Yesterday, at the tail end of the Battle of King's Landing, Ser Jacelyn Bywater, the Commander of the Gold Cloaks who fought in Tyrion's stead, was killed, and Lancel Lannister, who participated disguised as Renly, was severely wounded.
Tyrion's eyes flickered. He lazily let out a wine-infused burp and asked, "Ser Adam, where are my squire and my captain of the guard?"
Adam Marbrand spoke expressionlessly, "They are waiting for you outside the Gate of the Gods."
Tyrion grinned, "Was that an order I gave in my sleep?"
"It was Lord Tywin's command."
Tyrion's face was full of mockery: "What a kind father..."
He glanced at his dirty clothes and added, "Allow me to prepare myself, tall knight."
Ser Adam moved aside, clearing the doorway, and placed a hand on the hilt of his sword, saying, "Lord Tywin's order is to depart immediately."
Tyrion grinned... Ser Jacelyn, who helped him control the Gold Cloaks, was dead... His captain of the guard, Bronn... Even his little squire, Podrick, had been directly 'invited' away by his father.
Yesterday, he was the powerful Hand of the King, the hero who saved King's Landing; today, he woke up to find himself a lion without teeth or claws... No, he was a ridiculous Dwarf, always had been.
No matter how great his achievements, how much honor he earned, was the Dwarf son always a blemish on Lord Tywin?
No matter how hard he tried, would his father never look him in the eye?
Tyrion's eyes stung slightly, and his heart surged with endless grievance and... humiliation.
He should have known this outcome long ago; he truly was an utterly foolish Dwarf.
Tyrion slowly took a breath, paused, and then raised his head to look at Ser Adam, saying, "My little squire isn't here, so I'll have to trouble you, Ser... to help this Lord Lannister mount his horse."
As his words fell, Ser Adam's hand on the sword hilt tightened, and he said, "I will arrange for someone."
Tyrion chuckled, "I refuse service from anyone else. I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Ser."
Ser Adam's icy face "finally" showed some emotion... anger, as he said, "This is Lord Tywin's command. If necessary, I will use some forceful methods."
"Ha ha! I like forceful. Thank you again for your thoughtfulness."
Tyrion grinned, "A Lannister always pays his debts... Hmm, that's what your Lord Tywin told me."
Ser Adam's sturdy chest and abdomen rose and fell sharply. After a moment of silence, he gritted his teeth and said, "It would be my pleasure to serve you, Lord Lannister."
Only then did Tyrion put his hands behind his back, humming a cheerful tune, and limped out of the room.
...
Dong~~ Dong~~ Dong~~
The bronze bells of the Great Sept of Baelor boomed deeply, their sound echoing across hills and valleys, streets and towers, spreading through every corner of King's Landing.
The people of King's Landing shouted and cheered.
"Saved! We are saved!"
"It's over! It's over! Stannis has fled!"
"It was Duke Tywin Lannister who defeated Stannis, who wanted to burn us! He is the savior of King's Landing!"
"Great Duke Tywin saved the King and King's Landing!"
"Duke Tywin is the savior of the Seven Kingdoms!"
"Hand of the King forever!"
"Duke Tywin!"
"Duke Tywin! Duke Tywin! Duke Tywin!"
...
Amidst the cheers of the people of King's Landing, Duke Tywin Lannister rode his warhorse through the magnificent Kings Gate and entered King's Landing.
Duke Tywin wore splendid armor: crimson steel plates, gleaming like fire, inlaid with intricate golden swirling decorations; his greathelm was encircled with a sunburst of diamonds, and a roaring lion with ruby eyes crowned its top; Lioness clasps on his shoulders held a long, heavy golden cloak that draped down to cover the horse's rump.
The warhorse beneath him wore gilded barding, and its trappings were shimmering scarlet silk, adorned with the Lannister lion sigil.
The Duke of Casterly Rock's image was like a hero stepped out of legends and songs. When his figure appeared, the cheering crowd suddenly paused noticeably, then erupted into even louder cheers.
"Long live Duke Tywin!"
"Long live Duke Tywin... Long live Duke Tywin... Long live Duke Tywin..."
...
...
Meanwhile, Lady Catelyn had just woken up, somewhat bewildered, surveying the interior of the carriage.
"My Lady, would you like something to drink?"
Lady Catelyn blinked. She saw an unfamiliar young woman sitting at the other end. The young woman looked seventeen or eighteen, with a slender and sturdy build, clear blue eyes beneath short black hair, and dressed in black riding leather and a silver-plated chainmail.
Wasn't she at Moon Gate Castle... Why was she here... Before Catelyn could ponder further, the young woman's cheerful voice spoke again: "You are currently in a carriage traveling to Winterfell. Outside are guards from the Kleber Family. That Lord Kleber instructed me to tell you all this as soon as you woke up."
After a moment of silence, Lady Catelyn suddenly said, "That wine, that sour wine, it was tampered with."
"It was mixed with sleeping wine. Lord Kleber apologizes to you. This is also what that Lord commanded me to say."
Lady Catelyn: "..."
She paused, then asked, "Child, who are you?"
"My Lady, my name is Mia Stone. It is an honor to serve you." The black-haired young woman's smile was full of confidence.
Hearing her name, Catelyn's brows furrowed slightly... According to custom, the Seven Kingdoms each have specific surnames for bastards. Stone is the surname for bastards in the Vale of Arryn, just as Snow is for the North and Rivers for the Riverlands.
Due to her own marital experiences, Lady Catelyn could not harbor good feelings towards bastards.
Seeing Lady Catelyn remain silent, Mia Stone said in a concerned tone, "My Lady, would you like me to pour you a drink?"
Lady Catelyn first nodded, then suddenly said, "As long as it's not the sour wine from Crabclaw Point."
After speaking, the Tully lady couldn't help but secretly clench her teeth.
"Would summer red be acceptable?"
Mia liked to smile, and her smile seemed easily infectious. Lady Catelyn couldn't help but show a faint smile.
She nodded and said, "Child, are you a handmaiden of House Clebber?"
Mia's expression turned Gloomy, and she shook her head slightly, saying, "No, my former master was Lord Nestor Royce."
Ser Nestor Royce belonged to a branch of House Royce. He was not only the perpetual guardian of Moon Gate Castle but also the Grand Steward to the Duke of Eyrie.
Lady Catelyn took the silver cup Mia offered, took a small sip of the wine, and asked, "Former?"
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