iron throne of ice and fire

Chapter 401 Successor (End)
Green looked at James and said, "Are you okay?"

Jaime shrugged: "Only when I put on the white robe will Cersei feel at ease. She wants to inherit Casterly Rock and she wants to rule everything."

Seeing James pretending to be indifferent, Green suddenly remembered a sentence deep in his memory: The grandson doesn't feel sorry at all for selling his grandfather's land.

Really...well done.

Green raised one eyebrow slightly. "It seems that... our wise Queen Mother is also aware of your importance in Lannister, sir."

After taking a sip of wine, Jaime's green eyes moved slightly, his gaze shifted to Green, and he asked, "Why didn't you attend Tommen's coronation ceremony?"

Green looked at the funeral procession moving away, sighed softly, and said, "That is the stage for Cersei Lannister."

After a pause, he patted Jaime's arm and said, "Please cheer up. Queen Cersei is prone to act impulsively at this moment. The Lannisters need you very much now."

"Uncle Kevan is enough."

Jaime combed his wind-blown hair with his fingers and added, "Recently, I often dream of my deceased brothers in the Kingsguard. What I care more about now is restoring the former glory of the Kingsguard."

As he spoke, he murmured to himself: "Perhaps, I am still qualified to do this..."

Seeing the self-deprecating bitter expression on James' face, Green moved his index finger against his thumb and said, "Are you planning to repair the dilapidated house? This is much more difficult than swordplay. Why don't you choose an easier goal? For example, just be a statue in the Red Keep quietly every day."

James glanced at Green and said firmly, "I will let you and everyone else see the supreme glory of the Kingsguard."

"I'll be looking forward to it." Green pointed in the direction of the city gate with his chin, and then said, "Let's go and have something to eat."

The two walked side by side towards the city gate. Green was the first to break the silence: "Where do you plan to start in restoring the glory of the Kingsguard?"

Ser Jaime thought for a moment, then said, "I will clear out the Kingsguard's garbage first."

Green nodded in agreement, but soon frowned and said, "Will Queen Cersei agree?"

James's face darkened slightly: "She won't stop me."

Green did not ask the reason, but changed the subject directly: "Jaime, do you have a suitable candidate for the Kingsguard?"

Sir James frowned and thought for a moment, then said, "This still needs to be considered, but I believe we will find it."

They had already arrived at the city gate. Green took the reins from the squire, jumped on the horse, paused, and said, "If I recommend a candidate for the Kingsguard to you when you are ready to do something big, would it be difficult for you, sir?"

James reached out and stroked the horse's mane, saying, "I believe in the honor of Duke Crabbe."

Green shrugged. "His name is Vardis Egan (Chapter 387), one of the captains of the Red Keep's guard. You can test him to your heart's content."

Gouxiang, the Knights Tavern.

After the two sat down, the waiter quickly brought the barbecue, wine jugs and wine glasses. Green looked around casually and said, "Tyrion and I met for the first time here (Chapter 21). That day was also the first day I arrived in King's Landing..."

As he said this, he smiled to himself and said, "I doubt I am mourning him."

Jaime, who was pouring wine, couldn't help laughing: "Tyrion would complain loudly and ask you to comfort him with beautiful women if he were here..."

After a pause, he pushed the full glass over and asked, "Any news about him?"

Green picked up the wine glass, took a sip, and said, "Except that the weather is a little colder, his life is not much worse than in King's Landing, but... he should still be on the ship now."

"This is good news."

Jaime raised his glass and said, "Have you met Cersei?"

Green stroked the glass and was silent for a while. He said, "We chatted briefly for a few minutes. She made me feel a little strange, but I didn't think much of it. After all, she suddenly lost her father and eldest son overnight."

Hearing this, Jaime shrugged slightly, his eyes blinded by the desire for power... He did not say what he was thinking. Although he no longer loved Cersei, he did not want to blame her in front of others.

He took a sip of his wine. "I'm sure Uncle Kevan will help her stabilize the Red Keep soon."

