iron throne of ice and fire

Chapter 423: Cult Arms
After a pause, Cersei suddenly asked, "What has Margaery been doing lately?"

Since taking control of the Royal Court, Cersei's time has been almost entirely occupied by the kingdom's political affairs, leaving her with no energy to spare for other matters... But she will never let her guard down against the hypocritical and cunning Rose.

The lioness will not let her enemies live happily for long. Joffrey in heaven is still waiting for his mother to avenge him.

"Except at night, Miss Margaery is with His Majesty Tommen every day, accompanying him in reading, riding, and playing games. Her maids often bring His Majesty's favorite toys from outside. She occasionally goes out for a horse ride, but not for long."

Cersei paused, was silent for a moment, and said, "Tell the butler to have Tommen accompany me for dinner starting today."

"As ordered."

Surrounded by the crowd, Cersei soon arrived at the royal carriage decorated with gilded lions that had been waiting outside the throne room.

Before entering the carriage, Cersei glanced at the gold-cloaked commander standing by the carriage door and asked him to ride in the carriage with her.

Inside the carriage, the tall Osfried sat opposite Cersei.

Cersei looked at Osfryd's different "well-behaved" behavior, chuckled, and said, "Ser Osfryd, would you like some wine?"

Without waiting for Osfryd to respond, Cersei picked up the wine glass, poured two glasses of wine, and handed one over.

Osfryd lowered his eyes and reached out to take the wine glass respectfully, and his movements... seemed to be very worried about accidentally touching Cersei's fingers.

Cersei couldn't help but frown. Green's sword (Chapter 408) turned the men around her into true knights that even the gods would praise.

She took a sip of wine and asked, "How is Osmond's injury?"

Osfryd looked up at Cersei, was silent for a moment, and replied: "Lord Qyburn took good care of my brother, but...but..."

"but what?"

"Except for Lord Qyburn, he is now very afraid to see anyone else, including me and Osney..."

There was pain in Osforley's voice: "My brother was once... the bravest mercenary in the world..."

She drank too much that night... Although Cersei never pitied Osmund's fate, she still showed a sad expression on the surface.

"When Sir Osmond recovers, I will compensate him as much as possible, whether it's a castle or a title... whatever he wants, I will give it to him."

"Thank you for your kindness." As he spoke, Osforley's black eyes moved secretly, and his tone became cautious: "Duke Crabbe's order is to exile my brother to the Great Wall. Will your arrangement anger him..."

Snapped!
Before he could finish his words, Ser Osfryd was slapped in the face by Cersei.

"If Green really wanted to exile him, he wouldn't just cut off his penis. Are you stupid?"

In fact, the person Cersei was really angry with was Jaime. Due to the heavy workload of the kingdom's government affairs, she had not had time to write a letter to "coax" Greene, and Jaime left again without saying goodbye.

Although they had quarreled in the White Sword Tower last time, she had never thought that James would be willing to really leave her. He came into this world holding her feet, and she and he were destined to live and die together!
"Sorry, Your Majesty."

Osfried's voice interrupted Cersei's thoughts. After a pause, she reached out and touched his cheek, saying softly, "Don't worry. I will protect you in return for your loyalty. I will also warn the Greens."

The lioness had found Kettleblack somewhat attractive before, they could bring a sense of freshness that Jaime could not give, and now... her new "toy" had made her more interested. Oren Waters (promoted to the Admiral of the Royal Fleet by Cersei, Chapter 415) had hair that was closer to silver than gold, and eyes that were gray-green, not Prince Rhaegar's purple eyes, but despite this, the two of them had many similarities... Oren had shaved his beard for her a few days ago, and he wanted her, and it was completely clear from the way he looked at her - since her puberty, nine out of ten men would look at her that way.

Retracting her thoughts, she shook the wine glass in her hand and asked, "Has Osney made any progress?"

Hearing this, Osfroy, who was sitting upright, showed a hesitant look: "He is making good progress, but..."

"only?"

There was a hint of anger in the lioness' voice. "I am losing my patience with Osney. I appointed him as Tommen's personal guard so that he can see Margaery every day. He should pick the rose quickly! Could it be that the little rose looks down on Osney's charm?"

