Your Queen Is Very Angry

The Red Keep, Maegor's Garden.

Queen Cersei sat in splendid attire, smiling as she watched Princess Myrcella play with Prince Tommen.

Prince Joffrey sat beside Queen Cersei, looking a little impatient.

Not far away, Jaime stood with a sword in hand, clad in white robes and silver armor.

Lancel stood with Jaime, nervously avoiding Joffrey's gaze whenever it drifted his way.

Gryn and Tyrion appeared in the garden, approaching Jaime and Lancel.

Gryn took his place beside Jaime, while Tyrion cheerfully led the embarrassed-looking Lancel off to one side.

Jaime glanced at Cersei in the distance and unconsciously lowered his voice. "Little Baron, what did the old duke say?"

Without even realizing it, Jaime had upgraded Gryn's nickname from "Little Wildling" to "Little Baron."

Gryn replied, "He tried to get me to... by offering to make me governor of Crackclaw Point."

Gryn made no attempt to hide anything. He told Jaime what had happened, emphasizing in particular the discovery of a hidden compartment in the Hand's Study.

Jaime spoke with a mocking edge. "The Hand of the King's study is full of leaks, and yet the old duke hasn't noticed a thing."

Gryn nodded in agreement.

Once their business was finished, the mood turned a little awkward. Though the two had grown more familiar, perhaps they really were incompatible; aside from work, they had little to talk about.

Trying to break the awkward silence, Gryn glanced at the children playing in the distance.

Should he praise his little sweetheart?

Grasping for something to say, Gryn decided to start a conversation. "Princess Myrcella is very sweet."

Jaime didn't pick up the thread. He only shot Gryn a cold sidelong glance.

At that moment, Gryn's keen instincts seemed to catch on to something.

Tyrion, who had taken up a position on Jaime's other side at some point, had watched the whole exchange.

Tyrion's eyes shifted. He kept his expression composed, but inwardly he was laughing.

Before Gryn could think it over, one of Queen Cersei's maids came over at a leisurely pace. "Good day, Lord Gryn. Her Majesty requests your presence."

Gryn and Jaime exchanged a glance, then followed the maid.

Queen Cersei gave Gryn a slight nod as he greeted her. "Lord Gryn, this is my eldest son, Joffrey Baratheon, heir to the Iron Throne."

Joffrey held his chin a little high, the curve of his lips just like Queen Cersei's.

He takes after me. No wonder Cersei loves Joffrey best!

Gryn placed a hand over his chest and bowed. "Good day, Your Highness."

Joffrey was pleased with the way Gryn addressed him.

His whiny little brother was called Prince Tommen, and he was called Prince Joffrey. Joffrey had always resented how similar the titles sounded.

He was the Iron Throne's sole heir. He believed he alone deserved to be called a prince.

Gryn's form of address suited Joffrey perfectly.

Joffrey's mood suddenly improved. "Good day, Lord Gryn. I've heard of you, and I admire your bravery."

Queen Cersei was a little surprised. Her proud Joffrey rarely showed such friendliness to someone he had just met.

Cersei nodded to herself in satisfaction. That's my son. He can recognize a man's worth at a glance. Just like me!

In her good mood, Cersei called Myrcella and Tommen over as well.

"Good day, Prince Tommen."

"Good day, Princess Myrcella."

Gryn hurried to greet the children.

Gryn's way of addressing Tommen further improved Joffrey's mood. "Mother, I want to reward Lord Gryn."

Gryn's ears perked up, and suddenly his back didn't ache anymore.

A capable man would serve more faithfully if he were rewarded often. Joffrey already understood this principle. Cersei felt gratified. Joffrey really is just like me!

Cersei smiled warmly at Joffrey. "Very well, I understand, my prince. I'll take care of it for you."

"Tommen, Myrcella, wipe the sweat off and take a rest."

Afterward, Queen Cersei told her maid to look after the children. Then she raised a hand toward Gryn. "Lord Gryn, walk with me."

Gryn considered this, then stepped closer to Queen Cersei. He gently took her slender raised arm and helped her to her feet.

In the distance, Jaime and Tyrion exchanged a glance as they watched Cersei and Gryn walk into the garden.

Tyrion grinned. "Brother, your plan didn't work on our sister."

Jaime looked awkward and helpless.

Tyrion patted Jaime's thigh in consolation. "Jaime, don't worry. Things aren't as bad as we feared. It looks like our sister isn't angry, which is a good sign. You haven't failed."

Gryn accompanied Cersei on a stroll through the garden. Maegor's Garden was shaded by trees and filled with birdsong and flowers.

Queen Cersei stopped and gazed at a sea of flowers, her voice cool. "Lord Gryn, when were you planning to tell me what that old fool wanted with you?"

The Red Keep really had no secrets. Jaime couldn't be relied on for this kind of thing; he was only good for cutting people down!

Gryn's brown eyes shifted slightly. "The old man tried to tempt me into crossing the sea to deal with the two Young Dragons of House Targaryen."

Queen Cersei gave a scoff, her tone contemptuous. "What a cowardly fool."

Cersei glanced at Gryn. "Tempt you?"

Gryn replied mockingly, "If I got the job done, he promised to make me governor of Crackclaw Point and name me its Warden."

"You don't seem willing."

Gryn nodded. "Your Majesty, I've heard that the Red Keep has been sending assassins after the Young Dragons for more than a decade. They've failed to do the job all this time, and now they're handing it to me. The old man has ulterior motives."

"What do you think the old fool is after?"

After a pause, Gryn said, "He wants to get me away from Your Majesty. He may think the sword in your hand is too sharp."

Cersei turned to face him, meeting his gaze. She lifted her elegant chin slightly, the corners of her lips curving. "That's what I thought, too. Lord Gryn, you're about Joffrey's age, and I have high hopes for your future."

Gryn's voice carried a hint of emotion. "Your Majesty, House Crabb will never forget your kindness."

Cersei slowly stepped closer to Gryn. They were so near that he could feel her breath.

Queen Cersei gazed at Gryn with great warmth. She raised her arm and gently brushed his cheek with her delicate hand. "Such a good boy..."

Cersei then carefully straightened Gryn's collar.

As she did, she noticed his Adam's apple bobbing and his chest rising and falling beneath his clothes.

Queen Cersei's lips curled.

Her delicate hand stroked Gryn's cheek again. "The old fool dared to go over my head and direct my best steward. He's never respected me. Your queen is very angry. We have to do something, or your queen won't be able to swallow this insult."