Chapter 279

Since you've already helped me resolve the Vale, perhaps you can also help me resolve the North and Dorne," Jaime slapped Coben's shoulder and laughed, "I will certainly take my opinion and discuss it thoroughly with our dear Lord Tyrell. If he can't decide, I'll also go find his precious daughter.

Damn it, the women of House Rose seem far more reasonable than the men; he has reason to make this judgment, and he also bears a grudge: after he rescued the queen, she knew gratitude and gave him a long cloak embroidered with golden lion patterns; but when he appointed his brother as commander of the Kingsguard, the first thing he did was throw away the white robe he had used, tossing it from the attic, and sent his used swords and armor to the old iron shop; he really didn't want to recall that young man's contemptuous gaze; and his father was even worse: when he received news of his appointment as the King's Hand, he immediately demanded the Hand's insignia. Damn it, after the former Hand Owen Merryweather fled back to the banquet hall, who the hell knows where that little thing was thrown, and the duke constantly blames him for his failure as regent.

Damn, he really wanted to rape his daughter to get revenge on them father and son.

"The little bird that brought back news from Dorne is enough to prove that Prince Doran does not support war against the Iron Throne, and obviously, Princess Myrcella being crowned was not done with his support—in fact, the one who did this was the madman of Dorne, the family of the Earl Uller from the Black Cells, some unknown lord, and the White Knight Alex Oakheart—he was clearly lured into it, otherwise he wouldn't have done such a foolish thing—these people are trying to stir up war between Dorne and the Iron Throne."

"The premise is that the Iron Throne does not recognize two kings—damn it, why can't Myrcella wear a crown? She would look prettier than all women when she wears it."

"This beauty might cost many lives, ser."

"Damn, this is exciting, both sides fighting under the banner of the stag." Jaime turned his body, looking at the smiling Coben, "What method do you actually have?"

"Perhaps we don't need to do anything, just pretend we never received this news." His smile seemed to show he had everything under control; Jaime noticed that in situations where everything annoyed him, this damn smile actually had a bit of comforting effect. "Force cannot coerce Martell, and this little trick certainly can't either—why not believe in 'unyielding'?"

"Do nothing." Jaime mused, "This truly is the gospel of the lazy; King Robert would surely like you."

"The same goes for the North," Coben continued.

"The same goes for the North," Jaime only felt bitter, "until that girl came south with the starving wildlings." He then smiled, "Once she finishes with the North and heads south again, we can steal the Dragon Queen's Dothraki. Damn, just thinking about it is fun."

After parting with Coben, he went as usual to the little king's quarters. Jaime thought Tommen would be very sad after losing his parents, but the situation was clearly the opposite.

He only felt sad for a few days; after the queen was laid to rest in a low-key manner, he discovered that the person who had been suppressing him was gone, and he completely let loose—Jaime could almost see his growth.

Most of the time, he was receiving training from the new Kingsguard sergeant Derrick Payne of the Red Keep; although Tommen preferred Loras Tyrell, Loras cared more about revenge, and after confirming his sister's health and accepting a position in the Kingsguard, he went to the island to keep company with crabs, clearly not taking his new post to heart, and probably lacking the patience to teach a child with no basics.

As for the other Kingsguard, Jaime understood them too well; aside from this flower knight, he didn't trust any of the remaining ones.

Beric Bronn is showy but weak inside; now completely seen through, he's only fit to be the king's food taster waste; if not for Loras disliking his duty being too embarrassing, maybe he'd still enjoy eating before the king—actually his health is worsening, even this easy job is done reluctantly.

As for the remaining options, there's not much to say; basically there are none.

In Jaime's view, Mervyn Trant always exudes a sinister aura, really unsuitable for educating an innocent king; Balon Swann, on the other hand, is fitting—he was sent by Cersei's order to Dorne to meet Princess Myrcella, but he hasn't returned yet. Damn, given the current situation, his mission is likely impossible; Jaime also can't expect him to return—if Prince Doran also supports Myrcella becoming queen, he'll probably be forced to kneel and swear fealty to her; otherwise, the next time we see him, he'll be just like what he sent—a head.

In short, the Kingsguard currently has two vacancies; to balance the West and the Riverlands, Jaime recommended Ser Derrick Payne of House Payne, while Lord Mace Tyrell recommended Ser Rethel Charlton of House Charlton. Jaime still needs time to assess their quality.

However, regarding the Tyrells' ability to win over House Charlton, Jaime naturally wants to give two thumbs up……if he had two hands.

