Chapter 25 Chapter 25 Cersei

The king pursed his lips in displeasure. "I want to sit on the Iron Throne," he told her. "Why don't you let me sit when you let Little Joe?" "Little Qiao is twelve years old, how about you?" "But I am a king! A king deserves to sit on a throne!" "Who told you this?" Cersei took a deep breath, and Dorkasha pulled her corset tighter.Dorkasha is a fat girl, stronger than Serena, but not as nimble. Tommen blushed. "No one told me." "No one? Is your noble queen air?" From this rebellion, the Queen Mother could smell Margaery Tyrell completely. "You lied to me, so I had to get Pate and beat him to pieces." Pate had been Joffrey's stand-in child, and now he was Tommen's. "Do you want me to do that?"

"No," the king muttered sullenly. "Who told you this?" The king shifted the weight of his feet in dismay, "Madame Margaery." He already knew not to mention the title "Queen" in front of his mother. "That's right, Tommen. Listen, I've got to deal with state affairs, things you're too young to understand, and I won't let a child rest on his throne disturbing me with childish questions. Let Let me guess, Margaery still encouraged you to attend my imperial meeting, right?" "Yes," the boy admitted, "she wants me to learn how to be king."

"When you're older, you can go to as many meetings as you want," Cersei told her son. "I promise you, you'll be bored before it's too late. Robert almost dozes off at meetings." . "He likes hunting falcons, and leaving the tedious state affairs to the old Duke Arryn to take care of—do you remember this old man?" "He died of a stomachache." "Yes, poor man. You are so studious, why don't you recite the names of all the kings and prime ministers in Westeros first, and I will check your homework tomorrow morning." "Yes, mother." The boy agreed meekly.

"A dear child of mine." She was the current Queen Regent, and she was not prepared to hand over any power until Tommen came of age.Since I can wait, after waiting half my life, he can naturally wait too.She played the dutiful daughter, the blushing and shy bride, the submissive wife; she endured Robert's drunken groping, Jaime's lava-like jealousy, and Renly's ubiquity She endured Varys' hypocritical whispers, endured Stannis's gritty face; she defeated Jon Arryn, Ned Stark, and her own evil, treacherous, murderous The unblinking dwarf brother.She has always promised herself in her heart: the one who laughs last laughs the best, one day, one day my time will come.Margaery Tyrell tried to challenge me at the height of my power, and I was determined to reduce it to ashes.

The thought of ashes made her breakfast tasteless, and the events that followed did not alter her mood.For the rest of the morning, Cersei sat with Lord Gyles and his ledger, listening to him talk of golden dragons and silver stags and bronze stars between coughing intervals.Then there was an audience with Master Weishui, who reported that three galleons were about to be completed, and asked for more budget to make them look magnificent and luxurious, in line with royal dignity.The queen mother readily agreed.Then, while watching Yuetong's jumping performance, she had lunch with representatives of the merchant guild, listening to their complaints that sparrows were wandering around in the market and sleeping all over the square.Should I let the gold cloaks throw them out of town?While she was thinking, Pycelle came.

The grand maester was rarely excited a few times at the imperial meeting recently.For example, at the last meeting, he strongly protested the new appointment of the captain of the galleon by Oren Weishui. Weishui wanted to reserve the seat for young people, but Pychel was interested in experience and insisted on appointing the captain from the Blackwater River. The captain who survived the First World War. "They are not only experienced, but also proved their loyalty on the battlefield." The national teacher commented, but Cersei thought that this group of people were too old, and expressed support for Lord Weishui's opinion. "They have proved themselves good swimmers," said the Queen Mother. "Mothers should die, and captains should sink with their ships." Pycelle was not convinced by this.

But he seemed to be in a good mood today, and even squeezed out a trembling smile. "Good news, Your Majesty," he announced, "that Wyman Manderly, at your command, has beheaded Lord Stannis's onion knight." "you sure?" "Indeed. The head and arms of the smuggler were displayed on the high walls of White Harbor. Wyman assured him it was him, and the Freys confirmed it. They had seen the head—the mouth." with an onion in it—and saw the hands, one of which had all the knuckles cut off." "Very well," said Cersei, "send a raven to Lord Manderly, commend him for his loyalty, and declare that we will release his son immediately." It seems that White Harbor will return to the king's rule soon, and Roose Bolton and his illegitimate son will attack Moat Calim from north to south without hindrance. When the stronghold falls, Bolton's army will sack Torrhen's Square and the ironmen of Deepwood Motte, and finally join Ned Stark's army. "My lords, attack Lord Stannis."

At the same time, in the south, Mace Tyrell's heavy army has surrounded Storm's End, and he has built more than 20 trebuchets to bombard the majestic city wall day and night.So far, it hasn't worked out well.Grand Marshal Tyrell, Cersei thought contemptuously, his sigil should be a fat man sitting on the ground, helpless. That afternoon, the staid Braavos envoy asked again.The queen mother has been fooling him for half a month, and she really wanted to delay it for another year and a half, but Mrs. Gales said that she couldn't handle it anymore... Hey, besides coughing, what else can Gails do?

