The next morning, a Maegor's Holdfast attendant delivered a letter handwritten by Cersei Lannister.
Lord Green, a little puzzled, took the letter sealed with Queen Cersei's emblem from Steward Surana's hand.
Queen Cersei gave Lord Green a new mission: for the foreseeable future, he would be responsible for Prince Tommen's sword lessons and Princess Myrcella's riding lessons.
The matter Cersei was plotting was significant, and she wouldn't reveal the specifics to Lord Green, but it didn't prevent her from keeping Lord Green in King's Landing for appropriate reasons.
At this time, Cersei considered Lord Green's ability and loyalty quite reliable, as Lord Green also had other arrangements within her plan.
After reading the content, Lord Green rubbed his hair.
Lord Green felt there were many reasons, and it wasn't strictly necessary for him to teach the Queen's children.
Regardless of his thoughts, Lord Green would gladly accept; being able to instruct the Prince and Princess in some of their studies not only demonstrated Queen Cersei's trust in Lord Green but was also an honor.
Count Green pinched his chin, seemingly the matter of defeating the Knight of Flowers also played a role.
Wouldn't the Knight of Flowers, upon waking, feel that he was merely ambushed by Lord Green by accident?
Loras and Lord Green were the same age, at the peak of their youthful vigor; shouldn't he be shouting, "Last time I was accidentally ambushed by you," and then challenge him again?
Lord Green really wanted to use Loras to boost his reputation again; if there was another opportunity, he would fight a bit more spectacularly, and incidentally provide more material for the bards.
"Martial, arm me!"
...
Maegor's Garden.
Tommen was seven years old this year, a chubby little boy with golden curly hair and emerald green eyes.
"Count Green, I heard you defeated the Knight of Flowers?"
Tommen's hair shone like gold foil under the sun.
Lord Green lowered himself and said, "Your Highness Tommen, the Knight of Flowers's swordsmanship is considered among the best in the Seven Kingdoms; although I defeated him, it does not deny his superb swordsmanship."
Lord Green was very humble, and he listed the victories the Knight of Flowers had achieved in various tourneys.
Although the Knight of Flowers was defeated by the stronger Lord Green, we will not deny his previous achievements.
Tommen's eyes lit up: "Count Green, you are an upright and powerful knight."
Lord Green waved away the approaching attendant and personally helped Tommen put on his protective gear.
The gentle-natured Tommen was very excited today: "I love apple cake and cream cake the most!"
After speaking, the chubby boy added, "I don't like to eat beets."
Lord Green's hands continued their work, and he couldn't help but smile at the chubby little Prince.
With the protective gear on, Tommen looked even more round.
Lord Green stood by, and Tommen began to do some basic movements; soon, the chubby boy started to sweat.
"Your Highness Tommen, your swordsmanship is very fluid, you are wonderful."
"Brave Knight Tommen, please bravely face the challenge, and soon you will also be able to defeat the Knight of Flowers!"
Tommen, breathing heavily, was instantly re-energized and once again swung his wooden blunt sword at the air.
Seeing that it was about time, Lord Green called a halt and handed a towel to Tommen, who was drenched in sweat.
Tommen was a bit dazed before he extended his chubby hand to take it, somewhat clumsily wiping away the sweat.
Lord Green smiled; compared to Joffrey, who always had a pouting lip, Tommen seemed much cuter.
Tommen's voice was clear and tender: "Count Green, can I become a tournament champion in the future?"
Lord Green's smile was gentle: "Your Highness, your talent is outstanding, you certainly can."
Receiving Lord Green's affirmation, the chubby boy seemed very excited.
...
...
Narrow Sea.
The petite Daenerys Targaryen stood on the deck of the bridge, with Dick and Borona behind her.
Daenerys gazed expressionlessly at the battle below, tightening the black cloak around her, the wide cloak effectively concealing her trembling body.
Othana, leading the guards left by Lord Green and the sailors on board, was fighting pirates on another merchant ship.
During her southward voyage, Daenerys encountered a large merchant ship and a pirate ship engaged in a boarding battle.
Kind-hearted Daenerys, with the goal of helping to repel the pirates, ordered the captain to bring their ship alongside.
As they approached, the guards on the merchant ship and the pirates were locked in fierce combat.
Daenerys's small face showed undisguised weariness.
On the night they departed, an excited Viserys talked with Dick all night, and as a result, he started running a fever the next day.
Since her brother fell ill, Daenerys had been plagued by nightmares every night; she only remembered the dreams were terrifying, but always couldn't recall the specific scenes upon waking.
After waking up this morning, the ship's medic informed her that Viserys's fever had finally begun to break, and Daenerys, who had been worried, finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Another one fell! Daenerys's brows furrowed slightly.
