Candlelight flickered gently, a faint blue glow at the tip of the flame illuminating the dark room.
Jaime moved his lips, but ultimately said nothing more; continuing to explain for Baron Green would only make things worse.
Cersei was on the verge of a tantrum, and his continued presence would only add fuel to the fire.
Jaime wanted to leave immediately but hesitated.
Regarding Cersei's safety, he would not trust anyone else.
"Ser Jaime."
Baron Green's voice caught Jaime's attention.
Baron Green had already unbuckled the longsword from his waist, and seeing Jaime look over, he tossed it towards him.
Jaime reached out and caught the longsword, his face slightly embarrassed; love had blinded him, making him subconsciously overlook Baron Green's character.
The astute Baron Green was a stickler for details, and Jaime's knightly heart was once again stirred by him.
Within Jaime's line of sight, Baron Green nodded slightly, giving him a reassuring look.
Jaime lowered his gaze to Baron Green's sword, a smile playing on his lips, and after nodding to Cersei, he swept his cloak and strode away.
Tap, tap, tap… Jaime subtly nodded his chin as he passed Baron Green, the proud Jaime Lannister offering a hint of apology.
… … … …
With a thud, the room door closed, leaving only Baron Green and Cersei inside.
Baron Green understood Cersei's temperament, so he always managed to hit her sweet spot when doing things.
As time went on, Baron Green not only improved Cersei's favor towards him but also, unknowingly, deepened her trust.
As Baron Green's standing in Cersei's eyes grew, Cersei also included him in her envisioned kingdom plan.
Once her schemes succeeded, Cersei's vision was: after Joffrey ascended the Iron Throne, Jaime would serve as the Captain of the Kingsguard, and Baron Green would be appointed Commander of the Gold Cloaks.
Through them, Cersei would act as Regent of the kingdom, controlling the Seven Kingdoms until Joffrey came of age.
Despite Cersei's profound trust in Baron Green, he accepted King Robert's rewards and titles.
… … … …
Upon hearing the news, Cersei was furious. Could Baron Green actually betray her?!
She was a Lannister; a Lion would never tolerate betrayal!
Cersei had already arranged for the most elite Lannister Red Cloaks. If Baron Green couldn't provide a satisfactory answer today, she would personally end him!
Did Queen Cersei give Baron Green a chance to explain out of soft-heartedness? No!
Baron Green had already demonstrated his value, coupled with Jaime's persuasion… Although Jaime's persuasion didn't play a decisive role, it did have some effect.
Also, Baron Green's immediate action of coming to Maegor's Holdfast to seek an audience.
These reasons made Cersei hold back from acting immediately, instead willing to give Baron Green a chance to prove himself.
… … … …
Thump, thump… Baron Green moved calmly, stopping two or three steps away from Queen Cersei.
Cersei raised her chin and said coldly, "Have you been surrounded by flattery lately? Does it feel like a dream to be trusted by both the King and the Prime Minister, Count Green?"
When Cersei finally uttered "Count Green," her tone was full of sarcasm.
Baron Green merely looked at Cersei with a calm gaze, saying nothing.
Facing Baron Green like this, Cersei's rage flared up fiercely.
Her voice rose: "Have you nothing to say? Loyalty is fearless, your cowardice makes me laugh. Have you come to beg me for a dress to wear? Or… you…"
"Baron Green! What are you doing?!" In her haste, Cersei used her habitual address.
Baron Green took two steps as one, moving swiftly and hoisting Cersei onto his shoulder.
Queen Cersei didn't play by the rules, and neither would Baron Green, depending on the situation.
"This is an insult! I'll have your head!"
Cersei struggled with all her might, using both hands and feet, but Baron Green carried her steadily.
The enraged Cersei punched Baron Green's back twice before stopping.
Baron Green was wearing plate armor, and Cersei's hand hurt.
When Cersei finally realized she could pull Baron Green's hair, she was placed in a chair before she could even act on it.
Cersei was set down steadily by Baron Green, her weight seemingly nothing in his hands.
Baron Green knelt tightly beside Cersei, holding one of her hands in both of his: "My Lord, loyalty fears no test."
Cersei tried to shake off Baron Green's hand, and seeing it was no use, she didn't persist.
Despite Baron Green's offensive action, Cersei found that her anger had dissipated by more than half, and she even felt his loyalty.
The slightly disheveled Queen Cersei subtly raised her chin, looking down at Baron Green: "Baron Green, this is an offense to the Queen. I can have you hanged."
Baron Green's tone was sorrowful: "Your Majesty, please forgive my obtuseness. I truly do not wish to be misunderstood by you any longer; it pains me greatly."