The Braavos call themselves Naho Demetis.A disgusting person deserves a disgusting name, even his voice is disgusting.Cersei shifted in her seat, wondering how long she would have to listen to this bravado.The Iron Throne towered behind her, and countless barbs and tangles cast twisted shadows, covering the throne room.Only a king or a prime minister could sit on the throne, and Cersei sat on a golden wooden seat piled high with crimson cushions at the bottom of the steps. Taking advantage of the Braavosi's breath, she said hastily, "Your problem seems to be discussed with our treasury manager."

The venerable Nahor was unimpressed. "I talked to Earl Gales six times. He coughed at me and apologized to me, but His Majesty, he didn't pay me back a penny." "Talk to him again," Cersei suggested cheerfully. "Seven is a lucky number in our country." "Your Majesty seems to like a joke." "If I make a joke, I laugh. Do you see me laugh? Hear me laugh? I promise you, when I make a joke, men laugh too." "Well, King Robert—" "—has already entered the grave," the Queen Mother pointed out sharply. "After the rebellion is suppressed, the Iron Bank will get the gold."

He actually frowned at her arrogantly, "Your Majesty—" "Will see this end." Today, Cersei has had enough. "Sir Marlin, escort the honorable Naho Demetis out. Sir Osmond, take me back to my residence." The guests will arrive soon, and she has to hurry up to take a bath and change clothes—today's dinner is destined to be very busy Boring, this shows how troublesome it is to rule a kingdom, especially the "seven" kingdoms. Ser Osmund Kettleblack leaned forward as they descended the stairs, tall and thin in the white robes and armor of the Kingsguard.After making sure that no one was around, Cersei took him by the arm, "Hey, how is your little brother doing?" Sir Osmond hesitated, "Oh...he, he's doing well, it's just..." "Only?" said the Queen, with a tinge of irritation in her voice. "I must admit, I'm getting impatient with our dear Osney. He should have been on that filly long ago. I named him Tommen's mate." Personal guard, so that he can see Margaery every day, he should quickly pick off that rose for me. Could it be that... our little queen turned a blind eye to his charm?" "He's charming, don't you forget? He's a Kettleblack. Excuse me, though—" Sir Osmond rubbed his greasy black hair, "—the woman is the problem." "How to say?" The Queen Mother began to suspect that Sir Osney was not the right candidate, and perhaps other men were more to Margery's liking.Like the silver-haired Oren Weishui?Tall and burly Ser Tallard? "Our virgin queen is in love with something? Could it be that your brother's face can't arouse her interest?" "She loves that face and just touched his scar two days ago. My brother told me she was like, 'Which woman is so cruel?' Osney didn't say it was a woman, but she just knew, Maybe someone did. She liked to touch him while they were talking, or fix the buckles of his cloak, or brush his hair, or something. She even had him teach her how to use a long gun at the shooting range once. Bow, he took the opportunity to hug her. Osney told her a lot of lewd jokes, and she laughed out loud and responded with more erotic jokes. No, she wanted him, it was obvious, it was just— " "Just?" Cersei asked eagerly. "It's just that they were never alone. Most of the time, the king was present, and when the king was not, it was various other people. Two of her companions took turns sleeping with her, and the other two arranged her breakfast and served her. Dressing. She prayed with her monks, read with her cousin Ero, sang with her cousin Arran, sewed with her cousin Meggle. She sometimes joined Jayna Fossoway, Menedith Crane Going out for falcon hunting, and sometimes playing castle games with little Bulwei. When she goes out on horseback, she always brings a large entourage, at least four or five knights and more than ten guards. Moreover, even in the maiden's house on weekdays, she has men by her side .” "Man," there is something strange.Can make a fuss? "Say clearly, what man?" Sir Osmund shrugged. "Singer. The girl is hopelessly fond of singers and jugglers, and her cousins ​​attract knights—especially Sir Tallard, Osney said." Guadu couldn't decide whether he wanted Eero or Arran, or both. The Redwyne twins were often invited for company, Sir Drooling would bring flowers and fruit, and Sir Dreadful would play the harp—according to Osney To describe