chapter 175 part 2
Queen Cersei crumpled Lord Tywin's letter in her fist. "I want him here in person. I am Joffrey's Queen Regent, and I gave him a royal decree!"
Tyrion waited silently for Queen Cersei to finish her tirade before he sighed. "Queen Regent, we should be realistic. Renly and Stannis will march on the city sooner or later. The old lion leading troops in the field is the only way to keep them in check..."
As he spoke, Tyrion grinned and continued, "Honestly, you've found quite a few opponents for our old father. You truly are his obedient daughter. He must love you to death."
Cersei's lips tightened, her face filled with rage.
"My dear brother, what if I were to say this letter is a forgery and have them throw you in the dungeons... I guarantee you, no one would dare defy me!"
Tyrion's smile didn't waver, but his heart trembled. His sister was absolutely capable of such a thing; he knew Cersei's willful nature all too well.
Tyrion nodded. "Of course, I don't doubt that in the least. If I weren't holding Father's letter, I imagine I'd already be in a dark dungeon, pathetically crying and begging for your mercy."
Queen Cersei raised her chin slightly, a look of contempt on her face.
After a pause, Tyrion's expression turned serious again. "Cersei, you and Joffrey both need the old lion's army. You shouldn't so easily shake Father's trust in you."
Queen Cersei's pupils contracted slightly. Tyrion had struck upon her greatest worry. The Small Council meeting before his arrival had already made her aware that she was now surrounded by enemies.
She was not afraid, but she did not want to lose.
Therefore, she could not do without the old lion's support.
Queen Cersei deliberately put on an air of indifference. "I have Ser Jaime and Lord Glyn."
Tyrion sighed emotionally, "Thank the Seven you didn't say Lancel's name."
Cersei suddenly stood up, staring intently at Tyrion. "What do you mean by that?" she asked coldly.
Tyrion's heart skipped a beat. Why the sudden burst of anger?!
He scrambled down from his stool and trotted over, his ingratiating expression like that of a court fool in the Red Keep. "The roar of the Lioness is truly frightening. My enchanting sister, please don't be angry. We are all Lannisters. Without your support, I cannot securely hold the position Father has given me."
Queen Cersei shoved Tyrion's hand away and sat back down in her chair.
Tyrion quickly picked up the wine carafe and poured a cup for Queen Cersei. Seeing her expression soften slightly, he poured another cup for himself.
Having done all this, Tyrion climbed onto the Hand of the King's chair next to Cersei.
Tyrion squinted as he took a sip of Summer Red. The Hand of the King's chair was more comfortable than he had imagined.
Although he had relied on flattery, he had finally managed to sit in this chair. It was a good start.
Queen Cersei put down her wine cup, her voice filled with warning. "Remember your words. Without my support, no one will take you seriously."
Tyrion nodded with a look of sincere agreement.
Tyrion's face remained impassive, but he had noticed something suspicious. The Lioness had acted strangely twice because he had mentioned Lancel.
The corners of Tyrion's lips turned up imperceptibly. His curiosity was piqued, but that could be put aside for now. The priority was to handle his sister, the Queen Regent who loathed him.
Tyrion spoke with sincerity, "We were just talking about Jaime and Glyn... Let's talk about Ser Jaime first. He will be a great help to Father leading the troops in the field. The old lion... loves him very much, doesn't he? As for Glyn... he has to help you guard King's Landing, doesn't he? I hear Stannis is building warships on Dragonstone. Might he suddenly appear outside the city one day to bid us good day?"
Cersei considered herself clever and experienced, but Tyrion had grown up with her since childhood and had long since figured out her personality. For him, reading the expression on her face was as easy as reading his favorite book.
The anger on Cersei's face lessened, replaced by more anxiety about the situation, or rather, she didn't know what to do now.
His lioness of a sister could only regain some of her sense after venting her anger.
After a pause, he continued, "Cersei, as long as you support me, I promise you, you and Joffrey will be safe and sound."
Queen Cersei scoffed, "You? Can you even lift a sword? Can you help me eliminate the enemies who threaten Joffrey's throne?"
Tyrion grinned. "At the very least, our muddle-headed father chose to believe in me, didn't he? Someone has to work for you. There's no loss for you in this, my good sister."
...
After a long silence, Queen Cersei said coldly, "I can give you one chance. Do not disappoint me, my good brother."
Tyrion was both moved and grateful. "Rest assured, I will serve you with all my heart and strength, Your Grace."
Tyrion's eyes shifted slightly. He thought that the old lion's thinking was the same as his own: Cersei and Joffrey's talent for making enemies was too great. The mother and son were the Lannisters' greatest opponents.
The smile on Tyrion's face deepened... The old lion might not even have time to eliminate one enemy before the mother and son created two new ones for him. Fortunately, their old father had always been in good health.
Therefore, his most important task after becoming Hand was to sideline Cersei and Joffrey as quickly as possible.
Tyrion raised his wine cup toward Queen Cersei in a toast... Lord Glyn was a problem. It could be said that Queen Cersei controlled King's Landing through him. As long as Lord Glyn remained the Commander of the Gold Cloaks, it would be very difficult to strip Cersei of her power. Although his sister Cersei was foolish, she wasn't stupid. She would not easily give up Lord Glyn's position.
Trust was the key... how to shake it... or rather, which person would be easier to shake?!
Tyrion took a large gulp of Summer Red. His eyes suddenly lit up... The traditions of House crabbe...
Tyrion put down his wine cup. He looked at Queen Cersei in high spirits... The Queen Regent is one thing, a Queen Consort another.
...
Queen Cersei looked at her ugly brother and, for once, a faint smile appeared on her face.
The imp... an ugly, deformed monster... the Imp Hand... the root of all evil and suffering... what a perfect thing to push forward to appease the public's wrath.
Cersei felt she understood the old lion's deeper meaning. As expected, she was Tywin's true heir.
Cersei felt a sense of regret for her father, because she didn't have a cock.
Tyrion was taken aback by her smile. Cersei blinked innocently, her smile utterly enchanting.
...
Cersei smiled... Tyrion saw a sister as beautiful as the summer sun... Only when she smiled could one realize just how beautiful she was.
Tyrion smiled along with her... His older sister was truly captivating. He almost felt guilty for plotting to usurp the beauty's power.
Tyrion cleared his throat softly and said, "My good sister, tell me about Pycelle and Varys?"
Cersei's turquoise eyes shifted. "What do you mean?" she asked.
Tyrion spread his hands. "Let's put it this way: are these two Small Councilors useful?"
(end of chapter)