Greene pulled on the reins, adjusted the horse's direction, and then said, "The Seven Kingdoms all look forward to the day you come of age and rule, and so do I, King Joffrey."
As he finished speaking, the pleasant smile on King Joffrey's face stiffened, and he said, "Count Greene, remember, whether I have come of age or not, I am already King."
"You are the King of the Seven Kingdoms, there is no doubt about that. But..."
Greene shrugged and continued, "According to tradition, or according to the perception of the world, before you come of age, no matter how outstanding you perform, they will categorize you as... an existence that needs to be sheltered under their wings."
King Joffrey grew angry hearing this, and he lifted his foot... kicking Sandor, who was riding on the other side.
"Hound, don't come too close to me!"
Having made his point, King Joffrey looked at Greene and said coldly, "I want those foolish voices to disappear. If a hundred tongues aren't enough, then a thousand!"
Greene hesitated for a moment, then replied, "King, the Seven Gods praise goodness, but a kind heart will also instinctively sympathize with the weak."
After a pause, Joffrey turned to look at Sandor, his eyes questioning: What does he mean?
"Translator" Sandor: "King, there are too many pretty tongues; you won't be able to pull them all out."
Upon hearing this, King Joffrey, who was sitting in the saddle, practically stood up, kicking out fiercely and saying, "Get lost."
Lord Greene secretly made a gesture.
The Kingsguard's primary duty is to protect the King from harm and threats; they also swear to obey the King's commands, keep the King's secrets, and, when the King needs it... provide counsel.
Ser Mandon's dead fish eyes twitched slightly. He spurred his horse forward, taking Sandor's place, and said, "King, protecting the weak is a knight's honor."
King Joffrey's face turned red: "I don't need protection or sympathy! I am the King!"
The Hound glanced at Ser Mandon, frowned, but said nothing.
Greene's voice rang out: "King Joffrey, the Vale awaits your command."
Noticing the Hound's gaze, Greene smiled slightly at him.
King Joffrey's temper was very much like Cersei's; it switched quickly once certain conditions were met.
He showed a hint of satisfaction: "Count Greene, I, your King, see your loyalty. Therefore, I will also bestow upon you my trust."
Greene placed a hand on his chest and said, "Thank you for your trust, King Joffrey. House Crabb's soldiers are at your command."
Joffrey Baratheon nodded with great satisfaction.
Then, his green eyes suddenly darted around, and he said, "Hound, my Hound! I want to show Lord Arryn my spoils of war. Go bring Lord Arryn out of the dungeon."
While the Hound hesitated slightly, Ser Mandon spoke for him: "King, without the Hand of the King's command, we cannot bring Lord Arryn out of the dungeon."
With a crack, King Joffrey suddenly raised the horsewhip in his hand and struck Ser Mandon directly.
Then, he angrily said, "I am the King, and what I say goes!"
Ser Mandon silently slowed his horse, "disappearing" from King Joffrey's sight.
"Hound, hurry!"
Sandor glanced at Ser Mandon, who was falling behind, and said to Joffrey, "As you wish, King."
With that, he kicked his horse's belly and galloped off, with Ser Mandon also rushing out of the formation.
Greene watched the two white cloaks gradually distance themselves and said, "King Joffrey, do you need me to send some men to follow them?"
King Joffrey proudly raised his head: "If anyone dares to obstruct my Kingsguard, he is committing treason."
He suddenly looked at Greene: "Are you not afraid of Hand of the King Tywin?"
Greene placed a hand on his chest and said, "Clebber is only loyal to the Crown."
Upon hearing his answer, King Joffrey chuckled with pleasure.
The King's party had arrived swiftly, but their return was slow. King Joffrey was very pleased with the terrified reactions of the people on the street when they saw his spoils of war.
Joffrey's good mood did not last long.
The dense sound of hooves faintly reached them, growing louder and louder.
Ahead on the road, the roaring lion banner fluttered, and nearly a hundred red-cloaked cavalry surged like a rolling tide from a distance.
The horses neighed, a chorus of sounds.
Adam Marbrand pulled hard on the reins, and his horse's front hooves rose, stopping in front of Joffrey.
Ser Adam pulled on the reins, lowered the visor of his lion helmet, and announced loudly, "King, Hand of the King Tywin has ordered me to escort you back to the Red Keep."
With that, he waved his hand, and the red-cloaked cavalry he brought began to move.
After a flurry of hooves, Ser Adam's cavalry split into two teams, one in front and one behind, "guarding" the King's party in the middle.
Escorting? Joffrey said furiously, "What are you doing?"
Ser Adam expressionlessly made a 'please' gesture, repeating, "Hand of the King Tywin has ordered me to escort you back to the Red Keep. For your safety, we need to speed up, King Joffrey."
King Joffrey roared, "You dare to command me? I'll cut off your head!"
Ser Adam remained unmoved. He extended a hand forward again and said, "King, this is all for your safety. If I have offended you, I will voluntarily confess my sin to the Small Council."
Joffrey gritted his teeth and said, "This is my King's Landing, and there is no danger here! I'll go back whenever I want!"
His handsome face twisted: "What are you, anyway?"
Ser Adam seemed not to hear the anger in Joffrey's words: "King, I am a knight of Lannister, and I am the Commander of the King's Landing City Watch, appointed by the Small Council."
King Joffrey's face turned crimson from his inability to vent his rising anger, and his finger, pointing at Ser Adam, trembled: "You, you, you... I will not let you go! Never!"
He couldn't stand it anymore. With a clang, he drew his lion's tooth sword: "I'll kill you now!"
Ser Adam glanced at the beautiful sword in Joffrey's hand, a sharp glint in his eyes, and said, "King, I must remind you, wielding a sword is very dangerous."
King Joffrey was slightly startled. Seeing that his threat had no effect, he couldn't help but feel a little flustered.
He turned and said resentfully, "Kingsguard, kill Adam Marbrand for me!"
The remaining two Kingsguard hesitated. After a pause, Ser Boros Blount (Chapter 173) spoke up: "King, we were already on our way back to the Red Keep."
Boros Blount was a knight from the Crownlands, of House Blount, and one of Robert I's Kingsguard.
The Kingsguard had sufficient reason to refuse the King's unreasonable commands, because Joffrey had not yet come of age.
King Joffrey, however, did not think so; in his eyes... those who disobeyed also deserved to die.
Just then, Greene's soft chuckle suddenly sounded.
Clip-clop, Greene's horse stepped forward, and he spoke: "Ser Adam, do you seem to be forcing our King?"
Ser Adam stared for a moment, then said, "Count Greene, there is no forcing here; I am carrying out Ty..."
He paused, then continued, "This is an order from the Small Council. Protecting the King's safety is my duty."
Seeing Greene nod, King Joffrey, standing nearby, grew even more furious.
Just as he was about to erupt in anger, Greene extended a hand towards Ser Adam, curling his fingers inward, and said, "Ser, show me the document signed by the Small Council."
"..." Ser Adam looked at Greene with a somewhat complex gaze.
After waiting a short while, Lord Greene was very understanding: "If I am not qualified, you can also directly..."
He turned and pointed: "Please hand it directly to King Joffrey."
King Joffrey was stunned for a moment, and then... his face suddenly flashed with excitement. He, too, extended a hand, proudly lifting his chin.
After a moment of silence, Ser Adam had to explain, "Today's situation is urgent..."
Greene interrupted, "You don't have it, do you, Ser?"
Ser Adam: "..."
Ser Adam remained silent. Greene said coldly, "Answer my question, Adam Marbrand."
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