it, his performance reminds you of strangled cats. The princes of the Summer Isles often come to parties." "Jarabar Thor?" Cersei snorted disdainfully, "probably begging for troops and money again to regain their homeland." Thor was dressed luxuriously, but under the feathers and jewelry decorations, he But a senior beggar.Robert could have said firmly "No" and ended his hopes, but her drunken and stupid husband was still unable to make up his mind, so attracted by the glory of conquering the Summer Isles.There was no doubt that he wanted to sleep with those sluts with tan skin and charcoal nipples who wore only feather cloaks.Robert didn't say "no," he always responded to Thor with "wait until next year," and it dragged on year after year. "I'm not sure he was begging, my lord," replied Sir Osmond, "Osney thinks he's teaching them Summer Islands. Oh, no Osney, it's the king—teaching the filly and her cousin." "Talking horses are rare animals," the Queen Mother said dryly, "Tell your brother, sharpen the spurs, and I will find a way to get him to ride as soon as possible, I promise." "Yes, Your Majesty, in fact, he can't wait, can't wait. Hehe, that little mare is really a lovely stunner." Idiot, what he wants is me, the Queen Mother thought. The only thing Margaery can attract him is the lordship certificate between her legs.Although she doted on Osmond, she also felt that Osmond was as dull as Robert.Hopefully his hands are faster than his head, sooner or later Tommen will need him to fight. When they walked into the shadow of the burnt prime minister's tower, there was a sudden burst of cheers. It turned out that on the opposite side of the courtyard, a certain attendant stabbed the target firmly, causing the crossbar to spin rapidly.The cheers were led by Margaery Tyrell and her chickens.The few of them were shouting so happily, as if that little brat had won a martial arts championship!Immediately afterwards, Cersei was surprised to find that it was Tommen in gilt plate armor who charged on horseback. The queen mother had no choice but to go to congratulate her son with a happy face.When the Knight of Flowers helped her son off his horse, she caught him immediately.The boy was breathless with excitement. "Do you see?" he asked them all. "I am as heroic as Ser Loras. Do you see, Ser Osney?" "I see," said Osney Kettleblack, "you're very good." "You're better than I am, Your Majesty," joined Sir Dermot. "And I broke the spear! Do you hear, Ser Loras?" "Yes, thunderous." Rose clasps of emerald and gold fastened Ser Loras's cloak, and the autumn wind blew through his flowing brown locks. "You rode beautifully, but remember, this is only your first success, and you'll be on the road again tomorrow. You'll have to do it every day until every thrust is equally accurate and powerful, until the spear becomes part of your arm. " "I will!" "You are so ambitious." Margaery knelt down on one knee, kissed the king on the cheek, and put an arm around him. "Brother, be careful," she warned Loras, "in a few years, my gallant lord will have you down." Her three cousins ​​echoed, and that nasty little Bulwer even jumped Sing: "Tomen's a champion, a champion, a champion!" "He won't play until he's grown up," Cersei said. People's smiles withered like roses ravaged by frost.The old nun with the pimples was the first to kneel, followed by the others, except the little queen and her brother who stood still. Tommen didn't notice the sudden change of atmosphere. "Mother, did you see that?" he was still shouting joyfully. "I broke the spear on the shield and missed the sandbag!" "I saw it across the yard. You're doing well, Tommen, as good as I think you are. You're a natural on the school field, and someday you'll be a victorious general at tournaments, like you like father." "No one can match him." Margaery Tyrell smiled shyly at the queen. "But, my lord, forgive my ignorance. What tourney did King Robert ever win? What good knight did he take down?" Has the horse been here? I think the king should listen to his father’s heroic deeds and set an example.” A blush crept up Cersei's neck, and the girl left her speechless.In fact, Robert Baratheon didn't like jousting. He fought in groups, so that he could have a good time with a blunt ax or hammer and beat his opponent to pieces.When she spoke, she was thinking of James, and she couldn't help saying what was on her mind.This is not like me. "Robert has won the tourney at the Trident," she