Chapter 55 Chapter 55: Tyrion

For tonight's ordeal, Pod had dressed him in a soft plush tunic the color of Lannister crimson, and brought the necklace that marked his rank.Tyrion left it on the bedside table.He was Hand of the King, and my sister didn't like being reminded of that, no need to add fuel to the fire. As they crossed the courtyard, Varys caught up. "My lord," he said breathlessly, "you'd better look at this quickly." He passed a roll of parchment in his soft white hand. "Report from the North." "For better or worse?" Tyrion asked. "It's not for me to judge."

Tyrion unrolled the parchment, and had to squint to read the words in the torchlit yard. "Gods bless," he whispered, "both...?" "I'm afraid so, my lord. How sad, how sad. They were so young, so innocent." Tyrion remembered how the direwolves howled when the Stark boy fell.I don't know what they are like at this moment? "Have you told anyone?" he asked. "Not yet, of course I can't hide it for long." He rolled up the letter. "I'll go and tell my sister." He wanted to see her reaction to this, eager to see. This evening, the Empress Dowager looked extraordinarily charming.She wore a low-cut gown of dark green velvet that matched the color of her eyes, her blond hair fell over her bare shoulders, and an emerald-encrusted webbing tied her waist.Tyrion waited until he sat down and the servant brought a glass of red wine before handing over the letter without saying a word.Cersei winked innocently at him, and took the parchment.

"I'm sure you're satisfied," she said as she read him. "I know, you want the Stark boy dead." Cersei looked unhappy, "It was James who threw him out of the window, not me. He said it was for love, as if he could please me, but in fact this is a stupid thing and extremely dangerous. When will our dear brother stop Thought?" "The boy has seen you," Tyrion pointed out. "He's just a child, I can scare him to shut him up." She read the letter thoughtfully. "Why do you blame me every time a Stark twists his toe? It's Greyjoy's fault, not mine."

"Let's just hope Lady Catelyn thinks so." Her eyes widened. "She won't—" "—kill Jaime? Why not? What would you do if Joffrey and Tommen were killed?" "Sansa is still in my possession!" the queen declared. "In our hands," he corrected, "we must keep a good watch on her. Now, where is the supper you promised me, dear sister?" There's no denying that Cersei prepared a delicious meal.They start with creamy chestnut soup, crispy warm bread and a green salad with apples and pine nuts.This was followed by eel pie, honey-glazed ham, buttered carrots, white bean bacon, and roast swan stuffed with mushrooms and oysters.Tyrion was extremely humble, giving his sister the best part of each course, and waiting for her to eat before he started.He didn't really think she'd be poisoned, but it didn't hurt to be careful.

He could see that the news of the Starks had troubled her. "No news from the Bitter Bridge?" She asked anxiously, while forking a piece of apple with a dagger, she took small bites gracefully. "No." "I never trusted Littlefinger. As long as the other party bids high enough, he will change courts in the blink of an eye." "Stannis Baratheon is a serious guy, he knows nothing about bribery, and in turn, he is not a qualified lord for a person like Petyr. The war has created many weird combinations, but no matter How do you say, let these two people sleep in the same bed? Impossible."

He cut a few slices of ham, and she said, "We should thank Countess Tanda for her pig." "A token of love?" "It's a bribe. She asked to return to her castle—to you and me at the same time. I think she was afraid you would stop me on the way, as you did to Lord Gyles." "She also wants to escape with the heir to the throne?" Tyrion offered a slice of ham to his sister first, and then a slice to himself. "Keep her. If she lacks a sense of security, she will just summon all the garrison of Fort Stokeworth to the capital, as many as she can."

"Why do you send your wildlings away when there's such a shortage?" A hint of exasperation crept into Cersei's voice. "This is the best way to use them," he confessed. "They are fierce, but not soldiers. In regular combat, discipline is more important than courage. They have done us far more good in the Royal Forest than staying Useful on the city wall." The Queen Mother seemed more annoyed than worried when she asked about the plots of the "Antler People" over a meal of swan meat. "Why are there so many people rebelling? Where did the Lannister family offend these despicable guys?"

