Chapter 187 Glyn's Suggestion 2
After Greene Kleb spoke, the hall fell into a sudden silence.
After a moment, Lancel Lannister, who had just realized what was said, broke the silence: "Glyn, you mean Stannis will claim the throne? By the Seven!"
The people present ignored Lancel's fuss, but Glyn was very patient. He pointed to the letter placed before Tyrion Lannister.
"It is the evidence of Stannis's hidden ambition; otherwise, why would he exhaust his mind slandering our monarch?"
As he spoke, Glyn felt several gazes sweeping over him. He showed a slight smile and met them with a calm gaze.
Varys's gaze flickered, Pycelle's eyes dodged, and Tyrion grinned.
Cersei Lannister was very pleased with Glyn's words. She revealed a joyful smile: "Stannis is a hypocritical, contemptible, and shameless fellow. No wonder my husband disliked him so much when he was alive."
Varys interjected with a smile: "I heard everyone dislikes him."
After speaking, Varys burst into laughter.
Glyn offered a supportive chuckle. Soon... the hall echoed with laughter, a laughter 'against Stannis'.
Queen Cersei waved her hand slightly, and the laughter gradually subsided, with only light coughs occasionally mixed in.
She looked at the dwarf Hand: "Tyrion, this matter is entrusted to you. Also... prepare some amusing stories about Stannis in advance. This sort of thing should be your forte, shouldn't it?"
Tyrion pretended not to hear Cersei's teasing. He humbly said: "Queen Regent, forgive my ignorance. Regarding Stannis... please trouble yourself to enlighten me a little..."
Tyrion wore a humble expression... He was his sister's obedient younger brother.
A hint of triumph appeared on Queen Cersei's face, and she felt a touch of satisfaction with the Dwarf Hand.
"Appoint Selyse Florent's (Stannis's wife) lover as her attendant, Ser Axell Florent, Stannis's acting castellan."
After speaking, Queen Cersei felt a rush of vengeful satisfaction.
She continued: "It is said that they are inseparable on Dragonstone. I also heard that Stannis's daughter even has Florent ears. What a marvelous coincidence!"
Varys clasped his hands. He nodded slightly, and his tone held admiration: "Perhaps Shireen Baratheon's greyscale is the gods' punishment for Lady Selyse's suspected infidelity... The best lies often conceal a few facts, enough to make the listener doubt... Queen Cersei, your wisdom is truly admirable."
Maester Pycelle opened his sleepy eyes wide. He said in shock: "Your Grace, is this truly a fact?"
Tyrion's expression was as if he had just realized: "So that's how it is! Although Stannis is estranged from his wife, he is naturally suspicious. If we can sow seeds of suspicion between him and House Florent, it will be advantageous to us when he wants to claim the throne, with no drawbacks."
Queen Cersei first snorted proudly, then happily picked up a wine cup and took a sip.
Glyn's eyes held a smile as he looked at Queen Cersei and placed a hand on his chest: "A fortress is often first broken from within. Queen Cersei will surely win."
Lancel, who had been bewildered before, now understood. He immediately interjected: "The Queen Regent will surely win!"
The others looked at each other, and finally said in unison: "The Queen Regent will surely win!"
The atmosphere became slightly awkward. Cersei glanced coldly at Lancel and said, "Next topic, have you found a suitable candidate for Master of Coin?"
Maester Pycelle tremblingly said: "Your Grace, we recommend Lord Gyles Rosby of Rosby."
"The reason."
"My Queen, Rosby has what King's Landing urgently needs..."
"..."
"Next topic, the Targaryen remnants are becoming active across the Narrow Sea..."
"...Lord Glyn..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Evening, at Shae's establishment.
Glyn, leaning on a thick cushion, suddenly opened his eyes.
"Sir, are you awake?"
The girl who spoke had a clear voice. She had long, straight silver hair, green eyes, and skin as delicate as porcelain.
Glyn closed his eyes again. When he opened them, the sharpness in his eyes had vanished.
He rubbed his head and asked, "How long have I slept?"
The silver-haired girl quietly slid onto Glyn's lap and lightly kissed his ear: "Just a little while..."
Glyn dozed while waiting, but he had a dream. In the dream, after "Glyn" was ennobled as the Earl of Crackclaw Point, he left the game of power and returned to live peacefully as a noble lord... He had a wife and children by his side, but in the dream, he couldn't make out their faces no matter what. He was so angry he wanted to draw his sword, and then... he woke up.