Although Daenerys didn't understand military matters, she now knew that the Crab Claw Peninsula warriors Lord Green had given her were rare elites.
With a total of 20 guards, seeing several fall, Daenerys felt heartbroken.
...
After the battle, Othana came to report: "Princess Daenerys, this is a slave merchant ship! When we arrived, the slave traders on board had already been killed by the pirates."
Daenerys, disregarding the blood on Othana, reached out her fair hand and quickly said, "Othana, are you injured?"
Othana shook her head, her smile very simple: "Don't worry, this is someone else's blood; those people can't hurt me!"
Daenerys still carefully scrutinized her, only then nodding slightly.
Dick's eyes shifted, her voice filled with excitement: "Princess Daenerys, their masters are dead, strictly speaking, you are now their new master!"
Dick was relatively the most educated person in Daenerys's team, and could even be said to be the only scribe; she was entrusted by Daenerys with the position of financial manager.
Daenerys shook her head, her tone firm: "I don't need slaves, I want to give them freedom!"
After speaking, Daenerys led everyone and started walking towards the merchant ship.
...
The cabin door was pried open, and Daenerys, surrounded by her guards, slowly descended the wooden ladder.
What did Daenerys see? She saw shackles and countless empty eyes.
Daenerys, who had wandered with her brother for years through various Free Trade Guilds, was not unfamiliar with slaves, but this scene was her first experience.
Living people, like animals, confined in small, dark spaces, Daenerys's heart was deeply shaken.
Daenerys's petite figure moved among the lifeless crowd, her eyes unconsciously reddening.
Daenerys returned to the wooden ladder, took a few steps up, then turned to face those empty gazes.
Daenerys really wanted to tell Lord Green, far away in Westeros, that she easily got nervous when facing many gazes, her body would unconsciously tremble, and she still felt a bit afraid deep down.
Daenerys slowly inhaled; she needed courage, at least now she had to learn to rely on herself!
Daenerys slowly raised her smooth chin and proclaimed, "I am the daughter of Ilyes II, Ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, Princess of Dragonstone, Daenerys Targaryen, Stormborn!"
"I am not a slave master, I will not enslave you! I will also break your shackles, and when we dock at the next port, you will have the freedom to leave!"
"After leaving this ship full of sin, your freedom belongs only to you; if you want freedom, each of you must fight for it yourselves!"
After Daenerys's words fell, the cabin fell into a long silence.
A ray of sunlight crept in from the cabin opening, shining on Daenerys, draping her in a golden glow.
Countless empty gazes showed a flicker of emotion; they seemed to see a goddess walking among them.
One, two... clink, clank, the sound of shackles colliding echoed throughout the cabin, and everyone reverently knelt towards Daenerys.
...
...
Under the shade of a tree, Lord Green leaned against it, watching Myrcella and Tommen play in the garden from afar.
Lord Green's ears twitched; he heard light footsteps and smelled lemon-scented powder.
Varys, dressed in a loose orange silk robe, smiled as he approached Lord Green.
Varys's gaze was fixed on the distance, where Myrcella and Tommen were playing.
Varys's tone seemed to be one of Feelings: "The Red Keep is full of the ears of great figures; sometimes, this place is actually the most relaxing."
You have the most little birds... Lord Green nodded in agreement: "Lord Varys, whenever I enter the Red Keep, even wearing armor, it's as if I'm naked; I always feel prying eyes from time to time."
Varys smiled: "The Red Keep has always been filled with shadows! Count Green, you will get used to it eventually."
Lord Green shrugged: "I think... I'll never get used to it in this life; the longer I'm away, the more I miss home!"
Varys clasped his hands: "You might be the only one who can resist the allure of power, which is truly admirable."
Lord Green smiled and said, "I'm flattered by your praise; I might just be unable to adapt! Every day here requires extreme caution, and it's easy to get tired if it lasts a little too long."
Varys nodded slightly, speaking in a soft tone: "Storms come and go, great waves wash over, big fish eat small fish; this is the heart of the Seven Kingdoms."
Lord Green smiled, his tone admiring: "Lord Varys, what a vivid metaphor; it seems those who can sit here comfortably are individuals with exceptionally good 'paddling' skills."
Varys covered his mouth and chuckled for a while, then suddenly said, "Count Green, have you also received news from Pentos?"
Lord Green nodded gravely and said, "Kleber Trading Company in Pentos sent the news immediately; I heard it was a fire... It's very regrettable; although I didn't have much contact, I know Governor Illyrio was a very upright gentleman."
Varys's face was mournful: "I also didn't expect an old friend to suddenly meet with disaster."
Lord Green also sighed with him.