grudgingly answered. "He has won Prince Rhaegar and made me his queen of love and beauty. Don't you even know that, my dear daughter?" She didn't Give Margaery time to respond, "Sir Osmond, please, take off the plate armor for my son. Sir Loras, please follow me, I have something to tell you." The Knight of Flowers had to follow her like a puppy—he was a puppy after all.After going up the spiral staircase, Cersei just said, "Say, whose idea is this?" "My sister's," he admitted, "when we watched Ser Tallard, Ser Dermot, and Ser Portify take turns, and the Queen offered His Majesty to try it too." He called her queen and wanted to irritate me. "What about you? What did you do?" "I put on the plate armor for His Majesty, and taught him how to clamp the spear." Iron Guard replied truthfully. "The horse is too big for him. What if he falls off? What if the sandbag hits him on the head?" "Bruises and bleeding are commonplace for knights." "Is that why your brother is crippled?" She was delighted to find that the words wiped all the smile from that pretty face. "Perhaps my brother forgot to explain your duties to you, Sir, listen carefully now, your only mission is to protect my son. As for training, that is the job of the coach." "After the death of Allen Santagar, the Red Castle has no instructor." Loras' tone was vaguely dissatisfied, "His Majesty the King is almost nine years old, and he is eager to be trained. A nine-year-old child can be a servant, and he is subject to the training." Someone taught me." Someone will teach him, but not you. "Whose squire were you, ser?" she asked sweetly. "Lord Renly, I remember?" "I am very honored." "Yes, I think so too." From the example of these two, Cersei is well aware of how close a bond could develop between a squire and a master, and therefore she does not allow Tommen to get close to Loras Tyrell .True, the Knight of Flowers must not be an idol for his son to imitate. "Okay, blame me for missing the investigation. Not only do I have to rule the kingdom and command the war, but I also have to mourn my father and take care of the internal affairs. I forgot to appoint a new coach in a trance. It's really blameworthy. Don't worry, I will make up for my mistakes immediately." Ser Loras brushed aside a lock of brown curls that hung down his forehead. "In terms of the skill of wielding a spear or wielding a sword, I don't think His Majesty can find anyone who can match half of my skill." You are so humble. "Tomen is your king, not your squire. You will fight for him and die for him, that's all." The Queen Mother separated from the Knight of Flowers in front of the drawbridge, crossed the dry moat full of spikes, and walked towards Maegor's Tower alone.Who do you want to teach?She thought all the way back to her residence.If Loras is rejected, there is no reason to choose other iron guards, otherwise it will be a blatant provocation to Highgarden.Sir Tallard?Sir Dermot?Tommen seems to like her bodyguard, but Osney disappointed her about the virgin Margaery, and Osfry has other plans.It's a pity that the Hound went mad, remember that Tommen has always been afraid of Sandor Clegane's rough voice and burnt face, and using him to teach the king can just stop Loras Tyrell's irrelevant knight dream. Alan Santagar is a Dorne, Cersei suddenly remembered, I should write to Dorne.Centuries of bloodshed have drawn a deep chasm between Sunspear and Highgarden.Yes, a Dornishman is just what I want.Didn't you say "the strong men of Dorne are as dense as sand"? Lord Qyburn was reading and waiting for her at the window of her study. "Your Majesty, I have received some reports." "Find more conspiracies?" Cersei asked, "I'm tired and bored today, so hurry up and talk." He smiled kindly: "As you wish. First of all, it is said that the maharaja of Tyrosh offered conditions to the Lysians, hoping to end the current intensifying trade war. Rumors also said that Mir was going to join Tyrosh's side, but there was no gold Back up..." "Mir has nothing to do with me." The Free Cities are constantly at war, and their endless alliances and betrayals have little effect on Westeros. "Do you have something urgent to do?" "The slave rebellion in Astapor has spread to Meereen. Sailors from a dozen ships are talking about dragons..." "You are mistaken, the people of Meereen worship the harpies." Where did you read that?Forget him, Meereen was at the end of the world, even farther than Valyria. "The slave riot