chapter 177 part 1
Chapter 177: A Bastard's Choice
Cersei Lannister just snorted coldly.
Tyrion Lannister grinned. "One last question."
His tone was calm. "How did you get rid of Robert I?"
Queen Regent Cersei sneered, her voice sounding boastful. "He brought it on himself. We just sent him on his way a little sooner. Lancel saw Robert relentlessly chasing the boar, so he offered him strongwine. I arranged for the wine. It was three times stronger than what he usually drank, and it quickly became the drunkard's favorite. In truth, he could have stopped drinking at any time if he wanted to, but he insisted on finishing one wineskin and asking Lancel for another... The rest was handled by the wild boar."
Her voice became cheerful. "Tyrion, you really should have been at that feast. I've never had such delicious boar in my life. Every bite tasted of victory."
Tyrion: "..."
It was more or less as he had guessed... Tyrion had actually been quite fond of the loud and gruff Robert Baratheon, partly because he could always put his arrogant sister in her place.
He shrugged. "Dear sister, you were truly born to be a villainess."
Without waiting for Cersei's reaction, he added with a mischievous smile, "I'll take my leave now."
Queen Regent Cersei frowned. "You are not to leave. I want to know your plans."
Tyrion spread his hands. "Your Grace, my dear sister, I have only just taken office. Plans are like fruit; they need time to ripen."
Tyrion turned and strode away, raising his right hand and waving it behind him as he walked.
***
***
King's Landing, the Iron Gate, Captain of the Guard's office.
Greene Kleb put down the letter in his hand and ran his fingers through his jet-black hair.
A reply from Davos Seaworth... In the letter, he had tactfully declined the invitation for one of his sons to serve as the commander of Cleber's Fleet.
The time the invitation was sent... Back then, Eddard Stark was still serving as the Hand of the King.
More than a month had passed.
Greene picked up the letter again and examined it. One-fifth of it was a modest refusal; the rest was filled with praise for Lord Stannis's wisdom.
Greene's long fingers tapped on the table. The timing of the reply and its contents were quite coincidental.
Stannis would soon declare himself King of the Seven Kingdoms. This letter was an attempt by Stannis's faction to test the waters. They valued the soldiers of Crackclaw Point, and he would likely be one of their key targets for recruitment.
He had to admit... the "diplomatic" methods of Stannis's faction were very crude, or perhaps, very arrogant.
Greene placed the letter back on the table.
The Red Priestess... Greene's thumb moved against his index finger on his right hand.
***
*Knock, knock, knock.* A knock sounded at the door, which then swung open. Joffrey walked in.
"My lord, intelligence just came in. Tyrion Lannister is temporarily replacing Lord Tywin Lannister as the Hand of the King."
So Tyrion was appointed acting Hand of the King after all? It seemed he would be dealing with him a lot in the coming days... Greene recalled Tyrion's public persona... Hmm... not very important. In the future, their interactions would primarily be about naked exchanges of interests.
It seems that after Aimparu's knighting ceremony is over, I can begin preparations to head north... Greene's eyes suddenly flickered, and the corners of his lips curled up slightly.
A small shadow climbed silently and stealthily through the window.
Joffrey looked over warily, but quickly averted his gaze. He exchanged a look with Greene and shrugged with a hint of resignation.
Greene coughed lightly. "You may leave for now."
Arya Stark approached quietly like a little cat, her large eyes filled with the light of excitement.
Closer and closer, Arya tried hard to pull down the corners of her mouth, attempting to make herself "look" very calm.
"I'm about to—" Arya was about to cheer, but before she could open her mouth, Greene's large hand suddenly appeared on top of her head.
Greene smiled and ruffled Arya's fluffy hair. "Good day, Lady Arya."
Arya's eyes widened in great dissatisfaction. "Lord Glynn, how did you find me again?!"
Her little face puffed up. "Swift as a deer, quiet as a shadow, quick as a serpent, calm as still water, strong as a bear, fierce as a wolf... Syrio taught me all of that, and I did it!"
Greene chuckled. "Your breathing."
Arya's face scrunched up into a ball as she said resentfully, "It must be because I was too happy, so my breathing got all messy."
"Have you been learning to sneak around lately?"
Arya shook her head. "No, Syrio has been teaching me how to thrust a sword quickly."
Greene raised an eyebrow. "Ser Syrio is a good teacher, but he is also a good opponent. You could try to ambush him."
Arya shook her head again. "Lord Glynn, although you are my good friend, you are my opponent."
Greene asked, puzzled, "Opponent?"
A look of sadness appeared on Arya's little face, but it transformed into one of excitement in the next moment.
"Syrio told me that if I can defeat you, I can protect anyone I want to protect. I want to protect my father!"
Greene reached out and gently patted Arya's little head... The weak and muddled Lord Eddard had frightened the little girl. Her wolf's blood had made her even braver.
Greene stood up, looking down at the small Arya, and said solemnly, "Warrior Arya, I will be waiting for you."
Arya tilted her head up, her big eyes looking at Greene, sparkling brightly, and she nodded vigorously.
Arya hugged Greene's leg. "We have to part tonight. I'm so sad."
A faint smile appeared on Greene's face. "It won't be long before I come to see you. Lord Eddard and I have already agreed to go hunting in the Wolfswood together."
A little girl's happiness is always simple. "Really? That's great! I'll show you around then!"
Greene smiled and nodded. "Alright."
"I'm going to find Syrio!"
After saying this, Arya skipped away, only to quickly turn back.
"Hehe, I forgot something important. My father said he has something to discuss with you."
***
***
Inside the room, Lord Eddard and Jon Snow sat facing each other. The atmosphere was a bit heavy.
Greene pushed the door open and walked in. A slight smile appeared on Lord Eddard's weary face.
Greene first bowed to Lord Eddard, then held out a hand to stop Jon, who was about to stand.
He patted Jon. "That leg of yours has finally recovered."
On the day of Joffrey's trial of Lord Eddard, Jon, upon hearing the news, had wanted to sneak out and rescue his father all by himself.
Jon's leg injury had not yet healed. He was just about to sneak out, limping along, when he was discovered by the Kleb Blue Cloaks.
Jon was very stubborn. Per Pily had no choice but to lock him up, only releasing him after Lord Eddard was successfully rescued.
Jon said awkwardly, "My lord, I..."
He opened his mouth but, for a moment, didn't know what to say.
Greene waved his hand. "You were anxious to save him. We all know that."
Greene's brown eyes turned to Lord Eddard. "Lord Eddard, Arya told me you were looking for me?"
Lord Eddard nodded slightly. He was silent for a while, looking at Greene and Jon.