At dusk, the sky gradually transitioned from a clear blue to a soft golden hue.
Lord Green's tone was gentle: "Tyrion, people who are too calm can easily appear heartless."
Tyrion's smile faded: "Lord Green, you've seen through my intentions!"
With that, he shrugged his small shoulders and continued: "Talking to you feels a bit too simple."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
Lord Green raised his cup, gestured to Tyrion, took a sip of summer red, and added: "Regardless of the method, Queen Cersei must be avenged."
Tyrion raised an eyebrow, a smile on his face: "Is it that simple?"
Lord Green spread his hands: "The main reason is that she likes it, don't forget my position! As for anything else... you can ask Ser Jaime, you should know his character very well."
Tyrion said helplessly: "Hmm, my little brain always overthinks things, no wonder my elder sister doesn't like to kiss my little face."
Saying this, Tyrion grinned: "I should learn from you how to serve Cersei when I have time."
Lord Green smiled and said: "Here's a good suggestion for you. I hear Queen Cersei has recently taken a liking to watching jugglers."
Tyrion burst out laughing: "Forget it, her hobbies are always changing, unlike me..."
Saying this, Tyrion suddenly lowered his voice: "What was the harvest from your trip to Pentos? I'm asking about the young Targaryen dragon."
Lord Green raised an eyebrow: "What else could it be? The Red Keep has never given up the chase, so they can only drift from place to place."
Tyrion scratched his hair: "What a pity. Unless the Gods... bless us, I don't think I'll ever see a real dragon in my lifetime! If the Targaryen family had dragons, they wouldn't have fled across the Narrow Sea! The last two dragons hatched on Dragonstone... two malformed creatures, not much larger than a hound's skull, were the last two dragons recorded by House Targaryen, and perhaps the last two in this world. I should have given up long ago!"
From a young age, Tyrion had a morbid fascination with dragons. When he attended his sister's wedding to Robert Baratheon, he was determined to see the dragon heads hanging on the walls of the Targaryen Throne Room.
By that time, King Robert had already replaced the dragon heads in the Throne Room with banners and tapestries, but Tyrion remained undeterred and eventually found their storage place in the damp cellars.
Tyrion had expected the dragon heads to be awe-inspiring, even terrifying, but he never imagined they would be such beautiful things... black as onyx, smooth and lustrous, seemingly shimmering in the torchlight, stunningly beautiful.
Tyrion spread his hands and gestured: "When my sister got married, I saw dragon bones in the Red Keep's cellar. Their gaping maws were terrifying; I imagine they could swallow an entire wild ox in one gulp, or perhaps the mammoths rumored to roam the icy wilderness.
Reading the historians' books, the Lannister ancestor, King Loren of Casterly Rock, faced Aegon the Conqueror's three giant dragons, and King Loren quickly chose to surrender and pledge fealty to House Targaryen! After seeing the colossal dragon bones, I am only left with gratitude for that decision!"
Lord Green nodded: "In the great war about three hundred years ago, which bards called the Field of Fire, the combined forces of the King of Casterly Rock and the King of the Riverlands fought against Aegon the Conqueror. Nearly four thousand soldiers were burned to ashes by dragons in a single day, including King Mern of the Riverlands."
Tyrion took a sip of summer red and interjected: "All of Mern Gardener IX's sons were also burned alive by dragonfire, and the ruling family of the Kingdom of the Riverlands... the House Gardener, was almost wiped out.
Harlan Tyrell, the Steward of the King of the Riverlands, offered Highgarden to Aegon the Conqueror. Thus, Aegon the Conqueror granted Highgarden and the Riverlands to House Tyrell and named them the High Lords of the Riverlands."
Lord Green placed his wine glass on the table: "The Golden Rose, ever-growing."
Tyrion grinned: "Ha ha, the steward offered up his master's land, and in turn became the master of the original owner's land. The Golden Rose has no choice but to work hard!
This is the Golden Rose's specialty. I'm more curious about what they will offer this time, and what they hope to gain?"
Lord Green's eyes flickered, looking at Tyrion: "You seem to have found the answer?"
Tyrion countered: "The choice for the new King's Hand, isn't Crab Claw Peninsula placing a bet?"
Lord Green scornfully replied without concealment: "My Lord, I am Queen Cersei's Chief Steward. The tradition of Crab Claw Peninsula is direct allegiance to the Queen."
