"I also heard... The Three Kettleblack Brothers were originally employed by Lord Tyrion, and now... I don't even know how to describe their actions."
Lord Greene coughed lightly, attracting the attention of all the officials. They all looked at him, their eyes filled with a certain expectation and hope.
After a pause, Green scanned the crowd and asked, "Are you... questioning Queen Regent Cersei?"
As his words fell, the surrounding air seemed to freeze for a second, followed by the officials all coughing.
"No..."
"Absolutely not possible..."
"You misunderstood..."
Green smiled, then pointed to another spot. Queen Regent Cersei had already completed a round of the hall and finished her greetings with the guests.
Queen Regent Cersei stood on the steps of the main platform, and a servant brought her a golden goblet inlaid with jewels. Green led his old colleagues to the front of the crowd, and then... he noticed Ser Jaime's figure already at the front of the crowd on the other side.
Ser Jaime's beard was cleanly shaven, and he stood there with one hand behind his back, chest out, a smile playing on his lips.
Seeing Green look at him, he nodded slightly.
Green also returned a nod, and at the same time, his mood lightened considerably.
"Ladies and gentlemen..."
Queen Regent Cersei, holding a goblet, called out, "The high walls of Riverrun and the despicable Direwolf... they cannot trap the lion of Casterly Rock... the lord commander of the kingsguard... Jaime Lannister... he defeated the Direwolf..."
She raised her goblet in Jaime's direction: "To Ser Jaime!"
"To Ser Jaime!"
"To Ser Jaime!"
"To Ser Jaime!"
Everyone present echoed Queen Regent Cersei.
Green also raised his goblet towards Ser Jaime, who seemed to have been "resurrected" on the spot. He had to admit, if Cersei had enough patience to perform, she could easily win some hearts, but... her personality wouldn't allow it. She was a woman who wouldn't "wrong" herself.
After a sip of summer red, Queen Regent Cersei looked at Green, paused, and said, "The Eyrie of the Vale... Prime Minister Jon's widow... the harlot Lysa Arryn... dared to betray King Joffrey... Count Greene Crabb of Claw Isle... he, in the King's name... marched into the Vale... he broke through the Eyrie... captured Lord Arryn... his name as a great general is known throughout the Seven Kingdoms... To Count Green!"
As soon as her words fell, Green was the first to exclaim loudly, "The highest glory belongs to Queen Regent Cersei!"
Green raised his goblet in the direction of Queen Regent Cersei: "To the Queen Regent!"
He scanned the crowd, raised his goblet again, and called out, "To Cersei Lannister!"
Immediately, the hall was filled with shouts of Queen Regent Cersei's name.
Green was her sword, and as the wielder of the sword, Queen Regent Cersei proudly lifted her chin, accepting the cheers of the crowd, her full... chest couldn't help but rise and fall slightly.
In the crowd, some people reacted differently.
Ser Jaime knew Cersei well. Although it wasn't visible on her face, he could sense that she was... very pleased at this moment.
He couldn't help but marvel at Green's tongue again, then, as if suddenly thinking of something, Jaime smiled a bitter smile himself and took a large gulp of wine.
His brother's gaze kept drifting towards Count Green, and Ser Osfryd frowned, his large hand subtly slapping Osney's back.
The officials who had been frightened by Green's question earlier... now couldn't hide their excitement. They contemptuously glanced at the Kettleblack Brothers, who stood behind Queen Regent Cersei with expressionless faces. Their chief official was back, so where was there any room for their fawning?!
The banquet officially began, and a graceful melody played from the gallery above. Queen Regent Cersei invited Ser Jaime to dance.
Green stood by the dance floor, watching him and her dance gracefully in sync, skirts swirling as they spun.
Where was Ser Jaime's half-dead appearance from noon? Green didn't know if he had finally come to his senses, or if his heart was... big.
After politely declining several dance invitations, Green left the dance floor, holding a goblet, and went to a balcony in the Queen's Ballroom.
Behind him was the noisy banquet. Green leaned against the stone railing, looking up at the stars in the night sky, which resembled jewels embedded in the black firmament, twinkling with brilliant light.
A gentle breeze brushed his face, bringing a cool sensation. Lord Greene's ears suddenly twitched, and he turned his head to look.
The newcomer was thin, with sunken eyes and dry, gray hair. Green blinked and said, "Lancel?"
Lancel Lannister smiled and said, "Count Green, long time no see."
After approaching, Green looked Lancel up and down. They were the same age, but the person in front of him looked over forty.
"I heard you were seriously wounded in the Battle of King's Landing. You should rest well, Lancel."
Lancel shook his head slightly and replied, "Count Green, my wounds have long healed. This is the punishment bestowed upon me by the gods above for the sins I committed..."
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right nobut who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/TripleCrown
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"