Petyr spread his hands and said, "It's a pity the distance was too great; we missed a wonderful gamble."
Varys smiled and said, "I agree. The tourney losing the Master of Coin's gambling makes it lose some of its excitement."
Petyr and Varys exchanged a smile.
After a pause, Varys, with some of his smile receding, spoke, "Lord Petyr, how is Duke Jon recovering?"
Petyr's eyes were deep, and his shoulders shrugged slightly: "Lord Varys, this is no secret. Duke Stannis has been here, and the meeting was not very pleasant. I can only say he is getting better."
Varys sighed softly: "I've heard as well. Although I know the specific content, Duke Stannis was seen by many people when he left, and everyone has their suspicions."
Petyr shook his head, his tone tinged with helplessness: "There's no other way. Duke Stannis has always been upright and unyielding."
Varys's tone remained unhurried: "Are you trying to say that he's so upright and unyielding it's frightening?"
Petyr's eye twitched, and he hooked his lips, saying, "For Duke Stannis, everyone actually has admiration in their hearts."
Varys nodded and said, "This shows that people's hearts still retain kindness."
Petyr's smile stiffened for a moment, his eyes flickered, and he said, "Lord Varys, it seems you like Duke Stannis very much."
Varys clasped his hands: "My thoughts are not important; I am just one of the insignificant ones."
Petyr's smile did not diminish: "Duke Stannis is always in a hurry for everyone's sake. It seems next time I'll have to try to keep him a little longer."
Varys replied with a smile: "That will require your wisdom."
Petyr leaned back in his chair, spreading his hands: "Perhaps if we send away all the prostitutes in King's Landing, Duke Stannis's mood might improve slightly? We all know he doesn't like prostitutes."
Varys smiled and shook his head: "Then we would never see King Robert in King's Landing again. We ultimately need to make a choice."
Petyr smiled and changed the subject: "Lord Varys, it seems this time I need your help. The Prime Minister is quite concerned."
Varys rose from his chair and nodded: "Gladly. My little birds will make sure Baron Green receives Duke Jon's concern."
Petyr smiled in thanks, but his smile did not reach his eyes.
Highgarden Castle.
Green finally met the much-anticipated Inflatable Fish.
Duke Mace Tyrell had curly brown hair and a robust, slightly plump physique, but he still looked handsome.
From his appearance, the extraordinary Duke Mace was indeed worthy of being the leader of the Golden Rose Family.
Green glanced at Little Rose, who stood beside Duke Mace, and greeted Duke Mace, saying, "Good day, Your Grace. I am the Queen's envoy, the Queen's Chief Steward, Baron Whispering Fort, your admirer Greene Kleber. It is a great honor to meet you."
My admirer? Duke Mace's first impression of Green was quite good.
Margaery's brown eyes flickered, first looking at Green, who seemed to be suppressing his excitement, then at her relatively calm father, maintaining a graceful smile and remaining silent.
Duke Mace's voice was deep, rich, and magnetic: "Welcome, Baron Greene Kleber, who has come from afar."
Green bowed with his hand over his chest: "Your Grace's renown echoes throughout King's Landing. I am here by command, representing Queen Cersei to convey her sincere greetings to you."
Duke Mace nodded and said, "Please convey my thanks to Her Majesty the Queen. House Tyrell appreciates Her Majesty's care."
After the formal greetings concluded, Green took a seat at Duke Mace's invitation.
Duke Mace, who had seen much of the world, was a little unaccustomed to Green's gaze, which was filled with admiration.
Duke Mace thought to himself, 'He's young after all, doesn't know how to control his emotions.'
Unconsciously, Duke Mace's fondness for Green increased.
Baron Green really seems to worship father... Little Rose, observing, felt she had learned another lesson today.
Green respectfully said, "I grew up hearing your stories and always hoped to meet you. When I learned that Queen Cersei was sending an envoy to Highgarden, I immediately volunteered. Please forgive my presumption."
Duke Mace's face was calm, but he asked with a hint of doubt, "Oh?"
Green leaned forward slightly: "That war, which has passed fifteen years ago, because it has been so long, since I came of age, I have heard about it countless times from my mother's lips."
Duke Mace seemed to be reminiscing: "Has it really been fifteen years? Time slips away unnoticed."
Duke Mace looked at Margaery, who was sitting beside him, and said, "Margaery wasn't even born then..."
Duke Mace sighed with emotion: "That great war, though it had much luck, also had too much misfortune."
Margaery looked at her father with concern, gently patting his large hand as if to comfort him.
Green's eyebrows twitched. Was Duke Mace prematurely aging?
Green spoke at the opportune moment: "Your Grace, you need not worry. You have done your best, and your military achievements will not be buried forever. At least the people of Crab Claw Point have always understood your difficult position."
Upon hearing this, Duke Mace and Margaery both looked at Green, their gazes somewhat complex.
Green's expression remained unchanged, and he sighed softly, saying, "You might not fully understand how heavy the casualties were at Crab Claw Point in that war. I can only say they fought to the last moment for loyalty and honor.
Because of that war, more than half of the nobles of Crab Claw Point died, and many surnames even disappeared forever... Now, the Kleber Family only has me, a male, left.
The survivors, my mother also often said, if the Dragon Family had been willing to use Duke Mace's strategy at that time, perhaps the Iron Throne of King's Landing would still be theirs."
As he spoke, Green shook his head slightly and continued, "I only regret that they were unwilling to listen to your command. One could say the Dragon Family lost due to their stubbornness."
Duke Mace seemed lost in thought by Green's words.
Soon after, Duke Mace, having regained his composure, Whispering Fort coughed and waved his hand, signaling the surrounding attendants to leave the hall.
Margaery blinked and said, "Baron Green, your words can easily be misunderstood. You are now King Robert's vassal."
Green put his hand to his chest and said, "Thank you, Lady Margaery, for the reminder. Meeting Your Grace today, my original intention was to seek military guidance from Duke Mace. When old matters came up, I couldn't help but feel emotional... Please forgive my rashness."
Duke Mace chuckled, "It's alright. After all, it's in the past; it's just a discussion of military matters. No one will truly care."
After a pause, he asked again, "I've learned a little about you. You are very good. At such a young age, you can lead troops alone to defeat a twenty-fold allied army and reclaim your ancestral lands. Ahem, so, you know a lot about that war?"
Duke Mace's gaze was encouraging, 'Go on... say more!'
Green nodded vigorously, 'I understand!'
First, I'd like to thank everyone for your concern!
I need to rest one more day. This chapter was very difficult to type with one eye. Today, there's only one update (crying emoji).
This book is going on sale this Friday. Because of unexpected delays, many things have been held up. I will do my best to increase the volume while ensuring quality.