The tall, thin knight with a greatsword on his back silently stood before Margaery Tyrell. Margaery instinctively nodded slightly, but his pale, colorless eyes stared intently at her without a sound.
This man had a pockmarked face, no beard, deep-set eyes, and sunken cheeks. Though not old, he had only a few strands of hair left, with long tufts sprouting only above his ears.
He wore a hardened leather tunic over an iron-gray chainmail, plain and unadorned, and appearing quite old.
Margaery sensed the danger of this person in her heart, but only slightly furrowed her brow. The pride of the Golden Rose did not allow her to show fear.
Ser Ilyn has a strange habit of staring intently at the Little Rose without speaking.
Just as Margaery was about to call for a maid, a blue cloak embroidered with swamp marigold suddenly appeared in her line of sight, gently fluttering.
"Ser Ilyn…"
His name was Ilyn Payne, from the Payne Family in the Westerlands. During Tywin Lannister's time as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard to Aerys II, Ilyn was the captain of the Hand's guard.
Because someone reported to the Crown that Ilyn Payne had claimed outside that Duke Tywin was the true ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, the enraged Aerys II (the Mad King) had his tongue ripped out. From then on, Ilyn Payne could never speak again.
After King Robert married Queen Cersei, he appointed Ilyn Payne as his Lord Commander of the Kingsguard as a gift to Duke Tywin, to compensate him for the tongue he lost serving the Lannister.
Greene's eyes gleamed coldly: "Did you intentionally ignore the Golden Rose emblem on this lady's person?"
Although Ilyn was in the Lannister camp, he was almost constantly by King Robert's side, and Greene had only met him a few times.
Ilyn's appearance near the tavern indicated that King Robert was not far away, and Greene and Margaery naturally came out to prepare to greet him.
The Golden Rose was noble, and Greene assumed Ilyn was greeting Margaery first, so he didn't mind being ignored.
As a result, Ilyn stopped about a step away, staring motionlessly at the Little Rose.
Regardless of Ilyn's true intentions, his current actions were presumptuous.
Margaery's guard was currently being temporarily filled by Greene, and inaction would affect the Kleber Family's honor.
Greene was only a palm's distance from Ilyn, his voice devoid of emotion: "Your eyes seem superfluous?"
Mondon Wei Shui's broad, heavy body came to Margaery's side and whispered, "Noble lady, it might be a bit dangerous here. Please follow me."
Margaery glanced at the simple-looking Mondon, recognizing him as Greene's personal guard. She looked at Greene and nodded, retreating.
Ilyn looked at Greene as if he were staring at a dead man, but he was met with Greene's contemptuous gaze.
Greene didn't drag it out. With a thud, he hooked his fist and struck Ilyn's abdomen fiercely.
Ilyn felt a hammer-like blow, as if his internal organs were about to be squeezed out. The pain was indescribable, and he couldn't help but clutch his abdomen, yet he couldn't stop the pain from spreading.
Ilyn's face contorted with pain, his clenched teeth grinding, and his trembling hand tried to draw his sword.
Greene reached out and grabbed Ilyn by the back of the neck. With another thud, he drove his knee into Ilyn's back, pinning him to the ground.
Greene pulled a gleaming dagger from his waist, held it before Ilyn's eyes, and said, "Ser Ilyn, which eye should I dig out first?"
Ilyn struggled desperately, but found himself as if fixed by iron chains, utterly powerless to resist.
Swish, swish, swish… The dozen or so Gold Cloaks accompanying Ser Ilyn finally reacted, drawing their swords one after another.
Greene turned his head and looked over, saying coldly, "The Gold Cloaks dare to draw their swords?"
Greene only had a small dagger he often played with, which was different in nature.
The Cleber's Blue Cloaks gripped their sword hilts, facing their opponents, waiting only for their lord's command.
The Gold Cloaks looked at dozens of opponents clad in plate armor and dared not act rashly for a moment.
When Greene stood in front of her, Margaery had long since lost her fear. Besides gratitude for Greene's protection, she also worried that the situation would escalate.
No wonder he's called a half-savage noble… Margaery couldn't help but sigh inwardly. She didn't think Greene was joking with Ser Ilyn on the ground.
Greene's ears twitched. It would still take a little more time… He looked at Margaery, who was surrounded by the Clan Soldiers.
