Crackclaw Point once had its own legendary hero named Clarence Kleber.
During the reign of Jaehaerys I, the grandson of Aegon the Conqueror, there was a member of the Kingsguard named Clement Kleber.
During the Battle of the Trident in the War of the Usurper, the major families of Crackclaw Point fought alongside Prince Rhaegar until the very end. The people of Crackclaw Point proudly declared themselves the model vassals of the House of the True Dragon.
Robert Baratheon won the war, and the already sparse Kleber Family suffered heavy casualties. The only male left was Greene Kleber, who was still in his mother's womb at the time... Whispering City, a curved military fortress built against a mountain. Around the fortress, a few small houses were scattered here and there.
The Lord's Hall of Whispering City.
The perfectly integrated transmigrator—Greene Kleber sat in a high-backed lord's chair, with a massive swamp marigold banner hanging behind him.
A man and a woman stood to his left and right.
The man was about forty years old, around 170 cm tall, bald and stout, wearing a blue round-neck robe.
The woman was about thirty years old, around 170 cm tall, with long brown curly hair, wearing a blue long dress with a low-cut neckline.
The two were the Head Steward Herschel and the Lifestyle Steward Surana.
At this moment, an old farmer knelt respectfully in the center of the hall, his voice tinged with cautious reverence: "Yes, my Lord, I am certain... I go out to farm at dawn during the day, and my neighbor Marty always runs to my house to... with my... woman at home... perform all sorts of panting activities, many times."
After finally hearing the old farmer's broken account, Greene Kleber's expression did not change, though his lips pursed slightly.
The Lord's Hall fell silent for a moment.
Seeing that his young master had no intention of speaking, Head Steward Herschel cleared his throat and said, "Old Peel, by the sound of it, you've directly caught them in the... act. Did you not... do something?"
The old farmer, Old Peel, was silent for a while before replying, "I was very angry, but I am no longer young. Marty is young and strong compared to me; I cannot win in a fight..."
"And your wife?"
"I also... cannot win in a fight..."
Oh, the women of Crackclaw Point are indeed quite fierce!
After today, according to the local customs, it was estimated the old farmer would soon have a resounding nickname, like 'Weak Old Peel' or something similar.
To be a qualified lord, protecting the weak is an inescapable duty. Only when the weak are protected can the soil of loyalty be formed.
Greene Kleber understood even better that from another perspective, everyone is a vulnerable cub in need of protection—including himself.
The fifteen-year-old young lord Greene Kleber's voice still held a hint of youthfulness: "Old Peel, your lord has heard your statement. I will arrange for two Sword-bearers to accompany you."
After saying that, Greene Kleber's gray eyes turned to a tall, middle-aged man in iron armor standing at the side of the hall, and he continued, "Ser Pello, you arrange for two of the sharper soldiers. If there are no problems, arrest him immediately..."
Greene Kleber tilted his head slightly and whispered, "Herschel, where are we short on people right now? Hmm... find somewhere dangerous."
Steward Herschel seemed to have an answer ready: "My Lord, the territory always needs labor capable of heavy work, but I suggest you give him a sword. The Mountain Barbarians are stirring again, and you need more warriors. You are merciful; you must always give your subjects a chance."
Fine, young and strong, is he? Likes stealing someone's wife, does he? Full of energy, is he? Give him a sword and let him fight the barbarians with his life. If he's lucky enough to survive, it will be entirely thanks to the merciful lord's grace.
He should be grateful, grip the sword in his hand, and keep going next time.
Greene Kleber nodded slightly and gave a light wave of his right hand.
With reddened eyes, Old Peel bowed deeply to his lord. He kept his back bent, yet he felt as if his spine had straightened and his body was filled with strength. He secretly resolved repeatedly to do the farm work well for the lord; if the harvest was good, he would surely be able to pay more wheat in taxes this year than last.
The Lord looks too thin; it must be because he hasn't eaten enough. If I tend the fields well and the harvest is better, the Lord can eat more and put on some weight.
"Next."
"My Lord, my farm tools are broken..."
"Lord Master, my son's stomach has been hurting for several days, I beg of you..."
"My Lord, that was my prey, the Mountain Barbarians stole mine..."
"Merciful Lord, Mountain Barbarians are always appearing near our village, the villagers are very worried..."
"Yes, they usually appear in groups of five or six."
...The morning task of receiving petitions from the subjects was finally complete. Greene Kleber finally didn't have to maintain his dignified sitting posture. He stretched and stood up from the tall wooden chair. My goodness, this noble posture that needs to be held like a painting is exhausting.
"Ms. Surana, bring a basin of hot water to the study and have lunch sent there as well. Also, have Maester Al prepare the messenger ravens; once I've finished writing the letters, they should be sent immediately."
Inside the castle study, Greene Kleber finished his lunch, tidied up, and picked up his quill.
Today was the third letter.
The recipient was the current Queen, Cersei Lannister.
After the War of the Usurper, he was the only male left in the direct line of the Kleber Family. Because he was still in his mother's womb at the time, the chivalrous Eddard Stark persuaded the new king, Robert Baratheon, to pardon Greene Kleber's mother from the death penalty, and the Kleber Family fortunately kept its flame alive.
But after the War of the Usurper, Duke Jon Arryn, the Kings Hand of the Baratheon dynasty, did not forget to suppress the former model families of the Dragon House, including the Kleber Family, by various means for ten years as if it were a single day.
Next year, the curtain of A Song of Ice and Fire will be drawn, and A Game of Thrones is about to begin.
Greene Kleber had a great deal to do.
To join this stage as a noble of The Crownlands, he first had to ease relations with the Red Keep.
Over a decade had passed, and Jon Arryn was finally old, his energy far from what it once was; according to the plot, his days were numbered.
The Kleber Family could finally catch its breath slightly.
He could not just drift with the tide, nor could he be satisfied with the status quo.
The Kleber Family, mocked as semi-barbarians, previously didn't understand or know how, but now Greene Kleber—he had arrived.
Greene Kleber stopped his thoughts and prepared to be possessed by the god of flattery.
To Her Majesty the Queen, the embodiment of courage and beauty:
Out of admiration, I send my most sincere greetings; your humble servant ventures to disturb you.
Fifteen years have passed since the war. At that time, your humble servant was still in his mother's womb, quietly enjoying the warmth that cannot be remembered.
Since coming of age, I have always been grateful for the kingdom's mercy, which allowed the Kleber Family to continue.
Not daring to be slack, and even less daring to forget, the House words—United as One.
As I grow older, my understanding deepens; the core of the Kleber Family's motto lies in loyalty.
The dragons have been gone for fifteen years. Although House Clebber persists, it has lost its way... The former House Clebber, because of loyalty, knew the path led to death yet still went forward without looking back.
Because of that past loyalty, the Kleber Family has lost trust in the new world.
Without trust, the loyalty of the Kleber Family has nowhere to be placed.
Noble as you are, would you be willing to grant the Kleber Family a chance.
I have heard that Your Highness will soon go for Kingswood Hunting; the Kleber Family longs for the glory of serving you.
The guard captivated by Your Highness's charm—Greene Kleber.
Greene Kleber stopped his pen. The first step: either Queen Cersei or the Dragon Mother.