The silent night, the soft candlelight.
"Exhibition match?"
Greene nodded, saying, "Miss Tyrell, it's like a theater performance. A performance doesn't have to be real; we can treat the arena challenges from the past few days as sword skill demonstrations."
Margaery's brown eyes moved, and she said, "Baron Green, please continue."
"Difficulties are accompanied by opportunities. We only need to change its name, and what happened before will have a reason.
For example, these six days of challenge in the arena were actually a grand martial arts tournament secretly prepared by Miss Tyrell herself for the swordsmen of the Riverlands.
Miss Margaery Tyrell, the Light of Highgarden, nurtured by the Fountain of Wisdom of Highgarden, you used harmless methods to ignite the passion of all swordsmen in the Riverlands, gathering in Highgarden for the glory of the Riverlands."
After a pause, Greene continued, "You also have two ironclad pieces of evidence to prove this. First, swords have no eyes, but so many people were defeated before, yet they only suffered minor injuries at most.
Second, it's me, Baron Greene Kleber, directly employed by Miss Margaery Tyrell, because my identity is perfectly suited to easily resonate with the swordsmen of the Riverlands.
So this won't be mistaken for deception; everyone will feel this is a rare and interesting event in the Riverlands."
Greene leaned forward, a smile playing on his lips, and lowered his voice, saying, "All the swordsmen I defeated in the arena, I guarantee they will be eternally grateful to you; you single-handedly restored their honor."
...
Greene's method was even more brilliant than her plan.
If all went well, she, Margaery Tyrell, would be the biggest beneficiary.
She would not only be the Light of Highgarden but also the Light of the Riverlands.
Baron Green's wisdom was no less than his sword skills.
While feeling pleased, Margaery Tyrell also recalled her grandmother's teachings; though it didn't show on her face, she remained wary of Greene in her heart.
Margaery Tyrell felt that Baron Green's words were too pleasant to the ear, easily causing one to lose themselves unknowingly.
...
Greene ignored the fleeting wariness on Margaery's part and proactively said, "Miss Tyrell, this is your first time hosting a martial arts tournament, isn't it?"
Margaery Tyrell nodded slightly: "Strictly speaking, it is indeed the first time."
Greene spread his hands: "Previous martial arts tournaments only had one champion, becoming more brutal towards the end, which doesn't align with the kindness of the Light of the Riverlands."
Margaery Tyrell's deer-like brown eyes flashed with a hint of light, and she asked, "Baron Green, do you already have a proper solution?"
Greene replied, "This is an event you are hosting, and because of your kindness, it will naturally be different from previous ones, and this martial arts tournament will also allow people to understand you better. In the past, there was only one champion, which is why it was brutal. What if this time, ten champions are born?"
Margaery Tyrell couldn't help but ask, "Ten champions?"
Greene nodded: "Ten champions, ten times the enthusiasm, ten times less brutality."
Can it be calculated this way? Margaery Tyrell felt even more puzzled in her heart.
...
Greene continued, "The name naturally cannot be 'champion,' because if it's a champion, there can only be one, which will cause misunderstanding, and this is not beneficial to you."
Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking! Margaery Tyrell secretly nodded.
"Let's call them the Ten Blades."
After pondering for a while, Margaery Tyrell asked, "Ten sword blades?"
"Yes, Miss Tyrell, in the martial arts tournament you personally host, ten blades of the Riverlands will be born, and in the future, they will be the ten blades guarding the Riverlands. Because of you, their names will be renowned throughout Westeros."
As Greene's words fell, Margaery Tyrell disregarded her wariness of Greene; her chest Rose and fell, and her breathing became heavy.
Having calmed her breath, Margaery Tyrell looked directly at Greene. Greene noticed the undisguised admiration in Margaery Tyrell's eyes.
Margaery Tyrell Rose from her chair, slightly lifted her skirt with both hands towards Greene, and bowed her head, saying, "Margaery Tyrell will not forget the help of Baron Greene Kleber."
Greene stood up and returned the bow with his hand on his chest.
Greene couldn't help but praise in his heart that Little Rose was a female power player who knew very well how to win people's hearts. Her demeanor was the pleasing grace unique to women, but within it lay a courage no less than a man's.
...
Greene's active strategizing finally received a reward from Little Rose.
The 3000 gold dragons Margaery Tyrell brought in the name of Highgarden were ultimately left to Greene in the name of Little Rose.
[Arming Crabclaw Peninsula progress +1]
This was Little Rose's private thanks and needed to be kept secret externally.
Greene magnanimously expressed his understanding, which also suited his intentions; such matters could easily lead to misunderstandings if they reached Queen Cersei's ears.
The Tyrell Family played their part fully; Duke "Inflatable Fish" was indeed currently "arranged" to inspect territories outside Highgarden.
Margaery Tyrell informed Greene before leaving that Duke Mace was already on his way back and could be received by the day after tomorrow at the latest.
After Little Rose left, Greene immediately arranged for someone to take down the banner hanging in the arena.
The subsequent matters did not require Greene's involvement; the Rose team would arrange them themselves.
...
...
Red Keep, late night.
Lancel tossed and turned on the bed, unable to sleep.
Lancel suspected he might be poisoned; as soon as he closed his eyes, his mind was filled with Queen Cersei's image.
Lancel's emotions were complex. Had his refusal just now been too decisive?
As time passed, among Lancel's various emotions, one called regret spread rapidly.
Reward... As long as I handle things to her satisfaction... Lancel quickly shook his head, hastily dispelling further thoughts.
Lancel didn't know when he fell asleep; the whole night was filled with warm dreams.
...
Jaime Lannister was currently in a secluded spot in King's Landing.
Jaime Lannister needed to investigate secretly, but he was too conspicuous; it was difficult for him to hide his whereabouts during the day, and only the cover of night could make it easier for him to avoid others' eyes and ears.
A bag full of coins was thrown out by Jaime.
A dark figure caught the money bag, nodded, and left the spot.
Again pointing to the Riverlands!
Having to perform his duties during the day and gather intelligence at night made Jaime, who had been on the move for many days, feel tired.
Jaime scratched his head; the more he investigated, the more confused he felt.
Although Greene had advised Jaime that such matters couldn't be rushed, he wanted to deal with the hidden danger around Cersei as soon as possible; he couldn't bear for Cersei to suffer even the slightest harm.
Therefore, for Jaime, the quicker it was resolved, the better.
If only the little baron were here... Jaime believed that with the intelligence he had gathered, Greene could definitely deduce something, or even directly pinpoint the mastermind.
Perhaps it was due to tonight's unusual fatigue that Jaime particularly missed Greene, who was in Highgarden.