Greene Kleber smiled and nodded.
Margaery Tyrell, who was usually eloquent, closed her Rose-colored lips again and simply walked slowly without speaking further.
Greene silently accompanied her, thinking... would not actively comforting Little Rose make her lose face? He also wondered... perhaps Little Rose needed quiet, just someone silently accompanying her.
Allies need to reassure each other to cooperate more confidently... most noble ladies in Westeros prefer this; nothing is more reassuring than a knight devoted to them.
A slight headache... but it wouldn't stump Lord Green.
Greene's eyes closed and opened, his gaze filled with heartache and worry, along with restrained admiration.
Margaery noticed Greene's gaze occasionally lingering on her, and the corners of her lips curved slightly.
Margaery's small face turned slightly towards Greene, and their eyes met. She saw the usually composed Greene visibly stunned for a moment, then he quickly hid the emotions in his eyes and shifted his gaze.
Margaery understood Greene's gaze, and seeing Greene unnaturally clear his throat, she chuckled softly.
Perhaps due to Greene's efforts, Margaery's steps became much lighter.
"Count Greene, could you tell me about things in the Red Keep?"
Saying this, her large eyes scanned the surroundings, then she continued, "Sometimes I'm very curious about what happens here. I imagine it's at least different from the places I'm familiar with."
Greene's eyes moved slightly, and he said, "It would be my honor, Lady Margaery."
So this was why Little Rose wanted to see him... Yes, Greene had known for a long time that daughters of dukes were very busy and wouldn't actively seek out a count from a minor family without important matters.
Margaery's opening was good; at this moment, the familiar surroundings made her sad, and she wanted to hear about unfamiliar places to temporarily forget her inner pain.
The biggest hot topic in the Red Keep recently was Duke Eddard suddenly imprisoning the Master of Coin in the Black Cells, and the only people who knew the specific inside story, besides Duke Eddard himself, were Greene and Varys.
Of course, others couldn't possibly know that Greene was privy to the inside story or was one of the participants in this matter.
Greene had left Margaery with the impression of being very "perceptive," and she knew of the special relationship between Kleber and Stark; they were almost natural allies... She had also heard that Duke Eddard greatly trusted Count Greene, and it was said he was already a frequent visitor to the Prime Minister's Tower.
Therefore, Little Rose judged that Greene must have a lot of information or knew the specific reasons.
The new Hand, acting almost as regent, directly ordered the imprisonment of a senior councilor without any external explanation, so various rumors naturally spread like wildfire.
Greene chose a few embarrassing incidents that had occurred in the Red Keep to tell Margaery, and the smile on her face gradually grew.
Margaery, whose mood had "improved" somewhat, took the initiative to say, "Count Greene, I heard... are Duke Stark and Count Baelish truly rivals in love?"
After speaking, she seemed a little embarrassed, but her beautiful eyes could not hide her inner curiosity.
Understood, girls like gossip.
The understanding Lord Green intended to satisfy Margaery's curiosity, and incidentally... just incidentally, let the world know more about the unsavory secrets of the ruling families of the Vale.
One step at a time.
Greene's expression was a little hesitant.
Margaery's eyes trembled slightly, and she whispered, "Count Greene, what's wrong?"
Her voice contained concern.
Greene shook his head slightly and said, "Lady Margaery, that is not the truth. Actually..."
As he spoke, he sighed and continued, "Duke Ned is also in a difficult position, after all, Lady Lysa is the Lady of Winterfell's sister."
The clever Margaery seemed to have connected some dots; her pupils contracted, and her eyes widened unconsciously.
After a pause, Greene explained, "Lady Margaery, we are our own people, and I don't want to see you misled by incorrect information."
After a moment of silence, Greene said, "As an ally, I am being frank with you, but I hope you can keep my secret."
As they walked and talked, Greene recounted everything from the very first encounter between Petyr Baelish and Lysa Tully.
Finally, Greene lowered his voice slightly: "This matter will not end simply. I think many more people will question Little Robert's bloodline, which is why Duke Ned is in such a dilemma."
