Greene Kleber did not relentlessly pursue Loras Tyrell.
Greene silently extended his right hand, palm up, as if sensing something.
He looked up into the distance, sighed softly, and regretfully said, "I thought King's Landing was filled with sorrow... It's crying..."
The crowd was silent.
At this moment, looking at this scene, the people who had just been laughing and talking suddenly felt complicated.
Some were ashamed, some embarrassed, some indifferent... a variety of reactions.
Renly's face was grim, the anger in his blue eyes almost impossible to hide.
Since childhood, no matter where Renly went, people around him would flatter him, treating him like a star surrounded by the moon.
Renly still felt a bit disbelieving in his heart that a minor noble would try to humiliate him in front of everyone.
Renly's eyes flickered, glancing at Jaime, who stood beside Greene.
Could it be a Lannister conspiracy?
He already had no good feelings for the Lannister, and Greene's behavior was too unbelievable, so Renly couldn't help but overthink it.
Renly stared at Greene, his gaze arrogant and containing a warning.
Renly's gaze was too intense, so Greene shifted his eyes to Renly.
A fleeting look of disdain, which Renly caught perfectly, flashed across Greene's face.
Greene spoke in a gentle tone, "Duke Renly, does the passing of the Old Duke sadden you?"
Greene's fleeting disdain had infuriated Renly.
The Baratheon family words are Ours is the Fury.
The sharp Greene had Renly on the verge of "Ours is the Fury."
Renly felt watched by everyone, and he stiffly nodded his chin.
Renly was not a transmigrator like Greene; he was only in his early 20s, not yet reaching the stage of mature temperament, and the person he faced was... Greene, who was indifferent to the hierarchy of bloodlines.
Given Duke Renly's status, he could ignore Greene's question.
But he was currently a candidate for King's Hand, and if he didn't respond directly today, who knew what rumors would spread tomorrow.
Greene respected the rules of the game, first nodding in thanks to Duke Renly.
Greene curled his lips, a look of successful plotting appearing on his face.
Renly's eyes trembled: I wasn't wrong, it truly is a Lannister conspiracy!
"Then..." Greene slowly began.
The handsome Loras suddenly stepped in front of Renly, facing Greene.
Loras coldly shouted, "I told you not to offend Duke Renly!"
Greene raised an eyebrow, looking at Loras, whose face was like a layer of frost.
"Ser Tyrell, are you trying to make a baseless accusation again?"
Loras's golden eyes seemed to spit fire; he tightened his grip on the hilt of the longsword at his waist: "I don't engage in verbal disputes!! The gods will be just, and my sword is the proof."
Greene looked at Jaime beside him with amusement and said, "Ser, he wouldn't be trying to challenge me, would he?"
Jaime shrugged, "Apparently."
Greene's contempt enraged Loras, as if he was about to burst into furious flames.
The smile on Greene's face instantly vanished, his eyes glinting coldly: "Everyone here can bear witness."
Greene's aura suddenly changed; Loras felt as if he was being stared at by a fierce beast.
Loras shook off this absurd thought; he had absolute confidence in his swordsmanship.
The surrounding crowd retreated, clearing space for the two to duel.
He was going to teach this guy who dared to offend Renly a harsh lesson! With a clang, Loras drew his sword.
With his longsword drawn, Loras himself was like a sharp treasured sword, and the onlookers couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
Then... he fell. Under Greene's heavy blow, Loras passed out directly.
The Knight of Flowers was too handsome, and the kind Greene did not harm his handsome face... The change on the field happened too suddenly; everyone was too late to react and collectively stood there stunned.
Renly ignored everything else and quickly ran over to check on Loras's condition.
Renly knelt down and embraced Loras.
Loras's eyes were tightly closed, looking a bit disheveled but still exceptionally handsome.
At this moment, Loras's appearance was very similar to his sister, Margaery.
Renly's gaze was sharp; his eyes slowly swept over Greene and Jaime.
Jaime lifted his chin, his eyes sharp; the Golden Lion never feared the Crowned Stag!
Greene held the sword hilt in his right hand, the longsword resting by his side, looking nonchalant.
