"Fuck! You dog-fucking bastards, is it time to change shifts yet? I'm about to burst my bladder standing here!"
After barking this crude complaint, Ser Sandor Clegane stomped away with heavy, deliberate steps, clearly clearing the path for Jon.
Watching the Hound leave, the Shadow Hand wiped a layer of cold sweat from his nose and walked into Cersei's chambers, feeling a little dazed by the bizarre encounter.
Inside, the Baron of Tampa witnessed a rare sight: a peaceful Cersei.
At this moment, the woman who shared the bed of the Protector of the Realm was bathed in the warm afternoon sunlight. A serene, faint smile graced her lips, suggesting she was encountering something wonderful in her dreams.
Even after Jon entered, Cersei Lannister didn't wake up immediately.
This unexpectedly quiet scene felt strange and disorienting to Jon.
Just as he was scrutinizing her, the Queen finally began to stir. Sensing eyes on her, she murmured groggily.
"Rhaegar? No... is it Jaime?"
After mumbling these names, Cersei shook off the remnants of sleep and focused on Jon.
"Oh, it's you. Why didn't you wake me?"
As she scolded him, the Queen pulled a blanket over her shoulders, seemingly chilled despite the sun.
Seeing this, Jon didn't just stand there. He picked up a ceramic pitcher, poured a cup of warm milk, and handed it to her before finding a seat.
Given the current situation, the Baron of Tampa didn't have to worry about Cersei pouncing on him.
Judging by the Lioness's state, she was mentally exhausted. Whether it was from the stress of her failed plot or the burden of the child in her belly, he couldn't say.
Since she had summoned him, it clearly wasn't for a moment of pleasure. It felt more like she needed him to fulfill the obligations of an ally.
So, without waiting for the Queen to speak, Jon initiated the conversation, seizing the initiative.
"Regarding how you handled Robert... you were too impulsive. Of course, I must also reflect on my part. Since I had preparations in place, I should have informed you beforehand..."
While stating his position, Jon's gaze drifted to Cersei's belly.
By his calculation, he had been in King's Landing for over half a year.
This meant that if the child was truly his, she would need at least another four or five months to safely navigate this crisis.
But no matter how you looked at it, Robert couldn't stay away from King's Landing forever.
Furthermore, there are no secrets that stay hidden forever. Perhaps Littlefinger had already sensed something was wrong but chose to ignore it due to the power of House Lannister.
As for Varys, unless the Spider found a suitable pawn or goal, he wouldn't waste an opportunity lightly.
Ironically, the guards protecting Cersei were the ones Jon worried about the least.
They were Lannister men, their fates tied tightly to the House of the Lion.
If the Usurper ever found out about this scandal, and none of them had reported it beforehand, their heads would be decorating the city walls right alongside Cersei's. Their silence was guaranteed by self-preservation.
So, the immediate problem to solve was the Usurper himself.
Perhaps for other kings, dealing with such a scandal would be a matter of politics—finding an excuse to annul the marriage or arranging an "accident" to make the illegitimate child disappear quietly.
Even if it embarrassed their allies, it wouldn't necessarily lead to all-out war.
But the Usurper was the Usurper. A man who started a rebellion for honor and seized the Iron Throne by force was definitely not the type to suffer in silence or play the long game.
If he discovered this, the entire capital would likely be drowned in blood.
At that point, even with Ned Stark protecting him, Jon probably wouldn't be able to stay out of it.
It was more likely that some well-informed opportunist would sell him out to the Usurper. God only knows what fate would await him and Lord Ned, the man who raised him.
Thinking of this, Jon could only sigh silently in his heart. "Please forgive me, Your Grace. Sacrificing just you will bring happiness to everyone else."
After silently apologizing to Robert, Jon quickly assured Cersei that he would ensure she and the child in her belly would survive.
But to execute this plan smoothly, he needed more power—power to control the unexpected variables.
The reality was that while Jon had some fame, it all derived from King Robert's favor.
This borrowed authority couldn't shake the Usurper's position when necessary, nor could it provide the military support he needed.
Jon paused for a moment, then leaned in, whispering into Cersei's ear like a devil tempting a mortal.
"At the very least, I need forces that will obey us absolutely."
"Think about it. If things change, can you count on anyone besides your red-cloaks to abandon the Usurper and choose rebels like us?"
Jon's insinuation hit right at the heart of the Lannister Queen's fears.
Fortunately, Cersei had actually anticipated this possibility and made some moves already.
But just as a rebuttal reached her lips, the Queen swallowed it back.
The web of interests binding them was locked tight; there was no possibility of untangling it.
For a moment of pleasure, she had even driven Jaime away in anger.
Recalling this, the Lioness suddenly felt powerless. In the end, the only people she could truly rely on were her family—blood was thicker than water—not this inscrutable young man before her.
Even though Cersei knew better than anyone that the child in her womb—the one even Moon Tea couldn't dislodge—was his.
But right now, the rational Queen had no intention of handing her life and her children's lives over to him.
Besides, she had other children to protect.
However, even though the Queen offered no feedback, Jon proceeded to offer his advice as a matter of course.
Whether this suggestion was truly to bridge the rift between the Wolf and the Lion, or genuinely for Cersei's benefit, was something worth pondering.
Ignoring Cersei's silence, Jon continued, suggesting that the Queen should find an excuse to summon a Lannister army to the capital.
As for the reason? There happened to be a perfect one right now.
House Lannister should humble itself, admit fault for the attack on Ned Stark, and use the "massive amount of gold" required for reparations as a pretext to send a large escort of troops.
Why send the reparations to King's Landing instead of the North? Naturally, to show loyalty to King Robert and apologize in person.
Moreover, Lord Ned was in King's Landing, not Winterfell.
So, the excuse held water perfectly.