Observing Mace Tyrell's demeanor, Joffrey understood the matter was settled.
Sometimes the worst trait in any person—whether enemy or ally—was the inability to perceive one's own circumstances clearly, coupled with blind confidence. Such individuals inevitably brought disaster.
Joffrey felt genuine satisfaction that those surrounding him were mostly rational and intelligent.
The "Inflated Fish" had never been considered particularly clever in years past.
Yet now, for purposes of negotiation, Lord Mace had proven sufficiently reasonable.
"It is truly fortunate that the traitors merely coerced you into participating in this war without threatening your life directly," Joffrey said with apparent emotion. "I shall be able to explain this to Lady Margaery with a clear conscience."
Mace Tyrell could not suppress his widening eyes, never expecting to hear such words from the King's lips.
Traitors? Coerced?
Why would he need to explain anything to Margaery?
"The traitors should all have returned to hell two days past, though some may yet have escaped justice," Joffrey continued with calculated inquiry. "Lord Mace, among the survivors, who else forced you to lead troops in rebellion against your rightful sovereign?"
Understanding dawned upon Mace Tyrell like sunrise. So that is his meaning!
"There is no need," Lord Mace waved his hand dismissively. "Your, ah, that shadow has already punished all true traitors. The survivors are loyal and upright men of honor."
Mace Tyrell retained vivid memory of every bloody scene from that terrible day.
There had been tragedy enough—how could he actively seek the slaughter of his own vassals? The survivors were already few: House Tarly, the Fossoways, House Rowan, House Florent...
Hmm? Florent.
Lord Mace suddenly hesitated. Should he seize this opportunity to eliminate the troublesome foxes and claim Brightwater Keep for Highgarden's domain?
The cunning foxes of Brightwater Keep harbored eternal dissatisfaction. They actually coveted Highgarden itself!
Damned foxes! What matter if their bloodline flows closer to the ancient Gardeners than our golden rose? Those days are buried in history's dust. How much difference exists in inheritance claims among the great houses?
Aegon the Conqueror had personally bestowed Highgarden upon House Tyrell. Three hundred years had passed since that day. How dare they question such ancient decree?
Mere Florent!
Recalling Alester Florent's perpetually arrogant expression, Lord Mace felt temptation surge within his breast.
Yes! Precisely so! Florent represents the true treachery!
"But..." He glanced toward King Joffrey, yet had spoken only a single word before the King's dark gaze silenced him.
No! Would Joffrey truly show such mercy?
Could this be some elaborate trap?
Lord Mace hesitated, ultimately choosing not to name any targets.
"But what?" Joffrey pressed with apparent interest. "What circumstances have you recalled? Speak freely."
Lord Mace shook his head with false innocence. "Nothing of consequence, Your Grace."
"Could it concern the origin of that mysterious shadow?" Joffrey frowned in apparent puzzlement. "Do you know whose handiwork created such a creature? Though it served our cause well, I must confess it came as complete surprise."
Mace Tyrell's mouth fell open in amazement.
Well played, Joffrey. You excel at speaking falsehoods with such conviction!
"Did Highgarden summon it?" Joffrey seemed to reach sudden realization. "Small wonder it slew only traitors while preserving the truly loyal. As expected of Highgarden—your foundations run deeper than any could imagine!"
Before finishing his words, Joffrey cast an approving look toward Lord Mace, as if this had become unquestionable fact.
"Your Grace, absolutely not!" Lord Mace immediately defended his house. "Highgarden possesses no such power!"
"Not you?" Joffrey appeared genuinely perplexed. "Then who else could command such forces? I certainly did not summon it, nor would Renly have done so. Who else remains?"
Lord Mace found himself speechless. Could he accuse His Grace directly? After all, he was merely a prisoner now.
"Dorne, perhaps?" Joffrey mused aloud. "That seems unlikely. Prince Doran would prefer we tear each other apart more thoroughly. Why would he actively end our conflict, particularly to aid the royal family he despises above all others?"
Lord Mace listened with growing dread. Joffrey made no effort to conceal his hostility toward Dorne!
