Highgarden, Rose Gardens.
The garden was filled with carefully cultivated Roses, with Roses of various colors in full bloom.
Margaery Tyrell put away the letter, her deer-like eyes looking towards the flower bushes.
The two letters Greene Kleber had written from King's Landing to Duke Mace and Margaery were both in Margaery's hands; today was her third time reading Greene Kleber's letter.
The content of the letter to Duke Mace first concerned the progress of matters, consisting of three lines, concise and direct in language.
The remaining dozens of lines were all about the novel military theories her father had recently been fond of discussing all night at banquets, which Greene Kleber further elaborated on in the letter.
Margaery only remembered her father's face immediately flushing with delight upon reading the content, praising Greene Kleber endlessly.
"Though Greene Kleber is young, he has already learned much from me; the young man has a promising future."
...
Margaery recalled her father's words at the time, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks.
Margaery sighed inwardly; her grandmother had not intervened to stop him, as long as her father was happy.
The letter to Margaery… two-thirds of it praised Margaery's beauty.
Hair, eyes, nose, lips, and other outwardly displayed body parts—Greene Kleber praised them all, using sufficiently graceful words that would not make her feel the slightest offense or aversion.
Though Margaery read Greene Kleber's letter with caution, she found her mood subtly brightening.
Margaery felt that her handmaidens were indeed not wrong to secretly call Greene Kleber a bard.
After praising Margaery's beauty, the letter again discussed the progress of matters, only in more detail than her father's letter.
Margaery compared it to her father's letter, noting only the difference between brevity and detail, yet she inexplicably felt a hint of offense here.
At the end, it informed her that Greene Kleber had been entrusted with an important task by the King and would be traveling to Essos.
Margaery frowned slightly; although Greene Kleber said it would not delay their plans, he did not tell her the specific return date.
Margaery quickly relaxed her brow again; the Golden Rose Family valued results, and she believed Greene Kleber knew what was important.
Her grandmother's teachings still echoed in her ears: the ever-flourishing Golden Rose Family could always maintain the initiative.
...
Margaery's reason for repeatedly studying the letter was to gain a deeper understanding of Greene Kleber through the correspondence.
Someone like Greene Kleber was very unfamiliar to Margaery, and to control him required considerable thought.
She also looked forward to her next meeting with Greene Kleber, and he still owed her a "suggestion."
"Miss Margaery, let's start the game soon!"
The laughter of Margaery's handmaidens interrupted Margaery's thoughts.
Margaery's tone carried a hint of helplessness: "Sometimes I really envy your vivacity; I've only just rested for a bit."
Megga Tyrell's voice was the loudest among the handmaidens: "Miss Margaery, you've been here for half a day already!"
Elora Tyrell's tone was concerned: "Margaery, you really should relax."
Yalan Tyrell's voice was soft: "Margaery, would you like me to play a song for you?"
The handmaidens spoke one after another, but all were concerned about Margaery.
Margaery said helplessly: "I know, I've just been busy lately and can't relax; don't worry about me."
Megga glanced at the envelope on the table and said: "Margaery, are you looking at that bard's letter again?"
"A bard again?"
"His tongue is sweet."
The handmaidens burst into laughter, and Margaery couldn't help but laugh out loud watching them.
...
...
Crab Claw Point, Whispering City.
The clear blue sky was cloudless, and a refreshing breeze blew, making it pleasant.
At the castle gate, a meticulously dressed Calaia stood on tiptoe, looking out.
Maester Al beside her blinked, his tone teasing: "Good child, don't be anxious; it's a good thing for the people to love their lord."
Calaia's cheeks flushed slightly as she said: "Maester Al!"
Under Greene Kleber's arrangement, Calaia had been studying with Maester Al, encountering many new and innovative ideas.
The longer she spent, the more Calaia admired Maester Al's knowledge; she felt she would never reach his level in her lifetime.
Calaia's expression quickly returned to normal.
What was there to be shy about? Women of Crab Claw Point always fought for what they wanted!
...
Maester Al watched the changes on Calaia's small face, revealing a kind smile.
As a four-generation old retainer of the Kleber Family (Greene Kleber's grandfather, father, mother, and himself), Maester Al could say he had spent most of his life in Whispering Fort, personally experiencing the ups and downs of the Kleber Family.
