Chapter 27: The Royal Hunt Route

Maegor's Holdfast, the Queen's Hall

Queen Cersei sat in regal poise at the head of the long table. Jaime Lannister and the royal functionaries were seated along either side.

At first, Green found the meeting somewhat interesting—but soon, the tedium set in, and his attention drifted.

"At the recent feasts, Summer Red from Dorne has been served more often than Arbor wine."

"Indeed. Summer Red is quickly becoming the favored vintage."

"And those sleeveless gowns from Highgarden—nearly every noblewoman in King's Landing owns one now."

"Yes, and the jewelry from Highgarden is just as sought after."

"I heard Lord Janos bought an entire crate of Highgarden trinkets to curry favor with his new mistress."

[Lord Janos—full name Janos Slynt, Commander of the City Watch, known as the Gold Cloaks]

"Poor girl—who could stomach Janos' toad-like face?"

"He looks more like a wine cask than a man."

"Is he still extorting gold dragons from his own men?"

"Of course. You can't teach an old dog new tricks."

"There's no help for it—he enjoys King Robert's full confidence and commands six thousand Gold Cloaks."

"Pity the poor girls."

"He could only woo a bastard—no highborn maiden would glance twice at a butcher's son."

"Well… maybe. I heard that—"

"You said it yourself—'heard.' So it's only gossip."

As the discussion veered into court gossip, Jaime cleared his throat meaningfully.

Green found himself revising his opinion of the others at the table. For all the gossip, they offered more than idle talk—there were hints of useful intelligence woven in, and they served as the Queen's unofficial advisors on fashion and politics alike.

Jaime spoke:"As we discussed last time, Her Grace's hunting procession from the capital traditionally passes through the Lion Gate. That must not change this year."

A hush fell over the room.

For the first time during the meeting, Queen Cersei herself broke the silence.

"Why the quiet? Are the rabble still spreading their lies?"

Lancel glanced around and spoke, "If we stick to tradition, we avoid inviting trouble. The rumors are spreading rapidly. Changing the route would only seem like an admission of guilt. It would stain Your Grace's name."

A faint, pleased smile tugged at Cersei's lips."Lancel. Go on."

He nodded, clenching his fist. "We have only eight days left. I propose we punish the rumor-mongers harshly. Heads must roll, so that all understand—our Queen is not to be slandered."

From where Green sat, he could see Lancel's thigh trembling slightly as he finished speaking.

Was he merely pandering to Cersei? Or had he voiced her will outright?

Jaime spoke calmly, but firmly."There are nearly twenty thousand smallfolk in the Queen's Ward. Tell me, Lancel—how many heads would it take to silence a rumor? And what of the riots that would surely follow?"

His gaze was cutting. Lancel faltered, looking away.

Cersei's expression darkened, equal parts disappointment and ire.

"Speaking of which, why is such a filthy, reeking place even called the Queen's Ward?"

"Yes, yes—it's one of the poorest parts of the city."

Of course, everyone at the table knew the name's origin. They were only making small talk to ease the tension.

Cersei continued,"I consulted a maester. Apparently, one of Aegon the Conqueror's queens once drank a bowl of water offered to her by the commoners there."

"Oh, so that's why."

"How ridiculous. The Queen sips a bowl of water, and suddenly the place is named for her? Wasn't Aegon with her? Why not call it the King's Ward instead?"

"The truth hardly matters. The name lends itself too easily to manipulation."

"Indeed. There's disease spreading in the Queen's Ward, and somehow, they blame Her Grace. As if the Queen's supposed lack of mercy caused the plague."

"The Queen's procession... her carriage will pass through that ward. If unrest breaks out, it would endanger Her Grace—and erode her authority in the capital."

"There will be trouble. These rumors came swiftly and seem aimed directly at Her Grace's royal hunt."

Cersei tilted her head toward Jaime."Kindhearted Ser Jaime, do you have a better solution?"

Jaime frowned. "From the intelligence I received today, the mood in the Queen's Ward is volatile. If blood is spilled... a full-scale riot could follow."

Cersei cut him off, voice impatient."Enough with your caution. Tell me what should be done."

Unbothered, Jaime smiled."Throw some gold dragons at them. It's quick. A thousand, maybe two, would be enough."

A thousand or two gold dragons?!

Green's ears perked up. That got his attention.

And judging by her expression, Cersei was seriously considering it. A true Lannister response.

It was time for Green to speak—on behalf of the destitute folk of Clabburn.

He cleared his throat, drawing the room's attention. Rising, he addressed Queen Cersei."Your Grace, if I may speak out of turn—I have a proposal."

Cersei seemed to hold the newly arrived Baron Green in regard. She nodded warmly and gestured for him to speak seated.

"Ser Jaime's suggestion is sound. But we must also consider what happens next—when their appetite grows. And again, and again after that."

Jaime glanced sideways at Green but said nothing.

So much for Ser Jaime's famed knightly honor, Green thought. He always seems to have a bone to pick with me.

He pressed on."I also find merit in Ser Lancel's proposal."

Lancel's eyes lit up with admiration. It made Green shiver.

Jaime's gaze darkened when he heard Green support the beheading plan.

Matching Jaime's stare, Green continued:"And let us not forget—after the Queen's hunt ends, she'll have to pass through the Queen's Ward again."

Heads nodded around the table.

"The rumors are the first issue—and I believe they're the easiest to deal with."

No one interrupted. Instead, curious looks filled the room.

"If they're only rumors, then they carry a weakness. We can fight fire with fire. Spread a bigger rumor—one that undermines or even wipes away the ones tainting Her Grace's name."

The functionaries exchanged glances, murmuring their approval.

Lancel leaned forward, eyes gleaming."Ser Green—for example?"

Green smiled and let his gaze linger on Lancel."Perhaps... some scandal between King Robert and Lord Jon Arryn? One of those unspoken secrets?"

Fifteen years of oppression had turned Green—who now claimed the title Warden of the Crag Claw Peninsula—into a sworn enemy of House Arryn.

He blinked suggestively.

Everyone at the table misunderstood in perfect unison.

Even the righteous Jaime found himself entertaining scandalous implications, as if testing their plausibility.

He shook his head sharply, clearing the thoughts Green had unwittingly inspired.

And the rest fared no better.

Of course, in the Queen's Hall, casting aspersions on King Robert and Lord Arryn was politically correct—if only because it delighted Queen Cersei.

"That's merely a first step. As for the exact nature of the falsehood—we can deliberate. I offer only a humble example."

Oh, the functionaries were all quite delighted now.

.

.

.

🔥 The Throne's Last Flame — A Song Forged in Ice and Wrath 🔥

📯 Lords and Ladies of the Realm, heed the call! 📯

The saga burns ever brighter—30 chapters ahead now await, available only to those who swear their loyalty on Patreon. 🐉❄️🔥

Walk among dragons, defy the cold, and stake your claim in a world where crowns are won with fire and fury.

🔗 Claim your place: www.patreon.com/DrManhattanEN👤 Known on Patreon as: DrManhattanEN

Your loyalty feeds the flame. And fire remembers.