chapter 96 part 1
Chapter 96 Proving Loyalty
The candlelight flickered gently, its tip glowing with a faint blue light, illuminating the pitch-black room.
Jaime moved his lips but ultimately did not speak again.
If he continued to explain on Glyn's behalf, the effect would only be worse.
Cersei was on the verge of fury, and his continued presence would only add fuel to the fire.
Jaime wanted to leave directly, but he hesitated.
When it came to Cersei's safety, he wouldn't trust anyone.
"Ser Jaime.
"
Glyn's voice drew Jaime's attention.
Glyn had already unbuckled the longsword at his waist.
Seeing Jaime look over, he tossed it toward him.
Jaime reached out and caught the longsword, his expression slightly embarrassed.
Love had blinded his eyes, causing him to subconsciously overlook Glyn's character.
The perceptive Glyn was a man of detail, and Jaime's knightly heart was once again stirred.
In Jaime's line of sight, Glyn nodded slightly, giving him a look of reassurance.
Jaime glanced down at Glyn's sword, the corners of his lips curling up.
After nodding to Cersei, he swirled his cloak and strode away.
Clack, clack, clack... As Jaime passed Glyn, he gave a slight nod.
The proud Jaime Lannister was offering a semblance of an apology.
...
With a click, the door was closed, leaving only Glyn and Cersei in the room.
Glyn understood Cersei's temperament, so he always managed to hit the right notes with her.
As time went on, Glyn not only increased Cersei's favorable impression of him, but also unknowingly deepened her trust.
As Glyn's importance in Cersei's heart grew, she included him in her plans for the kingdom.
Once her schemes succeeded, Cersei's vision was this: after Joffrey sat the Iron Throne, Jaime would serve as the Captain of the Kingsguard, and Glyn would serve as the Commander of the City Watch.
Through them, Cersei would rule the kingdom as regent, controlling the Seven Kingdoms until Joffrey came of age.
Cersei trusted Glyn so much, yet he had accepted the rewards and title from King Robert.
...
When she heard this news, Cersei was beside herself with rage.
Glyn would actually betray her?!
She was a Lannister, and a lion never permits betrayal!
Cersei had already arranged for the most elite Lannister red cloaks.
If Glyn couldn't give her a satisfactory answer today, she would end him with her own hands!
Did Queen Cersei give Glyn a chance to explain because she was soft-hearted?
No!
Glyn had already shown his value, and then there was Jaime's persuasion... Although Jaime's words weren't decisive, they still had some effect.
Furthermore, there was the fact that Glyn had come to Maegor's Holdfast to seek an audience at the first opportunity.
These reasons made Cersei restrain herself from acting directly, and instead she was willing to give Glyn a chance to prove himself.
...
Thump, thump... Glyn moved with a calm expression, stopping two or three steps away from Queen Cersei.
Cersei lifted her chin and said coldly, "Have you been surrounded by flattery lately?
To have the trust of both the King and the Hand of the King at the same time, does it feel like a dream?
Earl Glyn?"
When Cersei finally said 'Earl Glyn', her tone was full of sarcasm.
Glyn merely continued to look at Cersei with a calm gaze, not speaking.
Faced with this version of Glyn, Cersei's anger flared up with a whoosh.
Her voice rose: "Have you nothing to say?
Loyal and fearless, your audacity makes me laugh.
Are you here to beg me for the gift of a tunic to wear?
Or... you..."
"Baron Glyn!
What do you think you're doing!", in her agitation, Cersei used his customary title.
Glyn closed the distance in a single stride, and with a swift movement, he hoisted Cersei onto his shoulder.
Queen Cersei didn't play by the rules, and neither did Glyn, if the situation demanded it.
"This is an outrage!
I'll have your head!"
Cersei struggled with all her might, using both hands and feet, but Glyn carried her away steadily.
The furious Cersei struck Glyn's back twice before stopping her hands.
Glyn was wearing plate armor, and Cersei's hands hurt.
By the time Cersei finally realized she could still pull Glyn's hair, she was placed on a chair before she had the chance to act.
Cersei was seated firmly by Glyn, her weight seeming like nothing in his hands.
Glyn knelt on one knee close to Cersei, holding one of her hands in both of his.
"Your Grace, loyalty does not fear testing.
"
Cersei tried to shake Glyn's hands off, but when she saw it was useless, she didn't continue.
Despite Glyn's outrageous action, Cersei found that her anger had dissipated by more than half.
It had even made her feel Glyn's loyalty.
The slightly disheveled Queen Cersei lifted her chin slightly, looking down at Glyn.
"Glyn, you are offending your queen.
I could have you hanged for this.
"
Glyn's tone was husky.
"Your Majesty, forgive my foolishness.
I truly do not wish to be misunderstood by you any longer.
It pains my heart.
"
Cersei's green eyes trembled slightly.
She curled the corners of her lips, her tone cool.
"So, you chose to throw your queen over your shoulder.
You are quite bold indeed.
"
In truth, Cersei was surprised by Glyn's attitude upon seeing her.
It wasn't the kneeling and begging for mercy she had expected, which she found a little refreshing.
Queen Cersei lifted her chin slightly and said, "You are still offending your queen.
You should be kissing my shoes and begging for my forgiveness.
"
Glyn gently lifted Cersei's hand, bowed his head, and touched the back of it symbolically.
"Your Majesty, a person as noble as yourself does not lack for people to kneel before you.
You constantly exude an innate charm that conquers everyone.
I am no exception; I have long since fallen... I choose to hide it, I am content with the current situation, I fear losing it, and I dare not offend.
"
Cersei snorted coldly and said, "So you're finally willing to wag that tongue of yours?"
Glyn said, "The lion's fury left me at a loss.
Please forgive my momentary foolishness.
"
Cersei stared into Glyn's eyes for a moment, then said, "Earl Glyn, you may rise.
The armor on your body is cold and hard, and it makes me very uncomfortable.
"
Glyn obediently rose and stepped back, placing a hand on his chest.
"Thank you for your forgiveness.
"
Cersei snorted coldly, lifted her chin, and rose from the chair.
She walked slowly to the dressing table and sat down again.
Cersei looked in the mirror, tidying her appearance, and said, "Forgiveness?
Earl Glyn, you chose betrayal.
"
Glyn's tone carried a hint of mockery.
"Your Majesty, besides an empty title, what has King Robert given me?
The land is what I reclaimed myself, and it was my own ancestral land at that.
Their goal has always been the same: to move me away from your side.
"
Cersei glanced at Glyn through the mirror and said coldly, "I understand that, of course.
It was your foolishness that provoked my anger.
"
Cersei had just finished venting her anger; Glyn needed to press his advantage.
Glyn didn't argue further.
Instead, he walked over, picked up a comb from the table, and began to carefully comb Cersei's hair for her.
Only then did Queen Cersei reveal a hint of a satisfied expression.
"What do you plan to do?"
"I plan to take a trip to Essos soon.
"
Hearing this, the fire reappeared in Cersei's eyes.
However, Glyn's next words instantly dissipated the anger that was about to rise in Cersei.
"Official business is just incidental.
The main reason is to purchase some small items for you, to do what I can to add a little more radiance to your splendor.
"
Cersei gave Glyn a sideways glance and said, "A little girl might be happy with your coaxing.
"
Glyn put the comb away.
Queen Cersei looked left and right in the mirror and said, "Not bad workmanship, squire Glyn.
"
Glyn bowed his head humbly.
"Thank you for your praise.
Squire Glyn is deeply honored.
"