Tyrion said with a grin: "Now, do you know my answer?"
Lord Green's brows furrowed slightly. After a moment of silence, he spoke: "King Robert is still very young. There are too many variables during this period, and the Golden Rose will not ignore this issue."
King Robert is only 36 years old this year (born 262 AC). Under normal circumstances, the reign of Robert Baratheon I would continue for a long time.
The issue Tyrion and Lord Green were discussing, he was approaching it from Casterly Rock's perspective.
Ser Jaime, who should have been the heir to Casterly Rock, became a Kingsguard. According to the inheritance laws of Westeros, Tyrion Lannister is now the legitimate heir to Casterly Rock, though he has not yet received his father's personal acknowledgment.
Tyrion's small frame leaned back in the chair: "As friendly neighbors, I can't help but pay close attention. I hear the Queen of Thorns of Highgarden is a rather difficult old lady to deal with. And those fickle members of the Small Council, everyone's good friend Petyr, the venerable Grand Maester, and Varys, who's missing his manhood – King's Landing is truly lively!"
Lord Green smiled and said: "We speculate that Duke Eddard is likely to be the next King's Hand. He and King Robert have a deep bond, and they trust each other."
Tyrion first nodded, then grinned and said: "Our King can once again enjoy himself without worry. I truly envy him!"
Tyrion then said: "What about you? Although you are Cersei's steward, that doesn't prevent you from trying to curry favor with the future King's Hand in advance."
Lord Green said with a hint of disdain: "My Lord Tyrion, are you serious? Are you sure the Stark of the North will fall for that?"
Tyrion laughed heartily: "The Red Keep will no longer be filled with sweet talk, but rather with rigid kingdom affairs! I can imagine the scene then, I think it will definitely be very interesting!"
Lord Green smiled and said: "If there are no other variables, they will be unaccustomed to each other's ways of doing things, and it will take a considerable amount of time to build trust between them."
Tyrion asked thoughtfully: "Variables?"
Lord Green replied: "Don't forget the Golden Rose is also in King's Landing. They came all this way, only to return empty-handed. That would make them very uncomfortable and also very embarrassed."
Tyrion pondered with a serious expression for a moment, then spoke: "Initially, Cersei recommended the Duke of Highgarden as a candidate for King's Hand in the Small Council. What is my sister's attitude now?"
Lord Green shrugged and said: "You wouldn't want to know!"
"Ha ha..."
Tyrion's tone was laced with sarcasm: "Well, that's my dear elder sister. Fortunately, we share a kind and amiable father."
Lord Green nodded to himself; Duke Tywin was indeed "approachable."
Tyrion painfully ran his fingers through his bright, almost white hair: "The truth is often cruel. Only now do I realize that staying here and merely complaining to you is ridiculous."
What kind of man is Count Green? He is a man who embodies humility, honesty, compassion, wisdom, bravery, honor... *cough*!
He reached out and patted Tyrion: "Do not worry about Queen Cersei, nor about the Golden Rose. No matter how the situation unfolds, it will not affect Her Majesty's safety. My sword can guarantee that."
Tyrion's movements stiffened, and he said awkwardly: "Lord Green, why did you suddenly change?"
Lord Green's eyes held a smile: "Tyrion, your little actions betrayed you. At least I now firmly believe the Lannister family is one that loves each other."
Tyrion grinned: "Yes, yes, father is kind, sister is gentle, brother is strict, and younger brother is well-behaved, ha ha!"
After laughing for a while, Tyrion said: "You're unexpectedly reliable, fellow. Now I can safely return to the embrace of my beauties; they only love my... gold dragons, hehe!"
Lord Green smiled: "My Lord, please enjoy your wonderful time."
Tap, tap, footsteps sounded, and Lord Green turned his face to see Surana.
Tyrion was still quite conscious of his image and immediately reined in the lewd expression on his face.
"My Lord, this is the dinner invitation that just arrived."
Lord Green took the exquisite invitation, which bore the Golden Rose emblem, and opened it directly to read.
Lord Green's eyebrows raised: "Tonight?"
After a moment of silence, Lord Green spoke: "Surana, please reply for me. I will be there on time."
After Surana left, Tyrion teased: "Is the Golden Rose specifically thanking you for knocking out their Knight of Flowers?"
Lord Green tapped his fingers on the table a few times and said: "King's Hand?"
