Greene Kleber first pulled up a chair and sat opposite Eddard Stark, then placed his large feet on the table.
He folded his arms across his chest and said, "Duke Eddard, Queen Cersei ordered me to leave here and wait outside the Red Keep with the Blue Cloaks."
Duke Eddard naturally assumed Greene was referring to the 200 Blue Cloaks under his command.
"Greene, go to Riverrun with peace of mind, nothing will happen."
Janos Slynt, who had just left, had already solved the biggest problem for Duke Eddard. The Commander of the Gold Cloaks came with Robert's "last will," and Earl Janos and his 6000 Gold Cloaks would fully assist Duke Eddard. He could be said to have already taken control of the situation at the Red Keep… Even if Cersei Lannister wanted to resist, her 200 Red Cloaks alone wouldn't be able to stir up trouble.
Greene rubbed his hair and said, "Duke Ned, I see you are in danger right now, but you want me to leave. You must at least tell me why, otherwise please forgive me for refusing any of your… orders. I want to stay in the Red Keep to protect your safety."
Duke Eddard felt Greene's determination, and he also rubbed his hair, troubled.
There was a moment of silence in the study.
Greene did not back down, and Duke Eddard, both moved and helpless, chose to reveal the truth.
"Greene, after Robert's death, there is no biological son to inherit the Iron Throne. Those three children are bastards born to Jaime Lannister and Cersei Lannister."
Greene's back immediately straightened, and his eyes slowly widened. He stared intently at Duke Eddard's serious face, as if to confirm whether he was joking.
After a long while, seeing Duke Eddard's expression remain unchanged, Greene moved his lips in disbelief but could not speak.
Duke Eddard sighed, "Therefore, Stannis is the legitimate heir to the Iron Throne. This is why I want you to temporarily leave King's Landing. I will handle everything and will not let Cersei's affairs implicate you. When you return, you can serve the new King with peace of mind."
Duke Eddard was always concise in his words, and to convince Greene, he broke his usual habit.
Greene exhaled and murmured, "No wonder…"
He paused, then took his feet off the table and sat up straight: "The truth is… both cruel and hard to accept."
Duke Eddard brought up this matter and couldn't help but feel sad for Robert again. His old friend passed away in a hurry, without ever knowing the cruel truth, which could be considered a kind of mercy.
Greene got up and paced for a while, then stood still in front of the table.
"Duke Ned, please forgive my presumption, and allow me to speak frankly to you."
Duke Eddard looked at Greene's serious face and nodded slightly.
"Duke Ned, if Duke Stannis inherits the Iron Throne, the entire kingdom will be drenched in blood…"
Duke Eddard frowned and interrupted, "Greene, Stannis is Robert's eldest brother, he is the legitimate heir to the Iron Throne. I don't want you to make a mistake."
Greene did not flinch: "Please allow me to finish, Duke Ned. We all know Duke Stannis's unyielding and uncompromising personality.
Once he sits on the Iron Throne, unless Cersei and her bastards are all dead, Stannis's Iron Throne will never be stable.
King Robert was willing to pardon those who served Aerys II, as long as they swore fealty to him… but Stannis would never do that.
According to Duke Stannis's character, he will not forget the Siege of Storm's End, and House Tyrell and Redwyne Family dare not forget it.
Duke Tywin of Casterly Rock will certainly raise an army, and they are by no means weak. At that time, the Seven Kingdoms will be in turmoil.
As long as someone raises the Targaryen banner, the Riverlands, the Westerlands, the Iron Islands will all unite, and even House Baratheon's Stormlands will join them."
Seeing Duke Eddard frown and remain silent, Greene sighed inwardly.
He paused, then Greene said, "Duke Ned, Viserys, the Mad King's second son across the Narrow Sea, is already of age. I am absolutely not exaggerating. You and Robert will be called usurpers by them.
They will invade the North and march into Winterfell, just as you and King Robert campaigned against the Iron Islands back then. Those people, to curry favor with the new King Viserys… the Targaryen tragedy will be replayed on the Starks."
Greene's persuasion only caused Duke Eddard to hesitate for a fleeting moment when he heard of the Targaryen tragedy.
