Ser Adam stared at Greene and said, "I will make it up..."
Greene interrupted his words once again: "So, I can assume you are attempting to take away the King of the Seven Kingdoms under unlawful circumstances?"
He sneered: "And in front of the Warden of the East?"
King Joffrey cackled, "My killing him is legal!"
Greene turned his head to look at Joffrey and responded seriously, "According to the laws of the realm, perhaps it is. If you are merciful, you could also let him take the black, as he is, after all, a Westerlands noble."
King Joffrey's eyes showed streaks of blood, and the smile on his face was joyful: "The King's mercy is to let him die quickly."
Greene shrugged, and at the same time... he subtly glanced into the distance.
Ser Adam's gaze swept over Greene and Joffrey, his voice slightly agitated: "The King must return to the Red Keep immediately, escorted by me! Everyone, obey my command!"
"Yes, sir!" The red-cloaked cavalry brought by Ser Adam responded in unison.
The atmosphere instantly became heavy.
Greene completely disregarded the threat Ser Adam posed. He repeated his earlier words: "Ser, are you going to force our King?"
Ser Adam responded coldly, "There's no forcing; I have a duty to protect the King's safety."
He glanced at the dozen or so "blood-stained" guards not far away, then continued, "Count Greene, today's matter is very simple. I have my duty, and I ask that you do not continue to obstruct."
Greene looked at Ser Adam with amusement and announced loudly, "Brienne, prepare the war horn."
Greene's brown eyes looked at Ser Adam: "You wouldn't think that only the King supports me, would you?"
He added, "Just in case, my Clan Soldiers are scattered a little further away to better ensure the King's safety."
His gaze turned cold: "When the horn sounds, battle begins."
Lord Greene looked at Ser Adam, slowly raised a hand, and said, "Then, please choose, Ser."
Brienne had already placed the Clebber war horn, made from a cow's horn, to her lips, waiting only for her lord's command.
The air was thick with tension, as if a single spark could ignite a fierce battle.
King Joffrey couldn't help but secretly swallow, his face, however, filled with excitement; he hoped that Count Greene would kill Ser Adam on the spot, right before his eyes.
It would be best if he could personally cut off his head. Remembering the exhilarating feeling of that previous sword strike, King Joffrey still felt unsatisfied.
Ser Adam clenched his fists. He had just realized a problem, or rather, he had made a serious mistake. He hadn't anticipated that Greene Crabb had absolutely no regard for him, a knight of Lannister.
His previous threats... now, faced with a real threat, seemed somewhat... ridiculous?
He was a knight of Lannister, and he was currently carrying out Hand of the King Tywin's orders. Did he not know that... Lannister always pays its debts?
Inside his helmet, Ser Adam's forehead was covered in sweat.
What would be the consequences if a battle broke out here? He couldn't think clearly for a moment. He also instinctively felt... that Count Greene's actions were not merely for the King's authority; he had other motives, but he couldn't guess them.
At this moment, Ser Adam suddenly wished to leave the complicated King's Landing and return to his familiar and simple barracks and battlefield.
As Ser Adam's thoughts raced, Greene, however, encouraged him, "Have you decided? Please let me witness the courage of a Westerlands knight."
Why was he still provoking him? Ser Adam gritted his teeth (a habit he learned from his most admired person) and said, "Count Clebber, this is King's Landing."
"Ser, the battlefield does not distinguish..."
As he spoke, Greene suddenly looked into the distance: "Adam Marbrand, you are very lucky."
He turned his head: "King Joffrey, I see the banners of your Uncle and Uncle. They will be here soon."
Joffrey, displeased at having his fun interrupted, frowned and said, "Kevan and Jaime? What are they doing here?"
They did not lower their voices, and Ser Adam also looked back. After a pause, seeing the banners, he couldn't help but feel relieved, and immediately after... he felt incredibly ashamed.
Jaime Lannister arrived first. After stopping his horse, his gaze swept over Greene, then he assessed King Joffrey.
He spoke: "King Joffrey, Queen Mother Cersei has sent me to protect your safety."
After he finished speaking, he cast a sidelong glance at Greene.
Greene thought of the gift Jaime had given him (Chapter 318) — a blue cloak with gold letters embroidered with "Warden of the East." He had "replicated" the gift Greene had once given him (Chapter 135), which was the childish retaliation of an arrogant man.
But... this gift also represented a certain political meaning, such as: the former Warden of the East's support for his successor, and some sensitive people might even associate it with Lannister's... and so on.
Lord Greene had to admit that Ser Jaime's retaliation was indeed... a little effective.
...
Upon hearing Ser Jaime's voice, King Joffrey, however, pouted; Ser Jaime, likewise, showed no concern for Joffrey's attitude.
Kevan Lannister's broad-shouldered, thick-waisted figure appeared. Greene saw a red-cloaked man whispering something in his ear, guessing that the man was reporting what had happened here.
Glancing at Ser Kevan and the others, King Joffrey snorted coldly and said, "Return to the Red Keep, let's go!"
He suddenly kicked his spurs and galloped out.
Ser Jaime frowned and, along with the other Kingsguard, spurred his horse to follow behind.
Ser Kevan seemed not to notice Joffrey's departure. He looked at Greene and smiled slightly.
Greene returned the smile. He urged his horse closer and said, "Lord Kevan, is there good wine in the Prime Ministers Tower?"
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