"No, she enjoys spending time with Osney, she wants him, that's obvious."

Osfreet seemed a little confused as well: "But she and Osney were never alone, most of the time, the king was there, and when the king was not there, all kinds of other people."

"What about when you're riding a horse?"

"When she rides out she always has a large retinue with her, at least four or five Reach Knights and a dozen green robes."

Cersei frowned. "What about at night? Is there no way for Osney to get close to him?"

Osfory shrugged. "Osney told me that Lady Margaery never slept alone. Her Tyrell maids took turns sleeping with her every night."

Hearing this, Cersei began to suspect that Ser Osney was not the right candidate. Perhaps other men might be more to Margaery's liking... For example, the silver-haired Oren Weasley?

But...according to Osferi, it would be futile even if any other man was replaced.

Her slender hands clenched into fists involuntarily. Even if she believed that there would be a visit from the White Walkers tomorrow, she would never believe that Margaery would be loyal to Tommen.

Osney's incompetence annoyed Cersei: "Tell your brother to sharpen his spurs. I want to hear from him as soon as possible."

After a pause, Osfried assured his brother: "Don't worry, I will also assist him."

Cersei then showed a slightly satisfied look, and then changed the subject: "Have you arranged the gold cloak?"

Aegon the Conqueror marked the day when the High Septon anointed him in Oldtown as the anniversary of his proclamation as King of the Seven Kingdoms.

Therefore, the blessing, which was originally just an empty ceremony, has acquired irreplaceable symbolic significance in the Seven Kingdoms.

When Tommen wore the crown, the Great Sept of Baelor had not yet elected a high bishop who could anoint the king with holy oil, which made her son's Iron Throne lack a layer of legitimacy in the eyes of ignorant pariahs.

The lioness is unable to spare the energy to deal with the mess in the church for the time being, but the illegal new high bishop clearly responded yesterday to the royal steward who invited him to anoint the king with holy oil - the Church of the Seven will not bless King Tommen until the royal family pays off the debt.

Very good, today she will let the world know the difference between a lion and a sheep, and teach the monks what power is. "Your Majesty, I have arranged everything. In addition to the two hundred guards accompanying you, there are more than a thousand golden robes around the Baelor Cathedral waiting for your orders."

Cersei reached across and squeezed Osfryd's hand gently. "That's very thoughtful of you, ser. I can't wait to see the septons you scare into pissing themselves."

Looking at the charming queen mother with a gentle expression, for some reason, Osfred suddenly saw the Duke who always had a gentle expression through her.

He squeezed out a voice stiffly: "This... This is my honor."

As soon as she finished speaking, the carriage stopped suddenly and Cersei almost fell off her seat.

"Oh, what the hell?"

"I'll go out and take a look." Hearing Cersei's angry voice, Osfryd quickly opened the door and jumped out of the carriage.

"Your Majesty, are you all right?"

The voice of Ser Meryn Trant, a member of the Kingsguard, was heard outside the carriage. Cersei gently stretched out her arm, lifted a corner of the curtain, and asked, "What happened?"

"They are playing children. In front..." After a pause, Sir Marin continued, "The golden robes are driving away the sparrows that are blocking the road."

"Tell Osfried not to make any big moves. I don't want to cause another riot." After that, Cersei let go of the curtain and murmured in disgust: "This is ridiculous."

Coben had reported to her about the Sparrows. The monks who followed the Big Sparrow called themselves Sparrows, so...is the Big Sparrow a reference to the leader of the Sparrows?
Were these "sparrows" who stink worse than real sparrows the ones who pushed the High Sparrow to the position of High Septon? Cersei scoffed, saying that even the most pious monks would eventually become parasites that depended on the royal family for survival.

Outside the carriage, Osfried's voice was heard everywhere: "Clear the streets! Make way for the Queen Regent!"

Soon, the carriage began to move forward and Cersei closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep.

…………

Hundreds of people were camping in the square of the Cathedral of Baelor, with smoke rising from the air. Coarse cloth tents and simple huts made of mud and waste occupied the pure white marble. Even the steps under the pulpit of the cathedral were covered with bedding rolls.

Cersei, who got off the carriage, walked among the ragged "sparrows" under the escort of the Kingsguard, the red robes and the gold robes. Their expressions were dull, gloomy and hostile, and they reluctantly made way.

