Eddard Stark looked at the beautiful face so close to him, his expression turning cold: "Cersei, beauty cannot buy forgiveness."
"Forgiveness?"
The gentleness on Cersei Lannister's face instantly vanished, her voice filled with rage: "What do you take me for? How dare you speak of forgiveness to me?"
With that, she stood up and sneered: "Don't you have a bastard yourself? And didn't you bring that bastard into the Red Keep?"
Her gaze became contemptuous: "I'm very curious who the mother of that bastard is? Was it some farm girl whose home you burned down and then raped? Or some whore? Or perhaps the sorrowful Miss Ashara? I heard… after you returned Dawn, the Sword of the Morning, to her, Miss Ashara threw herself into the sea from the city walls. What was the reason for that? Was it because of the brother you killed, or the child you stole?"
Queen Cersei stared directly at Duke Eddard, raging: "Noble Direwolf, tell me, what is the difference between you and Robert, or me, or Jaime?"
Duke Eddard slowly stood up. He looked at Queen Cersei, whose face was filled with resentment, and calmly said: "Cersei, please listen carefully, I will only say this once. When Robert returns from hunting, I intend to tell him everything exactly as it happened. Before Robert returns, I will not stop you from leaving. You can take your three children with you."
He paused, then added: "I promise you, no matter how far you run, Robert's wrath will follow. If I were you, I would not go to Casterly Rock. I would take a ship to the Free Trade Cities, or go even further, as far as you can."
As Duke Eddard's words fell, Cersei's body visibly stiffened.
Cersei asked incredulously: "Stark, you want me to exile myself? To make me and my children wanderers?"
Duke Eddard shook his head slightly: "Cersei, you should know very well what happened to Rhaegar's children back then."
After a moment of silence, Queen Cersei lowered her eyelids, her long lashes concealing the flickering light in her eyes.
The corners of Queen Cersei's eyes were slightly red: "Stark, do you know? I am the Light of the West, the proud Lannister Lioness… I married that man, but he treated me no differently from those lowly whores…"
Speaking, Cersei raised her eyes, the brightness of her beautiful eyes seeming to be covered by a layer of mist: "Ned, all that I've suffered… my hatred, my anger, what am I to do with them?"
Duke Eddard pondered, sighing: "Jaime can also leave with you. I think no matter where you go, he will protect you all well. If… I am still here… I will try my best to stop Robert from pursuing you."
Originally, he only wanted to save the three children, but now Cersei and Jaime were added… Perhaps Robert would not forgive him either.
The Direwolf had shown the greatest goodwill, but the Lioness did not feel grateful. She revealed a mocking smile.
"Stark, you truly are a good man."
I am only acting out of honor… Duke Eddard gazed at Queen Cersei, remaining silent.
Queen Cersei continued: "Jaime told me about what happened back then. On the day King's Landing fell, you only needed to climb the steps to sit on the Iron Throne. That was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but you missed it, just like today. How pathetic…"
Duke Eddard said coldly: "The mistakes I've made in my life are beyond your imagination, but that is not one of them."
The Direwolf was still very stubborn, which infuriated the Lioness.
...
Queen Cersei pretended to wipe away tears and turned around.
With her back to Duke Eddard, Cersei's face was expressionless, but her voice carried sadness: "Ned, can you give me some time? The children are not like me, they love that man very much… The children have been preparing for several days, and tomorrow is the day we leave… At least wait until this hunt is over."
Duke Eddard hesitated for a while, finally sighing: "Let it be as you wish. I apologize, this is all I can do."
After a pause, Queen Cersei turned around, her emerald eyes appraising Duke Eddard's stern face.
"Stark, please keep your promise…"
With that, her beautiful eyes looked towards the Godswood, and she continued: "The Gods bear witness."
Duke Eddard nodded slightly, and Queen Cersei lifted her skirt and began to walk.
After a few steps, Queen Cersei stopped, turning her face to look at Duke Eddard.
Cersei's voice was clear and cold: "Stark, in the game of power, you either win or you die. There is no middle ground."
Without waiting for Duke Eddard's reaction, Queen Cersei quickly departed.
...
...
Night, King's Landing, Steel Gate.
