Red Keep Dark and silent.
Outside King's Bedchamber's door, Lord Eddard saw three Kingsguard headed by Ser Barristan Selmy. Their expressions made him feel a strange chill in his heart.
Master of Household opened the door and said loudly, "Master Hand of the King, Eddard·Lord Stark."
"Bring him in."
Robert's voice was very muddy, and Lord Eddard's heart skipped a beat. Something was wrong... He strode in.
The fires in the symmetrical fireplaces at both ends of the bedroom were burning brightly, filling the room with a gloomy red light.
The heat in the room was suffocating. Robert was lying on the bed with a curtain, Grand Maester Pycelle was beside him, and Lord Renly was pacing anxiously in front of the closed window.
Cersei·Lannister was sitting beside the bed, her hair disheveled, as if she had just woken up from her sleep, but there was no sleepiness in her eyes.
Robert's feet were stretched out of the blanket, and they were still wearing boots, which were stained with mud and hay. Lord Eddard looked down and noticed a green coat thrown on the carpet, with traces of being cut and discarded, as well as brown-red dirt.
The room was filled with smoke, blood, and the smell of death.
King Robert looked at Lord Eddard and whispered, "Ned..."
His face was as pale as milk and his injuries were very serious.
"Who is..."
Lord Eddard stepped forward, he wanted to ask who did it... but his throat was clamped by pliers, stopping his voice... He stretched out his hand to hold the bedpost.
Renly came over, his clothes were covered in blood. "It's a wild boar."
Robert King's voice was hoarse. "It's a damn devil! Ned, I drank too much and the arrow didn't hit me. I deserve to go to hell."
Lord Eddard turned his head and asked angrily, "Renly, what are you doing? Where have Ser Barristan Selmy and Kingsguard gone?"
Renly explained bitterly, "Ned, brother ordered us to stand aside so that he can deal with the wild boar alone."
Lord Eddard reached out and uncovered the blanket covering Robert's body.
That wild boar must be a terrible thing. It used two long tusks to tear apart Robert's chest and abdomen. The gauze used to bandage Grand Maester Pycelle was stained with blood, and the smell it gave off was even more terrifying.
Lord Eddard weakly let go of the blanket... How could this happen? If death cannot be avoided, Robert should end up on the battlefield!
Robert King said angrily, "It stinks like hell... This is the stench of death. Don't think I can't smell it. I'm going to be in trouble this time, right? But I... I didn't make it easy for the wild boar either, Ned..."
As he spoke, King Robert showed a smile that was as shocking as his wounds, and his teeth were blood red.
"I stabbed that wild boar in the eye with a knife. Ask them if it's true... where to ask!"
Lord Renly murmured, "Yes, I followed my brother's instructions and we brought the wild boar back. Its wounds can prove it."
Robert whispered, "Use it to make your dinner..."
After a pause, he continued, "I want to talk to Ned. Let's be alone for a while. You all should step aside."
Cersei Queen is like a wife who is reluctant to leave her husband. Her voice is sad. "Dear..."
Crowned Stag's majesty remained as before, and he scolded, "I told you, stand down. Which word do you not understand, you stinky woman?"
Cersei Queen's expression changed. She stood up reluctantly, glanced at Lord Eddard meaningfully, picked up her skirt and walked towards the door. Others followed her and left together.
Only Eddard and Robert were left in the room. Grief blurred Eddard's vision, and he cursed in a low voice, "Robert, you damn thing!"
King Robert said harshly, "Haah, fuck you, damn Ned, I won that wild boar, I didn't lose!"
Step by step, Gryn quickly walked up the Red Keep city wall. He soon found Cersei Queen standing alone at the corner of the city wall.
After Gryn approached, he stroked his chest and said, "Your Highness Queen."
The moonlight shines on Cersei Queen who is standing quietly, as if she has been covered with a layer of gauze, like a beautiful statue.
Gryn walked a few steps and stood beside Cersei Queen. Looking along her gaze, there was the direction of King's Bedchamber.
After a while, Cersei Queen spoke, her voice was very cold. "Lord Gryn, Robert is about to die..."
Don't call them drunks anymore? Gryn's eyes moved slightly, and he nodded. "I met Lord Renly and the others when I came here, and I overheard some news."
