Lord Green was silent for a moment before saying, "After that night, she also disappeared, along with the guards I gave her."
His brown eyes shifted, and he added, "I hope my subordinates can protect His Highness's safety."
Varys looked at Lord Green, the smile on his face long gone: "It seems who the culprit is is already obvious."
Lord Green shrugged: "She is a kind girl; something incredible must have happened… Could it be her brother?"
A faint smile appeared on Varys's face: "The dead are gone, the living remain."
Lord Green's eyebrows twitched slightly; Varys was subtly indicating that he would not pursue Illyrio's death.
Varys's smile deepened: "And I must congratulate you on your fruitful trip to Pentos; it truly makes one envious."
In Varys's eyes, Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen had become political bargaining chips in Lord Green's hands.
The unexpected turn of events created by Daenerys, perhaps this sudden surprise, forced Varys to adjust his meticulously laid plans of many years.
Lord Green sighed inwardly, thinking that Cersei and Daenerys both seemed adept at giving people "surprises."
Lord Green was very candid: "Lord Varys, things are too coincidental… I even suspected it might be a conspiracy by someone with ulterior motives, but then I thought… it could also be a stroke of luck."
Varys clasped his hands, his tone relaxed: "The outcome, however, is delightful; the future Kleber will be able to advance or retreat at will."
Lord Green rubbed his hair: "It was an unintentional act, arranged out of concern for the Princess's safety. Do your words make it sound wonderful?"
Varys nodded slightly: "Count Green, the struggle for the Iron Throne is not over. The Baratheon has not yet firmly established himself in the Seven Kingdoms. My little birds tell me that undercurrents have always been stirring."
Without Illyrio, Varys had lost control over Viserys.
Because the situation in Westeros had not yet been disrupted, Varys's little Aegon still needed to remain hidden.
Now, Varys, hidden behind the scenes, could only take the stage himself.
… … … …
Lord Green's eyes trembled slightly, his tone heavy: "Lord Varys, this is very difficult."
Varys sincerely said: "Count Green, you are not alone; I will help you."
Lord Green gazed at Varys: "I am very grateful for your kindness, but I still want to advise you, because I can only see danger. King Robert will never forgive anyone who helps the Targaryen."
Varys, however, advised in return: "King Baratheon will never give Kleber the same trust as the Targaryen. We both know this well."
Lord Green's expression changed. He hesitated for a moment, then shook his head: "Lord Varys, I am content to protect the Princess's safety in secret."
Varys reached out and patted Lord Green: "Your initial intention sounds simple, but it is difficult to achieve, because no one can stop the Targaryen's determination to reclaim the Iron Throne."
Sighing lightly, he added: "How can we avoid getting involved… Don't forget, big fish eat little fish."
Lord Green looked at Myrcella and Tommen, who were chasing and playing. The children's laughter was clear and tender.
Varys also looked over, his question seemingly casual: "What kind of king do you think is a good king?"
Lord Green's tone carried a hint of sarcasm: "I never thought about such things, but after I came to the Red Keep, I learned what a good king in the eyes of the great nobles should be like."
"Oh?"
"One who does whatever they tell him to do, that's what a good king is to them."
Varys smiled and shook his head: "This truly surprises me; your answer is… to the point."
Lord Green shrugged: "You seem to have already found the answer?"
Varys's tone was solemn: "A good king must understand that ruling is his responsibility, and he must put his people first; his rule and survival are for them."
Lord Green paused, then said: "Lord Varys, everyone would hope for such a king, but forgive my directness, can we truly welcome such a king?"
Varys's eyes lit up: "Prince Viserys, to escape the Baratheon's pursuit, wandered with his young sister from childhood.
He has personally witnessed the suffering of the common people; he has long understood the feeling of hunger, of being hunted, and of fear.
Because he has experienced these hardships, when the Prince becomes King, he will understand his responsibility even more, and he will do everything possible to ensure his people no longer starve and no longer live in fear."
Lord Green's eyes flickered. Was this bald eunuch intending to kill him?
Varys understood that rebuilding trust was time-consuming and labor-intensive.
If he could approach through Lord Green, who seemingly had temporarily gained Daenerys's trust, it would be easier for Varys to gain the Targaryen's trust.
What about getting a direct ticket, plus a generous gift?
For example… a dragon egg?
It seemed Varys had successfully taken over Illyrio's inheritance.
If all went well, with Varys's methods, he would quickly regain control of the Targaryen in the open, and his plans would continue to be pushed forward as originally intended.
Viserys would return to Westeros with enough troops, Varys would hide in the shadows, and the Seven Kingdoms would be engulfed in war.
The great nobles would be weakened, Viserys would die at the appropriate time… and finally, little Aegon would wave his banner, rally the hearts of the Seven Kingdoms, and legitimately sit on the Iron Throne.
Too bad, the transmigrator Lord Green was the natural enemy of Varys, the Master of Whisperers.
