The Young Lion

Act 1 Ch 15 Conspiracy Born

The court was in chaos after Joffrey’s reforms were implemented. Soon the court was divided into three sections; the crown, the old nobles faction, and the new nobles faction. The crown consisted of the Lannister family, while the new nobles were nobility who were on board with Joffrey’s new reforms. Seeing the profit and ultimate benefit that such changes could bring not only themselves but the realm as a whole.

However the old nobles consisted of those that didn’t want the system to change. They were completely opposed to any reforms and would rather see hundreds starve than lose the authority and power they had grown accustomed to. Not only was the boy king forcing them to pay higher tariffs on imported goods. But he was also giving away good food to the riff raft of the city for free.

There began talks in the halls of the Red Keep and court of maybe supporting Renly or maybe even Stannis' claim over the presumptuous new king. Thus a conspiracy began to form in the heart of the city between the disgruntled nobles. Of course they all decided to turn to a man who could fund their treacherous schemes, Littlefinger.  Littlefinger had the gold cloaks in his pocket, an army two thousand strong. As well as access to the crown’s funds of course none of them knew the crown was on the verge of financial collapse. 

Soon littlefinger had flocks of nobles rushing to his ear asking for his aid in dealing with this new child king. Littlefinger could feel his influence increase by the day and a total of one third of the court was conspiring against the little lion king. He felt inclined to agree with them and be the confidant or friend they needed to lend an ear to. Internally Littlefinger was thanking Joffrey for his foolishness. His rapid reforms would inevitably throw the royal court into chaos and with chaos comes opportunity. If the king were a bit older he might have realized that when you put a sudden halt to the system, those that hold the reins of power would never just release them. He felt that he was closer now to his ambition of sitting on the iron throne than he has ever been before. Soon the corrupt nobles would turn on the Lannisters and he would be left with complete control of the power vacuum. 

Little did any of them know that they were playing right into Joffrey’s hands. He had purposely rushed his reforms to stir the pot so to speak to find out where his enemies hid among his court. He knew his court was filled with flatters and ass kissers. He had a good idea who his “fair weather” friends were but he wanted to be sure and he wanted all his enemies in one place. While appointing a merchant noble to the small council only shook the hornets nest further, It was his soup line strategy that had been the knife in the heart.

Him feeding the common folk served multiple purposes simultaneously. First he meant what he had said if the rich allowed the poor to starve they would inevitably turn on them and kill them. This way they would be sated and appreciative to their king for his generosity. Second it was the final straw for the corrupt nobles hiding in his court. For the king to make them pay for the commoners' food, would drive them into conspiring together to oust him from the throne. He knew Littlefinger wouldn’t be able to resist such a “golden” opportunity to increase his power base. Though the third reason was the most pertinent, he knew it was an opportunity to gain Varys' loyalty.  

Using his knowledge on the individual characters' personalities he knew where Varys true loyalties lied, not with any king or queen but the people. Unlike Littlefinger who only fought for his own ambition, Varys fought for the common folk and the improvement of their lives. His ultimate dream, that of a land where the powerful do not prey on the weak. Personally, Joffrey thought it was a rather childish and naive dream. The powerful would always prey on the weak, that's how they became powerful in the first place in this world and his old one.

But if Varys was looking for a benevolent king he was more than happy to fill that role. He was the master of whispers and had a spy network that stretched across two continents. He would need him on his side if his plan to rid his court of the parasites that have crippled it were to work. So he decided to play into his ideal of a king who serves the people when he gave his little speech to his small council on his soup lines. Thus he knew it wouldn’t be long before he approached him in confidence as he had Ned Stark to aid him against the conspiracy to overthrow him.

Right now Joffrey decided to focus on another pressing matter, his lack of loyal men. Besides the kingsguard he had no one that was truly loyal to him and him alone. The gold cloaks were a bunch of thugs in dumb uniforms, who answered to a bald worm, who in turn answered to a snake. The Lannister soldiers were fine and took orders from him and his mother but ultimately their loyalty lies with his grandfather Tywin. He needed men who answered to him and him alone if he wanted to secure his position, after all he had no interest in being Tywin’s puppet king. Thankfully he had a city with half a million to choose from.

[The Next Morning]

The sun rose through the open window in the king’s bed chambers, illuminating the scene of the king sprawled out on his silk sheets. It would not be many hours before the rest of the castle awoke and began clamoring about. However Joffrey rose first changing into his training clothes and made his way to the courtyard to begin his exercise regiment. He pumped out many sets with his new free weights. After about an hour of strenuous strength training and building up quite the sweat did Joffrey make his way to the baths. He soaked in the nice stone bath for around thirty minutes feeling the grime and sweat wash off his body.

After finishing his soak he made his way to his mirror and gazed over his figure. All his intense training and dieting had finally paid off. He boasted a strong but lean physique, with defined and carved muscles. His skinny weak arms were now thick and vascular. He truly felt he fit the image of a fantasy world’s young king. After changing into some clean clothes which consisted of a black doublet over a white silk shirt and matching breeches did he make his way to the dinning hall.

He ate in the Red Keep’s cafeteria where typically the guards and servants used. He got strange stares from the castle’s servants for eating among them, but Joffrey didn’t pay it any mind. The whole city was currently being frugal at the moment, so he didn’t want to waste money on custom meals. As usual his mother disapproved of his behavior especially eating among those she views as lower than themselves. Though his younger siblings kept a more open mind.

