Having said his piece, Varys folded his hands over his stomach and quietly withdrew to one side. He stood with his eyes lowered, not daring to disturb Viserys's thoughts, waiting only for his final decision.
Perhaps the conclusion Viserys reached would also let him see clearly what sort of man Viserys truly was, and whether he was genuinely suited to the Iron Throne.
After all, many on this continent still remembered the madness in House Targaryen's blood. A single decision by the new king might well determine the character of the Iron Throne's future reign, while proving whether Varys's original choice of allegiance had been right.
Yet Viserys merely gave a couple of derisive chuckles at his words, his brows shifting almost imperceptibly. "I don't care what you were thinking before, nor do I care what you think in the future. But I never want to see those two appear again. Do you understand what I mean?"
Varys's fingers curled slightly inside his broad sleeves. Then, with precisely the right measure of deference, he said, "I understand. I will make the proper arrangements. Your Majesty will not have to concern yourself with this matter again."
With those words, the suspicion that had lingered in Varys's heart for so long finally settled into certainty. The new king before him was by no means as forgiving as he appeared. The ruthlessness of House Targaryen still ran deep in his blood.
He offered no further unnecessary words, merely bowed slightly and turned to the arrangements they had settled earlier. "The hunting party is still outside the gates of the Red Keep. I must first go and arrange for Your Majesty's wish to travel by dragon. You may depart whenever you are ready."
This time, Varys did not hesitate for even a moment. After