" Your Queen Regent, please forgive me!" came the pleading voice of Pycelle Grand Maester under the long table.
His actions greatly diminished Queen Regent Cersei's anger. She lowered her eyes to Tyrion, who was blocking her way, and said, "My brother, Hand of the King, have you thought this through?"
Tyrion sensed the threat in Cersei's words. He shrugged and said, "My dear sister, the war may soon be over."
Queen Regent Cersei's lips curled into a cold smile. "I hope you survive."
Tyrion grinned and said, "May the Seven protect us!"
With a cold snort, Queen Regent Cersei turned and strode away from the Throne Room, surrounded by the Kingsguard.
Inside the training ground, King Joffrey's voice rang out. "My dogs, if they dare to move again, break their legs."
As soon as he finished speaking, cries of pleading rose up one after another.
Joffrey wore an expression of almost identical disdain to Cersei's, and said, "Shut up! If you can't be quiet, I'll hang you all."
Cersei witnessed this scene and showed a satisfied expression on Joffrey's strength and authority; her son was a born king.
" Joffrey," Queen Regent Cersei called out.
"Mom? My dog, you can have him here."
"Your satisfaction is guaranteed."
Joffrey approached Cersei, a smile playing on his lips, and said, "Good day, beautiful Lady Cersei."
Cersei couldn't help but smile. She affectionately stroked Joffrey's cheek and said, "Good day, brave king."
Joffrey invited, "Mother, would you like to see the bronze armor? I intend to personally debunk this foolish legend."
"Walk with me for a bit..."
Queen Regent Cersei, arm in arm with her eldest son, said, "It seems you quite like Lord Gryn's gift."
Slightly impatient, Joffrey raised his chin, gripped the hilt of his sword, and said, "This is just a small lesson I'm giving the Duke of the Eyrie. Once Gryn brings Robert Arryn here, I will grant him a fair fight with me."
"That will be a spectacular event that will attract the attention of Seven Kingdoms. I am proud of you."
As she walked, Queen Regent Cersei said again, "My son, Stannis, is about to besiege the city. I am very uneasy. I hope..."
Before she could finish speaking, Joffrey interrupted, "Mom, you can stay in Maegor's Hold without worry. I'll protect you; no one can hurt you."
Queen Regent Cersei said gently, " Joffrey, your mother is not afraid; my greatest concern is your safety. I trust Lord Gryn more than the Dwarf; I would feel much more at ease if he were by your side..."
"I'm not a child, I don't need anyone's protection!" Joffrey interrupted his mother with a slightly angry voice.
Joffrey declared, "I will personally kill any traitor who dares to claim the title of King!"
He looked at his mother and continued, "Before you came, I had already sent word to Gryn that the King had ordered me to see the Duke of the Eyrie as soon as possible, preferably tomorrow. Mother, I want the Seven Kingdoms to know the consequences of angering their King!"
Queen Regent Cersei frowned slightly and said, " Joffrey, Stannis is a formidable opponent..."
Joffrey his tracks, interrupting his mother once more. "My father killed Prince Rhaegar with his own hands at Ruby Ford, and I will do the same to Stannis!"
He continued impatiently, "Mom, I will protect you. You can wait patiently for news of my victory over Stannis."
The mother and son gazed at each other for a moment. Cersei reached out and gently straightened Joffrey's clothes, saying, "A king is fearless; you are my pride."
Then, she gently patted Joffrey's arm and said softly, "Go on, my Joffrey."
Joffrey then revealed a childlike, happy smile, "If I find anything interesting, I'll send someone to tell Mom."
Queen Regent Cersei smiled and nodded slightly, then watched her son stride away.
Seeing Joffrey walk away, Ser Lancel stepped closer to Queen Regent Cersei, paused, and said in a deep voice, " Queen Regent Cersei, I will charge into battle and defeat Stannis in your stead."
Queen Regent Cersei withdrew her gaze from Joffrey's retreating figure, nodded slightly, and said, "Go back."
Lancel sensed a perfunctory attitude in Cersei's voice, his handsome face flushed crimson, and his voice sounded like a vow, " Cersei, the sword in my hand will win you glory throughout the Seven Kingdoms."
Queen Regent Cersei her head and looked at Lancel, saying, "I look forward to that day."
