iron throne of ice and fire

Chapter 155 Black News 7
In the Prime Minister's study, Eddard Stark sat upright with a frown on his face.

Sometimes the ignorant eyes of children can see the facts that adults turn a blind eye to. Sansa's words cleared up many doubts for him. The simple truth surged in his chest, and his heart was as cold as death.

With a strong nature, Lord Eddard understood what Jon Arryn said before he died. Every Robert bastard he investigated had their hair as black as night, including the little girl in the Vale.

Duke Ed's gray eyes looked at the book "Genealogy and History of the Main Nobles of the Seven Kingdoms" open on the table.

Maester Melion records the last union between a stag and a golden lion over 90 years ago, when Dia Lannister married Gwen Baratheon.Their only child was a baby boy who died in infancy without having time to name him. He was described in Maester Melion's book as follows: big, good eater, and full of black hair.

Thirty years earlier, a Lannister man married a Baratheon woman.She bore him three daughters and one son, all of whom had black hair.

Once golden meets carbon black, it can only succumb and disappear.

…………

A look of pain appeared on Lord Eddard's serious face.

Although Lord Eddard wanted to handle the matter secretly and let Robert continue to be a trouble-free king, he could not choose to hide the truth from Robert out of honor.

After Robert learns the truth, will he become the second Mad King?
Lord Eddard recalled the scene more than ten years ago, when the little girl and baby boy were wrapped in the red cloak of the Lannister family.Prince Rhaegar's daughter was barefoot and wearing pajamas, while Prince Rhaegar's infant son had blood and brains that were still wet.

Duke Eddard clenched his fists, he would never let something like this happen again.

Robert is indeed a man who can show kindness. As long as the other person behaves bravely and acts upright, Robert will treat him as a brave opponent and respect him.

After the battle more than ten years ago, Ser Barristan, captain of the Kingsguard, was not the only person Robert pardoned.Maester Pycelle, Chief Intelligence Officer Varys, Balon Greyjoy... all of them were once enemies of Robert, but once they swore loyalty, Robert allowed them to retain their honor.

However, the situation was different this time, poisoning in secret, stabbing in the back... Robert could never forgive this kind of thing, just like he could never forgive Rhaegar. Even if he killed him cleanly and completely, he might not be able to extinguish Robert's anger.

The kingdom cannot afford another crazed king, nor can it withstand another bloody storm full of hatred.

Even so, Duke Ed still couldn't remain silent... He was the royal prime minister. He was responsible for the king and the entire kingdom, so the royal bloodline must not leave any hidden dangers.

Dong-dong-dong, the knock on the door interrupted Duke Ed's contemplation.

"My lord, Earl Green is here to visit."

"Let him in."

The door was pushed open and Green entered the study. He greeted him and said, "Good night, Lord Ned."

Duke Ned's mood immediately improved when he saw Green... Fortunately, the adults' grievances did not affect the child. Green grew up very well. Not only did he have excellent sword skills, but he was also efficient in doing things... Duke Ed had great trust in Green.

Duke Eddard couldn't help but feel happy that this child won the jousting championship. He was busy with the government affairs of the kingdom and had not praised him yet.

Duke Eddard sighed in his heart that he could never be as meticulous as Catelyn.

He recalled the sword with a story of honor given by Jon Arryn when he was in the valley. He was going to give it to Green as a gift for Green to win the tourney. This may be the inheritance of honor.

…………

Grudges between adults are matters between adults, and children are innocent.He had decided in his heart...even if Robert blamed him later, he had to find a way to protect the three children.

Duke Ed looked at Green and smiled... Those three children can be like the child in front of them, not involved in the grudges between adults, and they have the right to have a new life of their own.

"How is the result?"

Green's eyes moved slightly, and he glanced at the books on the table, and said: "Duke Ned and Duke Mace have decided to leave King's Landing tomorrow and go to the Reach to sit in Highgarden personally."

Duke Ed thought for a moment and frowned: "Is he planning to give up his seat on the Royal Council? And... is he going back to trigger a war?"

