Seeing Mace Tyrell's demeanor, Joffrey knew the overall situation was settled.
Sometimes, what's most concerning is when people can't see themselves clearly and are blindly self-confident. Such people, whether as enemies or friends, are never a good thing.
Joffrey was very relieved that most of the people around him were normal and intelligent.
Lord "Inflatable Fish" wasn't considered intelligent in the past.
But now, for negotiations, Lord Mace was normal enough.
"It's truly a blessing in disguise that the traitors only forced you to participate in the war and didn't threaten your life. I can now explain this to Miss Margaery," Joffrey said with emotion.
Mace Tyrell couldn't help but widen his eyes, never expecting to hear such words from the King.
Traitors? Forced?
Why would he need to explain to Margaery?
"The traitors should have returned to Hell the day before yesterday, but it's not impossible that some slipped through the net," Joffrey asked, "Lord Mace, among those who survived, who else forced you to lead the army in rebellion?"
Mace Tyrell finally understood. So that's what he meant!
"No need," Lord Mace waved his hand, "You, uh, that Shadow has already punished all the traitors. Those who survived are all loyal and righteous good people."
Mace Tyrell still remembered every bloody scene from that day.
With so many tragedies already, how could he possibly slaughter his own vassals? Not many survived: House Tarly, the Green Apples, House Gravesford, House Leygood, House Florent...
Hmm? Florent.
Lord Mace suddenly hesitated. Should he take this opportunity to get rid of the Florents and take Brightwater Keep for himself?
Those cunning foxes from Brightwater Keep were always insatiable. They actually coveted Highgarden!
Damn foxes! What if their bloodline was closer to House Gardener than the Golden Rose? That was all in the past. House Gardener had been wiped out, so what difference did the inheritance order of other families make?
Dragon King Aegon personally granted Highgarden to the Tyrells three hundred years ago. How dare you question that?
Mere Florents!
Remembering Alester Florent's arrogant face, Lord Mace was even more tempted.
Yes! That's right! The Florents are traitors!
"However..." He looked at King Joffrey, having just said one word, but was stopped by the King's dark gaze.
No! Would Joffrey be so kind?
Could this be a trap?
Lord Mace hesitated for a moment and still didn't speak up to accuse them.
"However what?" Joffrey pressed, "What situation did you think of? Speak freely."
Lord Mace shook his head, "Nothing."
"It wouldn't be the origin of that strange Shadow, would it?" Joffrey frowned in speculation, "Do you know whose handiwork it is? Although it was beneficial to our army, I have to say, it was a great surprise."
Mace Tyrell's mouth fell open.
Well, Joffrey, you're quite skilled at speaking nonsense with a straight face!
"Was it Highgarden?" Joffrey seemed to suddenly realize, "No wonder it only killed those traitors, but conveniently spared the truly loyal. As expected of Highgarden, it truly has deep foundations!"
Before he finished speaking, Joffrey had already cast a look of approval at Lord Mace, as if this was an undeniable fact.
"Your Majesty, absolutely not!" Lord Mace immediately defended himself.
"Not you?" Joffrey frowned, "Then who could it be? I didn't do it, and Renly certainly wouldn't. Who else could it be?"
Lord Mace was speechless. Could he possibly accuse the King himself? After all, he was just a prisoner now.
"Dorne?" Joffrey analyzed to himself, "That shouldn't be. Prince Doran would probably be afraid that we wouldn't fight fiercely enough. Why would he actively end the war, and even help the Royal Family he despises the most?"
Mace Tyrell listened with trepidation. Joffrey didn't hide his hostility towards Dorne at all!
"Other Dukes? Even less likely. If the lords had such means, they would have used them long ago, and I wouldn't be unaware of it until now." Joffrey kept glancing at Mace Tyrell below.
"It's really not Highgarden?" Joffrey asked again.
Lord Mace was silent for a moment.
After weighing the pros and cons of refusing the King's hint and clearing himself of suspicion, Lord Mace still denied it again, "Please understand, Your Majesty, Highgarden does not practice sorcery."
No matter what, the King wouldn't refuse Highgarden's allegiance over this, would he?
"That's strange then," Joffrey looked puzzled, "If it's not Highgarden, how could the Shadow distinguish between loyal subjects and traitors so accurately? Or perhaps I was wrong, and the Shadow's killing was actually random? Those who died weren't necessarily traitors, and those who survived aren't all loyal subjects?"
Joffrey's expression turned cold, "If that's the case, the traitors who managed to survive by chance shouldn't expect to escape punishment. The kingdom does not tolerate betrayal! Traitors are unforgivable!"
Lord Mace understood the King's threat.
Joffrey smiled again, "Lord Mace, you probably don't know this yet. Old Lady Olenna has already established a close alliance between Highgarden and the Royal Family. The Royal Guard has already moved into Highgarden."
Lord Mace looked at the King with a shocked expression.
Joffrey smiled faintly, "Please rest assured, even if there are more traitors who survived, the safety of House Tyrell is not something to worry about. You know the strength of the Royal Guard, don't you?"
Of course, Lord Mace knew.
"It truly wasn't Highgarden's doing?" Joffrey asked again. "A Shadow isn't a sin; it's a great merit. Just relax and tell the truth."
Lord Mace's heart couldn't help but race.
He told himself to consider carefully, protect Highgarden, and absolutely not bring disaster upon the family.
The Royal Guard captured Highgarden?!
Mace Tyrell didn't want to believe it. But he knew full well that if a force truly reached Highgarden, this outcome was almost certain.
What happened to Highgarden? What about Mother? She must be furious.
Are the armies from Rising Stone Town and Old Oak alright?
The Reach has been taken?
Lord Mace couldn't help but recall that King Joffrey's Royal Guard had ten thousand men, but there were only a few thousand here. Did everyone else go to Highgarden?!
"Haven't you thought it through yet?" the King urged.
Mace Tyrell gave up struggling. "Yes, the Shadow was done by Highgarden. From beginning to end, Highgarden has only been loyal to Your Majesty." At least preserve this reputation.
"Good!" Joffrey clapped his hands happily. "As expected, I didn't misjudge Highgarden! My efforts weren't in vain."
Lord Mace could only offer a forced smile.
"Highgarden's achievements will not be forgotten!" Joffrey stepped down from the Throne. "The Royal Family will not mistreat you. Besides, we are family now."
Joffrey walked up to Lord Mace. "Father-in-law."
Mace Tyrell was full of astonishment.
"Lady Olenna has agreed, Margaery will be my Queen." Joffrey enthusiastically shook Lord Mace's hand. "It will be an unparalleled wedding, you absolutely must not miss it."
Lord Mace was already stunned. What was the situation at Highgarden now? Margaery's betrothal?
"Next, we will conquer Dorne."
Another bombshell dropped from King Joffrey's mouth! Mace Tyrell couldn't make a more exaggerated reaction.
"Lord Mace, I appoint you as the Supreme Commander of the Southern Campaign."
Joffrey said, "Three days from now, forty thousand troops will march south from Storm's End, taking the Fleet directly to Sunspear, the capital of Dorne!"
Forty thousand people? Lord Mace thought to himself, they can't all be prisoners from Storm's End, right?
Joffrey's gaze was deep. "The Sea God Temple will provide support, and you will have over a thousand Templar Knights under your command!"
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