As he stepped onto the stairs of Megor's Hall, he could already hear laughter and merriment from inside—normally, such undisciplined noise would be impossible. Cersei is licentious, but she seems to allow only herself to be licentious, and would never allow others to join.

After he barged in, a girl opened her mouth wide, stared at him in surprise, then kept stepping back, performing a curtsey. But she obviously had no manners; after the greeting, she immediately fled.

"Tommen!" the girl shouted, "The Regent has come, come out quickly!"

Boys and girls emerged from places he couldn't detect; many children seemed to know they had been rude, lowering their heads, blushing, furtively glancing at him to see if he would punish them like the queen mother.

"I know, you're trying to trick me, Lysa!" Tommen's voice came from under the bed.

"Then you'd better not shout." Jaime laughed, lifting the heavy blanket with one hand, and found the king under the bed.

"Why did you come in without making a sound?" Tommen asked, puzzled, cramped in the small space, "The queen isn't with you, right?"

"Come out quickly." Jaime lifted the bedboard, watching him crawl out slowly, "Do you want my former brothers to stop me?" Jaime laughed, "I won't let the queen see the king crawling under the bed—that would be too embarrassing."

"But everyone thinks the place where the king refuses to hide is the hardest to find, right?" Tommen straightened his clothes and asked doubtfully.

He realized he rarely saw this side of the young king; in fact, he felt he had never truly dealt with several children. Moreover, he felt he was starting to forget what Joffrey and Myrcella looked like……

They are still children; perhaps after I return from a battle, I'll find that the boy has become a man, and the girl has turned into a stunning beauty.

He drove away all the remaining boys and girls nearby—they were the grandchildren of Treasurer Harry Strickland and the children of Humphrey Waters, and the one who fled at the sight of him was clearly Humphrey Waters' daughter.

Perhaps keeping such children around the king could increase his "wildness." Cersei as a mother obviously loves her children enough, but her way of protecting them often shocks people.

"Yes, it's hard to find," Jaime unconsciously thought of Elia's daughter, the girl who had hidden under the bed but was dragged out by Amory Lorch and stabbed to death. "Unless he makes no sound."

"I won't make a sound. But they often trick me, saying it's you who came." Tommen said earnestly.

"If that's the case, why do you still believe them? You're too stupid."

"I want to see you." Tommen frowned, "My mother is dead, you're the only family I have left, I don't want to miss you because of a game."

Jaime bent his knees, wrapped one arm around the little king, letting him lean on his shoulder, and couldn't say another word.

Leaving Megor's Hall, he saw Mervyn Trant flirting with a maid; upon seeing him approach, Mervyn quickly stopped, and the maid lowered her head and hurried away.

"Is she pretty?" he asked the white knight.

"Just an ordinary girl!" he stood up straight, "Any orders? Regent?"

He could sense a faint mockery in Mervyn Trant's tone.

"If your whoring gets the king hurt, I guarantee more than just Lucamorus Strong will be gelded among the Kingsguard."

Mervyn Trant lowered his head slightly, then pursed his lips and lifted it.

"Did you also geld the Kingsguard who failed in guarding the queen mother?" he gave a mocking smile, bowed slightly, "I'm going to protect the king now, Regent." He turned and left, leaving him alone in the corridor.

I'm not neglecting my duty, you bastard!

After leaving Megor's Hall, he noticed it had started raining again outside; after hesitating repeatedly, he still headed toward Lord Tyrell's residence, Stonecity Tower—the Hand's Tower had been burned by Cersei, so Lord Tyrell could only choose a smaller place; however, the Tyrells are wealthy and prepared to build a new tower twice the size of the original on the same site. Damn, the constant flow of construction workers is practically the biggest security hazard in the Red Keep.

Thinking of this, he furrowed his brow; the old tower was no safer either, and he didn't know how many Hands had met a horrible end inside.

Damn your mother, Tyrion!

He put on a cloak, walked into the rain under the servant's held umbrella.

He had to seek out the Tyrells; many things couldn't get their cooperation, making progress nearly impossible. At this point he needed to discuss with the Tyrells the personnel for attacking Storm's End and the garrison for the Vale.

Either both of them leave King's Landing, or both stay and let others separately complete the two tasks.

If he were to leave King's Landing, honestly, the person he trusts most is his uncle Kevon, but now he thinks that's just wishful thinking. One name after another came to mind, only to be dismissed again and again, until he walked under the eaves of the Tyrells' house, and he still couldn't think of anyone he could rely on.

What should I do?