is just a riot. What does it matter to me? Besides, slavery was abolished in Westeros. Is there anything else?" "Your Majesty may pay more attention to the news from Dorne. Prince Doran has just taken Ser Daemon Sand into custody. This bastard son used to be the servant of the Red Viper." "I remember this man." Ser Daemon had come to King's Landing with Prince Oberyn. "What did he do?" "He wants to free Prince Oberyn's daughters." "idiot." "Also," Lord Qyburn continued, "according to reports from our friends in Dorne, the daughter of the Brindlewood Knight was strangely engaged to Lord Esmond, and she went to Greenstone City on the night of the engagement. married." "What's so strange about that? She's pregnant with wild seed." Cersei played with a lock of her hair. "How old is this unbudded bride?" "Twenty-three, Your Majesty, and Lord Ismond—" "—It's more than seventy. I know it very well." According to Robert's side of blood, Ismond is her relatives. Well, Robert's father doesn't know whether he is crazy or lustful, but he would Find the woman in their house.When Cersei married Robert, her mother-in-law had been dead for many years, but Lady Cassana's two surviving brothers not only came to the wedding, but also lived in the palace for half a year.Then Robert insisted on repaying the gift, and led the royal family to the small mountainous island outside Cape Wrath, and stayed at Esmond's castle to show his honor.The wet and cold fortnight in Greenstone was the longest of Cersei's life.From the very first sight, Jaime scoffed at it as "Green Shit City," which Cersei thought was fitting.Since she was married, she accompanied Mrs. Wang on falconry, hunting, and drinking with the two uncles, and watched him beat all relatives unconscious in the school grounds in Greenstone City. One of the kinsmen was a woman, a squat little widow with breasts as big as pumpkins, whose husband and father had died at the siege of Storm's End. "Her father was kind to me," Robert told Cersei, "and she and I used to play together when we were kids." Sure enough, he soon resumed "playing" with her.As soon as Cersei turned a blind eye, he would sneak out to comfort her.One night, Cersei couldn't help but let Jaime follow her secretly to confirm her suspicions.Her brother returned soon after, and asked her angrily if she wanted Robert to die. "No," she replied, "I'm going to make him regret it." She had always assumed that Joffrey was a product of that night. "Elton Eastmond has a wife fifty years younger than himself," she said to Cobain. "What does that have to do with me?" The other shrugged. "I don't know...but what I do know is that Ser Daemon Sand and this Santagar woman are the confidantes of Prince Doran's daughter Arianne - at least that's what our informants in Dorne say .Maybe there is no connection, but I think it is better for His Majesty to know." "Now I know," she was about to lose her patience, "Is there anything else?" "One last thing. A little thing." With an apologetic smile, he recounted a recent scandal among the city's populace: how a pride of lions rules the animal kingdom. "What a treason, the lion in the play grew greedy and vain, and began to devour his subjects. The noble stag rebelled, and the lion ate him without saying a word, boasting that he was born He should be the king of beasts." "Is there something wrong?" Cersei asked with a smile. There are two sides to everything, and as far as she is concerned, this vivid drama is just a lesson for traitors. "But, Your Majesty, at the end of the puppet show, a dragon hatched from an egg and devoured all the lions." OK!It turns out that this is not arrogance, but the opposite! "A brainless idiot, actually pinned his hopes on the wooden dragon." She thought for a moment, "Ask your informants to go to the theater and write down all the participants. If there are any important people in it, please report to me first." "May I take the liberty to ask Your Majesty, what are you going to do with these people?" "Heavy fines. Half of the property will be confiscated. This will not only wake them up, but also benefit the treasury, and give them a chance to reform themselves. Those who have no money dig out one eyeball as a punishment for watching rebellious behavior and not reporting it. As for Actors, behead your head as a public display." "There are four actors in the capital. If Your Majesty agrees, can I have two of them... preferably women..." "I have given you