Greene's smile was a bit stiff; he seemed to be trying his best to look less intimidating.
"Miss Tyrell, this fellow deserves a lesson. Do you have any requests on how to deal with him?"
Margaery's deer-like eyes blinked. This… How should I answer?
Margaery carried her grandmother's task: to subtly gauge King Robert's reaction to her appearance and, incidentally, to gain his favor. This concerned the future of her House Tyrell.
Although Ser Ilyn had just offended her, Margaery didn't feel that severe punishment was necessary.
At the same time, she also knew that Greene was temporarily acting as her guard, and his honor was involved here.
Margaery always struggled to fully understand the honor that men valued, and thus she would be even less likely to easily disregard it.
Greene was now a hidden ally, and over there was King Robert's confidant. She was in a tough spot!
Before long, Greene's voice came again. He held the dagger and gestured: "Should I dig out one first?"
This savage fellow! Margaery couldn't help but glare at him. Greene raised an eyebrow; he seemed to be guessing Margaery's meaning.
Isn't Count Greene usually very clever? He wouldn't misunderstand me, would he?
Was he intentionally pretending not to understand? Margaery thought of this possibility, and she got angry.
In a fit of anger, Margaery's chaotic emotions suddenly calmed. She clenched her fist for a moment before releasing it.
Margaery gave a gentle smile: "Count Greene, I think you have punished Ser Ilyn enough. Please let him go."
Greene nodded. The Little Rose seemed to have matured more than before?!
Greene glanced at Ilyn, who was lying expressionlessly on his side on the ground, and said, "Ser Ilyn, you are truly lucky. You just happened to offend a kind lady."
Greene was adaptable. Even if this executioner, who was once Duke Tywin's confidant, hadn't been there, Greene would have found another opportunity to show Duke Eddard that although he was on Queen Cersei's side, he was not a Lannister dog; he had his own thoughts and honor.
Ahem, not perfect, just barely enough, because he still needed to flexibly jump back and forth between Lannister and Stark.
Clatter, clatter, clatter… The dense sound of hooves approached. A powerful figure, his legs clamped tightly to his horse's belly, pulled on the reins, and the horse beneath him neighed loudly.
The banners of the Crowned Stag and the Direwolf of the North fluttered. King Robert slowly approached, surrounded by his sworn knights.
Greene made a gesture, and the Cleber's Blue Cloaks retreated in an orderly fashion.
King Robert's voice was deafening: "Damn it, who will tell me what in the Seven Hells happened here?!"
As soon as Robert appeared, he immediately suppressed the aura of everyone present, appearing majestic.
Greene stood up, and Ilyn scrambled to his feet, looking somewhat disheveled.
Robert noticed their movements, glared, and said, "Hmm… Is that you? You brat from Crabclaw Point, how dare you appear before me?!"
A hint of confusion appeared on Greene's face, but he still bowed unhurriedly: "Good day, My King, Whispering Fort awaits your command."
Robert looked down at Greene from his horse for a moment, then roared, "Damn The Crownlands vassal!"
He turned his head and shouted, "Ned! Look who this little fellow is!"
With that, the broad, heavy king agilely dismounted.
The burly Duke Eddard also quickly dismounted and followed King Robert's steps. He soon spotted Greene.
The two of them stood like a wall in front of Greene.
After seeing the house sigil on Duke Eddard's person, Greene disregarded etiquette, his voice suppressing excitement, and said, "Are you the Duke of Winterfell?"
Duke Eddard looked at the excited young man, guessing his identity, and nodded slightly.
Seeing Duke Eddard nod, Greene's eyes lit up. He respectfully bowed with his hand over his chest: "Good day, Duke Eddard, I am Greene Kleber of Crabclaw Point. The Kleber Family will never forget your kindness."
Duke Eddard murmured, "Kleber of Crabclaw Point…"
A figure appeared in his mind, and he asked King Robert, "Is he that child?"
They had just mentioned Greene's mother while reminiscing on the road.
King Robert laughed heartily and said, "Ned, that's the child. You did a good deed. Look, he's all grown up and can already serve the Seven Kingdoms…"
Then, he couldn't help but get angry again, saying, "But he also gives me a headache. In short, none of my The Crownlands vassals give me peace of mind. From now on, I'll leave them all for you to worry about, haha!"