Prime Minister's Tower.
Syrio Forel looked at Arya Stark sitting on the steps and said, "Girl, resting. Syrio Forel became the First Sword of the Sealord of Braavos, do you know why?"
Arya haphazardly wiped the sweat from her face and casually replied, "Because your sword skills are the best."
Syrio nodded his chin: "That's right, but why me? Many people are stronger than me, more agile than me, younger than me, so why is Syrio Forel the best? Now let me tell you..."
As he spoke, he lightly touched his eyelashes with his fingertip and continued, "The trick is insight, to perceive the truth of things."
Arya made a face: "Isn't insight just looking with your eyes? Syrio, I'm staring at you every second."
"Girl, looking does not mean insight. Wherever the sea wind blows, the ships of Braavos sail. They have been to many strange and wonderful places, and each time they return, the captain presents animals from distant lands to the Sealord's menagerie."
"Those are all kinds of rare and exotic creatures you've never seen, such as striped horses, things covered in spots with necks as long as stilts, furry rat-pigs as big as cows, stinging manticore, tigers that carry their young in pouches, and terrifying lizards that walk around with scythe-like claws."
Syrio grinned: "I've seen all these things."
Arya's eyes lit up; she was listening with great interest.
"The day I speak of, the former First Sword had just passed away, and the Sealord of Braavos summoned me, simply because according to Braavosi tradition, a successor must be chosen immediately.
Many assassins had seen him before, but all were sent away, and no one could say why. When I entered, he sat peacefully, with a fat yellow cat on his lap.
He told me that it was a gift brought to him by one of his captains from an island even further than the Land of the Sunrise, and he asked me if I had never seen an animal like her?"
Syrio grinned again: "And I told him that I had seen thousands of animals like that in the alleys of Braavos. The Sealord laughed when he heard this and appointed me First Sword that very day."
Arya's small face crumpled, and she said, "Syrio, I don't understand."
Syrio spread his hands and said, "That was just an ordinary cat. Others expected to see rare and exotic creatures, so they only saw rare and exotic creatures in their eyes.
They said this cat was very big, but that cat was not particularly big; it was just a little chubby because it was lazy and the Sealord often fed it from his own table.
They also said its ears were small and exquisite, but in fact, it was only because a piece had been bitten off during a fight with other cats.
It was clearly a male cat, but the Sealord referred to it as 'she,' so they also assumed the cat was female. Do you understand, curious girl?"
Arya thought carefully, then her eyes lit up: "Syrio, you perceived the truth of the matter."
Syrio stroked Arya's head and said, "That's right. The most important thing is to keep your eyes wide open. The heart can lie, the mind can fool us, only the eyes are clear.
See with your eyes, hear with your ears, taste with your mouth, smell with your nose, feel with your skin, and only then think with your head; that's how you perceive the truth."
Arya nodded and giggled, "That's right!"
Syrio picked up his wooden sword and made a flourish: "I think, in three months at most, you'll be able to practice with your own iron sword, clever girl."
Arya cheered: "That's great! I can't wait!"
Thump, thump... Footsteps approached, and Duke Eddard's tall figure appeared in the doorway.
"Arya, you should be eager to have your meal."
Syrio nodded slightly towards Duke Eddard.
Arya excitedly said, "Father, I'll be able to use an iron sword very soon!"
Duke Eddard's serious face broke into a smile: "Congratulations, but we should go eat. Sansa is waiting for us."
At the dining table, Sansa Stark quietly glanced at her father, then lectured Arya: "Arya, why can't you be more ladylike? You get yourself dirty all the time. Today someone even asked me if you were my brother."
After speaking, Sansa proudly lifted her small chin.
A few days ago, her sister had ruined her favorite deerskin slippers, and she had long wanted revenge. Although she was complaining in front of her father, she truly didn't understand her sister's behavior after coming to King's Landing.