Duke Eddard gazed at Greene, his tone firm: "Stannis is the legitimate heir to the Iron Throne. I will make no other choice."
Duke Eddard did not deny Greene's predictions, but the Direwolf would never tarnish its honor for its own selfish desires.
Greene sighed, "Sansa, Arya, Jon, how do you plan to arrange for them?"
Hearing Greene no longer try to persuade him, Duke Eddard felt a little relieved. This child's words had almost swayed his heart of honor.
Duke Eddard was always more tolerant of children, and he could feel that Greene had no other selfish motives; Greene's purpose was to protect his safety.
Duke Eddard did not conceal: "I have already arranged for someone to hire a ship. I will have the children leave King's Landing first."
Greene held up three fingers and said, "Duke Ned, I have three questions about the children."
Duke Eddard looked at Greene and nodded slightly.
"First question, are you sure you want Jon Snow to return to Winterfell?"
"…"
Duke Eddard remembered Catelyn's attitude towards Jon, and he had indeed overlooked this issue.
Greene shrugged: "It seems you temporarily forgot Jon's predicament."
Duke Eddard pondered, "…I cannot deny my carelessness."
Greene smiled: "Duke Ned, if you don't object, Jon can be my squire. His character and swordsmanship are excellent. As long as he continues to work hard, there is a great chance he will be knighted for Crab Claw Peninsula."
Duke Eddard understood Greene's abilities, and he had to admit that this was a very good path for Jon, and the best choice at this moment.
Duke Eddard did not hesitate: "Tomorrow morning I will talk to Jon about this. Thank you, child."
Greene first smiled humbly, then said, "Second question, do you think Sansa and Arya can leave safely?"
Although Greene was not old, he was very steady. Duke Eddard believed Greene was not a person who spoke idly.
"Greene, are you worried someone will harm my children?"
"Duke Ned, there is no doubt about that. When you chose Duke Stannis as the heir to the Iron Throne, you were already surrounded by enemies. There are no secrets in the Red Keep. Before a new King is established, or before a victor is determined, those with ill intentions will keep a close eye on your children, and if necessary, they will even become hostages to restrain you."
Duke Eddard: "…"
Duke Eddard had thought he had made all the arrangements, but after hearing Greene's words, he realized he was still too careless and had not considered everything thoroughly.
Greene said solemnly, "Duke Ned, please entrust Sansa and Arya to me. My Blue Cloaks are enough to guard them. I will safely deliver them to Lady Catelyn, I swear."
"Greene, I trust you…"
He paused, then Duke Eddard said emotionally, "Thank you for your trouble."
"Please rest assured… last question."
Greene said directly, "Are you confident that everything will go smoothly?"
Duke Eddard met Greene's gaze for a while, then his lips curved slightly, and he said, "Child, don't worry, I will handle things here."
"Just in case."
Saying that, Greene picked up a blank parchment and placed it in front of Duke Eddard.
"You should have a fallback. Please, in the name of the Warden of the Realm and Hand of the King, appoint me as the Captain of the Steel Gate Guard."
Duke Eddard shook his head: "Greene, you should leave King's Landing as soon as possible."
"Duke Ned, we have all been to battle. Besides the gods, no one can guarantee absolute victory. You need a fallback."
Greene picked up a quill, dipped it in ink, and handed it to Duke Eddard.
"My sworn knight will stay at the Steel Gate with soldiers. If anything changes, please meet with them and leave King's Landing directly."
Duke Eddard: "…"
Greene added, "If you don't agree to my request, we will all stay and face this with you. Arya thinks her sword skills have improved greatly…"
Hearing Greene's "threat," Duke Eddard couldn't help but smile. He took the pen from Greene's hand.
Winter is Coming. The lone wolf dies, but the pack survives.
...…
Greene put away the letter of appointment and said, "Duke Ned, I will pick up your children tomorrow morning."
Duke Eddard nodded slightly: "Greene, thank you for your trouble."
He seemed to just remember: "How did you know I was appointed Warden of the Realm?"
Greene shrugged: "Varys's hint. I still say, the Red Keep has no secrets. Please be extra careful."
"Damn it!" Duke Eddard cursed under his breath.
