chapter 95 part 2
When Yuria was brought before Glynn, she had already composed her tumultuous emotions and could calmly curtsy to him.
Glynn raised an eyebrow. "Yuria Waters, I can give you two a chance. Or rather, give your brother a chance."
Yuria nodded in gratitude. "My lord, we understand the gravity of our sins. We thank you for your mercy. We shall never forget your grace."
"Dik needs to complete a mission. During that time, I will see to your needs. When the mission is complete, I will grant you both a reward."
Yuria's lips parted. She wanted to ask what kind of mission the scrawny Dik would be assigned, and whether it was dangerous.
Yuria already understood that her and her brother's lives were in the hands of the man before her, and she dared not overestimate Glynn's patience.
Dik was, at least for now, out of mortal danger. All Yuria could do now was pray to the gods in her heart.
Glynn spoke to Joffrey, "Joffrey, he's yours."
Starting tomorrow, Joffrey would be responsible for teaching Dik various combat skills, including his specialty: the dagger.
Other arrangements were left to Joffrey's discretion based on the situation. Glynn only made one special request: he demanded that Dik's target for dagger practice should be... Joffrey forced himself to stop thinking about it.
The Scouting Corps needed no doubts, only to offer... loyalty.
…
…
Lord Glynn, the "Overworker," returned to King's Landing near dusk and was finally granted an audience with Queen Cersei.
Glynn looked at the night descending upon the sky, felt the familiar weight of the armor he had been wearing constantly, and rode with his guards toward the Red Keep.
Arriving at the Red Keep's main gate, Glynn left his guards nearby and entered with only Monton Waters and Marciel Beck.
Outside Maegor's Holdfast, Glynn saw Jaime Lannister, one hand gripping the longsword at his waist.
His snow-white cloak billowed in the wind. Jaime still had his flowing golden hair and looked as spirited as ever.
Before Glynn could bow, Jaime teased him, "Good evening, Your Lordship."
Glynn spread his hands. "Good evening, Ser Jaime. This unexpected ennoblement has kept me from sleeping soundly."
Jaime gave him a strange smile. "Loyalty is tested without fear."
Glynn rolled his eyes internally. *I'm not a Lannister; I don't possess their inherent trust. Moreover, my boss is Cersei.*
Glynn confirmed once more that he and Jaime were incompatible; he had misjudged him.
Jaime was actually annoyed and somewhat sarcastic because he had later learned that Glynn was teaching Myrcella horsemanship.
Glynn and Jaime always seemed to encounter misunderstandings. They were always on different paths, indeed proving to be incompatible.
…
Regardless of his internal thoughts, Glynn approached Jaime, glanced at Maegor's Holdfast, and lowered his voice. "Is she angry?"
Jaime raised an eyebrow and said coldly, "Who is she?"
Glynn rolled his eyes—visibly this time—and expressed his dissatisfaction with his silence.
Jaime smiled. "My lord, you get nervous too?"
Glynn shrugged. "Ser Jaime, are you not afraid of Her Grace the Queen?"
Jaime disliked word games, as he was not good at them. "I did my best, but it had little effect. Lord Glynn, now you can only rely on yourself..."
After a pause, Jaime seemed to organize his words. "Queen Cersei... you should have some understanding of her personality. Loyalty is tested without fear."
From Jaime's words, Glynn could already confirm that Queen Cersei's attitude did not deviate from his expectations.
Glynn sighed softly. "Ser Jaime, it is precisely because I understand Her Grace the Queen that I don't know where to begin. That old... lord, his methods this time were clever enough. Add His Grace, King Robert, to the mix, and it's difficult for Queen Cersei not to misunderstand."
Jaime patted Glynn's shoulder in consolation. "I'm glad you think so. Let's go in together."
At that moment, they heard the sound of relatively uniform footsteps.
Over a dozen Lannister Redcloaks appeared in their line of sight. They formed three groups, subtly creating an encirclement around Glynn.
The atmosphere suddenly grew heavy. Marciel nervously gripped his sword hilt.
Monton gave Marciel a simple, honest look and subtly reached for the warhammer at his waist.
Marciel glanced at the honest-looking Monton, and his nervousness gradually subsided. Monton was a reliable fat man.
Marciel felt excited again. Glory was within reach.
Like a newborn calf that fears no tiger, Marciel had no doubt about their combat strength. He and Monton were more than enough to protect their lord's safety.
Marciel, the count and a descendant of household knights, raised his chin, his gaze toward the Redcloaks filled with contempt.
…
Glynn expressionlessly surveyed his surroundings. This was indeed Queen Cersei's style.
Jaime furrowed his brow, glaring at the leading Redcloak. "Halt! Who ordered you here?"
Besides him, who else in the Red Keep could directly command the Lannister Redcloaks? The answer was obvious. Jaime's question was rhetorical, but not pointless.
The Redcloak leader responded, "Ser Jaime, we received orders from Her Grace the Queen."
Jaime said coldly, "What orders from Her Grace?"
The Redcloak hesitated, about to speak, but was interrupted by Glynn.
Glynn slightly shook his head. "Ser Jaime, please take me to see Her Grace, Queen Cersei."
Glynn had no choice but to interrupt.
The Redcloaks were all elite soldiers carefully trained by House Lannister. Ask them to wield a sword and there would be no problem, but asking them to understand the art of tactful expression was a different matter.
Jaime was the true commander of the Lannister Redcloaks in the Red Keep. Under his questioning, the Redcloaks would only report the truth.
Seeing their current formation already made the answer clear. Glynn dared not hope that Queen Cersei had issued some gentle order.
Whether the order was spoken aloud or not could turn this into two completely different situations.
Control. At the very least, he couldn't let things spiral out of control.
…
Therefore, Glynn proactively cut off their next words.
Jaime had also been momentarily flustered by Cersei's "surprise." Seeing Glynn's calm expression, he quickly regained his composure.
Glynn said again, "Ser, true loyalty fears no test."
Jaime nodded slightly and stepped forward first.
*Thump, thump...* Inside the empty Maegor's Holdfast, only Glynn's and Jaime's footsteps could be heard.
Jaime was already conflicted. He subtly glanced at Glynn, his hand on his sword hilt gradually tightening.
For the sake of his love, he had secretly raised his guard against Glynn.
…
Maegor's Holdfast, third floor.
Glynn and Jaime stopped almost simultaneously, looking toward a door.
This room was where Queen Cersei had granted Glynn a private audience the first time he attended a Small Council meeting.
Glynn's biggest impression of this room was that it was exceptionally soundproof, which had protected the secret of how he would bring order to the Queen's lands.
The door opened, and Glynn saw Cersei standing by the window, her back to them.
Jaime stepped forward and, as usual, stood guard by Cersei's side, sword in hand.
Glynn bowed, his hand to his chest. "Good evening, Your Grace."
Cersei turned her head slightly, her voice cold. "Why didn't you refuse that drunkard's ennoblement?"
Jaime glanced at the momentarily speechless Glynn and advised, "Cersei, he is a vassal of His Grace, King Robert. To refuse would be..."
Cersei raised her voice, interrupting him, "Jaime, loyalty without fear!"
"Cersei..."
"Jaime, I don't want to hear any more weak excuses. Get out!"
(end of chapter)