The lame Willas Tyrell's face was calm, letting the Royal Guard's hand rest on his shoulder.
But soon.
He trembled all over, surprise and doubt appearing simultaneously on his gentle and calm face.
Without waiting to ask the King for permission, he stood up expectantly, moved his legs awkwardly, and then walked a few steps normally.
Normally!
"Willas, your leg is better!" Garlan and Margaery immediately exclaimed excitedly, genuinely happy for their brother.
Even the Queen of Thorns couldn't help but show a look of relief.
Even if it was just to cure Willas's lame leg, the things they paid were completely worth it. As long as Highgarden was still there, gold coins and grain were just numbers.
Joffrey smiled faintly, "Willas, do you like it this way?"
Willas Tyrell slightly sobered up from his immense joy and immediately bowed low to Joffrey, "Willas will never forget Your Majesty's grace! From now on, Willas will surely swear allegiance to Your Majesty until death, offering everything I have!"
Joffrey waved his hand, "You don't need to die. It's just a task for you to do."
As soon as these words were spoken.
The warm atmosphere in the hall quickly calmed down.
The Tyrells straightened their postures and continued the serious meeting.
The Queen of Thorns seemed to be in low spirits, closing her eyes to rest. Willas restrained his excited expression, sat back in his seat, and waited respectfully for orders.
Joffrey glanced at the Queen of Thorns before looking at Willas.
"The Rebel Army at Old Oak, led by the Rowan Family, assisted by families like the Oakheart Family, includes almost all the Lords in the northern Reach. They have a formidable presence."
The Queen of Thorns remained silent, the Duke was not present.
Willas Tyrell, the heir to Highgarden, took on the important task of the meeting.
He had to think deeply, what did King Joffrey mean by this? Was he indirectly expressing dissatisfaction with Highgarden's rebellion? There was no need for that.
In an instant, the many historical events and knowledge he had learned flashed through his mind.
He had several guesses.
"It is indeed worth taking seriously," Willas Tyrell replied solemnly, "May I know, Your Majesty, what plans you have?"
Joffrey reached out and pointed at the table, and a three-dimensional map of the Reach was immediately projected onto the table.
Willas couldn't help but be secretly surprised.
What a detailed map, it looked even more accurate and convenient than their own!
When was it surveyed?
Joffrey pointed to Old Oak on the map, "Lord Tywin has led an army of thirty thousand south along the Coastal Road and will arrive at Old Oak in a few days. He will surely achieve victory in one battle!"
Willas remained silent.
Highgarden had already learned this news two days ago. They had originally planned to send reinforcements, but now...
"Willas," the King pointed at Highgarden, "You will lead twenty thousand troops north along the Mander River to capture the Rowan Family's Goldengrove and cut off the rebels' retreat."
Make Highgarden attack its own vassals?
Willas's heart sank, and he thought of a terrible guess.
The King didn't give any more orders, seemingly waiting for his response.
Willas hesitated before speaking, "How does Your Majesty plan to punish these traitors?"
Joffrey glanced at him and shook his head with a chuckle, "Why ask me? These Lords betrayed the King and Liege Lord they swore allegiance to, coveting honor and status they shouldn't have. Which Liege Lord can turn a blind eye?"
Willas was certain.
The King really thought this way! Make Highgarden do it!
Joffrey added, "If it were me, I would strip these guys of all their lands. Those without direct descendants would be removed entirely, and their titles and lands redistributed. Those with heirs would only be left with one castle."
The more Willas listened, the more hesitant he became.
If such methods were used, Highgarden's reputation would surely plummet among the vassals who betrayed their loyalty for self-preservation.
When it came time for the vassals to contribute again, who would truly be loyal?
But if he refused...
Willas raised his head, and from the King's gentle eyes, he seemed to see boundless flames.
"Willas, are you unwilling?"
Joffrey looked puzzled, "Could it be true, as they say, that House Tyrell was not deceived and misled by its vassals, trapped in Highgarden, and Lord Mace was not forcibly coerced, but actually participated in the rebellion?"
It was true. But Willas dared not answer truthfully.
Did Highgarden rebel?
Did Highgarden not rebel?
The truth was so insignificant, so easily concealed and overturned?
Willas was momentarily dazed.
Garth the Gross, the steward of Highgarden, spoke up with a face full of indignation, "Who is slandering Highgarden like this? Your Majesty, please see clearly, we have always been loyal to you and have never thought of rebelling!"
Willas snapped back to attention and quickly salvaged the situation, "That is indeed the case! How could Highgarden pity traitors? Your Majesty's suggestion is most fitting."
He said, "I will follow through."
The Queen of Thorns coughed violently a few times, her voice hoarse.
Margaery looked at her grandmother with worry, then turned her expectant gaze towards Joffrey, making it hard to refuse.
Joffrey tapped the table lightly.
The priest, receiving the command, walked to the Queen of Thorns' side and channeled energy. The old woman's complexion instantly became much rosier.
Joffrey sighed, "It's hard on you, Willas."
Willas waved his hand repeatedly, "How dare I presume to be favored by Your Majesty? These are matters within Highgarden's purview and should be handled as such."
"That may be so."
Joffrey pointed to Goldengrove, "Those who are loyal and have merit should naturally be rewarded."
"Willas, are you willing to be the Governor of Goldengrove, sharing Goldengrove with Lady Bethany Redwyne? Or do you plan to strip the Rowan Family of their fief and rule from a new castle?"
"Or," Joffrey teased, "do you want to incorporate these places into House Tyrell?"
Willas was surprised and apprehensive.
In the options given by the King, Lord Matus Rowan, who commanded an army of thirty thousand, seemed to have already become a dead man.
"Garlan." Joffrey then looked at Highgarden's second son.
"Lord Bery will take a thousand Royal Guards with you to the west. After incorporating the Shield Islands fleet, you will rest temporarily and wait to rendezvous with the Redwyne fleet."
Olenna Redwyne couldn't help but open her eyes.
Joffrey explained, "Lord Paxter's twins have already joined the Royal Fleet with the Redwyne fleet and are now sailing north along the Sunset Sea, passing through the Shield Islands, Old Oak, and the Iron Islands, assisting the various battlefronts."
Another piece of significant news!
The scales in Willas's heart couldn't help but gradually tilt. House Redwyne had already made their choice, was there still a need for Highgarden to be reserved?
Joffrey still had instructions for Garlan.
"The Oakheart Family is on the verge of extinction," he pronounced.
"I have secured the best terms from Lord Tywin: Old Oak will henceforth be directly under the Royal Family, with no lord, only officials, and administered by the Westerlands."
These are the best terms?! Willas's shock was undisguised.
Joffrey looked at Garlan, "However, you can be the Governor of Old Oak. If you are capable, you can even hold the position long-term, until the day you die."
"How about it?" Joffrey urged with a smile.
Garlan Tyrell looked forward, his grandmother had her eyes closed, his elder brother was a bit hesitant, but soon gave a resolute look.
Garlan then bowed, "Thank Your Majesty for the grace!"
Joffrey nodded with satisfaction and dispersed the map projection on the table.
The meeting seemed to be ending.
Margaery couldn't help but ask, "What about Rising Stone Town? Don't we need to send troops?"
Joffrey looked at the sky outside the window.
The sun was setting in the west.
"No need, things are already starting there, and will also end."
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