"Other great lords? Even less probable. If you possessed such capabilities, you would have employed them long since. I would not have remained ignorant until now." Joffrey continued studying Mace Tyrell with calculating eyes.
"Truly not Highgarden's work?" Joffrey asked once more.
Lord Mace remained silent for several heartbeats.
After weighing the consequences of rejecting the King's obvious hint against clearing his family's name, Lord Mace again denied involvement. "I implore Your Grace's understanding—Highgarden does not possess magical arts."
Whatever the truth, surely the King would not reject Highgarden's allegiance over this matter?
"How strange," Joffrey appeared genuinely puzzled. "If Highgarden did not summon the shadow, how could it distinguish so precisely between loyal subjects and traitors? Or am I mistaken—perhaps the shadow's killings followed no pattern whatsoever? Those who died were not necessarily traitors, while those who lived are not all loyal?"
Joffrey's expression hardened like winter stone. "If that proves the case, then traitors fortunate enough to survive should not imagine they have escaped justice. The realm will not tolerate betrayal! Treachery shall find no forgiveness!"
Lord Mace understood the King's implicit threat with crystalline clarity.
Joffrey then revealed a knowing smile. "Lord Mace, you may not yet be aware—Lady Olenna has already forged close alliance between Highgarden and the royal house. The Kingsguard has taken residence within Highgarden's walls."
Lord Mace stared at the King in profound shock.
Joffrey smiled with deceptive gentleness. "Please rest assured—even should additional traitors have survived, House Tyrell's safety remains beyond question. You know well the Kingsguard's capabilities, do you not?"
Lord Mace certainly did.
"Truly not Highgarden's achievement?" Joffrey asked yet again. "The shadow represents no crime—rather a great service to the realm. Rest easy and speak truth."
Lord Mace could not prevent his heart from racing within his chest.
He commanded himself to consider carefully, to protect Highgarden, never to bring disaster upon his family.
The Kingsguard occupied Highgarden?
Mace Tyrell refused to believe such claims. Yet he understood that should any force truly reach Highgarden, such an outcome was virtually inevitable.
How fares Highgarden? What of mother? She must be furious beyond measure.
Do the armies of Stonebridge and Old Oak yet hold?
Has the entire Reach fallen?
Lord Mace could not help recalling that King Joffrey's Kingsguard numbered ten thousand strong, yet only a few thousand remained here. The others have all marched upon Highgarden?
"Have you not decided?" the King pressed with growing impatience.
Mace Tyrell abandoned all resistance. "You speak truly—the shadow was Highgarden's doing. From beginning to end, House Tyrell has shown only loyalty to Your Grace."
At least preserve this much reputation.
"Excellent!" Joffrey clapped with apparent delight. "As expected, I did not misjudge Highgarden's character! My efforts have not been wasted."
Lord Mace managed only a weak smile in response.
"Highgarden's service shall not be forgotten!" Joffrey descended from the throne with purposeful steps. "The royal house will not prove ungrateful. Besides, we are family now."
Joffrey approached Lord Mace directly. "Father-in-law."
Mace Tyrell's face displayed pure astonishment.
"Lady Olenna has already granted consent for Margaery to become my Queen," Joffrey declared while warmly grasping Lord Mace's hand. "It shall be a wedding unparalleled in the realm's history. You must not be absent from such celebration."
Lord Mace stood stunned beyond speech. What transpires in Highgarden now? Margaery's marriage?
"Next, we shall conquer Dorne."
Another thunderbolt fell from King Joffrey's lips! Mace Tyrell could summon no more dramatic reaction.
"Lord Mace, I name you supreme commander of the southern expedition."
Joffrey's words carried the weight of royal decree. "Within three days, forty thousand troops shall march south from Storm's End, sailing directly to Sunspear, Dorne's capital!"
Forty thousand men? Mace wondered silently. Could they all be prisoners from Storm's End?
Joffrey's eyes held depths like winter seas. "The Sea God's Temple shall provide support. You will command over a thousand Knights Templar in this holy war!"