A moment of silence filled the hall after Greene Kleber finished speaking.
After a while, Lancel Lannister, who had just processed the information, broke the silence: "Greene, do you mean Stannis will claim the throne? Seven Gods!"
Those present ignored the overly dramatic Lancel, but Greene was patient. He pointed to the letter on Tyrion Lannister's table.
"It's proof of Stannis's hidden ambition. Otherwise, why would he go to such lengths to slander our King?"
After speaking, Greene felt several gazes sweep over him. He showed a faint smile and returned their gazes with composure.
Varys's eyes flickered, Maester Pycelle's eyes darted away, and Tyrion grinned.
Cersei Lannister was very pleased with Greene's words. She showed a delighted smile: "Stannis is a hypocritical, despicable, and shameless fellow. No wonder my husband hated him so much when he was alive."
Varys chimed in with a smile: "I hear everyone dislikes him."
After speaking, Varys chuckled.
Greene chuckled in support, and soon… the hall was filled with "villainous" laughter.
Queen Regent Cersei slightly raised her hand, and the laughter gradually faded, occasionally mixed with light coughs.
She looked at the Dwarf Hand: "Tyrion, I'm leaving this matter to you, and… prepare some interesting anecdotes about Stannis in advance. This sort of thing should be your forte, shouldn't it?"
Tyrion pretended not to understand the sarcasm in Cersei's words. He humbly said: "Queen Regent, forgive my dullness, regarding Stannis… I beg you to enlighten me…"
Tyrion looked humble… he was his sister's obedient younger brother.
A hint of triumph appeared on Queen Regent Cersei's face, and she felt a slight satisfaction with the Dwarf Hand.
"Let Selyse Florent's (Stannis's wife) lover be identified as her uncle, Stannis's acting castellan, Ser Axell Florent."
After speaking, Queen Regent Cersei felt a sense of vindicated relief.
She continued: "It is said they are inseparable on Dragonstone. I also heard that Stannis's daughter even has Florent ears. What a wonderful coincidence."
Varys clasped his hands together and nodded slightly, his tone containing admiration: "Shireen Baratheon's greyscale, perhaps it is the gods' punishment for Lady Selyse's marital infidelity… The best lies often hide a small truth, enough to make the listener suspicious… Queen Regent Cersei, your wisdom truly commands admiration."
Maester Pycelle opened his hazy, sleepy eyes and said with a look of shock: "Your Majesty, is this true?"
Tyrion's expression was as if he had just realized: "So that's it! Even if Stannis distances himself from his wife, he is inherently suspicious. If we can sow seeds of distrust between him and House Florent, it will be beneficial to us when he wants to claim the throne."
Queen Regent Cersei first gave a haughty hum, then, in a good mood, picked up her wine glass and took a sip.
Greene's eyes were smiling. He looked at Queen Regent Cersei and bowed, saying: "A fortress is often broken from within first. Queen Regent Cersei will surely triumph."
Lancel, who had been confused before, now understood. He immediately chimed in: "The Queen Regent will surely triumph!"
The others looked at each other, then said in unison: "The Queen Regent will surely triumph."
The atmosphere became slightly awkward. Cersei gave Lancel a cold look and said: "Next agenda item, have you found a suitable candidate for Master of Coin?"
Maester Pycelle trembled as he spoke: "Your Majesty, we recommend the Earl of Rosby, Gales Rosby."
"Reason."
"My Queen Regent, Rosby has what King's Landing urgently needs…"
...
"Next agenda item, the Targaryen remnants are beginning to become active across the Narrow Sea…"
"…Earl Greene…"
...
...
Night, Sathaya's establishment.
Greene, leaning on a thick cushion, suddenly opened his eyes.
"My Lord, are you awake?"
The girl speaking had a clear voice. She had long, straight silver hair, green eyes, and porcelain-fine skin.
Greene closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them again, the sharpness in his eyes had vanished.
He rubbed his hair: "How long did I sleep?"
The silver-haired girl beside him quietly slid onto Greene's lap and lightly bit his ear: "Just a little while…"
Greene had been dozing while waiting for someone, but he had a dream. In the dream, "Greene" was ennobled as the Earl of Crab Claw Peninsula, then left the game of thrones, returning to live a peaceful life as a noble lord… He had a wife and children by his side, but in the dream, he couldn't see their faces no matter how hard he tried. He was so angry he wanted to draw his sword, and then… he woke up.
