Green handed the reins to a servant and smiled, "Good evening, Ser Garlan."
Followed by Crabb's Blue Cloaks and Tyrell's Green Cloaks, Green and Ser Garlan walked side by side into the Red Keep's gate.
Under the setting sun, the entire Red Keep seemed to be molten in a layer of red light.
After a few pleasantries, Ser Garlan hesitated, stopped, and solemnly patted his chest, saying, "Duke Green, thank you again for your assistance. Swordsman Matthew is an excellent instructor (the left-handed swordsman from Crab Claw Point in the Riverlands, sent by Green). He made me wield a sword again and helped me reclaim my name for bravery."
Green stopped and said, "That is his honor, Ser."
He glanced at Garlan's left arm, patted it, and added, "Congratulations! I hope... you and I will have the chance to fight side by side, brave Knight Garlan."
Upon hearing this, Ser Garlan patted his chest again, his voice tinged with faint excitement, "To be able to fight alongside a renowned general is the honor of my life."
Green nodded slightly, thinking of Velas Tyrell (Lord Mace's eldest son and heir), and he felt... this was what a qualified heir should be.
He said, "Very well, it's settled."
The two continued to walk and chat. Lord Greene, always perceptive, was even more deeply touched by Knight Garlan's sense of honor, which made him think of Duke Ned, far away in Winterfell.
The man beside him had conquered Blood Gate and Eyrie, which everyone thought were impregnable, and Ser Garlan was asking for tips on siege warfare.
Green smiled, "Brightwater Keep of Florent?"
As Ser Garlan looked surprised, he continued, "When Lord Mace and I discussed Storms End, we also mentioned Brightwater Keep, which is why I made this guess."
Hearing Green's explanation, Ser Garlan nodded, somewhat dazed. Are all great generals' gazes so sharp? He thought of the deceased Randyll; they... were different.
Green patted Ser Garlan's arm and said, "You'll get used to it soon."
Ser Garlan chuckled, a little embarrassed, and said, "Perhaps it's because it's my first time leading an army into battle alone..."
As they approached Maegors Holdfast, they saw in the distance... Ser Jaime, with his flowing golden hair.
The three greeted each other. Anyone could see Jaime's weariness; he was trying his best to act as if nothing was wrong, even jokingly mentioning the unexpected royal banquet that evening.
What was the hottest topic in the Red Keep at this moment? Besides the Little Devil's assassination attempt on the Red Viper, it was the Direwolf's raid on Duskendale.
The three of them quickly discussed the war in Riverlands.
Garlan: "Looking at the commotion the Direwolf made, I feel like they're more like a band of brigands."
Green: "Perhaps, when they have nothing left to plunder, they will perish."
Jaime: "I went to see the suspended reconstruction of Kings Gate today. Many Riverlands refugees have gathered there."
Green: "As long as the war continues to burn, more and more homeless refugees will gather, and the price of bread in King's Landing will only rise higher and higher."
Garlan: "Just yesterday, after Margaery returned, she also mentioned the refugees to us. She seemed very worried."
...
Garlan: "Ser Jaime, I heard the news of your impending campaign. May you eliminate those 'brigands' causing trouble in Riverlands soon. The Gods bless you."
...
On a nearby tower, Duke Tywin stood with his hands behind his back, overlooking the figures of the three men—blue, red, and green—heading towards Maegors Holdfast.
Footsteps sounded from behind, paused, and Ser Kevan's voice rang out, "Duke Tywin, tonight might be another 'fiasco' of children."
Duke Tywin's gaze did not leave the scene below, and he said, "It seems ordinary lessons are not suitable for Joffrey."
After a pause, he added, "Kevan, I'm still hesitating."
Ser Kevan sighed, "The scene that day (Chapter 329) reminded me of the Mad King..."
After a pause, he continued, "Duke Tywin, out of caution, I have dispatched Ser Adam to take over the guard duty at Maegors Holdfast."
He bowed slightly, "Please forgive my presumption."
