iron throne of ice and fire

Chapter 400 Successor

Duke Tywin was wearing gorgeous armor. The thick steel plates were covered with dark red porcelain enamel. His breastplate, greaves and gloves were all decorated with intricate golden scrolls. A pair of golden lions lay on his shoulders, and a golden lion stood with his head held high on top of his huge helmet.

A huge sword with a gold-plated scabbard and decorated with rubies was placed upright on the Duke's chest, and his hands were firmly grasping the hilt.

Cersei looked at the old lion's noble remains and suddenly felt that her father's appearance was not so scary anymore.

The old lion's eyes were shining green with golden pupils. They seemed to see through everything, the weakness, incompetence and ugliness in the soul.

But those eyes that could capture people's hearts were closed forever... From now on, what they should be afraid of was her eyes. She was also a lion, the true heir of the old lion.

Her father was a great man, but she believed she could do better than him.

In the future, when maesters record history, the old lion will be referred to as Cersei Lannister's father.

Seven archbishops in silver robes stood behind the coffin, praying to God to judge Lord Tywin Lannister fairly.

After they finished their recitation, the seventy-seven sisters then gathered at the altar of Our Lady and sang hymns to ask for mercy.

Cersei felt her knees ache. She looked at Jaime, who was still standing there like a statue, the betrayer not daring to meet her gaze.

Below, Kevan Lannister knelt with his shoulders slumped, his son, who looked like a man in his seventies, kneeling beside him.

That night, the old lion went to the throne room for Lancel, but her father and her son died. Why was Lancel still alive? Had the gods lost their minds?

Kevan... He seduced the lioness's daughter, and it was his son who caused the tragedy of Lannister. He should atone for his sins, and he should serve the old lion's heir like a servant.

On the right side of the coffin knelt the members of the Tyrell family. Margaery looked haggard, dazed and sad, but very beautiful. The lioness could sense that she was hypocritically playing her role, and the little rose's tricks could not hide from her eyes.

The sad-looking Duke of Highgarden, the ugly old woman and the silent Duchess of Highgarden, as well as the crippled Garlan and Margaery's Tyrell maids... The lioness shifted and looked at the roses. Who here... killed her son? Or... are all of them murderers?

The lioness's breasts rose and fell slowly. When she received her father's inheritance, she would immediately find out the murderer. She would not let these hypocritical roses go.

When the singing ended and they returned to the Hall of Lights, Queen Cersei was surrounded by mourners, who were so eager to tell her their boring condolences that she felt they were like buzzing flies.

When she finally got rid of the nagging of the idiots, she found that Tommen was surrounded by Margaery and the Rose Maid.

The lioness was immediately furious. The despicable Rose wanted to seduce her other son again? !

She handed Myrcella, who was holding her hand, to a maid and was about to rescue Tommen from the rose bushes when she suddenly ran into Kevan and others face to face.

"Uncle Kevan, we need to talk sometime."

Lord Kevan nodded wearily and left, while Lancel paused, looking apologetic and wanting to say something.

Cersei didn't want to pay any attention to him and just walked past Lancel, who already had one foot in the grave.

When the lioness approached the roses, Margaery gave her a sisterly hug and whispered soothing words, which made her furious.

It’s not time yet... Cersei forced herself to smile: "Tommen, we should go back."

As Cersei left holding Tommen's hand, she heard a low "chuckle" from behind. She turned back angrily, but saw a dull face looking back at her.

After a pause, she had to pretend nothing had happened and continued walking. If the old lion were still alive, the roses would never dare to be so presumptuous... Yes, the old lion was indeed dead, but he had an heir.

The lioness warned herself to be patient for the time being, and at the same time... told herself not to forget this moment, and on the day of Rose's funeral, she would fill the whole city with laughter.

Watching Queen Cersei walking away holding Myrcella and Tommen's hands respectively, Margaery frowned slightly. She was like a delicate rose: "Megge, you were too presumptuous just now."

Maegor Tyrell lowered his head quickly: "I'm sorry, Lady Margaery, I shouldn't have... Alas... I beg for your forgiveness."

"No, I must punish you."

Margaret reached out and gently held Meg's small fat hand: "My punishment is..."

