Lord Greene remained silent for a moment regarding Lancel the 'Monk's' confession, then changed the subject: "I heard you fought bravely in the Battle of King's Landing. Congratulations, Count Lancel."
[Lancel Lannister has been elevated to Count of Darry in the Riverlands.]
If it had been before his severe injury, Lancel would have been exceptionally excited or arrogant. Now, after his injury, he only offered a calm thank you, as if the title had nothing to do with him.
Lord Greene's gaze shifted slightly to Lancel, and he asked again, "When do you plan to go to Darry? Have you set a time?"
Lancel shook his head slightly and said, "My father told me to stay in King's Landing until the war ends."
He sighed, "He also asked Hand of the King Tywin to choose a suitable wife for me."
Lord Greene took a sip of wine and said, "Isn't that a good thing?"
Lancel shook his head once more and replied, "My sins have not yet been forgiven by the gods above, or rather... I may have to spend this entire life in repentance. As I am, I worry I cannot fulfill the responsibilities of a husband..."
At this moment, Ser Jaime's voice suddenly rang out: "My cousin, I wouldn't mind personally guiding your future wife."
As Jaime's figure approached, Lancel's gaze became evasive, while Lord Greene leaned against the stone railing and raised his wine glass to him.
Standing in front of Lancel, he added, "You haven't set a candidate or a date, so I can't be sure if I can attend your wedding and disrupt your wedding chamber. It's quite a pity."
Lancel's lips moved, and he said, "I... I know how to fulfill a husband's responsibilities, Ser Jaime."
Ser Jaime's green eyes remained fixed on the expression on Lancel's face. He curled his lips and said, "Very good, your future bride will need that on her wedding night—a man who knows how to fulfill his responsibilities."
"I should leave," Lancel's face flushed slightly.
He opened his mouth and said, "I will pray for you both in the sept, Ser Jaime, Count Green."
After a pause, he added, "And I will also pray for the Queen Regent. May the Crone grant her wisdom, and may the Warrior protect her."
Ser Jaime said coldly, "Lancel, Cersei doesn't need the Warrior; she has me."
Lancel said nothing more. He nodded slightly to them, then turned and left.
After his thin figure disappeared, Lord Greene noticed that Jaime, who had just been mockingly cold, now wore an expression of both pleasure and relief.
Lord Greene's eyebrows raised slightly, and he said, "Ser Jaime, your mood seems... quite good?"
Ser Jaime glanced sideways at Lord Greene and said, "..., Lannister would never look at a weak man like Lancel, who is full of pious words."
After a moment of silence, Lord Greene's lips curved slightly, and he said, "Mr. Lannister, have you discovered the truth with your keen insight?"
Ser Jaime crossed his arms, raised his chin, and proudly declared, "I will not easily forgive you and Tyrion."
Lord Greene knew that Ser Jaime was jesting with him because he was in a good mood.
Although he had no interest in humoring someone who had convinced himself of a self-concocted, supposedly reasonable answer, he still thought for a moment, then asked seriously, "Are you sure?"
Ser Jaime's expression froze for a moment. His firm conviction that Cersei had not betrayed him, which he had held moments ago, wavered due to a simple rhetorical question.
After a while of silence, Ser Jaime suddenly laughed and said, "Damn Tyrion, he doesn't even pick a good target when he lies; so easily defeated!"
Lord Greene was momentarily dazed; he almost thought he had seen the old Lancel... Had Queen Cersei ruined another man?
Then, he saw Osney Kettleblack walking towards them. Lord Greene's eyes moved, and his gaze subconsciously swept over Ser Jaime's head.
Ser Osney quickly arrived at the balcony. He bowed and said, "Count Crabb, Her Majesty the Queen requests your presence."
Lord Greene swirled the wine in his glass, sizing up Osney, and asked, "Where is Queen Cersei?"
Ser Osney looked up at Lord Greene and respectfully replied, "Her Majesty ordered me to take you to the small hall on the second floor."
Lord Greene lowered his eyes, glanced at his thin clothing, paused, and murmured, "Is she meeting me privately?"
A hint of anticipation was mixed in his low voice, just enough for Ser Jaime, standing beside Lord Greene, to hear.
As the words fell, Lord Greene's peripheral vision caught Jaime's fist clenching instantly. He met the unfriendly gaze, a smile in his eyes, and mouthed silently to Jaime: "Reward" (Chapter 299).
Lord Greene put down his wine glass, a slight smile on his face, and said, "Lead the way, Ser."
Jealousy flickered in Ser Osney's eyes, but remembering his brother's warning, he lowered his face to hide his uncontrollable emotions.
He stood aside, extended a hand towards the interior, and bowed, saying, "Please, Count Crabb."
As Lord Greene and Osney had only taken a few steps, Ser Jaime's large foot lifted, and he suddenly followed.
Ser Jaime spoke through gritted teeth: "I will escort you, Lord Greene."
Lord Greene glanced at Ser Jaime, a slight curve to his lips, and said, "Thank you, Kingsguard."
Lord Greene walked through the hall, filled with laughter, with his hands behind his back. In front of him was Ser Osney, leading the way, and behind him was his escort—Ser Jaime. The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard personally escorting him certainly gave Lord Greene a taste of royal treatment.
The door to the small hall opened, and Lord Greene saw Cersei Lannister sitting by the fireplace. She leaned against the wide armrest of an oak chair, her long, curly hair, free of her crown, cascaded over her smooth shoulders.
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