Greene Kleber's ears twitched. He looked up into the distance and said, "It's easier to understand if you treat Queen Regent Cersei as a man."
Hearing this, Tyrion Lannister grinned at Greene: "You really know how to..."
Greene turned his head to look at him, and those brown eyes told him... this was not a joke. Tyrion's smile gradually faded.
On the white marble steps beneath Maegors Holdfast's main gate sat two figures, one large and one small, who were none other than Greene and Tyrion.
Greene had been very busy these past few days. The Lord Commander of the Gold Cloaks naturally had many duties, but he still made time... He first kindly led Lancel Lannister to an audience with King Joffrey, then cordially inquired about Grand Maester Pycelle's recent condition, and finally, there were his dealings and plans with Tyrion.
Behind them, on the steps, was Cersei Lannister, who had just emerged from the gate. When she first noticed the two, she was momentarily dazed, mistakenly thinking Jaime had returned... Queen Regent Cersei had seen similar scenes many times in her memories.
The Lioness usually disdained eavesdropping on others' conversations, but today, perhaps on a whim, she wanted to listen.
Queen Regent Cersei motioned for her attendants to stay behind and walked down the steps alone... The wind direction was just right today, and she could hear clearly without getting too close.
Tyrion pondered for a moment and said, "So... in my sister's eyes, all the men in the Red Keep are delicate beauties?"
Greene chuckled, "Lord Tyrion, you underestimate Queen Regent Cersei. In her eyes, the men here are, at most, prostitutes."
"Haha... The more I think about it, the more it makes sense..."
Tyrion's laughter sounded like a sigh of wonder. He continued, "My good sister is truly worthy of being a Lioness of Lannister. It's surprising. I never thought that the person who understands Cersei best would be you. I think you understand her better than pray."
Greene smiled and shook his head.
Tyrion sighed, paused, and said, "No one will think like you. Most people are more willing to trust their own eyes. Whether it's truth or rumor, it will ultimately be detrimental to her rule."
Greene asked, "Do you think Queen Regent Cersei is afraid of others' tongues?"
Tyrion paused, then chuckled, "My good sister would rather rip out other people's tongues."
Greene reached out and gently patted Tyrion's small shoulder, saying, "So, Prime Minister's task is to rip out the tongue of whoever Queen Regent Cersei wants."
Tyrion couldn't help but shiver, exclaiming, "They'll hate me to death! I'll die!"
Greene directly said, "You are a Lannister. You can't avoid it."
Tyrion ruffled his hair: "I should have known. How could the Old Lion give me a good job? He hates me more than Cersei."
He added, "Earl Greene, is it still not too late for me to lick the Queen Regent's shoes?"
Greene shrugged slightly: "May the gods bless you."
Tyrion grabbed Greene's arm and pressed on, "Is there still time?"
Greene was silent for a moment, then said, "You are Lannister, after all. I think Queen Regent Cersei might give you a chance, provided she can see your loyalty."
"I was just joking with you..."
Tyrion cleared his throat and continued, "Greene, you shouldn't trust your eyes too much. Actually, my sister and I have a very deep bond. We just joke in a different way than other families. We love each other dearly."
His eyes shifted, and he whispered, "Hey, I'll tell you a secret about my sister. Listen to this..."
"What secret?"
Queen Regent Cersei's cold voice suddenly rang out, and Tyrion immediately jumped up and then strangely turned to stand upright.
Tyrion blinked, a smile forced onto his face: "Beautiful and charming Queen Regent, please allow me to pay my respects."
With that, he knelt on one knee before Queen Regent Cersei, lowering his head.
Queen Regent Cersei's emerald eyes stared at the humble Dwarf Prime Minister for a moment, then she snorted coldly and said, "Watch your tongue, Tyrion."
Tyrion placed his hand on his chest and said, "I will never forget it, noble Queen Regent."
Queen Regent Cersei's eyes moved, glancing at Greene who stood to the side, and she slowly walked down the steps.
Within Tyrion's line of sight, burgundy boots appeared first, then were covered by the burgundy hem of a skirt.
Tyrion, with his face lowered, let out a soft breath... Good, he really couldn't do it.
