chapter 84 part 1
Chapter 84: Concealment (4100)
As Glyn's words fell, the hall suddenly went silent.
Lord Mace Tyrell, who was still processing Glyn's statement, felt his chest slowly swell.
*A pufferfish...* Glyn mused to himself. As expected, the nickname was not given in error.
Although Margaery Tyrell was also startled by what she had heard, she managed to maintain the faint smile on her face.
As his daughter, Margaery knew her father well. Realizing he would be momentarily unable to compose himself, she took the initiative to speak.
"Baron Glyn, this is no small matter. On behalf of House Tyrell, I am very grateful for your candor, but..."
Margaery's beautiful eyes looked directly at Glyn as she continued, "I'd like to hear your insightful perspective. Could you first explain your reasoning to us?"
Glyn first placed a hand on his chest in a gesture of thanks before speaking, "Lady Margaery, there's no need to be formal. I am more than willing to be frank with you."
Margaery's smile bloomed like a flower, and she nodded lightly.
Glyn opened his mouth, then paused for a moment before lowering his voice. "Hand Jon's condition is quite severe, to the point where it has begun to affect the affairs of The Realm. It is more serious than anyone imagines."
Margaery covered her mouth with a pale, delicate hand, her eyes widening.
Glyn couldn't help but praise her internally. *Such fine acting... the Little Rose is an excellent partner.*
...
Lord Mace Tyrell muttered to himself, "If I become the Hand of the King, the status of House Tyrell in the Seven Kingdoms..."
The prospect was incredibly tempting.
Finally snapping back to his senses, Lord Mace Tyrell cleared his throat. "Glyn, tell me what you're thinking."
Glyn nodded and said, "My Lord, although Hand Jon's health no longer permits him to labor so, his concern for The Realm remains. There are even times when his condition is so grave that he must manage state affairs from his sickbed."
Glyn painted a picture of a Hand of the King, rich with a sense of duty, who toiled for The Realm regardless of his own physical state.
Lord Mace and Margaery exchanged an imperceptible glance.
Lord Mace felt that Lord Jon was having quite a difficult time.
Margaery sensed the hidden meaning in Glyn's words. On the surface, it sounded like praise, but she perceived another layer of intent.
Hand Jon's condition had already stirred discontent and ambition in many with ulterior motives.
...
Glyn looked at Lord Mace and said solemnly, "Lord Jon has toiled for over a decade. For the sake of Lord Jon's health, the Red Keep has no choice but to consider a new candidate for Hand of the King."
Lord Mace struggled to suppress a smile that was about to break free. He asked in a gentle tone, "Has a decision already been made on who it will be?"
Margaery inwardly sighed at her father's eagerness and added, "Baron Glyn, is there some difficulty?"
Glyn's eyes flickered toward Margaery, and he nodded. "This is a great matter of The Realm, after all. Everyone is taking it very seriously, earnestly recommending others, or themselves, as the next candidate to assist His Grace, Robert, in governing The Realm."
A trace of unconcealable nervousness appeared on Lord Mace's face as he couldn't help but ask, "Who are the candidates?"
Glyn looked as if he wanted to speak but stopped, his expression hesitant.
Margaery's gaze lingered on her father for a moment before she turned to Glyn with sincerity. "Baron Glyn, I believe my father has likely guessed your intentions. What we need now is mutual trust and frankness. House Tyrell will not forget the aid of any friend."
Glyn shook his head, his tone equally sincere. "Lord Mace, Lady Margaery, I will naturally be frank. Because of Queen Cersei's trust, and as her chief steward, Her Highness the Queen did indeed consult me on this matter. It was I who boldly recommended Lord Mace to Queen Cersei."
Lord Mace Tyrell stroked his beard, a hint of satisfaction appearing on his face.
Margaery's brown eyes fluttered. "Baron Glyn, did you persuade Queen Cersei? Or rather... may I ask how you persuaded Queen Cersei?"
"Of course."
After a brief pause, Glyn spoke, "To my knowledge, the candidates with the most support to be the next Hand of the King are the Master of Ships, Lord Stannis Baratheon, and the Master of Laws, Lord Renly Baratheon."
A flicker of doubt crossed Margaery's face. "Lord Renly and Lord Stannis?"
Lord Mace Tyrell furrowed his brow.
Glyn placed a hand over his heart and said solemnly, "This was my analysis: Lord Renly, as Master of Laws, has long been absent from the Red Keep. Compared to Lord Mace, he lacks a certain sense of responsibility and political acumen."
"As for the incorruptible Lord Stannis, compared to Lord Mace, he lacks flexibility and benevolence. The Hand of the King must help His Grace the King unite the hearts of the people."
"At this moment, throughout Westeros, only you can fill the void left by Lord Jon and swiftly stabilize the situation in The Realm."
*What a fine analysis...* Lord Mace Tyrell smiled faintly as he stroked his beard.
...
Margaery's fingers curled slightly.
She found that in her interactions with Glyn, she would unconsciously let down her guard, only to raise it again because of the information he revealed, repeating the cycle over and over.
Margaery had always remembered her grandmother's teachings, and coupled with her father's actions, she never dared to relax her mind.
This constant state of high alert left Margaery feeling a bit weary.
Life in Highgarden had been too comfortable, and it had been a long time since Margaery had experienced such mental exhaustion. The feeling was almost... familiar.
A bright light flashed in Margaery's brown eyes. This silent contest of wills gave her an indescribable sense of excitement.
...
Glyn said, "Although Queen Cersei has no interest in the politics of The Realm, she must consider Prince Joffrey, because Prince Joffrey needs more support."
"House Baratheon already occupies two important seats on the Small Council. Any further advancement would not be conducive to the stability of The Realm."
"At this very moment, Lord Mace, your ability and power make you Queen Cersei's natural ally. It is because of you that I was able to convince Queen Cersei to support you as the next Hand of the King."
Glyn finally added, "Everything is for the good of The Realm. This is my heartfelt conviction."
A wide smile had already spread across Lord Mace's face. "Glyn, you are a rare talent. I will not forget your contribution."
Lord Mace couldn't help but feel emotional. He never would have thought that the person in the Seven Kingdoms who understood him best would be this young man before him who had always admired him.
...
Margaery suddenly asked, "Baron Glyn, do you already have a plan?"
Glyn first glanced at the amiable-looking Lord Mace before answering, "I do have a crude plan, but I must first obtain Lord Mace's consent."
...
...
King's Landing. At a Silent Sisters Convent, the pale blue sky was as clear as if it had been washed clean.
Glyn's Steward, Leyton, was currently standing in a dark corner of the cloister, gazing at the figures of several Goldcloaks in the distance.
Among the Goldcloaks, Leyton's attention was fixed on the man in the lead.
The man had a gaunt, sharp face. Although he wore the uniform of the Goldcloaks, his frame was so thin that one worried a strong gust of wind might blow him over.
Steward Leyton's brow tightened.
This Goldcloak, who used the surname Clegane, looked nothing like a member of House Clegane.
*A lost branch of the Clegane bloodline?*
end of chapter
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