In Lancel's eyes, Cersei's blue eyes were clear as water, extremely captivating, and he was also exceptionally excited by her anticipation.
"Please believe me, Gryn can do for you, I can do as well as he can, and I will do it even better."
Cersei skillfully concealed the irritation in her eyes... Ever since Jaime and Gryn left her side, she could feel her power rapidly slipping away, and today the feeling was even stronger, which suddenly stirred up a nameless panic in her heart.
Will she become just a pretty vase?
Queen Regent Cersei gently raised her chin... The Lannister Lioness will never admit defeat!
Queen Regent Cersei smiled gently at Lancel... There is a sword between a woman's legs; if she uses it well, men will willingly wield it for her, and for free.
Queen Regent Cersei lifted her heel and lightly kissed Lancel's cheek, saying, " Lancel, how shall I reward your loyalty and bravery?"
Her slender fingers lightly brushed against Lancel's lower body, Lancel frantically glanced around, her voice trembling as she said, " Queen Regent Cersei, we'll be discovered."
Seeing this, a fleeting look of disdain crossed Cersei's face. Her voice, low and tinged with sorrow, said, "Now, who cares about me anymore..."
Lancel clenched his fists tightly, and said excitedly, "You... you still have me..."
Yes, and you too.
Having said that, Queen Regent Cersei turned and started walking. After a few steps, she seemed to notice that Lancel was still standing there. She tilted her head slightly, a slight smile playing on her lips, and said, "Sir, please take me to my chambers. Your Queen needs to rest, and she needs a knight's protection."
Um...
As the knights fought valiantly on another battlefield, Queen Regent Cersei couldn't help but let out a soft, melodious song.
Amidst her turmoil, she was savoring the sudden and indescribable joy she felt when she read the letter earlier that day.
At this moment... it can only be described as similar... but far inferior.
Queen Regent Cersei thought of her favorite Summer Wine. She could smell its sweet aroma and sometimes even hold it in her mouth, but she could never truly "taste" the pleasure of it sliding down her throat.
As the sounds rose and fell, she kept wondering what they were.
Sizzle~ Sizzle~ Sizzle~ Sizzle~ Sizzle~
Daenerys Targaryen, on the verge of unleashing her Dragon's Wrath, stared intently at the three fighting dragons, her whetstone never ceasing its work.
The three little dragons completely ignored their "mother's" threat; they were still fighting fiercely, or rather, the largest black Rhaego, was still lecturing the white dragon Viserion and the blue dragon Jons for daring to steal the first bite of roast meat.
After holding out for a while longer, Daenerys sighed helplessly, and the Dragon's Wrath subsided because of her soft heart.
Daenerys stopped what she was doing and looked at the whetstone in her hand with some suspicion. She remembered that the three little dragons would immediately become obedient whenever they heard the sound of sharpening knives, which Gryn called music lesson... Why wasn't it working?
The battle ended in victory, and as a result, Rhaego enjoyed the roast meat alone, while Viserion and Jons could only obediently "sit" on the sidelines and watch.
Daenerys's violet eyes flickered slightly. Could it be... because the one sharpening the knife wasn't Gryn?!
Thinking of this, Daenerys's anger rekindled; she was furious.
The consequences of angering her mother were severe. She looked at the captain of the " Dragonpit " guards and announced angrily, " Borona, if they fight again—their roast meat will be halved."
As Daenerys finished speaking in annoyance, the three little dragons all looked at her, paused, and then hissed, seemingly expressing their dissatisfaction.
Daenerys crossed her arms, raised her beautifully shaped chin, and said, "Too late. This is the consequence of angering Mother."
Leaving behind three small dragons who were trying to salvage the roast meat through resistance, Daenerys departed, surrounded by the Blue Cloaks.
Upon seeing Surana, the steward, standing outside the gates of Whispers Castle, Daenerys stopped her horse as she approached.
When news of Crabb's great victory in the Vale Battle reached Whispers, the entire Crackclaw Point was filled with jubilation... Following the lord's orders, the warehouses of Marigold Ale, which had been stored for half a year, were opened and transported away.
Therefore, Surana, as the housekeeper, was very busy, Daenerys had rarely seen her recently.
Daenerys nimbly dismounted. Surana stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, Ser Mason and Captain Foley of Mermaid Harbor await your summons."
