Red Keep, Throne Room.
Grand Maester Pycelle shakily rose, his maester's chain jingling softly.
He whispered, "Your Grace, the kingdom's finances are in a dire state. Representatives from the Faith and the Iron Bank have expressed their concerns. We need to find a capable Master of Coin as soon as possible."
Jaime Lannister had left suddenly, with only a letter, which put Cersei Lannister in a very bad mood, making her prone to fits of rage. Everyone else handled her with extreme caution.
She frowned and said, "When will Garth Tyrell of the Golden Rose arrive?"
Varys clasped his hands and said, "Queen Regent Cersei, my little birds tell me that man has remained inactive since arriving at Bitterbridge."
Pycelle glanced at Varys and said, "Your Grace, I think… that man's actions represent Highgarden's stance. The Golden Rose is likely observing."
"Cowardly Golden Rose."
After speaking, Queen Regent Cersei snorted coldly and added, "Varys, any news of Petyr?"
Varys shook his head slightly: "Littlefinger is skilled at bribing people. None of us can know who he has bribed. It could be a stable boy, or a minor jailer… In short, anyone could have been bribed by him… little people, or great people… making him disappear like a ghost from a heavily guarded dungeon…"
Maester Pycelle interjected, "Your Grace, are you…?"
"Pour me some wine."
Upon hearing this, Lancel Lannister, who was standing behind Queen Regent Cersei, immediately picked up the wine jug and poured her a drink.
Queen Regent Cersei swirled her wine glass, took a sip of summer red, and said, "He can resume his position as Master of Coin."
Varys exclaimed in surprise, "Your Grace, most people already know Littlefinger helped Lady Lysa poison Jon Arryn…"
Pycelle, for once, agreed with Varys and advised, "Your Grace, this is the crime of murdering the Master of Coin. Littlefinger cannot be forgiven even as an accomplice, let alone be appointed as a Master of the Small Council."
Queen Regent Cersei interrupted their suggestions: "Enough. You two recommend candidates for Master of Coin as soon as possible. I don't want to hear any more nonsense."
After a moment of silence, Pycelle suddenly said, "Your Grace, perhaps we can ask Prime Minister Tywin."
Thump! Queen Regent Cersei placed her wine glass on the table.
"Pycelle, my father is in Casterly Rock, and I am sitting here now. Are you senile?"
Pycelle trembled slightly and quickly nodded.
"You recommend suitable candidates to me before the next Small Council meeting. Next topic."
...
Cersei's voice was filled with anger: "What is Greene doing?!"
Varys sighed, "Queen Regent Cersei, my little birds tell me that as soon as the rumors surfaced, the Gold Cloaks began arresting those who spread them, but the effect was poor…"
Maester Pycelle's eyes flickered. He glanced at the enraged Queen Regent Cersei and said, "Your Grace, King's Landing has hundreds of thousands of people, but the Gold Cloaks only number a few thousand. Arrests alone cannot extinguish the deliberate actions of those with ill intent. I even heard…"
Queen Regent Cersei said coldly, "Heard what?"
Maester Pycelle hesitated, then said, "That you, Your Grace, poisoned Robert I…"
Varys's eyes flashed: "Oh dear, were my little birds being lazy? Such strange rumors. These people are too malicious…"
Speaking, he looked at Maester Pycelle and continued, "Grand Maester, where did you hear this news?"
Maester Pycelle looked back at Varys and said, "Lord Varys, you can have your subordinates inquire near Dung Gate. It is said the rumors originated there."
Varys smiled and nodded in thanks.
Maester Pycelle slowly said, "Your Grace, this kind of rumor questioning the royal bloodline is something almost every new king encounters. Earl Greene's arrests were quite timely. Baseless slanders will quickly dissipate."
After listening to Maester Pycelle's analysis, Queen Regent Cersei's eyes trembled.
Queen Regent Cersei rose from her chair and said, "I will make those who slander Joffrey weep and sing to the stranger, begging for the kiss of death!"
Having said that, Queen Regent Cersei, with a displeased expression, left the Throne Room directly.