Megge couldn't help swallowing nervously. Seeing this... Margaery smiled softly: "Just now, remember the toys that Tommen likes to play with. You should prepare them all."

Miss Margery is becoming more and more charming... Mei Ge swallowed again and nodded blankly.

After a pause, Little Rose's elk eyes turned to Elo Tyrell, who was hiding and laughing, and said, "The pony is in your hands, Elo. Go find Brother Garlan. Remember, choose one with a gentle temperament."

When the fat little boy Tommen, holding his mother's hand, disappeared from sight, Margaery immediately suppressed the complicated emotions that welled up in her heart. She did not allow herself to have other thoughts, because her mission from beginning to end was only one, to put the queen's crown on her and the Tyrell family.

…………

Walking out of the Hall of Lights, Cersei stopped impatiently. Duke Mace, Earl Gyles (the previous Queen's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Chapter 186), the President of the Alchemists' Guild, Harlin and others surrounded her.

Harlin showed a flattering look and said, "Your Majesty, the fire wizard assures you that on the day your father's body leaves the city and returns to the west, brilliant fireworks will bloom in the clear sky."

Lord Gyles coughed softly. "My dear Queen, I have hired a master stonemason to carve a statue of Lord Tywin on the Lion Gate. The eternal Hand of the King will forever protect King's Landing."

Lord Mace kissed the lioness on both cheeks and said sadly, "Lord Tywin is a great man, a rare great man. I am afraid that in our lifetime, we will never have the chance to see a man like your father again."

Mace Tyrell was less than ten years older than Cersei, but his beard was already speckled with gray. She managed a smile. "Yes, he is greatly missed."

Lord Mace seemed to want to show everyone the intimacy between Lannister and Tyrell. He placed a big hand on Cersei's shoulder and sighed, "Everyone knows that no one can replace Lord Tywin, but the dead are gone, and the kingdom must be ruled by someone... In this dark moment, if you need my assistance, Her Majesty the Queen Mother will give you the order, and I will do my best."

The Duke of Metz wants to be the Prime Minister? The lioness's lips were filled with subtle sarcasm. Since it was expressed so tactfully, she didn't need to pay attention to the hypocritical rose at the moment when she was heartbroken.

"Dorne's attitude is still unclear. The kingdom may be in turmoil again at any time. The Reach is related to the stability of the southern border and urgently needs the care of the Duke of Mace."

Seeing that Cersei didn't seem to understand his hint, Lord Mace looked a little anxious, and immediately explained: "Queen Mother Cersei, my son Willas is very capable. Although his legs and feet are not flexible, his mind is very flexible. He has the ability to maintain stability in the south. Now, as a father, I can serve the prosperity and safety of the kingdom." What an idiot duke... Cersei smiled coldly and said, "Lord Tyrell, Willas Tyrell may be outstanding, but he is not the Duke of Highgarden after all. Dorne and Stormlands may affect the stability of the kingdom. Please don't underestimate your responsibilities."

A blush rose on Tyrell's thick neck. When he wanted to continue "arguing", his mother, Lady Olenna, suddenly appeared, took her son's arm, and showed a toothless smile.

"Your Majesty, should we pay more attention to the oath between Tyrell and Lannister than to the Prime Minister who cleans up the king's ass?"

Glancing at the Lord of Mace who was standing obediently beside his short mother, Cersei coldly looked at the wrinkled old woman in front of her, her green eyes moved slightly, and said, "Oath? What does that mean?"

Lady Olenna's eyes were deep. "Perhaps it's because I stayed in King's Landing for too long. I miss the rose garden in Highgarden so much. Or maybe I've had enough of the stench of King's Landing... Duke of Highgarden?"

Lady Olenna turned to look at her son. "It is time for Tyrell to return to Highgarden. Call my sweet granddaughter and we will all go home."

The Duke of Metz was stunned: "Ah? Madam Olenna, we are not..."

His words were stopped by his mother's glare: "Sorry to trouble the Duke of Highgarden. The Seven Kingdoms are unstable. The old woman and your weak daughter need your protection."

The Duke of Metz secretly thought it was a pity. Although he was very unwilling, he did not have time to think about it: "Okay, Madam, I will lead the team myself."

After saying that, he suddenly realized, Margaery is going back too? What about Tyrell's queen crown? !

