Successor (End)

Gryn looked Jaime over and asked, "Are you all right?"

Jaime shrugged. "Only when I put on the white cloak did Cersei feel at ease. She wants to inherit Casterly Rock. She wants to rule everything."

Watching Jaime pretend not to care, Gryn suddenly recalled a saying from deep in his memory: A grandson selling his grandfather's land never feels the pain.

Truly... well done.

One of Gryn's brows lifted slightly. "It seems... our wise Queen Regent also understands quite clearly how much weight you carry within House Lannister, Ser."

After taking a swig of wine, Jaime's green eyes shifted toward Gryn. "Why didn't you attend Tommen's coronation?"

Gryn looked toward the funeral procession gradually moving away and sighed softly. "That was Cersei Lannister's stage."

After a pause, he patted Jaime's arm. "Please pull yourself together. Queen Regent Cersei is prone to impulsive actions at a time like this. The Lannisters need you very much now."

"Uncle Kevan is enough."

Jaime ran his fingers through his wind-tousled hair, then added, "Lately, I often dream of my fallen Kingsguard brothers. What I care about more now is restoring the Kingsguard's former glory."

As he spoke, he murmured to himself, "Perhaps... I'm still qualified to do that..."

Seeing the bitter, self-mocking look on Jaime's face, Gryn rubbed his index finger against his thumb and said, "So you plan to repair a house that's fallen into ruin? That's much harder than wielding a sword. Why not choose an easier goal? Like quietly serving as a statue in the Red Keep every day."

Jaime shot Gryn a sidelong glance, his tone firm. "I will make you—make everyone—see the supreme glory of the Kingsguard."

"I'll look forward to it." Gryn nodded toward the city gate. "Come on. Let's get something to eat."

The two walked