Who ruled in Kings landing at the start of AGOT? [spoilers ACOK]
At the start of AGOT, Robert takes a several month holiday to go touring the northern regions of the kingdom, and visit the Starks in Winterfell. While not stated exactly, it is implied he's gone for at least 3 or 4 months. During this time, who is actually doing the day to day governing in King's landing? Normally it would fall to the hand to govern while the king was travelling or on campaign, but Jon Arryn was dead, and every other obvious would-be regent was away. Cersei, Joffrey, Renly, the Kingsguard, and most of Robert's inner circle were on tour with the King, while Stannis was hiding out on Dragonstone, and no other prominent lords were noted as filling in.
If Varys, Littlefinger, Slynt or some other figure had several months as an interim hand, akin to Tyrion in Clash, to solidify their power in the capital, this seems like it should be a major plot point.
Was this just a firstbookism plot hole, was Robert 'governing' by raven from his wheelhouse, did he just leave the realm with no ruler for 4 months, or did I miss something obvious?