"No doubt, they're setting their sights on my sister Cersei's favorite courtier."
After speaking, Tyrion awkwardly climbed down from his chair... After seeing Tyrion off, Lord Green made some simple preparations and then, accompanied by his guards, set off for the Tyrell's banquet location.
As night fell, the stars gradually appeared in the sky, and the moon began to show itself.
A gentle breeze brushed against Lord Green's cheek, giving him a touch of coolness.
Lord Green had arrived in King's Landing this morning, followed by Maegor's Holdfast and Baelor's Sept. For him, it had been a rather long day.
The invitation was in Margaery Tyrell's handwriting, and Lord Green guessed it was at Lady Olenna's instruction, as such a hasty invitation style was very much in the Queen of Thorns' fashion.
The North has always been far from King's Landing, and Duke Eddard's name suddenly appearing on the list of candidates for King's Hand would surprise most people.
Everyone was well aware of the friendship between the Direwolf and the Stag, and naturally, there would be some urgency.
Lord Green was understanding.
About half an hour later, Lord Green and his entourage arrived at the gates of the Tyrell mansion.
The main entrance of the Tyrell mansion was tall and imposing. The heavy oak doors were pushed open, and Lord Green entered, guided by a servant.
Upon reaching the hall, Lord Green saw Margaery, who had come to greet him.
Margaery wore a simply styled green dress, her long brown curly hair casually draped over her shoulders.
Margaery smiled radiantly: "Good evening, Count Green, I am delighted you could come. Welcome."
Saying this, Margaery gently extended the back of her hand towards Lord Green.
"Good evening, Miss Margaery, it is my honor to be invited."
Her fingers were slender and long. Lord Green lightly lifted her fingertips, symbolically touching the back of her hand.
"My grandmother is upstairs."
Margaery turned slightly, extending a hand towards the staircase. Her movements were light and graceful.
Lord Green paused, then spoke: "Your grandmother... the Queen of Thorns?"
Margaery glanced sideways at Lord Green: "Do not mention that title in front of her, Count Green."
Margaery did not mean to blame him; her demeanor, instead, suggested a close relationship between them.
Lord Green recalled the past; in Highgarden, he and Margaery had been more formal, never as intimate as today.
Lord Green's eyes flickered... one playing the good cop, the other the bad cop? Is that today's role assignment?
...Lord Green smiled gently: "Miss Margaery, thank you for your kind reminder, you are truly thoughtful!"
Margaery's deer-like eyes looked at Lord Green, her smile gentle: "Let's go quickly, my grandmother is waiting for you, and her patience isn't very good."
Beside the wooden door upstairs stood two guards, wearing gilded half-helms and green robes trimmed with gold thread, with Highgarden's Golden Rose embroidered on their chests. Both were seven feet tall, with broad shoulders, narrow waists, and muscular bodies.
The two had equally strong jaws, equally deep blue eyes, and equally thick red beards.
Lord Green merely glanced at the indistinguishable twins and then stopped at the door.
Margaery beside him introduced them: "These two are grandmother's personal guards. One is named Erik, the other Aric. Because they are difficult to tell apart, grandmother simply calls them Left Hand and Right Hand."
Lord Green nodded and said: "A very wise designation."
Erik and Aric, without looking left or right, slowly pulled open the wooden door.
In the fireplace, the fire crackled, and at the head of the long table sat a wizened old woman with white hair.
Margaery led Lord Green before the old woman, her hands clasped over her lower abdomen: "Count Green, I am honored to introduce you to my grandmother, Lady Olenna, widow of the late Lord Luthor Tyrell, and mother of the current Duke of Highgarden, Lord Mace Tyrell."
Lord Green bowed, hand to chest: "Good evening, Lady Olenna, it is a great honor to meet you."
Lord Green smelled a strong Rose perfume.
Lady Olenna's cloudy eyes stared at Lord Green's face for a moment before she spoke kindly: "Sit down, child! I am pleased that you would come to dine with this old woman."
Lord Green first thanked Lady Olenna, then he nodded slightly to Margaery before finally sitting down.
Several servants quickly filled the long table with various delicacies before leaving the room, leaving only Lord Green, Olenna, and Margaery.
Lady Olenna's tone was modulated: "Child, there aren't so many rigid rules here with this old woman, so please, dig in! I hear you just arrived in King's Landing today and were busy beating up my little grandson, so you must be starving!"