The Steel Gate is one of the seven gates of the city walls of King's Landing, located in the northeast of King's Landing's city walls. The Steel Gate is close to Blackwater Bay, and Rosby Road enters King's Landing through this gate.
Lord Commander of the Gold Cloaks Janos Slynt was a tall man, with a double chin and a body shaped like a large wine barrel. He wore a black brocade outer robe and a golden half-cloak fastened with a small, glazed red spear tip.
He touched his bald head and sighed with emotion: "It feels like a long time since I've been here. Before I was promoted to Commander of the City Watch, I served as Captain of the Steel Gate Guard for a long time."
Greene Kleber winked at Pel Pili, who was standing nearby.
Pel Pili had arrived in King's Landing this morning. His face showed fatigue, but his spirits were high.
Pel glanced at Greene, nodded slightly, and then strode away.
It was rumored that Janos Slynt's father was a pig butcher, and he laughed exactly like a butcher carving meat.
"Count Kleber, rest assured, no one in King's Landing dares to refuse the good intentions of the Lannister Queen, at least I certainly wouldn't, hehe."
Greene glanced at Janos's somewhat lewd smile, his hand resting on the hilt of his longsword at his waist.
"Count Slynt, not everyone is qualified to serve Her Majesty the Queen. I do not wish to hear such easily misunderstood words again…"
With that, his slender finger tapped the sword hilt, and he continued: "I hope it was a joke."
Janos's expression stiffened, then he laughed loudly: "Of course, it was a joke!"
Hearing Janos's explanation, Greene's gaze softened slightly.
Janos moved closer, and Greene smelled a strong scent of alcohol.
"Count Kleber, although we are using the excuse of replacing old equipment, but…"
Janos lowered his voice, continuing: "In fact, they are all new things. How dare I give old items to the Lannister Queen?"
Janos saw the arrogant Queen's Affairs Officer finally show a hint of a smile, and he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief… At the same time, he secretly cursed in his heart: Hmph, just a dog of the Queen.
Janos laughed heartily… If it weren't for the opportunity to pledge allegiance to Lannister, he wouldn't bother to curry favor with a mere Affairs Officer!
Why was Janos so eager to pledge allegiance to Queen Cersei?
Although Janos Slynt usually behaved rudely, he had already noticed that the new Prime Minister Eddard Stark was very dissatisfied with his performance. The new Prime Minister was not like the former Prime Minister; Duke Stark had great influence over King Robert, and Janos was very worried about losing his position as Lord Commander of the Gold Cloaks. He urgently needed the support of important figures to maintain his current power.
While Janos was troubled, Queen Lannister extended her hand to him, and he felt that the Gods were protecting him.
...
Pel walked over: "My Lord, 1000 pointed helmets, 1000 chainmail coifs, 1000 breastplates."
Greene raised an eyebrow and turned to look at Janos, who was beside him.
A pair of fat hands rubbed together, and Janos quickly explained: "Count Kleber, please report to the Lannister Queen on my behalf. There are many eyes on the City Watch, and to avoid arousing suspicion, I have prepared 1000 sets of equipment first."
Greene nodded in agreement: "Count Janos, you are very thoughtful. Her Majesty the Queen indeed dislikes unnecessary trouble."
Janos's smile deepened: "I have already arranged for the remaining equipment to be prepared. In three days at most, my Gold Cloaks will replace those… old items."
...
In the night sky, a full moon hung high.
On Rosby Road outside King's Landing, Greene and Pel rode ahead on horseback, followed by wagons carrying supplies.
Greene tugged on the reins, adjusting the horse's direction: "Pel, you will temporarily encamp near the forest east of Rosby Road. The provisions needed by the legion will be transported by Lannister merchants from Rosby City to the north."
Pel nodded in acknowledgment.
Greene added: "Rowsell will also prepare a batch of provisions to be stored near the Steel Gate."
Seeing Pel's confused expression, Greene smiled and asked: "Ser Pel, do you dislike the Steel Gate?"
After a moment of thought, Pel tentatively spoke: "My Lord, are you…?"
Greene nodded: "We must control a city gate, otherwise I won't feel at ease."
He shook the reins, then continued: "Pel, you must always be ready, awaiting my command. Also, you must remember that the enemies who hinder us from holding the city gate may not be outside the city, but inside."
"Yes, My Lord!"
