Chương 68: -Chapter 65-

-Chapter 65-

-11th day of the 8th moon of the year 300 AC-

-POV Euron Greyjoy-

'To think that I will be the first Ironborn to take that golden whore,' I thought as I looked at the stronghold of House Lannister, carved into the mountain that had given them all the wealth they possess.

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Why not?"

"We had an agreement with the Lannisters."

"And so?"

Victarion said nothing more and simply put on his helmet before rallying our men for the upcoming battle.

---

-POV Tywin Lannister-

"Have we received any news from Harrenhal?" asked Tyrion.

I shook my head slightly while staring pensively at the door.

"We should have already received news, this isn't normal," said Cersei, worried.

"We received word from Casterly Rock. The exchange will take place today. The raven was sent this morning as soon as the Greyjoy fleet arrived," I said.

"I feel like he knows."

"Cersei, we are inches away from victory. I forbid you from screwing everything up just because you can't handle your emotions."

"I remind you that I am the one who has to lie to him every day, not you," said Cersei loudly.

"And we are all extremely grateful for that, but from now on, your role is going to become more important than ever. If you don't want to see your son's head on a pike, you'll have to manage your emotions and play your part to perfection," said Tyrion.

I nodded in agreement with my youngest son, and Cersei took a deep breath before nodding:

"You're right, this is the final stretch, I can't fail."

"Do what you must for our family and our House," I told Cersei, who nodded before getting up, determined to do her duty for all our sakes.

---

-POV Cersei Lannister-

"My dear," I said in a sad tone that I didn't need to fake, because for my son's crown, I was betraying my husband, the only husband I had ever truly loved.

'But not more than Tommen,' I thought, pushing away all guilt so I wouldn't break.

"What's wrong? You seem upset, my love," Ronnet said, quickly sensing my true mood.

"News has arrived from the Riverlands, but no one wanted to tell me if Uncle Kevan and Raymund are all right," I said, taking on a worried expression.

"Why?"

"Father wants to announce it in the Throne Room before all the nobles of the realm. He sent me to fetch you."

"Very well," Ronnet said as he fastened his sword belt, where Heart of Griffin rested in its scabbard.

We left our chambers, and Ronnet said to one of his lieutenants, a new man named Arlan: "Bring the King's gift."

Arlan put his fist over his heart and quickly went to retrieve Tommen's gift.

Knowing he had prepared a gift for my son, I was tempted to stop everything and tell him the truth, but I bit the inside of my cheek, and we continued walking in silence.

---

-POV Ronnet Connington-

Upon entering the throne room, the first thing that struck me was that it was completely empty... or rather, it would be more accurate to say it was devoid of the nobles who were usually crammed in to catch a glimpse of or speak with Tommen.

Although it was empty of nobles, hundreds of gold cloaks were gathered, standing stiff as drawn bows, tense to the point of breaking.

I frowned, glancing at Cersei, but she didn't look at me and continued to walk in silence.

I said nothing, though a small sense of anticipation grew inside me.

The one to break the silence was not Tywin at Tommen's right, nor my stepson himself, but Tyrion, who, at Tommen's left, gave up his seat to Cersei and started walking down the steps, saying:

"Ronnet Connington, born as a member of a collateral branch of House Connington, later became the heir to a house that, though ancient, was ruined. You set out to restore the glory of House Connington... well, restore isn't quite the right word, since it's not like you ever really had gold on your sigil."

I held back my annoyance and continued to listen to the dwarf ramble on:

"But as for the colors, your house's banner has never been redder. From fighting for the king to becoming a mercenary, then a knight, and back to being employed as a mercenary again, one could say you've spilled a river, if not a lake, of blood."

I lifted my head, feeling no shame at all for what I had done to get where I was, and as if the dwarf could read my thoughts, he added:

"There is no shame in what you've done with the gold you earned. While your father was still alive, you repurchased almost all of your lands, and after his death, you created villages that have now grown into magnificent towns."

The dwarf continued: "And of course, let's not forget all the new products. You later distinguished yourself as a loyal supporter of the Queen, until you had a falling out for personal reasons after she made you a Lord, after she restored your entire house to the ranks of high nobility."

"Get to the point," I said, finally starting to lose patience with Cersei's brother's ramblings.

"I'm getting there. You served Renly to take the place of House Baratheon as the rulers of the Stormlands, and now you're trying to repeat the same pattern by positioning yourself as Lord Protector."