Chapter 24
It's Hard to Guard Against a Thief Within Your Own Family
When the group arrived at the Gate of the Gods in King's Landing, the northerner pinched his nose, while the southerner took a deep breath.
Sweat, feces, and rotting matter mixed together, creating a pungent odor that wafted through the air in the summer heat.
There was also a pile of flower petals scattered on the ground to welcome the king's return, as well as tattered strips of cloth dyed in various colors.
"This taste is still the most comforting."
Robert laughed loudly on horseback and waved vigorously at the crowd.
Sansa nearly vomited from the stench, but Joffrey, anticipating her reaction, handed her a handkerchief.
Fortunately, Aegon had anticipated this situation when he ordered the construction of the city and built the Red Keep on a small hill.
The altitude is high enough that the sea breeze can sweep away all smells.
Passing through the bronze gate, the group entered the courtyard of the Red Keep.
The servants ran to unload their luggage, and the guards were able to change shifts, taking off their dust-covered armor.
Robert dismounted and put his arm around Duke Eddard's shoulder.
"Ned, the Prime Minister's Tower has been prepared for you." The King's booming voice echoed in the courtyard. "Get some rest. You need to be present at the Royal Council meeting tonight."
Then he revealed his yellow teeth, stained with wine, and turned to laugh.
"Xiao Qiao, you come too."
"You're getting old enough; it's time to learn how to govern a country."
Joffrey nodded.
It's highly likely that Robert saw Robb working hard to be a good acting lord when he was in Winterfell.
That's when I realized I should teach my children how to participate in government affairs.
The group parted ways, with Ed and his party heading towards the Prime Minister's Tower, led by their attendants.
Robert then headed straight for Mega Tower.
The timing was perfect.
Joffrey quickly gave chase.
He hurried to catch up with Robert, and the two climbed the spiral staircase one after the other, then walked side by side down the corridor.
"Father, there's something I've always wanted to ask you."
"explain."
"It's about Lady Lyanna."
This statement hits the nail on the head.
Robert's eyes, which were always shrouded in alcohol and rage, flashed with something completely different.
Is it pain? Or nostalgia?
Or perhaps it's the loss of face due to having something stolen.
"Why are you asking this all of a sudden?" Robert asked in a low voice.
But then she became wary: "Did your mother instigate you to ask this? That woman!"
"No, no, no," Joffrey quickly explained, his tone tinged with just the right amount of hesitation.
"I saw Arya a week ago when we were still at Green Fork River."
"She is Duke Ed's youngest daughter."
He began to vividly describe the experience.
The girl was covered in dirt, her arms were covered in scars, and her fingers, with blue knuckles, still refused to let go of the stick.
And the stubborn light in his gray eyes.
"That energy reminds me of Lady Lyanna, whom you mentioned."
Robert did not answer immediately.
He walked to an arched window and looked out at the gray sky.
When he spoke again, his voice was filled with an almost tender longing.
"Yes, Lyanna was a wild girl back then too."
"Lord Rickard Stark, Eddard's father, always said he would whip her to teach her how to be a lady."
"But she never listens."
"She would sneak into the armory and fiddle with those spears that were taller than her."
"She also stole an untamed mare from the stable, rode it off, and almost broke her neck."
"And one more time..."
The sound of memories gradually faded.
Joffrey replied softly.
"Little Arya truly lives up to her Stark bloodline; it's just a little heartbreaking to see her like this."
"She wanted to learn swordsmanship, but there was no one to teach her properly. She just kept pushing herself, and even dragged a butcher's son into her nonsense."
"I just thought of it." The casual tone suggested it was an idea that had just come to mind.
"If only Lord Ed could find her a reliable coach, like the one who coached Lady Lyanna back then."
"Perhaps the North will produce another legendary lady."
Finally, he added the last sentence with a sigh.
"Of course, this is a Stark family matter, and Lord Eddard certainly won't agree to it."
"I just feel it's a bit of a pity..."
"What a waste!" Robert's eyes lit up. "I'm taking care of this!"
"I'll talk to Ned. Lyanna's niece wants to learn swordsmanship? Go ahead! Damn it, let's see who dares say a word against it!"
After Robert launched into a scathing critique, Joffrey looked up.
He then revealed the true purpose of his trip.
"Father."
"In that case, I'd like to send Arya something; her broomstick is really unacceptable."
"However, ordering another sword would be too slow. Could you perhaps choose one from your armory?"
Robert stared at him for two seconds, then suddenly burst into laughter.
"You've got a good eye, kid!" The king put his arm around his shoulder. "Come on, let's go pick something now. I have plenty of good stuff in my treasury."
The two did not return to the house, but instead walked out through a side door and turned into a small courtyard.
The heavy oak door was inlaid with iron bars, and a guard stood holding a halberd.
The carriages returning from outside the city had just unloaded their cargo, and the servants had just finished tidying up the furnishings inside.
"Don't close the door, I'm going in to get something."
"Your Majesty," they bowed.
This is a spacious stone chamber, with a dazzling array of weapons hanging on the walls.
Swords, axes, hammers, and spears all have different styles and shapes.
Several sets of armor were hanging on the shelf, and some shields with heraldic designs were piled up in the corner.
Although these items hadn't been used for several years, they were still polished to a shine.
Robert strode in, grabbed a longsword, drew it out to examine it, and then sheathed it again.
"This one's too heavy...this one's too flashy..."
"Ha, this is not bad!" He picked up a sheathed short sword. "Leanna had a similar one back in the day..."
He stopped abruptly halfway through his sentence, then frowned and slowly scanned the room.
From left to right, from top to bottom.
"Strange..." Robert muttered as he walked to a display shelf.
The top is empty.
"Get in here, all of you!" the king shouted sternly.
Then he pointed to the display stand.
"What's with this empty one? Are you sure you've taken everything out?"
The attendant by the door trembled.
"Your Majesty, we may have missed something. Let's go look again."
Time passed by, bit by bit.
The attendant slowly turned back, his trembling legs seemingly about to kneel: "Your Majesty, the carriage is empty."
"This one might be lost..."
"It's lost!" the king cried. "My...my things! How could you possibly lose them?"
Robert glared at him, then at the empty shell.
Their brows were furrowed together.
He seemed to have no idea what he had lost.
Finally, the king let out a heavy snort.
"Fine, fine, I'll let you off this time, but don't let it happen again."
Robert handed over the dagger he had just picked out: "This will do."
Joffrey took the hand and asked a question at the opportune moment.
"Father, is the dagger you lost?"
"I think I remember now, Valyrian steel blade, keel handle, and a ruby set in it."
"You won it from Lord Baelish last year."
Robert's expression changed.
Then he nodded thoughtfully.
"right."
"I think it was that one."