Tywin looked at the message that had arrived by raven and couldn't help but sink into deep thought. What had happened at Duskendale was meticulously written on the paper, with every possible detail, so much so that even Cadmus would have been surprised.
Raising his head and looking at his foolish son, Tywin asked in a deep, solemn tone, "You saw him. What is this Court Mage like?"
"I didn't get very close to him, but he seemed like a nice person, always smiling and talking pleasantly with people. It's truly hard to associate someone so thin with such a powerful being," Jaime thought for a moment and replied in a calm tone.
"Lion cubs are also adorable, but they have fangs; something seemingly harmless can be a terrifying predator," Tywin said coldly, looking at Jaime with a touch of disappointment in his voice. He couldn't believe someone so stupid had come from his loins.
He had thought that after his time in King's Landing, Jaime would have matured, but instead of focusing on important matters as his heir, the boy spent his life on futile tournaments and women; he hadn't even married over the years.
Honestly, he felt a deep envy of Aerys for having a son like Rhaegar; the man had secured a good son while he had a stupid prototype of a knight with honor and skill. If it were for any other noble house, perhaps it would be enough, but this was House Lannister, and they were surrounded by enemies.
So, to say that Jaime was a disappointment, Tywin wasn't really lying; the man genuinely felt a profound disappointment in Jaime.
"Look at you, all calm," seeing his son's calm expression, Tywin couldn't help but speak with a touch of sarcasm, something he detested doing. Sarcasm was something he had always believed to be futile and unimportant.
"Do you know what it means to have such a powerful man by the king's side? Do you have any idea that we will die if he becomes furious and attacks us? We have no defenses, no resources, and not enough soldiers to fight against this magical aberration," Tywin said, his voice tinged with anger; Jaime's calm expression was truly irritating him.
"I know, but showing fear or panic won't help anything," Jaime said in a calm tone, but there was a deep exhaustion in his gaze. Being the son of the crown's greatest enemy was stressful and profoundly dangerous, especially with such a powerful mage in the Court of King's Landing.
However, to Jaime's surprise, Tywin pulled out an object and tossed it to him. Looking at the necklace in his hand, Jaime took a deep breath, his eyes widening. The chain was gold, and the medallion looked like a small box made of gold and glass. An eye could be seen resting on the red upholstery inside the small gold box.
"The eye of Lann the Clever, our ancestor," Tywin said in a calm tone. "It will give you the power of a thousand men, as well as the ability to influence people through your voice. Remember, use it only three times a day; any more than that, and you will pay a terrible price."
"And if I use it more than three times?" Jaime couldn't help but ask curiously as he looked at the Holy Relic before him.
Tywin looked at Jaime as if he were looking at an idiot, but still replied in a calm tone. "The eye will devour your body starting from your own eye, and then it will gradually control your body until you become its slave."
Jaime felt a chill run down his spine at this information; he felt that the Holy Relic was not as holy as many claimed. It seemed more like a cursed object than anything sacred.
"From this moment on, you will be on watch at all times. If the mage attacks, kill him," Tywin looked at his son and spoke in a solemn, cold tone.
"I know, Father," Jaime nodded and replied in an equally solemn tone. He knew that the entire security of House Lannister now rested on his shoulders.
"Go. Seeing your stupid face for too long tires me," Tywin gave the order to leave without any hesitation. The man picked up a quill and began writing a letter, not just to Hoster Tully, but also to Jon Arryn and Robert Baratheon. Westeros had to return to how it was before, to the time before Aegon's arrival.
Even if Jaime couldn't fight the mage, Tywin wouldn't die without setting this continent on fire. At the same time, he was already discreetly planning to send some descendants to Essos. One should never put all their eggs in one basket.
-
Cadmus didn't know he had terrified the old lion; at that moment, he was holding a book, reading. However, he couldn't keep reading for long, as a certain girl was lying on his bed, watching him with a bright gaze.
"Is there something on my face?" Cadmus asked, looking at Daenerys, who was practically using his room as if it were her own.
Still lying on his bed, with no intention of leaving, Daenerys laughed at his expression and spoke adorably, "I thought you looked handsome, all focused while reading. Can't I look?"
Obviously, nothing had happened between them besides the kiss, but Daenerys had become quite open toward Cadmus.
