Queen Cersei gently patted Princess Myrcella's small back.
Queen Cersei's gaze was a little unfocused, and the continuous cheers outside the carriage brought her back to distant memories.
...…
Back then, when she and the young King Robert Baratheon walked out of the Great Sept of Baelor hand in hand, the cheers from the crowd were just like today.
Thousands of people had come to King's Landing specifically to bless her union with King Robert; the square was unprecedentedly grand, all the women wore their most beautiful clothes, and half the men had their children on their shoulders.
The tall and imposing Robert whispered in her ear that everyone adored her, and Queen Cersei, wearing her crown, tried to love Robert, preparing herself to be a queen with peace of mind.
That day, Cersei Lannister married Robert Baratheon with immense glory; that day, she surpassed all the women in Westeros!
However, Cersei Lannister's good mood did not last long.
On their wedding night, sharing the bed, Cersei Lannister, pressed beneath him, endured Robert, reeking of alcohol, entering her body, only to hear Robert softly muttering Lyanna's name in his sleep afterwards.
Lyanna Stark had been Robert Baratheon's fiancée, and for the proud Cersei, Robert Baratheon's actions were absolutely unforgivable.
The living Lyanna had taken away Prince Rhaegar, whom she had once secretly admired, and the dead Lyanna had stolen the heart of her newlywed husband, Robert; Cersei felt like Lyanna's defeated opponent, and Lyanna's name became her disgrace!
How could Cersei Lannister, the Mother Lion who had always wanted to compete with men, be defeated by another woman?
The most hateful thing was that Lyanna was already gone, so she couldn't even seek revenge!
Cersei simply could not swallow this anger.
The only time Robert Baratheon had ever made Cersei Lannister wet was on their wedding night.
Originally, Robert Baratheon should have been wiped out at that very moment.
...…
Queen Cersei's hand subtly tightened.
"Mother?"
Princess Myrcella seemed to notice Cersei's unusual state, her eyes turning in confusion, her small face filled with worry.
Queen Cersei pulled her thoughts back.
"I'm fine, Myrcella. Pay attention to your demeanor and always remember your status as a princess."
Upon hearing Queen Cersei's words, Myrcella immediately adjusted her posture obediently, her small face "proudly" lifting her chin slightly.
Queen Cersei nodded, a satisfied smile appearing on her face.
...…
An open area outside the Steel Gate of King's Landing had already gathered a large crowd, with the banners of various families fluttering in the wind.
When the Queen's carriage stopped, the noisy crowd instantly quieted, and everyone bowed towards the carriage.
Queen Cersei would naturally not receive the noblewomen attending the Kingswood Hunting beside the carriage.
A large tent had already been set up here for the Queen to conveniently meet with the noblewomen.
The distance from the carriage to the tent, less than a hundred meters, was covered with the summer red carpet that Queen Cersei liked.
These carpets were provided by a King's Landing carpet merchant named Petyr.
Baron Green's request was merely for the number of uses, so his transaction with the carpet merchant Petyr was about the usage price, not the purchase price.
Although Petyr was making this kind of transaction for the first time, he had seen similar methods of exchange, so the deal was concluded very smoothly.
According to the terms of the transaction, Petyr would bring his men and carriages filled with carpets to lay them out in advance wherever Queen Cersei stopped along the way.
After the Kingswood Hunting concluded and they returned to King's Landing, Petyr would not only earn the usage fee for the carpets from Baron Green, but the ownership of the carpets would still belong to him.
As for what Petyr would do with the carpets once they had been stepped on by Queen Cersei, Baron Green would no longer care.
...…
It was common for Westeros nobles to lay carpets in their homes, but laying them out like a road in the wilderness was very rare.
It wasn't a matter of waste; it was just that such a trend hadn't formed yet, and Baron Green would not underestimate the extravagance of nobles for pomp and prestige.
...…
Stepping out of the carriage, Queen Cersei trod on the pre-laid carpet, nodding to herself in satisfaction.
Baron Green, as the head of the Kingswood Hunting and Chief Steward, escorted Queen Cersei into the tent.
Queen Cersei, who had been holding Myrcella's small hand, first handed Myrcella over to a handmaiden, then sat down: "Baron Green, you are very thoughtful."
Queen Cersei was referring to the various expensive fruits laid out on the long tables on both sides inside the tent.
From the carpets to the current fruits, these had never appeared in previous Kingswood Hunting events, and Queen Cersei naturally understood that these were all due to Baron Green's thoughtful arrangements.
...…
Baron Green bowed respectfully with his hand on his chest: "Your Majesty, noble as you are, these are merely small embellishments arranged by your humble servant."
Baron Green would not tell Queen Cersei that after they left, Baron Green's Steward Surana would be responsible for arranging people to "discreetly" transport these fruits to Clebert Estate.
At Clebert Estate, there were merchants waiting to purchase this batch of fruits, and Baron Green's prices would be very fair, making their early wait worthwhile.
Including the cost of the carpets, Baron Green had used the additional funds for the Kingswood Hunting specially approved by Master of Coin Petyr to cover these expenses.
Moreover, since Baron Green was personally appointed by Queen Cersei as the overall head of the Kingswood Hunting, how these items were handled was naturally up to Baron Green.
Baron Green had been busy all day yesterday for today's operation.
...…
Queen Cersei took the wine glass offered by the handmaiden, took a sip, and with a slight curl of her lips, said: "It will have some effect; at least those women who only like to gossip behind men's backs will be much more well-behaved."
Queen Cersei took another large sip of summer red, then extended her glass to the handmaiden and instructed: "Fill it."
Queen Cersei continued: "Every Kingswood Hunting, I'm tired of hearing their boring conversations."
Queen Cersei gently swirled the wine glass in her hand and said: "Baron Green, because of you, I actually have some interest in this Kingswood Hunting."
Baron Green bowed and said: "Thank you again for Your Majesty's high regard, your humble servant is honored."
Queen Cersei nodded slightly, her green eyes shifting: "I was surprised when I received the news; this is not an easy thing. I'm very curious how you convinced Littlefinger? I know you men are generally not honest."
Queen Cersei's words had a hidden meaning; Baron Green's heart stirred—it was the annoying Jaime!
Baron Green secretly despised Jaime for his loose lips in front of Cersei.
Baron Green spread his hands: "It was Lord Petyr who facilitated my meeting with Prime Minister Jon."
Baron Green added: "After all, his existence has been discovered, and Lord Petyr might be afraid that we wouldn't let him go."
Queen Cersei's lips curved, and she leaned slightly towards one armrest: "Littlefinger Petyr, what's your impression of him?"
Baron Green pondered for a moment, then said: "Hmm, Petyr's bottom line is rather flexible?"
Queen Cersei gave Baron Green a sidelong glance.