Handsome Stewards

Maegor's Holdfast (also known as the Queen's Tower).

They walked on in silence for another ten minutes before finally reaching their destination.

Jaime gestured toward Gryn, who nodded his thanks and went inside.

Jaime had already disappeared from sight. Inside the hall, Gryn spotted several small groups of people scattered about.

He counted roughly a dozen.

Some of those who noticed Gryn gave him a polite nod.

After discreetly observing them for a while, Gryn noticed a few things they had in common.

They were all young and handsome, probably around twenty.

Judging by the sigils on their clothes, they were all nobles from the Westerlands and the Crownlands, with more of them from the Westerlands.

Don't tell me these men are all the Queen's stewards!

With looks like theirs, they could stir up trouble even when there was none. At least, on the surface, they really did look like a team of paramours.

Jaime was with Queen Cersei every day. Surely she wasn't that insatiable?

Amid the chatter in the hall, Gryn recognized someone.

He had golden-brown hair, pale green eyes, and handsome features. He looked about two-thirds like Jaime, but lacked some of Jaime's heroic bearing.

Kevan Lannister's eldest son, Lancel Lannister, known as the cupbearer.

"Lancel, congratulations!"

"Lancel, I'm a little jealous of you!"

"Exactly, exactly!"

"Serving as the king's squire means a bright future for you!"

"Exactly, exactly!"

"Shh, Lord Arryn is in very poor health. Lancel might be the future Hand of the King."

"Exactly, exactly. Only the most trustworthy people can serve as King Robert's squire."

Faced with everyone's flattery, Lancel maintained a perfectly measured smile and an air of effortless grace.

Gryn rubbed his chin. The Lancel about to become King Robert's squire was full of confidence, nothing like the meek man who would later be berated by the king.

Normally, serving as the king's squire would guarantee a smooth career at the Red Keep.

Unfortunately, King Robert was not someone you could predict by normal standards. He had scolded a squire whom everyone thought had a bright future until he became known as the cupbearer.

At just the right moment, Gryn walked over. "Good day, Ser Lancel."

Lancel looked at Gryn and shook his head lightly. "Good day, my lord..."

Noticing the marsh marigold sigil on Gryn's clothes, Lancel suddenly recognized him. "Lord Gryn of House Crabb?"

Gryn nodded. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I happened to overhear your conversation and couldn't resist coming over to congratulate you."

Gryn's heart gave a little jump.

At Gryn's congratulations, Lancel's cheeks actually flushed. "Thank you. I heard you'd come to King's Landing, and I've been meaning to pay you a visit."

"I've read the raven's letter from the Citadel several times. The battle you commanded was truly magnificent."

"I've always dreamed of leading troops into battle, but my family is better suited to governing."

"When I was little, I used to sneak around behind my father's back..."

Gryn relaxed. This was just an admiring fan; he had misunderstood earlier.

Lancel, no longer as reserved as before, chatted with everyone about the battles Gryn had commanded.

Buzz!

As Lancel recounted the stories, those around him, whether familiar with the details or not, kept gasping in amazement.

Their admiration wasn't for Gryn.

At that moment, whatever Lancel said, everyone was happy to play along.

Tsk. Gryn was embarrassed to associate with such a fickle flatterer, so he quietly slipped away from the crowd.

Just as Gryn was starting to get bored waiting, he finally heard the resounding call, "The Queen is arriving!"

Gryn moved with the crowd and took his place.

Everyone's attention quickly turned to the staircase.

Queen Cersei had appeared at the top of the stairs and was slowly descending.

Queen Cersei wore an off-the-shoulder gown, her golden curls falling naturally against her collarbones.

Subtle golden embroidery and dazzling jewels made her look utterly regal.

When Queen Cersei appeared, Gryn sensed that the people around him looked at her with reverence—and perhaps even adoration?

Everyone standing here had to be someone important!

Were they looking at her the way one looks at the woman one loves? Gryn shook his head.

That was far too different from his usual persona. He couldn't imitate that kind of emotional expression.

After descending the stairs, Cersei stopped.

Jaime stood faithfully behind Cersei, serving as her guard.

"Good day, my stewards."

Everyone placed a hand over their chest and bowed. "Good day, Your Grace!"

Cersei gave a slight nod, her beautiful eyes shifting as her cool voice rang out. "Lord Gryn."

As the Queen's words fell, Gryn stepped out of the crowd and bowed with a hand over his chest once more. "Good day, Your Grace. It's an honor to meet you. Thank you for appointing me as one of your stewards!"

Gryn's usually steady voice carried a touch of excitement, just enough to strike the right note.

Cersei studied Gryn a little longer. A look of approval flashed in her emerald-green eyes, and she extended the back of her hand toward him.

Gryn stepped forward a few paces and gently took the Queen's slender, pale hand.

He bent down and gave the flawless back of Queen Cersei's hand a symbolic kiss.

Cersei lifted her chin slightly, the corners of her lips curling upward.