Margaery Tyrell's hands were clasped in front of her lower abdomen, and her deer-like eyes looked at King Robert as she said, "That quiet knight suddenly stood very close to me. His behavior could easily be misunderstood, and Count Green had no choice but to step forward to mediate…"
Saying that, she glanced gently at Green again and continued, "Because it was handled promptly, the misunderstanding has been cleared, My King."
After explaining, Margaery slightly lowered her head.
She showed no outward change, but her heart was restless, for Margaery had already realized that King Robert's admiration for her was purely simple, just the reaction a normal person has when seeing something beautiful.
Besides that, Robert showed no other emotions after seeing her face, such as the joy or excitement they had expected.
Duke Renly's information was wrong… Margaery thought of her heavy responsibility to her family, and a sense of bewilderment suddenly arose in her heart. If she couldn't become Queen, then her value… would her family still value her?
What should I do… Margaery suddenly felt a deep sense of powerlessness.
"King Robert, Miss Margaery is kind-hearted and doesn't want to cause you trouble, so her explanation is tactful! In my opinion, his behavior was very reckless, and it concerns the honor of the Tyrell family's young lady."
Margaery heard Count Green's voice.
She didn't know when, but Green was already standing beside her, and as he spoke, one hand discreetly supported her arm.
Margaery came back to her senses, and only then did she realize her body was trembling.
Margaery then heard Green continue, "You can't just let him do as he pleases because he's a prominent member of the Small Council, can you?!"
How did I suddenly get distracted? Margaery exhaled softly, calming her mind.
Green felt Margaery was no longer trembling, so he released her hand and raised an eyebrow at her.
Margaery's eyes also looked over at that moment, and their gazes met briefly.
Green: Little girl, cheer up!
Thank you for your concern!! Margaery couldn't help but secretly glare at Green.
Margaery held the authority to transport 500,000 gold dragons worth of supplies to the Crab Claw Peninsula, and Green didn't want any accidents to affect Kleber's strategic reserves.
Due to the incorrect intelligence provided by Duke Renly, the Tyrell family's long-planned dream of a queen had now temporarily shattered, rendering the previously planned follow-up actions unnecessary.
Becoming a Queen's family was their dream, and the Tyrell family would not give up easily. Green thought they would soon initiate other plans.
....
"Damn it, I won't listen to the slander of a The Crownlands vassal. Let's just leave it at that!"
King Robert first cursed, then concluded the matter according to Margaery's statement.
Green shrugged. How to deal with it was naturally up to the King.
Duke Eddard looked at Green.
Duke Eddard had learned from King Robert that Green was now Queen Cersei's steward, but he did not defend Ser Ilyn because he was a Lannister. He had a heart of honor.
Dark hair and brown eyes… this appearance, characteristic of the First Men, coupled with the fact that he was a child he had somewhat saved, made them naturally close.
Duke Eddard surveyed the well-disciplined Cleber Soldiers again, and he nodded inwardly. This child had grown up very well.
The wine and food Green had prepared in advance at The Baelish Inn soon attracted King Robert.
Duke Eddard heard the loud laughter coming from inside the inn and shrugged helplessly.
"Jory, go to the carriage and bring the children."
Jory Cassel was Duke Eddard's captain of the guard. It was rumored that during the wedding of Eddard Stark and Catelyn Tully, he was the first to tear Catelyn's dress during the bridal chamber antics.
Before long, Green saw Sansa and Arya.
Sansa Stark had thick auburn hair and blue eyes. At eleven years old, she was already a little beauty.
Arya Stark's appearance had the characteristics of the Stark, with dark brown hair and gray eyes. At nine years old, she was still very small and thin.
Green's eyes moved slightly. When they exchanged greetings with Margaery, he noticed that Arya was left-handed.
Green turned his body and extended his hand towards the entrance of The Baelish Inn.
"Beautiful ladies, please come in. The food will relieve your fatigue."
Margaery proactively took Sansa's arm, and they entered the inn together, chatting and laughing. When Arya passed in front of Green, she stopped and looked up at him.
Green lowered his eyes expressionlessly and looked back, which earned him a mischievous expression from Arya.
Green smiled and said, "Go on in, Miss Stark."
Duke Eddard shook his head helplessly, walked over, and patted Green. Looking at the trotting Arya, he said, "My little daughter likes to play and is a bit mischievous."
