The sun shone brightly.
The Crown Prince's chambers were tall and spacious with a wide view. Hannah leaned by the window, looking out, and almost the entire Red Keep was visible.
His Highness's favor had granted her the qualification to observe the workings of the court.
It had been four months.
The Red Keep had no King, no Queen, no Princes, and no Princesses.
The four Hand of the Kings each went their own way, the courtiers didn't know whom to consult, the petitions in the Throne Room had long since stalled, and the servants merely repeated their daily tasks, maintaining the status quo.
During the day, the Red Keep was bustling with people, lively yet calm, seemingly no different from before.
But Hannah had already sensed the undercurrents.
Beneath the empty Iron Throne, she saw courtiers sharing a gluttonous feast, the deliciousness of which was named power and money.
She saw the Master of Coin, Petyr Baelish, merging industries such as brothels and taverns in King's Landing at an increasingly rapid pace and on an increasingly large scale, with countless courtiers and their lackeys also profiting greatly.
No one knew what Littlefinger had done to the royal treasury and taxes.
She saw the Master of Whisperers, Varys, spending increasingly long periods in that dark little room, even missing the weekly Hand of the King meetings.
His Highness had told her that the room below was connected to all the secret passages in the Red Keep.
She saw the Grand Maester Pycelle summon many young female attendants one after another. His apprentice, Samwell Tarly, who had entered the palace on His Highness's orders, had almost become a full-time servant.
She saw the Master of Laws, Renly Baratheon, becoming increasingly lenient in handling legal matters, spending his days carousing and playing with Loras Tyrell.
And the rumors of that "Highgarden Rose" must have been spread by the Tyrells.
These past few days, people in the Red Keep and the city had been praising her beauty, saying it could rival the most delicate Winter Roses, yet these people had never even seen her appearance.
Why mention Winter Roses?
With her keen intuition and experience of court life, Hannah quickly thought of Lyanna Stark, the King's former betrothed.
Margaery Tyrell was fantasizing about replacing Queen Cersei?!
The struggle between the Lannisters and the Tyrells, another hidden and dangerous court game, would cause many to die in unknown corners.
Hannah no longer cared about these things.
She knew that once His Highness's goal was achieved, all of the Tyrells' efforts would be in vain.
His Highness had sent messages through magic seven times, each one briefer than the last, all giving instructions on matters concerning the Red Keep and King's Landing, telling her nothing else.
But she had guessed.
If King Robert could still arrive in King's Landing alive, why would His Highness have sent the signal "Action in Seven Days" the day before yesterday?
King's Landing in chaos, the King dead, this was what would happen in a week.
And she would serve as His Highness's eyes, mouth, and arm in the Red Keep, helping him scrutinize courtiers, convey orders, and deal with traitors.
"Steward Hannah, may I ask if you have any instructions?"
An inconspicuous middle-aged man stood respectfully behind her, asking softly.
This was a fortunate commoner, who had luckily gotten a job in the Red Keep and was then accidentally noticed by the Crown Prince's new steward, Hannah. Now he had become one of several deputy stewards.
Hannah knew his codename, "Hidden Deer."
"Anything new lately? With His Highness gone, it's getting really boring."
Hannah waved her hand, dismissing everyone.
The servants silently left the room, all gossiping about the relationship between the two. No wonder this guy had become a deputy steward.
Hidden Deer handed over a scroll of data. "Recently, a Red Robed, Red Haired Sorceress named Melisandre has appeared in the city. It is said she is from Asshai and is a Priestess of R'hllor, the Lord of Light."
Hannah unrolled the paper.
Hidden Deer scoffed, "Just for her beauty, many men in the city are about to abandon their faith and prepare to embrace R'hllor."
"Is that so? Now will men love the Highgarden Rose or this Priestess more? The Gods bless, I hope no lives are lost." She silently read the words on the paper.
Our Strength:
Thirteen intermediate officers, forty-six junior officers, and two hundred fifty-eight soldiers in the King's Landing City Watch.
Over a thousand Secret Personnel, over three thousand peripheral members.
One hundred fifty-six Lannister guards, over thirty attendants, over four hundred servants.
Strength ascertained by the Master of Coin:
One hundred fifty sellswords, over ten King's Landing City Watch officers, over fifty soldiers, nearly half of the close courtiers, almost all of the stewards, big and small, in the treasury, Mint, Port, Tax Collectors, and Agents.
Strength ascertained by the Master of Whisperers:
Over five hundred Little Birds, nearly half of the courtiers in contact, over twenty King's Landing City Watch officers.
(Target is alerted, recommended immediate action)
Strength ascertained by the Master of Laws:
Over twenty Baratheon guards, over twenty sellswords, over fifty friendly Knights, potential allies difficult to estimate.
The Hidden Deer looked regretful. "There's one more thing. The fleet that set out to meet the Dragon Spawn has returned. They didn't find any ship carrying the False King on the Pentos route. Lord Varys was likely deceived."
"What a pity. The Gods be praised, may they be buried at the bottom of the sea," Hannah sighed, shaking her head.
She compared this data with the data from two weeks ago. There wasn't much change among their own people, but quite a few more rebels had been identified. It was clear that if they continued investigating, the number would likely be even higher.
Littlefinger, the Spider, Renly, the Gold Cloaks... who would want to take on these four forces simultaneously?
Just a few months ago, she could only stand behind the Queen and bow to these important figures, and they wouldn't even spare her a glance.
She listened to the Queen converse with them, her calm words hiding sharp barbs. A word or two could involve immense, maddening interests. In their back-and-forth, various pawns were sacrificed, while they remained unharmed.
Now, the blade was finally going to cut them themselves.
"Lord Steward, the decorations you ordered have arrived. When would you like them arranged?"
Hannah handed the Hidden Deer another slip of paper. "I don't seem to like them that much anymore. I'll think about it again."
The writing on the paper was elegant: Action at dawn in five days. By His Majesty's decree, arrest the former Master of Coin and the Master of Whisperers, and clear out the rebel King's Landing City Watch.
Secretly dispose of Renly Baratheon, who murdered Duke Stannis.
No need to pursue other retainers.
Lock down the entire city. No one is allowed in or out. Kill anyone who resists.
Invite Duke Tywin to the palace to discuss state affairs.
This was a somewhat feasible plan, but it was far from perfect. The risks were considerable.
The enemy's strength hadn't been fully ascertained. How much resistance would there be?
Hannah and the Lannisters were not sufficient to issue orders on behalf of the King. How would the courtiers react to this?
And if it actually succeeded, how would they explain it afterward?
Hannah was very worried. Why did His Highness trust her so much? Why did he think it would definitely succeed?
"Lord Steward, a small gift, nothing much." The Hidden Deer presented another silver plate with a small line written in jam: The Hound has arrived in King's Landing.
How useful could one warrior be?
Hannah still felt deeply uneasy, but she couldn't think of any other options.
Regardless, they would know in five days.
"Go."
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