Outside the Throne Room, besides the four Gold Cloaks guarding the door, there were Ser Kevan and fourteen Lannister red robes wearing Lion-emblazoned half-helms and deep red cloaks.
Kevan Lannister went to greet him, bowing and saying, "Duke Tywin."
Duke Tywin glanced at the newcomer but did not stop walking. "Kevan, do you need something from me?"
Ser Kevan knew his brother well; he could feel that Duke Tywin's anger had not yet subsided.
After a moment of thought, he respectfully said, "Duke Tywin, you have enough time to 'forge' Joffrey into a qualified King."
Duke Tywin stopped, gazed towards Maegors Holdfast for a moment, and then slowly said, "Kevan, Joffrey is exactly like the Mother who bore him, equally foolish and equally arrogant. Cersei is just a woman, and these flaws in her do not significantly impact Lannister. But Joffrey is different; he is the King, and these flaws will become Lannister's fatal weaknesses."
Ser Kevan hesitated for a moment, then said, "Duke Tywin, right now... every move Cersei makes represents the Lannister family, and even a small oversight could lead to considerable trouble."
Duke Tywin's light green eyes flickered. "What has Cersei done?"
Ser Kevan sighed helplessly, "After the news of Edmure Tully's death reached the Red Keep, Cersei wanted to hold a celebratory banquet in Maegors Holdfast. I, in your name, directly ordered its cancellation."
Duke Tywin listened... and a vein bulged on his forehead.
He took a long moment to compose himself before speaking, "Is there any news from Riverrun?"
Ser Kevan respectfully replied, "Robb Stark has determined that Lannister is the murderer. It is said that at the funeral, he swore to have blood for blood."
Duke Tywin was silent for a moment, then asked, "What was the result of probing Lord Mace?"
"This morning, I probed him again. Lord Mace is still very angry about the poisoning death of Riverrun's heir..."
Ser Kevan shrugged, saying, "At least... I haven't detected any trace of acting from him so far."
Duke Tywin's brows furrowed. "Finding the other poisoner as soon as possible is the key. The person who could poison during the wedding feast... it can be confirmed that person is someone trusted by Tully or Stark."
Ser Kevan nodded in agreement, saying, "Yes, the easiest person to succeed in poisoning... is often a trusted person by their side. Only such a person knows best how to evade the eyes of those around them."
He paused, then added, "Duke Tywin, even if we help Robb Stark find the murderer, I don't think he would be willing to believe it. Perhaps he hopes Lannister is the murderer."
Duke Tywin's gaze was profound. "Kevan, my goal is not to negotiate peace with the Little Wolf Cub; with him, we only have war."
Ser Kevan advised, "Most of our existing troops are scattered defensively in various places. If there are no other reinforcements, our situation will be very passive when Robb Stark attacks."
His expression grew somewhat solemn. "Moreover, the 20,000 new recruits Daven is gathering in the Westerlands still need time to train, at least two months... preferably three months later, before we deploy them."
[Davos Lannister, the eldest son of Duke Tywin's wife's brother]
Duke Tywin closed his eyes for a moment before opening them. "Kevan, we need House Tyrell to provide military support."
Ser Kevan mused for a moment, then said, "Lord Mace is very greedy. Perhaps we can also consider Count Crabb's troops."
Duke Tywin nodded slightly, saying, "Prepare yourself. When Count Crabb arrives in King's Landing, I want to convene a Small Council meeting, with Lord Mace and him both present."
After walking a few steps, he suddenly said, "Also, go tell Cersei. If she causes any more trouble, I will send her directly to Highgarden."
...
That afternoon, in a small hall in Maegors Holdfast.
Ser Kevan stared at Cersei, saying, "Do you understand, Cersei?"
Cersei Lannister snorted coldly and turned her face away.
After waiting for a while, the wrinkles on Ser Kevan's forehead deepened, and his tone grew cold. "You should know very well that Duke Tywin never jokes. Cersei, tell me now, do you understand?"
Where Ser Kevan could not see, one of Cersei's hands was tightly clenched, her nails digging deeply into her palm.
After a long while, under Ser Kevan's sharp gaze, she finally nodded with a look of "humiliation."
Only then did Ser Kevan withdraw his gaze.
Cersei didn't know when Ser Kevan left. She sat motionless in her seat, then suddenly her eyes reddened, then became moist, and tears fell one by one.
Cersei was both wronged and furious! Trout were the enemies of Lion. Was it not a good thing that Riverrun's heir had been poisoned to death? Was it not worth celebrating?!
Cersei wiped the tears from her cheeks. She felt that the Old Lion was truly old, even fearing a dead Trout; he was becoming increasingly cowardly.
Recalling Kevan's warning to her... he was merely Tywin's servant, yet he dared to be so disrespectful to her? Cersei grew angrier the more she thought about it.
Clang!
Cersei angrily smashed the jewel-encrusted golden wine cup against the wall.
Still not appeased, she gripped the neck of the wine jug.
Just as Cersei was about to smash it hard against the stone floor, a knock on the door suddenly sounded. Without waiting for her response, Ser Osney pushed the door open and entered directly.
Osney Kettleblack saw Queen Cersei's paused posture, stopped, and couldn't help but blink.
Cersei gently put the wine jug back, straightened her dress, and said coldly, "What is it?"
Ser Osney seemed to just realize that he had entered without permission. He bowed deeply and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive my rash action."
Queen Cersei said impatiently, "If there's nothing, then leave."
As her words fell, Ser Osney quickly stepped forward, "Your Majesty, a raven from maidenpool has delivered a letter. You instructed..."
He looked up and saw the tear stains on Queen Cersei's face. He said angrily, "What happened? Who made you cry? I'll kill..."
Before he could finish speaking, Cersei reached out and snatched the letter directly from Osney's hand.
"Empress..."
"Quiet." Queen Cersei glanced at the Marsh Marigold seal on the blue wax, and a corner of her mouth curved.
The letter was quickly opened: To Queen Cersei, who embodies both beauty and courage... When I rescued Ser Jaime, he was already a severely wounded Lion... It is rumored that the spring water of maidenpool has miraculous healing effects... As I write this letter, Ser Jaime and I, now fully recovered, are already on our way to the Red Keep...
After reading the letter, Cersei said happily, "Ser Osney, please pour me a glass of wine."
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