Green agreed: "I support your idea. Lord Kevan has enough wisdom and ability to stabilize the current situation in the Seven Kingdoms and Tommen's Iron Throne."

After a pause, he also raised his glass to indicate, "Only if Queen Cersei and Lord Kevan agree on the rule."

Green's reminder seemed to remind James of something. He frowned and slowly took a sip of wine.

Green continued, "I hope that everyone in the Red Castle will have reached a tacit understanding before I return."

James raised his eyebrows and asked in surprise, "You mean... you're leaving King's Landing again?"

After a pause, Green nodded slowly: "I don't plan to get involved in what happens next. Cersei, Tommen, Lannister, Tyrell, the King's Chamberlain... just thinking about it gives me a headache."

James couldn't help but sneer, "I'm sorry, but I don't think the lioness will let you go easily. She needs you now."

"What she really needs is a Lannister."

Green spread his hands and continued, "That's why I came to you. In the past, you always disappeared suddenly, and then I had to explain your whereabouts to Cersei. This time... it's finally your turn, White Knight."

James recalled it briefly and it seemed to be true.

He shook his head and said, "Okay, it's my turn this time. By the way, have you thought of a reason?"

Green thought seriously for a while and said, "Are you suddenly a little tired of the Game of Thrones? Or, can you help me think of a more suitable one?"

Ser Jaime spread his hands. "If I had your tongue, I'd have a better chance of success as a knight."

Green smiled and said, "Take your time, James. You still have a long time to live. You still have a chance to make up for the things you regret."

Seeing the bitterness on James' face, the kind-hearted Lord Green comforted him: "At least, the Kingsguard is now known to be terrible, so it will be easier for you to get support from others."

Amid Green's laughter, James leaned back in his chair, smiled, and said, "That sounds really comforting, Your Excellency the Duke."

In the afternoon, the sun is still scorching.

As soon as Green arrived at the Red Keep, he ran into Lord Kevan and his guards who were about to enter. After meeting, he hugged Lord Kevan and sighed, "The Seven Kingdoms have lost a pillar. The entire Seven Kingdoms are immersed in the grief of your brother's death. I know that I cannot truly understand the pain in your heart. Please accept my condolences."

Lord Kevan's face was filled with sadness. He nodded, patted Green's arm, and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "Thank you for your concern. Thank you."

The two of them entered the Red Keep together, walking and chatting casually. When they reached the Godwood, Green suddenly stopped.

"Lord Kevan, if you're sorry, will you take over as Prime Minister?"

Lord Kevan also paused. He stood with his hands behind his back in silence for a long time before he slowly said, "Duke Green, to be honest, perhaps even I don't know the answer."

He raised his head and looked in the direction of Maegeta, his eyes were deep and complicated: "Perhaps, there will be an answer soon."

Green's brown eyes moved slightly, and he asked uncertainly, "Are you worried about the Queen Mother Regent?"

A look of vigilance flashed in Earl Kevan's eyes, and then seeing that he intended to change the subject, Green did not ask any more questions, but continued to chat with him about other things.

Lord Kevan said goodbye and left the garden near the throne room. When his figure completely disappeared from sight, Green paced back and forth for a few steps and suddenly said, "Brienne, have someone prepare the carriage. We will leave the Red Keep and go directly to Crabbe Manor outside the city."

…………

Maegeta, the Queen Mother's study.

Cersei examined the old, well-worn coin in her hand.

Grand Maester Pycelle's voice rang out: "Your Majesty, it is from before the War of Conquest. The king on the coin is Garth the 391th, and his hand is the coat of arms of the Gardener family (Chapter )."

Cersei tightly grasped the gold coin in her hand. She barely suppressed the hatred in her eyes and said coldly, "Pycelle, forget what happened just now. If others knew what I had consulted you about, I would pull out your tongue."

Pycelle's body trembled noticeably, and he said tremblingly, "Of course, please rest assured. I am old and my memory is not good. I don't know anything. I swear to you, Your Majesty."

Queen Cersei waved her hand impatiently: "You can leave now."

Not long after Pycelle left, Lord Kevan arrived as promised.

"Sir Osney, please don't let anyone disturb us."

