Another royal decree was issued from the Red Keep, causing exclamations of surprise, as Jaime Lannister was appointed Warden of the East.
Theoretically, the Warden of the East is the highest military officer responsible for the defense of the Vale, The Crownlands, and the eastern coast of the Stormlands (subordinate to the West Protector).
Traditionally, the title of Warden of the East was a hereditary title belonging to the Arryn Family of the Vale, but after Jon Arryn's death, King Robert appointed Jaime to succeed as Warden of the East.
First, a new Prime Minister and a tournament, then a new Warden of the East. Today was destined to be a day of continuous surprises.
King Robert's appointment seemed quite ruthless and unexpected.
Was this truly a Westeros-style 'people leave, tea gets cold' situation?
Lord Green denied this possibility. Although Robert disliked governing, he understood how to balance various forces to consolidate the rule of the Iron Throne.
At the same time, Robert's political methods were always crude, completely disregarding the need to appease those who were hurt.
The most typical example is Duke Stannis, who already viewed his brother as an enemy.
King Robert understood balance but lacked political foresight. The Vale of Arryn was a staunch supporter of the Baratheon Dynasty, but now it had been slapped in the face.
The Crossing Lord Green remembered that in the original plot, King Robert's action angered the Vale Nobles, and the furious Lysa Tully demanded that the Vale Noble call her son the true Warden of the East.
Inside Maegor's Holdfast, Lord Green, who was descending the stairs, suddenly paused for a moment. Princess Myrcella came to his mind.
Although Jaime was a Kingsguard, most people believed that Kingslayer Jaime would eventually return to the West to inherit Casterly Rock.
At that time, would Jaime be expected to serve as both West Protector and Warden of the East?
Robert Arryn and Myrcella Baratheon are of similar age... So, the title of Warden of the East, historically inherited by the Arryn Family, has become a princess's dowry temporarily held by her 'uncle'?!
Hmm... the fat king still had some foresight.
This kind of operation felt very familiar to Lord Green. He immediately thought of the debts that House Clebber incurred in the name of aid after the Usurper, which seemed to follow a similar process.
When Lord Green met Queen Cersei, she already knew that Jaime had been appointed Warden of the East. For Queen Cersei, if Jaime was the Warden of the East, it meant she was the Warden of the East.
Boss Cersei's happiness was so simple!
The matter entrusted by Petyr went very smoothly. Lord Green did not have to use much persuasion. Cersei just glanced at him sideways and agreed to the loan for the tournament.
Through that look from Queen Cersei, Lord Green seemed to hear her dotingly say... I can't do anything with you.
This... if not for knowing Cersei's secret arrangements for the team melee competition in the tournament, the pure-hearted Lord Green would have almost been moved to tears.
It should be said that Lord Green came at just the right time. Queen Cersei could now intervene in the tournament with more justification. Her patience with King Robert was running out.
Lord Green stood at the entrance of Maegor's Holdfast, pinching his chin. He was considering whether to send Jaime a cloak embroidered with the words 'Warden of the East' as a congratulatory gift.
Lord Green's ears twitched. He heard distant giggling.
This was Prince Joffrey's voice. Lord Green looked in the direction of the sound.
Joffrey and Sandor Clegane were walking towards Maegor's Holdfast, laughing and talking.
It was rumored that Sandor's dry humor always amused His Royal Highness the Prince.
Lord Green's heart stirred, and he stepped forward to greet them.
"Good day, Your Royal Highness."
Joffrey looked at the bowing Lord Green, lifting his chin: "Good day."
He scrutinized Lord Green for a moment, then said: "I heard you knocked out the Knight of Flowers, the Golden Rose, in one blow?"
Lord Green shrugged: "Yes, Your Royal Highness, the rumors are very reliable."
Joffrey showed a suspicious look: "Count Green, why are there still rumors that the Knight of Flowers accidentally slipped?"
Lord Green: "Perhaps he didn't eat enough?"
Sandor: "Delicate flowers are easily shy."
Joffrey froze for a moment, then burst into laughter.
Lord Green looked up at Sandor, whose face was scarred by burns, and said: "Hound?"
Most people referred to Sandor as the Hound. One source of this nickname was the three-dog sigil of House Clegane.
Sandor's ear was completely burned away, leaving only a hole, and his eyes were surrounded by large, twisted scars. His gray eyes looked at Lord Green and said: "Your Grace, you are not a delicate flower."
Lord Green raised an eyebrow and said: "Sandor, your description is actually very fitting for the Knight of Flowers."
Sandor deliberately looked around, saying: "I heard their family is very rich. I hope no one else heard that."
Joffrey, who had just stopped laughing, was once again giggling.
Sandor glanced at the gently smiling Lord Green, then said no more. He might also have been worried about making the esteemed Prince laugh too much.
After laughing, Joffrey resumed his slightly contemptuous expression and said: "Count Green, do you know where Jaime is?"
Lord Green spread his hands and said: "It seems you have also heard the news of Ser Jaime's appointment as Warden of the East. The appointment came too suddenly. I estimate he is in White Sword Tower, worrying about future arrangements."
Joffrey asked doubtfully: "Worrying about what?"
Lord Green patiently explained: "The Warden of the East has always been a hereditary title of the Arryn Family of the Vale. Perhaps the Vale will feel that Ser Jaime has taken something that belongs to them. Ser Jaime will be responsible for the defense of the eastern coast in the future and cannot do without the support of the Vale Noble, so he has no choice but to find a way to appease them."
Joffrey said angrily: "Does the Vale dare to defy my father's orders? I will chop off their heads!"
Lord Green comforted him: "Your Royal Highness, Prime Minister Jon has not been gone long, and the Vale is just not used to it yet. After some time, they will realize that little Duke Robert is not Duke Jon, and then they will have no choice but to obey."
Joffrey said contemptuously: "If the Vale dares to disobey, I will have little Robert brought here..."
He rested his right hand on the hilt of the longsword at his waist, then continued: "If he can sincerely repent, I will give him a sword and grant him the fair opportunity to duel me."
Lord Green blinked, processing Joffrey's contradictory words.
Oh... so even if he repents, he'll still get a beating.
Indeed, very fair. A 12-year-old Joffrey challenging a 6-year-old sickly little Robert to a duel. He's very good at choosing opponents.
Lord Green respectfully said: "Your Royal Highness, your swordsmanship is excellent. I think the Duke of Eyrie would not even be able to withstand a single blow from you! The terrified Vale Noble will kneel at your feet, humbly begging for your forgiveness. Your prestige will spread throughout the Seven Kingdoms, and your heroic deeds will be passed down for generations."
After hearing Lord Green's words, Joffrey's breathing became noticeably heavier, and his face flushed.
He eagerly shouted to Sandor: "My Hound, I command you, go and capture the Duke of Eyrie for me immediately! Now!"
Oh no! Did I overdo it a little?
House Clebber and the Vale are clearly irreconcilable. It's impossible to speak well of the Vale against one's will; that would be too hypocritical... Lord Green is an upright knight, he can't do it~!
Sandor glanced at Lord Green and calmly said: "Prince, my back hasn't been very good lately, I can't travel far."
Joffrey, furious, kicked and cursed: "Hound, you dare defy my orders!"
Lord Green was actually very tempted, even wanting to volunteer, but he knew it was too childish right now.
He advised: "Your Royal Highness, I must remind you that the Vale has many vassals who are foolishly loyal to House Arryn. Without enough manpower, Sandor is very likely to return empty-handed."
At this stage, Lord Green's intention was to lay the groundwork beforehand. This was only a small part of the prelude to the game of thrones.