Eagle of the Valley of Ice and Fire.

Chapter 266 Imperial Meeting
264. Imperial Conference

After taking off the white robe, James was naked and looked at himself in the mirror.

The white mist obscured most of the mirror and covered most of the body, leaving only the hideous face clearly visible.

James stared at the scar on his face. It looked like a crawling worm, which was disgusting, or like a twisted tree trunk, which grew stronger with each setback and continued to grow.

It's a badge of honor, James consoled himself.

But the pale and haggard face told him that this was not true.

After putting on his clothes, he pushed open the door to the bathroom.

Just like the past few days, peeled fruit and a half-full bottle of mead were already placed beside the bed.

The red-haired girl's back was half naked, not as white and flawless as Cersei's back, but the freckles and bruises could be clearly seen, just like the scars on her face.

A prostitute, and a northern prostitute at that, it was obvious how she got those bruises and injuries.

Rose is not like herself, she dares to expose the scars of the past to others. She turned her head, "Sir?" The glance at him was like crushing all her charm and spreading it out for you to see, touching your heart.

James swallowed, "I told you, you don't have to do this for me."

Maybe I need you? he asked himself.

"I am willing to do this for you. You saved me." Rose stood up, her graceful figure half-hidden by the thin veil of her skirt. She walked closer to him and kissed his scar. "So I like you."

The prostitute's confession was the most bold and direct. Jaime didn't understand this, but he heard about it from Tyrion.

But. he would rather believe that this is true.

"I'm a member of the Kingsguard." Jaime took a deep breath, walked to the bed, picked up a piece of fruit and stuffed it into his mouth.

Rose took a step back and straightened her clothes. "I know, sir." She stroked her long hair, her eyes paused on James, and slowly left the room.

James suppressed the heat in his heart and glanced at the white robe in the corner of the bedroom.

This white robe is all I have left, Jaime thought.

The moonlight shines through the window, spots adhering to the surface of the white robe.

What is he insisting on? Jaime asked himself inwardly, if this white robe is real, what have he and Cersei been doing for the past ten years?
The words of Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Dawn, were right next to their ears after they had wiped out the Royal Brotherhood.

"You are born to be a Kingsguard," Arthur Dayne said, laying his sword on Jaime's shoulder. "Jaime, are you willing to swear before the gods and the world to defend the weak, protect women and children, obey the lord and the king, no matter how difficult, humble, or dangerous the journey, you will always fight in the front and live up to the name of a knight."

His words were plain but irresistible, and the knight's dignity was resounding.

"I do, my lord!"

James only remembered that his own words when he was young were equally powerful.

Arthur Dayne's sword moved from his right shoulder to his left shoulder. "In the name of the warrior, I grant you courage. In the name of the Father, I grant you justice. In the name of the Virgin, I grant you mercy and protection of the innocent."

"Get up, Knight James."

James closed his eyes, the memories were longing and painful.

That boy wanted to be Arthur Dayne since he was a child, but somehow, life took a turn and he ended up becoming the Smiling Knight.

The spots of moonlight slowly moved backwards, from the white robe to James' face. The remaining stains of tears seemed to be covered with a silver glow, until the spots disappeared and were replaced by greater sunlight.

Jaime got up early in the morning, put on the white robes and armor of the Kingsguard, and walked towards the throne room where the royal court met.

Pushing open the door, Pycelle bowed timidly beside Robert Royce.

What is this guy up to?
Jaime nodded to Barristan and stood beside the White Knights. Rather than being a Minister of Intelligence, being a Kingsguard might be more to his liking.

"Ahem! If Lord Artis Arryn doesn't come to King's Landing to preside over government affairs, I'm afraid the Seven Kingdoms will fall into chaos again, and government affairs and trade will not be smooth."

Robert was listening attentively, but James could sense a kind of perfunctory attitude from Royce's expression. "I am also old, and I miss the days of studying in the library of the Citadel after living in King's Landing for a long time. I am afraid I have to resign from the king." Pycelle wiped the sweat off his forehead and said humbly.

Resign to the King? Why tell Robert Royce then?

Jaime looked around and saw that the eyes of the ministers in the royal court were intentionally or unintentionally moving between Robert Royce and Pycelle. It seemed likely that they all had ulterior motives.

Has the Iron Throne already been torn apart before Arryn even arrives?

The "tapping" sound of shoes broke everyone's thoughts.

His sister sat at the main seat in the conference hall amid everyone's compliments, and her expression was full of disgust as she looked at Pycelle.

"Grandmaster, how are your kneecaps? The moment I walked over, the only sound louder than my footsteps was the creaking of your knees."

My sister's voice was loud and piercing.

"I," Grand Maester Pycelle said at a loss, "Yes, Your Majesty, I am a little old, probably."

"Old?" There was a hint of cunning in Cersei's eyes.

Any fool could see that, James thought.

"No wonder you're asking for resignation," Cersei chuckled. Normally, Jaime would have thought it was sweet, but now, it was harsh. "Joff will certainly agree to your resignation."

"No, Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Queen Mother. I don't want to..."

He wanted to retreat in order to advance, and test Artis Arryn's attitude towards the old ministers of the king, especially the old ministers of Lannister, Jaime thought.

He stood up and said, "King's Landing still needs a Grand Maester. I don't think His Majesty would want Grand Maester Pycelle, who has served for many years, to leave just like that."

Cersei gave him an unpleasant look.

"Yes, yes," Pycelle said, still in shock. He looked at Jaime gratefully. "I think, I think Ser Jaime is right."

"Well then." Cersei didn't seem to think this was a big deal. She quickly turned to more urgent matters. "The entire Royal Council is at a standstill. Now think about it, we're missing a treasurer."

Finance Minister River Lake was about to speak, but seemed to be frightened by the Queen Mother's decisive style and closed his mouth without saying a word.

"There is also the Minister of the Admiralty. More importantly, the Prime Minister is gone. Without my father, do you have any recommendations for someone, everyone?"

Robert Royce, who had been silent all along, nodded slightly to the Queen Mother, "I think there is a person who is the most suitable candidate."

"Lord Artis Arryn?" Cersei looked unimpressed. She waved her hand. "A more important position in the kingdom awaits him."

Everyone in the royal council looked at her, and James made the shape of "no" with his mouth.

"The Lord of War, in charge of all disputes in the Seven Kingdoms," Cersei stood up and walked gently behind Robar Royce, like a master politician. "Ser Robar, is there anything more urgent than war?"

Robert frowned, "Queen Mother."

"Stannis has managed to escape, Eddard Stark is oppressing Lord Bolton who is loyal to Joff in the north. There are two big battles to fight. Lord Artis Arryn is the Minister of War, and the Vale Cavalry must march north to suppress these traitors. This is the most important matter of the kingdom."

"Your Majesty!" Pycelle shouted anxiously, "It is not advisable to waste the national strength in vain like this!"

Cersei sat back in annoyance. "Lord Artis Arryn is Myrcella's husband, but they still haven't had a proper wedding." She rambled on as if she was making conversation, but fortunately she didn't forget the topic. "Lord Artis is a war minister. I will give the Vale a royal seat, the Lord of Justice, your father, Lord Yohn Royce."

"enough!"

James slammed the table.

Cersei looked at him, her eyes full of disbelief.

"The king has not given you the power of regent, Your Majesty."

James said this, without a trace of emotion in his eyes.

(End of this chapter)