He was about to open his mouth to regret when he felt a sharp pain in his foot. He was hit by the cane in his mother's hand... He gasped in pain, but in order to maintain the dignity of the Duke of Highgarden, his cheeks only flushed, and he didn't make a sound.

At this time, Lady Olenna's voice sounded: "The Queen Regent has a short memory, just like an old woman like me... Haha... We should be wise to leave before she thinks Tyrell is a liar."

"Cough cough cough......"

Following the coughing sound, Lord Rosby approached Cersei and whispered, "Your Majesty, she is talking about the engagement between Lannister and Tyrell."

Of course she knows!
Cersei turned her head and looked coldly at Lord Rosby. He shrank his neck and quietly stepped back.

Grand Maester Pycelle came next. He came to Cersei's side and lowered his voice, trembling as he said, "My dear Queen, we cannot let King Tommen bear the stigma of breaking his engagement..."

The lioness almost broke her teeth: "Get lost."

Her voice was only heard by a few people around her, including the elderly Pycelle, who immediately left nimbly.

Is it advice or a threat?
Kevan was hiding somewhere, and Jaime was hiding cowardly inside. Now... she was the only one guarding the dignity of the Lannisters.

Father probably didn't expect this... If he could open his eyes at this moment, he would have to admit that she was his true successor.

Cersei's eyes swept over the people around her. Who is friend here, who is enemy? Even if they are all enemies, so what? The Lannister lioness is never afraid!
"A Lannister must pay his debts."

Cersei took Myrcella and Tommen's hands and walked away. As she passed Lady Olenna, she said, "The Lannisters must abide by their promises made during the alliance. I will call a council of kings as soon as my father's funeral is over."

In order to consolidate Tommen's throne, she had to put aside her hatred and temporarily compromise with Highgarden, she convinced herself.

But this period of humiliation would not last too long, the lioness swore to herself.

…………

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On the eighth day, the mourners in King's Landing were divided into two groups, most of whom attended Joffrey's burial because... after it was over, Tommen would be officially crowned King of the Seven Kingdoms there.

Outside the Lion Gate, very few people came to see off Lord Tywin's funeral procession.

Jaime couldn't help but sigh when he heard... ...his father entered King's Landing, riding a tall horse, wearing bright red steel armor, and everyone was cheering wildly for him (Chapter 258).

When he left the city, he sat in a tall four-wheeled carriage covered with crimson flags, escorted by six silent sisters, and only a few dozen people saw him off coldly.

Cersei personally selected the fifty-five honor guards who would accompany Lord Tywin's carriage to Casterly Rock, their lances flying the scarlet pennants of House Lannister.

Behind them came the Lannister escort, two hundred crossbowmen and five hundred men-at-arms, their scarlet cloaks fluttering about their shoulders as the wind blew.

Finally, after stroking his father's carriage, James was about to signal to the drummer when he suddenly heard the sound of horse hooves coming from far away.

James looked in the direction of the sound and saw the fluttering flag of the Marsh Marigold in the distance.

Green stopped his horse not far from the carriage. He looked around the team on the saddle, then dismounted and walked towards where James was.

The two of them simply greeted each other and then stood together in silence.

Reluctantly touching the carriage his father was riding in once again, Sir Jaime raised his hand and gestured; the drummers began to beat, with a slow, even rhythm full of sadness.

The funeral procession slowly left, James's white robe fluttering in the wind. Green could feel his deep sorrow and reluctance. He paused, took off the wine bag from his waist and threw it over.

James's reaction was a little slow. He caught the wine bag in a somewhat awkward manner, looked at the object in his hand, glanced at Green, and said, "This is a sneak attack."

Green looked at him and said, "You seem to be wearing a white robe. If I remember correctly, Lord Tywin once expelled you from the White Knights."

After a moment of silence, James pulled out the cork, tilted his head back and took a big gulp of wine before he spoke: "I hope my father will see me wearing a white robe again and jump out of the carriage to beat me up."

Green reached out and patted Jaime's shoulder. "Is this Queen Cersei's suggestion?"

Sir James glanced at Green, took another sip of wine, wiped the corner of his mouth with his hand, and said, "It is the order of the Queen Regent."

(End of this chapter)