"Not at all," said Tyrion, "but they wanted to be on the side of the victor . . . so they were traitors and fools." "Are you sure you dug them all out?" "Varys is sure." The swan meat was too fatty for his liking. Cersei's fair forehead was wrinkled, just between those beautiful blue eyes. "You trust the eunuch too much." "He served me well." "That's all he made you believe. You thought he was the only one who sneezed secrets to you? He did it to all of us, just enough to make us think we could do without him. This trick, from the day I married Robert From the beginning, he played with me, for many years, let me think that he is my most sincere friend in court, but now..." She looked into his face for a moment. "He said you wanted to get the Hound away from Joffrey."

Damn Varys. "I have more important tasks for Clegane." "Nothing is more important than the life of a king." "The king's life is not in danger, and little Jo has our valiant Ser Osmond and Ser Meryn Tran at his side." They had no other use. "I need Balon Swann and the Hound to lead the commando to ensure that Stannis cannot gain a foothold on the north bank of the Blackwater." "Jaime will lead the attack himself." "From Riverrun? Great sortie." "Little Qiao is still a child, we must ensure his absolute safety."

"He is a boy who is eager to go to war, and it is rare for him to be so sensible. I will not put him in the middle of a battle, but he must be seen by everyone. People will fight for a king who is with them, but they will not support a king who hides. Monarch under mother's skirt." "He's only thirteen, Tyrion." "Remember Jaime when he was thirteen? If you want him to be his father's son, let him play his part. Little Joe wears the best armor in the world, and there are always twelve golden robes by his side. Guards. Besides, as long as the capital shows the slightest sign of falling, I will immediately send someone to escort him back to the Red Castle."

