Sunlight filtered through thin clouds, bathing the Maegors Garden in warmth, making its flowers and plants appear vibrant.
Greene Kleber leaned against a tree, not far from where the chubby Tommen diligently practiced his sword swings.
Greene's eyes shifted; he saw Lancel Lannister striding over, his handsome face flushed, as if his anger had not yet subsided.
Greene casually greeted him, "Ser Lancel, who made you so angry?"
"Who else could it be…?"
Lancel's gaze swept over Tommen, who was brandishing a wooden sword, and a hint of disdain flashed in his eyes.
"The Dwarf, that hateful Dwarf, he's a Lannister traitor!"
Greene looked over in confusion, Lancel's mouth curved downwards, revealing obvious disgust.
"That Dwarf wants to send Gregor Clegane's head to Sunspear! Has he forgotten that Gregor is a Lannister vassal?!"
Greene raised an eyebrow, "Can Gregor's head still be recognized?"
Lancel pouted and said, "Tyrion said no one's head is as big as Gregor's."
As Lancel spoke, the expression on his face twisted.
Greene's eyes lowered… it wasn't just anger, but more so jealousy; Lancel was filled with rage due to his jealousy of Tyrion.
"Did Queen Regent Cersei agree?"
Lancel said bitterly, "The Dwarf's tongue is best at sweet talk; even Her Majesty the Queen Regent has been deceived by him!"
Greene understood Tyrion's plan; the Lannister family was currently surrounded by enemies, and Sunspear was indeed one of the few targets they could try to win over.
Gregor's head was a gesture of sincerity for an alliance; if successful… then marriage and a seat on the Small Council would follow.
Prime Minister Tyrion was diligently working to salvage the Lannister family's current precarious situation.
"Lord Green, we are the most reliable people for Her Majesty the Queen Regent; we cannot stand by and watch her be deceived by that cunning Dwarf."
"Ser Lancel, what do you want to do?"
Greene's counter-question made Lancel pause, feeling a bit guilty.
Through Lancel's evasive gaze, Lord Green knew the answer… Lancel hoped that he would persuade Queen Regent Cersei.
"Ser Lancel, do not forget your duty."
Greene's voice was calm, but it made Lancel's body tremble.
"Queen Regent Cersei does not need anyone else to tell her what to do, understood?"
When Greene finished speaking, Lancel, though he seemed to understand vaguely, immediately nodded obediently.
Greene sighed inwardly, his eyes turning to Tommen, who was removing his protective gear with the help of a servant: "Ser Lancel, let me ask you a question: who in the Red Keep dislikes Tyrion the most?"
After a pause, Lancel's eyes suddenly lit up: "Her Majesty the Queen Regent?"
Greene waved to Tommen and said, "And King Joffrey."
Lancel's eyes sparkled, and he couldn't help but exclaim excitedly, "That's right… Tyrion even slapped King Joffrey! How could I forget such an important thing! Greene, your memory is so good!"
I also remember that Tyrion slapped Joffrey for your sake… Greene had no interest in analyzing Lancel's thought process.
One of Lancel's important duties was to fill the void left by Jaime's departure, and to dutifully serve as Greene's shield… Lancel's battlefield was in the bedchamber, not in "jockeying for favor."
Greene reached out and patted Lancel, whose morale had risen: "Go, Queen Regent Cersei needs you, stay with her well."
Lancel's face was all smiles, and he walked away briskly.
Lancel, leaving, and Tommen, trotting over, met; the chubby boy politely initiated a greeting: "Cousin Lancel…"
Lancel's steps did not stop; he glanced lightly at Tommen, then withdrew his gaze, only giving an almost imperceptible nod.
Tommen came before Greene, his chubby face full of grievances.
Tommen was very sensitive, and the corners of his eyes began to redden: "Lord Green, Lancel doesn't seem to like me…"
Greene lowered himself, poked the chubby boy's cheek with a finger, and with a slight smile on his face, said: "Lancel doesn't like you… will you be so sad that you won't eat your favorite cream cake?"
Tommen shook his head firmly.
Greene ruffled Tommen's hair and said, "So… it's just one less person who likes you; why let it spoil your good mood?"
Tommen's lips curved upward, revealing an innocent smile.
"Prince Tommen, today's practice is over. I'll escort you back."
As they walked, Tommen suddenly said, "Lord Green, will Lancel always dislike me?"
