Ronnet Connington SI

-POV MC-

I pretended to hesitate before saying in a serious tone:

"Your Majesty, I will be honest with you, so if I ever offend you, tell me and I will immediately remain silent. Nothing I say should be taken with malice, and if I am wrong about something, I will apologize."

She nodded, so I started and said: "During my many travels, I have learned from many different people, mainly from the nobility of the Reach, that Renly Baratheon wants to depose you."

She frowned but said nothing, so I continued, saying:

"Given your lack of reaction, I imagine this is not really a secret, but what you do not know is that he is trying to bring to court the daughter of the Guardian of the Reach, Mace Tyrell."

She frowned and then said, confused: "Why?"

"Because, according to him, she looks similar to Lyanna Stark," I said, knowing she hated Lyanna because she had stolen the love of King Robert Baratheon and the late Prince Rhaegar Targaryen.

Her face turned scarlet in an instant, and she stood up furiously following my insinuations.

I quickly said to avoid creating a misunderstanding:

"In my opinion, it's false. They may have the same hair color, but that's where the similarities end. Besides, what the king liked was the wild nature of the wolf of the north, not her appearance, and they have absolutely nothing in common."

She seemed relieved, but I continued, saying:

"That's not the only problem you're facing, Your Grace. In my opinion, upon the king's death, your son will have to take the throne, and often when a father takes power by force, his heir must do the same to confirm that he has the strength necessary to maintain the stability of the dynasty, and, always in my opinion, your son is... clearly not up to the task."

Her eyes widened, and I raised my hand, saying: "I mean no malice, I am simply listing from a sincere point of view what I observe from an external perspective."

She nodded and opened a cabinet to take out a bottle of wine. She grabbed two glasses and gestured for me to continue speaking:

"In addition to the fact that for now your son is a poor fighter, there are also rumors about his cruelty, which I do not judge because it would be hypocritical of me. Everything I own, I acquired from war and by stepping over the corpses of my enemies."

She drank her wine while continuing to listen to me, and then I said:

"The Lannisters are not loved in the kingdom, they are not loved in the Crownlands, nor in the Stormlands, the Ironborn have a tenacious hatred for you after the ravage that the king and your father, the Guardian of the West, organized on their lands, if we can call their lost rocks in the sea lands."

She smiled slightly, recognizing my attempt at humor to lighten the atmosphere that kept getting heavier, and then I continued, saying:

"Your father ordered the murder of Princess Elia and her children, which earns all Lannisters and those who carry a trace of Lannister blood the enmity of all Dornishmen until at least the end of the next century."

She nodded because I had pointed out the obvious, and then I finished by saying:

"The Tyrells have allied with Renly to oust you, with them, that makes your family the enemy of 5 of the 9 kingdoms that make up the Seven Kingdoms, it's a majority that will be difficult to break without the northern alliance composed of the Vale, the Riverlands, and the North."

She swirled her glass, lost in thought, almost hypnotized by the wine swirling in her glass, and then she suddenly said:

"I agree with most of your observations, but to take the kingdom, a certain legitimacy is needed, that's why Robert is king and not Eddard Stark or my father who had the strongest army once the Targaryens were ousted from power. So, according to you, which kingdom will support which claimant?"

I took the time to think and then said after drinking my wine in one gulp:

"In my opinion, those who want to remove your power are mainly divided into 3 factions: Stannis's faction, Renly's, and finally the Targaryen loyalists. Stannis could rally the former Targaryen supporters if a Targaryen claimant does not make themselves known very quickly, while Renly will have the support of the Reach and the Stormlands."

"And Dorne, you forget our most fervent detractors?" she said in a calm tone.

"There are still Targaryens in Essos, and I've heard that Prince Oberyn has spent a lot of time in Essos these last years. Who knows what he's been doing there and who he's had the chance to meet," I said, clearly implying that the Dornish were calm for now because he had probably concluded an agreement with Dorne, which they had done.

She nodded and then said: "You have thought a lot about the issue, but you forget that they will not rebel as long as Joffrey, the legitimate king, is enthroned."

"With all due respect, nobody cares about Joffrey's legitimacy, especially when ambitious people can claim the throne simply by denouncing Joffrey as a bastard," I said.

She widened her eyes, surprised by my boldness and my impudence, and I continued, saying: "Jacaerys Velaryon and Daeron II are perfect examples. Aegon II and Daemon Blackfyre did not rebel out of their love of justice and to restore their family's honor but simply for the Iron Throne."

I took a deep breath and said, kneeling: "I have come for only one thing, I hope to have the honor of swearing fealty to you and you alone, but in return, I would like you to listen to all the advice and all the truths that I could share with you because it is only in your interest and not to anger or sadden you."

I let a passionate look wander across my face, and she extended her hand, which I took and kissed before she said: "Ser Ronnet Connington, do you swear to be faithful to me until death?"

I drew my sword, which I held with both hands, the pommel in my right hand and the flat of my blade on the palm of my hand, saying: "I, Ronnet Connington, swear to be faithful to you and you alone. I will be your sword, your shield, and I will advise you. I will keep your counsels, and if necessary, I will even give my life for you. I swear by the old gods and the new."

She smiled at me, and this time it was not a fake smile, it was a real one, and she said: "I promise you will always have a place by my fire, bread and salt at my table, and I pledge not to ask you for any service that might tarnish your honor. I swear by the old gods and the new.

Please rise, from today you are appointed Queen's Counselor, and you will have my full trust. Few people can speak to me as you have and keep their heads. Come back to see me tomorrow at lunchtime."

I bowed my head in respect and sheathed my sword before leaving the room.

'I had a close call,' I thought as I closed the door.

She couldn't have killed me because no one was in the room and could corroborate her words, even though she didn't really need to, but it was still dangerous.

If I had been accused, my only chance would have been an ordeal by combat.

The queen would have surely called upon her brother or the Mountain, whom I could have easily handled, but I would have become a complete pariah, and I might even have been forced to flee Westeros.

Fortunately, none of that happened, and now I am one of the queen's closest advisors, as it was rare for a man, a knight, and even less a 'lord' like me to swear fealty to a woman, regardless of her rank in society.

To my knowledge, even the red cloaks were not under Cersei's authority but under the strict control of her father, the Guardian of the West, Tywin Lannister.