Daenerys handed the reins to her captain of the guard, Osana, and said, " Lady Surana, has something happened?"
Surana replied respectfully, "It is said that ships Flaming Heart Banner frequently appear on the waters outside Mermaid Harbor."
The Flaming Heart Banner... Stannis Baratheon... Is he going to invade Crabb's territory?!
Daenerys's expression turned serious. She quickened her pace and said, "Take me to them immediately."
Whispers Lord's Hall.
Daenerys, seated in her high-backed chair, spoke, "Sir Mason, I would like to hear your advice."
Commander of the Garrison Legion, Mason Baker, said with a hand on his chest, "Your Highness, while this could be some kind of test or warning from Baratheon, I feel we cannot underestimate their danger."
Daenerys nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, then shifted her gaze and said, "Captain Foley, please, on behalf of the Earl of Crackclaw Point and the Guardian of Crackclaw Point, Gryn Crabb, invite the outsiders residing in Mermaid Harbor to the banquet held in Whispers."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Daenerys looked again at Crabb's retainer knights and said, "Sir Mason, besides mobilizing weapons, how many soldiers can we bring from the farms around Mermaid Harbor?"
Sir Mason paused for a moment, then said, "Your Highness, we can send at least 1,000 archers within three days."
After Mason finished speaking, Foley immediately shouted, "Your Highness, Mermaid Harbor has about 3,000 inhabitants. Even the elderly and children among them can each take on ten! When the Flaming Heart Banner first appeared outside the harbor, they were already prepared. They are all waiting to fight for you."
Daenerys ' lips curled up almost imperceptibly. Though she didn't show it on her face, she gained a deeper understanding of the simple and honest folk customs of the Gryn Valley people.
She shook her head slightly and said, "Brave Foley, according to Crabb's laws, only in a decisive battle concerning life and death will all of Crabb's people become the Warrior on the battlefield. Foley, they are still under our protection for now."
She paused, then continued, "We know Stannis's target is King's Landing, but..."
Daenerys rose from her lord's chair, took two steps forward, and slowly swept her gaze across the crowd standing below. She said, "Whether intentional or unintentional, if Stannis dares to invade Crackclaw Point even a step..."
She raised her voice slightly. "Are your swords ready?"
The dozen or so Centurion who had accompanied Sir Mason and Foley shouted, "Long live Crackclaw Point!"
Daenerys cried out, " The Warrior of Crabb, tell the invaders we will greet them with only swords and blood!"
"Sword and blood! Sword and blood! Sword and blood! Sword and blood! Sword and blood!" The crowd in the hall shouted in unison towards Daenerys, who was high above her, including several of the maids.
In a corner of the hall, Surana stared blankly at the future mistress of the house. As the scene before her blurred, she subconsciously reached out to touch her eyes and found them wet. Only then did she realize that she was already in tears.
Hot tears streamed down her cheeks as Surana wiped them away with a mixture of joy and sorrow.
The candlelight flickered gently as Daenerys, now dressed in her nightgown, perused a copy of Maester Al's book, "Genealogical Records and Histories of the Major Noble Families of the Seven Kingdoms."
When she turned to the page about the House Arryn, she stopped what she was doing and began to read it carefully.
After a while, Daenerys, who had been quite engrossed, had to admit that Maester Al was right... the book was indeed getting more and more boring.
She took a small sip of Summer Wine, mentally encouraging herself once more, before continuing to read.
Knock, knock, knock. After the knocking, Osana's voice came from behind the door. "Your Highness, Butler Surana requests an audience."
Daenerys didn't even look up, casually saying, "Please let her in."
The door was pushed open, Surana entered the room, followed by two maids carrying a wooden box.
After the greetings were completed and with Daenerys's permission, Butler Surana first waved for the maids to leave the room, then opened the chest.
Daenerys looked over, a hint of doubt in her eyes, and said, "This is... leather armor?"
Surana nodded slightly. "Yes, this is the leather armor that Lord Gryn's mother entrusted to me for safekeeping."
Daenerys reached out and touched the Marsh Marigold emblem on the black leather armor, saying, "It's beautiful."
Surana seemed to be reminiscing. "When Lady Crabb entrusted it to me for safekeeping, she actually hoped that the next Lady Crabb would never need to use it."
She added, "You're about to lead your troops to Mermaid Harbor; it will still come in handy then."