Ser Barristan's brows knitted together, his gaze somewhat lost.
"Burden? Queen Regent?"
Varys stepped out lightly, a faint smile on his face, and said, "Ser Barristan, the Queen Regent means… your position as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard has been revoked."
Barristan's expression turned blank, and the white-haired man seemed to freeze in place.
He spoke with difficulty, "My King, the Kingsguard takes an oath for life; only death can release them from their sacred duty."
Cersei Lannister's eyes flickered, looking at the pale Barristan.
"Barristan, may I ask whose death? Yours, or your King's?"
Joffrey's voice came from the Iron Throne, his tone accusatory.
"My father is dead, and you are too old to protect anyone!"
Barristan seemed to age instantly as he looked up at King Joffrey, high above.
"My King, ever since I first drew a sword, becoming a Kingsguard was my only desire.
At twenty-three, I renounced my inheritance of Harvest Hall; I needed no lands, no children, and throughout my life, I only served the realm.
Ser Gerold Hightower (known as the White Bull, Aerys II's Lord Commander of the Kingsguard) witnessed my oath, where I swore to protect the King with all my might, until death.
Before serving your father, I guarded King Aerys, and his father Jaehaerys; I have served three Kings…"
Varys interjected, "Ah, and they all died, how sad."
Queen Regent Cersei showed an impatient look: "Ser Barristan, your service ends here."
Ser Barristan moved his lips, but no sound came out.
Queen Regent Cersei lifted her chin and continued, "The Small Council has decided that Ser Jaime Lannister will take over your position as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard."
As she spoke, her beautiful eyes glanced at Barristan, her tone laced with mockery: "My son needs young, strong men by his side."
"Kingslayer?"
Barristan first uttered Jaime's nickname scornfully, then said in a severe tone, "Is that the false knight who defiled his sword with the blood of the King he swore to protect? Is he now going to defile the position of Lord Commander of the Kingsguard?"
Queen Regent Cersei's voice held a hint of anger: "Ser Barristan, please mind your words, Ser Jaime is my beloved brother, and Joffrey's uncle."
Ser Barristan reached up and unfastened the clasp on his shoulder; the snow-white cloak, representing his sacred duty, fell to the floor.
"The white cloak of the Kingsguard is no longer pure; naturally, I no longer cherish it."
Pycelle glanced at Queen Regent Cersei, who looked angry, and stood up.
"Barristan Selmy, you are no longer Kingsguard; you are now superfluous, this… false knight."
As Pycelle finished speaking, the assembled crowd burst into laughter, including his five Kingsguard brothers.
The laughter was too harsh; the brave old man stood in place, red-faced and speechless with rage.
With a 'shing', Barristan drew the longsword from his waist.
Immediately, cries of alarm erupted; Ser Boros and Ser Meryn of the Kingsguard rushed forward to confront Ser Barristan, but they were frozen in place by a sharp look from Ser Barristan.
"Ser Boros, Ser Meryn, have no fear; your King is safe, but this is not due to your diligent protection.
Even now…"
Barristan's sharp gaze swept over the Kingsguard, and he continued, "I can still cut down all five of you like cheese.
If you intend to serve the Kingslayer, then none of you are worthy to wear this white cloak."
With a clatter, Barristan threw the sword in his hand at the base of the Iron Throne.
He looked up at Joffrey, high above, and said, "Take it, kid.
You can melt this sword down and add another to the Iron Throne… that might be more useful to you than the swords in these five men's hands."
He turned and walked away, noblemen and women parting to let him pass; his footsteps echoed loudly on the floor, reverberating through the Throne Room.
Only when the Gold Cloaks had re-closed the oak and bronze doors of the Throne Room did Joffrey's furious voice come from the Iron Throne.
"He dared to call me a kid? I'll have him arrested!"
… … … …
… … … …
Tower on the Red Keep city wall.
Greene Kleber stood leaning against the wall, arms crossed, facing a somewhat melancholic Jaime Lannister.
Greene teased, "Ser Jaime, you look like a… lost child?"
Jaime gave Greene a sidelong glance but said nothing.