Green shook his head: "Golden Rose will not give up its seat on the Royal Council easily. The Duke of Metz recommended Garth Tyrell to be the Royal Finance Minister."

Duke Eddard murmured: "Garth Tyrell..."

"Duke Ned, Garth Tyrell is the uncle of the Duke of Metz. He has been serving as the steward of the High Court since the father of the Duke of Metz."

After a pause, Duke Ed asked directly: "Green, what do you think?"

Green replied respectfully: "Duke Ned, there is no doubt about Garth Tyrell's ability. I think he is qualified to be the Lord Treasurer. And..."

As he spoke, Green sighed lightly and continued: "You should be very aware of the situation of the kingdom's treasury. Tyrell wants a seat on the Royal Council, and the kingdom's finances need the support of High Court."

"damned!"

Duke Eddard couldn't help but cursed when he thought of the kingdom's debt.

Green shrugged: "Kings dream, prime ministers build dreams."

Duke Eddard paused for a moment and sighed: "The king eats the banquet and the prime minister poops."

Green smiled at first, and then said seriously: "Duke Ned, Petyr has been imprisoned, and the kingdom's finances need the support of the Tyrell family. I have to tell you that this is a rational choice."

The reason is naturally not that simple. There may also be balance and transactions between the two parties without words.Green only told the most direct reason, but it was enough. Talking more and more deeply would make Running Wolf feel a headache.

Running Wolf has a unique way of doing things, and Green's "assistant officer" is considerate.

Sure enough... Duke Ed nodded and said decisively: "That's it, I will make arrangements tomorrow."

Green picked up the flask, poured a glass of wine, and handed it to Duke Ed.

"As for the war, I think you can rest assured that the Duke of Metz is not an impulsive person. It can be said that he is calm enough. For ordinary people, war would have broken out in the south."

Duke Ed took a sip from the glass and agreed: "Well, he did a good job."

Green also poured himself a glass of wine and said leisurely: "Whether there is a war in the south actually depends on Duke Lannister of Casterly Rock. It depends on how he makes the final decision."

…………

When Green was about to leave, Duke Ed looked away from the book on the desk and said, "Green, I will arrange an errand for you outside in a while."

Green's current position is the queen's steward, and Robert, who is furious, may be angry with the child.Therefore, he planned to find a suitable opportunity to let Greene leave King's Landing for a while, and then recall him after things here were settled.Green paused, his eyes trembled, and said: "Duke Ned, I am at your disposal at any time."

Green glanced at the books on the Prime Minister's desk again, then bowed and left.

…………

…………

Red Keep, Godswood.

Lord Eddard handed Jory, the captain of his guard, an envelope sealed with the Seal of the Running Wolf: "Give this to Cersei in Magorta, and go."

The thick wall outside the godswood blocked the noise of people and horses in the castle.

Duke Ed heard the chirping of insects and birds, and heard the leaves rustling in the wind. It was peaceful and peaceful here.The heart tree here is a brown oak. Although there is no face carved on it, Duke Eddard can still feel the old god he believes in.

There was no one in the godswood, and Duke Eddard was immersed in the silence here for an unknown amount of time.

At sunset, the clouds on the high walls of the tower were covered with red clouds.

The figure of Cersei Lannister appeared. She came alone as promised, and Lord Eddard nodded slightly from a distance.

Queen Cersei walked closer and looked down at Duke Eddard who was sitting on the grass. Her tone was still familiar and arrogant: "Stark, why did you ask me to meet here?"

When she received Lord Eddard's letter, Cersei guessed that Running Wolf must have asked her to meet for marriage. She deliberately waited until sunset before coming.

Queen Cersei's curly blond hair danced in the wind, her green eyes were like the leaves of midsummer, and her fair skin seemed to exude a light red sheen.

Lord Eddard raised his eyes and looked at Queen Cersei... She was still beautiful. He had not seen Cersei's beauty for a long time, and now he was awakened again.

Duke Ed said calmly: "It is to let the gods bear witness."

"I hope the gods are free today."

After saying that, Queen Cersei sat down on the grass next to Lord Eddard. Every move she made was very elegant.

