Red Keep, Maegor's Holdfast.
After listening to Lancel's trembling account, Cersei, standing by the window, glanced at Lancel with a flicker of contempt in her beautiful eyes: "Poor Lancel, are you scared stiff?"
Lancel's voice still held a tremor: "I'm sorry, Cousin Cersei, I went to Baron Green myself. At the council meeting, I was the one who first proposed executing those rumor-mongers…"
"But… but, it's not that I haven't seen executions, it's just that I've never seen so many at once!"
"Hundreds of people, Baron Green just waved his hand, and heads really rolled, the ground was soaked red!"
"I… I don't even know how I got back to the Red Keep."
Cersei listened silently, the blush on her cheeks deepened, and her chest to her lower abdomen couldn't help but rise and fall repeatedly.
Suppressing the warmth, Cersei pressed her voice down and said: "I truly didn't misjudge him."
Green's decisive execution gave Cersei a different kind of pleasure, as if it surpassed the physical joys she could experience.
Cersei's delicate body, hidden beneath her long dress, shifted: "Where is Robert now?"
"I heard he went hunting again."
"Where is Jaime?"
"At this time, Jaime should be teaching Joffrey swordplay."
[Joffrey, full name Joffrey Baratheon, Cersei's eldest son]
"You may go. You go and play with Joffrey in Jaime's place. Tell Jaime to come to me immediately."
"Yes, yes."
After speaking, Lancel seemed to notice Cersei's strangeness, looking at her worriedly, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Seeing that Lancel was still standing there, Cersei first took a deep breath to compose herself, then snapped: "Why aren't you going?!"
Lancel was startled by Cersei's voice, his body trembling, and he hastily bowed and left.
After Lancel left, Cersei moved her steps somewhat unnaturally and sat down on a chair.
Cersei untied the ribbon binding her hair, and her golden long hair immediately cascaded down her shoulders and collarbones.
Fingertips playing with the ends of her hair, Cersei lowered her eyelids slightly, her long eyelashes concealing the sparkling light in her eyes.
Cersei's lips curved as she savored the strange and fleeting pleasure she had never experienced before.
… … … … … … … …
… … … … … … … …
Red Keep, Garden.
Lancel Lannister felt that today was his unluckiest day.
He had been excited to go watch Green execute criminals, but ended up so terrified his legs turned to jelly, and he only with great difficulty made it back to the Red Keep.
Enduring the discomfort, he responsibly reported to Princess Cersei immediately, only to be inexplicably dismissed by Cersei in the end.
Now… Lancel had a large apple on his head, facing Joffrey, who held a crossbow and was aiming.
When Jaime taught swordplay, Joffrey Baratheon was humble and eager to learn, truly befitting a Prince.
With Jaime called away, Lancel, feeling relieved, took Jaime's place to continue teaching Joffrey swordplay.
Joffrey Baratheon was the heir to the Iron Throne, and Lancel felt it was very necessary to establish a personal relationship with Joffrey in advance, as this would be beneficial for his future career.
… … … … … … … …
Lancel didn't want to leave an impression of cowardice in front of others, especially not in front of the heir to the Iron Throne, but his legs were disobedient, trembling uncontrollably.
Thirteen-year-old Joffrey Baratheon, with bright golden hair and fair skin, was very handsome.
Holding the crossbow and aiming, Joffrey curled his lips and said: "Lancel, if you keep moving, I can't guarantee I'll hit."
Lancel trembled even more violently.
Joffrey suddenly said angrily: "Dog, my dog, think of a way to stop this coward from moving!"
The giant, who had been standing motionless, leaning on his sword, heard Joffrey's command and began to move, striding towards Lancel.
This person had sharp cheekbones and thick brows with gray eyes. The right side of his face was covered in large, twisted scars. He was very burly, dressed in smoke-gray armor, with an olive-green cloak over it.
His name was Sandor Clegane, and he was the Lannister family's appointed guard for Prince Joffrey.
Lancel watched in terror as Sandor Clegane approached him step by step.
"What are you doing!"
Hearing the newcomer's voice, Lancel's legs gave out, and he finally collapsed to the ground, truly almost wetting himself.
Tyrion, his face full of anger, strode over quickly.
Joffrey put down his crossbow, a look of disgust on his face: "What are you doing here?"
At this moment, Joffrey's expression was identical to Cersei's.
Tyrion approached Joffrey: "My Prince nephew, shouldn't you greet your uncle first?"
Joffrey said angrily: "You're interrupting my game! Why should I greet you!"
Tyrion softened his tone: "Joffrey, Lancel is also a Lannister, he's your kin and an asset. You shouldn't treat him like this."
Joffrey pouted.
Tyrion stared, his eyes wide, at the disdainful Joffrey and continued: "What you have in your hand is not a toy, it's a weapon that kills. Lancel could be accidentally killed by you. Have you thought about the consequences? This isn't something that can be resolved with just an apology."
Joffrey didn't want to listen anymore: "Enough, I didn't kill Lancel. Isn't he fine now? I don't want to hear your lectures. I am the heir to the Iron Throne. I can do whatever I want. Get out!"
With a smack, Tyrion jumped up and slapped Joffrey.
Joffrey covered his face: "You dare hit me! I'll tell Mama!"
With another smack, Tyrion slapped Joffrey again.
Joffrey cried out in pain, tears streaming down his face.
"Good, go on, go tell my kind sister what her beloved son just did!"
Tyrion's eyes were wide, and he said slowly and heavily, word by word: "Now, I demand that you apologize to Lancel immediately and promise never to treat human lives as a game again."
Joffrey shouted: "Dog, get over here and beat him for me!"
Sandor Clegane, with his long strides, silently walked behind Joffrey but made no other move.
"You! You, you!"
Joffrey first kicked the tall Sandor Clegane, then pointed at Tyrion and said: "You, you just wait, I won't let you off!"
Tyrion made to raise his hand, and Joffrey shrieked, dodging backward.
Tyrion sighed helplessly, watching Joffrey, wiping away tears, flee in disarray.
Tyrion reached out and helped Lancel to his feet.
"Thank, thank you, Cousin Tyrion, I was really scared. Today has been awful."
Tyrion grinned: "You're quite good, at least you didn't wet yourself. I would have long since."
Lancel's face was bitter: "Still, I have to thank you for getting me out of that… but, Joffrey is a Prince after all. Is it okay to hit him?"
Tyrion shrugged: "It doesn't matter. Cersei doesn't like me anyway. Whether I hit Joffrey or not, Cersei's deep affection for me won't change. I'm just disappointed that Joffrey can't be taught better."
Lancel still worried: "My point is, Joffrey is the heir to the Iron Throne. Will he make things difficult for you in the future?"
"Ah ha, King Robert will only thank me for helping him educate his child. As for the future… once our dear nephew inherits the Iron Throne, I'll just hide in Casterly Rock and not come out. He won't be able to do anything to me."
Indeed, Lancel nodded in agreement, finally letting go of the worry he had been carrying.