Lord Green revealed a pleasant smile and said, "Lady Margaery, you are even more charming, praise the Gods."
Little Rose's lips curved slightly as she said, "Welcome, Earl from afar."
As she spoke, she gently extended the back of her hand towards Lord Green.
Lord Green bowed slightly, took Little Rose's fingertips, and lightly touched the back of her fair hand.
After the greeting, Margaery's eyes shifted. She looked at Brienne, the "beauty" standing behind Lord Green; she was very noticeable.
Seeing Margaery Tyrell looking at her, Brienne first glanced at Lord Green, then, slightly shyly, bowed again: "Good day, Queen Tyrell, no, Lady."
Margaery walked up to the tall Brienne and said earnestly, "Brienne, I am truly happy to see you well."
Brienne lowered her face, her voice filled with shame: "I'm sorry, I failed to protect… him."
She added, "They… many people suspect I am the murderer."
Margaery reached out, one slender hand grasping a large one. She shook her head slightly and said, "Brienne, you are not the murderer. I believe in your vows and loyalty."
Brienne's thick lips moved, and she said, "I will avenge him."
Margaery's face turned sorrowful. She patted the rough back of the hand and said, "You served him bravely and faithfully. Now, I wish even more for you to live well, Brienne."
Seeing Brienne silent, Lord Green spoke at the opportune moment: "Lady Margaery, please rest assured, Brienne is my attendant, and I appreciate her greatly."
Margaery nodded her chin. She didn't mind Brienne's dullness in the slightest and sincerely said, "Brienne, congratulations. Earl Green is an excellent knight."
… … … …
The garden of Longtable Hall was filled with the singing of birds and the fragrance of flowers as Lord Green and Margaery strolled through it.
Little Rose's voice was clear and pleasant: "Lord Mathos told me that my father has already departed from Highgarden, and he will gather some troops along the way."
Lord Green's brown eyes shifted slightly as he mused, "Lady Margaery, can you tell me the specific time?"
Margaery shook her head slightly and said, "Things happened too suddenly. I don't think I'll ever forget the scene from that night."
Her expression grew dim: "The esteemed Earl Randyll was actually assassinated… my ten blade guards (Chapter 79) to protect me…"
Little Rose's small face lifted slightly, she paused, then took a light breath.
After a few steps, Little Rose turned her head to look at Lord Green. The corners of her eyes were slightly red, and she forced a smile, saying, "Earl Green, I don't think you'll have to wait too long. You can wait with peace of mind."
The atmosphere was a bit heavy. Was Little Rose "sharing" her joys and sorrows with Lord Green? Is that even possible?!
One can only say… the female player of the game of thrones is becoming more and more mature.
Compared to before, she put a bit more thought into me, ahem.
… … … …
Seeing this, Lord Green's face couldn't help but show a look of pity, but he quickly concealed it… and these changes did not escape a pair of moist eyes.
Lord Green averted his gaze. He cleared his throat and said, "Lady Margaery, I have been accustomed to life and death since childhood… I apologize, I cannot empathize with you."
Margaery merely nodded silently.
After a moment of silence, Lord Green sighed, "Lady Margaery, do you still remember that matter? Last year, the plant maze in Highgarden… I had an unspoken suggestion (Chapter 85)."
Margaery pondered for a moment and said, "Of course I remember. You seemed quite regretful at the time, didn't you?"
Lord Green cleared his throat and said, "I apologize, I was a person of little consequence at the time, and that wasn't a good moment."
He smiled faintly: "Even the same sentence, if placed in a different context, can very likely produce a different effect."
He stopped in his tracks: "And…"
After a pause, Lord Green shrugged and said, "Lady Margaery, I must admit… your beauty fascinates me, which makes it impossible for me to deceive you. My heart compels me to be honest with you. Perhaps temporary concealment is the most I can do."
As Lord Green's words fell, Margaery's eyes became moist. She turned her small face away and softly said, "I will treasure the gift you gave me. It is very sweet, my knight."
She turned her head to look at Lord Green and said, "Earl Green, you always find a way to make me happy. Thank you for your compliments."
Lord Green bowed slightly and said, "May the Gods always favor you, my beautiful and charming Lady."