Serena," said the Queen sharply. "Yes. But that poor girl . . . is useless . . . " Cersei didn't want to think of her again.The girl didn't expect what happened to her at all, thinking that she was here to serve the Queen Mother, even though Cobain chained her up, she still didn't understand.The memory made the Queen sick.The dungeons below are dark and cold, and even the torches tremble.That filthy thing screaming in the dark... "Forget it, you can take a girl, or two. But first, name it." "Of order." Cobain left immediately. As the sun was setting, Dorkasha fetched bath water for her.While the Queen Mother was immersed in the warm water with relief, thinking about how to deal with the dinner guests, James broke into the door and sent Jocelyn and Dorkasha away.The younger brother, fierce and reeking of horses, brought Tommen with him. "My dear lady," he said straight to the point, "the king wants an answer from you." Cersei's blond hair floated in the water, and the room was steaming, a bead of sweat running down her cheeks. "Tomen," she asked back in a soft, spiteful tone, "what's the matter?" Knowing his mother's tone of voice, the boy shrank back. "Your Majesty will ride his white horse tomorrow morning," said James, "for spear practice." The Queen Mother sat up, "No, he won't." "I'm going, I want to participate," Tommen bit his lower lip, "I want to participate every day!" "You can take part in the training," announced the Queen Mother, "after I have found a suitable instructor." "I don't want any suitable coach, I want Ser Loras." "It's childish. I know, Osmund Kettleblack is three times better than Osmund Kettleblack, all your little wife brags about to you about that foolish knight." James laughed: "It's definitely not the Osmund Kettleblack I know." Cersei wanted to strangle him.Perhaps I should order Ser Loras to be shot down by Ser Osmond in the presence of the king.That should clear the haze that had clouded Tommen's eyes.How can he still humiliate this self-proclaimed hero? How arrogant is he? "I'll find a Dornishman to train you," she said. "The Dornishmen's achievements in the tournament are well known." "No," said Tommen boldly. "Anyway, I don't want stupid Dornishmen. I want Ser Loras. That's the King's order!" James laughed.He's really hopeless, it's a serious thing, what's the fun?The queen mother slapped the bath water angrily. "Do you want me to bring Pete again? You have no right to order me. I am your mother." "You're my mother, but I'm the king. Margaery said that anyone must obey the king. I'll ride the white horse to the field tomorrow, and Ser Loras will teach me how to spear. I'll have a kitten, and I Don't want beets." He folded his small arms around his chest. Jaime was still laughing, and the queen decided to ignore him. "Come here, Tommen," Cersei sighed, seeing that he was not moving vigilantly. "What are you afraid of? The king is fearless." So the boy lowered his eyes and walked slowly to the bathtub.She reached out and stroked his golden curls. "Whether you're king or not, you're only a boy. I rule the kingdom until you come of age. I promise you, you can learn jousting, but not Loras. Knights of the Kingsguard are more important. It is absurd to play with children every day. Ask the captain, is that so, ser?" "That's right, we shoulder heavy responsibilities," James smiled faintly, "For example, riding a horse to walk the city wall and so on." Tommen was on the verge of tears. "Can I have a kitten?" "Perhaps," the Queen relented, "if you don't talk about jousting children. Will you?" He shifted the center of gravity of his feet, "Okay." "Good boy. Go. My visitor is coming soon." Tommen left obediently, but before he went out, he suddenly turned around and said: "When I officially sit on the throne, I will abolish Beet!" The younger brother closed the door with a severed limb, "Your Majesty," he sighed after the two of them were alone, "I'm curious, did you drink too much today, or are you born so stupid?" Cersei slapped the bathwater hard, sending spray flying up to his feet. "Keep your mouth shut, or—" "Otherwise what? Otherwise send me to patrol along the city wall again?" He sat down cross-legged. "Your damned walls are in order. I went through all seven gates step by step. Well, I'm ready to report: Your Majesty, the steel gates are rusted on their hinges, and the king's gate and mud The gates were damaged by Stannis' battering ram and needed to be replaced, and as for the