Duke Eddard shrugged slightly. He looked at Greene, a faint smile on his stern face, and his voice filled with relief: "Child, I am glad to see you have grown up healthy."
After speaking, he reached out and patted Greene's shoulder. Greene's eyes sparkled (like Lancel's) as he looked at Duke Eddard, nodding heavily.
At this moment, Ser Ilyn, looking somewhat disheveled, walked over and nodded slightly to King Robert.
King Robert looked at the approaching man, and said, somewhat incredulously, "Ser Ilyn, you weren't…",
He pointed at Greene and continued, "Knocked down by this brat, were you?"
Greene raised an eyebrow, giving Ser Ilyn a provocative look.
Duke Eddard subtly curved the corner of his lips. Greene's undisguised provocative behavior reminded him of his younger days, when he and Robert at that age wished they could fight every day.
"Damn it!"
King Robert merely cursed when he saw Ser Ilyn leave directly, perhaps he was already used to this situation.
King Robert looked at Greene and said angrily, "Damn Greene, how dare you strike… my Lord Commander of the Kingsguard."
King Robert had seen quite a bit earlier, including the scene where Greene had pinned Ser Ilyn's back with his knee… He had originally intended to say 'knocked down', but to save Ser Ilyn's face, he changed it to what he considered a more palatable phrasing.
Duke Eddard frowned. His impression of Lannister was already poor, and coupled with Lysa's secret letter to his wife, he was very uneasy about Ser Ilyn, who King Robert always kept by his side, because this man was, strictly speaking, Tywin Lannister's confidant.
Through various conversations along the way, Duke Eddard already knew that King Robert was almost surrounded by Lannister.
Did Robert have no sense of caution? Duke Eddard found it increasingly difficult to understand King Robert's current thoughts.
At the same time, Duke Eddard was relieved that he had ultimately decided to go south to assist Robert, otherwise King Robert's situation would only get worse and more dangerous.
Greene stiffened his neck and said indignantly, "My King, he himself did something dishonorable. If it weren't for someone interceding, I would not have let Ser Ilyn go. I already showed restraint!"
"Seven Hells!"
King Robert almost jumped up in anger.
"You damned bastard, I'll hang you, I'll whip you myself!"
Greene faced the furious King Robert, still showing no sign of yielding.
Seeing King Robert so angry he looked like he was about to hit someone, Duke Eddard reached out and stopped him, saying, "Robert… My King, you should at least listen to the reason first."
King Robert said angrily, "Listen to what? Ser Ilyn's tongue was already ripped out, he can't speak! Am I just supposed to listen to this brat's nonsense alone?"
Just as Duke Eddard was about to say that there were more than just Greene and Ilyn here, a clear and pleasant voice came over.
"Greetings, My King. This matter began because of me, and I must speak. Please forgive my presumption."
Margaery held her skirt with both hands and bowed gracefully.
King Robert looked at Margaery, who was slightly bowing her head, and said, "You are… the House Tyrell?"
Robert saw the Golden Rose emblem on Margaery's person.
Margaery lifted her head, her posture exuding youthful vitality.
Her voice was light and lively: "My name is Margaery Tyrell, and my father is Mace Tyrell. It is an honor to meet you, My King!"
Greene was watching the show at this moment. He knew very well that Margaery was imitating Lyanna Stark's personality. She played it very well, as if it were her nature.
Master Greene couldn't help but give a thumbs up.
Greene sighed inwardly, wondering when the daughters of dukes would also go to such lengths to gain his favor… He suddenly felt a little envious of King Robert.
But he thought about it, and upon closer inspection, such things were not as wonderful as imagined. Each of them represented the interests of the House Tyrell behind them. This was not simply a matter of love between a man and a woman; it was also a game of power.
No wonder even King Robert, who was infatuated with beauty, never sought out noble ladies again after the Storm's End incident.
So, Greene quickly stopped being envious.
Duke Eddard unconsciously showed a fatherly smile. He hoped his youngest daughter could be as ladylike and lively as Miss Tyrell. This was precisely why he brought Arya Stark south.
Duke Eddard thought of his mischievous youngest daughter and sighed inwardly, hoping it wasn't too late to teach her.
King Robert nodded and said, "Alright then, Margaery, you tell me the reason."