Cersei's green eyes trembled slightly, her lips curved into a faint smile, and her voice was cool: "So, you chose to carry your Queen on your shoulder. You are indeed very bold."
Cersei was actually surprised by Baron Green's attitude upon seeing her; it wasn't the kneeling and begging for mercy she had expected, which made her feel a touch of novelty.
Queen Cersei subtly raised her chin and said, "You are still offending your Queen. You should kiss my shoes and beg for my forgiveness."
Baron Green gently raised Cersei's hand, lowered his head, and symbolically touched the back of it, saying, "Your Majesty, noble as you are, you do not lack someone to kneel before you. You constantly exude an innate charm that conquers everyone. I am no exception; I have long since fallen… I chose to hide, I am content with the present, I fear loss, I dare not offend."
Cersei snorted, saying, "So, you're finally willing to wag your tongue?"
Baron Green replied, "The Lion's fury left me at a loss, please forgive my momentary obtuseness."
Cersei stared into Baron Green's eyes for a moment, then said, "Count Green, you may rise. Your armor, cold and hard, makes me very uncomfortable."
Baron Green obediently rose and stepped back, placing a hand on his chest and saying, "Thank you for your forgiveness."
Cersei snorted, raised her chin, rose from the chair, and slowly walked to the dressing table, seating herself again.
Cersei looked in the mirror, adjusting her makeup, and said, "Forgiveness? Count Green, you chose betrayal."
Baron Green's tone carried a hint of sarcasm: "Your Majesty, besides a nominal position, what did King Robert give me? The land I reclaimed myself, and it was my own ancestral territory. Their intention has always been the same: to remove me from your side."
Cersei glanced at Baron Green through the mirror and said coldly, "I understand, of course. It was your cowardice that ignited my wrath."
Cersei had just vented her anger, and Baron Green needed to keep up the effort.
Baron Green stopped explaining and instead walked over, picked up a comb from the table, and carefully helped Cersei comb her hair.
Queen Cersei finally showed a hint of satisfaction: "What do you intend to do?"
"I plan to make a trip to Essos soon."
Upon hearing this, anger flared in Cersei's eyes once more.
However, Baron Green's next sentence immediately dispelled the anger that was about to rise in Cersei.
"State affairs are secondary; my main purpose is to procure some small items for you, to the best of my ability, to add a touch of brilliance to your presence."
Cersei glanced at Baron Green sideways and said, "A young girl might be happy if you coaxed her."
Baron Green put away the comb.
Queen Cersei looked left and right through the mirror and said, "Good craftsmanship, Attendant Green."
Baron Green humbly nodded: "Thank you for your praise, Attendant Green is honored."
Cersei curved her lips, lifted her skirt, rose, and turned to approach Baron Green.
Baron Green once again felt Queen Cersei's breath.
Baron Green's eyes flickered slightly; he felt Cersei's hand reach downwards.
However, Queen Cersei immediately frowned; Baron Green's ancestral armor was perfectly sealed, and the Lancel scene was not replayed.
Cersei naturally withdrew her hand and then caressed Baron Green's cheek: "Don't let King Robert have his way so easily, do you understand?"
Cersei hated Robert; she wanted him to die with unfulfilled desires.
"Rest assured, for me, your command is the final command."
Cersei nodded slightly with satisfaction: "What do you intend to do?"
Baron Green's Adam's apple bobbed: "The intelligence I gather there will be submitted to the Small Council through you."
Cersei patted Baron Green's breastplate and said, "I won't give you too much time. You should know how to prove your loyalty to me, and I also want to confirm your devotion."
Baron Green, as if possessed by a smoldering man, took a deep breath, his cheeks slightly flushed.
Cersei offered a slight smile, raised her chin, and said, "You may withdraw, Count Green."
Baron Green bowed out, his hand on his chest, and left the room with a slightly unnatural step.
… … … …
Outside the door, Baron Green and Jaime exchanged glances, and Baron Green shrugged.
Jaime smiled and handed Baron Green his sword.
Baron Green took the sword, fastened it, pulled out a silver stag, and tossed it to Jaime.
Once Jaime caught the silver stag, Baron Green said, "Storage fee."
Jaime smiled and shook his head, the awkward atmosphere between them instantly vanishing.
Jaime also joked, "Next time, the price goes up to one golden dragon."
Baron Green held up two fingers, then gestured towards the room door with his eyes, and turned to leave.
Jaime looked at Baron Green's retreating back with a smile on his lips, then re-entered the room.
… … … …
Entering the room, Jaime found Cersei sitting silently in a chair.
