The Small Council Chamber (Complete)

The discussion regarding Lord Stannis could conclude here.

Lord Gryn had achieved his initial goal; the rest now depended on Petyr's schemes.

This matter was not a profound political maneuver. The timing was perfect, right on the heels of the incident in the Hand's Study, provided the schemer took care to conceal their identity.

Without needing a reminder, the shrewd Petyr would keep himself in the shadows, while Lord Gryn would remain hidden behind Petyr.

At this moment, both parties would choose to keep secrets for one another; this was the political tacit understanding of power-players.

The Kingswood Hunt, despite the name, was essentially a royal excursion organized by the Queen for the noblewomen of the Crownlands.

Royal activities were synonymous with state affairs, so all the Gold Dragons for the Kingswood Hunt were naturally approved and disbursed by the Master of Coin, Petyr.

Lord Gryn looked over the documents Petyr had handed him, combined with the lists from the Stewards, and his brows knit together in a way that was hard to detect.

Hiss, twenty thousand Gold Dragons!

Hiss, the nobles of the Crownlands certainly know how to enjoy themselves!

The Queen's Stewards had been busy with the Kingswood Hunt for three full months, and the procurement of necessary supplies had long been completed.

No wonder that when he had suddenly taken over the Kingswood Hunt and encountered the Stewards in the hall of Maegor's Holdfast, they hadn't shown any dissatisfaction, but were instead unusually friendly compared to their usual demeanor.

The profits had already been carved up by the Stewards, leaving only the arduous task of leading and arranging the event. They were practically begging for someone to take over so they could enjoy the ease.

Lord Gryn was jealous; he was jealous that his colleagues could leave the table after eating their fill without having to wash the dishes!

The noble Queen Cersei would neither know nor care about such matters.

This was Boss Cersei's trust, and Lord Gryn could only do his best for the royal cause.

Lord Gryn's personality was such that he did not dwell too much on what had already passed.

Petyr spoke up, "I was actually quite surprised to hear you taking over the Kingswood Hunt at this time. The most important procurement of supplies is already finished, and what remains are just chores like guarding, where it is difficult to achieve anything that would make Her Grace the Queen value you more."

Lord Gryn shrugged, "It is my duty."

Petyr spread his hands to either side, his gaze sincere, "Lord Gryn, I have said it before: we are already friends, and I am very happy to help my friends within my capabilities."

Lord Gryn's excellent memory told him that Petyr had almost perfectly repeated the last sentence he had spoken when Lord Gryn had "visited" him late at night.

Petyr continued, "Although I am the Master of Coin, in order to avoid unnecessary trouble, I can only add another ten thousand Gold Dragons for you, my friend."

Lord Gryn understood what Petyr was expressing; the ten thousand Gold Dragons were Petyr's gesture of reconciliation.

The Master of Coin adding to the expenses of the Kingswood Hunt fell within the scope of state affairs, and such news could not be kept hidden.

But as the person in charge of the Kingswood Hunt, Lord Gryn only needed to manipulate things slightly; not only could he make Queen Cersei's Kingswood Hunt more spectacular than ever before, but he could also skim off quite a bit for himself.

Lord Gryn estimated in his mind that if he put in a little more effort, it was possible to intercept half of it.

At this moment, Lord Gryn was no longer jealous of his colleagues.

Lord Gryn bowed with a hand to his chest, his tone amiable, "Crabb will remember Lord Petyr's generosity."

The Red Keep, outside the Small Council Chamber.

Lord Gryn bid farewell to Petyr, and just as he stepped out of the chamber doors, he spotted Jaime Lannister with a dark expression on his face.

After Jaime Lannister earned the title of Kingslayer for breaking his oath, his convictions had collapsed. On the surface, he looked no different, but in reality, he was somewhat self-abandoned, with room in his heart only for Queen Cersei.

Family, power—Jaime Lannister cared for none of it; Cersei had become his only belief.

Regarding such a Jaime Lannister, Lord Gryn did not want to make too many judgments. Based on his usual impression, he temporarily categorized him as a frustrated man with unstable emotions.

Lord Gryn acted as if he hadn't seen Jaime's dark face and took the initiative to greet him, "Ser Jaime, is Her Grace the Queen looking for me?"

Jaime handed over a golden bag embroidered with a Crowned Stag, "Little Wildling, this is a reward from Prince Joffrey for you."

Jaime was not acting normally; why had he gone back to calling him "Little Wildling"?

Lord Gryn reached out to take it, secretly feeling the weight of the bag, and then passed it to Anguy, who was standing faithfully behind him, "Please thank Prince Joffrey for me."

Jaime glanced at Lord Gryn sideways, his tone sounding very "provocative" to Lord Gryn's ears.

"Let's go, Princess Myrcella wants to see you."

Princess Myrcella?

Lord Gryn followed Jaime, who had already started walking, his face showing confusion, "Ser Jaime, may I know why Princess Myrcella wishes to see me?"

Jaime glanced at Lord Gryn sideways again, "She heard the story of the mermaid."

The story of the mermaid?

Lord Gryn had not forgotten that in order to increase the appeal of Mermaid Harbor, he had instructed Steward Herschel to arrange for people to spread the legend of the mermaid while at the Whispers.

Had the legend of the mermaid already reached the Red Keep? Did this count as going viral?

Steward Herschel had done a fine job; at this moment, Gryn actually found himself missing Herschel.

Meanwhile, the sharp-witted Gryn had finally figured out why Sir Jaime would occasionally and inexplicably reveal hostility toward him.

Princess Myrcella was only eight or nine years old, right?

In Gryn's mind, Myrcella was just a child; what kind of wicked intentions could he possibly harbor toward her?

Gryn recalled his past actions, confirming that he had done nothing in front of or behind Princess Myrcella's back that could be misinterpreted.

Gryn felt a flicker of irritation; was Sir Jaime targeting him alone, or everyone?

Gryn kept his expression neutral. "So, Princess Myrcella has heard the story of the mermaid?"

Sir Jaime nodded perfunctorily, his face stiff.

"The story of the mermaid originates from Crabb's Mermaid Harbor..."

Gryn actually possessed a rather vengeful streak. After a brief pause, he asked deliberately, "Sir Jaime, Myrcella is a princess after all, and she is granting me a private audience. Should I prepare a bouquet of flowers?"

Watching Sir Jaime's face turn livid the moment he heard those words, Gryn chuckled inwardly.

Sir Jaime tightened his grip on his sword hilt. "Princess Myrcella is still young; she will not accept flowers from a strange man."

Gryn nodded in agreement. "True, Princess Myrcella's status is noble. Even though she is young, it is necessary for us to put up some barriers."

Upon hearing Gryn's words, Sir Jaime's lips finally curled into a faint arc.

Gryn added, "I am different; I am one of our own."

Sir Jaime stopped in his tracks.

Seeing Sir Jaime halt, Gryn scanned his surroundings, his gaze filled with confusion. "Sir Jaime, why have you stopped?"

Sir Jaime suppressed his displeasure, though he felt helpless; upon reflection, the oblivious Gryn was indeed innocent.

He could only blame Tyrion for giving such reckless advice. Sir Jaime's love for his younger brother Tyrion decreased by one.

Sir Jaime resumed his stride. "You don't need to send any flowers, either."

Sensing that his words sounded a bit cold, Sir Jaime gave a light cough and added, "Little Baron, Princess Myrcella does not like receiving gifts from others."

Gryn spread his hands. "I shall follow your arrangements, Sir."

Apologies, I am truly too busy today to provide more than one chapter. I will return to two chapters tomorrow!

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Wishing everyone a happy holiday and a joyful Dragon Boat Festival!