Greene Kleber's behavior and actions, in Maester Al's view, made Greene Kleber a variant of the Kleber Family, very un-Kleber.
A family that only knew how to wield swords and fight had surprisingly welcomed a thinking lord.
The Kleber Family had weathered many storms and finally welcomed an opportunity for rise, and Greene Kleber's appearance was proof.
This opportunity might have been sown as a seed when Lady Kleber began to place special emphasis on Greene Kleber's education in knowledge.
Thinking of this, Maester Al couldn't help but straighten his old back… I taught Greene Kleber to read and write!
The Kleber Family had almost controlled nearly two-thirds of Crab Claw Point's land, with tens of thousands of people.
The young lord would not stop his steps; Maester Al believed that the remaining lands of Crab Claw Point would soon belong to Klaeb Territory, establishing the Kleber Family's absolute rule over Crab Claw Point and making them a significant military noble in the Crownlands.
Maester Al sighed inwardly; this might be the beginning of a true great war.
Although Duke Jon and the Vale Noble had not directly resorted to arms, they had caused too much bloodshed in Crab Claw Point; after more than a decade of accumulation, it was a blood feud.
Maester Al cheered up; he still wanted to live a few more years, continue to serve his lord, and by the way… the Vale had also prevented him from adding new books for several years, and this old man could still lend a hand.
...
At the castle gate, Greene Kleber dismounted his horse.
"Lord Greene Kleber!"
Calaia lifted her skirt and hurried over, instantly throwing herself at Greene Kleber.
Greene Kleber felt the soft fragrance… No, he couldn't feel it; to display the lord's authority, he had always worn the ancestral Kleber armor.
The two embraced, Greene Kleber gently patted Calaia's back, his face showing a gentle expression, but his mind was in a daze.
Did I forget something I did?
Maester Al grinned, revealing his few remaining teeth: "Lord Greene Kleber, Calaia is growing up; the Kleber Family never lacks courage."
The two separated, Greene Kleber chuckled, reaching out to stroke Calaia's dark hair.
Greene Kleber glanced at Maester Al and said: "Maester Al, seeing you still healthy makes me very happy; you seem several years younger than before I left?"
Maester Al patted his chest: "Lord Greene Kleber, I appreciate your concern; I handle the territory's correspondence every day, so I see good news daily, and I'm always joyful in body and mind."
Greene Kleber smiled and nodded, saying: "Come, Sam!"
Samwell Tarly heard Greene Kleber's voice and came out from behind, shyly greeting Maester Al: "Good day, Maester Al."
"His name is Samwell Tarly, from the Riverlands; he will serve as your steward."
Maester Al said kindly: "Samwell, you have the eyes of a maester; welcome."
Samwell quickly nodded in thanks, then shyly scratched the back of his head.
At this moment, Calaia's eyes fixed on Greene Kleber as she said: "Lord Greene Kleber, I have already prepared hot water for you."
Greene Kleber raised an eyebrow and said to everyone: "Let's go inside."
...
...
Three days later, the Klay勃 Manor outside King's Landing.
The blue sky was clear as crystal, without a single cloud, and the muggy air made it hard to breathe.
Dick gripped the dagger in his hand, stealthily approaching a robust rooster.
When the distance was just right, Dick's arm was about to lift, but the rooster flapped its wings and flew away from Dick, leaving only a few feathers behind.
Dick gritted his teeth and was about to chase it, but Jeffrey stopped him.
"Dick, you only get one chance. If you fail to get it in one strike, you're already in danger. An enemy isn't a chicken waiting to be slaughtered."
Upon hearing this, Dick sat down on the ground, a little dejected.
In the first phase of dagger training, the chickens were tied by one leg, and as long as he moved quickly, he could get them in one strike.
Recently, the Klay勃 Manor had been eating roasted chicken every day, all chickens slaughtered by Dick.
Regardless of the reason, Dick showed good perseverance, and Jeffrey's evaluation of Dick improved significantly.
"Wrist strength, speed—you still need to train. Rest for a bit, then we'll continue."
Dick stood up, patted his clothes, straightened his back, and said: "Alright, Lord Jeffrey. I think I've gotten a feel for some tricks; I'll just ponder them for a bit!"
As Dick's words fell, Jeffrey subtly frowned, almost imperceptibly.
Jeffrey thought for a moment, said nothing, and only nodded.