The silver-haired girl whispered in his ear: "My Lord, my name is Mary, and I'm very good at treating fatigue."
Mary had always been very quiet, but suddenly she became… very cute?
Greene smiled faintly. He gently patted Mary's back: "Go find Sathaya for me."
Mary reluctantly got up and left. Her expression gave Greene a very familiar feeling… like looking in a mirror?! It must be an illusion!
Not long after, Sathaya, dressed in a thin green silk dress, walked in lightly, carrying a silver flask.
Sathaya was tall, with skin like ebony and eyes the color of sandalwood. She slowly sat down beside Greene.
"Lord Greene, please forgive me, no matter what price I offer recently, I just can't buy good wine."
Greene's eyes trembled slightly. He took the wine Sathaya offered and took a sip, saying: "Is it because of the Royal Fleet?"
Sathaya sighed lightly: "Now everyone calls it Stannis's Fleet. It's said that because of their blockade, countless ships are docked at the Blackwater River Dock."
Greene's eyes moved slightly: "Do you need help?"
Sathaya's smile was charming. She shook her head and said: "Everyone is in the same situation, and that's good. Your protection is already a great kindness, and Sathaya keeps it in her heart."
Greene's fingers gently caressed the wine glass. He paused, then said: "I will be leaving King's Landing for a while…"
Sathaya showed a perfectly timed expression of unease.
It felt like looking in a mirror again… Greene pulled back his almost straying thoughts and continued: "While I am away, the new Hand, Tyrion Lannister, will fulfill my promises."
Sathaya bowed deeply: "Thank you again, Lord Greene."
Greene sighed: "Earl Petyr is a good friend of mine, and I hope he returns to King's Landing soon."
Sathaya bowed gracefully again.
After a soft knock, Mary, like a handmaiden, brought in a plate of fruit.
Before she left, she turned to look at Greene, her eyes wet: "My Lord, Mary will wait for you."
Greene: "…"
Sathaya chuckled softly: "Lord Greene, my daughter is not usually so bold."
Greene: "…, very rare hair color."
Sathaya smiled: "Lord Greene, although Mary has the blood of the Summer Isles, she was born in King's Landing."
Seeing Greene look at her, she continued: "Mary was raised by me, so she was influenced by me… I come from the Summer Isles. We believe that selling smiles in a brothel is not shameful, and those skilled in the bedroom arts are respected. Many noble men and women, when lust takes hold, will enter a brothel to serve for several years, thereby honoring the gods."
Greene's eyebrows raised slightly: "Gods?"
Sathaya nodded slightly and said: "Our bodies and souls are gifts from the gods. They gave us voices so we could show reverence through song. They gave us hands so we could build temples through labor. They also gave us desires so we could honor the divine through ****."
After a moment of silence, Greene said: "Sathaya, the new Hand is a different kind of devout person."
Sathaya curtsied slightly, pouring wine as she spoke: "As you wish, Lord Greene."
...
Sathaya was about to take her leave when the door suddenly pushed open, and Tyrion limped in.
"Ha ah… you finally like… Oh… isn't this Sathaya?"
Sathaya bowed: "Welcome, Lord Lannister."
...
After Sathaya left, Tyrion pinched his chin and said thoughtfully: "Greene, have you observed Sathaya's demeanor? Few courtesans are so elegant and noble. She must see herself as some kind of priestess."
Greene couldn't help but laugh: "Tyrion, I must admit, you truly have keen insight."
Tyrion laughed heartily and said: "Too bad they will never appreciate my greatest quality, my greatest charm is generosity… Hmm, everyone loves gold dragons…"
He pointed to his nose and grinned: "They used to give me a charming smile when they painstakingly took gold dragons from me, but ever since I became a Dwarf without a nose, they cry while taking them."
Greene smiled and said: "Tyrion, I suggest you wear a golden prosthetic nose. Then everyone will love you."
Tyrion laughed for a while, then poured himself a glass of wine from the flask and said: "Greene, your suggestion is truly tempting. I'll find the best craftsman tomorrow to arrange it."
Tyrion took a large gulp of wine and frowned: "This taste… it's terrible…"
-------------------------------
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