Duke Eddard looked into the distance and said: "Strong nature, these are Jon Arryn's last words."

"I didn't notice."

Queen Cersei looked at Duke Eddard's serious face and said coldly: "Prime Minister Stark, I am not in the mood to play riddles with you. Is this why you called me here?"

Duke Eddard looked at Queen Cersei, and his eyes became sharp: "Is the other party Jaime the Kingslayer? I'm not asking about your brother, but your lover."

Queen Cersei turned her head and looked at Lord Eddard. Her face showed no emotion at all about what Eddard had said.

Queen Cersei said calmly: "He is both a brother and a lover. In order to keep the bloodline pure, Targaryens have been marrying brothers and sisters for 300 years. We have been together since childhood, why not? Jaime and I are not just siblings, we are fundamentally It is the same life divided into two halves. When he was born, he was holding my feet before he came into the world."

As she spoke, a faint smile flashed across her lips: "When we are united, I feel complete."

Perhaps because of Cersei's unavoidable honesty, when he confirmed the answer face to face, he was not as angry as he imagined.

"It seems that those three children are all James' children."

"Thank the gods for your time."

…………

After a moment of silence, Duke Ed couldn't help but ask the doubts in his heart.

"Cersei, you have been married for more than ten years, why don't you have children of your own?"

Queen Cersei looked arrogant: "Your siblings made me pregnant once. My brother found a doctor to help me get rid of the baby. That person didn't even know that this happened."

As she spoke, her tone became contemptuous: "Stark, let me tell you frankly, I can't stand that person touching a hair on my head. I haven't been with that person for many years... If that person is a little farther away Those girls can still stumble to my room after drinking...but I also have other ways to satisfy him. Anyway, no matter what we do, the person is usually so drunk that he forgets everything the next day."

When Queen Cersei finished speaking, Duke Eddard's frown deepened, and the doubts in his heart deepened.

Lord Eddard sensed Cersei's deep hatred for Robert from her words... Was there anything that happened that he didn't know about?
No matter what he felt in his heart, Duke Eddard's voice remained calm: "I remember Robert's appearance that day. He fascinated almost all the women present. You received everyone's blessings that day."

He added: "Cersei, what did he do to make you hate him so much?"

Upon hearing Lord Eddard's words, Queen Cersei's eyes suddenly ignited with green fire in the dusk, like the lioness in the Lannister family crest.

"Why hate?! On the night of our wedding, when we slept together for the first time, he called your sister's name. He was on top of me, smelling of wine, and he actually whispered Lyanna's name in my ear."

Under the blue rose, sadness flashed across Duke Ed's face: "I really don't know whether to pity you or him."

Queen Cersei said coldly: "Running Wolf, the lioness does not need sympathy, that is an insult to me."

Lord Eddard stared at Queen Cersei for a moment with his gray eyes, and then said, "Cersei, you know exactly what I must do."

Ed was originally only prepared to find a way to keep the three children, but after talking with Cersei, he changed his mind... Just like that wrong spring, maybe the union of Robert and Cersei was a wrong marriage, and let her take care of them. Leave with her three children.

"Stark, what must be done?"

Queen Cersei asked as if talking to herself, then she stretched out her white hand and placed it on Duke Eddard's thigh.

"A real person... he usually does what he wants to do, not what he has to do."

Queen Cersei said as her fingers slowly brushed against Lord Eddard's thigh.

Queen Cersei gently approached Duke Eddard, her voice was rare and gentle: "Prime Minister Eddard, there are still many years before Joffrey comes of age, and the kingdom needs a strong Prime Minister. No one wants to restart the war, I Especially not."

Queen Cersei brushed her hands over Duke Eddard's face and hair, and continued: "If friends can turn against each other, why can't we turn enemies into friends? The Lady of Winterfell is thousands of miles away... You need me, can you? Get more pleasure from me."

Queen Cersei's hand was wrapped around the back of Duke Eddard's neck, and her body exuded gentle hints: "Ned, be nice to me. I swear I will never let you regret it."

(End of this chapter)