Chapter 55: Glyn, the Scorned
Queen Cersei lightly patted Princess Myrcella's small back.
Queen Cersei's gaze was a bit distracted. The enthusiastic cheers outside the carriage plunged her into distant memories.
…
That year, as she and the young Robert Baratheon held hands and walked out of the Great Sept of Baelor, the cheers of the crowd were just like today.
Thousands of people came specifically to King's Landing to bless her union with King Robert. The square was unprecedentedly grand. All the women wore their most beautiful dresses, and half the men had their children sitting on their shoulders.
The tall and valiant Robert whispered in her ear that everyone adored her. Wearing the Queen's crown, Cersei tried to fall in love with Robert. Cersei was ready to be a content queen.
That day, Cersei Lannister married Robert Baratheon gloriously, and she outshone all other women in Westeros!
However, Cersei Lannister's good mood didn't last long.
On their wedding night, sharing the same bed, Cersei Lannister, pressed beneath him, endured Robert, reeking of wine, entering her body. Afterward, she heard Robert murmuring Lyanna's name.
Lyanna was once Robert Baratheon's betrothed. For the proud Cersei, Robert Baratheon's actions were absolutely unforgivable.
Lyanna, while alive, took away Prince Rhaegar, whom she had once secretly admired. Lyanna, even in death, stole the heart of her newlywed husband Robert. Cersei felt she was Lyanna's defeated general. Lyanna's name became her eternal shame.
The lioness Cersei Lannister, who had always harbored a desire to compete with men since childhood, how could she be defeated by a woman?
What she hated most was that Lyanna had already passed away, and she hadn't even found a way to get revenge!
Cersei couldn't swallow this anger.
Robert Baratheon only slept with Cersei Lannister once, and that was on their wedding night.
Originally, Robert Baratheon should have been reduced to ashes and smoke at that very moment.
…
Queen Cersei's palms slowly clenched.
"Mother?"
Princess Myrcella seemed to notice Cersei's strangeness and turned her eyes in confusion, her small face full of worry.
Queen Cersei withdrew her thoughts.
"I'm fine, Myrcella. Pay attention to your demeanor, and always remember your princess status."
Hearing Queen Cersei's words, Myrcella immediately straightened her posture and proudly raised her small chin.
Queen Cersei nodded, a satisfied smile appearing on her face.
…
An open area outside King's Landing's Lion Gate had already gathered a large crowd, with banners of various houses fluttering in the wind.
When the Queen's carriage stopped, the noisy crowd immediately quieted down. Everyone bowed towards the carriage.
Queen Cersei, of course, would not receive the noble guests participating in the royal hunt by the carriage.
A large canopy had already been set up here for the Queen to receive the noblewomen.
The distance from the carriage to the canopy was less than a hundred meters, all paved with Queen Cersei's favorite burgundy carpet.
These carpets were provided by a King's Landing carpet merchant named Pitry.
What Glyn requested was merely the number of uses, so the terms of his transaction with the carpet merchant Pitry were also for usage fees, not purchase prices.
Although Pitry was doing this kind of transaction for the first time, he was familiar with similar transaction methods, thus, the transaction was completed very smoothly.
According to the terms of the transaction, Pitry would lead his men with carriages full of carpets and lay the carpets in advance wherever Queen Cersei was to step.
After the royal hunt concluded and they returned to King's Landing, Pitry would not only earn usage fees for the carpets from Glyn but the ownership of the carpets would still remain his.
As for the carpets Queen Cersei had trodden upon, Glyn would no longer care how Pitry would deal with them later.
…
The nobles of Westeros were accustomed to laying carpets in their manors, but laying them as a path outdoors was generally very rare.
It wasn't a matter of expense, it was just that this trend hadn't yet formed. Glyn would not underestimate the extravagance nobles would indulge in for pomp and prestige.
…
Queen Cersei, who had gotten out of the carriage, stepped on the carpet that had been laid out beforehand, and nodded, secretly satisfied.
Glyn, as the person in charge and chief official of the royal hunt, escorted Queen Cersei into the pavilion.
Queen Cersei, who had been holding Myrcella's small hand, first handed Myrcella over to a maid and then sat down: "Baron Glinn, you have been very attentive."
Queen Cersei was referring to the various kinds of expensive fruits piled on the two long tables on both sides of the pavilion.
From the carpets to the fruits now, such things had never appeared in previous royal hunts. Queen Cersei naturally understood in her heart that this was all due to Glyn's thoughtful arrangement.
…
Glyn bowed respectfully, placing a hand on his chest, and said, "Your Majesty, noble as you are, these are merely small complimentary gifts arranged by your humble servant."
Glyn would not tell Queen Cersei that after they left, Glyn's Steward Sulana would arrange for people to discreetly transport these fruits to Cleber Estate.
There were still merchants waiting to purchase these fruits at Cleber Estate. Glyn's price would be very fair, making it worth their while to wait.
These expenses, including the carpets, Glyn had covered them all with additional funds specially approved by Master of Coin Petyr Baelish for the royal hunt.
Furthermore, since Glyn was personally appointed by Queen Cersei as the overall head of the royal hunt, it was naturally Glyn who had the final say in how these things were handled.
Glyn had been busy all day yesterday to prepare for today's operation.
…
Queen Cersei took a sip of the wine handed over by the maid and with her lips slightly curved, she said, "It will have some effect, at least those women who only like to hide behind men and gossip will be much more well-behaved."
Queen Cersei took another big gulp of summer wine and extended her wine glass towards the maid and ordered, "Refill the wine."
Queen Cersei continued, "Every royal hunt has already made me tired of their boring discussions."
Queen Cersei lightly swirled the wine glass she held in her hand and said, "Baron Glinn, because of you, I've gained a little interest in this royal hunt."
Glyn bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you again for Your Majesty's high regard. Your humble servant is very honored."
Queen Cersei nodded slightly, her green eyes flickered: "When I received the news, I was also very surprised. This is not an easy matter. I'm very curious how you persuaded Littlefinger. I just know that you men are generally unreliable."
Queen Cersei's words had a hidden meaning. Glyn's heart stirred. It was that detestable Jaime!
Glyn secretly disdained Jaime for his loose tongue in front of Cersei.
Glyn spread his hands: "It was Lord Petyr who personally facilitated my meeting with Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King."
Glyn added, "After all, his existence had already been discovered. Lord Petyr might have been afraid that we wouldn't let him go."
Queen Cersei's lips curved, and she leaned slightly against the armrest to one side: "Littlefinger Petyr, what is your impression of him?"
Glyn thought for a moment and said, "Hmm, Petyr's bottom line is quite flexible?"
Glyn glanced at Queen Cersei again.
(end of chapter)