After Lord Kevan sat down, Cersei's eyes turned to him. His uncle's skin still looked delicate, but now at the age of fifty-seven, his head was basically bald... His square chin was full of flesh, and his short yellow beard could not cover it at all.

The uncle in front of her reminded Cersei of the old guard dog of Casterly Rock... However, what she needed right now was a loyal guard dog.

She opened her red lips and said, "Uncle Kevan, I know how much my father relied on you in the past. Now... I also need your service."

She raised her chin slightly. "Tommen has been crowned successfully. He needs an experienced elder to accompany him. My son and I... hope that you will take over my father's position."

"The position of Prime Minister..."

Lord Kevan stared at the proud lioness for a while, then said slowly: "I heard that Jaime rejected your invitation."

Cersei's expression was a little unnatural: "At that time, the sudden death of my family made me dazed and thoughtless. I can't even remember what I said... Jaime is very brave, but I am familiar with him. Everyone knows that he can hardly bear the responsibility of Prime Minister."

His niece is certainly familiar with his nephew (Chapter 368)... Lord Kevan's lips flashed with a hint of sarcasm, and he said, "Cersei, the vacant position of Prime Minister... You can consider Lord Mace Tyrell, which may allow tomorrow's royal meeting to end smoothly."

Cersei leaned forward and shouted angrily, "Never!"

After a pause, she swept a lock of hair over her forehead. "I will never indulge the greedy Tyrells!"

Lord Kevan nodded, his voice still unhurried: "It was foolish to let Mace be the Hand, but it was even more foolish to make an enemy of him. Cersei, I have heard what happened in the Hall of Lights. It was extremely unwise for you to deny the oath between Lannister and Tyrell in front of everyone."

"I didn't deny it, I just forgot about it temporarily. I was very sad at that time, which is normal!"

Kevan's rebuke made Cersei impatient. She leaned back in her chair again, calmed down a little, and then said, "Who is more qualified to take over the position of the Hand than my father's brother, the brother who has always been close to my father and selflessly devoted to him?"

Kevan sighed deeply: "Everyone needs someone they can trust. My brother trusts me and your mother."

Although it was unclear why her uncle suddenly mentioned her mother, Cersei casually agreed: "He loved her very much, I know... ...They are reunited now."

"I pray the same, hoping that my brother can have her company."

Lord Kevan looked at Cersei's face and stared at her for a long moment before saying, "Cersei, you are asking me to make another sacrifice."

Cersei did not deny it. She raised her glass to indicate, curled the corners of her lips, and said, "Uncle, I will not ask for more than my father asked."

"But I'm tired."

Lord Kevan also picked up the wine glass and took a sip of wine. He said with emotion: "I haven't seen my wife for almost two years. One son has become a corpse (Martin Lannister, Chapter 280), and the other son is about to get married... and the Harrenhal given to me by my brother must be restored to its former glory. The fertile land of the Three Rivers needs to be protected, and the scorched fields are waiting to be plowed and sown again."

Cersei had never expected that Kevan would need her comfort. She suppressed her impatience and said in a gentle tone: "Uncle, Tommen cannot do without your help, and the kingdom needs your care even more."

"Tommen... the Kingdom... the Lannisters..."

Muttering, he took a sip of wine, sighed deeply, and said: "Well, I will stay and serve King Tommen..."

"Very good………"

Cersei was about to praise her, but Kevan suddenly raised his voice, stopping her from speaking.

"...The condition is that I will serve as both regent and hand of the king, and you will return to Casterly Rock."

Hearing this, Cersei stared at Kevan in astonishment for a long time before reminding him, "Uncle, I am the Queen Regent."

Kevan stared at her. "You are now, but have you forgotten the order left by Lord Tywin before his death? He asked you to leave the Red Keep and return to Casterly Rock (Chapter 388)."

Cersei's anger suddenly surged: "He said that, yes, but I didn't agree with it!"

Kevan's expression remained calm. "Cersei, since you are inheriting your father's Casterly Rock, as a lord, you should naturally stay in the territory."

(End of this chapter)