Tommen looked up at Greene, his eyes filled with anticipation.
The chubby boy was kind, but his heart was both sensitive and fragile.
"There will be no change in the short term."
Upon hearing Greene's answer, Tommen, though focused on his beloved cream cake, couldn't help but feel sad.
He asked again, "Why doesn't he like me?"
Greene countered, "Tommen, do you need him to like you?"
"It seems… I don't need him to?"
Greene nodded slightly: "Many people like you, and many people won't like you. Everyone is the same; this isn't a bad thing."
"Then what is a bad thing?"
"Because of other people, not liking yourself is the worst thing."
Tommen blinked, furrowing his chubby face in thought for a moment before saying, "Lord Green, are you saying I should like myself… right?"
"What I want to tell you is not to easily doubt yourself because of others; learn to trust yourself."
The chubby boy was very honest: "I don't quite understand, but I will remember your words."
...
Maegors Holdfast, outside the Queen Regent's bedchamber.
I fell in love with a lady as beautiful as summer red, the sun shining on her beautiful hair…
The gentle sound of a harp drifted through the doorway; although the singer's voice was muffled by the thick door, Greene still recognized it as Lancel's singing.
The talented Lancel… Greene turned to Ser Meryn Trant of the Kingsguard, who stood by the door, and said, "Ser Meryn, Queen Regent Cersei sent for me, please announce my presence."
"The Queen Regent said you could enter directly."
With that, Ser Meryn pulled open the door, and the singing inside immediately ceased.
...
Inside the room, Queen Regent Cersei sat barefoot, leaning against a pile of cushions, her golden hair disheveled yet beautiful.
Lancel, the harpist, the flutist, and the attendants stood by, all young and handsome… Greene had to admit that his boss, Cersei, certainly knew how to enjoy herself.
Greene bowed, "Queen Regent Cersei."
Queen Regent Cersei gently swirled the cup in her hand, seemingly in a good mood: "Lord Green, have you met our new Prime Minister?"
Queen Regent Cersei's beautiful eyes scrutinized Greene, her gaze filled with examination.
Greene's eyes trembled slightly; this was a familiar yet strange feeling, she seemed to be suspecting something… Tyrion… he guessed that a small incident concerning himself had occurred between Tyrion and Cersei.
Greene shook his head slightly, "I've heard of him, but I haven't met him yet."
"You all may leave first."
Everyone else quickly exited the room, but Lancel did not move.
Queen Regent Cersei frowned slightly and crooked her finger; Lancel immediately drew closer.
Cersei gave her cousin a perfunctory kiss on the cheek and said, "Go, Lancel."
Before leaving, Lancel secretly glanced at Greene, his eyes full of jealousy, but he happened to meet Greene's suddenly shifting gaze.
Lancel's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly lowered his head and quickened his steps.
Greene suddenly felt that as Commander of the Gold Cloaks, it was necessary for him to bring the commander of the Red Keep Guard to meet King Joffrey to show loyalty. Greene happened to hear that Joffrey had recently become obsessed with shooting live targets with a crossbow, and Lancel would surely be happy to serve.
...
Queen Regent Cersei took a shallow sip of the summer red in her cup and leisurely said, "Lord Green, what do you think of the new Prime Minister?"
"I heard that Duke Tywin of Casterly Rock appointed him; I imagine there might be some reasons I'm unaware of."
A look of displeasure appeared on Queen Regent Cersei's face: "He's just a lucky clown."
She wiggled her toes and added, "I don't like trouble."
Greene respectfully said, "He is a trouble you can dispose of at any time; the Gold Cloaks are always at your command."
Queen Regent Cersei slightly raised her chin and said, "Let's see what tricks the Dwarf will play first."
With that, she curved her lips.
After a pause, she suddenly said, "Do you know about Tyrion sending Gregor's head to Dorne?"
"Ser Lancel came to me about this matter; I heard it from him."
Queen Regent Cersei snorted coldly and said, "He's quite good at finding helpers."
Greene withdrew his gaze… Besides Tyrion, he had also wondered if Lancel had said something that made Cersei suspicious of him… It wasn't Lancel. Although Greene knew very well that Lancel didn't have that ability, he still tested him, because he wouldn't underestimate anyone.
