The sunlight at this moment was not as scorching as at noon; it was soft and warm, making one feel lazy and comfortable, but Ser Jaime, who was heading towards White Sword Tower, felt even more annoyed.
What was wrong with him?
Recalling what had just happened, Jaime couldn't even remember why he had suddenly gotten angry with Cersei and left directly.
Was it because of his father's sarcastic questioning?
Could it be because of Joffrey?
Joffrey, his blood, his first child. Ser Jaime tried to recall Joffrey as a child, but no matter how hard he thought, only Cersei appeared in his mind.
...
Jaime watched Joffrey being born, but at that time, his main concern was not him, but Cersei.
...
Moreover, he never had a single chance to hold his seed.
...
Ser Jaime remembered bringing it up, but he couldn't recall why he had that impulse at the time. He still clearly remembered Cersei's warning: "It's already dangerous enough that you and Joffrey look so much alike."
...
He didn't insist, and from then on, that child, that screaming pink little thing, took up most of Cersei's time and love.
...
He watched Joffrey become Robert I's favorite for a time.
Robert Baratheon was rotting and stinking in his grave, and Jaime Lannister felt he had had enough of the world's lies.
Seeing the outline of White Sword Tower from afar, Ser Jaime's hand gripping the hilt of his sword tightened a little.
When he heard about Joffrey's atrocities from Adam, he surprisingly thought of Aerys II, and in his mind appeared... the scene of the Mad King executing the former Duke Stark alive in front of them, that crazy and cruel laughter seemed to still echo in his ears.
History seemed to be repeating itself before his eyes, and it was truly ironic.
Did the Kingslayer create Aerys II?
Ser Jaime couldn't help but quicken his pace; he had to do something, at least... he would never allow another Mad King to appear.
Inside the circular Kingsguard meeting room, Ser Jaime met the four Kingsguard waiting for him: Sandor Clegane, Ser Mandon, Osmund Kettleblack, and Boros Blount.
Among them, Ser Osmund grinned at Jaime, as if they had been good friends for many years.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
The Lord Commander's chair was an old black oak chair with a bleached cowhide cushion. Ser Jaime stood beside it, scanning the people present. This seemed to be his first official meeting with his Kingsguard brothers since assuming the position of Lord Commander.
He couldn't help but think of his father; he was truly taking his duties seriously.
Ser Jaime began the pre-meeting ritual, raising his voice: "Who guards the King?"
The Kingsguard must also ensure the King's safety during their meetings.
Ser Osmund replied: "My brother, Ser Osney Kettleblack."
The Hound glanced at Ser Mandon and said: "Lord Greene Crabb."
Ser Jaime's voice rang out again: "Can they protect His Majesty completely?"
Everyone chorused: "To the death!"
Ser Jaime nodded and said: "Please be seated, Kingsguard."
After everyone was seated, Ser Jaime's gaze swept over the faces of his old and new Kingsguard brothers.
Some of these men had worked with him for many years.
The Hound had always served as Joffrey's personal bodyguard; Ser Mandon's fish eyes never betrayed his emotions. Ser Boros's swordsmanship might be passable, but he was all show; as for Osmund Kettleblack, he was completely unknown.
He tried to imagine how Ser Arthur Dayne (the Sword of the Morning) would react to the Kingsguard of today.
He guessed the Sword of the Morning would most likely lament: The Kingsguard has fallen to such a state!
Perhaps, he could only reply: It's all my fault; I was the first to use a backdoor, causing others to follow suit.
Pulling his thoughts back, Ser Jaime said: "Gentlemen, not long ago, Robert Arryn fell from the tallest tower by the sea, and..."
He paused, then made his choice: "For the specific details, please await the Small Council's explanation."
Jaime also managed to find a reasonable excuse for himself: the Kingsguard should be "pure" like their white cloaks, so... they should not participate in the "dark" game of power.
He hated himself even more at this moment.
After Ser Jaime's words fell, some shifted uncomfortably in their seats, some clenched their fists, and some shrugged indifferently.
He continued: "Gentlemen, the King is still underage. I reiterate the Kingsguard's duty here: until the King comes of age, our sole duty is to protect the King's safety."
"The Kingsguard swear to obey the King, but the King is only thirteen. The urgent task is to protect him, including from being 'harmed' by his own actions."
"Until the King comes of age, the Kingsguard will slightly adjust their obedience. My sister is the Queen Regent, my father is the Hand of the King, and I am the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Obey us three, and ignore everything else."
"Yes, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard!"
After a moment of silence, Ser Jaime looked at a Kingsguard who was becoming increasingly corpulent and said: "Ser Boros, have you heard about the wedding in Riverrun? A duke's heir and a bride, both poisoned during the wedding feast. Also, if I recall correctly, Prime Minister Jon was also poisoned to death."
Ser Boros nodded in confusion. Jaime continued: "As a Kingsguard, I hope he sits firmly on the Iron Throne until his hair turns white and his teeth loosen, and that he is never again harmed by poison or the like."
He announced: "I hear you are very fond of food. From now on, every dish Joffrey eats and every cup of wine he drinks will be tasted by you first, Ser Boros."
Someone let out a low laugh, and Ser Boros's face instantly flushed red: "I am not the King's cupbearer, I am a Kingsguard!"
A cupbearer is a servant specifically for pouring wine or serving tea and drinks; a cupbearer also arranges seats and serves food. The sons of nobles in the Seven Kingdoms considered it an honor to be chosen as a great noble's cupbearer, especially for the royal family.
A mocking arc appeared on Ser Jaime's lips: "Many people saw your performance during the last riot in King's Landing (Chapter 173), and Queen Regent Cersei even told me how you happily handed Tommen over to Ser Jacelyn (former Commander of the Gold Cloaks, Chapter 241). Since you dislike drawing your sword so much, I will give you a new weapon. From now on, when the Kingsguard are wielding their swords, you will be wielding a ladle in the kitchen."
Ser Boros's fat face twitched, and he said angrily: "You are deliberately insulting me!"
Ser Jaime said coldly: "You should protect them to the death."
"Like you protected Aerys II to the death?"
Ser Boros stood up abruptly, his large hand gripping his sword hilt, and said: "I... I do not accept your command. In my opinion, you should be the cupbearer; not long ago, you... you were still a prisoner in Riverrun."
"Very good."
Ser Jaime smiled and said: "It seems neither of us is suitable for protecting the King. Well then..."
He also stood up: "Draw your sword. Whoever falls among us will be considered clearing out the trash for the Kingsguard."
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