Greene felt hateful glances from the noble ladies in the crowd, which gave him the illusion that he was some kind of villain.
Greene sighed inwardly, they were both handsome men, why the differential treatment?
Greene, who had just been ruthless with the Rose, now set his sights on Renly's other guards.
"Does anyone else want to try making a baseless accusation?"
Renly's guards all glared angrily at Greene.
Renly handed Loras over to a squire, stood up, and raised a hand to stop the guards who were about to draw their swords.
Renly walked over, first glancing at Greene, then addressing Jaime, "Ser Lannister, I will remember your greetings!"
Jaime curled his lips, coldly saying, "Duke Renly, I will remember your greetings too!"
Renly was referring to what happened today, while Jaime was referring to Renly's past plotting to harm Queen Cersei.
Now was the stage for the big shots to exchange threats, Baratheon of the Stormlands vs. Lannister of the Westerlands.
Greene watched the two with a calm expression, but inwardly wondered if he should add more fuel to the fire.
Too much is as bad as too little; Greene quickly suppressed the urge to go further.
Greene suddenly thought of Petyr and Varys; it seemed all three of them were plotting chaotic situations.
Unfortunately, they all had their own positions, and these positions conflicted with each other.
Otherwise, if the three of them had teamed up, the so-called Great Lords might not even know how they died.
Just as Greene finished his musings, Renly's cold snort came through.
Renly glared at Greene again, then turned and left the Marble Plaza with his guards.
As the crowd dispersed, Jaime smiled and said, "Count Greene, your method of provocation is truly unique; Renly must have been deeply impressed."
Greene's tone carried regret: "Too bad Duke Renly stopped the others."
Jaime curled his lips: "Not to underestimate your courage, but aren't you worried about Renly's retaliation?"
Greene raised an eyebrow: "Would the Lannister worry about Renly's retaliation?"
Greene made his stance clear: we are on the same side.
Jaime gave a carefree smile and patted Greene's arm: "If we meet in a tourney, let's have a match."
Making Renly frustrated made Jaime feel good.
This was a bloodless contest between the Great Lords of Westeros, and the winner was Jaime Lannister.
Jaime bid farewell to Greene.
Greene guessed that Jaime was eager to return to the Red Keep to claim credit from Queen Cersei, as for rewards... better not to mention it.
Greene stepped into Baelor's Sept... Greene walked through the Hall of Lights, where many colorful stained-glass globes hung from the ceiling; this long corridor had to be traversed to enter the Sept from the main gate.
Not long after, Greene heard laughter coming from nearby.
Greene frowned slightly and looked closely... Mace Tyrell, stout but somewhat corpulent; Petyr Baelish, slender; Varys, plump; and other Red Keep ministers.
Duke Mace, surrounded by everyone, was the happiest.
Greene's lips curled slightly; this scene reminded him of an "Inflatable Fish" being eyed by two foxes.
Greene slowed his steps and walked towards Duke Mace and the others.
Greene hadn't forgotten that he had just beaten Duke Mace's son outside.
Everyone was gathered for family interests; there was no need to deliberately bring up such matters.
Unless Loras was the family head or heir, Loras alone could not represent the entire Golden Rose Family.
For example, Loras pledging allegiance to Renly did not mean the Golden Rose Family also pledged allegiance to Renly.
Currently, Renly was still a competitor for Duke Mace to become King's Hand... "Oh, isn't that Greene?"
Duke Mace's voice was loud, and his tone was very cheerful.
Greene was about to approach and offer his greetings, but Duke Mace spotted him first.
Greene said with feigned delight, "Duke of the Rose, I am honored to see you again!"
Duke Mace laughed heartily and stroked his beard: "Good, good! I heard King Robert entrusted you with an important task and sent you across the Narrow Sea. I didn't expect to see you so soon."
Duke Mace was probably in a good mood and treated Greene very warmly, as if he were his own nephew.
Greene respectfully replied, "The matter has temporarily concluded, so I returned to King's Landing."
Duke Mace stroked his beard and said, "Greene, it's good to get more experience when you're young. I believe in your abilities."
After speaking, Duke Mace patted Greene encouragingly.
