With a smack, Prince Oberyn caught "Lady Forlorn," and then the sword was slowly drawn out a part, as he lowered his eyes to examine it.
"My dearest uncle, he was a great knight…"
Prince Oberyn seemed to be recalling past events with Lewyn Martell, his voice soft: "He… often taught me… a man's worth is determined by the sword in his hand… not the one between his legs…"
He paused, then suddenly looked up at Greene: "In the Battle of the Trident River, the reason Lyn Corbray was able to kill my uncle with this 'Lady Forlorn' was because he was already severely wounded…"
He stopped, shaking his head self-deprecatingly: "Who would care about such a thing, huh."
Sheathing the sword, Prince Oberyn returned "Lady Forlorn" to Greene and said: "I specifically had someone investigate that Vale agreement that shocked the Seven Kingdoms. You are like a seasoned chess player, everything, including people, became your chess pieces. I think… even if the so-called famous general Randyll were to be resurrected, he wouldn't be able to produce such a brilliant military record, Duke Green."
Greene placed "Lady Forlorn" beside the back of the chair Tyrion was leaning on. In response to Prince Oberyn's high praise, he merely quipped: "Crabb is a precious 'legacy' Jon Arryn left to the Vale Noble, Prince Oberyn."
After speaking, Greene stood up and carefully examined the sleeping Tyrion again, frowning: "Prince Oberyn, he doesn't look drunk."
Hearing this, Prince Oberyn said frankly: "That's right, he drank the sleeping wine I personally prepared. The earliest he'll wake up… will be tomorrow morning."
Greene turned his head to look at the enticing curves on the bed and said: "Prince Oberyn, although Tyrion is an unpopular Dwarf, he is a Lannister after all, and Lannister always pays its debts."
Upon hearing Greene's reminder, Prince Oberyn scoffed and said: "I like your joke. I don't mind tasting Lannister's flavor."
Greene moved his steps towards the bed: "I also need to remind you that everyone knows the future Queen's family does not welcome Martell."
"Because of Velas Tyrell? He never blamed me for the accident that happened in the tournament that year. About half a year ago, I even received a letter from him; we both share a common love for cooking horse meat."
Prince Oberyn picked up his wine glass and took a sip, then continued: "In fact, after I hit his breastplate, his foot unfortunately got caught in the stirrup, and he fell, getting crushed by his mount. I sent my own maester to treat him, but could only save his thigh because his knee was completely shattered."
He sneered: "If anyone is to blame, it's his foolish father. Willas was as tender as young grass back then, how could Lord Mace allow his heir to participate in such an intense tournament? That fat dead man thought Willas was born to win tournaments like his two younger brothers; he wanted a Leo Tyrell, but instead made his eldest son a cripple."
[Leo Tyrell was the Duke of Highgarden during the reign of Daeron Targaryen II. Many consider him possibly the best jousting champion in history, and he is also considered the best knight House Tyrell has ever produced.]
Standing by the bed, Greene examined the black-haired beauty covered only by a thin blanket and said: "You seem to like Knight Leo?"
Oberyn's dark eyes fixated on Greene, his wine glass gently swirling in his hand, and he said: "You should also know that knocking someone off a horse in a joust is different from killing them."
He suddenly smiled and added: "Duke Green, you are truly cautious."
Greene shrugged and said: "This is a hunter's habit; incautious hunters will sooner or later fall into the embrace of the stranger."
After a pause, he turned his head to look at Prince Oberyn: "She is?"
Prince Oberyn smiled slightly and said: "Ellaria Sand, she is my mistress. We are very close, and she came this time to make up for the regret of never having shared a golden-haired beauty with me. Ellaria has always been bothered by this."
Greene smiled and said: "She is a very thoughtful companion."
He glanced again at the Red Viper's mistress, who was deep in sleep on the bed, and said: "Prince Oberyn, her state seems to be similar to Tyrion's."
Prince Oberyn shrugged and said: "The Lannister Dwarf is as cautious as you are; Ellaria helped me."
"Prince Oberyn, you are also very cautious."
Greene sat back down in the lounge chair where Tyrion was and said: "It seems you don't want any other ears present for this meeting between us."
Brown eyes met black eyes for a moment, and Prince Oberyn leaned back in his chair, saying: "You interest me greatly, Duke Green."
Greene frowned slightly, saying nothing, he simply extended a hand and made a 'please' gesture.
Prince Oberyn grinned and said: "Very well, there's enough time tonight, we can talk slowly."
He took a small sip of wine, paused, and then began: "My uncle died in that great war sixteen years ago… but my sister and her children suffered cruel murder after the fall of King's Landing."
He looked directly at Greene: "With your abilities, you should know who the real murderer is, right?"
Seeing Greene nod, Prince Oberyn's eyes narrowed slightly, a sharp glint flashing within them.
Greene was a stranger to Martell, and the feeling was mutual. Outwardly, Greene belonged to the Lannister faction, but why did Prince Oberyn dare to speak so freely about these matters in front of him?
At this moment, Greene further confirmed his own speculation in his heart.
Greene said calmly: "The Seven Kingdoms all know that Robert Baratheon took up his warhammer for love and shattered the Targaryen rule. Is he not the real murderer?"
He spread his hands: "Besides, he's dead."
Anger flashed across Prince Oberyn's face. He scrutinized Greene and said coldly: "Has Crabb forgotten his three-hundred-year tradition? If there hadn't been a rebellion, what you are guarding right now… could have been my sister Ilia."
Rebellion… Greene's eyes subtly trembled.
His tone remained calm: "Prince Oberyn, ever since Visenya Targaryen, Crabb and all the lords of the Crabclaw Peninsula have always been direct vassals of the Queen, faithfully guarding the Targaryen Iron Throne."
"And that great war…"
He murmured, then continued: "Even when Prince Rhaegar had fallen in battle and King's Landing had capitulated, with everyone kneeling in surrender, the Crabclaw Peninsula men who participated in the war still fought to the very last moment, to the very last man."
Looking at Prince Oberyn, a hint of disdain crossed his lips: "The only survivors were my pregnant mother and me in her womb."
Prince Oberyn clenched one hand into a fist. After a moment of silence, he suddenly smiled, but changed the subject: "Duke Green, I want to remind you that while Lannister needs Crabb's support, Lannister absolutely does not want to see a powerful Crabb sharing power in the Seven Kingdoms."
He showed a strange smile: "I hear Cersei is very fond of you, Duke Green?"
Greene frowned again, his voice slightly cold: "Prince Martell, if you intend to offend Lannister, I think…"
He rose from the chair: "This insincere conversation can end here."
"Sincerity?"
Prince Oberyn laughed loudly, sitting upright and gazing at Greene: "Very well, but I worry for you… you won't much like my sincerity."
Greene glanced at the Red Viper, then walked to the window and slightly pulled aside the golden curtains blocking it.
Outside the window, the moonlight was hazy.
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