Chapter 595: Jaime

"Who are you?"

Tyrion kindled the light in the room, revealing a figure seated in a chair. The man was dressed casually, a longsword at his side, his head crowned with brilliant golden hair. His emerald eyes, set in a handsome face, held a familiar, razor-sharp smile as they fixed on Tyrion.

Having been betrayed by his family in the past, Tyrion's nature had grown somewhat reclusive. To the outside world, he remained the witty, intelligent dwarf, but at home, he preferred solitude, masking his smiles. Thus, he had dismissed most of the servants in his King's Landing residence, retaining only a few trusted old hands. His usual routine consisted of drinking wine and reading.

Upon lighting the candles and suddenly seeing a man seated so close, Tyrion had been startled. His hand instinctively reached for the dagger at his waist. However, recognizing the face before him, he froze. It was a visage he knew all too well, accompanied by that familiar smile.

"Jaime?!"

Alarmed, Tyrion raised his voice a little too much. Quickly, he clamped his mouth shut, casting a wary glance toward the door. Thankfully, his residence was scarcely staffed, making it hard for anyone to eavesdrop.

Making sure the door was securely closed, Tyrion turned his attention back to the nonchalant figure who continued to observe him intently. There was no mistaking it. Before him sat his long-lost brother, the 'Kingslayer' Jaime Lannister.

"Jaime! Why are you back?"

Under the flickering candlelight, Tyrion paced anxiously, his voice betraying his confusion. He had orchestrated an elaborate plan to rescue Jaime by hiring Bronn and a group of mercenaries. Their aim was to ambush the Goldcloaks and save Jaime, making it appear as though he had vanished. Instead, Jaime had carved his own path to freedom, disappearing from the world.

Tyrion had assumed he would never see Jaime again. The shock of his brother's sudden appearance was overwhelming.

"Why? Don't you welcome me?"

Compared to his flustered younger sibling, the golden knight appeared composed. His face bore more scars and wear from their time apart.

"I certainly do not..."

Tyrion started, clearly agitated. Catching himself, he lowered his voice and corrected, "Of course, I welcome you, Jaime. But you... you don't understand the situation."

He paced restlessly, clearly struggling to find the right words. "King's Landing is too dangerous for you."

Jaime simply shrugged, taking a sip from his glass. "I know. But I have a reason I had to come."

"Why?"

Tyrion's face was etched with confusion. Why would Jaime, knowing the risks, return?

Jaime merely shook his head, declining to explain further. Instead, he shifted the topic, "How have you been, Tyrion?"

The dwarf hesitated for a moment before responding, "Of course. I serve the greatest king in history. Our powerful kingdom spans both sides of the Narrow Sea. Soon, with the reconquest of the North, it might be termed an empire."

"We've vanquished all the traitors within our realm, displaying their heads on pikes. And yes, many of those were our kin," he added with a sigh. Pouring himself a glass, he handed one to Jaime, adding, "My former kin."

Jaime accepted the drink, nodding in understanding. He was aware of the Lannister family's downfall, but to him, Cersei's fate weighed far heavier on his mind than any other's.

"And you?"

Tyrion's eyes bore into Jaime's, seeking answers about his brother's whereabouts and experiences during their time apart.

"I've been okay," Jaime replied tersely. Taking a large gulp of his drink, he coughed violently, refilling his glass immediately after.

A prolonged silence filled the room.

"What do you plan to do?" Tyrion finally broke the silence, the weight of their shared history making words more cumbersome than usual.

"Take me to him."

"Cersei?"

"No, your king."