Greene gratefully said, "Thank you for your guidance, my lord. I will surely remember it!"
What a humble child, Duke Mace nodded slightly with satisfaction.
Greene then greeted the others.
At this time, no formal greeting etiquette was needed; according to their status, a simple greeting from the highest-ranking person downwards would suffice.
Everyone present could see Duke Mace's intimacy with Greene, and since Greene was also the Queen's Chief Steward, everyone wore friendly smiles, patiently waiting for the greetings to conclude.
Greene turned to Petyr, who looked haggard, and concernedly said, "Lord Petyr, you seem very tired. You look like you need a good rest."
Petyr shook his head slightly: "The Old Duke's passing was too sudden, and there are many matters to attend to. I can barely cope."
Varys nodded and said, "Indeed, it's exhausting. The kingdom needs money every day, and the Hall of Office cannot do without Lord Petyr's presence!"
He paused, then Varys regretfully added, "Lord Petyr and the Duke had a deep bond. I must say that among everyone here, he is the most sorrowful."
Petyr's eyelid twitched.
Greene smiled and said, "Lord Petyr, now that Duke Mace is here, you can relax a little.
I hope you recover soon, just as Lord Varys said, the kingdom's finances cannot do without your hard work."
Duke Mace stroked his beard, thinking, "Well said, that's exactly what I mean."
Varys clasped his hands: "Count Greene is absolutely right; it should be so."
Greene and Varys's gazes quietly met, and the two subtly nodded to each other.
Illyrio was killed by Daenerys; the two still needed to discuss this privately.
Now that one person was gone, would Varys and Illyrio's combined plotting continue?
Greene thought that plans meticulously prepared for over a decade could not be abandoned halfway.
From Varys's perspective, in some ways, perhaps Daenerys had helped Varys.
To absorb the various legacies left by Illyrio, Varys would surely be busy for a while... Petyr curled his lips and said, "Count Greene, thank you for your kindness. I will recover as soon as possible..."
Saying this, Petyr nodded slightly towards Duke Mace, then continued, "When I saw Duke Mace, I actually unconsciously regained my confidence."
Varys also nodded and said, "On this point, we have already reached a consensus."
Greene placed his right palm on his chest and said, "My lords, my thoughts are the same. I have always felt that Duke Mace is a Pillar of the Realm."
This young man's tongue is so sweet... Everyone was silent for a moment, then eagerly agreed, praising Duke Mace as truly worthy of being a Pillar of the Realm.
Duke Mace smiled and stroked his beard for a while before saying, "One stone cannot build a high wall; the kingdom needs the concerted efforts of all you lords!"
Too well said! Everyone again praised him enthusiastically.
Greene mingled among the crowd, appreciating everyone's masterful performance.
Although Duke Mace was somewhat corpulent, he was still handsome, and his words and actions, from an outsider's perspective, truly befitted the High Lord of the Riverlands.
Inside... that's not important! The superficial Greene only cared about Duke Mace's outward appearance... The sharp Greene suddenly felt a chill.
Greene turned his head and saw Duke Stannis approaching from a distance.
Greene subtly withdrew from the flattering crowd.
Greene Kleber Lannister Tyrell Targaryen somehow felt like he was in a love triangle.
Greene thought back.
He didn't remember pledging allegiance to the Baratheon of Dragonstone... Could it be that Duke Stannis had already considered him his subordinate?
Greene secretly winked at Duke Mace, but unfortunately, Duke Mace was currently drowned in flattery and couldn't pay attention to anything else.
Greene moved a little further away, thought for a moment, then winked at Petyr.
The astute Petyr noticed quickly and looked towards Greene.
Greene pointed a finger in one direction.
Master of Coin Petyr naturally glanced over; although still a bit far, he immediately recognized Stannis's figure.
In the game of thrones, it's most taboo to bet too early... Petyr decisively and quietly exited the flattering crowd.
Petyr secretly observed for a moment; Greene's position was the best, so he came to Greene's side.
The two exchanged smiles, everything unsaid.
As for Varys, his hands were intimately holding one of Duke Mace's hands, and Greene also noticed traces of powder left on Duke Mace's sleeve.
Greene didn't want to disturb them.