chapter 129 part 2
Petyr sighed. "90,000 Gold Dragons is far from enough. We have to add in other expenses. One can only imagine that His Grace Robert will want to throw a grand feast. This means we'll need cooks, carpenters, serving girls, singers, mummers, jesters, and fools… Our King has always been generous. Based on past experience, we'll need to prepare at least 160,000 Gold Dragons."
Glyn's eyes flickered. "Lord Petyr, are you thinking of asking the Lannisters?"
If it were before, Petyr could have easily secured a loan for the crown by approaching the Golden Rose, but now… This celebration was for the new Hand of the King's appointment. How could he have the gall to rub salt in Lord Mace's wound?
Lannister vs. Tyrell: Cersei Lannister had become a thorn in House Tyrell's side.
Stark vs. Tyrell: Lord Mace had failed to secure the position of Hand of the King that he had been so certain of.
It seemed House Tyrell had suffered quite a few grievances. They needed another push. The Westerlands and The Reach were neighbors of many years; Glyn ought to help them deepen their affections.
As for Stark vs. Lannister, that was Queen Cersei's home turf. The conflict between the direwolf and the golden lion was inevitable.
The Vale, the Riverlands, and Dorne… Lord Glyn's duties were heavy, and the road was long.
…
He blinked, pulling his thoughts back to the present, and continued, "Queen Cersei is not familiar with Winterfell, so she will be lacking in enthusiasm."
As Glyn's words fell, the three of them exchanged glances. Petyr and Varys smiled and nodded slightly, the smiles on their faces holding deep meaning.
After a pause, Petyr shrugged and said, "The Red Keep already owes the Lannisters over three million Gold Dragons. Borrowing a few hundred thousand more isn't really a big deal…"
He curled his lip and continued, "After seeing the King's decree, I had planned to consult with Queen Cersei. If I could get the Queen's understanding, things would be much simpler."
Sighing, Petyr spread his hands. "Then I happened to run into Lord Varys. I had no choice but to accept his kind offer, and then you arrived."
Varys said with a smile, "Lord Petyr, it is just a small favor, not worth mentioning. When Queen Cersei is troubled, we shouldn't disturb her further. This is also a demonstration of loyalty."
A corner of Petyr's eye twitched. He said coldly, "This is something everyone knows, but we don't have eyes and ears everywhere, my dear Master of Whisperers."
Varys's smile deepened, his tone becoming even more humble. "I merely happened to overhear it. My little birds cannot buy exotic birds, my dear Master of Coin."
Glyn's heart skipped a beat. Petyr was skilled at buying people. Had he extended his reach toward Varys?
With a hint of feigned confusion on his face, Glyn didn't interrupt their conversation. He was a very good audience.
Petyr's smile was exceptionally elegant, but his tone carried a hint of mockery. "Don't you often say that your little birds are everywhere? Gold Dragons can only buy people who have little loyalty to begin with."
Varys said in feigned alarm, "Oh my, that was just a joke! I don't have such great abilities!"
After speaking, Varys even tried to reach out and grab one of Petyr's hands to show his sincerity, but Petyr very naturally dodged it.
Petyr looked towards Maegor's Holdfast, raised a hand to smooth his neat hair, and muttered, "I wonder when Her Grace the Queen's mood will improve. Soon, knights from all over the Seven Kingdoms will gather in King's Landing. We cannot allow our actions to tarnish the King's benevolence and generosity."
Varys calmly retracted his empty hands, the smile on his face unwavering. "Lord Petyr, right here we have a great courtier from Maegor's Holdfast, one most trusted by Her Grace the Queen."
Petyr withdrew his worried gaze, first nodding slightly at Varys, then turning to Glyn.
Petyr's tone was sincere. "Lord Glyn, my friend, do you have any good suggestions?"
Glyn nodded and said earnestly, "Lord Petyr, it would be my honor if I could be of assistance to you."
He lowered his head and thought for a moment, then looked up and scanned the surroundings to confirm there was no one else nearby.
Then, Glyn moved closer to the two men and lowered his voice. "My lords, have you paid attention to the list of the Lord of Winterfell's entourage?"
Petyr and Varys exchanged a look, then both turned to Glyn simultaneously.
Glyn said directly, "The Lord of Winterfell's eldest and second daughters are both in the entourage. This is precisely the reason for Her Grace the Queen's bad mood."
After a moment of silence, Varys covered his mouth in a gasp. "Could it be that they intend to…"
Petyr's eyes flashed. A corner of his mouth curled up first, then his tone became somewhat helpless. "Things have become complicated. It looks like I'll have to haggle with the High Septon again."
Glyn hesitated for a moment before speaking to Petyr, "Actually, Queen Cersei is still very concerned about the kingdom's political affairs, Lord Petyr."
Petyr's eyes flickered as he looked at Glyn. "Oh? You have a way?"
Petyr wasn't acting. He genuinely hated dealing with the High Septon, whose haggling skills rivaled those of a Dornish fishmonger.
Glyn smiled, raising his right hand and extending two fingers. Then he immediately extended the rest of his fingers, his palm facing Petyr.
Petyr's mouth twitched. After a pause, he reached out a hand, intending to press down Glyn's thumb and index finger.
Glyn's thumb was easily pressed down, but his other four fingers did not budge an inch.
Petyr did not insist. He quickly withdrew his hand; he was an elegant gentleman.
Varys stood to the side, watching the silent interaction between Glyn and Petyr with a beaming smile.
Petyr sighed and said, "We have yet to understand the new Hand of the King, but I imagine things won't be as easy in the future as they are now."
Glyn said helplessly, "I can only consider this a prepayment. I have no desire to be watched by the Lord Hand as I was before."
He put on a sincere smile and added, "Lord Petyr, I will remember your assistance."
Petyr shrugged and said, "It's mutual assistance. Everyone knows our King lacks a bit of patience."
Glyn nodded in agreement. He turned to Varys and asked, "Lord Varys, do you know where the Lord of Winterfell is now?"
(end of chapter)