Queen Regent Cersei's voice came from above Tyrion: "I have an urgent matter. The inspection of the defenses at the River Gate (which the people of King's Landing like to call Dung Gate) today is entrusted to you, Prime Minister Tyrion."
After speaking, she glanced Whispering Fort at Greene again.
Tyrion respectfully said, "Merciful Queen Regent, this is my honor. I will meticulously inspect every nook and cranny."
"Earl Greene, follow me.", Queen Regent Cersei turned and ascended the steps.
"As you command, Queen Regent Cersei."
Before stepping onto the stairs, Greene expressionlessly looked back at Tyrion. Tyrion happened to raise his head, their gazes met, and both subtly nodded their chins at the same time.
Greene silently followed behind Queen Regent Cersei, passing through the main gate and hall of Maegors Holdfast, and then through three wooden doors. For the first time, he arrived at the private garden behind Maegors Holdfast.
Greene looked around. The garden was filled with exotic flowers and plants, displaying colorful hues under the sunlight. The fragrance of flowers permeated the air, fresh and pleasant.
Greene's eyes shifted; he saw a swing bearing the marks of time.
Queen Regent Cersei stopped after entering a small gazebo.
After a moment of silence with her back turned, Queen Regent Cersei softly said, "This garden was moved here from Casterly Rock."
Greene smelled a hint of golden dragon amidst the floral fragrance.
Queen Regent Cersei turned around, walked up to Greene, and after a moment of gazing, she suddenly threw a slap, but Greene dodged it with a slight backward tilt.
She angrily said, "You dare to dodge?!"
Greene apologized, "Queen Regent Cersei, I am a wildling warrior. My body is faster than my mind. Please forgive my body..."
The Lioness's eyes flickered with sparks of anger, and she angrily interrupted, "Jaime is also a warrior, why didn't he dodge?!"
Greene: "..."
Jaime had been slapped by Cersei? Greene immediately pulled his thoughts back from straying.
Greene thought for a moment and gave up on finding an excuse. He first took several big gulps of chicken soup from his past life's memory, then gritted his teeth and said, "I will control my body this time."
Queen Regent Cersei stared intently at Greene, her face ashen, like the sky before a storm.
Greene's tone was tentative: "You heard everything?"
Queen Regent Cersei retorted coldly, "Are you too? Greene, you prostitute?"
As she spoke, Queen Regent Cersei's fair hand reached out, and she gently stroked Greene's cheek.
Not only was her gesture gentle, but Queen Regent Cersei's expression at this moment also became gentle; the storm clouds seen earlier seemed to be an illusion.
"I didn't mean to hit you, Greene."
Greene: "..."
Queen Regent Cersei smiled gently. She linked her arm with Greene's and said, "Greene, walk with me."
As they strolled, she told him, "This is where I grew up. This is the only place where I can keep my maidenhood."
She pointed to the swing: "Jeyne Farman, Melara Hetherspoon, they were my childhood friends. We often played there together."
She pointed to the crimson flowers: "It came from a distant continent. I only learned of its existence by chance in books. I begged my father many times to get it for me."
She pointed to the bushes: "They tore a hole in my favorite dress."
Queen Regent Cersei stopped, a faint mist in her eyes, and murmured, "It feels like such a long, long time has passed..."
She slowly released Greene's arm and softly said, "Greene, kiss me..."
Queen Regent Cersei buried her head in Greene's breastplate and whispered, "Greene, I had a nightmare. It was too real, too terrifying."
Greene: "..."
He gently patted Queen Regent Cersei's back and said, "Please don't worry, my sword will protect you."
"But it was too real, as if it was about to happen."
After a pause, Queen Regent Cersei continued, "Stannis is a demon. He broke through King's Landing, and he killed everyone..."
Queen Regent Cersei lifted her head from Greene's breastplate, looked up at Greene, and reached out to touch his cheek.
"You are still so young, and Stannis didn't even spare you. He truly is a devil."
"This might be a warning from the gods. We must not sit idly by. We should cut off the nightmare in advance."
"Greene, for me, for us, I want your sword unsheathed. Can you do it?"
Greene did not hesitate. He took a step back and knelt on one knee: "Queen Regent Cersei, there is no greater honor than to serve Your Majesty. Whispering Fort awaits your command."
Queen Regent Cersei slightly raised her chin and looked down at Greene, her gaze mixed with scrutiny.
