chapter 168 part 1
Chapter 168: Glyn's Friendship
Lancel Lannister said in horror, "No... don't... I didn't... I didn't..."
Glyn Crabbe raised an eyebrow and said, "Don't what? Didn't what?"
Lancel crawled over and tightly gripped one of Glyn's calves, pleading, "Glyn, believe me, I didn't do it willingly. I was ordered... I..."
Lancel's lips trembled, unable to think of a plausible excuse.
Glyn looked down at the red-eyed Lancel and said coldly, "Ordered? Lancel, are you saying the esteemed Queen Regent Cersei willingly opened her legs for you in the night?"
Lancel's eyes lit up. This was the truth; Glyn was indeed clever!
He hastily nodded repeatedly.
Glyn looked at Lancel's clear blue eyes. He moved his leg, shaking off Lancel's hand.
"Ser Lancel, you dare slander Queen Regent Cersei. The filth of your words cannot hide the truth. I imagine the Queen Regent was certainly coerced by your vile methods."
Lancel began to weep. "How could I dare..."
Glyn interrupted him. "Enough. I'd better hand you over to His Majesty Joffrey for judgment."
Lancel was already weeping profusely, his voice trembling. "For the sake of our friendship, I beg you, Lord Glyn!"
Glyn coldly refused. "Ser Lancel, save those words for His Majesty Joffrey. I recall he enjoys it when others beg so piteously."
Thinking of Joffrey's interrogations, Lancel trembled with fear.
"Lord Glyn, I swear I will never cross you again! Please, I beg you, do not hand me over to King Joffrey!"
Glyn's expression was hesitant. "You want me to deceive His Majesty Joffrey for you?"
Lancel quickly said, "As long as you are willing to let me go, I will leave King's Landing immediately. I swear it!"
Glyn stared for a moment at the pathetic Lancel, a look of reluctance on his face. He sighed lightly, then bent down and helped the terrified Lancel to his feet.
"Lancel, you have only just been knighted. I don't wish to see your promising future destroyed like this."
Glyn patted Lancel's shoulder. "I haven't forgotten our past friendship. You should stay."
Lancel's face was filled with disbelief. The sudden joy made tears stream down his face once more.
Lancel choked out, "Glyn... Glyn... I truly deserve death..."
Glyn picked up a wine flask from the table, poured a cup, and handed it to Lancel.
"No one will know of your affair. You will continue to stay by Queen Regent Cersei's side, maintain her trust, and satisfy her every need... Hmm, for the sake of our unchanging friendship."
Lancel wiped away his tears and cautiously took the wine cup. He looked at Glyn with some confusion.
"Ser Lancel, keep our firm friendship a secret. Continue to play your part well, and continue to be jealous of the trust Queen Regent Cersei places in me."
Lancel lowered his head and thought for a moment. He seemed to understand the hidden meaning in Glyn's words.
"Glyn, you want me to..."
Glyn nodded slightly and patted Lancel's arm. "This is a good thing. The Queen Regent will come to value us both more and more... Lancel, you won't be content with just the title of a knight, will you?"
Lancel's eyes sparkled as he looked at Glyn. He was somewhat excited. "Glyn, you are truly clever! I understand now! I'll do whatever you say. I swear it!"
Glyn raised his wine cup, gestured to Lancel, and said, "Ser Lancel, to our friendship, and to our wonderful future, let's drink."
Lancel joyfully raised his cup and drank.
After a pause, Lancel hesitated and said, "Glyn, then... in the future... will the Queen Regent still want me to..."
Glyn's brown eyes moved slightly, looking at the increasingly flushed Lancel.
"Lancel, do as you did before. Cheer up, Queen Regent Cersei is a great beauty... The Queen Regent has a difficult job, and she needs comfort. Everything you do is for our kingdom."
Lancel nodded dumbfounded.
Glyn put down his wine cup and said, "Ser Lancel, now tell me, why did you come to find me?"
Lancel first glanced at Glyn, then lowered his head and whispered, "I asked the Queen Regent to arrange a position for me in the City Watch."
"What did you say? And how did the Queen Regent respond?"
Lancel didn't dare breathe loudly. He honestly replied, "I said... the Gold Cloaks can't be entirely in the hands of non-Lannisters..."
He glanced at Glyn, and seeing that Glyn was not angry, he continued, "The Queen Regent... told me to come directly to you."
"Nothing else?"
Lancel hastily nodded.
After a moment of silence, Glyn's eyes twitched slightly.
"Lancel, it seems the Queen Regent still trusts you greatly. You must remember her grace."
Lancel showed a bewildered expression and couldn't help but scratch his head.
"Besides matters of state, Queen Regent Cersei certainly needs someone to help her handle private affairs. She will feel more at ease entrusting such things to you, a fellow Lannister."
Glyn added silently in his mind... *And you are easy to control, or rather, easy to deal with.*
Hearing Glyn's words, the corners of Lancel's mouth couldn't help but curl into a smile.
Glyn's eyes moved slightly. The current Lancel was easily losing his composure... To make Lancel a bit more reliable, Glyn decided to find an opportunity for Lancel to interact with Joffrey more often, which would also serve to solidify the friendship between them.
Lord Glyn sighed inwardly. First, it was Pycelle, and now Lancel. He was worried sick over them.
***
"Ser Lancel, I appoint you Captain of the Gold Cloaks' Red Keep Guard, to protect Queen Regent Cersei's safety alongside the Lannister Redcloaks."
Lancel excitedly puffed out his chest. "As you command, Lord Glyn!"
Glyn smiled and said, "Lancel, I'm entrusting the Red Keep and the Queen Regent's safety to you. Remember to carry out the Queen Regent's private affairs with all your heart. Do not disappoint her."
Lancel nodded emphatically. "Glyn, I understand. I will be sure to remember."
Glyn's expression was gentle. He placed a hand on Lancel's shoulder. "Lancel, we are good friends. I will support you."
He paused, then added, "Also, remember this: Robert I is already dead. You absolutely must not get the Queen Regent pregnant, or not even the gods will be able to save you."
Lancel, his face red, whispered, "Glyn, I... we... the Queen Regent doesn't allow me... I always... on her belly..."
Glyn raised an eyebrow. He understood.