Jeffrey's appearance had strong First Men features, with light eyes beneath slightly curly dark hair. He was half a head shorter than Ser Osfryd.
Ser Osfryd cautiously assessed him, then said, "Follow me."
Maegors Holdfast's ballroom was less than a tenth the size of the castle's great hall, yet it was exquisitely decorated. Behind each torch bracket were polished large silver mirrors, doubling the light; the walls were carved with intricate wood carvings, and fragrant rush covered the floor; the south wall was lined with a row of arched windows, but they were concealed by heavy velvet drapes, allowing no light to pass through and isolating the sounds of prayer and battle.
The noble women of King's Landing were all gathered here; they were wives, daughters, mothers, and sisters.
Outside, their men were fighting Stannis's army.
A lively melody of flutes and violins drifted from the gallery, but the atmosphere was heavy, and everyone was sorrowful.
At this moment, the Lord Steward announced loudly, "All stand! Acknowledge the Protector of the Realm, the Queen Regent, Empress Cersei of the Lannister!"
Everyone in the hall rose and bowed. After Queen Regent Cersei and Princess Myrcella took their places on the dais, she said, "Welcome, everyone, please be seated."
Queen Regent Cersei briefly scanned the 'hens' below, then spoke to the Lord Steward, "Are they all here?"
The Lord Steward glanced below and said, "Queen, a young lady from the Buckwell family is missing."
The Buckwell family was a noble house of the The Crownlands, their seat at the Antlers. Their family sigil was a pair of golden antlers on a blue field with white fur pattern, and their house words were—Pride and Purpose.
Queen Regent Cersei's brow furrowed: "What happened?"
The Lord Steward looked at Princess Myrcella, who sat quietly to the side, and lowered his voice slightly, saying, "Miss Buckwell was taken by King Joffrey, Queen."
"What a lucky girl, what a pity." Queen Regent Cersei no longer paid attention to the Lord Steward, raising her hand to signal for food to be served.
Queen Regent Cersei raised her cup and took a small sip of summer red. Her emerald eyes flickered as she said, "Myrcella, what are you looking at?"
Hearing Cersei's voice, nine-year-old Princess Myrcella immediately retracted her slightly extended neck, saying, "Mother, there are twelve red cloaks and twelve Gold Cloaks here; their numbers are equal."
"Good observation."
Queen Regent Cersei swirled the golden wine cup in her hand, saying, "Would you like some, Myrcella?"
Princess Myrcella stared at her mother's golden cup for a while, then gently shook her head.
Queen Regent Cersei reached out and caressed her daughter's small face, saying, "Myrcella, are you afraid of death?"
Princess Myrcella shook her head again, saying, "Mother, with you here, I am not afraid."
Queen Regent Cersei nodded slightly, took a sip of wine, and shifted her gaze to the guards standing by the hall, saying, "My daughter, you haven't seen what a looted city looks like."
She leaned gently on the armrest and continued, "If Stannis breaks through the gates of King's Landing, our guards will hastily strip off their gold or red cloaks, steal whatever they can, and flee. Those… servants, washerwomen, stable boys… all of them the same, they will prioritize their own lives, not ours."
Princess Myrcella blinked her eyes and said, "Mother, if only Ser Jaime and Count Green were here, they are true knights, and true knights protect women and children."
Ty-rion… Cersei gritted her teeth inwardly. She gently ruffled her daughter's hair and said, "Women also have ways to protect themselves from insult, little Myrcella."
Queen Regent Cersei's gaze shifted slightly as the tall wooden doors were pushed open. Her guard captain led twelve Blue Cloaks into the hall.
The others remained in one part of the hall, while Ser Osfryd led Jeffrey to the foot of the high seat. After receiving permission, Jeffrey alone ascended the steps.
Jeffrey knelt on one knee, saying, "Greetings, Your Esteemed Majesty."
Queen Regent Cersei merely glanced at the kneeling man from the corner of her eye, saying, "Green told me you are a trustworthy Clan Soldiers of House Clebber?"
Jeffrey seemed a bit nervous. He admitted, "Yes, Your Majesty. My grandfather's grandfather's grandfather… many grandfathers… have always been Clan Soldiers of House Clebber, loyal and unwavering."
Queen Regent Cersei nodded slightly, saying, "Keep an eye on everyone here. You may withdraw."
After Jeffrey left, Queen Regent Cersei called the Lord Steward over and said, "Where is my son?"
"Queen, the King is on the city wall with the Hand of the King, comforting the defenders and boosting morale."
Musicians played, jugglers performed tricks, and everyone laughed loudly, yet their joy seemed insincere, as if it could turn into sobs at any moment.
The long tables were laden with delicious dishes, but today, all food was seasoned with an ingredient called fear.
Suddenly, a noble lady began to cry uncontrollably. Queen Regent Cersei ordered a maid to give her a sleeping draught and arrange for her to sleep in her chambers.
"Tears." Queen Regent Cersei snorted lightly.
Queen Regent Cersei raised her cup and took a large gulp. Her cheeks were flushed, and there was a bright, fervent look in her emerald eyes as she gazed down at the hall.
Her mother seemed to grow more beautiful with each drink, and Princess Myrcella's gaze was almost fixed on her mother.
Queen Regent Cersei's eyes flickered, and she curved her lips, saying, "My Myrcella, why do you keep looking at me?"
Princess Myrcella's cheeks were flushed, and her eyes sparkled brightly: "Mother, you are truly captivating."
Queen Regent Cersei smiled, put down her wine cup, and said, "Myrcella, when I was little… my mother often said tears are a woman's weapon, just like a man's sword. And your mother will tell you that a woman's beauty can control a man's sword, making them serve you."
Princess Myrcella asked doubtfully, "A man's sword?"
Queen Regent Cersei nodded, pointing to the women in the hall, saying, "Myrcella, the truth is cruel, but you are the Lioness's daughter, so I will speak plainly. If Maegors Holdfast falls, the women here will all be violated; those people are not only soldiers who have fought madly, but also the guards who are protecting us at this moment."
"Mother…" Myrcella reached out and grabbed one of her mother's hands, her small hand trembling.
Queen Regent Cersei frowned, displeased with her daughter's weakness. She continued, "Myrcella, at least their noble status will provide them protection, because every woman here is worth a large ransom… But the women on the streets will be treated roughly, and the maids of the Red Keep will be no different."
After a pause, Cersei asked her daughter, "Myrcella, are you afraid of death?"
Myrcella's eyes were red at the corners, but she bravely held back her tears. She shook her head slightly and said, "Mother, if that were true, I would rather die."
Queen Regent Cersei showed a hint of satisfaction. She reached out and gently brushed Myrcella's golden curls away from her pale neck, saying, "If King's Landing is broken by Stannis, the Pyromancer I arranged will instantly destroy this place… With luck, Stannis will turn to ashes with us."
"Mother…"
Myrcella's clear eyes held determination: "With you here, I will not be afraid of death."
Queen Regent Cersei lowered her head and kissed Myrcella's forehead: "Your mother will not give up easily, my little Lioness."
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