Duke Tywin withdrew his gaze, snorted coldly, and said, "Aerys at least had a period of being praised. He is more like my daughter, who likes to act clever."
After a moment of silence, Ser Kevan's deep, resonant voice rang out, "If your efforts do not bring about good change..."
He looked up at his brother, "After the war in Riverlands is quelled, I suggest you seriously consider it, for Lannister, and for you, Duke Tywin."
Lannister... Duke Tywin looked up at the fiery sunset. The hand behind his back clenched for a moment, then relaxed.
He turned around, "Kevan, any news from Lord Frey?"
Ser Kevan shook his head slightly and replied, "That cunning weasel is still observing. I think the news of the Little Wolf Cub breaking Harrenhal has already reached The Twins."
Duke Tywin's eyes narrowed slightly, and he said, "Kevan, we need someone... to buy Lannister time to gather an army."
He mused, "Send someone to contact Lady Westerling."
Upon hearing this, Ser Kevan hesitated and said, "Duke Tywin, without Jeyne, can she still be of use to Lannister? Perhaps I could secretly go to The Twins to show Lord Frey the sincerity of what he seeks."
"The risk is too high. Lord Frey's eyes can no longer see the situation in the Seven Kingdoms; he is still immersed in his own beautiful dream. You cannot wake someone who sleeps with their eyes open."
After a pause, Duke Tywin looked at his brother and added, "Kevan, even a small pebble can change the direction a horse runs."
...
When Green and Jaime entered the hall of Maegors Holdfast, they saw the Rose maidens laughing joyfully: Megga Tyrell, Airo Tyrell, Jeyne Tyrell, Yalan Tyrell.
Standing beside them was a man, Osney Kettleblack, barely maintaining a smile.
As the two of them appeared, the hall instantly fell silent, and then... Green felt four pairs of sparkling eyes shift to him, but... they merely passed by.
In unison, their gazes fixed on Jaime, who stood beside Green.
Soon, the girls' hushed, excited voices could be heard.
The fangirls didn't forget to curtsy to the stern Duke Green, but when the handsome Ser Jaime returned the bow with an elegant posture, the Roses couldn't help but let out a chorus of oh-oh-ohs...
Taking a breath, Lord Greene stepped away first.
Joffrey's small banquet was held in the dining room on the second floor of Maegors Holdfast. Compared to other dining rooms in Maegors Holdfast, it was relatively smaller but the most lavishly decorated. It was said that during the Targaryen Dynasty, successive kings and queens often dined here.
As for the kings and queens of the Baratheon Dynasty... it's better not to mention them.
Green and Ser Garlan were chatting by the stained-glass window for only a few moments when Ser Jaime appeared.
Upon arriving, Jaime looked at Green with amusement and said, "Duke, you disappeared the moment I turned around."
Green shrugged, "Sometimes I can't help but envy your charm, Ser."
He looked at Ser Garlan beside him, "The young beauties in the hall were all captivated by Ser Jaime. I didn't want to stay and disturb the wonderful atmosphere there."
Ser Garlan gave a reserved smile, "I also heard many ladies in Highgarden talking about Ser Jaime. I must admit... I, too, was once jealous."
After speaking, he suddenly looked a little downcast, as if recalling something, but quickly regained his composure.
Green's gaze flickered, and he continued to tease, "Ser Jaime, next time, I will actively stay away from you."
Ser Jaime shrugged, "Alright, alright, I'll try my best to cooperate."
His response earned him a sidelong glance from Green, and Ser Garlan couldn't help but laugh.
About half an hour later, a servant announced, "Hand of the King—Duke Tywin Lannister—has arrived!"
Duke Tywin appeared. He first glanced at the three standing by the stained-glass window, then at the long dining table, and then walked directly over and sat down.
Soon after, the servant's announcement rang out again, "Welcome—Protector of the Realm—Queen Regent—Queen Cersei of Lannister—"
Cersei entered the dining room surrounded by her handmaidens. Her entrance was quite grand. Green, with his excellent eyesight, noticed Duke Tywin, who was sitting with his eyes closed... a vein on his forehead twitched slightly.
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