chapter 92 part 2
King Robert suddenly turned to Petyr. "Master of Coin, tell me, does Crackclaw Point belong to the Crownlands? Why don't I ever remember seeing a single copper star from the lords there?"
Petyr shrugged. "Your Grace, that place is crawling with mountain clansmen. The clansmen never care who the King is; they only know that winning a fight means filling their bellies. You can imagine the hardships the nobles of Crackclaw Point have faced in recent years. I couldn't very well let your vassals starve to death. That would tarnish your wise reputation."
King Robert nodded. "Now that you mention it, they're not too bad. At least they haven't been petitioning me endlessly... Damnation, my demands for my royal vassals are truly merciful. Thinking that as long as they don't cause me trouble, it's fine. How ridiculous!"
Petyr smiled and said, "Your noble Grace, under your rule, everything is improving."
After a pause, Petyr's lips curled as he continued, "Just as Lord Jon mentioned, before long, you will be able to receive a brand-new coin from the vassals of Crackclaw Point."
King Robert laughed loudly, looked at Lord Jon, and said, "Jon, I told you this fellow is a sycophant! As long as they can reduce my troubles, I am the most generous King."
Lord Jon smiled and nodded. "Your Grace, you were born with a king's sense of justice."
King Robert's smile faded. "I understand now. How do you think he should be rewarded, my Hand?"
Lord Jon spoke up, "The new lands plus the old lands, along with his contributions in King's Landing... your young vassal, he is worthy of the title of Earl."
...
Glyn remained expressionless, but his mind was racing.
*Driving a wedge...* Instantly... Glyn could already imagine the reaction of his boss, Cersei, upon hearing the news. *Cersei will definitely think I have betrayed her!*
Glyn glanced at Petyr and his eyes met Petyr's gaze.
Petyr gave a slight shrug: *Don't look at me. We are all pawns of the great players.*
Glyn's eyebrow twitched slightly: *Let's talk in detail tonight?*
In the shadows, Glyn and Petyr completed their exchange with just a look.
...
Under King Robert's intense gaze, Lord Jon nodded slightly.
"Petyr, get me paper and quill. Find a table. I'll dictate, you write!"
Petyr nodded and sat at a nearby table. An attendant in the room helped him prepare the paper and quill. "Your Grace, it is ready."
King Robert looked at Glyn, his voice like a great bell. "Glyn, come here. Stand before me."
Glyn breathed out, suppressing his excitement. He straightened his back, walked before Robert, and with a thud, knelt on one knee.
"I, Robert of House Baratheon, the First of His Name... put all those devilish titles of mine down, Petyr, you know which ones! Hereby ennoble Glyn Crabbe, Baron, as Earl of The Whispers!"
Glyn declared loudly, "Your Grace, The Whispers is ever at your command."
King Robert grunted and said, "Earl Glynn... hmm, it does sound a bit more imposing than Baron. Damnation, I'm too generous. This business of yours has wasted half my day! Let me hear some good news soon. And also, stay away from my Queen. It'll do you no harm!"
With that, King Robert waved his large, fat hand, dismissing everyone from the room.
...
Outside the Hand's Chamber.
Glyn and Petyr looked at each other and shrugged almost simultaneously.
Petyr's lips curled into a smile, his eyes glinting. "Congratulations, Earl Glynn."
Glyn nodded his thanks. "Lord Petyr, thank you for your frankness. It's my treat tonight."
Petyr's smile was very elegant. "It seems tonight will be a sleepless one. I am deeply honored."
Glyn nodded again, bid farewell to Petyr, and turned to leave.
Petyr watched Glyn's departing figure, a smile playing on his lips.
...
Walking out of the Tower of the Hand, Glyn stopped and looked up at the sky.
The cloudless sky was like a canvas of deep blue.
Because of what happened last time in the Hand's solar, Lord Jon already knew of Glyn's keen senses.
The strong smell of herbs was to cover the smell of wine on King Robert.
The silently bustling attendant in the room was also to hide the hidden King Robert.
Crackclaw Point, due to its unique environment and traditions, plus Robert's Rebellion, had almost completely cut ties with the Red Keep.
But, Crackclaw Point belongs to the Crownlands, and all the nobles of Crackclaw Point are King Robert's vassals.
If, during the conversation, Glyn had shown any sympathy for House Targaryen to shirk his mission, Glyn believed the furious King Robert would have driven him out of King's Landing directly.
Lancel's identity as a royal squire, the shadow Varys hinted at, Petyr… Glyn had to admit, Petyr's hinted loyalty allowed Glyn to grasp the key point at once.
Combined with the seemingly normal yet strange situation in the Hand's Chamber, Glyn saw through Lord Jon's scheme.
As for what method Lord Jon used to make the impatient King Robert hide quietly in the back… Jon Arryn knew King Robert very well. He surely had his own methods, but the current Glyn only wanted to maliciously speculate about the process.
The first stage ended with Glyn becoming the executor of the anti-Targaryen plan and receiving 150,000 Gold Dragons in funding.
The second stage, Lord Jon used an open and honorable conspiracy.
In front of King Robert, Lord Jon very patiently and meticulously listed Glyn's merits, making Glyn an Earl in a reasonable and legitimate manner.
Could Glyn refuse on the spot? Why would he refuse? Under what pretext would he refuse?
This is Westeros. Glyn is legally a direct vassal of King Robert. Robert is not an easy King to talk to.
These were just superficial traps. Lord Jon's true purpose was to openly drive a wedge between Queen Cersei and Glyn.
Lord Jon must know Queen Cersei's personality very well, and this conspiracy was tailor-made according to her characteristics.
...
Glyn started walking again.
Glyn's good mood and bad mood were mixed together, making him feel complicated.
150,000 Gold Dragons was not Glyn's final goal. Glyn still needed to maneuver around Queen Cersei... to continue strengthening his power.
The most beloved Lord of Highgarden was still waiting to meet with Glyn again. This matter could not be separated from Queen Cersei's push.
Because his boss Cersei was his backer, Glyn actually had fewer worries when doing things.
When Glyn was in The Reach, setting up the stage, he was even ready to fight his way out if the situation got out of control… One of the important reasons for Glyn's confidence was that he had Queen Cersei behind him.
Glyn was on a mission for the Queen. As long as Lord Tywin didn't intervene, when things blew up, the iron-willed Cersei wouldn't care if you were from The Reach or any other reach; she would just be unyielding to the end.
...
Glyn thought about it. Although his boss Cersei was more than a little willful, her advantage of being generous with rewards was enough for Glyn, who was an employee.
Glyn nodded to himself. Overall, Cersei was a good boss.
But, Glyn was sure that boss Cersei's temper would be huge.
When Cersei makes up her mind about something, she won't listen to anyone's words, including Jaime's.
Glyn looked up at the sky again... did he really have to sacrifice his body to win back boss Cersei's trust?
(end of chapter)