Chapter 56: -56- Only eats raw meat?
The people who came to pay their respects were mostly lord's wives accompanied by their daughters, with only a few accompanied by nieces or sisters.
Queen Cersei's face bore a perfunctory smile as she received wave after wave of noblewomen and their daughters.
Even with Cersei's perfunctory attitude, the enthusiasm of the noblewomen did not diminish in the slightest.
After the formalities, there was a lengthy segment of reverence for Queen Cersei, followed by extensive praise for Princess Myrcella, boasting about their own daughters, and finally trivialities of daily life and noble gossip. They seemed completely unaware of Queen Cersei's almost stiff expression.
Gallen speculated whether these noblewomen were secretly competing with each other, such as who spent more time with the queen during the audience.
As noblewomen and their daughters paid their respects, Gallen, who was quite handsome, felt the occasional lingering gaze from the noblewomen.
Before Gallen could bask in his newfound confidence, Jamie entered the tent and stood opposite Gallen, and suddenly Gallen felt deflated.
Gallen was now certain that he and Jamie are definitely not compatible!
The golden-robed Jamie, with his flowing hair, was popular with women of all ages. Although they all knew that Jamie of the Kingsguard could not marry, it did not stop them from eagerly pursuing him.
Seeing Jamie being so popular, Queen Cersei's smile became more natural.
Gallen lowered his eyelids, no longer paying attention to the situation in the tent, and instead focused on planning the journey to Highgarden after the royal hunt ended.
---
In the Westerlands, at Casterly Rock.
Located on the western coast of the continent of Westeros, Casterly Rock is a grand and magnificent fortress city. It is the capital of the Westerlands and the seat of House Lannister's rule.
Casterly Rock, as its name suggests, is carved into a massive rock, making the castle's defense even more formidable.
Never fallen, Casterly Rock is known as the largest, wealthiest, and most heavily defended castle in the continent of Westeros.
Kevan Lannister, 53, with golden hair and a short-trimmed beard, was slightly round-shouldered and stout.
In the Battle of the Ninepenny Kings, 16-year-old Kevan Lannister was knighted by "Red Lion" Roger Reyne for his outstanding performance.
---
Kevan Lannister spoke very respectfully, "Lord Tywin, this is the latest intelligence from King's Landing."
Kevan Lannister had long recognized the exceptional qualities of his older brother Tywin. Serving as Tywin's most trusted deputy for many years, his loyalty and reliability were well known.
Lord Tywin's gaze did not leave the table, nor did he stop his quill, "Kevan, any changes?"
Kevan replied, "At present, the most concern in King's Landing is Jon Arryn's health. His study has been found to have been eavesdropped on, which has greatly angered him and requires him to rest for a while."
There was a momentary pause in Lord Tywin's quill, but he quickly resumed his rhythm, "And what about Lancel?"
Kevan nodded slightly, "Smoothly, Lancel has been appointed as His Majesty Robert's squire."
Although he did not show it on the surface, as Lancel was confirmed as the squire of the king, Kevan, as a father, was still very happy.
One of Kevan's most respected brothers, Tywin, had also served as a squire to King Aegon V in his youth at the Red Keep, so the fact that Lancel could become the king's squire made him proud.
"Is Jaime still the same?"
"Jaime never slackens in his swordsmanship."
"And what about Cersei?"
When Lord Tywin mentioned Cersei, there was a hint of strangeness in his tone.
"Cersei is very satisfied with her new affair officer, Gallen Crabb. The handling of the Queen's District results in Cersei's satisfaction, and she has promoted him to be her chief officer."
As Tywin finished, he set down his quill.
"My supposedly clever daughter, who only knows how to fiercely retaliate but never knows how to act, has she found a satisfactory assistant this time?" Lord Tywin folded the completed letter and placed it into an envelope, sealing it with the family seal.
Kevan added, "Tyrion also holds Gallen Crabb in high regard. Under his influence, Tyrion has become more interested in governance recently."
When Tywin heard Tyrion's name, his brows unconsciously furrowed.
"Jaime and Lancel both have a favorable impression of Gallen Crabb."
After sealing the envelope, Lord Tywin, with his green eyes, looked at Kevan. "Has a fox infiltrated the lion's den?"
"Pardon my directness, but I think it's more like a wild beast deliberately infiltrating the lion's den."
Ever since he started balding, Lord Tywin had shaved all his hair, leaving only a thick golden mustache on each side of his face.
At 55 years old this year, Lord Tywin was still broad-shouldered and tall.
Tywin picked up the letter Kevan handed to him and began to read. "Kevan, I trust your discerning eye."
"Lord Tywin, what's the next move?"
"Let it be. My children think they've grown up, but they don't realize they're more naive than before. It's time they learned how to deal with clever subordinates."
"Shall we continue to observe from the sidelines?"
"Now that Jon Arryn's health is affecting his governance of the kingdom, is there anything we need to do in King's Landing?"
"Continue to monitor, it's not the time yet."
---
Today is the second day of the hunting expedition, and diligent Gallen is leading the guards, inspecting the entire hunting party.
During the inspection, Gallen's ears twitched.
"Don't be deceived by his appearance, my mother has already inquired."
"Yes, I asked too, he's quite intimidating."
"No wonder Her Majesty put him in charge of security!"
Hearing this, Gallen made a silent gesture and stopped moving.
"What are you thinking? I just can't figure out why Her Majesty would entrust our safety to such a person?"
"Yeah, tell us!"
"Well, you know, wildlings grow up alongside wild animals, so their ears are different from ours and can hear from far away."
"Like a hunting dog?"
"Shh, shh, he's still a lord, I heard Her Majesty is quite fond of him."
"Hmph, he can't even hear us, you're too timid."
"Your uncle is the Lord of Maidenpool, of course, you're not afraid of a little lord."
---
Lord of Maidenpool? House Mooton? Gallen rubbed his chin.
"Is... is it true... that he only eats raw meat?"
"Oh, by the Seven, haven't you given up on him yet?"
"I... I... he just doesn't seem like it..."
"Wildlings are very cunning, how could a silly girl like you see through him?"
"Sigh, my mother also said, and... if they take a liking to you, they'll just carry you back to their caves!"
"Listen, I didn't deceive you, did I? If it weren't for me, you would have almost become the wife of a wildling, living in a cave, eating raw meat."
"Th... thank you..."
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