They thought it strange at first but soon they followed their older sibling's example and began to eat and socialize among the castle staff. Joffrey was happy by the development and he typically spent his morning’s talking with his younger siblings during breakfast. Myrcella was a sweet kind young girl, she was ten years old with curly long blonde hair and green eyes. Tommen was a good hearted lad unlike his real sociopathic brother, he was eight years old with the same blonde hair and eyes.  Joffrey never had any siblings in his last life, he had always fantasized about being an older sibling, but never got the chance.

That's why he made it his mission to repair his relationship with his new siblings and keep them out of his idiot mother’s hands. After the three finished their meals they each went about their days. Myrcella had embroidery lessons that day, while Tommen picked up Joffrey’s habit of reading and began locking himself in the royal library for hours on end. Joffrey was amused by the boy's dutiful little nature and encouraged the boy’s antics.  

Joffrey however had other matter’s to settle he called his new sworn shield Ser Barristan and told him to get two horses ready as they would be heading into the city. He wanted to check on the progress of his Industrial sector as well as begin searching for recruits. When he arrived at the castle’s gates and found the old knight had prepared two horses for them. The other kingsguard had been ordered to keep his siblings and mother safe while he was away. As he mounted his steed Ser Barristan spoke to him.

“Your grace, shouldn’t we bring more soldiers with us?” He asked as he got atop his horse.

“No,” he said as he adjusted to his saddle. “They would get in the way and scare off my citizens. Besides, I have the utmost faith in your ability to protect me. Or are you telling me your sight and strength are finally leaving you in your old age Ser Barristan?” He asked with a sarcastic tone and friendly smile.

The old knight chuckled at the young king’s jest. “We’ll see if you can keep that attitude during your sword lessons this afternoon, your grace.” He said with a smile and a glint in his eye that made Joffrey gulp.

“Me and my big mouth.” He thought.

The pair made their way into the city riding down the brownstone streets as the commoners looked on. Their eyes were drawn to the golden haired king and his regal features. As he rode by, all heads turned and followed him. His natural charisma and his commanding presence drew eyes to him like moths to a flame. As the two rode the commoners began to cheer and applaud their king who they hadn’t seen for the last few weeks. Joffrey just smiled and waved at his citizens as he basked in their love and appreciation. 

The pair quickly arrived at the industrial sector and dismounted their horses. As the two walked towards the shops which were being remodeled to be a more modern factory. However soon a crowd of common folk formed and crowded around them. They cheered and patted the pair on the back as they made their way through. Barristan was surprised at the over familiar citizens who dared to touch royalty. Though he saw his king wasn’t bothered in the least by their attitudes and just smiled despite his clothes getting dirty from their touch.

After the pair got through the crowds they were greeted by the sight of his chief executive Tobho. He was a bald older man in his late fifties. He had a thick graybeard with a sturdy and strong frame. He wore a black velvet coat with silver hammers embroidered onto the sleeves. He greeted the pair with a big smile.

“Oi your grace, what brings you here today?” He asked with a big smile and a familiarity like he was greeting an old friend rather than his king. 

Barristan was taken aback by the old smith’s presumptuous attitude to his liege. 

“Nothing much I came to check on our progress and see if everything is on schedule. “ Joffrey shrugged it off.

“Everything is running smoothly, your grace.” He said smiling. “With your management changes, the workers have nearly doubled their results. Who knew a thirty and two fifteen minute breaks could make such a difference.” He said rubbing his chin.

“People aren’t horses Tobho, treat them like human beings and you’ll be amazed at how their enthusiasm grows.” He said with a smile watching his employees hard at work over the furnaces.

“Though this isn’t a social call I have some designs I would like you to start implementing.”

Tobho looked like he had stars in his eyes when he heard the words “new designs”. Like a kid in a candy store he waited impatiently to be handed the parchments. After he handed them over he quickly unraveled them to look at. They appeared to be new weapon designs and armor like he hadn’t seen before.

“What are they?” He was confused with question marks above his head. 

“The future arms of my soldiers my friend, I would like you to get started immediately.

“Of course, it seems simple enough.” He said as he gazed over the designs.

“Good, oh and I have one other project I want completed that I would like you to handle personally.” He said as he reached into his doublet and pulled out another parchment.

He handed the paper to the old smith who took it with a confused expression. After he unfolded the paper and saw the designs his eyes nearly popped out of his head.

“Y-your grace this is.” He said stuttering.

“I know,” he said, putting his hand on his shoulder to calm him down. “This is a project for peace so I want you to handle it with the utmost care.”

Tobho shook his head immediately.

“Leave it to me, your grace I will see it done.” He said, nearly saluting the young man.

Joffrey and Barristan chuckled at the old smith’s attitude. Joffrey went on to observe the employees at work and would even give out pointers and tips to some of the more inexperienced engineers. Barristan watched all of this with a satisfied smile on his face. More and more this young king was embodying his dream of a just king who serves the people’s interest not their own desires. He had served three kings in his time and he knew without a shadow of a doubt that this young boy would be greater than all of them combined.That's when he dedicated himself and swore he would see Joffrey’s vision accomplished. He would lay down his life and protect that dream with every fiber of his being.