Cersei looked up at Greene: "What do you think? Why do you think my Dwarf Prime Minister would suddenly show favor to the Prince of Dorne?"
Greene pondered for a moment and then said, "Tyrion wants to forge an alliance between the Lannister and Martell families."
Queen Regent Cersei's eyes shifted, and she said suspiciously, "The Martell family harbors extreme hatred for the Lannister family; how could they form an alliance?"
Greene slowly said, "Queen Regent Cersei, Prince Doran's hatred for the Lannister family only dates back to the previous generation, but the wars between the Dornish and Storms End, and Highgarden have lasted for thousands of years. So, as long as there is enough sincerity, it is not an impossible thing to achieve."
"Sincerity? A dead man's head?"
Greene shook his head in denial: "Of course not enough."
Greene leaned slightly closer to Queen Regent Cersei and whispered, "Marriage alliance."
Queen Regent Cersei scoffed, "He wants Joffrey to marry a Martell…"
Before she finished speaking, Queen Regent Cersei's expression stiffened, and her pupils constricted.
Queen Regent Cersei suddenly rose, gripping Greene's arm tightly; it was the first time he had seen a look of panic and fear on Cersei's face.
Queen Regent Cersei also realized… if they were to form a marriage alliance with the Prince of Dorne, the Lannister family would be actively seeking an alliance, making them the passive party. The Prince of Dorne would never send the Princess of Dorne to become a "hostage" used by the Lannister family to control him.
Therefore, only by sending Cersei's daughter to Sunspear would Prince Doran Nymeros Martell believe the Lannister family's sincerity.
"Myrcella… I will never agree to give my Myrcella to the Dornish, just as I was given to Robert Baratheon back then! Never!"
Greene tried to console her, "Queen Regent Cersei, please don't worry yet, perhaps I guessed wrong."
Queen Regent Cersei's eyes filled with tears, and she said angrily, "You all deserve to die! They all deserve to die!"
Greene continued to comfort her, "Queen Regent Cersei, Princess Myrcella is still in the Maidenvault; without your consent, no one can take your daughter from you, I guarantee it."
Queen Regent Cersei embraced Greene's waist, burying her head in his chest… At this moment, she especially missed Jaime. She also wanted to tell Jaime that his beloved Dwarf brother was going to sell their only daughter like goods to the Dornish.
Greene could have remained silent, but he had already guessed that Tyrion was eyeing him, or rather, eyeing the 6,000 Gold Cloaks… If that was the case, then Tyrion would have to endure a counterattack from Lord Green, because this was the poker table of the game of thrones.
A rational Cersei was far from Tyrion's match, but an enraged Cersei was a different story.
Greene wanted Tyrion to understand that they were now sitting at the same poker table of the game of thrones; if there was something to discuss, he should come to Greene himself and bring sincerity and chips for the deal.
...
They separated, and Queen Regent Cersei wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.
She said coldly, "Does he think that with Father's letter, everything will be fine? It's just a thin piece of paper… Eddard Stark also had a piece of paper left by Robert."
Greene said softly, "Yes, you hold the initiative; with just one command from you, he will be thrown directly into the depths of the dungeon."
Queen Regent Cersei turned and picked up her wine glass, took a sip of summer red, stood quietly for a moment, and murmured, "Could the Dwarf be carrying out the Old Lion's orders…?"
Greene silently walked over, picked up the wine jug, and poured her more wine.
Queen Regent Cersei's emerald eyes looked at Greene, as if she wanted to confirm again: "Lord Green, could it be Duke Tywin's orders to Tyrion?"
Greene shook his head slightly: "Queen Regent Cersei, I cannot guess for now. Some things require investigation to know the exact answer. Perhaps… at an appropriate time, you can ask Tyrion directly."
Queen Regent Cersei's eyes moved, and she handed the wine glass to Greene: "Greene, I don't have the patience to wait; I need the answer as soon as possible."
Greene took the wine glass from Queen Regent Cersei's hand, paused, and said, "Queen Regent Cersei, I will get you what you want without harming his life."
Queen Regent Cersei smiled, reaching out to gently pat Greene's breastplate, a cold glint in her eyes.
"Be good to him, Lord Green."
...
...
The Vale, Blood Gate.
"I just felt like I recognized this lady…"
The Blood Gate Knight lifted his visor, a faint smile on his face, and his voice hoarse: "Little Cat, you've come so far from home."