After a pause, she proclaimed, "I, Cersei of the Lannister, in the name of Queen Regent and Protector of the Realm, hereby bestow upon Greene Kleber the title of Earl of Crab Claw Peninsula and Protector of the Crab Claw Peninsula, and Governor of the Crab Claw Peninsula, granting all feudal taxes of the Crab Claw Peninsula. All lords of the Crab Claw Peninsula shall serve the Kleber Family as their liege lords, and their descendants shall inherit this glory for generations, never ceasing."
Greene's voice contained suppressed excitement: "Queen Regent, thank you for your generosity. Crab Claw Peninsula awaits your command."
Queen Regent Cersei's lips curved slightly, and she said softly, "Rise, my Earl of Crab Claw Peninsula."
Greene's eyes trembled slightly. Although he still didn't know exactly what Duke Stannis had done, it must have been something that made Queen Regent Cersei hate him intensely.
Greene stood up and said in a deep voice, "Queen Regent Cersei, in your name, the tens of thousands of troops from Crab Claw Peninsula will flatten Stannis's Dragonstone."
Queen Regent Cersei reached out with both hands and took one of Greene's hands, placing Greene's palm on her chest.
She gently hinted, "Earl Greene, I await your triumphant return. On the day of your triumph, I will personally reward you in this place, in my maiden garden."
Greene walked out of Maegors Holdfast, pondering what support he could get from the Red Keep. He looked up at the sky... heavy clouds, blocking the sunlight, making it dark and hazy.
A previous scene suddenly came to Greene's mind. He felt that after Jaime left, Cersei's honey trap seemed to have become even more potent.
Indeed, no wonder so many heroes fell to honey traps; they are indeed very difficult to resist.
Lord Green himself had strong resistance to honey traps, and having become familiar with Daenerys's "inhuman" beauty in Pentos, his resistance increased significantly when facing Queen Regent Cersei.
Thinking of Daenerys, Greene thought of dragons... If Daenerys hadn't suffered her misfortunes, would the Targaryen dragons still appear?
A gentle breeze was blowing, carrying a moist scent, seemingly setting the stage for the impending rain.
Greene began to walk.
In a while, Greene would openly leave King's Landing under the pretext of apprehending Targaryen remnants. But upon returning to Crab Claw Peninsula, according to Queen Regent Cersei's orders, he was to immediately gather an army to conquer Dragonstone and deliver Duke Stannis's head into her hands.
What had Stannis done? Greene had almost guessed the answer.
As he walked, a smile curved Greene's lips. He saw Varys's figure in the distance; the Spider was indeed ubiquitous.
"Good day, Lord Varys."
"Good day, Earl Greene."
The two greeted each other as if by chance, then walked together in the direction of the Hall of Office.
Greene spoke first, "Lord Varys, what has Duke Stannis done?"
Varys said with a smile, "Earl Greene, have you been affected by the Queen Regent's wrath?"
Greene shrugged, "More or less. Queen Regent Cersei was very angry today."
Varys pulled a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Greene.
"Early this morning, many raven scrolls flew into the Red Keep, each carrying a personal letter from Duke Stannis."
"Personal letter?" Greene unfolded the letter.
Greene scanned the contents, then folded the letter and returned it to Varys.
He was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "Duke Stannis is indeed a diligent man."
Varys chuckled, "My little birds tell me that, barring any surprises, all the noble houses, great and small, in the Seven Kingdoms will receive a personal letter from Duke Stannis."
He added, "Although Duke Stannis is stern and unyielding, his fairness is known throughout the Seven Kingdoms. I think many people will choose to believe the contents he has personally written."
Greene turned his head to look at the smiling Varys and said, "Lord Varys, do you believe the contents of this letter?"
Varys's smile remained unchanged, and he counter-asked, "Earl Greene, do you believe it?"
Greene shook his head slightly: "My heart is in turmoil. I both hope it's the truth and hope it's not."
The smile on Varys's face gradually faded, and he sighed, "The great war more than a decade ago hasn't truly ended. This time, we will face even greater turmoil."
After a pause, he asked kindly, "Earl Greene, Duke Stannis must be working so hard... What do you think his purpose is? Is it truly for the sake of so-called justice?"
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