Watching the two chat and laugh in front of her, Margaery could only stand by herself.
A gentle smile graced Margaery's small face, but she couldn't join in.
After chatting for a while, Duke Mace stroked his beard and sighed with emotion, "It can only be said... Tywin is no longer as young as he used to be."
Greene nodded slightly and said, "I heard that after Robb Stark defeated and captured Jaime Lannister, Seaguard and The Twins have declared their support for... Stark."
Duke Mace murmured with a solemn expression, "Stark has essentially gained the allegiance of all the great lords of the Riverlands..."
He continued, "Greene, what do you think of the Lannister's war in the Riverlands?"
Greene mused, "The Lannister Lion still has its claws. I think it's highly likely they will both suffer heavy losses."
Sighing lightly, he continued, "But if the Lannister Army in the Riverlands cannot reinforce King's Landing in time, the result will be Stannis Baratheon sitting on the Iron Throne."
Duke Mace stroked his beard and murmured, "Baratheon..."
Greene nodded and said, "Duke Mace, I once served as the Commander of the King's Landing City Watch. The fighting strength of a few thousand Gold Cloaks... I can only say we cannot place our hopes on them."
After a pause, he continued, "Moreover, Stannis is leading tens of thousands of elites. King's Landing cannot hold out, unless dragons are resurrected."
A flicker of anger flashed in Duke Mace's eyes as he murmured, "Tens of thousands... tens of thousands..."
His hand paused in stroking his beard, and Duke Mace suddenly asked in confusion, "Greene, did the King and the Small Council not request the army from Crabclaw Point to reinforce King's Landing?"
Greene hesitated for a moment before saying, "Duke Mace, if the King and the Small Council order it, I will, according to the tradition of Crabclaw Point, raise tens of thousands of troops to fight for the Iron Throne, but..."
He sighed lightly, "Given the current situation, they won't do that..."
Under Duke Mace's puzzled gaze, Greene explained, "Duke Mace, the Mad King Aerys opened the gates of King's Landing to Tywin Lannister's army more than a decade ago. So, at least in the current situation, they won't do that."
In the later stages of Robert's Rebellion, the Mad King Aerys, following Grand Maester Pycelle's advice, allowed Tywin Lannister's army to enter King's Landing, which directly led to the downfall of the Targaryen Dynasty.
With Stannis's army about to reach the city walls, Lannister certainly doesn't want the events of that year to repeat themselves.
...
Pausing, Duke Mace reached out and patted Greene's shoulder, saying, "Greene, I don't like Stannis Baratheon, but I don't have any good feelings for Lannister either."
During the last tourney, his most beloved youngest son was killed by the Lannister's Mountain, and his second son also lost an arm because of this incident.
Lannister always repays its debts, but the debt they owe the Golden Rose has not been repaid to this day, and it is a blood debt.
Remembering his son, Duke Mace couldn't help but sigh deeply.
Greene's eyebrows raised slightly. What is most important to the nobles of Westeros? The interests of their House come first.
Beneath Duke Mace's genuine emotion lay another, more important thing. Mentioning those matters... was to give the Golden Rose more initiative in the upcoming negotiations.
To be honest, Lord Green didn't really care about these things.
...
Greene's tone carried a hint of comfort: "Duke Mace, Miss Tyrell, I am here fully representing the King and the Small Council. To be precise, I come with the sincerity of Lannister."
Margaery gently took Duke Mace's arm and comforted him, "Father, the gods will protect the brothers."
Duke Mace lightly patted Little Rose's hand, saying, "My Margaery, I'm fine."
Margaery nodded gently and said, "My father, your vassals are all watching you. Stannis has not only invaded the Riverlands but also killed Earl Randyll Tarly."
Greene chimed in, "Duke Mace, you are the supreme leader of the Riverlands, and we share a common enemy."
Margaery smiled like a flower, "Father, Earl Green, please be seated."
Duke Mace stroked his beard and said, "Greene, sit down. You must be very hungry. I remember when I was young..."
...
The "dinner" for the three began. Duke Mace sat at the head of the long table, Margaery sat to his right, and Greene sat to his left.
The crisp sound of bells rang out as waiters and maids orderly brought in delicacies.
First were pears cooked in mulled wine, followed by delicious small fish fried crisp with salt, and capons stuffed with onions and mushrooms.
