Chapter 797: Chapter 797: The Governor's Wife
Two years ago, two men simultaneously sought to marry the former queen, Cersei, from the Emperor of the Empire.
One was Euron Greyjoy, the Governor of the Iron Islands. He came to King's Landing for an audience and, upon seeing Cersei, couldn't take his eyes off her. He vowed to marry her, making it his second request to the Emperor for her hand in marriage.
The other suitor seeking the hand of the former queen, wife of Robert Baratheon, was Tobho Mott, the Empire's master craftsman and the Master of Guilds.
As a blacksmith by origin who had risen to a seat on the Small Council, the best way for him to integrate into the noble circle was to marry a woman of noble birth. Cersei, whose family had perished and lacked a maternal house, became a choice.
After Viserys allowed Cersei to leave the Red Keep, Tobho Mott began his fervent pursuit of her.
However, when asked for her opinion, Cersei ultimately chose to marry Euron Greyjoy, the Governor of the Iron Islands.
Although the Iron Islands now had only a few thousand people after the disaster, Euron was still young and vigorous, better than marrying a balding old man.
Moreover, Tobho Mott was a blacksmith by origin. Although he had a stroke of luck crafting a sword for His Majesty the Emperor, becoming a noble and even sitting on the Small Council, Cersei still looked down on him from the bottom of her heart.
Two years ago, Cersei left the Red Keep to marry Euron Greyjoy, a glorious remarriage. Now, the former dynasty had passed, and the new dynasty had firmly established itself, shining like the midday sun.
Unless one was a fool, no one would consider using Cersei, Joffrey, or others to rebel, unless they could withstand the attack of eight giant dragons. Furthermore, Cersei's remarriage meant relinquishing her status as the former queen.
Viserys had fulfilled his earlier promise. Cersei had surrendered the capital of the Seven Kingdoms in its entirety, and he would spare the lives of her two children and herself.
Cersei had actually also requested to spare Jaime, but Viserys didn't agree. Although he didn't harbor much hatred for this 'father-killer,' as a transmigrator, he didn't consider Aerys, whom he had only met once, as his father.
Although forgiving a father-killer might sound like a beautiful tale, unless Jaime had accomplished some heaven-defying feat, it would still invite criticism.
However, over the years, Viserys hadn't really taken the matter of tracking down Jaime seriously, which was an indirect way of sparing him.
After remarrying Euron, Cersei took her and Jaime's daughter, Myrcella, with her, believing her young daughter needed her care.
She had also wanted to take Joffrey, but for various reasons, she was unsuccessful. Thus, Joffrey was left in King's Landing. After being abandoned by his birth mother, his character flaws magnified, turning him into his current self.
"You..."
"Tyrion, what did you just say?"
It took Jaime a long while to react to his brother's words, and he asked in a dazed manner.
Tyrion, however, closed his eyes in pain, taking a deep breath. He couldn't bear to see his brother in this state. Jaime had just removed his disguise, revealing his true appearance, but Tyrion didn't see the handsome knight with golden hair, green eyes, and a smile as sharp as a blade that he once was.
Tyrion only saw a middle-aged man with Jaime's facial features, but with darkened skin and a heavy stubble.
Jaime seemed to have experienced many vicissitudes over the years, and his eyes no longer carried the pride and confidence they once did, instead becoming more settled.
But all the setbacks Jaime had experienced were nothing compared to Tyrion's words now.
Tyrion's words were like a sharp spear, ruthlessly piercing through the last fragile defenses of Jaime's heart.
"Cersei remarried?"
The black-haired, hook-nosed man was actually wearing a mask as a disguise. Tyrion didn't know if Jaime had shed tears behind the mask, but his gaze still made Tyrion slightly uncomfortable. So Tyrion took another deep breath and spoke.
"Yes, you heard correctly, Jaime."
"Cersei has remarried."
Although he was reluctant to face Jaime's gaze, Tyrion felt that some things needed to be made clear. Therefore, his tone was somewhat heavier as he repeated it once more.
"Tyrion," Jaime said, slightly dazed for a moment, then seemed to think of something, like a drowning man grasping at a piece of driftwood. He finally asked, "Did you tell her that I'm still alive?"
Jaime hoped that Cersei didn't know he was still alive and thus hadn't continued waiting, remarrying someone else. However, Tyrion looked at Jaime with a sorrowful expression and shook his head, ruthlessly shattering his illusion.
"I once tried to stop her, but I failed."
"I told her the news that you were still alive, but Cersei locked herself in her room and cried her heart out. Then, when she came out, she still told me that she was going to marry Euron Greyjoy."
"And..." Tyrion hesitated again at this point but only paused for a moment before continuing, "Cersei hoped that I would tell you in the future that you had escaped for five years, and she had waited for you for five years."
"But she didn't want to continue doing laundry for people in the Red Keep."
Tyrion's words once again silenced Jaime. He lowered his head slightly, took a deep breath, then raised his head again.
But this time, his eyes no longer held the earlier sadness, seeming to have calmed his emotions and become much more composed.
However, at this moment, there seemed to be some conflict in the banquet hall on the other side. Two Dothraki men were shouting something loudly.
It seemed that Qaithe's guards were somewhat unbalanced, denouncing the other party for changing the proud traditions of the Dothraki. They stepped forward to provoke Khal Jhaqo, and Jhaqo's guards also stood up. The two Dothraki men were about to engage in a duel inside the banquet hall.
But although Jaime had calmed his emotions, he had no desire to watch the commotion. He only glanced in that direction before shifting his gaze back to his brother, asking, "So who did Cersei marry later?"
"At that time, two men were pursuing her simultaneously. One was the Governor of the Iron Islands, Euron Greyjoy, and the other was the Master of Guilds, Tobho Mott."
"But in the end, Cersei chose to marry Euron Greyjoy, the 'Iron King,' moving to the Iron Islands. She has now shed the title of queen and become the Governor's wife of Pyke."
Tyrion shook his head and said, "I heard she's pregnant again."