Mermaid Harbor

"Queen Regent, Queen Regent Cersei!"

It was Ser Osfryd's voice. Cersei gathered her disheveled hair, climbed out of bed, and allowed Taena Merryweather to dress her in a white silk nightgown.

"Queen Regent, Queen Regent, Queen Regent!"

Before long, Ser Osfryd's voice and knocking came again, more urgent this time.

Cersei frowned in displeasure. Straightening her clothes, she replied, "Come in."

The door was immediately pushed open. Ser Osfryd entered first, carrying an oil lamp, followed by his brother and... she caught sight of a figure in a white cloak.

Jaime? She dismissed the thought at once. It could not be him.

"Your Grace." Ser Mandon stepped forward and bowed.

"You... you were the one looking for me?"

As she spoke, Taena Merryweather draped a wine-red velvet robe over Cersei's shoulders.

Ser Mandon raised his head and replied, "His Grace the King sent me. He asks that you return to the Red Keep at once. There... the king has suffered an assassination attempt."

An assassination attempt?!

Who would dare assassinate Joffrey... Stannis? Stark? Martell? Tyrell?

"How is my son?" she demanded anxiously.

"His Grace was not injured. He said he personally executed the assassin, whose identity was..."

Ser Mandon spoke as though recounting some ordinary tale: "Tywin Lannister."

Joffrey killed... my father, killed by my son... It was impossible. She refused to believe it!

The night wind battered the narrow window, making it creak and groan.

"Your Grace, I examined him before leaving the Throne Room. Lord Tywin has passed away."

The Myrish woman beside her trembled like a leaf. Ser Osfryd and Ser Mandon stood expressionless before her, while Ser Osney was still sneaking glances at her body.

Cersei saw the shadow of fluttering wings. A moth had found the oil lamp Ser Osfryd carried, buzzing as it beat