"..."
The silver-haired girl whispered in his ear: "Sir, my name is Mary, and I am very skilled in treating fatigue."
Mary, who had always been calm, suddenly became... very cute?
Glyn chuckled lightly. He patted Mary's back: "Go and find Shae for me."
Mary reluctantly got up and left. Her expression made Glyn feel very familiar... A mirror?! It must be a delusion!
Not long after, Shae, wearing a light, thin green silk dress, walked in lightly, carrying a silver wine flagon.
Shae was tall and slender, with skin the color of ebony and eyes the color of sandalwood. She slowly sat down beside Glyn.
"Lord Glyn, please forgive me. Recently, I have been unable to buy good wine no matter the price."
Glyn's eyes moved slightly. He took the wine handed by Shae and took a sip. "Is it because of the King's fleet?"
Shae sighed softly: "Everyone now calls it Stannis's fleet. It is said that because of their blockade, countless ships are docked at the Blackwater Docks."
Glyn's eyes moved slightly, "Do you need help?"
Shae's smile was charming. She shook her head and said: "Everyone's situation is the same; this is already very good. Your patronage is a great kindness, and Shae will remember it always."
Glyn's fingers lightly stroked the rim of the wine cup. He paused, then said: "I will leave King's Landing for a while..."
Shae showed a look of anxiety, perfectly appropriate.
He felt like he was looking in a mirror again... Glyn reined in his almost wandering thoughts and continued: "During my absence, the new Hand, Tyrion Lannister, will represent me and fulfill the promise."
Shae bowed deeply: "Thank you again, Lord Glyn."
Glyn sighed: "Lord Petyr is my good friend. I hope he returns to King's Landing soon."
Shae bowed elegantly again.
After a light knock on the door sounded, Mary, like a maid, came with a plate of fruit.
As she left, she turned her head to look at Glyn, her eyes moist: "Sir, Mary will wait for you."
"..."
Shae chuckled softly: "Lord Glyn, my daughter is usually not this bold."
Glyn: "..." A very rare skin color."
Shae smiled: "Lord Glyn, though Mary's body flows with the blood of the Summer Isles, she was born in King's Landing."
Seeing Glyn look at her, she continued: "Mary was raised by me alone, so she was influenced by me... I am from the Summer Isles. We believe that selling smiles in a brothel is not shameful, and those skilled in the arts of the bed are respected. Many noble men and women, after their carnal desires awaken in spring, will enter brothels to serve for several years, thereby honoring the gods."
Glyn's eyebrows raised slightly: "The gods?"
Shae nodded slightly and said: "Our bodies and souls are gifts from the gods. They give us sound, so that we may express our respect through singing. They give us hands, so that we may build temples through labor. They also bestow desire upon us, so that we may **honor the spirits** through it."
After a moment of silence, Glyn said: "Shae, the new Hand is a uniquely devout person."
Shae bowed slightly, pouring wine as she said: "As you command, Lord Glyn."
"..."
Shae was about to bid farewell when the door was suddenly pushed open, and Tyrion limped in.
"Hahaha... You finally like... *Hiss*... Isn't this Shae?"
Shae bowed: "Welcome, Lord Lannister."
"..."
After Shae left, Tyrion fiddled with his chin and said thoughtfully: "Glyn, have you observed Shae's demeanor? Few courtesans can be so elegant and noble. She must regard herself as some kind of goddess."
Glyn couldn't help but laugh: "Tyrion, I have to admit, your insight is truly sharp."
Tyrion laughed: "Unfortunately, they will never appreciate my greatest virtue. My greatest charm is generosity... Hmm, everyone loves Gold Dragons..."
He pointed to his nose and grinned: "Before, when they painstakingly took Gold Dragons from me, they could still leave me with a charming smile. But ever since I became a dwarf without a nose, they cry while taking them."
Glyn laughed and said, "Tyrion, I suggest you wear a fake nose made of gold. Then everyone will love you."
Tyrion burst into laughter. He picked up the wine flagon and poured himself a drink: "Glyn, your suggestion is truly tempting. I will find the best craftsman tomorrow."
Tyrion took a big gulp of wine and frowned: "This taste... it's truly awful..."
(end of chapter)