Game of Thrones: The Red Dragon Lord.

Chapter 159 The Strangler

Petyr hurried up the stairs and came to a luxuriously decorated room.

Cersei and Jaime were waiting here with serious expressions.

Cersei held her head high, her eyes full of arrogance and majesty, but she also felt a little uneasy in her heart. She knew that once her plan was exposed, the consequences would be disastrous, but her hatred for Robert and the temptation of power over the years prevented her from stopping.

As soon as Cersei saw Petyr, she asked, "Littlefinger, how are things going?"

As she asked, she secretly observed Littlefinger's expression, trying to judge his loyalty from his subtle reactions.

Petyr bowed slightly, respectfully but with a hint of subtle cunning. He secretly thought that Robert's death was a great opportunity for him.

"Your Majesty, everything is ready. The things have arrived, and I have bribed the commander of the City Guard, Janos Slynt. We can start anytime now."

As he spoke, he took out a small medicine bottle and said, "This is the Strangler. It is different from the slow-acting medicine that killed Jon Arryn. Once you drink it, you will die on the spot. With Maester Pycelle here, everyone will just think that the king drank too much."

Cersei took the medicine bottle, her eyes flashed with ruthlessness. Her fingers tightly grasped the medicine bottle, as if she was holding her own destiny.

She had been looking forward to this day for a long time, and then ordered: "Then hurry up, it will be too late if you delay any longer. Someone just told me that Ned Stark is already investigating the cause of Jon's death. If we don't act now, I'm afraid Ned will find out before Gavin reports to Robert."

Jaime frowned and asked, "Poisoned? Who did it?" His heart was also full of worry and helplessness. Once this conspiracy was discovered, their Lannister family would face a huge crisis, but in order to protect Cersei and their children, he could only support it.

Littlefinger raised the corner of his mouth slightly, and said calmly: "Sir James, I'm afraid that the queen and you can only figure it out. The king's cupbearer Lancel is your cousin."

Cersei narrowed her eyes slightly, thought for a moment and then said: "I will arrange it, but you'd better make sure those golden cloaks are safe, Little Finger. If something goes wrong, you will never get the position of Warden of the East."

Petyr bowed again and said, "Please rest assured. I will ensure that His Majesty Joffrey can inherit the Iron Throne smoothly."

"The City Guard has two thousand gold cloaks, which is enough to control King's Landing. As long as the news is not leaked, Ned has no reason to oppose His Majesty Joffrey's succession."

His eyes revealed a kind of confidence, as if everything was according to his plan.

James frowned slightly, and the disdain in his eyes became more and more obvious. He looked at Littlefinger coldly, and his words pierced like ice blades: "Gold cloaks? They are just a bunch of rabble? Since Janos Slynt can be bought with money, he is not trustworthy."

His eyes were full of doubt, as if he was full of contempt for this so-called capital's guard force.

He continued, "Lanni is fine, he's not in King's Landing now, but what about Stannis? Most of the royal fleet is stationed in King's Landing Harbor, and he can attack King's Landing at any time." Jaime's tone was filled with deep worry.

Cersei, who was standing by, raised her chin slightly after hearing this, her eyes revealing arrogance and determination. "Father will arrive in King's Landing with his fleet in three days. We just need to kill Stannis in advance, and when father arrives, we can control the royal fleet." Her words were full of confidence, as if everything was under her control.

Jaime shook his head, frowning even more. "How? Poison? First Jon, then Robert, and now Stannis. All the nobles are not fools."

There was a hint of self-mockery in his voice, as if he was disgusted by such means. After hearing this, Petyr's mouth slightly raised, revealing a sly smile. "Ser Jaime, we don't have to use poison. As long as His Majesty Joffrey succeeds to the throne, we can arrange a treason charge for Stannis. Then everyone will think that Stannis coveted his nephew's throne and started a rebellion." His words were full of calculations, as if everything was already in his plan.

After hearing this, Jaime sneered: "Do you think Ned Stark will believe this nonsense?" His eyes were full of suspicion, and he was obviously not optimistic about this plan.

Cersei said coldly: "He only brought a few guards with him, so he has no choice but to cooperate. It's decided. We will take action as soon as my father arrives in three days." Her voice was cold and resolute, as if she had made up her mind to achieve her goal at all costs.

The atmosphere in the room was tense and depressing. Jaime looked at Cersei and stopped talking. He sighed and agreed with her decision.

Little Finger looked at the two of them, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a sly smile.

The Red Keep - Tower of the Prime Minister
The early morning sun shone into the room through the cracks in the window, but failed to wake up the sleeping Ned.

Last night, he stayed up late to study the "Genealogy and History of the Major Noble Families of the Seven Kingdoms" in his hand, trying to unravel the mystery, but to no avail.

Finally, when the midday sun became scorching, Ned slowly woke up.

He slowly stood up and rubbed his swollen temples, feeling frustrated.

After a simple wash, he dragged his heavy steps downstairs, hoping to temporarily forget his troubles by spending time with his daughters.

In the restaurant, the voices of two daughters came from afar; they were arguing.

Sansa's face flushed and she said something fiercely, while Arya put her hands on her hips and refuted without giving in.

Ned looked at the scene and sighed helplessly. He coughed softly, and the two daughters noticed his presence and instantly quieted down.

Ned walked to the dining table and sat down, looking at his two daughters, forcing a smile. "Okay, you two, stop arguing, what happened?" His voice was gentle and a little tired.

When Sansa heard this, she immediately complained to her father: "Prince Joffrey asked us to go out this afternoon, but Arya refused to go and even spoke ill of Prince Joffrey."

Arya curled her lips and said with disdain: "I don't like Joffrey! He is just a rude guy, arrogant and stupid."

Ned frowned slightly after hearing this, and said to Arya seriously: "Okay, Arya, if you don't like it, you don't have to go, but don't talk about the prince behind his back."

Then he looked at Sansa and said, "I agree that you can go out, but you must be careful. I will arrange guards for you."

Sansa nodded happily, and Arya beside her couldn't help but sneered: "You are the only one who would be fascinated by him."

(End of this chapter)