She adored the magnificent splendor of the Red Keep in King's Landing, the noble men and women dressed in silk and satin, and the various people in the city. The tourney was the most wonderful time of her life, and she still had many things she hadn't seen... such as harvest feasts, masquerade balls, and mummers' shows.
Arya, however, had no interest in so many wonderful things, constantly making herself look like a little beggar. Sansa even doubted if Arya was her real sister.
Arya angrily said, "Sansa, you're complaining again! You're so annoying!"
Sansa felt she could finally get her revenge and was very happy.
She snorted softly, her tone relaxed: "My sister, I am helping you."
The Northman glanced at his younger daughter, then withdrew his gaze... not too dirty. You can't practice sword fighting well if you're too clean, and this also showed that Arya was a diligent good child.
After waiting for a while, Sansa still saw no reaction from her father, and she became a little anxious.
She softly called out, "Father."
The serious-faced Duke Eddard looked at his eldest daughter: "Sansa, what's wrong? Is the food not to your liking?"
Sansa obediently said, "My sister never listens to me. You need to help manage her. She gets herself dirty all the time, and I'm worried someone will say unkind things to hurt her."
Seeing her father nod, she added, "And... the noble Stark shouldn't be gossiped about because of such things."
Duke Eddard's brow furrowed. Stark is not noble; we merely bear the responsibility and duty of guarding the North. This is the Stark's tradition for thousands of years.
Duke Eddard suddenly felt he really shouldn't have brought the children to King's Landing; his Direwolf was being corrupted by the hypocrisy here.
Arya pouted: "Noble sister, Winter is Coming! Stark members must practice sword fighting!"
Hearing Arya's words, Duke Eddard's brow relaxed, and the corner of his mouth curved.
"Arya, remember to bathe after practicing your sword, and change into clean clothes."
And then?
Sansa's eyes widened. Was Arya just going to be let off like that?
Sansa felt wronged. Father always doted on Arya and never disciplined her when she made mistakes... She missed her mother.
Sansa's eyes reddened, and she angrily said, "Arya! All you do is flatter Father!"
Arya deliberately stuck out her tongue: "You're a copycat, all you do is follow Joffrey around all day."
Sansa's eyes welled up, "I'm not a copycat! Joffrey loves me, we are in love!"
Sansa and Joffrey together every day? How old was she?
Duke Eddard frowned: "Sansa, you are still young."
Duke Eddard had seen Joffrey a few times... Although Joffrey was Robert's child, he didn't want to be prejudiced against the boy, but he truly couldn't stand that golden-haired boy.
Duke Eddard said gently, "I don't think Joffrey is worthy of you. When you grow up, I will help you find the most suitable noble, brave, gentle, and strong, and you will be happy for life in your new family."
For her prince, Sansa, with tears streaming down her face, bravely said, "Father, please don't be like this. I love Joffrey, Father, truly, just as Queen Naerys loved Prince Aemon the Dragonknight, and Jonquil loved Florian. Joffrey's mother also likes me very much; she said she's taking me hunting soon, and she blessed Joffrey and me."
Duke Eddard was shocked. When did this happen?
Duke Eddard looked at his tear-stained daughter with a pained heart and gently comforted her, "My dear Sansa, we can discuss this slowly."
Arya mumbled, "Always crying..."
Sansa wiped her tears and said, "Father, please believe me, Joffrey and I will live happily ever after, just as the songs say. I will bear him a beautiful golden-haired son, who will one day inherit Joffrey's Iron Throne and become the greatest king in history, brave as a Direwolf, proud as a Lion."
Arya, seeing Sansa stop crying, rolled her eyes and said, "You and Joffrey can't have a Lion; he's not a Lion, he's a Stag."
Sansa shrieked in anger: "He's not a Stag! He's nothing like that drunken king."
As his eldest daughter's words fell, Duke Eddard, who had been having a headache about how to console her, suddenly froze.
Sansa's words echoed in his ears repeatedly... He's nothing like that drunken king... He's nothing like Robert... Robert's children are nothing like Robert himself... Duke Eddard's pupils constricted.