Cersei Queen turned her face sideways and looked at Gryn beside her. "Lord Gryn, do you think my son...Joffrey... can successfully inherit Iron Throne?"
Gryn said casually, "Of course..."
With that said, Gryn turned towards Cersei Queen and said again, "Cersei Queen, you seem to be worried?"
Cersei Queen mocked. "Grand Maester Pycelle told me that the king could not survive tonight. That man knew his situation very well, but he drove Queen out, leaving Duke Direwolf alone."
Gryn frowned and said, "Cersei Queen, please rest assured that Prince Joffrey is the undisputed successor of Iron Throne..."
Gryn's eyes became sharp and he continued, "If something happens against your wishes...Cersei Queen, my troops are on standby outside the city."
Cersei Queen raised her arm and touched Gryn's cheek with her soft hands. Her voice was rare and gentle. "Lord Gryn, I believe in your loyalty."
After saying that, Cersei Queen stepped forward and leaned on Gryn's body.
Gryn's body trembled obviously, Cersei Queen's voice was still gentle. "Gryn, you can hold your Queen tightly, this is Queen's reward for loyalty."
After a pause, Gryn's hands moved stiffly and were placed on Cersei Queen's back shoulders and lower back.
Gryn's voice was a little hoarse. "Thank you for the reward, Your Highness Cersei."
The night was very quiet, Cersei Queen said slowly, "Lord Gryn, Janos·Slynt took the initiative to join you Queen."
Gryn's eyes trembled and he whispered, "Your Highness Cersei, this is good news. The 6000 Gold Cloaks in the hands of Slynt Earl can be said to be the guarantee for Prince Joffrey to successfully inherit Iron Throne."
Cersei Queen left Gryn's arms and looked up at Gryn.
"Lord Gryn, I can't believe that you believe in Lord Sterling, and Lioness will not trust her and her son's safety to him."
Cersei Queen's blue eyes shone in the moonlight, and she stared closely at Gryn's face.
"Cersei, Your Highness, you are worried that he will betray you..."
As he spoke, Gryn's eyes moved slightly, and he looked directly at Cersei Queen: "What do you want me to do?"
Cersei Queen unconsciously raised the corners of his lips and said, "Your troops and horses cannot be left outside the city."
Cersei Queen knew very well that although she successfully eliminated Robert first, the winner would eventually be decided between Lioness and Direwolf.
Cersei Queen did not tell lies, she has bribed Commander of the Gold Cloaks Janos·Slynt, Slynt is now the key to Cersei's solution to Lord Stark.
Janos·Slynt was born as a commoner. Although his title was Earl, it was Earl without a fiefdom. It was equivalent to a false title and was not recognized by the nobles.
Cersei Queen promised Lord Janos that when the deed is accomplished, he will be rewarded with the fief he has dreamed of, as a noble noble.
For various reasons, the two hit it off, but as Cersei Queen said herself, she would not absolutely trust Lord Janos who had just taken refuge. She needed Gryn's troops to contain Gold Cloaks, so that she would be foolproof.
In Game of Thrones, if you lose, there is only a dead end. Cersei will do whatever it takes to become the ultimate winner.
Cersei Queen left warmth on Gryn's cheeks, and she asked gently, "Gryn, have you thought of how to show loyalty to your Queen?"
Gryn's Adam's apple rolled, and he nodded slightly. "Your Highness Cersei, I will bribe Captain of the City Watch, and my soldiers and horses will quietly enter King's Landing, waiting for your orders at any time."
Cersei Queen showed a look of satisfaction, and her white fingers touched the cold... ancestral armor on Gryn's body.
King's Bedchamber.
Robert's voice was very weak. "Ned... I should kill you too... I won't even let you hunt in peace... Robar What did that kid say when he found me? You want to arrest him? Catching the robbers Westerlands... I was still very happy... I thought there was finally a war... Those people need to be taught a lesson... Damn wild boars...The Gods is punishing me..."
Robert King coughed up a pool of blood. "Varys...Pycelle... my younger brother...Ned... don't believe those losers... my eldest son... I don't like him... but I love him... take care of Joffrey for me... help my son... don't let that stinky woman... chirp in my son's ears all day long... I only believe in you..."
