Is Cersei in league with Varys

[Lost Umber]

In the epilogue of ADWD, Kevan Lannister remarks how unusually subdued and cowed Cersei seems to be. This should have been his first warning...

Kevan's ears prick up when when Cersei remarks that "wise woman knows her place" and he asks her to say what she means. She replies "i thought I did".

Well... we know that Cersei thinks her place is on the throne.

When the sparrow comes to fetch Kevan to see Pycelle, Cersei urges him along "oh... you'd better run along. It might be new so Jaime."

Really..? If she truly thought it was news of Jaime, or Tyrion for that matter then she would be right there with him.

I think that Varys has come to Cersei. He would tell her that he's as much of a victim of lies as she is. He'd reveal that Kevan put her on the walk of shame and that he intends to send her away to Casterly Rock away from Tommen. Reminded her that he turned down the handship, refused to help her out of prison, and kept her from Tommen. Then sprinkled in some doubt that he's in league with Tyrion and the Tyrells. "Look at the Council... it's half Tyrells and soon to have Garth the Gross. We must act swiftly."

It wouldn't take much to twist her around, especially if he convinces her that Tommen is in danger.

Cersei needs help to get back into power and Varys wants Cersei to have power so can keep the realm destabilized. Varys needs Cersei (and Tommen's) support to get back into a position of power.

So Varys clears up two council seats, soon to be filled by Qyburn and the triumphant return of Varys the Spider. Cersei has her power base back and Varys no longer has to skulk around through hidden passageways. Plus the Citadel is going to be none too happy about Qyburn taking the place of Pycelle which works perfectly into Varys' plans.

At least... that's my take on it. any thoughts?

[The Holy Goat]

I find it highly unlikely that Varys has revealed himself to Cersei or is willing to let her in on any of his plans. She's far to volatile.

Besides, the very reason Varys used a crossbow on Kevan was because he wanted Cersei to suspect that Tyrion and the Tyrells were involved. How would that work if Cersei was behind it.

[Night's King Reborn]

I agree that, given that the assassination of Kevan is designed to sow further discord between Cersei and the Tyrells, it doesn't seem likely that Varys would be collaborating with Cersei at this point. The entire purpose of Kevan's death is to undermine and soften up King's Landing for Aegon. Varys is smart enough to know that at this point Cersei is too self-interested and paranoid to be anything but an unwitting pawn.