Once Queen Regent Cersei's figure disappeared, Varys smiled and looked at the ancient Maester Pycelle.
"Maester Pycelle, you scared me to death just now! The Lioness's roar is truly terrifying… Earl Kleber truly has you to thank. If it weren't for you… he would surely have been made to bear the brunt of her anger today."
Pycelle's movements, as he organized documents, paused for a moment.
As he rolled up a parchment, he said, "It would have been better if Janos Slynt had not died, Lord Varys."
Varys asked curiously, "Grand Maester, what do you mean?"
Maester Pycelle sighed, "Now there is only one person who can stabilize the Gold Cloaks. We have no other choice."
Varys's eyes flickered. He smiled and said, "Maester Pycelle, are you worried that Her Grace will remove Greene Kleber from his post in a fit of anger?"
Pycelle's drowsy eyes glanced at the Spider. He shook his head slightly.
"Lord Varys, I am worried that the unruly commoners will break into the Red Keep. Some issues need to be postponed, at least until our new Prime Minister arrives in King's Landing."
Varys showed an expression of admiration: "Maester Pycelle, you are indeed the Grand Maester of the Small Council. You are truly far-sighted."
Pycelle's drowsy eyes widened slightly: "Lord Varys, I am just an old fool who wants to live out his remaining years in peace…"
Speaking, he paused, and then suddenly said, "Why would those rumor-mongers spread rumors about the royal bloodline? Lord Varys, no one would truly believe such baseless speculation. At most, the common people would just treat it as entertainment."
Varys leaned closer to Maester Pycelle, a meaningful smile on his plump face: "What if there was some basis?"
The rolled-up parchment fell from Pycelle's hand onto the table.
His hands, covered in age spots, trembled: "Varys, what are you trying to say?"
Varys clasped his hands, nodded slightly towards Pycelle, and left with a smile, without answering.
...
Outside the Throne Room.
"Queen Regent, leave this matter to me!"
Queen Regent Cersei stopped and looked at Lancel beside her with her emerald eyes.
With Jaime's departure, Lancel's status had risen considerably. He was now not only the Gold Cloaks' Red Keep Captain of the Guard, but also commanded the Lannister Red Cloaks within the Red Keep. It could be said that he alone held all the Red Keep's defenses.
"Can you do it?"
Lancel puffed out his chest and said, "Your Grace, they are merely commoners who love to gossip. I will pull out all their tongues until no one dares to spread rumors wantonly."
Lancel's method pleased Queen Regent Cersei, but she still hesitated because she did not trust Lancel's ability to get things done.
Seeing Queen Regent Cersei still hesitate, he hurriedly said, "Queen Regent, Greene also only has two hands and two feet. We are all the same. I just need a chance to prove myself, please."
Queen Regent Cersei saw a film of moisture in Lancel's eyes, and she unconsciously frowned slightly.
Cersei disliked weak men, but… Lancel truly needed an opportunity for others to see his capabilities.
Slap!
Lancel covered his cheek in horror. Why did the Queen Regent hit me?!
Queen Regent Cersei's fair fingers gripped Lancel's chin. She hooked her lips and said, "Lancel, don't let me see you like this again. Remember… you are wearing armor, not a skirt."
Lancel replied with a tremor in his voice: "As you command, Queen Regent."
Queen Regent Cersei's voice was cool: "My Lancel, I can give you a chance, but do not disappoint me."
Having said that, she gently caressed Lancel's reddened cheek.
...
...
North, Winterfell.
In a short time, the Stark vassals of the North had all brought their troops to assemble in Winterfell. Due to the frequent movement of people and horses, Robb Stark, the heir of Winterfell, ordered all the inner and outer castle gates to be raised.
Winterfell was filled with the clashing of swords and axes, the rumbling of carriages, and the barking of Hounds.
A long column of heavily armed lancers was crossing the moat. They wore black half-face iron helmets and black wool cloaks with white sunburst patterns.
They were the Karstark army, led personally by Earl Rickard, with his sons Harlion, Eddard, and Torren riding alongside him.
The Karstark family was a branch of the Stark. They were all tall and robust, with fierce expressions, thick beards, and hair that reached their shoulders. Their cloaks were made from the hides of bears, seals, and wolves.