Some personalities cannot be changed; as long as the goal can be achieved, that's fine!
Jeffrey stopped his departure and said: "You must master this within a week. If you can meet the requirements within a week, I will take you and your sister to Whispering City to meet Lord Greene Kleber."
He paused, then Jeffrey gazed at Dick and said: "If you can't complete it, I can only leave you and your sister here. Dick, this is Lord Greene Kleber's command."
Dick's pupils contracted as he said: "Stay… stay here? Lord Jeffrey, I don't quite understand what that means!"
Jeffrey shook his head and said: "No, Lord Dick, you actually understand very well. I am an illiterate hunter; I am merely repeating Lord Greene Kleber's original words. Do not question Lord Greene Kleber, do you understand?"
Jeffrey's gaze sharpened, making Dick feel danger.
Dick's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed, his tone feigning casualness: "Don't worry, I think I'll be fine. Please tell Lord Greene Kleber that I will never disappoint him!"
Jeffrey nodded silently and resumed his steps.
After Jeffrey's figure disappeared, Dick wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
It's like this again… Dick was almost daily subjected to various threats, and the heavy pressure made him breathless.
Dick gazed for a while in the direction of his sister's room, then forced himself to cheer up.
At least now they eat well, dress well, and live well!
This hardship… Dick wanted to cry; it was really hard, he really wanted to go back… He didn't want to go back to his old life at all, he didn't want to go back to dirty, smelly places, he liked his sister looking like a noble lady now.
He was her brother; for Yulia, and for himself, he had to be strong!
Dick suddenly felt full of strength. After staring at the lively rooster for a while, his shoulders slumped again. How could this little thing be so nimble? If only it didn't have wings.
...
...
Red Keep, Hand's Chambers.
Only Jon Arryn was in the room. With a heavy expression, he tremblingly threw a note into the brazier, and flames instantly flared up.
The note Prime Minister Jon burned was precisely what Duke Stannis Baratheon had secretly sent. Upon seeing its content, he had no mind to lie in bed and recover from his illness.
Stannis suspected that King Robert and Cersei Lannister's three legitimate children were not King Robert's bloodline. Stannis pointed out that all of Robert's known bastards had black hair, while the three children Cersei bore (Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen) all had golden hair.
Although Duke Jon and Duke Stannis disagreed on many political matters, Duke Jon trusted Duke Stannis very much.
Prime Minister Jon felt that if one were to choose the most honest person in the Seven Kingdoms, that person would undoubtedly be Stannis Baratheon.
Jon's expression was bitter. If this matter were true, it would cause great upheaval throughout the kingdom.
If not handled well, it could easily turn into war, and the scale of the war would not be less than the great war more than a decade ago.
This matter was too significant to be entrusted to anyone; he dared not trust anyone and could only investigate it himself.
Duke Jon's first thought was the book 'Genealogy and History of the Principal Noble Houses of the Seven Kingdoms' in Grand Maester Pycelle's possession. This book recorded the physical descriptions of the Baratheon family's children throughout history.
Secondly, King Robert's bastards left outside were ready evidence; each needed to be investigated and recorded.
If true… Prime Minister Jon closed his eyes with a pained expression. This was not only a disgrace to the royal family but also to the King's Hand.
Duke Jon, dragging his ailing body, began to secretly mobilize the men he had brought from the Vale.
...
That night, Petyr Baelish learned from Lysa Tully that Duke Jon had suddenly mobilized his trusted men from the Vale.
Duke Jon had hidden it from everyone, but he could not hide it from his wife—Lysa.
Petyr's grayish-green eyes trembled; he felt that something big was about to happen in the Red Keep.
What could it be?
Petyr fell into deep thought, making Lysa Tully feel that his attitude was careless.
"Petyr, we haven't seen each other for days, and I don't feel your love, which makes me very sad."
Petyr naturally changed his expression, lowered his head, and said with a slight surprise: "My Lysa, I was just suddenly thinking of our youth; I already have white hair, but you are still so charming."
In Petyr's eyes, there was only deep affection.
Lysa hugged Petyr tightly, her eyes moist: "Littlefinger, you are still the handsome young man from Riverrun who only loves me."
Petyr lifted Lysa's chin and lowered his head, leaving a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"My Lysa, I will love you forever."
Petyr curled his lips, his eyes glinting… The ladder of chaos might already be close at hand.
-----------------------------
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