Margaery returned a light bow and said, "May the Gods bless you with victory, brave knight."
Lord Green was startled. Seeing this, Margaery chuckled and said, "Earl Green, I think the matter of the Crab Claw Peninsula and the Vale's challenge will soon be known throughout the Seven Kingdoms."
She added, "Normally, you should be in Seagull Town right now, but you appeared in Longtable Hall, which actually surprised me a little."
"I have to admit, your wisdom also deeply fascinates me…"
After a pause, Lord Green spread his hands and continued, "Lady Margaery, I have brought you a true gift, which is also the suggestion I left unspoken in the plant maze."
Margaery's lips curved slightly into a sweet smile, and she said, "You found the appropriate occasion, and I… have I finally waited for your suggestion?"
Lord Green made a gesture of holding something valuable and solemnly said, "I bring you the Queen's crown of the Seven Kingdoms."
Margaery's pupils constricted. After standing still for a moment, she suddenly moved closer to Lord Green.
Margaery looked up at Lord Green, one long, slender hand resting on Lord Green's chest. Her movements were elegant and gentle.
After a pause, she spoke: "Knight Green, on whose behalf have you come?"
Lord Green lowered his gaze to Little Rose and replied, "Lady Margaery, I represent the King and the Small Council."
Margaery's brown eyes shifted slightly, and she said, "Knight Green, Stannis's army will soon advance on King's Landing."
"This is a rare good opportunity…"
As he spoke, Lord Green took half a step back, his face slightly abashed, and said, "I apologize, you make me a little… nervous…"
Margaery laughed, her laughter was very pleasant.
Clearing his throat, he added, "Lady Margaery, Stannis Baratheon only appears strong, and…"
A glimmer of light appeared in his eyes: "Duke Mace was able to make him eat rats fifteen years ago, and I believe he can make him eat them again fifteen years later."
Little Rose smiled like a flower: "Earl Green, I think my father will be very happy to see you."
Lord Green looked up into the distance and said, "Lady Margaery, the Seven Kingdoms have fallen into chaos. The kingdom now desperately needs pillars like Duke Mace."
Little Rose blinked. When her father was mentioned, Earl Green still looked reverent.
Does Earl Green admire her? Yes, she could feel his fascination with her.
But… Earl Green was like one of her many admirers, with no great difference.
This was very reasonable, because Earl Green was very clear-headed. She thought he clearly understood the difference in status between him and herself, so he never made any other offensive gestures.
Just the right amount of admiration… just the right distance… sweet words… an honest heart… these made her feel very comfortable and happy when she was with him.
All very reasonable, or rather… was it perhaps a bit too reasonable?!
Combined with Earl Green's reverence for her father… although she was confident in her beauty, at this moment she was a little suspicious… Earl Green's affection for her… could it be that he loved the house for the father's sake?
Is it possible? Margaery had to admit that the person in front of her easily made her thoughts fall into confusion.
… … … …
Margaery first smiled gently, then gestured, and then started walking.
As she walked, she said, "Earl Green, I am a little curious about you. If you allow… would you satisfy this curiosity of mine?"
Lord Green's eyes shifted slightly. He made a gesture to invite her to speak.
Margaery's deer-like eyes looked at Lord Green and said, "Earl Green, where will the Marigold bloom?"
The keen Lord Green could feel Little Rose's wariness towards him… Hmm, it seemed to always be this way.
"I'd be happy to serve you…"
Lord Green smiled and said, "To be honest, your question relates to Kleber's future."
He extended three fingers and continued, "One branch in the Crab Claw Peninsula, one in the Vale, and one in King's Landing."
"Oh?" Margaery's eyes trembled imperceptibly. She seemed very interested in Lord Green's answer.
Lord Green withdrew his hand and slowly said, "The first Marigold, I refer to restoring House Clebber's rule in the Crab Claw Peninsula. This objective has been achieved. The second Marigold, I refer to the hatred between the Crab Claw Peninsula and the Vale. I think only by deciding a victor can the flames of hatred be extinguished."
