickard Stark's face appeared particularly resolute in the firelight. His voice was deep, carrying the characteristic sternness of a Northerner: "Lord Tywin is absolutely right. The title of king is not a shield for tyranny. To wantonly execute subjects by burning them at the stake is such a cruel and brutal act that it is contrary to the way of a ruler."

"Dorn has no objection." Prince Oberyn Martell leaned lazily against the wall, a playful smile still playing on his lips, but his tone was very clear: "Rhaegar is my sister Elia's husband." This short sentence clearly stated Dorne's position.

Lord Horst Tully stroked the ring on his finger, displaying the pragmatic considerations of a Riverlands lord: "Whether it's the Mad King or Rhaegar, they are both Targaryens by blood. Rhaegar is the rightful heir, and what we're discussing is simply getting the transfer of the throne—simply to happen sooner."

King Coron's voice was like the scraping of metal, carrying the direct and self-serving considerations of the Lord of the Iron Islands: "I agree. To needlessly increase the taxes on us vassals just to support those sorcerers who only know how to play with wildfire is not the act of a wise ruler. The Seven Kingdoms need a king who is better at governing and can win the hearts of his people."

Lord Jon Arryn of the Eyrie spoke more gently, yet with equal conviction: "His Majesty King Aerys II's mental state is indeed no longer suitable for ruling the kingdom. For the sake of the kingdom's well-being, it may be more appropriate to let him enjoy his later years."

Finally, Robert Baratheon's roar exploded like thunder, his massive fist slamming onto the stone table, his young face a mask of grief and hatred: "Well said! Overthrow him! My parents died at the hands of this madman's absurd orders!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lady Olenna Redwin, the Queen of Thorns, let out a soft sneer.

Her sharp gaze swept over Tywin, her words like poisoned daggers, precisely piercing his unspoken intentions: "We are well aware of your feud with the Mad King, Lord Tywin. Especially after he refused to let your daughter Cersei marry Prince Rhaegar, you even lost your position as Hand of the King." She leaned forward slightly, her tone carrying undisguised skepticism, "Please don't tell us that your impassioned speech today is entirely free of these—personal grudges."

Lord Tywin Lannister, his hands calmly crossed in front of him, his face as still as a deep well, calmly responded to Olenna's question: "Of course there is personal grudge!" His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears. "Among all of you present, who has not harbored resentment towards that king? Throughout the Seven Kingdoms, which noble family has not suffered his mistreatment and arrogance?" His gaze shifted to Olenna, his tone sharpening. "If it weren't for Aerys II's indulgence and even instigation, how could the conflict between the Iron Islands and the Greenwoods have escalated to such a point?"

The old issue was brought up again, but Lady Olenna Redwin, the Queen of Thorns, remained unmoved. Her gaze swept over the crowd, steer the conversation to the core issue of interests: "Who sits on the throne is not a non-negotiable matter for Highgarden. But allow me to be more blunt—what concrete benefits will Highgarden gain from doing this, taking such a great risk?"

Tywin's reply was cold and concise, carrying an unquestionable authority: "A wise king, a monarch who will no longer levy exorbitant taxes, is the greatest benefit that all subjects—including Highgarden—can obtain."

Lady Olena hesitated for a moment before finally offering a cautious and reserved stance: "In that case, the High Court will not publicly oppose the motion," she paused, emphasizing, "but it will not explicitly endorse it either."

Tywin nodded slightly, seemingly having anticipated this outcome, and did not insist on it.

At this point, Lord Jon Arryn of the Eyrie brought the discussion back to a practical level: "So, what should we do next?"

Tywin Lannister was confident and his plan was clear: "At this tournament, almost all the prominent nobles from the Seven Kingdoms have gathered at Harrenhal. We will announce Prince Rhaegar's ascension to the throne in public, while the tournament is still in session and everyone is still there. Afterwards," he said calmly, "we will simultaneously invite the former king, Aerys, to Dragonstone—to recuperate in peace."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement, agreeing that the plan was feasible.

At that moment, Euron, who had been listening silently, suddenly spoke up and asked a crucial question: "Prince Rhaegar himself—is still unaware of this matter?"

Tywin looked at him, his eyes showing no surprise, as if he had already considered this question: "He will know when we announce it to the public." His tone was confident, carrying a deep insight into human nature and the desire for power. "I believe no one will refuse to become the King of the Seven Kingdoms and sit on that Iron Throne."

Euron said no more, only nodded slightly, and once again disappeared into the shadows of the stone chamber, remaining silent.