chapter 166 part 1
Chapter 166: A Wary Heart
Maegor's Holdfast, the Small Council chambers.
Cersei Lannister glanced with satisfaction at the four letters personally penned by Sansa Stark, then instructed Varys to seal them with Lord Eddard's direwolf sigil.
The recipients of the four letters were, respectively: Sansa's mother, Lady of Winterfell, Catelyn Tully; Sansa's eldest brother, Heir of Winterfell, Robb Stark; Sansa's aunt, Lady of the Eyrie, Lysa Tully; and Sansa's maternal grandfather, Lord of Riverrun, Hoster Tully.
...
"Pour me some wine."
Queen Cersei took the wine glass offered by a handmaiden, the corners of her lips curling to reveal her current smugness and delight.
She took a sip of the summerwine and said, "My poor Sansa has truly suffered."
Varys finished sealing the letters. He said with a beaming smile, "The innocent maiden has also, in a way, saved her father..."
As he spoke, he briefly glanced at Queen Cersei and continued, "She is still looking forward to marrying our King Joffrey in the Great Sept of Baelor, letting all of King's Landing witness her beautiful, grand wedding."
Queen Cersei's lips merely curved slightly, but she made no sound.
Grand Maester Pycelle's voice carried a hint of worry, "For the sake of familial affection, I hope they make a wise choice and come to King's Landing for the coronation, swearing fealty to King Joffrey."
Varys clasped his hands together, appearing very much at ease. "They will soon know that Sansa is receiving our kind care, and everything is safe and sound... They will surely be very grateful for Her Grace's benevolence..."
After a pause, Varys rose and bowed his head toward Cersei, his voice filled with emotion.
"Your Grace, not only have you pacified the rebels, but now... with just a few sheets of paper and a pen, you will soon stabilize the chaos following Robert I's passing. Your wisdom truly is... something to be admired."
As Varys's words fell, the old and decrepit Grand Maester Pycelle glanced at the smiling Varys and quickly rose to bow his head as well.
Queen Cersei lifted her chin, her expression arrogant. "Some victories are won with longswords and spears, while others are won with parchment and ravens."
This was a lesson Lord Tywin had taught his children back at Casterly Rock, when Cersei was still a young girl.
...
Queen Cersei's eyes shifted as she asked, "Has the wolf in the black cells woken up?"
Varys replied, "He has woken. They say his condition is not good. The gaoler says he hasn't touched his food, or perhaps those things are simply too hard to swallow."
Queen Cersei snorted, mocking, "Is he repenting to the gods?"
After a pause, she added coldly, "Let the wolf taste starvation. Just send him some water every day. As long as he doesn't die in there, that's fine."
Varys bowed his head. "As you command, Queen Cersei."
Grand Maester Pycelle chimed in from the side, "Your Grace, that is a good idea. A weakened wolf is always harmless."
Queen Cersei's eyes twitched. She recalled Lord Eddard's ferocity; she absolutely could not let him live comfortably.
"Tell the gaoler: one cup of water a day."
Varys bowed his head again, accepting the order.
After a moment of silence, Queen Cersei said thoughtfully, "After Joffrey's coronation, it would be best to publicly try Lord Eddard Stark for treason."
Grand Maester Pycelle pondered, then slowly spoke, "It would be best if Lord Stark publicly admitted his treason before a large audience. This would help establish the new king's authority."
Queen Cersei frowned slightly, paused, then said, "Stark is a stubborn man who holds to his principles. Sansa might not be effective in this matter."
Pycelle's cloudy eyes moved, and he said, "Your Grace, perhaps the young lady could meet with her father. He should at least be given a chance to change his ways... If we offer him the chance to take the black, I believe his obedient daughter will persuade him."
Queen Cersei was somewhat moved. She felt Pycelle's suggestion sounded good.
Varys, however, spoke up to object, "Queen Cersei, allowing the young lady to meet her father is far too risky."
Queen Cersei and Grand Maester Pycelle both looked at Varys simultaneously.
"We cannot underestimate the stubbornness of Northerners. If we let father and daughter meet, I truly worry... might they do something we never expected? Such as... a final parting in death... For honor, Lord Stark would never cling to life."
After a pause, Varys added, "By then, we would be the ones in a difficult position."
Pycelle spoke up, "Your Grace, I hear Lord Stark values his family greatly."
Varys glanced at Pycelle. "Queen Cersei, both father and daughter are in our hands. There is no need to gamble."
Queen Cersei pondered for a moment, then said, "Varys, tell me your plan."
Varys's chubby face bore a shallow smile. "That young lady should remain in her state of innocence. Let's not have her witness such a terrible scene... Otherwise, it would be too cruel to her."
After speaking, Varys even shivered as if in fear.
Queen Cersei said impatiently, "Enough. Get to the point."
Varys shrank his neck and hurriedly said, "Queen Cersei, you can entrust this matter to me. I guarantee I will make Lord Stark dutifully confess his crimes."
Pycelle's expression showed slight displeasure. "Lord Varys, didn't you just say Lord Stark was a stubborn man? Don't forget how he treated us when he was Hand of the King..."
Saying this, Grand Maester Pycelle looked at Queen Cersei and continued, "Your Grace, Lord Stark will at least be concerned for his daughter's safety."
Varys shook his head and said, "Grand Maester Pycelle, that is precisely the point I intend to leverage."
Varys turned to Queen Cersei, his smile deepening. "The allure of fear is in the unknown, is it not? A good father, for the sake of his good daughter... will eventually compromise."
Sunlight streamed into the room. Queen Cersei's golden hair shone like the sun, and her faint smile held a hint of mockery.
"Varys, I will trust your tongue this once."
Varys smiled broadly. "Queen Cersei, thank you for your trust."
Grand Maester Pycelle resumed his sleepy-eyed demeanor, remaining silent.
...
Queen Cersei gave a slight nod. She took a sip of wine, then suddenly gave a soft snort and said, "Varys, Pycelle, my late husband's two brothers have not yet submitted..."
With a clink, Queen Cersei set down her wine glass and continued, "Their ambition is not small in the least. Those two are our greatest enemies."
The smile on Varys's face did not change. "Your Grace, at least those two will not form an alliance. That is something everyone knows."
The feelings between the Baratheon brothers were "deep." Varys's words received Queen Cersei's approval.
Queen Cersei glanced sideways at Varys with her beautiful eyes. "Varys, you are truly clever."
Varys bowed his head respectfully. "Queen Cersei, I have only bathed in a bit of your wisdom. It is my greatest honor."
Facing Varys's sweet talk, Queen Cersei accepted it calmly. To her, Varys was merely speaking the truth, not something worthy of making her happy.