"That boy's character is quite good, more reliable than many."
As he spoke, Jaime stepped closer to Cersei.
Cersei seemed to just notice Jaime entering the room, and glancing at the armor on Jaime, she frowned slightly: "Hmph, he is my prospective Commander of the Gold Cloaks, my Captain of the Kingsguard, Ser Jaime."
Cersei never concealed her ambitions in front of Jaime.
Jaime advised helplessly, "Cersei, I can support you, but we cannot be hasty. This is a big matter…"
Cersei interrupted impatiently, "Jaime, I know, you don't need to repeat it."
With that, Cersei frowned again and continued, "Jaime, why are you still wearing armor? That thing is cold and hard, take it off for me!"
Cersei's sudden angry words made Jaime look down at his armor in confusion.
… … … …
… … … …
King's Landing, Hook Alley.
A weary Davos Seaworth looked up at the star-studded night sky for a moment, then regained his spirits.
How did Davos, known as the Onion Knight, plan to help Duke Stannis Baratheon become King's Hand?
Davos's plan involved a joint recommendation from the nobles and Duke Stannis's self-nomination.
Davos naturally understood that the biggest hurdle would be King Robert, but he believed that with the joint recommendation of many nobles, King Robert, who was indulging in food and drink, would ultimately have to compromise for the stability of the kingdom and appoint Duke Stannis as King's Hand.
He truly couldn't imagine, after Prime Minister Jon, who else could govern the already sufficiently chaotic kingdom besides Duke Stannis.
Davos had already secretly visited many Crownlands nobles and secured some commitments.
Tomorrow, Davos would set off for his primary destination, the Baratheon ancestral lands—the Stormlands.
The journey was as difficult as Davos had imagined, but Davos felt that as long as Duke Stannis could successfully assume the position of Prime Minister, it would all be worth it.
Everything he possessed was bestowed upon him by Duke Stannis.
Duke Stannis knighted him, allowing him to sit alongside other nobles and even command the Royal Fleet.
Davos had seven sons.
Now, his eldest son, Dale, was the captain of the "Sea Spirit," his second son, Allar, was the captain of the "Lady Marya," his third son, Malic, became an oar officer on the "fury," his fourth son, Marthos, served as first mate on his "Black Betha," and his fifth son, Davos, was about to be taken as a squire by Duke Stannis, destined to be knighted one day.
His two youngest sons, Stannis and Stephan, would also follow the same path in the future.
His wife, Marya, became the mistress of the small castle at Cape Wrath, and servants had to call her Lady; Davos could also hunt red deer in his own forest.
… … … …
All this was thanks to Stannis, and the price he paid was merely a few finger joints.
Stannis's punishment of him was just; he had always defied the King's law, and this was a deserved punishment. Stannis had remade him.
Now, Stannis still honored him with trust.
… … … …
Davos also heard in King's Landing that Baron Green had been granted a magnificent mansion by Queen Cersei; the Lannisters' generosity always inspired awe.
Queen Cersei, a Lannister by birth, would not be generous to others without reason. Through this news, Davos had confirmed that Baron Green's reputation as the Queen's favorite was by no means exaggerated.
The rare talent that Duke Stannis had taken a liking to, facing the Lannister's golden dragons, Davos could only hope for Duke Stannis's personal charisma.
Davos's thoughts churned. After being led into the mansion by an attendant, he saw Baron Green waiting in the great hall.
Davos, with brown hair and brown eyes, had an ordinary appearance, a thick gray beard, and was dressed in a black robe, looking slender.
Davos was visiting on behalf of Duke Stannis, and Baron Green took the initiative to greet him: "Good evening, Ser Davos, please convey my regards to Duke Stannis. It is an honor to meet you."
Davos nodded in return: "Good evening, Count Green, on behalf of Duke Stannis, I thank you for your regards. It is an honor to meet you."
After Baron Green and Davos meticulously completed the courtesies of their meeting, they both took their seats.
Baron Green's expression was gentle, and he said, "Ser Davos, the diligence of the Royal Fleet allows my port to develop peacefully. I've always wanted to express my gratitude in person, and I didn't expect the opportunity to be so close at hand."
Davos replied humbly, "Count Green, this is the duty of the Royal Fleet, and also the accomplishment of Duke Stannis."
Baron Green nodded slightly and said, "Duke Stannis is like a pillar of the kingdom; I deeply admire him."
Davos sighed slightly and said, "Yes, I agree with your view. Duke Stannis has always been fair and diligent, which cannot but inspire admiration."
Baron Green's eyes flickered slightly, and he said, "Yes, the Gods can attest to that."