walls themselves, they're still strong...but it seems His Majesty has forgotten where your friends from Highgarden live within the walls?" "I haven't forgotten anything!" she cried to him, remembering the gold coin--the hand on one side, and the long-forgotten King on the other.How can a lowly jailer hide property?How did Logan get the ancient gold coin of Highgarden? "It's the first time I've heard of the headmaster today. I suggest you give serious consideration to Loras Tyrell, after all, Ser Loras—" "I understand his virtue, and I won't let him get close to my son. You remind him of his duties." The bath water began to cool. "He knows his duty well. And no one's spear in King's Landing—" "You were better than him—at least until you lost your right hand. Ser Barristan was better than him when he was young, not to mention Arthur Dayne and Prince Rhaegar. Stop bragging to me about Rose's bravery. He One with a yellow mouth." She was tired of James singing opposite her every day.No one dared to sing against his father.When Tywin Lannister speaks, everyone can only obey; as for me, when I speak, everyone presumptuously puts forward some suggestions, goes against my will, and even rejects me!Humph, but because I'm a woman.But because I can't defeat them with a sword.They respect Robert far more than I do, and Robert is just an idiot drunk.She couldn't take it any longer, especially not wanting to put up with James' slights any longer.I want to get rid of him as soon as possible.She had dreamed of ruling the Seven Kingdoms by his side, and now Jaime had changed, he was a nuisance. Cersei crawled out of the tub, bath water splashing down her hair and lap. "When I need you to speak, I will ask you. Go out, ser, I want to change my clothes." "Oh, change clothes and entertain guests. Who are you going to deal with this time? Sorry, you have too many enemies, and I can't keep up with the rhythm." He lowered his eyes and looked at the dripping hair between her legs. He still wants me. "You can't bear to let go of what you let go of yourself, brother?" James raised his eyes. "I love you, dear lady. But you're a fool, golden and beautiful." This sentence hurt her.You didn't call me that in Greenstone City, and Cersei felt a pain in her heart the night Joe was born. "Get out." She turned her back, listening to the sound of him leaving, listening to him groping to close the door with his severed limbs. Qiao Silin set the table, and Dorkasha dressed the Queen Mother.This gown is made of bright green satin intertwined with luxurious black velvet, and has an intricate black Myrish lace on the chest-it is expensive, but it is suitable for the majesty and beauty of the Queen Mother. Besides, the idiot laundress in the castle has been clumsy lately. Many of her other clothes had shrunk in the wash and couldn't fit in.She should have whipped them, but Tanya interceded for them. "Your people would prefer a benevolent queen," she said, so Cersei only ordered that the cost of the dress be deducted from the servants' wages, which was much milder. Dorkasha put a silver mirror into her hand.So beautiful, she smiled as she looked at it.It feels wonderful to take off mourning clothes.Black makes me look too pale.If only Mrs. Merryweather was our guest today, the Queen Mother thought with regret.Tanya's wit puts her at ease after a tiring day at work.Cersei has had no friends since Melaya Hesban, who was just a ignorant, greedy little schemer.Well, she's already drowned, so don't speak ill of the dead, and besides, she's the one who taught me I can't trust anyone but Jaime. When she came to the study, the guests had already drank the rum.Lady Farris is not usually a fish, but she is when she drinks, Cersei thought, looking at the half-empty flagon. "Dear Faris," she greeted cheerfully, kissing her on the cheek, "valiant Sir Balmain. When I received news of your mother, I was frantic with worry. Tell me, we Is the gracious and noble Countess Tanda any better now?" Mrs. Falis was about to cry, "Your Majesty is so kind. Bachelor Franken said that my mother's pelvis was broken, and he tried everything. Now I can only pray, but..." pray?No matter how much she prayed, she would still die within half a month.An old woman like Tanda Stokeworth couldn't have survived a shattered pelvis. "I'll join in the prayers, too," Cersei promised. "Lord Qyburn said Lady Tanda was thrown off by a horse?" "She was riding and the saddle strap snapped," Ser Balmain Bych explained. "We punished the stable boy for not changing the strap in time." "He should be severely punished." The Empress Dowager sat down and motioned the guests to sit down as well. "How about another glass of rum, Faris? Remember you like rum." "It is an honor that you remember my habits, Your Majesty." 