With that, Green leaned back in his chair, quietly observing Ser Barristan.
Hearing Green's "reminder," Barristan Selmy nodded apologetically, "I was presumptuous."
He continued, "As you said, I believe Miss Brienne is also aware of the Princess's true identity."
After a pause, Ser Barristan directly stated, "I heard..."
He hesitated, then corrected himself, "The Princess told me that you promised to publicly acknowledge her identity and marry her within a year."
Green's eyes were slightly lowered, his fingers tapping the armrest. Seeing Ser Barristan silently watching him, he raised one hand slightly, making a gesture to invite him to speak.
Ser Barristan's gaze was profound: "Forgive my bluntness, your decision is impulsive, it will put the Princess in a dangerous situation, Count Green."
After speaking, he might have realized his words were too direct, so he added, "Perhaps, we shouldn't underestimate the strength of the usurpers. If a common enemy appears, they will still choose to unite. Because it concerns the survival of their families."
Silence filled the study for a moment, and Greene Kleber again made a gesture to invite him to speak.
Ser Barristan stared at the serene-faced Green for a while, then exhaled and said, "I'm finished, Count Green."
Green nodded and said, "Ser Barristan, I want to ask... whose man are you?"
Ser Barristan's brow furrowed slightly, and he replied, "I will always be loyal to the Princess, until death."
"Indeed, your current identity is the Princess's loyal sworn shield."
Green continued, "Ser Barristan, I want to ask... Where is this place? Also, what is my relationship with the Princess? Two questions, please answer me seriously."
Ser Barristan frowned in thought, paused, then answered the seemingly simple questions: "This is Moon Gate Castle, and she is your fiancée."
After a moment's hesitation, Ser Barristan, who was on his path of atonement, cautiously added, "You are the Princess's fiancé."
"Thank you for your honesty. But..."
Green placed the wine glass in his hand on the table and continued, "One point was not specific enough. Ser Barristan, Moon Gate Castle is one of the Klaeb Territory."
He spread his hands: "As my future wife, the Princess will share my glory. At the same time, she also has the obligation to maintain House Clebber's rule."
Ser Barristan listened... a little overwhelmed. Although his expression remained calm, his heart was filled with doubt. Count Green seemed to be talking about the responsibilities and duties of a traditional wife in Westeros, but... what exactly did this young ruler want to convey to him? He truly disliked word games.
He pointed to himself and said, "I'm sorry, Count Green, I'm old, and my mind isn't as quick as a young person's."
Ser Barristan's face was full of the marks of time: "Perhaps, more direct words are better suited for me here."
"Thank you for your honesty, Ser Barristan."
Green's gaze narrowed slightly, and he said, "What I mean is... you seem to be intentionally shaking House Clebber's rule, Barristan Selmy."
Ser Barristan was first surprised, then abruptly stood up and said, "Count Green, although I have lost my honor, I will not accept slander!"
Green raised a hand, signaling Brienne to step back, and slowly stood up: "Ser Barristan, it's not slander, it's the truth."
He took a step: "You warned me about the danger of revealing the Princess's identity early, and that's because... after seeing three dragons, you had hope of restoring the old order you had before losing your honor, didn't you?"
He gradually approached: "As long as there's enough time, there's a great chance, because they will eventually grow into true dragons, just like... Aegon the Conqueror's three dragons."
Green stood in front of Ser Barristan: "Among them, what do you consider Kleber? A thug, or a guard? Is the vast Klaeb Territory just a dragon's nest?"
Barristan shook his head: "I never thought that. I am very glad that you are the Princess's fiancé."
"Very good, that means you still retain a knight's heart. But..."
Green looked directly at Ser Barristan: "Your unintentional actions, as you call them, will cause the facts I've stated, Ser Barristan."
He continued, "My domain includes the Claw Isle and the Vale, and I could even say... I don't even have an heir, and neither does the Princess's family. We are about to form a new family, and our children will inherit everything from us. As the Princess's sworn shield, you are thinking of Kleber as being in opposition to the Princess... Isn't this shaking House Clebber's rule?"
Green scrutinized Ser Barristan, whose expression had grown heavy, then continued, "Your unintentional actions are going to destroy the greatest power protecting the Princess. Is this what you mean by the path of atonement, Ser Barristan?"
Barristan the Bold, upon hearing Green's "cruel" truth, unconsciously took half a step back, muttering, "I... how could I... This is impossible..."
Green directly stated, "Though you walk the path of atonement, your eyes are still blinded by your pride. Every decision you make is as arrogant as it was back then. I think... in today's meeting, you didn't even consider the Princess's own thoughts; you arrogantly made decisions on behalf of others again, Ser Barristan."
Green turned and walked away, saying, "I am not Ilyes II, nor am I Robert I."
Ser Barristan was still standing there stunned. Green sat back in his chair and said, "I hope you will heed my honest words, and I hope there won't be a next time. This is a solemn warning."
After Ser Barristan left in a daze, Brienne occasionally glanced at Green.
Green leaned back against the armrest and smiled, looking at her, "Brienne, what do you want to say?"
Brienne's thick lips moved, and she said, "Lord Green, Ser Barristan's condition... can he perform his duties well?"
Green chuckled softly and said, "Ser Barristan will figure it out; he is Barristan the Bold."
Brienne hesitated for a while, then asked, "Is Ser Barristan reliable?"
Lord Green was very patient with Brienne. He explained, "He has an irreplaceable value. He can be loyal only to the Princess, but the premise is that it cannot affect House Clebber's sovereignty."
He picked up his wine glass: "That's precisely the purpose of my words to Ser Barristan."
The sun gradually rose, and warm sunlight streamed into the room. Green squinted, took a sip of wine, and said, "The order under power cannot tolerate negligence; it's much like warfare. If you want to fully deal with the enemy, you must first..."
Listening to the content of Green's words, Brienne suddenly recalled a previous incident (Chapter 264). She clumsily interrupted, "My Lord, I just want to be your guard until I can no longer perform my duties."
Green paused slightly. He remembered the time he had wanted to appoint Brienne as a Blood Gate Knight. He leaned back and smiled, saying, "Good, I respect your wishes. We will see this through to the end."
Upon hearing Green's promise, Brienne showed a childlike happy smile.
Knock, knock, knock. After a knock at the door, Steward Surana appeared at the entrance: "My Lord, the Princess invites you to breakfast."
...
Lord Green devoted himself wholeheartedly every day.
...
Three days later, Green led an army primarily consisting of 100 Vale cavalry and 200 Clan Soldiers, bringing nearly 1000 warhorses in total, out of Blood Gate.
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