Other lords had already arrived at Winterfell with their troops; they were the last contingent.
...
Robb was fifteen this year. He was powerfully built, his appearance inheriting his mother's family's blue eyes and auburn hair.
Robb had heard various news brought by different people, each more terrifying than the last. No one could be sure of the truth.
For example, Duke Eddard killed King Robert and became a fugitive; his father's guards' heads were impaled on spear tips, rotting on the Red Keep's walls; the Baratheon army was besieging King's Landing; Duke Eddard and the King's brother, Duke Renly, fled south together; Arya and Sansa were both killed by the Hound; Duke Tywin Lannister led his troops towards the Eyrie; Rhaegar Targaryen had returned from the dead and was preparing to reclaim the Iron Throne, and so on.
Robb had not yet fully processed these unsettling tidings when a raven brought a letter handwritten by Sansa, sealed with his father's sigil… The cruel truth no longer seemed so surprising to him.
Maester Luwin read: "…King Robert Is dead. Mother and brother should immediately go to the Red Keep to swear fealty to King Joffrey… We must ensure eternal loyalty… I will ask Joffrey to pardon Father…"
Catelyn Tully said angrily, "This is a letter written by Cersei, not Sansa. She must have been coerced by the Lannister!"
Lady Catelyn grasped her eldest son's hand. Her son had rallied his father's vassals, and he was calmly and politely winning their hearts.
She could no longer treat him as an ungrown child. Catelyn felt both heartache and pride.
"Robb, the true meaning of this letter is precisely the part Sansa didn't write… all that about how well the Lannister treated her… This is actually a threat. They are holding Sansa, using her as their hostage and leverage."
Robb couldn't help but show a sad expression: "Mother, the letter doesn't mention Arya."
Catelyn desperately held back her tears. She dared not delve too deeply into what that might mean.
"Mother, I have written three letters to Aunt Lysa in the Eyrie, requesting aid from the Valley Knight, but I still haven't received a reply."
Catelyn sensed Robb's unease and tension.
Catelyn comforted him, "Don't worry, my child, I will go to the Valley myself. I will bring you reinforcements."
"Thank you, my mother, I just worry…"
The calm and strong heir of Winterfell suddenly vanished, and Robb reverted to the fifteen-year-old boy he was. He hoped his mother could provide answers.
Catelyn noticed the tears in Robb's eyes. She knew her son needed encouragement… a commander could not waver in confidence.
She spoke gently: "Robb, can you tell me what you are afraid of?"
"I…" He opened his mouth.
Like his father, Robb was accustomed to keeping everything to himself and bearing burdens alone, but Sansa's handwritten letter made him unable to suppress it any longer.
Robb took a deep breath, then said: "If I lead troops south… even if we win, Father and Sansa are still in Lannister hands. They will be killed, won't they? Should I…"
"Robb, look at me."
Robb looked up at his mother.
Catelyn said firmly, "The Lannister are hoping we think that way."
"You mean…"
"Robb, I only know you have no choice! If you go to King's Landing to swear fealty, it will be very difficult to leave there… If you run back to Winterfell with your tail between your legs, the Stark vassals' respect for you will be completely gone, and some might even defect to the Lannister.
At that time, the Lannister will have no worries and can dispose of their hostages as they please… Our greatest hope, or rather our only hope, is that you can defeat the Lannister on the battlefield… If you can capture Duke Tywin or the Kingslayer, then you can exchange them for our family.
In fact, exchanging hostages is not the most important thing. The most important thing is… as long as you use your strength to make the Lannister dare not act rashly, Ned and your sister will be safe… Cersei is not stupid; she knows that if the war goes against her, she will actively use them to gain peace."
Robb said, "What if the war is not going against her, but against us?"
Catelyn held her son's hand tightly and said, "Robb, I don't intend to hide the truth. If you are defeated, then we will have no hope at all. The Lannister never show mercy to the defeated. You must firmly remember what happened to Rhaegar's children."
The Young Wolf said in a deep voice, "Mother, I will defeat the Lannister."