At this point, the topic of Duke Stannis could be concluded.
Green had initially achieved his goal; the rest depended on Petyr's schemes.
This matter was not a profound power struggle; exposing the incident in the Hand's chambers' hidden compartment was the opportune moment, as long as the schemer was careful to conceal his identity.
Without needing a reminder, the shrewd Petyr would hide himself in the shadows, and Green would hide behind Petyr.
At this time, both parties would choose to keep each other's secrets; this was the political tacit understanding of schemers.
...
Kingswood Hunting, though bearing the word 'hunting' in its name, was essentially a royal event of an excursion nature organized by the Queen for the noblewomen of the Crownlands.
Royal activities were equivalent to kingdom affairs, so all the gold dragons for Kingswood Hunting were naturally approved and disbursed by the Master of Coin, Petyr.
Green had looked at the documents Petyr handed over, and combining them with the stewards' lists, his brow furrowed imperceptibly.
Hiss, twenty thousand gold dragons!
Hiss, the Crownlands nobles certainly know how to enjoy themselves!
The Queen's stewards had been busy for three whole months for Kingswood Hunting, and the procurement of necessary supplies had long been completed.
No wonder when he suddenly took over Kingswood Hunting and met the stewards in the great hall of Maegor's Holdfast, they showed no dissatisfaction, but rather were unusually friendly compared to usual.
The spoils had already been divided among the stewards, leaving only the arduous task of leading and organizing; they were eager for someone to take over so they could relax.
Green was jealous, jealous that his colleagues could leave the table after eating their fill, and not even have to wash the dishes!
The noble Queen Cersei would not know, nor would she care about these issues.
This was the trust of Cersei, his boss; Green could only do his best for the royal affairs.
Green's personality meant he didn't dwell too much on what he had already missed.
...
Petyr said, "I was actually very surprised to hear you taking over Kingswood Hunting at this time. The most important material procurement has long been completed; what remains are merely arduous tasks like escorting, where it's difficult to make a significant impact and earn more favor from Her Royal Highness the Queen."
Green shrugged, "It's my duty."
Petyr spread his hands out to both sides, his gaze sincere: "Baron Green, I've said it before, we are already friends, and within my capabilities, I am very willing to help my friends."
Green's excellent memory told him that Petyr had just almost completely repeated the last sentence Petyr had spoken when Green had 'visited' him late at night.
Petyr continued, "Although I am the Master of Coin, to avoid unnecessary trouble, I can only help you add another ten thousand gold dragons, my friend."
Green understood what Petyr was expressing; the ten thousand gold dragons was Petyr's sincerity for reconciliation.
The Master of Coin adding funds for Kingswood Hunting was within the scope of official duties, and such news could not be kept secret.
But as the person in charge of Kingswood Hunting, Green, with a little manipulation, could not only make Queen Cersei's Kingswood Hunting this time even more splendid than before, but Green could also skim off a considerable amount.
Green estimated in his mind that if he put in a little more effort, it might be possible to retain half.
At this moment, Green was no longer jealous of his colleagues.
Green placed his hand on his chest and bowed his head, his tone amiable: "Kleber will always remember Master Petyr's kindness."
...
Red Keep, outside the Hall of Office.
Green bid farewell to Petyr, and as soon as he stepped out of the Hall of Office's door, he spotted Jaime Lannister, whose face was slightly darkened.
After Jaime Lannister gained the title of Kingslayer for breaking his vows, Jaime's beliefs had collapsed. On the surface, he looked normal, but he was actually somewhat self-destructive, with only Queen Cersei in his heart.
Neither family nor power concerned Jaime Lannister; Cersei became his sole belief.
Green didn't want to comment much on such a Jaime Lannister; based on his usual impression, he temporarily categorized him as a frustrated person with unstable emotions.
...
Green pretended not to see Jaime's dark face and initiated a greeting: "Ser Jaime, is Her Royal Highness the Queen looking for me?"
Jaime handed over a golden pouch embroidered with a crowned stag: "Little Savage, this is a reward from His Royal Highness Joffrey."
Jaime was acting strangely. Why had he reverted to calling him 'Little Savage'?
Green reached out and took it, secretly feeling the weight of the pouch, then handed it over to Angai, who stood faithfully behind him: "Please convey my thanks to His Royal Highness Prince Joffrey."
Jaime squinted at Green, and his tone of voice, to Green, sounded very 'annoying'.
"Let's go, Princess Myrcella wants to see you."
Princess Myrcella?
Green followed Jaime, who had already started walking, his face showing confusion: "Ser Jaime, may I know why Princess Myrcella wishes to see me?"
Jaime again squinted at Green: "She heard the story of the mermaid."
The story of the mermaid?
Green hadn't forgotten that to increase the appeal of Mermaid Port, he had arranged for Butler Herschel to spread the legend of the mermaid when he was in Whispering City.
Had the legend of the mermaid already spread into the Red Keep? Did this count as going viral?
Butler Herschel did a good job; at this moment, Green even missed Herschel a little!
At the same time, the quick-witted Green finally understood why Jaime occasionally showed unexplained hostility towards him.
Myrcella was only eight or nine, right?
In Green's view, Myrcella was just a child; what ill intentions could he have towards her?
Green thought back, confirming that he hadn't done anything, either in Princess Myrcella's presence or behind her back, that might be misunderstood.
Green felt a little annoyed. Was Jaime targeting him alone, or everyone?
...
Green's face showed no emotion: "So Princess Myrcella heard the story of the mermaid?"
Jaime's face was stiff, and he nodded perfunctorily.
"The story of the mermaid originates from Kleber's Mermaid Port..."
Green was actually quite vengeful. After a pause, Green deliberately asked, "Ser Jaime, Myrcella is a princess after all, and she's meeting me alone. Should I prepare a bouquet of flowers?"
Watching Jaime's face instantly turn ashen upon hearing his words, Green secretly chuckled.
Jaime tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword: "Princess Myrcella is still young; she won't accept flowers from a strange man."
Green nodded in agreement: "That's right, Princess Myrcella's status is noble. Although she is still young, it is necessary for us to put up some barriers."
Upon hearing Green's words, Jaime's lips finally curved into an arc.
Green then said, "I'm different; I'm one of us."
Jaime stopped walking.
Seeing Jaime stop, Green glanced around, his gaze puzzled: "Ser Jaime, why did you stop?"
Jaime was seething inside, but he was also helpless. If he thought about it carefully, Green, who was completely unaware, was indeed innocent.
It was all Tyrion's fault for giving bad ideas. Brother Jaime's love for Brother Tyrion decreased by one.
Jaime resumed walking: "You don't need to send any flowers either."
Jaime realized his words were a bit unfeeling, cleared his throat, and added: "Little Baron, Princess Myrcella doesn't like receiving gifts."
Green spread his hands: "I'll follow the Ser's arrangements."