Hearing her words, Cadmus stroked his clean-shaven chin and said with a smile, "You gave me a good idea for making money." He continued, "I'll start charging every time a woman stares at me; I'll be rich."
Daenerys rolled her eyes, seeing Cadmus's narcissism for the first time, though she found it adorable. Resting her chin between her palms, she said in an amused tone, "If you pose naked for the ladies who like to paint, you really will make a lot of money."
"I am the worthy Lord of Harrenhal; how could I submit to that?" Cadmus rolled his eyes and looked at Daenerys with a smile. "If you want to paint me naked, just ask; I'll reluctantly accept."
This time it was Daenerys's turn to roll her eyes and laugh, but she didn't think the idea was entirely bad. As a princess, she had a lot of free time, so she also painted. The idea of painting Cadmus naked was quite tempting in her eyes.
Cadmus remembered something and asked with a smile, "Speaking of Harrenhal, I still haven't made my House Peverell coat of arms. Want to help me?"
Daenerys's eyes lit up at Cadmus's words. "Do you have something in mind?" she asked, getting up from the bed, her black dress a bit messy but still equally impressive on her.
"On a green field, a phoenix with spread wings holding a wand and a book. The motto would be something like 'Magic, Knowledge, and Power'," Cadmus said in a somewhat uncertain tone. There were so many options that it was truly hard to choose a suitable coat of arms. He was undecided between a Phoenix and the Deathly Hallows, but he still chose the Phoenix.
(Note: Honestly, I'm terrible at using ChatGPT or any other AI to create an image; it never works out when I do it. If anyone has some free time, send the image in the comments, and if I find it suitable, I'll give credit to whichever one I choose.)
Although the Deathly Hallows were interesting, they didn't convey as much majesty as a Phoenix, which literally existed by his side.
Daenerys nodded and looked at Cadmus with glowing eyes, speaking in a voice full of confidence. "Don't worry, I will paint the best heraldry this continent has ever seen."
"I believe you, Princess," Cadmus laughed and spoke in an amused tone. Since Daenerys seemed interested in doing this for him, he wouldn't refuse.
Suddenly, someone knocked on the bedroom door, startling Daenerys. She showed a look of panic and quickly hid under the dark oak desk.
Cadmus rolled his eyes but didn't stop her from hiding. With a flick of his wrist, the door opened, revealing the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Gerold Hightower. The old Kingsguard looked around the room for a moment and then at Cadmus.
"Lord Mage, His Grace asked me to inform you that all preparations for the show are ready," Gerold spoke in a solemn and helpless tone. As a member of House Hightower, having grown up under the eyes of the Faith of the Seven in Oldtown, what was about to happen truly put his loyalty to the test.
On one side was his faith; on the other were his duty and his oath. Any man would be torn between those two things, and Gerold was no different.
"Thank you, Lord Commander," Cadmus thanked him with a smile. He looked at the old Kingsguard, and his smile widened.
"Don't feel pressured, Lord Commander. You know better than anyone how evil this is. They are monsters in human skin," Cadmus said in a gentle tone; he could see that the Kingsguard was filled with complex emotions.
"I know, but it's still hard to break old habits," Gerold sighed and spoke in a calm yet complex tone. After learning what the Faith of the Seven had done to House Targaryen, he had lost all respect, reverence, and devotion.
Thinking of the Dowager Queen's expression of pain, the Lord Commander looked at Cadmus with a complex gaze and left, his back slightly hunched.
Daenerys's head popped up from above the desk, watching the Kingsguard disappear down the hallway. Placing her hand on her chest, she let out a sigh of relief.
"That was close," she said, her voice still nervous. Although she knew Gerold didn't spread rumors, her brother would find out, and she would be in real trouble.
"Go back to your room, my lovely princess. I have to put on a beautiful show for King's Landing to witness," Cadmus said with a smile, looking at Daenerys with a provocative gaze.
Huffing coldly, the princess walked toward the exit, but before leaving, she looked back and winked, making Cadmus roll his eyes.
"Let's start the show," he murmured, looking out the window at the city below.
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Read my other books:
Game Of Thrones: The God-Emperor of Planetos (500,000 words written).
Percy Jackson: Godwyn the Golden.
Game Of Thrones: The King's Court Wizard