Chapter 602: The Final Witness

Robert's reign on the Iron Throne not only squandered the wealth accumulated by the Targaryen dynasty over generations but also incurred enormous debts in the name of the royal family to the Lannister and Tyrell families, the church, the Iron Bank of Braavos, and the Tarly Trading Company, amounting to several millions of gold dragons.

However, most of these creditors were dealt with by Viserys, and the remaining Tarly Trading Company did not dare to come to collect the debts.

At the trial assembly, the public resentment was bubbling over. People were vocally cursing the profligate King Robert. Yet, standing at the center, Robert Baratheon remained silent amidst the accusations, offering no explanations, enduring the public's wrath, and even the objects thrown at him.

At one point, the Gold Cloaks and the Unsullied soldiers had to step in to maintain order.

"Protect the prisoner!"

"Ah!"

At the command of the Unsullied commander, dozens of Unsullied soldiers formed a round shield wall around Robert to prevent him from being pelted to death.

Thud, thud, thud—

Objects continued to hurl against the shields, but the Unsullied, expressionless as machines, held firm.

"Everyone, cease!"

"Back off! Back off!"

"Arrest anyone who disrupts the order!"

Under the command of Brynden Tully, the capital defense forces dispersed the furious crowd away from the execution grounds, ensuring the order was not disrupted.

After some time, and after arresting a few instigators, the disturbance caused by the trial subsided.

However, any last shred of sympathy towards King Robert vanished, leaving only anger.

Robert himself remained silent throughout, acknowledging the mistakes he had made. Ever since his imprisonment, he had spent considerable time reflecting on the reasons for his downfall.

There were the wars, Tywin usurping military power during his coma, and his own reckless spending.

Had he not squandered so much gold on pleasure, but rather used it for the welfare of the nation, enhancing military strength, would the outcome of the wars have been different? Would he have not been on the losing side of the civil war, losing the Iron Throne, becoming a prisoner?

But now, reflecting on past mistakes was futile; there were no second chances.

Even given a chance to go back, Robert might not have changed, his transient enthusiasm would eventually give way to his old ways.

There were some changes in Robert after becoming king, but eventually, his true nature revealed itself.

Once the disturbance was contained and order restored, the Unsullied withdrew the shield wall, exposing Robert Baratheon once more.

"Get on with it, boy!"

Robert, standing in the center of the venue with heavy shackles on his hands and feet, his beard in disarray, looked up at Viserys impatiently on the platform.

"You want my head, don't you?"

He was tired of the trial and just wanted it to end.

However, at this moment, the final witness was ready to take the stand.

Sitting among the noble rows, the former queen Cersei, still dressed as a maid, chose to ignore the curious glances around her.

She stood up from her seat, crouched down, and embraced her children.

"Joffrey."

"Mother."

The golden-haired boy, his face still showing fear and traces of tears, was evidently terrified by the chaotic scene earlier. He feared that the angry crowd was going to devour his father, and maybe him and Myrcella too, as they were scorned as 'bastards.'

"Take care of your sister."

"Mother, where are you going?"

Joffrey asked fearfully, trying to grab his mother's dress, but Cersei wiped the tears from his face, stood up, and headed towards the witness stand.

On the other side, Robert, shackled in hands and feet, was furiously glaring at Viserys on the trial platform, cursing continuously, longing for a swift death. But at this moment, he saw the last witness approaching.

Robert turned his head and widened his eyes at Cersei, he didn't expect the last person to accuse him would be his queen.

"Cersei, you—"

"Why?"

The towering man with his beard now showing traces of gray, could not help but speak. His voice was low and hoarse, filled with bewilderment. He was already condemned, so why was Cersei delivering the most fatal blow?

"Have you forgotten, Robert?"

However, the golden-haired maid, raising her delicate chin, had red eyes, but she held back her tears.

"Did you ever love me? Even once?"

Robert had been visited by Cersei and their children shortly after being brought to King's Landing. Before parting, Cersei asked him a final question by the door.

She asked if Robert had ever loved her, but he shook his head and said no.

From that moment, Cersei gave up on Robert completely, with no lingering hopes.

Perhaps, the young lady of the Westerlands had once harbored dreams for her husband when she first married into King's Landing. After all, her husband was the great hero who overthrew the tyrant. But on their wedding night, Robert called out another woman's name while lying with her.

Cersei then turned her head towards the trial stand and began speaking.

"Your Grace, my lords."

As his wife, she accused Robert of several crimes and revealed some royal secrets. However, many of these had already been narrated by previous witnesses. Cersei repeated them, leaving many noble lords below the platform exchanging puzzled glances, wondering the reason for her testimony.

Yet, on the trial stand, some notable nobles already knew the reason.

They looked at Robert with sympathetic eyes, then turned their gaze to the two children. Ultimately, the children were innocent, merely sacrificial pawns in the adult game of love and hatred.