"Anyone who wears a crown loses their mind," Tyrion agreed. "But when you cut someone down in the Great Sept of Baelor, didn't you tell Joffrey the truth?... Was it really Joffrey's idea?"
What a perfect lie, but now it was a mess. Revealing this would disgrace the King, using a fake minister to apologize. Not revealing it would completely offend the Northerners.
The regent queen mother frowned. "I earnestly warned him, repeatedly. As for the matter of swapping people, Joffrey is still a Child, so he wasn't aware. It didn't matter anyway; according to the plan, we were going to be lenient, declare that Eddard had repented and agreed to be sent to the Wall. Then we would kill that unlucky imposter, and when the real one departed would be our prerogative. This way, Joffrey would have a legitimate claim, and the Stark Direwolf would also be obedient. But Joffrey thought it was his responsibility to give the audience a good show. What could I do? He said he would cut off Lord Eddard's head in front of all the city residents, and Lord Janos and Ser Ilyn were even more impatient, happy to comply, without even asking me!"
Tyrion looked at the regent queen mother, "You also offended the High Septon, didn't you? This matter is already terrible. If Lord Stark's mouth hadn't refused to admit guilt, he probably would have lost his head."
The regent queen mother clenched her fists. "Now the High Septon is scolding us for first keeping things from him, and then defiling the Great Sept of Baelor with blood."
"So, this Toad also had a hand in this," Tyrion said, then moved on to the more important part. "Tell me, who came up with the brilliant idea of granting him Harrenhal and appointing him to the Small Council?"
"Littlefinger arranged it. We needed Janos Slynt's Gold Cloaks. At the time, Eddard Stark was acting a bit strange, occasionally going to places like smithies and brothels, and often investigating Hand Jon's associates. Also, this time he uncharacteristically wanted to go hunting with the King. Normally, he would have personally pursued the Mountain and fallen into my father's trap. Anyway, before all that, I went to see Littlefinger in the Black Cells. The one who counts coppers always has many friends, so arrangements were made in advance. Besides, Stark's eldest daughter was still a Child; I just sweet-talked her a little and learned more inside information," the regent queen mother said. "Eddard not only conspired with Renly to seize power but also wrote to Stannis, asking Stannis to stabilize the situation and help that bastard reclaim the throne. We nearly lost everything. If Eddard hadn't cared for his family, he wouldn't have dared to return to King's Landing. Although we won, it was extremely close, and as you can see, Renly and Stannis are both out there, and Eddard's bastard Jon and Barristan have also fled with letters."
It seemed Littlefinger had spilled a lot of information, Tyrion thought. Trusting Littlefinger, or Littlefinger knowing some of Eddard's information, was Eddard's biggest mistake.
Tyrion was greatly surprised. "Your luck is really not bad, sister. But a character like Littlefinger still has some uses. You even got information out of Sansa, Eddard's own daughter. This girl has always been a gentle and polite good Child, but unfortunately, she doesn't seem much like a Northerner."
The regent queen mother dismissed it: "Littlefinger is much better than the other few idiots. What does Varys know? Pycelle, that Old Man, is just a pile of old bones. Littlefinger at least has some use; it was also his suggestion to look into Eddard's associates, and I naturally thought of Sansa. As for that little girl from House Stark, she was experiencing her first love, only hoping to be with Joffrey, willing to do anything she was asked. I didn't expect him to cut off 'Eddard's' head and call it 'mercy.' Now her dream of love is shattered."
"Ha, His Majesty's way of winning affection is truly unique," Tyrion grinned. "The Small Council and the Kingsguard are severely understaffed. Now even Littlefinger and the butcher's son are considered capable."
"They are at least better than you. The Gold Cloaks have several thousand men."
"Have you considered who to bring into the White Knight?" Tyrion asked. "The recruits must be skilled."
The regent queen mother shook her head, "It's a time of war and chaos."
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