Chapter 599: Chapter 599: Tears
The royal executioner, known as the Hound, raised his massive sword high above his head.
"Kill him!" "Kill him!" "Kill him!"
The citizens of King's Landing unanimously chanted below, eagerly anticipating the beheading of the former Duke of Casterly Rock, elevated above them.
Hidden within the crowd, Jaime Lannister, referred to as 'Jaime of the East' here, gripped the hilt of his sword, his body involuntarily trembling. He was so deeply affected that his fingernails pierced the skin of his palms, with blood dripping onto the ground unnoticed.
Jaime watched with horror as his father was brought to the execution block. He desperately wanted to draw his sword and save him. However, logic dictated otherwise. He chose to heed his brother's advice, realizing that rushing forward would not only fail to save his father but would also endanger himself.
"I'm sorry."
Up on the platform, Tyrion seemed unable to bear the sight. He hopped down from his chair, turning his back to the scene with the excuse of needing to use the restroom. Beside him, Petyr Baelish, the Governor of the Vale, sipped from his wine cup, his gaze following the 'Imp', lost in thought.
Far away in the Red Keep, Cersei, dressed in plain servant attire, bore the traces of her toil. To survive in the Red Keep and for the sake of her two children and her unyielding ambition, Cersei chose to forsake her former status as queen, seeking to establish herself from scratch within the keep.
While many positions in the Red Keep required maids, Cersei's abundant breast milk would have made her an ideal wet nurse. However, due to her unique status, she was forbidden from approaching the royal nursery. Thus, she now worked as a laundress. Despite her fall from grace and the absence of her youthful beauty, at 28, Cersei's allure remained unparalleled, perhaps even more captivating.
Now, she stood atop a tower in the Red Keep, gazing down at the execution grounds. Aware that today was the day of judgment, she was confined to the keep and could only watch from afar. From this distance, she could barely discern her father being led to the block.
The executioner took a hearty swig of strong liquor, then cast aside the bottle, drawing his blade. Against the backdrop of the blazing sun, the blade came down swiftly. Tywin's head fell, eliciting roaring cheers from the crowd. Cersei, from her vantage point on the tower, had tear-filled eyes that overflowed as she whispered, "Father..."
Surrounded by the jubilant crowd, 'Jaime of the East' was drowned in the cheers celebrating Tywin Lannister's demise. Some even spat at Tywin's severed head. But he alone clenched his fist, tears streaming down from beneath his disguised visage.
The soldiers, amid the noisy crowd, gave no regard to the emotions of the Lannister siblings. One of the Unsullied picked up Tywin's head on the tip of his spear, while two others dragged away Tywin's body, leaving a trail of blood, and placed it alongside the Mountain's corpse on a cart.
The execution of Tywin Lannister, who once betrayed the Targaryens during the Usurper's War, symbolized the seismic shift in the realm's ruling class. Among the major houses of the Seven Kingdoms, only Dorne and the North remained unchanged; the rest had new leaders.
The heads of Tywin and the Mountain were displayed atop the city walls as a warning to the nobles: this was the fate of those who betrayed the crown.
The atmosphere was jubilant among the commoners, as if they were at a grand feast, while the nobles felt a cold dread.
The power dynamics had shifted dramatically. The methods humans used against their foes became increasingly ruthless, leaving no room for mercy. Holding onto outdated beliefs could lead to catastrophic consequences.
Within the dungeons, Tywin, Eddard Stark, and other prisoners had been dealt with—some executed, others exiled. Only one major prisoner remained: Robert Baratheon, the former rebel leader and king.
The day after Tywin's execution, Viserys made an exception, allowing Cersei and her two children to visit Robert.
"I won't go, Ser Meryn," she began, declining with a forced smile. "Thank you for your kindness."
Washing clothes in the laundry room, the blonde maidservant appeared slightly displeased. Having wiped her wet hands on her dirty dress, Cersei continued, "I've already betrayed Robert, both physically and emotionally. In our final moments, there's no need to pretend."
Cersei, citing ill health, refused to visit Robert, but allowed Joffrey and Myrcella to see their father.
Under the guidance of an Unsullied soldier, the golden-haired boy entered the cell. Upon seeing his imprisoned father, Joffrey's eyes filled with tears.
"Father!" he cried. "Daddy!" echoed Myrcella.
Joffrey gripped the thick bars of the cell, noting the visible bends—a testament to Robert's failed attempts to escape using brute force. The cell, one of the most fortified in the realm, remained impervious.
The Unsullied opened the cell door, letting Joffrey and Myrcella in. Robert, with disheveled hair and lost in thought, was jolted awake by their entrance.
"Joffrey!" He stood, moving to embrace his children, tears streaming down his rugged face. Gently, he kissed Myrcella's forehead. "My daughter."
Within the cell, an emotional scene played out—a father and his children sobbing together. Outside, the Unsullied stood emotionless, spears at the ready.
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