He thought this would dispel her doubts, but unexpectedly there was no joy in those blue eyes. "Will the capital fall?" "No." If it really falls, then pray that we can stick to the Red Keep so that Father can send troops to rescue the siege. "You lied to me, Tyrion." "It's all white lies, dear sister. I want to be friendly with each other as much as you do. For this reason, I have decided to release Earl Gales." He kept Gales just to show his favor. "You want to recall Boros Braun is fine too." The Queen Mother pursed her lips tightly. "It doesn't matter that Ser Boros dies at Rosby," she said, "but Tommen—" "—You have to stay too. Earl Jacelyn's protection is much more thorough than Earl Gales's." Servants remove the barely moving swan.Cersei calls for dessert. "Hope you like blackberry pancakes." "I like cookies." "Oh, I've known this for a long time. Do you know why Varys is so dangerous?" "Playing a guessing game? I don't know." "Because he has nothing to say." "Neither have you." Isn't that what you hate most, Cersei? "Maybe I'm dangerous too, but what about you? You're like any other man, a big fool who spends half his time thinking with that worm between his legs." Tyrion licked the crumbs off his fingers. He didn't like his sister's smile. "Yes, at this moment my worm is thinking, maybe it's time to say goodbye." "Aren't you alright, buddy?" She leaned forward, her beautiful breasts facing him. "Why are you suddenly nervous?" "Nervous?" Tyrion glanced towards the door. There seemed to be noise outside, and he began to regret coming alone. "I'm just surprised that you were never interested in what I said before." "Of course, what I'm interested in is not your words, but where it inserts. Unlike you, I rely on eunuchs for everything. I have my own channels to mine information...especially those that others don't want me to know thing." "What do you want to say?" "It's easy—I got your little whore." Tyrion reached for his glass in exchange for a moment to gather his thoughts. "I thought men were more to your taste." "You are such a clown, tell me, have you married this person?" Seeing that he didn't answer, she laughed, "Then father can rest assured." His belly seemed to be full of eels.How did she find Shae?Varys betrayed him?Or had he rushed straight to the mansion impulsively that night, making all his vigilance in vain? "It's none of your business who I choose to warm the bed?" "A Lannister pays his debts," she said. "Since the first day you came to King's Landing, you have been against me everywhere. You sold Myrcella, stole Tommen, and now you want to hurt Joe, don't you? You want to kill him, and then use Tommen The name commands the world." Why, if I knew I would have followed Bronn's cue. "You're so stupid, Cersei, Stannis is coming soon, and you need me." "What do you want? You know how to fight?" "Bron's sellswords would never have fought without me," he lied. "Oh, they will. They're looking at your gold, not your deformed head. But don't worry, they won't lose you. It's not that I don't want to slit your throat--I've always thought so--but If I do, James will never forgive me." "So, what about the whore?" He didn't want to use her name.If I can make her think that Shae is not important to me, maybe... "As long as my sons are all right, she will be treated well. But if something goes wrong, and Jo is killed, or Tommen falls into enemy hands, your little bitch will die a miserable death, more miserable than you can imagine." .” She actually believed that I intended to hurt her own nephew! "Your sons are safe," he assured her wearily. "By gods, Cersei, they are my flesh and blood! What do you take me for?" "Shameless villain." Tyrion stared at the sediment at the bottom of his goblet.What would you do if you were James?Most of them will jump up and kill this bitch, and then consider the consequences.But Tyrion didn't have a golden sword, and wouldn't use it if he had one.He likes his elder brother's recklessness and willfulness, but it is his father who he wants to imitate.Rock, I must be a rock, like Casterly Rock, hard and solid, standing still.If I fail the test, it will only prove that I am no different from a monster in a vaudeville troupe. "It seems to me that you have killed her," he said. "You want to meet her? I knew it." Cersei crossed the room, opening the heavy oak door. "Bring in my brother's whore." Sir Osmond's brothers Osney and Osfry looked like peas popping out of a pod, tall, hook-nosed, black-haired men with cruel smiles on their lips.She was suspended between them, her dark eyes staring wide and white in her swarthy face, blood trickling from the corner of her shattered mouth, and he could see bruises through the torn clothes.Her hands were tied with rope and they also gagged her so she couldn't speak. "You said she would be treated preferentially." "She resisted." Unlike her brothers, Osney Kettleblack was clean-shaven, so the scratches were clearly visible. "This guy's claws are as sharp as a shadow bobcat's." "The bruises will heal quickly," said Cersei impatiently. "The bitch won't die, as long as little Jo is all right." Tyrion wanted to laugh at her.It's going to be a lot of fun, a lot of fun, but he has the bigger picture in mind.You lost, Cersei, the Kettleblack brothers were stupider than Bronn thought.He really wanted to say this. But he only stared at the girl's face and said, "You promise to let her go after the battle?" "Yes, if you release Tommen." He stood up. "You can keep her, but you must ensure her safety. If these beasts want to play her tricks...then, dear sister, let me remind you, the scale can be tilted in both ways." His tone