我怎能忘呢，瑟曦心想，詹姆说应该加封你为宫廷酒桶，因为你尿的尿多半也是酒。“一路可顺利？” “不顺利，”法丽丝抱怨，“基本上都在下雨。我们本打算在罗斯比过夜，结果盖尔斯大人年轻的养子拒绝开门，”她吸了吸鼻子，”陛下，您瞧好了，盖尔斯死后，这个可恶的家伙便会霸占罗斯比家的家产，甚至会要求继承封地和领主头衔——然而照权利，他们家的东西不是该传给我们吗？我母亲大人是他第二任老婆的姑妈，他第三任老婆是我舅妈。” 天哪，你们家的羔羊纹章是不是搞错了？应该换成贪婪的猴子才对吧。“从我认识盖尔斯大人开始，他就一副随时要断气的样子，但直到今天还获得好端端的，也许还会活上很多年，”她和蔼地微笑，“也许咳到我们大家进坟墓为止。” “或许吧，”巴尔曼爵士表示赞同，“但我们遇到的麻烦不只是罗斯比的养子。陛下，成群匪徒在路上游荡，肮脏的、粗鲁的蛮子，拿着皮盾和斧头。有人夹克上绣了七芒星，神圣的七芒星！可瞧瞧他们，怎样的一帮贱狗！” “对，他们是寄生虫。”法丽丝应和。 “他们自称为'麻雀'。”瑟曦说，“然而麻雀也是一种灾害。一旦仪式办完，我就要咱们的新任总主教好好管管，如果他做不到，我便亲自动手。” “新任总主教大人选出来了？”法丽丝问。 “还没有，”太后不得不承认，“本来奥利多修士形势很好，结果某天一群麻雀跟踪他进了妓院，还把他赤条条地拖到街上。现在卢琛修士票数领先，据我们在山上的朋友说，他只差几票便能当选了。” “愿老妪用她智慧的金灯指引我们。”法丽丝虔诚地说。 巴尔曼爵士则在座位上挪了挪身子，“陛下，我们还有一件事要说明，虽然有些尴尬……请您相信，我们对您绝对忠诚，给那个杂种命名……不是我太太，不是我岳母，也不是我们家任何人的主意。洛丽丝是个愧儡，玩笑是他丈夫开的。当我要他挑个更合适的名字时，他朝我哈哈大笑。” 太后一边小口吮酒一边审视对方。巴尔曼爵士年轻时曾在很多比武会上建立威名，也堪称七国上下最帅气的骑士之一——现在嘛，现在他的胡子还比较帅气，．除此以外，已然老态龙钟。波浪般的金发褪去，肚子挺起，连厚厚的外套都遮掩不住。他是个没多大价值的棋子，她决定，用完之后就可以抛弃了。“龙王们来到前，提利昂曾是国王的姓名。虽然侏儒玷污了它，但这个孩子或许能恢复它的荣誉呢。”如果这杂种活得成的话。“我知道一切并非你的过失。一直以来，我都把坦妲夫人当成我所没有的亲姐姐那样看待，把你……”她忽然失声，“请原谅，我天天生活在恐惧之中。” 法丽丝的嘴巴张开又合上，真像一条蠢笨之极的鱼。“天天……生活在恐惧之中，陛下？” “乔佛里死后，我连一晚安心觉都没睡过，”瑟曦给自己杯子里倒满甜酒，“朋友们……你们是我的朋友，对吧？也是托曼国王的朋友？” “您那个可爱的孩子，”巴尔曼爵士宣布，“是的，我们是他的忠臣，您别忘了，史铎克渥斯家的族语——'忠诚是我的骄傲'。” “如果我身边再多些像你这样的大忠臣为我分忧就好了，好爵士，我不妨直言相告，对黑水河的波隆爵士，我放心不下。” 史铎克渥斯堡的夫妻俩交换了一个眼神。“这人傲慢粗鲁，陛下，”法丽丝抢先揭发，“口无遮拦。” “他不是真正的骑士。”巴尔曼爵士说。 “他当然不是，”瑟曦朝两人微笑，“你才是真正的骑士。记得从前在……在哪次比武会上你战斗得如此英勇，如此完美……那是哪次呢，好爵士，给我留下了深刻印象？” 他谦虚地笑了，“陛下您指的是六年前的暮谷城比武会？不，当时您不在那儿，否则您一定会戴上爱与美的后冠。是平定葛雷乔伊叛乱后在兰尼斯港举办的比武会？那次盛会上我将许多优秀的骑士打下马来，比如……” “正是那天，”有完没完呢？她拉长了脸，“我父亲去世当晚，侏儒也自黑牢里不翼而飞，两位诚实的狱卒莫名其妙地倒在血泊中。有人说他逃往狭海对岸，但我不信。侏儒很狡猾，他也许正潜藏在附近，酝酿着什么阴谋。也许他的同党将他藏了起来。” “波隆？”巴尔曼爵士摸向自己浓密的胡须。 “他是侏儒带来的人。陌客才知道他受提利昂的指使送了多少人下地狱。” “陛下，如果侏儒藏在我家领地，我应该能注意到。”巴尔曼爵士提醒她。 “我弟弟个头小，向来鬼鬼崇祟，”瑟曦容许自己的手微微发抖，“给小孩子起名字不算什么……怕只怕不掐灭叛乱的苗头，会引发严重后果。科本大人告诉我……这个波隆正为侏儒招募佣兵。” “他养了四个骑士。”法丽丝道。 巴尔曼爵士嗤之以鼻，“我的好夫人言重了，他们算什么骑士？跟他一路货色，一朝得道的佣兵而已，跳梁小丑，浑身上下没有一丁点儿骑士精神。” “唉，正如我忧心的那样，波隆为侏儒招兵买马。但愿七神保佑我儿子平安，我敢打赌，侏儒杀他就跟杀他哥哥一样连眼睛都不会眨。”瑟曦呜咽起来，“朋友们，我已经顾不得自己的荣誉……但太后的荣誉和母亲的恐惧相比，又有什么值得可惜的呢，你们说对不对？” “您把话说清楚，陛下，”巴尔曼爵士安慰她，“让我们为您分忧。请您放心，这里的谈话一定不会传出去。” 瑟曦把手伸到桌子对面，轻轻挤了挤骑士的手。“我……如果波隆爵士有个……有个事故发生……我想我能睡得安稳些……如果他打猎的时候……” 巴尔曼爵士考虑了一会儿，“严重事故？” 妈的，要踩他的脚指头我用得着你吗？太后咬紧嘴唇，我的敌人无处不在，而我的朋友净是些白痴。“我恳求你，爵士先生，”她低声说，“不要逼我说出口……” “我懂了。”巴尔曼爵士举起一根指头，压住嘴唇。 芜菁都比你反应快。“你是位真正的骑士，爵士先生，你是天上诸神派来的使者，以回应一位恐惧中的母亲的祷告。”瑟曦吻了他，“动作要快。波隆现在亲信还不多，但假以时日，他的势力便会膨胀起来。”她接着吻了法丽丝，“我不会忘记你们的，我的朋友，我真正的、史铎克渥斯家的朋友。'忠诚是我的骄傲'，说得多好啊，我郑重承诺，事成之后，会给洛丽丝找个更好的丈夫。”凯特布莱克？“请记住，兰尼斯特有债必还。” 晚宴剩下的就是甜酒、黄油甜菜、新烤的面包、药草烤梭子鱼与野猪肋骨一劳勃死后，瑟曦对野猪格外欣赏。心情愉快的她甚至原谅了法丽丝喋喋不休的奉承和巴尔曼的夸夸其谈。直到午夜，她才终于摆脱他们。巴尔曼爵士唯一干得漂亮的就是建议再来一壶酒，而太后欣然应允。我花在香料甜酒上一半的钱便足以雇无面者去杀波隆了，她迷迷糊糊地想。 夜深了，儿子应当睡得香甜，瑟曦决定先去探望他再回房休息，结果吃惊地发现儿子正搂着三只黑猫睡觉。“它们打哪儿来的？”她质问在国王寝室门外守卫的马林·特兰爵士。 “小王后给他的。其实她只想给他一只，但他无法决定自己最喜欢哪只，便把三只都要走了。” 他至少这点比小乔出息，没捅什么解剖母猫的娄子，然而玛格丽幼稚的阴谋让她忍俊不禁，托曼太小，无法用亲吻勾引，便搜罗几只猫来讨好他？Come on.不是黑猫就好了，在这座城堡里，黑猫代表着坏运气，雷加的小女儿便深受其祸。若非疯王用那疯狂的嘲弄得罪了我父亲，那本该是我的女儿。拒绝泰温公爵的女儿夺走泰温公爵的儿子，是伊里斯一生中最大的失误，最终，他为王太子迎娶了一位体弱多病、黑眼睛、平胸脯的多恩公主。 过了这么多年，被拒绝的回忆依然是她的伤口。许多个夜晚，她梦见雷加王子坐在大厅里，用修长精致的手指演奏他的银弦古竖琴。世上还有他那么俊美的人儿吗？He is not mortal.他有古瓦雷利亚的血统，巨龙与诸神的血统。小时候，父亲许诺一定会让她嫁给雷加王子，当时她才六岁？seven years old? “千万别说出口哦，孩子，”父亲谆谆叮嘱，脸上挂着瑟曦只见过那么一次的秘密微笑，“等陛下同意婚约后再庆祝。从现在开始，这是我俩之间的小秘密。”她把这话藏在心底，直到某天忍不住画了一幅画，画中的她骑在飞龙上，坐在雷加王子身后，双手紧紧环住他的胸膛。当詹姆追问时，她骗他说这是亚莉珊王后与杰赫里斯国王。 直到十岁那年，她才亲眼见到她的王子，那是在父亲大人为欢迎伊里斯王西巡而特意举办的比武大会上。看台在兰尼斯港的城墙下搭起，平民们的欢呼一直传到凯岩城，声如雷霆。他们给我父亲的欢呼比给国王的响亮两倍，太后忆起，但给雷加王子的却又是我父亲大人的两倍。 雷加·坦格利安年方十七，新晋当上骑士，参加长枪比武时，他在黄金锁甲外罩黑板甲，头盔上红、金与橙色的绸缎，犹如熊熊火焰。她的两位叔叔倒在他枪下，外加她父亲手下十几位最强的武士，全西境的精华，统统不敌。到了晚上，王子放下武器，拿起竖琴，他的歌谣让她热泪盈眶。当终于被引见给他时，瑟曦立刻为那双忧郁的紫眼淹没了。他受过伤，她心想，但结婚之后，我会好好待他，为他弥补心中的痛。在雷加身边，连她美丽的詹姆看起来也像个放牛娃。王子是我的丈夫啦，她幸福得头晕目眩，老国王去世后，我还会当上王后。比武会结束前，姑妈特意跑来祝贺她。“你要打扮得漂漂亮亮哟，”吉娜夫人一边为她整理裙服，一边嘱咐，“你和雷加王子的婚约将在最后的宴会上宣布。” 那是瑟曦一生中最快乐的一天，否则她也不会壮着胆子造访“蛤蟆”巫姬的帐篷。她这么做，其实只为了证明给简妮与梅拉雅看，母狮子什么都不怕。我是未来的王后，怕什么丑老太婆呢？然而那个预言却伴随了她一生。简妮在恐惧中尖叫着逃走，梅拉雅和我留了下来。我们让她尝到鲜血，然后嘲笑她愚蠢的话。那些无稽之谈。不管那老太婆怎么说，我明天就会成为雷加王子的妻子。父亲答应过我。泰温·兰尼斯特言出如金，决无反悔。 然而等到比武大会结束的那一刻，她的笑容消失了。没有宴会，没有庆祝。只有冷冰冰的沉默，只有国王和首相之间恶狠狠的瞪视。后来，当伊里斯和他的儿子以及所有英勇的骑士都离开之后，小女孩泪眼汪汪地跑去找姑妈。“你父亲确实提出了婚约，”吉娜夫人告诉她，“但伊里斯断然拒绝。'你是我最得力的仆人，泰温，'国王说，'然而仆人和主子的继承人之间没道理结合。'擦干眼泪，亲爱的，你见过哭泣的狮子吗？你父亲会给你找个好男人，一个比雷加好得多的男人。” 姑妈撒了谎，正如父亲让她失望，正如今天的詹姆也让她失望。父亲没找到好男人，他把劳勃塞给我，是他让巫姬的诅咒犹如毒花生根发芽。若遂诸神所愿，她嫁的是雷加王子，他决不会看那个小狼女第二眼的。雷加会成为国王，我会成为王后，我们的子孙将世代繁衍下去。 她永远也不能宽恕劳勃杀了他。 狮子是不宽恕敌人的，黑水河的波隆爵士很快就会明白了。