...
...
The next morning, Red Keep, Maester's Tower.
"Maester Nine Fingers" Pycelle smiled broadly: "Lord Greene, welcome. Pycelle is at your service."
Greene pointed to the chair in front of the table and said: "Sit down, Grand Maester Pycelle."
The ancient Pycelle trembled as he sat down, then he nearly jumped out of the chair. The reason was… Greene had placed a blank parchment on his table, his favorite, which now became one of the protagonists of his nightmare.
Pycelle wanted to cry: "Lord Greene, I… I… I have been recovering from my injuries recently, and I haven't done anything. What I'm saying is true, I swear to the Gods."
Greene leaned back in his chair, legs crossed, and sighed softly: "This morning, when Her Majesty the Queen left the Red Keep, I noticed her face was not well."
Pycelle was stunned for a moment, then cautiously spoke: "I think… everyone knows that the Queen and the King's relationship is not very good, and our Queen has always disliked hunting, so… she's not in a good mood?"
Greene shook his head slightly, his eyes moving to gaze at Pycelle: "Our new Prime Minister seems to suspect issues with the royal bloodline, I am referring to the three children."
Pycelle's sleepy eyes widened abruptly, and he showed a shocked expression.
Greene smiled faintly: "My guess was correct, it seems you already knew."
Pycelle first nodded blankly, then quickly shook his head, saying: "My Lord, I truly didn't know…"
Pycelle suddenly stopped speaking. Another protagonist of his nightmare, the dagger, appeared in his line of sight.
Greene placed the dagger on the table and said: "Maester Pycelle, please speak slowly, I will listen."
Pycelle took a deep breath and said: "My… My Lord, I did have suspicions, but I didn't dare to think deeply."
Greene showed an understanding expression: "You had already read the book written by Maester Melion, which is why you had this suspicion… Is that right?"
Pycelle, with a mournful face, replied in a low voice: "Yes, Lord Greene."
Greene smiled, and said leisurely: "So, in order to gain the trust of the new Prime Minister, you deliberately gave that book to Duke Eddard… implying that there was a problem with the royal bloodline… Is that right?"
Pycelle, frightened, quickly shook his head in denial: "No, it's not like that, Prime Minister himself asked me for that book."
Greene quietly stared at Pycelle for a while, and when Pycelle had calmed down a bit, he spoke: "Many people in the Red Keep saw your attendant deliberately deliver that book to the Prime Minister's Tower, and I also saw that book in the Hand's chambers. Maester Pycelle, this is irrefutable evidence."
Pycelle immediately burst into tears. At that time, he did have some hidden intentions, but he was truly wronged… Pycelle was Duke Tywin's servant, how could he possibly harm Queen Cersei?!
Greene comforted him: "Don't worry too much, I will protect you, Maester Pycelle."
Maester Pycelle said tearfully: "Lord Greene, I am truly wronged, I swear to the Gods."
Greene frowned slightly, seemingly impatient: "Write."
"Write… write what?"
Pycelle thought for a moment, then said in a panic: "Lord Greene, I truly…"
Seeing Greene pick up the dagger, Pycelle dared not speak further. He tremblingly picked up the quill, but hesitated to write.
Greene became very patient again. He slowly said: "You certainly wanted to secure your seat on the Small Council, because you understood Lord of the Hand, and he did not trust you. If you did not have outstanding achievements, you would eventually leave the Small Council.
Therefore, you deliberately gave that book to Lord of the Hand, and intentionally hinted at Prime Minister Jon's last words, 'the seed is strong'. Once the matter of black hair and golden hair comes to light, the heads of Queen Cersei and those three children will be enough to secure your position, and also earn you the absolute trust of the new Prime Minister."
Greene finally praised: "A brilliant scheme, isn't it, Maester Pycelle."
Maester Pycelle stared fixedly at the gentle-faced Greene, he was already shocked beyond measure. Whose man was Greene? What did he truly want to do?
He knew best… Greene had fabricated his crime, he was absolutely wronged, yet there was already coincidental, irrefutable evidence… He knew that if he personally wrote down the facts fabricated by Greene, he would never escape the control of the person before him again.
Unless Duke Stark was willing to testify for him, but… was it even necessary anymore?
I don't want to die, I want to live.