… … … …
Lord Green truly believed Varys, and he said with regret: "It's truly a pity that I couldn't meet His Highness Viserys in Pentos."
Varys smiled and said: "It's only a matter of time. I believe His Highness Viserys will place great trust in you."
Why did Lord Green feel that Varys intended to kill him?
Although Illyrio was the one who previously contacted Viserys, Varys's understanding of Viserys was certainly no less than Illyrio's.
What kind of temperament did Viserys have?
His eyes were only on the Iron Throne; he wouldn't care about the suffering of the common people. Moreover, Viserys couldn't even pretend to be the benevolent prince Varys described.
Varys was convinced that Lord Green would not meet Viserys, which is why he fabricated such a lie that would be exposed the moment they met.
Although they spoke lightly on the surface, the content of their discussion was no different from rebellion. Afterwards, it could not be treated as a trivial matter, because it constituted deception.
In the game of thrones, deception and conspiracy go hand in hand.
Lord Green's long fingers tapped the hilt of the longsword at his waist.
As the self-proclaimed Crab Claw Peninsula Guardian, Lord Green was inevitably influenced by the simple folk customs of Crab Claw Peninsula.
Varys insulted Myrcella and Tommen, and the loyal Lord Green couldn't help but draw his sword and strike down the insolent Master of Coin on the spot.
Have the two children testify… Never mind, don't lead the children astray. Lord Green is an upright knight. At worst, a trial by combat!!
… … … …
Lord Green's gaze was somewhat fervent, well concealing his killing intent.
"Lord Varys, your concern for the kingdom is admirable. I am very willing to introduce you to Princess Daenerys. However, for other matters, please give me some time to consider."
The chaos in the Seven Kingdoms could not temporarily do without Petyr and Varys.
Although these two like-minded individuals were hidden behind the scenes, from Lord Green's perspective, they were actually in the forefront, and he was the one behind the scenes.
He couldn't remain indifferent either. Lord Green, the "King of Inner Volume," planned to go back and strategize how to first control little Aegon.
Also, Daenerys's side needed to be contacted in advance. The kind Dragonstone Princess could easily be deceived by those with ulterior motives.
Yes, Lord Green did not believe Varys would only rely on him to contact the true dragon traveling south. Don't forget Varys had eight claws.
This was the game of thrones; anyone who believed the words of Lord Green or Varys had already lost half the game before it even began.
Varys's smile was gentle, his eyes flickering: "It should be so, Count Green."
… … … …
Not long after Varys left, Myrcella and Tommen, tired from playing, came to the shade of the tree where Lord Green was.
The well-trained Maegor's Holdfast handmaidens quickly tidied up the Prince and Princess.
Myrcella's emerald eyes were bright, sparkling with curiosity and innocence: "Count Green, I heard you defeated the Knight of Flowers from Highgarden?"
Although they were the children of his boss Cersei, Lord Green felt a rare sense of ease when he was with them.
In the azure sky, white clouds drifted slowly, constantly rolling and surging like waves. Sometimes they gathered into a cluster, and sometimes they dispersed into wisps, moving leisurely in the sky.
At this moment, Lord Green was sitting under the tree, leaning against its trunk. Hearing Myrcella's voice, he withdrew his gaze.
The news of defeating the Knight of Flowers made Lord Green one of the hot topics in King's Landing, and his heart stirred again.
Lord Green looked a bit troubled: "Yes, Princess Myrcella. I hear no girl dislikes the Knight of Flowers, and I am racking my brains over it. Many friends have advised me not to go out easily lately, as the girls of King's Landing are now seething with hatred for me."
After hearing Lord Green's words, the little chubby Tommen laughed particularly happily.
Myrcella's upturned lips held a sweet smile: "You should pay a little attention to your safety."
After speaking, Myrcella couldn't help but let out a soft giggle.
The little Princess's golden curly hair danced gently in the wind, exuding vitality and innocence.
Lord Green's body language was somewhat exaggerated: "Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness; I will bring enough guards."
… … … …
In the evening, Lord Green left the Red Keep and returned to his residence.
Swish, swish, swish, the quill on the desk moved swiftly as Lord Green wrote out troop deployment orders. He planned to first transfer 100 soldiers from his territory to King's Landing.
Lord Green put the written letter into an envelope, and with a thud, sealed it with wax.
The envelope was set aside, and Lord Green pinched his chin.
He was considering the timing of his departure from King's Landing.
Sometimes, trying too hard to be comprehensive can lead to being comprehensive in nothing; he had to make a choice.
Lord Green clasped his hands behind his head, his eyes raised towards the ceiling.
Although the Valley was an inseparable part of Crab Claw Peninsula, relying solely on military means could easily lead to indigestion and exhaust the essence of Crab Claw Peninsula. Therefore, political means must be emphasized.
Lord Green was thinking about whether there was an opportunity to secure a seat on the Small Council.
Hmm, Master of Coin Green!