Greene bowed and took his leave. As he was about to reach the door, Duke Eddard called out to him.
Greene turned around and looked at Duke Eddard.
Duke Eddard walked over, patted Greene's arm, and said gently, "Good child, the North Remembers."
After a pause, a faint smile appeared on Greene's refined face, and his hand rested on his chest.
"Kleber Remembers."
...…
...…
The rocky coast below the Red Keep.
Greene looked up at the night sky, estimating that in another hour or two, it would be dawn. Tonight had truly been busy.
Hearing a sound, Greene withdrew his gaze and turned around.
When the person approached, Greene smiled and said, "Good evening, Earl Petyr."
Petyr, who had spent some time in the Black Cells, looked a bit disheveled.
Petyr's voice was hoarse: "Good evening, Earl Kleber, I didn't expect it to really be you."
Greene took a wineskin from Monton Wei Shui's hand and waved for the others to withdraw.
"Earl Petyr, I keep my promises. You will be able to leave in a moment."
Petyr took the wineskin, pulled out the stopper, and took a gulp.
"Hoo."
Petyr couldn't help but let out a sound of comfort, then self-mockingly said, "Such a familiar taste. This is how it tasted the first time I tried summer red. I thought I would never taste it again."
Greene's eyes flickered: "The more you have, the more bland it feels."
"When you lose it, you realize how precious it is," Petyr took another gulp of summer red.
Petyr's cheeks had thinned considerably, but his grey-green eyes were still shining. He looked in the direction he had come from.
"Earl Kleber, I didn't expect you to also know the secret passage to the Black Cells."
Greene also looked over, as if lamenting: "What a pity, it can't be used starting tomorrow."
Petyr looked at Greene and said, "Earl Kleber, I'm truly curious, when did you and Varys become friends?"
Greene shrugged: "Lord Varys might have seen something in me, but I don't know what yet."
Petyr shrugged: "That's a not-so-surprising answer."
Greene first smiled, then pointed in a direction on the coast: "There's a small boat over there. They are highly reputable Sellswords, and they will be responsible for escorting you to the Eyrie."
He paused, then added, "They will be at your command."
After a moment of silence, Petyr's eyes moved slightly, and he said, "Earl Kleber, could you tell me what has happened recently?"
Greene nodded and slowly said, "Because of Hand Eddard's raven, the Vale has started to become a little lively. It is said that Lady Waynwood of Runestone, Earl Belmore, Earl Redfort, Earl Hunter, and Ser Symond Templeton of Ninestars have jointly formed the Alliance of the Righteous, claiming they will use all necessary means to bring the shameful traitor Lysa Tully to justice. Oh, and Bronze Yohn is still in King's Landing. When he returns to the Vale, he should also join the Alliance of the Righteous."
Petyr's lips curved, saying, "Ha, it's really lively…"
He paused, then looked at Greene and continued, "Earl Kleber, is the Alliance of the Righteous what you mean by lively?"
"It also includes Lysa Tully. In the name of the Duke of Eyrie's guardian, she declared the Alliance of the Righteous to be rebels of the Vale, and issued orders to all Vale Nobles outside the Alliance of the Righteous to form the True Justice League to suppress the rebels."
Petyr sneered, "True Justice League?"
Greene shrugged: "Yes, that's the name, just like Lysa Tully has people call the young Duke the True Warden of the East, it's a similar meaning."
Petyr suddenly said, "Earl Kleber, has Hand Stark revoked my title and lands?"
Greene pointed in the direction of the small boat, and the two began to walk.
"Earl Petyr, the Prime Minister is waiting to try Lysa Tully herself in King's Landing. Your charges have not yet been announced, so your title and lands remain."
Petyr's tone held a hint of sarcasm: "Not yet announced? I imagine it's pretty much known throughout the Seven Kingdoms."
Greene smiled and said, "Lady Lysa has sealed off the Eyrie. Others, no matter how much they object, don't have a good way to deal with it right now, unless…"
Petyr interjected, "Use force… The Alliance of the Righteous will sooner or later gather a large army below the Eyrie."
Greene glanced at the relaxed-looking Petyr and said, "Lady Lysa needs your help more than ever. I think she will support you wholeheartedly, Earl Petyr."