Red Keep, Maegor's Holdfast Garden.
Queen Cersei, richly dressed, sat with a smile in her eyes, gently watching Princess Myrcella play with Prince Tommen.
Prince Joffrey sat beside Queen Cersei, a hint of impatience on his face.
Not far away, Jaime, in white robes and silver armor, stood with his sword.
Lancel stood with Jaime, nervously dodging Joffrey's occasional glances.
Baron Green and Tyrion appeared in the garden, approaching Jaime and Lancel.
Baron Green stood beside Jaime, and Tyrion, grinning, pulled a flustered Lancel to the other side.
Jaime glanced at Cersei not far away and unconsciously lowered his voice: "Little Baron, what did the Old Duke say?"
Unbeknownst to him, Jaime's address for Baron Green had upgraded from 'little savage' to 'Little Baron'.
Baron Green replied: "He used the condition of being Governor of Crab Claw Peninsula to make me…"
Baron Green did not deliberately hide anything, recounting what had happened to Jaime, especially emphasizing the discovery of the hidden compartment in the Hand's chambers.
Jaime's tone was mocking: "The King's Hand's chambers are drafty, yet the Old Duke didn't even notice."
Baron Green nodded in agreement.
After Jaime and Baron Green finished their conversation, the atmosphere became a bit awkward; although they had become quite familiar with each other, perhaps their personalities truly didn't align, and they had little in common beyond official matters.
To break the awkward silence, Baron Green looked at the children playing in the distance.
Should he praise his little darling?
Baron Green, making small talk, decided to start a conversation: "Princess Myrcella is very cute."
Jaime did not take up Baron Green's lead, merely giving him a cold side glance.
At this moment, the keen Baron Green seemed to grasp something.
Tyrion, who had appeared on Jaime's other side at some point, watched the entire process.
Tyrion's eyes darted around; his face remained impassive, but he was secretly amused.
Before Baron Green could ponder further, Queen Cersei's maid slowly approached: "Good day, Baron Green, Her Majesty the Queen requests your presence."
Baron Green and Jaime exchanged glances, then Baron Green followed the maid.
.....
Queen Cersei nodded slightly at Baron Green, who was greeting her, and said: "Baron Green, this is my eldest son, Joffrey Baratheon, heir to the Iron Throne."
Joffrey slightly tilted his chin, his lips curved in a manner identical to Queen Cersei's.
Like me, no wonder Cersei loves Joffrey the most!
Baron Green bowed with his hand on his chest: "Good day, Your Royal Highness."
Joffrey was very pleased with Baron Green's address.
His crybaby brother was called Prince Tommen, and he himself was also called Prince Joffrey; this similar form of address had always displeased Joffrey.
He was the sole heir to the Iron Throne, and only Joffrey alone should represent the title of Prince.
Baron Green's address perfectly suited Joffrey's wishes.
Joffrey's mood suddenly improved greatly: "Good day, Baron, I have heard of you, and I admire your bravery."
Queen Cersei was a little surprised; the proud Joffrey rarely showed kindness to someone he met for the first time.
Cersei nodded secretly with satisfaction, 'As expected of my son, he can discern a person's value at a glance, just like me!'
In a joyful mood, Cersei called Myrcella and Tommen over again.
"Good day, Your Highness Tommen."
"Good day, Princess Myrcella."
Baron Green busied himself with bowing to the children.
Baron Green's address for Tommen made Joffrey's mood even better: "Mother, I want to reward Baron Green."
Baron Green's ears twitched; his back suddenly stopped aching.
Only by constantly rewarding capable people will they become more loyal and diligent; Joffrey had already understood this principle. Cersei was relieved, 'Joffrey truly is like me!'
Cersei's face was gentle, and she dotingly said to Joffrey: "Very well, I understand, my Prince, I will handle it for you."
"Tommen, Myrcella, wipe your sweat and rest for a bit."
After speaking, Queen Cersei again instructed her maid to attend to them, then raised a hand and said to Baron Green: "Baron Green, walk with me."
Baron Green's mind churned; he approached Queen Cersei, gently supporting her raised slender forearm, helping her to stand.
In the distance, watching Cersei and Baron Green walk into the garden, Jaime and Tyrion exchanged glances.
Tyrion grinned and said: "Brother, your scheme didn't work on big sister."
Jaime was embarrassed and helpless.
Tyrion patted Jaime's thigh, comforting him: "Jaime, don't worry, things aren't as serious as we feared. It seems big sister isn't angry now, which is a good sign. You haven't failed."
.....
Baron Green accompanied Cersei as she strolled through the garden; Maegor's Holdfast Garden was shaded by green trees, filled with the singing of birds and the fragrance of flowers.
Queen Cersei stopped, gazing at a sea of flowers, her voice cool: "Baron Green, when do you plan to tell me what that old geezer wanted with you?"
There truly are no secrets in the Red Keep; I can't rely on Jaime for this kind of thing, he's only good for chopping people!
Baron Green's brown eyes flickered: "The old man tried to bribe me to go across the Narrow Sea to deal with the two young Targaryen dragons."
Queen Cersei scoffed, her tone contemptuous: "What a cowardly wretch."
Cersei's beautiful eyes lightly glanced in Baron Green's direction, and she asked: "Bribe?"
Baron Green's tone was mocking: "If I succeed, he promised to make me Governor of Crab Claw Peninsula and bestow upon me the title of Guardian of Crab Claw Peninsula."
"You don't seem pleased?"
Baron Green nodded: "Your Majesty, I have heard that for over a decade, the Red Keep has been sending assassins to pursue the young dragons, and they haven't succeeded in all that time. Now they're entrusting it to me; the old man's intentions are not pure."
"What do you think the old geezer's intentions are?"
After a pause, Baron Green spoke: "He wants to separate me from Your Majesty's side; he might feel that this sword in your hand is too sharp."
Cersei turned, met Baron Green's gaze, slightly raised her gracefully curved chin, and with a slight curve of her lips, said: "Just as I thought, Baron Green, your age is similar to Joffrey's, and I am very optimistic about your future."
Baron Green's tone held a hint of excitement: "Your Majesty, House Clebber will never forget your kindness."
Cersei slowly walked in front of Baron Green; because they were so close, Baron Green could already feel Queen Cersei's breath.
Queen Cersei's gaze upon Baron Green was very gentle; she raised her arm and her delicate hand stroked Baron Green's cheek: "Such a good boy…"
Cersei then gently straightened Baron Green's collar.
As Queen Cersei moved, she noticed Baron Green's Adam's apple bobbing up and down, and a subtle rise and fall in his chest.
Queen Cersei's lips curved.
Queen Cersei's delicate hand again stroked Baron Green's cheek: "That old geezer dared to overstep me, to command my best official. He never puts me in his eyes. Your Queen is very angry, and we must do something, otherwise your Queen will not be able to swallow this insult."