Chapter 34 - 33 - The Trial of Lord Loreon Lannister (1)
Women and men could be seen sitting alongside the red carpet. There were hundreds of people, all wearing noble attire. Some of these nobles wore clothes similar to those Maekar had worn at his celebration banquet. Of course, unlike Maekar’s clothes, these were more opulent and filled with luxury.
News of the trial spread quickly, and the entire court gathered in the Great Hall with varying expressions. Some seemed to gloat over House Lannister’s misfortune; others appeared worried about the implications of judging someone with such high power.
Of course, those who were worried were in the minority; the others wanted to devour Loreon until nothing remained but bones. Honestly, the examples of House Tyrell and House Tully were enough to make everyone in that place excited.
For a Lord Paramount to arise, a Great House had to fall. And with the king’s history of choosing weaker houses, they even harbored the illusion that they might be chosen. Unfortunately, they didn’t know that House Lannister would have to rebel for that to happen.
Sitting on the monstrosity of the Iron Throne, Jaehaerys was royally attired today; he dressed in a formal and regal manner. The colors of House Targaryen dyed his clothes; his golden crown rested upon his head.
Surprisingly, Maekar was sitting beside him in a chair, wearing his vintage all-black suit. He liked the contrast between his pale colors and the black, which conveyed a solemn and more mature idea. Something that, even looking like a sixteen-year-old despite being fourteen, he had to strive for so as not to appear too young.
Maekar wore a ring on his ring finger, a silver ring with a black ruby held in the mouths of two silver dragons. It was a gift from Gael to him, something he adored and began to wear every day.
Below, on the steps to the right, Viserys could be seen with a solemn and worried expression. Daemon could be seen on the left side, with Dark Sister at his waist.
The Royal Guard surrounded the Iron Throne with cold expressions beneath their helms. Their white armor shone as the sun’s reflection hit the polished metal.
Before the Iron Throne, two wooden platforms could be seen, one for the accused and the other for witnesses.
"The Crown requests the presence of Lord Loreon of House Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock and Warden of the West." Seeing Jaehaerys nod to him, Viserys spoke aloud.
As soon as his voice ceased completely, silence hung in the air. But this silence was broken when the gates of the Great Hall were opened and Loreon, wearing red and gold clothes, entered with a cold expression.
Maekar couldn’t help but show a smile at seeing the indifferent and cold expression of the Lannister lord.
Loreon ignored the gazes of the surrounding nobles and walked to the wooden platform, where he climbed the stairs and stood surrounded by the polished wood.
Jaehaerys stood up; he held Blackfyre in his hands. He looked at Loreon with a deep gaze. As soon as he stood, everyone, including Maekar, stood up. Everyone looked at Jaehaerys at that moment.
"I, Jaehaerys of House Targaryen, First of My Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm." Jaehaerys spoke in a calm tone, but his voice sent chills through everyone present.
"Given the power conferred upon me, you, Loreon of House Lannister, shall be judged before me, and should you be found guilty, let the wrath of the gods fall upon you."
"Do you accept to be judged?" Jaehaerys asked in a calm tone.
"Yes, Your Grace." Loreon bowed and replied in a respectful tone.
"How do you plead to the charge of the attempted assassination of Prince Maekar at the Fishmonger’s Square?" Jaehaerys asked again.
"Innocent, Your Grace." Loreon did not hesitate for a moment; he showed a sad expression full of regret. "I still do not know who wishes to accuse me of nearly taking the life of a soul as good as Prince Maekar."
His expression was so sincere that Maekar wondered if he truly had a good soul, but he quickly dismissed the thought. A kind king was often weak; a king must command respect and fear. A king does not need kindness, only the respect of the people and the fear of the nobles.
Jaehaerys nodded and sat back on the Iron Throne; only then did everyone else sit as well. The king looked at Loreon and spoke in a cold tone:
"Bring forth the Faceless assassin."
The doors of the Great Hall were opened again, but this time, a small figure accompanied by two royal guards entered. Everyone looked at the small figure with curious gazes and, after looking for a while, found nothing extraordinary, as the legends claimed.
Myria was forced onto the wooden platform and looked at King Jaehaerys, sitting on the Iron Throne. Even with all her training, she couldn’t help but feel a tremor in her body. The man before her was far too terrifying; he seemed more like a monster than a man sitting on that throne of twisted steel and rusted swords.
Even though it wasn’t her first time seeing Jaehaerys, she still felt a touch of fear before those violet eyes; there seemed to be flames in those eyes, dazzling her vision.
"Display the objects found with the assassin," Jaehaerys said, and a Royal Guard showed the five masks and the dagger to the entire court.
The men and women couldn’t help but feel chills seeing those human masks. Just imagining that such assassins actually existed, they didn’t feel safe, even sleeping with their spouse.
Who knows if their husband or wife was really them and not a Faceless assassin?
Looking at the bruised face and the wounds on Myria’s body, Jaehaerys showed a cold look and stared at Loreon. "The Faceless Assassin claimed that you paid approximately three million golden dragons to take Prince Maekar’s life."
Deep breaths sounded throughout the room; many widened their eyes hearing the absurdly high price. If before it was only a suspicion, now they were certain that Loreon had indeed paid to take Prince Maekar’s life.
"Slander and lies, Your Grace," Loreon replied loudly. "Many may think I sent for Prince Maekar because of the death of my son, but I respect the gods, and since he lost the duel, the power of the gods would fall upon him. I am but a grieving father and nothing more. Vile scoundrels and conspirators are using me to deflect from the true mastermind behind the assassination."
Everyone looked at Loreon with skeptical expressions. Reason was telling them it was Loreon, as only he could have so much money and not go bankrupt. But what if? If it were truly true, someone was manipulating everything from the shadows.
Maekar couldn’t help but think that Loreon was truly shrewd; he was diverting the court’s attention toward a fictitious figure. The more everyone doubted, the more uncertain they would become as time passed.
"So, you are saying that Lord Loreon feels no resentment or grief at seeing his son die at my hands? Having his head severed by my sword and placed on the steps below the Iron Throne?" Maekar, still sitting, asked at that moment.
"Yes, my prince," Loreon spoke with a sad smile, like a father grieving his son’s death, but without any resentment.
"The Faith of the Seven is losing a saint like you, Lord Loreon. If it were me, I would try to kill my son’s murderer without any hesitation. After all, if a man cannot even avenge his son, can he be called a man?" Maekar spoke with a sigh full of admiration for the kindness and holiness of Loreon’s feelings.
Loreon’s face turned cold for a moment before returning to normal. Maekar’s words were no different from throwing his reputation, prestige, and even his dignity as a man into the mud along with the pigs.
"However, I am reluctant to accept that there can be a man who feels no anger or resentment toward his son’s murderer." Maekar looked at the court with a calm gaze.
The men, and even the women, nodded. Just as Maekar said, they were also reluctant to accept that there was a man or woman who could remain calm and not plan any revenge.
If such a man existed, he would not be a man but a living saint.
And Loreon certainly was no saint.
-------
Read the advanced Chapters on my Patreon!
/GOTSW
Read my other books:
House of The Dragon: The Pale Prince
Game Of Thrones: The God-Emperor of Planetos
Percy Jackson: Godwyn the Golden.
Game Of Thrones: The King’s Court Wizard