Then came large loaves of golden-brown roasted bread, turnips, sweet corn, and peas, prime ham and roasted goose, and wild deer stewed with beer and barley.
Desserts included: Rose-shaped lemon cakes, spiced honey cakes, blackberry pies, apple crisps, butter cheese, and more.
Greene raised his cup and sipped the golden wine from Arbor. From the lavish feast, he "read" the Golden Rose Family's enthusiasm and formidable strength.
Was tonight the first round of negotiations?!
Lord Green smiled and raised his glass in a gesture... He was contemplating how to make the negotiation process more "arduous." If it wasn't difficult enough, how could his immense contribution be highlighted, ahem!
Seeing Stannis's strong army about to advance, coupled with the situation in the Riverlands, the Red Keep and Lannister were certainly eager to form an alliance with the Golden Rose.
Conversely, the Golden Rose Family seemed composed, but weren't they anxious? They were even more worried about Stannis sitting on the Iron Throne, which would definitely not be good for the Riverlands.
From a House perspective, the private feud between the Golden Rose and the Golden Lion could be temporarily set aside.
Hmm... he himself was also rather anxious. He was eager to return to Seagull Town to prepare for battle, as this concerned Kleber's future.
In short, everyone was eager to forge this alliance.
So... he decided to be a little less anxious... After all, negotiations needed to be considered comprehensively, as Lord Green was an envoy on whom the Red Keep placed great hopes.
...
Greene's eyes held a smile. Feeling Little Rose's gaze shift to him, he tilted his head slightly and curved his lips into a smile.
Little Rose returned his charming smile, but her fingers beneath the table flexed, the expression of the person opposite instantly raising her guard.
She had "competed" with him many times and was very familiar with this feeling.
Margaery Tyrell's brown eyes moved slightly, and she glanced uneasily at her father, who was beaming with smiles.
She immediately sent a raven to Highgarden with the contents of Greene Kleber's message. Such an important matter could not be decided without her grandmother's wisdom, and her original intention was for her grandmother to personally oversee this "transaction."
But her grandmother flatly refused, saying that the old woman couldn't ride a horse and that she was worried that by the time she finally reached Longtable Hall, Stannis would already be feasting on the Iron Throne.
She knew that this time her grandmother had fully entrusted the future of the Golden Rose to her father... and to her.
[There is a slight difference in understanding of the game of thrones between Little Rose and Old Rose, which is quite reasonable.]
The slender hand beneath the table formed a fist. Margaery raised her glass to Greene.
Greene was savoring the "malicious intent" in Margaery's gaze when Duke Mace's cheerful voice rang out: "Greene, come, to the health of King Joffrey."
Putting down his wine glass, Duke Mace continued, "I heard you once served as King Joffrey's swordplay instructor?"
Greene nodded slightly and said, "Yes, Duke Mace."
Duke Mace stroked his beard and asked, "Greene, do you think Joffrey is a good king?"
Greene replied, "Duke Mace, my knowledge is limited. I can only say he will be a decisive king."
After pondering Greene's words for a moment, Duke Mace glanced at his daughter and said, "Greene, my good boy, I hope you can be frank with me. Will Joffrey be a good husband?"
"Father..." Margaery's eyes immediately reddened slightly.
Duke Mace stared at Greene and said seriously, "This is very important."
Greene's gaze lingered on Little Rose for a moment, then met the gaze filled with paternal love.
After a moment of thought, Greene slowly said, "Duke Mace, Joffrey Baratheon is still a little boy."
...
That night, a certain bedchamber in Longtable Hall.
Knock, knock, knock. A knock came, and after receiving Greene's response, Brienne pushed the door open.
"Lord Green, there's a visitor. She says her name is Elora Tyrell."
Greene's eyes moved slightly. He rubbed his dark hair and said, "Brienne, thank you. Please invite her to the small hall."
Not long after Greene arrived in the small hall, he saw a tired-looking Elora Tyrell.
Greene greeted her proactively, "Good evening, Miss Tyrell."
After the greeting, Aeliana sat on a wooden chair by the fireplace at Greene's invitation.
Seeing Aeliana seemingly hesitating on how to speak, Greene smiled and said, "Miss Tyrell, if you need help, I'd be happy to assist."