Lord Eddard felt pain in his heart and murmured, "Robert..."
Joffrey is not your son...Lord Eddard wanted to tell the truth, but couldn't. The pain Robert suffered was clearly written on his face, and he couldn't bear to inflict more pain on him.
Robert King was in such extreme pain that it was very difficult for him to even speak.
"Damn it... don't look at me with a sad face... this face doesn't suit you... go get paper and pen..."
With a creak, Lord Eddard moved the small round table in the room to the side of the bed. He flattened a blank piece of parchment and picked up the quill.
"Robert, ready."
King Robert breathed heavily for a while, and then he said, "The following is the will of Robert I of House Baratheon, by the way... don't forget to write down all my ghost titles..."
After a pause, he continued, "I hereby appoint Duke Winterfell, now Hand of the King, Eddard of House Stark to be Lord Regent and Warden of the Realm... After my death... I will rule Seven Kingdoms on my behalf... until the heir Joffrey comes of age..."
Lord Eddard's waving quill paused, and he changed "Joffrey" to "Lawful Heir"... The deception made Lord Eddard feel the stain on his personality, and he comforted himself that he was deceiving for love... May the Gods forgive him!
Lord Eddard put down the pen with a complicated expression and said, "Robert, it's done."
"Give me your signature..."
King Robert signed it randomly, handed it to Lord Eddard with trembling hands, and said, "Ned, when I die, give this to Small Council."
Lord Eddard's tone was full of sadness. "Robert, don't be like this, don't leave me, the kingdom needs you."
Robert held his hand tightly and squeezed hard. "Ned, you... really can't lie... I know very well... I am a bastard king... the same bastard as Mad King... The Gods forgive me..."
Lord Eddard sadly comforted his dying friend, "No, you are much better than him!"
Robert King forced a smile, "At least, people will say... the last thing I did in my life... was not wrong. You will not let me down... this kingdom is left to you... you will hate governance more than me... but you will do a good job."
Robert King coughed up a pool of blood again, and it suddenly became no longer difficult for him to speak.
"Remember to treat that wild boar as the main course of my funeral, roast the skin until it's crispy and crispy, and eat all those bastard eggs. I don't care if you will die. Promise me, Ned."
Promise me, Ned...Lord Eddard seems to have hallucinated the voice of Lyanna.
"I promise you, Robert."
"Ned, let Joffrey become... a better person than me, please the Gods have mercy on me."
"..., I will, my friend."
Robert King seemed to relax a little. He closed his eyes and murmured to himself, "In the end, he was killed by a wild boar. If it hadn't been so painful, damn, he should have laughed."
Lord Eddard naturally couldn't laugh, he looked sad. "Robert, should I call people from outside in?"
King Robert nodded his chin weakly. "I've seen enough of your current face, and asked Pycelle to get you something to relieve pain... Why is it so cold here?"
People waiting outside entered the room one after another. Lord Eddard found that Cersei Queen had left, which was a little comfort to him... If Cersei still had some sense, she should have taken the three children and fled Red Keep before Dawn.
King Robert did not ask Cersei about the whereabouts of Queen. He asked Renly and Pycelle to testify, took the king's seal, sealed the will written by Eddard, and sealed it in clay.
Then, King Robert drank a cup of Milk of the Poppy prepared by Grand Maester Pycelle.
Robert's black beard was covered with thick white droplets. He asked, "Can I dream?"
Eddard gave him the answer with deep heart, "Robert, you will have a sweet dream."
Robert smiled, "That's good...Ned, I will say hello to Lyanna for you... help me take good care of my child."
Robert's words were like a sharp knife stirring in Eddard's heart. He didn't know what to do. He couldn't force himself to lie... but then he remembered Those illegitimate children of Robert, think of Bella who is still in the girl's arms, Mya of Vale, and Gendry who was forging iron by the hearth.
Lord Eddard said slowly, "I will... cherish your child as my own."
Robert nodded and closed his eyes.
Eddard watched Milk of the Poppy wash away the pain on his old friend's face. Robert sank weakly into the pillow and fell into a deep sleep.