Chapter 175: Tywin

After the council meeting ended, Robert hurried back to his own bedroom.

And there was already someone waiting for him there.

Bang—

Robert angrily pushed the door open.

Inside the king's chamber, a tall and slender man with broad shoulders was sitting in a chair, waiting for his return.

The man's head was slightly balding, with thick golden sideburns and a beard, and his pale green eyes held an awe-inspiring authority.

He was none other than Queen Cersei's father, King Robert's father-in-law, and the Lord of Casterly Rock, Tywin Lannister. Seated on the chair in front of him was his daughter Cersei.

Behind the chair where Cersei sat, there was a knight wearing a white cloak, with a handsome and clean face, neatly trimmed stubble, and a slightly raised chin, which made him appear somewhat arrogant to others.

His one hand gripped the hilt of his sword as he stood behind the chair. He was the Queen's younger brother, 'Kingslayer' Jaime Lannister.

The king had not yet returned after receiving a report, and the Lannister family of three was chatting.

Then, from afar, they could hear the thunderous footsteps outside the door. The door was violently pushed open, and King Robert strode in.

Tywin, who was sitting in the chair, chatting with his two children, couldn't help but frown slightly at the sight, and then exchanged a glance with his daughter.

Cersei had just been complaining to her father about her husband's volatile temper, lamenting that she hadn't enjoyed any benefits as a queen in the Red Keep, and that her days in Casterly Rock as a child were better.

Tywin advised his daughter that, regardless of the circumstances, she should always put the family's honor first. Robert was the king, and the idea of her divorcing the king was nearly impossible.

At this moment, Tywin seemed to understand his daughter's predicament in King's Landing.

His son-in-law had changed greatly, indeed, looking nothing like the young man of valor and spirit he once was. Now he was fat, like a pregnant woman, his belly jiggling as he walked.

"Your Grace."

Tywin stood up from his chair, placing both hands in front of him. He looked at Robert's current appearance and squinted his eyes, then spoke in a calm tone.

Robert, who had just entered the room with a belly full of rage and nowhere to vent it, seemed to have his anger somewhat deflated by his father-in-law's gaze.

Only then did he remember that his attendant had reminded him that the Lord of Casterly Rock had arrived.

But at that moment, Robert was in a fit of rage and had completely forgotten about it.

"I apologize, I just had to handle some state affairs."

Robert grumbled a bit, and after two snorts, the anger in his stomach subsided quite a bit, but his tone was still filled with irritation.

"When did the Lord of Casterly Rock arrive?"

"Just when Your Grace was in the throne room."

Tywin stood in front of the chair, his eyes calmly looking at his son-in-law as he spoke.

"It's been many years since I've been to King's Landing, so I thought it would be a good time to visit Cersei and Jaime."

Tywin's son and daughter were both in King's Landing, with only his unappreciated youngest son Tyrion left at home. So, it was natural for Tywin to come and see his children.

Robert, however, sat down in his specially designed seat with a creaking noise from the overburdened chair.

He then picked up his wine glass from the cluttered desk filled with documents and held it in his hand. Hearing his father-in-law's words, he nodded slightly.

"Ah... visiting Cersei and Jaime."

"Alright," Robert nodded, only to realize that his wine glass was still empty. He glared angrily at the attendant who failed to notice this. "Pour the wine!"

"Yes, yes, Your Grace." The attendant standing dutifully behind Robert with the wine pitcher trembled at the King's sudden outburst. He hastily poured the wine, but his shaking hand caused some to spill onto Robert's hand.

Robert glared at the attendant once more but said nothing this time. The rotund king then raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp, causing his somewhat darkened cheeks to flush with color. The irritation and anger he felt earlier seemed to vanish, and even his mind seemed to clear up.

Setting his wine glass aside, Robert allowed the attendant to refill it before turning his piercing gaze back to Tywin. Tywin, in turn, felt a slight chill in his heart and narrowed his eyes.

Everyone knew that the current king was considered a 'fool,' but a king was still a king. As the man who had conquered Westeros and overthrown Targaryen rule, as long as he lived, Robert was not someone to be belittled by lesser men. Even the cunning Tywin felt pressure under Robert's gaze.

After studying Tywin intently for a while, Robert finally spoke with a booming voice, "Cersei and Jaime are doing well in King's Landing. You need not worry, Lord Tywin."

"Lately, state affairs have been rather busy, and I've neglected spending time with Cersei. Thankfully, her brother Jaime is here as well, so she won't be too bored."

At this point, Robert glanced at his queen. The noble blonde woman noticed her husband's gaze and quickly offered a cooperative smile, nodding slightly. The white-cloaked knight behind her kept his head down, staring at the floor, not responding to the king's words, seemingly lost in thought.

Despite Robert's grandiose words about being busy with state affairs, it was well known among many in King's Landing that the king often slept outside the Red Keep. Even the Hand of the King, Jon Arryn, sometimes had to find Robert at 'Chataya's Brothel' when he needed to speak with him. Robert frequented this place owned by a dark-skinned woman from the Summer Islands, utterly disregarding his nation's dignity.

"Thank you, Your Grace," the balding middle-aged man replied, nodding his head calmly.

He had just discussed with his son the possibility of returning to Casterly Rock to inherit his title, only to be refused by Jaime once again.

Robert drank another glass of wine, his face reddening, but the alcohol seemed to sharpen his mind even more. He continued to stare intently at his father-in-law, then abruptly spoke, "Honorable Lord Tywin... your visit this time isn't just to see Cersei and Jaime, is it?"

Robert believed that a man like Tywin wouldn't visit the Red Keep without a reason. He wasn't the type to travel such a distance just to see his children; otherwise, he would have come much sooner.