Greene pointed in the direction of the Throne Room and added, "I heard you are to be appointed Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.
Congratulations."
Jaime: "…"
Another silence ensued.
Greene sighed, "I say… Ser, if I remember correctly, you came to find me, didn't you?"
After a pause, Jaime's green eyes looked at Greene and said, "How did you know I would be appointed Lord Commander of the Kingsguard?"
Greene shrugged, saying, "Everyone knows there are no secrets in the Red Keep.
Those who shouldn't know already do, while those who should know are unaware…"
Just then, with hurried footsteps, the figure of a Gold Cloak appeared in sight.
"Lord Greene, Ser Barristan requests to leave the Red Keep."
During the Throne Room petitions, before they conclude, the Red Keep gates are closed, prohibiting entry and exit.
Greene and Jaime exchanged glances; just as Greene was about to speak, another Gold Cloak also hurried over.
"Lord Greene, Queen Regent Cersei has ordered the arrest of Barristan Selmy."
Greene waved his hand and said, "Let the esteemed Ser Barristan leave.
Also… tell Ser Barristan to beware of our pursuit."
"Yes, Lord Greene."
… … … …
After the Gold Cloak left, Jaime said, "Lord Greene, aren't you afraid Queen Regent Cersei will blame you?"
Greene spread his hands, saying, "Ser, I am helping… well, I'll tell Queen Regent Cersei that you let him escape."
Jaime's eyes flickered, and he said, "It seems you genuinely intend to pursue Ser Barristan, not just pretend."
Greene nodded slightly, saying, "I've given him a chance; don't forget, he is Barristan the Bold."
Jaime sighed softly, reached out, and patted Greene's arm, saying, "Lord Greene, thank you for your help."
"Cheer up, Warden of the East and Lord Commander of the Kingsguard."
Jaime shook his head slightly, looking into the distance, his gaze complex.
"Although Ser Barristan doesn't like me, I respect him greatly.
We are… were Kingsguard brothers, but now… this is not the outcome I wanted, nor what I desire."
Greene's eyes flashed… Cersei's recent actions had left Jaime feeling lost.
"Ser Jaime, are you planning to leave King's Landing? Or rather, to leave Queen Regent Cersei's side for a while?"
Jaime turned to Greene, showing a surprised expression.
"No wonder Tyrion told me you two are the two smartest minds in King's Landing."
"Ser, we know each other well; it's not hard to guess."
Greene shrugged and added, "I hope the excuse you find isn't something like 'finding your lost self'."
Jaime: "…"
Greene had guessed correctly again; Jaime was somewhat speechless.
Jaime indeed intended to leave Cersei's side to reclaim his lost knightly heart.
Last time in the Throne Room, the Direwolf released Jaime, who was a captive; the Direwolf's men had, so to speak, laid down their weapons, yet Cersei ordered their execution.
Jaime watched helplessly as brave warriors who had given up resistance fell one by one in pools of blood.
Had he become an accomplice in deceiving these men?
Jaime admitted he hated Robert Baratheon, but he wanted to stop Cersei from executing Robert's bastards, because they were just innocent children.
Why was Cersei so insistent on doing this? Jaime, of course, knew the real reason.
Last night, Cersei suddenly told him that he would be appointed Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, and Ser Barristan would be expelled from the Red Keep.
Why was Cersei so eager to expel Ser Barristan, who was loyal to his oath? Jaime, of course, knew the real reason.
He was a Kingslayer, a Kingslayer; what right did he have to take over as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard?
The Kingsguard, bearing a sacred duty and representing the highest knightly honor… was gradually being stained black because of him.
He suddenly felt like a ridiculous existence; for the sake of loving Cersei… how many layers of hell would he have to descend?
The beautiful dream Jaime had woven for himself shattered piece by piece.
… … … …
Whether leaving or escaping, he needed a strange place; he needed to think things through carefully.
Jaime gripped Greene's shoulder tightly, gazing at Greene and saying solemnly, "Lord Greene, I entrust Cersei's safety to you.
This is my request."
… … … …
… … … …
Throne Room.