Cersei couldn't help but frown. If only these filthy people were real sparrows, they would all be scared away by a shout.

She regretted her soft-heartedness. She should have followed the old lion's example and sent the gold robes with clubs, swords and maces to clear the way.

When they were about to walk up the stone steps leading to the Great Sept, Cersei and the others were blocked by a group of armed men with seven-pointed stars tattooed on their foreheads.

They wore mail and boiled leather, with a few scattered, dented pieces of plate mail... Some held spears, some carried swords, most were armed with axes, and all wore coarse brown robes.

The two men in front crossed their spears, preventing Osfryd, who was leading the way in front of Cersei, from moving forward.

Today, the sparrows made the newly appointed commander-in-chief of the golden robes lose face in front of the Queen Mother. He grasped the hilt of the sword at his waist and shouted angrily: "How dare you show up in front of the Regent Queen Mother with weapons? Are you planning to rebel?!"

A hunchbacked, gray-bearded sparrow came out and said, "Your Majesty, we welcome you, but your followers must take off their sword belts. According to the order of the Archbishop, weapons cannot be brought into the church."

Ser Meryn said coldly, "Even beside the king, the Kingsguard need not disarm."

Greybeard Sparrow responded slowly, "In the king's side, the king has the final say, but this is the Hall of the Seven."

Cersei glanced at the sparrows that were gradually gathering around her and couldn't help but sneer. Are you going to put down your weapons and wait to be torn into pieces by these untouchables?

Cersei was very angry. These dirty sparrows took her proactive visit as a sign of weakness by the lioness. She must teach them a lesson.

She raised her chin slightly and said in a loud voice, "Give my regards to the High Sparrow. I will find a suitable time to visit here again."

The lioness did not want to experience a second untouchable riot herself, so she sat in the Red Fort and killed all the little sparrows who dared to offend the lion's majesty.

"Your Majesty the Queen Mother."

The old voice called Cersei who was about to leave. She turned and looked at the steps. The daring sparrows respectfully made way, and a short, thin old man appeared.

He walked down the steps step by step, stopped in front of Osfried who was standing at the back, stroked his chest, and said: "May the gods bless you, Regent Queen Mother."

Cersei walked over, surrounded by the Kingsguard, and said coldly, "Are you the High Sparrow?"

The High Sparrow showed the amiable expression of an ordinary old man: "It is me."

Cersei then discovered that the High Sparrow was barefoot, his feet were black, hard and rough like tree roots, covered with calluses, and extremely ugly... Was this the High Septon?
Cersei frowned: "Who allowed the people behind you to carry weapons in the Great Sept? High Sparrow, do you know what it means when you appear in front of me with weapons?"

The High Sparrow stroked his chest again and sighed, "For the poor people who are suffering from hunger, bread is their life. Thieves are stealing and robbers are robbing. The monks have the obligation to protect their lives. This is in line with the teachings of the Seven Gods, Your Majesty the Queen Mother."

Cersei snorted and said, "But it's illegal."

The High Sparrow smiled gently, turned sideways, extended a hand toward the door, and said, "Your Majesty, welcome."

He smiled faintly again: "If you are worried, the Church of the Seven is willing to respect the sacred oath of the Kingsguard."

How can a lion be afraid of a sparrow? !
"Wait outside." After briefly instructing the Kingsguard, Cersei walked up the stairs alone and followed the High Sparrow into the Great Sept.

Passing through the Hall of Lights, the High Sparrow led Cersei to the old woman holding the lantern. Seeing that he seemed to be planning to lead her in prayer, she said impatiently: "High Sparrow, I don't have time to pray now. I came here to tell you that it is the custom of the High Septon to bless the new king...but you refused to bless King Tommen. If you continue to refuse, the King's Council and I will also refuse your title of High Septon."

She added, "Also, the sparrows with axes will cause panic in King's Landing. I want you to expel them immediately, or I will punish them for treason."

After hearing Cersei's warning, the High Sparrow remained calm. "I will answer your questions one by one. First, Your Majesty, you misunderstood. I am not refusing, but the time is not yet ripe to bless the king."

(End of this chapter)