Chapter 51: An Upright and Loyal Knight
Red Keep, Maidenvault Garden.
Glyn followed Jaime to the garden and soon spotted the small figure of Princess Myrcella.
Surrounded by her handmaidens and a septa, Princess Myrcella looked over in Glyn's direction.
A little girl's joy appeared on Princess Myrcella's delicate face, and her small body stirred.
At that moment, an elderly septa coughed lightly.
Hearing the septa's sound, Myrcella straightened her small back again and immediately composed her expression.
With a "haughty" look, Myrcella lifted her small chin.
Myrcella Baratheon was Queen Cersei's second child. She had milky white skin and a head of golden curls.
This was the first time Glyn had seen Princess Myrcella, who looked like a younger version of Cersei, up close.
During lunch at Maegor's Holdfast earlier that day, Myrcella had also been present. At the time, Glyn had only glanced at the freckles on her small face before averting his gaze.
...
Before Glyn and the others could pay their respects, Myrcella, who was tilting her chin up to imitate Queen Cersei, opened her little mouth, her voice carrying a child's naivety, "How bold, Glyn..."
The septa behind Myrcella coughed lightly again. Myrcella immediately stopped her naive words, her face flushing as she subconsciously lowered her head.
The sharp-witted Glyn felt he had already found a way to extricate himself as soon as possible.
Having taken charge of the royal hunt, Glyn was very busy; he had no time to play with Queen Cersei's child.
Glyn placed a hand over his chest and bowed. "Greetings, Your Highness."
Princess Myrcella returned the courtesy. "Baron Glinn, to be summoned by me so abruptly, I hope I have not disturbed you."
Glyn smiled faintly and said, "To be received by Your Highness is my honor."
Hearing Glyn's reply, Myrcella's small face was full of a happy smile.
Seeing this, Myrcella's septa hesitated but did not make a sound.
Myrcella's smile was like ripples in a clear spring, spilling from the corners of her lips and spreading across her small face.
Myrcella's clean and pure smile seemed to drive away all the gloom in Glyn's heart.
At this moment, Glyn understood Jaime a little better and gained a bit more patience for dealing with the Queen's child.
Myrcella's pair of emerald eyes sparkled as she asked, "I've heard the story of the Mermaid. They say Mermaid Port is your Territory. Have you ever seen a Mermaid?"
This question nearly stumped the eloquent Glyn.
Glyn knelt down to meet Myrcella's gaze, a hint of a smile flashing in his brown eyes. "Does Your Highness wish to see a Mermaid?"
Because they were conversing, Glyn and Myrcella were only a few steps apart.
Myrcella found that after Glyn knelt, she no longer had to keep tilting her face up, and her little neck suddenly felt much more relaxed.
Glyn was a man who paid attention to details. Myrcella's favorable impression of Glyn grew.
...
Myrcella's expression was conflicted for a moment, but she finally shook her head. "Let's forget it. Mermaids are very shy. It's better not to disturb them."
Glyn nodded slightly. "Although we haven't seen them, we will all wish that the kind and beautiful Mermaids live happily forever, won't we?"
Myrcella nodded. "I will wish them well. Thank you, Baron Glinn."
Glyn couldn't help but inwardly praise the little girl's precociousness.
Myrcella's gaze passed through the window of the garden hall, looking into the distance, as if murmuring to herself, "How I envy their freedom in the great sea..."
The septa in the wimple coughed lightly once more.
Glyn felt he could now leave.
Glyn, whose gaze had been gentle all this time, suddenly turned cold.
Glyn stood up, his right hand grasping the hilt of his sword.
Glyn's cold gaze fixed on the wimpled septa, his body already in a stance to draw his sword. "A mere septa, daring to repeatedly and discourteously offend Her Highness the Princess right in front of me."
The turn of events was so sudden that everyone in the garden hall was still bewildered.
Jaime, preparing to step forward and intervene, felt that Glyn had a very good point.
The septa who had repeatedly reminded Myrcella of her conduct with a cough was named Ingris, and she was responsible for teaching Myrcella etiquette.
During normal lessons, her actions could be said to be fulfilling her teaching duties, but now, with an "outsider" present, Septa Ingris's actions were indeed an affront to the princess's dignity.
...
Facing Glyn's chilling aura, Septa Ingris subconsciously took a step back. "You, what do you think you're doing!"
A faint killing intent appeared in the depths of Glyn's eyes as he prepared to draw his sword.
Jaime, whom Glyn had been waiting for, appeared at his side at the opportune moment.
Jaime's large hand pressed down on the hand Glyn had on his sword hilt. He said in a deep voice, "Baron Glinn, you cannot draw your sword in front of the Princess."
Always so quick to draw his sword. Jaime felt that he had not been wrong to call Glyn a little savage.
The handmaidens in the garden hall froze for a moment before letting out screams.
Myrcella, with a stern expression on her little face, ordered the handmaidens to be quiet, and the garden hall finally returned to tranquility.
Myrcella's pair of clear emerald eyes swept over her handmaidens, her gaze holding a warning.
All the handmaidens subconsciously slowed their breathing.
Myrcella stepped forward toward Glyn and said, "Baron Glinn, thank you for your desire to protect me, but I believe Septa Ingris meant no harm."
Myrcella's words and actions as a Princess were impeccable.
Glyn reined in the killing intent emanating from him. "If you dare do this again, I will hang your head on the city gate."
Septa Ingris said in alarm, "You, you! I am a Septa of the Seven. This is blasphemy against the Seven Gods."
The killing intent Glyn had just suppressed resurfaced. "I hope you're willing to bet whether I dare or not."
Septa Ingris could clearly feel that the young baron before her was absolutely not making an empty threat. Through gritted teeth, she said, "I..."
"Enough, Septa Ingris!"
Myrcella's naive voice interrupted Septa Ingris before she could speak again.
Septa Ingris glanced at Princess Myrcella, quickly lowered her head, retreated a few steps, and stood with the handmaidens.
"Baron Glinn, I trust there will not be a next time."
Glyn glanced at Jaime beside him, removed his hand from his sword hilt, and said respectfully, "Your Highness, please forgive my impudence for disturbing your leisure."
Myrcella shook her little head. "Baron Glinn, you are an upright and loyal knight!"
As Myrcella's words fell, Jaime's expression darkened once again.
...
Crackclaw Point, Mermaid Port.
Sunlight scattered across the calm surface of the sea. A gentle breeze blew, causing the waves to glitter.
The warship *Black Betha* slowly docked at the pier of Mermaid Port.
Master of Ships, Lord Stannis Baratheon, stood stiffly on the deck at the bow of the *Black Betha*, his face taut as he stared at Mermaid Port, which was already showing a hint of prosperity.
Lord Stannis Baratheon was tall with broad shoulders. His skin, long exposed to the fierce sun, seemed as hard as iron.
Though only thirty-three years old this year, Lord Stannis Baratheon had but a fringe of fine black hair left on his head. His beard was trimmed short and neat, covering his square jaw and cheeks.
(end of chapter)