The voice of the Master of Ceremonies boomed: "The King hears his subjects' petitions."
"Speak if you have business, else be silent!"
The hall gradually quieted, making Sansa Stark in the crowd even more nervous.
Gods grant me courage… Sansa told herself; she had to do it now; she had to save her father.
Now… Sansa took a breath and walked out unhurriedly.
Sansa stopped below the Iron Throne, and the Master of Ceremonies proclaimed: "Lady Sansa of the Stark."
"My King.", Sansa curtsied to Joffrey.
Sansa secretly looked up and saw Joffrey smiling at her, his smile giving her the greatest courage.
"Speak if you have business, else be silent!"
Sansa knelt, looking up at Joffrey, high above, and said, "My King, I wish to petition for my father, the former Hand of the King, Duke Eddard Stark, and ask for your merciful forgiveness of his crimes."
Maester Pycelle's voice was the first to come: "Lady, your father has committed a monstrous crime."
Varys sighed, "Alas, what a poor child… My Lords, she is but a child and does not know what she asks."
Sansa trembled with fear; she didn't know what to do; she could only cast her pleading gaze upon the Iron Throne, where her beloved sat.
Joffrey did not disappoint Sansa; Joffrey's voice came from the Iron Throne in good time.
"Let her speak; I wish to hear her words."
Sansa nodded, moved and grateful: "Yes, My King."
Pycelle shook his head, his tone like a pronouncement: "The crime of rebellion is like a poisonous weed; it must be uprooted and utterly destroyed, otherwise rebels will spread everywhere."
Varys said gently, "Lady Sansa, do you deny the crimes your father committed?"
Sansa had thought of a way to save her father these past few days, or rather, an "excuse" to shift the blame.
She spoke cautiously, "My King, Queen Regent, My Lords, I do not deny it."
Buzz!
The murmuring in the hall immediately rose and fell.
"Silence! Silence! Silence!"
Once quiet was restored, Joffrey's voice rang out: "Lady, please continue."
"My King, I know well that my father must face judgment.
All I ask is for clemency, to spare his life.
My father must surely regret his actions deeply; he was King Robert's friend in life, and he truly loved King Robert.
I believe everyone present understands that before King Robert spoke, he never had any thought of becoming Hand of the King.
He must have been misled by Duke Renly or Duke Stannis, otherwise he would not have…"
King Joffrey leaned forward, looking down at Sansa, and said, "He said I am not the King.
Why would he say that?"
Sansa had already secretly prepared the answer to such a question.
Hearing Joffrey's question, she almost blurted it out.
"My father was deceived by those he trusted; he deeply loved King Robert, and therefore trusted King Robert's brothers."
Varys clasped his hands and said softly, "This is due to a child's faith in her father… so pure and innocent… But then, don't people often say that wisdom often comes from the mouths of babes?"
Pycelle shook his head stubbornly: "Lord Varys, no matter the reason, rebellion is rebellion."
Joffrey frowned and pondered for a moment, then said, "Mother, what do you think?"
"If Duke Stark is willing to confess his crimes…"
Queen Regent Cersei observed Sansa for a while, then sighed, "Then we can be sure he has repented, and I hope he does not betray Sansa's good intentions."
Joffrey rose from the Iron Throne, casually glancing at the people below.
Sansa looked at Joffrey; she dared not speak again; she pleaded silently in her heart: Please… please… You are the King in my heart… the kind, noble, and good-hearted King… Please!
Perhaps Joffrey heard Sansa's inner plea; Joffrey nodded slightly towards Sansa.
Joffrey's voice was very gentle: "Lady, do you have anything else to say?"
Joffrey's gentleness gave Sansa ample courage, showing her hope of saving her father.
"Please… please, for the sake of your love for me, grant me this wish, my Prince."
Joffrey looked down at Sansa, paused, then nodded slightly, as if telling Sansa that everything would be alright.
"Lady Sansa, your heartfelt words have moved me.
I can fulfill your love for your father, but your father must first bow and confess his guilt, and acknowledge me as his King, otherwise I cannot show mercy."