Elora Tyrell had long, almost black, brown hair and a pair of lively, large eyes.
Her figure was slender, but compared to their last meeting, she seemed to have grown a bit taller and matured a bit.
In Greene's impression, she was a sweet-looking, lively little girl.
"Please forgive my presumption..."
Elora Tyrell lifted her small chin and said, "Earl, I love you, and I am infatuated with your tongue... Of course, that's just one part of it."
Greene inwardly added, "Quite brave."
He replied directly, "Miss Tyrell, I already have a fiancée."
Elora Tyrell nodded gently and said, "I heard about this from Miss Margaery..."
After a pause, her large eyes looked directly at Greene, and she continued, "My presumptuous visit tonight, I just... I just..."
Greene gently interjected, "You just wanted to confirm again, didn't you?"
He poured a glass of wine, handed it over, and said, "It's absolutely true. If necessary, I can swear an oath, Miss Tyrell."
After hearing Greene's reply, Elora Tyrell's body trembled slightly, and she took a sip of wine with a dejected expression.
After a moment of silence, she suddenly walked up to Greene, lightly touched his face, and said, "Greene Kleber, a girl named Elora Tyrell once loved you."
Then she took her leave, and Greene politely Rose to see her off.
As she reached the door, seeing the girl's face become even more haggard, Greene sighed inwardly and said, "Miss Tyrell, you are a noble member of the Golden Rose, and my territory is full of wildlings. My wife will even be called Chieftainess by them, so this is a good thing. I hope you can be happier."
Elora Tyrell's steps halted, then paused. She said, "Earl Kleber, you can call me Aeliana. Also, I am merely a Rose on a low branch."
With that, she left without looking back.
...
...
The next day, the second round of negotiations began.
Greene, representing the King and the Small Council, consulted with Duke Mace and Miss Margaery for an entire morning, but they failed to reach an agreement on many alliance terms.
For example, the scale of the Golden Rose's army and the command of the allied forces.
For example, the number of seats on the Small Council.
For example, the supply of provisions.
For example, the issues of the Stormlands and Dragonstone.
For example, the issue of the Royal Fleet.
For example... the Golden Rose also proposed a marriage alliance to Lannister. They hoped that Lannister would choose someone to marry into Highgarden to solidify the alliance between the two Houses.
...
On the second day, the result of the serious discussions was almost no different from the previous day.
On the third day, it was as if the previous day was repeated, only before parting, Duke Mace subtly mentioned Princess Myrcella.
On the evening of the fourth day, according to reports from informants placed near Greene's residence, Duke Mace and Miss Margaery received intelligence: several of Kleber's Blue Cloaks were secretly inquiring about shortcuts to Dorne.
On the fifth day, the atmosphere at the negotiating table grew tense.
On the sixth day, the two sides at the negotiating table became heated, and the meeting ended on bad terms.
On the seventh day, taking a day of rest, Greene met with several horse merchants.
On the eighth day, Greene requested continued rest, citing ill health. That night... he and Miss Margaery discussed the situation in the Vale in a pleasant atmosphere.
On the ninth day, Greene continued to recuperate.
On the tenth day, in less than half a day, both sides agreed on the terms of the alliance. With signatures and seals, the Red Keep and House Tyrell thus formed an alliance.
They agreed that Earl Matthus Rowan of the Riverlands would lead 20,000 troops to reinforce the Lannister Army in the Riverlands, and the command of the allied forces would belong to Duke Tywin Lannister.
They agreed that Duke Mace Tyrell would gather at least 50,000 troops at Longtable Hall, with the Golden Rose leading its own army.
They agreed that after Stannis's army was defeated, Joffrey Baratheon and Margaery Tyrell would be betrothed within one month and marry within six months of the betrothal.
They agreed that after Stannis's army was defeated, Lannister and Tyrell would decide on the Lannister candidate to marry into Highgarden within one month.
They agreed that House Tyrell would have two seats on the Small Council.
They agreed that for a period of time (no specific deadline was set), House Tyrell would provide King's Landing with necessary grain free of charge.
...
Although Duke Mace earnestly tried to persuade him to stay, in order not to delay the war, Lord Green left Longtable Hall on the very night the alliance was signed.
-------------------------------
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