At the request of Queen Cersei, King Robert's body was still being kept in this inn so that Prince Joffrey could see his father one last time as soon as possible.
In a show of respect and mourning, the stone inn was draped in somber black cloth, and the people coming and going had all somehow found black clothes. There was not a trace of laughter or joy.
The innkeeper, Masha Heddle, stood outside gazing at the transformed inn, her heart heavy.
Her inn was located at the intersection of the Kingsroad, which ran north and south, the River Road to the west, and the Valley Road to the east, hence its name, the "Inn at the Crossroads."
It had existed for hundreds of years and had changed hands many times.
Because of various special events that had occurred here in the past, it had been called the Two Crowns Inn, the Bell Inn, and the Roaring Dragon Inn.
Now, the innkeeper wondered if the inn's name would have to change again.
The king had not died on his throne, nor had the High Septon of the Great Sept of Baelor presided over the ceremony. Instead, he had died in her small inn, with only a few nobles by his side and the rest being soldiers and servants. What would people call it because of this?
Whoosh~
The strong wind made it hard for her to open her eyes. She only vaguely felt a massive surge of heat leap towards her in an instant, accompanied by a heavy sound like a hundred people breathing at once.
The dust and wind gradually subsided, and she slowly opened her eyes a crack.
Ah~
She couldn't even scream. She could only collapse weakly onto the ground. Was this the monster that killed the king?! They were back?!
After waiting for a long time and not being torn to shreds, she slowly opened her eyes again and raised her head.
A handsome young man in red and gold robes was riding on the back of a monster, looking forward with an extremely serious expression. She recognized him. The monster was the lion from a few months ago, almost twice as large. The young man was the Crown Prince of the Seven Kingdoms, the future new King.
Behind him sat a woman holding a spear, and a few others... hmm?
What kind of creature was this?!
She scrambled away on her hands and knees, retreating all the way inside the inn door before feeling a little safer.
Only then did she notice the figures on the other white bear. The Imp was struggling to climb down, pulling on the white bear's fur, while another black-haired young man held a white wolf with blood-red eyes in his arms.
The Crown Prince's voice trembled as he asked, "Father, what happened to him?"
What more needed to be said? The overwhelming blackness was the clearest explanation and answer.
Masha just kept bowing and curtsying.
Many nobles quickly poured out of the inn. The dusty Crown Prince and the others were surrounded by the crowd, receiving countless sorrowful glances and expressions.
Queen Cersei, clutching her black velvet gown, rushed towards her beloved son and then tightly embraced the Crown Prince, weeping.
"Little Joff, your father, he... he was murdered by Bloodraven!"
Everyone lowered their heads in silent mourning.
That's right, that infamous Lord Bloodraven. Even the innkeeper, who preferred not to meddle in noble affairs, knew that Bloodraven was still alive, still lurking beyond the Wall, watching the Seven Kingdoms.
But the Crown Prince seemed not to have heard. "Mother, I have urgent information to tell Father. Where is he?"
Everyone was stunned.
"Ser Barristan the Bold" shook his head and walked up to the Crown Prince. "Your father is in the main room on the third floor of the inn."
The Crown Prince immediately pushed through the crowd and rushed into the inn.
Ser Barristan explained, "Your Highness is likely overcome with grief and unwilling to remember any news of King Robert's passing. I have seen this kind of situation before."
Everyone suddenly understood and sighed at the depth of the father-son affection.
Everyone then surged into the inn, leaving only the innkeeper and servants outside who were not qualified to pay their respects.
Masha sighed and continued to guess the new name of her inn.
By the time everyone gathered at King Robert's resting place, Joffrey had been standing there in a daze for a long, long time.
The arrangements here were quite simple.
The statues of the Seven, which should have been seven yards tall and carved from marble, had been replaced by rough wooden figures collected from a nearby small sept.
The Mother's altar was so small it could only accommodate one person kneeling.
The statue of the Stranger, placed by King Robert's coffin and responsible for guiding the dead to the other world, was not at all terrifying or mysterious, almost shorter than Tyrion.
Only the strong scent of incense in the air was fitting; at least there were plenty of candles in the procession.
Joffrey saw a hundred candles burning, sending a hundred blessings to the King in heaven. May he enjoy these hundred blessings and fight freely in the heavenly kingdom, no longer lingering in the human world.
Everyone quietly watched the Crown Prince's frozen back, almost able to imagine his expression at this moment.
The Gods protect us, the new King of the Seven Kingdoms must be wise and benevolent.
Joffrey's voice was hoarse. "Let's set off immediately. Father's resting place is the sacred and magnificent Great Sept of Baelor, the highest heaven. He should not stay in a place like this for too long."
Everyone exchanged glances.
Queen Cersei stepped out from the crowd. "Little Joff, we have to tragically accept reality. Robert has left us, and the country needs a new king to rule."
The Queen walked towards King Robert's side and picked up the Stag crown placed on a silver platter.
"You must take responsibility. Do not be defeated by sorrow. Bravely accept your mission. The Seven Kingdoms need you."
The Queen held the crown high in her hands, approaching the Crown Prince step by step.
Everyone grew quieter, even slowing their breathing.
Ser Barristan, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, did not move. He gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist tightly, ready to offer his sword and everything to the new King.
Lord Eddard Stark, Hand of the King, did not move. How could he say no to Robert's son?
Jaime did not move. He watched silently as Cersei placed the crown inch by inch on Joffrey's head, wondering what the future of the Seven Kingdoms would be like. Was Joffrey's change during this time a pretense or genuine?
Bran, Sansa, and many others just watched the scene in shock. A new King ascending the throne – how many times in a lifetime could one be so fortunate to witness it?
The crown finally settled firmly on the new King's head. Queen Regent Cersei held the new King's face, revealing a captivating smile, and then helped the new King slowly turn to face the crowd.
Whoosh
The crowd simultaneously lowered themselves. The friction and collision of armor and fabric condensed into a resonant sound, announcing the start of the ceremony.
The Queen Regent's steward timely and loudly chanted:
"Welcome His Majesty Joffrey I, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, of the House Baratheon and the House Lannister."
An extra name, but could they say no now?
Everyone immediately roared the loudest sound, even if their voices were hoarse afterward.
"Long live King Joffrey!"
Ser Barristan stepped forward and knelt on one knee, offering his most cherished sword. "Your Majesty, my sword is yours. I shall forever be your loyal knight, until the end of my life."
Joffrey took the sword and then bestowed it back upon the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. "Your loyalty is beyond question. Please rise."
Next was Lord Eddard. He presented the round Hand of the King badge. "Your Majesty, Winterfell and the North shall always be your loyal subjects. If Your Majesty permits me to resign and return, I shall also guard the peace of the North for Your Majesty."
Joffrey took the badge and, without hesitation, bestowed it back.
"Before I rule in my own right, I command Hand of the King Eddard Stark, Queen Regent Cersei Lannister, and Lord Tywin Lannister of Casterly Rock to jointly act as regents."
Eddard looked up in shock.
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