Green noticed that when Duke Eddard mentioned Arya, a slight smile appeared on his serious face.
"Duke Eddard, that's a good thing. Brave girls know how to take good care of themselves."
"I hope so."
Before entering the inn, Green looked back at the figure tending to the horses in the distance and said, "Mondon, take a jug of wine to that person."
Mondon followed Green's gaze, and his somewhat dazed eyes blinked as he said, "Yes, Lord Green, I'll take it over immediately."
....
Inside the inn.
King Robert tilted his head back and drained a cup, then placed it on the table with a thud.
"Green, well prepared."
He looked at Green and continued, "Did you know in advance that Ned would arrive here today? Is that why you were able to prepare this?"
King Robert said this while grabbing a roasted lamb leg with his large hand and taking a big bite of meat, as if asking casually.
As the host of the small banquet, Green's seat was honorably close to the King.
After King Robert's words fell, Green noticed many gazes focused on him.
"King Robert, my subordinates are not good at gathering information, so I had to seek out Lord Varys."
He then explained, "I spent some time telling Lord Varys the story of Duke Eddard and Kleber, and only then did he tell me the general location. I was just trying my luck today, and thankfully, my luck was pretty good."
King Robert seemed indifferent to what Green was saying, loudly telling the servant to pour him more wine, and the atmosphere of the banquet quickly became lively again.
Green looked at Arya, who had secretly run to his side, and said, "Miss Stark, do you need my assistance?"
Arya put her small hands behind her back and said, "Count Green, my name is Arya Stark, you can call me Arya."
They had already introduced their names to each other; Arya might have been worried that Green had forgotten her name, so she repeated it.
Green smiled and said, "Alright, Miss Arya."
Arya asked curiously, "Is the Red Keep fun?"
Green thought for a moment and said, "There are many fun places in the Red Keep, and you'll meet many new friends, but…"
He looked left and right, lowered his voice, and continued, "But there are many bad people, so you need to be careful."
Arya felt she had discovered a big secret, and her small face was a little excited: "I'll keep it a secret!"
Green smiled and nodded.
....
Mondon carried roasted meat and a wine jug to where Stark had tied his horses.
"Good day, my name is Mondon Wei Shui, I've brought you some food."
Hearing the newcomer's introduction, the grim-faced young man turned his head and said, "Good day, my name is Jon Snow, thank you for your trouble."
....
After eating and drinking their fill, King Robert found a casual excuse and was the first to leave the inn.
Green guessed that King must have gone to study military affairs.
After King Robert left, they also quickly departed The Baelish Inn and continued their journey towards King's Landing.
Along the way, Green consulted Duke Eddard on the experience of governing a territory, and incidentally introduced the situation of the Kleber territory and the current state of the Crab Claw Peninsula.
He told Duke Eddard that the Kleber Family had established dominion over the Crab Claw Peninsula and was about to end years of chaos.
Soon after, Count Green, with tens of thousands of soldiers (liegemen) under his command, was confident he would become King Robert's most capable The Crownlands vassal.
As the conversation ended, Duke Eddard patted Green's arm with satisfaction.
As they neared King's Landing, they saw Garlan Tyrell and Loras Tyrell.
The two of them had come to welcome Margaery.
Garlan Tyrell, also known as Garlan the Gallant, was Duke Mace's second son. He had little interest in gaining honor, so his fame was not as great as Loras'.
Garlan and Loras looked very similar, but he was taller, stronger, and had a beard, making him appear more valiant.
As for Loras… he was still as handsome, and he captivated Sansa at first sight.
At this time, Sansa held romantic fantasies about handsome princes, noble knights, and love, often yearning for the love stories described in tales and songs.
Loras was at the age where he quickly forgot his pain once the wound healed. Before leaving, he deliberately turned back and gave Green a provocative look.
Green was very pleased; he understood Loras's gaze: see you at the tourney!
What a pity, in the game of thrones, there is only winning and losing… Green looked at the high-spirited youth and sighed inwardly.
Green escorted the Stark all the way to the towering bronze gates of the Red Keep before taking his leave.
....
In front of the Prime Minister's Tower, Duke Eddard was about to instruct someone to take his two daughters inside to rest when a young man claiming to be a royal attendant approached.