He sighed lightly: "The Red Keep's blockade of the Crab Claw Peninsula for over a decade is still fresh in my memory, so Kleber wants to have its own voice in the Red Keep. This is the third Marigold."
Lord Green shrugged: "I hope I can achieve it soon, and also… thank you for listening, Lady Margaery."
Margaery shook her head slightly. She smiled and said, "Earl Green, thank you for satisfying my curiosity, and thank you for your honesty."
"I'd be happy to serve you."
After walking in silence for a while, Margaery slowly stopped.
She turned to Lord Green and said, "Earl Green, I will convey your good intentions to the Duke of Highgarden as soon as possible."
… … … …
… … … …
Stormlands, Stannis's Camp.
At night, Davos Seaworth sat alone by the campfire.
His "God" had easily reclaimed his brother's legacy. The camp was filled with laughter, but the Onion Knight couldn't laugh like the others. His brow was furrowed into a knot.
Before their raid on Bitterbridge Camp, Randyll Tarly, the commander of the Riverlands army, had coincidentally died mysteriously. Although he didn't want to remember it, he was forced to recall the shadow magic he had witnessed that night.
Most importantly, Stannis had grown even older, which worried him greatly.
Ser Davos gazed at the King's Road, muttering to himself, "Everything has a price."
Suddenly, Davos felt a strange red blush wash over him. He turned his head warily and found Melisandre, dressed in red.
Melisandre's voice was deep and hoarse: "Onion Knight, are you well?"
When had she arrived there? He felt the Red Priestess's actions were becoming increasingly frightening.
Ser Davos said, trying to keep his voice calm, "I am well."
Melisandre moved her feet and slowly sat down by the campfire, not too far, not too close to the Onion Knight.
Her red eyes sparkled in the glow of the campfire: "Ser, everyone is celebrating victory."
Ser Davos picked up his leather wineskin and took a swig, saying, "Lady in Red, I might prefer to celebrate alone."
Melisandre's lips curled upwards into a smile, and she said, "I hope I haven't disturbed you, Onion Knight."
Ser Davos merely shrugged.
Melisandre also looked towards the King's Road and said, "King Stannis is about to ascend to the pinnacle of glory. This is the guidance of the Lord of Light, and you will witness it with your own eyes."
Ser Davos withdrew his gaze and couldn't help but say, "I have only witnessed an aging King Stannis."
Melisandre chuckled. She pointed to the campfire and said, "Ser Davos, I am like it. I am a tool of the Lord of Light, and also a tool arranged by the Lord of Light for the children of fire. My sole purpose is to… block out the darkness. Do you understand?"
Davos's character didn't allow him to lie. He directly said, "Lady Melisandre, you are the mother of darkness."
Melisandre laughed again: "Is the brave Onion Knight afraid of a shadow?"
Her tone became soft: "Shadows are servants of light, they are the children of flame. However, the King's flame burns too weakly, daring not to draw another fraction, or else it will take his life."
Her voice held a certain allure: "I told you there was a burning fire within you (Chapter 214), yet you did not visit my room… As King Stannis's Onion Knight, I promise to bring you unprecedented pleasure, and I will use the fire of your life to bring your King…"
"A terrifying monster."
Responding coldly, Ser Davos frowned and said, "Lady Melisandre, I do not wish to have any dealings with you or your god."
Melisandre sighed and said, "Ser Davos, you are an upright and kind knight, yet you cannot see the truth of the world."
A smuggler facing the Red Priestess required more courage, so Ser Davos took another swig of wine, which helped him reduce much of his fear.
He raised a question: "Truth? Are not the things I saw with my own eyes the truth?"
"See the essence of the world clearly, truth surrounds you, all things are plain to see."
Melisandre looked up at the night sky and continued, "The long night is dark and dangerous everywhere, the bright day is vibrant and prosperous. One black, one white. One ice, one fire. Hate and love, bitter and sweet, female and male, pain and joy, winter and summer, evil and justice."
The large red ruby on her neck seemed to pulse rhythmically: "Death or life, opposition from ancient times to the present, war is everywhere."
Davos raised an eyebrow and asked, "War?"
Melisandre's gaze turned to Davos. She nodded gently and replied, "Yes, war."
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