was calm and flat, seeming It's none of his business; he seeks his father's tone, and it gets it. "Anything that happened to her will be repeated to Tommen, including beatings and rapes. You think of me as a monster, and I will act it out." Cersei was at a loss, "How dare you!" Tyrion forced himself a slow, icy smile, mocking her with green and black eyes. "Don't dare? I will do it myself." His sister threw her hand at him in the face, but he grabbed her wrist and snapped it back until she screamed.Osfly stepped forward to the rescue. "One more step and I'll break her arm," the dwarf warned, and he stopped. "Remember when I told you to stop, Cersei?" He pushed her to the ground, then turned to Brother Kettleblack. "Untie her and take the thing out of her mouth." The rope was tied so tightly that it cut off the blood flow in her hand, and when the blood flow resumed, she cried out in pain.Tyrion massaged her fingers gently until she regained consciousness. "Honey," he said, "you must be brave. I'm sorry they hurt you." "I knew you would come to my rescue, my lord." "I will," he promises.So Alayaya bent down and kissed him, leaving a bloodstain on his forehead with her broken lips.I cannot bear this blood kiss, Tyrion thought, and she would never have been hurt if it had not been for me. He looked down on the queen mother with her blood. "I never liked you, Cersei, but you are my own sister, so I would not hurt you. But you have come this far today, and I can no longer bear it. I don't know what to do now, but time Will give me the answer. One day, when you think you are safe and happy, the joy will turn to ashes in your mouth, and then you will know that the debt has been paid." His father once taught him: When two armies confront each other, as long as one side appears Disrupt any signs of escape and the battle is over.Even though the opponent was still as strong and fully armed as before, the defeat was like a mountain, and he could no longer pose a threat.Cersei is exactly that. "Get out!" was the only answer she could make. "Get out of my sight!" Tyrion bowed. "Good night, then. Sweet dreams." On the way back to the Prime Minister's Tower, he seemed to have thousands of troops marching in his mind.I should have expected this day to come, and sooner or later going through Shataya's wardrobe would lead to this result.Maybe he just didn't want to think about it all this time.His legs ached badly from climbing the stairs, and he sent Pod to get a jug of wine, and trudged into the bedroom. Shae was sitting upright on the veiled bed, naked, with the heavy gold chain on her high breasts, and the gold bracelets were interlocking. Tyrion hadn't expected her to come. "What are you doing here?" She smiled and stroked the chain. "I want to touch my breasts... but these little golden hands are so cold." For a moment, he was really speechless.How was he going to tell her that another woman had been beaten in her place, and might have died in her place if Joffrey had been unfortunate in battle?He wiped the blood from Alayaya's forehead with the palm of his hand. "Miss Norris—" "—asleep. This big cow, sleep is her favorite. She eats and sleeps all day long, sleeps and eats enough, and sometimes falls asleep while eating. The food falls out of bed, and she Roll on it and I'll wash her body at the end." She grimaced. "She just got fucked a few times." "Her mother said she was sick." "I'm pregnant, that's all." He scanned the room carefully.The room is exactly the same as when we left. "How did you get in? Where is the secret door?" She shrugged. "Lord Varys made me wear a hood. I couldn't see, except... somewhere, I peeked under the hood, and the floor was all tile, you know, the kind that spells out pictures?" "Mosaic?" Shae nodded. "There were black bricks and red bricks, and I think they made a dragon. Other than that, I couldn't see anything. We went down the stairs first, and it was a long walk, turning and turning, and I was so confused ...we stopped on the way, and he unlocked an iron door, I felt it when I went in, and it seemed to have a dragon pattern on the door, too. Then we climbed the ladder again, and the top was a tunnel. I had to bend over, Varys Grown-ups are crawling." Tyrion walked around the bedroom.A candlestick on the wall seemed loose, and he tiptoed to try to turn it.It scraped the stone wall and moved slowly. After being turned upside down, the candle head fell out, and the straw mat on the cold stone floor showed no signs of change. "My lord doesn't want to sleep with me?" Shae asked. "In a moment." Tyrion opened the wardrobe, pushed aside the clothes and pushed against the rear panel.The old tricks of the brothel may be repeated in the castle... no, the wood is strong and solid, and it will not move.The next moment a rock by the window seat caught his attention, but pushing, pulling, prodding, and prodding were in vain.At last he went back to bed dejected and depressed. Shae undressed him and put her arms around his neck. "Your shoulders are as hard as a rock," she murmured. "Come on, I want to feel you inside me." Her legs locked around his waist, but he was powerless.Shae felt it go soft, and she slid under the sheet and put it in her mouth, but couldn't arouse it. After a while, he stopped her. "What's wrong?" she asked.The sweet innocence of the whole world is written on her young face. Innocent?Fool, she's a whore, Cersei was right, you think in those words, fool, big fool! "Go to sleep, honey," he advised, stroking her hair.Long after Shae had been told to fall asleep, Tyrion himself lay awake, listening to her breathing, his fingers wrapped around her tiny breasts.