"Prime Minister, it is an honor to meet you! Grand Maester Pycelle has called an urgent Small Council meeting, and if it's convenient, he hopes you can grace us with your presence."
Even the strong Duke Eddard felt utterly exhausted from days of travel. All he wanted now was a good hot bath, a roasted chicken or duck, and then a good night's sleep on a feather bed.
Moreover, the timing of Pycelle's Small Council meeting also made him unhappy.
Duke Eddard frowned tightly and said coldly, "Change it to tomorrow."
The royal attendant placed his hand on his chest and bowed, respectfully saying, "Prime Minister, then I will inform the Small Council members that you are unable to attend."
"Damn it!"
Duke Eddard cursed under his breath. He understood the meaning conveyed in the royal attendant's words: the other Small Council members were waiting for him alone… This was not Winterfell, and the Small Council members were not his vassals. He did not want to offend those people as soon as he arrived.
Duke Eddard still suppressed his anger and said calmly, "I will go see them now. But please wait for me a moment, allow me to arrange the children."
Duke Eddard called Wayn Poole (Stark's steward) and said, "Wayn, I need to attend the Small Council meeting. I'm leaving this to you; please settle my daughters well. Also, tell Jory to keep them in their rooms, and don't let Arya run around."
After giving his instructions, Duke Eddard glanced at Jon, who was not far away, and then walked over.
"Jon, look after your sisters."
Jon moved his lips but nodded silently.
"Good boy, you rest well too."
Eddard noticed that much of the gloom had left Jon's face. He curled his lips slightly; perhaps the decision to take the "bastard" away from Winterfell was the right one.
....
Throne Room.
The door was pushed open, and after Duke Eddard strode in, he found the four Small Council members waiting for him.
Varys, whom Duke Eddard disliked the most, was the first to approach, even reaching out and grabbing one of his hands.
Varys's tone was very joyful: "Duke Stark, it is my great honor to see you again. Varys awaits your command."
Duke Eddard smelled Varys's sickly sweet, decaying scent, which smelled like flowers growing on a grave.
Duke Eddard's expression was cold: "From now on, I'll trouble you."
After speaking, he pulled his hand from Varys's damp, cold palm, ignored Varys, and walked towards Renly.
When Robert first seized the throne, Renly was just a seven-year-old boy. Now he had grown into an adult, and his appearance was very similar to Robert's. Every time he saw Renly, Duke Eddard would feel as if time had flowed backward, seeing the spirited Robert standing before him.
Duke Renly nodded towards Duke Eddard, revealing a hearty smile: "Ned, I'm truly glad to be working with you."
"Me too, Renly!"
Duke Eddard and Duke Renly embraced warmly, while Varys, who had followed them, watched the scene with a smile.
After the two separated, Petyr spoke, "Duke Stark, I have wanted to meet you for many years… I suppose Lady Catelyn must have mentioned me to you?"
Petyr had shed his usual elegance, and his face held a smile tinged with disdain.
Duke Eddard said coldly, "She did mention you…"
Duke Eddard never liked people with complex minds like Petyr, and Petyr's words also made him angry.
He continued, "Count Baelish, if I'm not mistaken, you were more familiar with my brother, Brandon."
Duke Renly laughed heartily and said, "He certainly left an impression."
It was rumored that when Catelyn Tully and Brandon Stark were betrothed, Petyr, to prove his deep love for Catelyn, challenged Brandon, who was much older than him, to a duel. As a result, Brandon easily defeated Petyr, and if not for Catelyn's plea, Petyr would have died on the spot.
Petyr shrugged and said, "Indeed, I still bear his memento on me to this day. It seems Brandon mentioned me to you?"
Eddard's voice carried a hint of anger: "He would mention you when he was furious!"
Petyr looked at Duke Eddard, who was suppressing his anger, and curled his lips: "Everyone says the Starks of the North are made of ice and will melt once they cross the Neck. I thought you Starks weren't so fiery, so it seems the rumors are mistaken?"
"Count Baelish, you can rest assured, Stark does not intend to melt too quickly."
Duke Eddard glared coldly at Petyr, then walked towards the long table and sat in the Prime Minister's seat.
Duke Eddard said seriously, "Gentlemen, thank you for waiting. Please be seated."