The Iron Throne of Ice and Fire

The Duke of Metz made a gesture, and more than a dozen waiters and maids withdrew, leaving him and Green alone in the garden.

"Well...Ser Kevan hopes that the Tyrell army will help Tommen Baratheon retake Storm's End."

Green said in surprise: "Your Highness Tommen?"

After a pause, he asked again: "Duke Mace, Storm's End is one of the strongest castles in the Seven Kingdoms. The cost of breaking it is incalculable. I think Lannister also knows that you are the only one who has the most confidence among the Seven Kingdoms." Break it, then... what will they give you in return?"

The Duke of Mace had a rich expression. He showed pride and relief at first, and then turned to anger: "Oh, less than 8 years. Before Tommen comes of age, someone recommended by the Tyrell family can be the agent of Storm's End Castle. Lord, this is the Lannister reward."

After a pause, he couldn't help but add angrily: "What a reward for making people laugh!"

Green smiled lightly and said: "Perhaps the Lannister's purpose is not to control Storm's End Castle. Duke of Mace, your daughter will soon become the Queen of the Seven Kings. I think their real purpose is to control the Red Keep." that power."

Green's reminder made Duke Metz pause while stroking his beard. He seemed to have thought of something, but when he thought about it carefully, he... couldn't figure it out.

After a pause, Duke Metz's eyes moved slightly, and he continued stroking his beard and said, "Green, what did you think of? Let me listen. Maybe you and I both thought of the same answer."

Regarding the "test" of Duke Mace... Lord Green just nodded slightly and said, "The first thing I thought of was Duke Tywin. King Joffrey is still underage, and the Queen Regent is his daughter. Although he is The Prime Minister is actually the regent, holding the power of the King of the Seven Kingdoms."

"King Joffrey will marry Miss Margaery soon, and the Seven Kingdoms will welcome a queen. A sixteen-year-old queen, plus behind her...the only Tyrell family in the Seven Kingdoms that is not afraid of the Lannis family. , the power of the 'Regent' will definitely be greatly affected, this is not a situation the Lannister family wants to see."

The Duke of Metz frowned, tapped his chin, and said, "The analysis is good, it's pretty much what I thought..."

After pondering for a moment, he added: "What do you think the Lannister wants to do? Storm's End... they want to lure me away?"

Green spread his hands: "Obviously, Duke Highgarden has made Duke Tywin feel threatened. Therefore, his real purpose is to transfer you away from King's Landing and leave Miss Margaery alone here. Only in this way... Duke Tywin Only then can we continue to hold the power of the king.”

Green sincerely analyzed Lannister's hidden intentions for the Duke of Mace. He just ignored a hidden variable in the power game between Tyrell and Lannister - Joffrey. Well, he couldn't guess what kind of "surprise" Joffrey would suddenly send. According to the current situation, what Lord Green had to do was to wait quietly.

After listening to Green's words, Duke Mace felt that the fog covering his eyes was suddenly lifted, and he announced: "Cunning Lannister, they are indeed very cunning."

There was anger on his face, but he was hesitant in his heart. Yes, he understood the Lannister's purpose. They wanted to use Storm's End Castle in exchange for the Tyrell family head staying away from the Red Keep. What he was hesitating about was... whether he should continue to stay in the Red Keep, or whether he should take this opportunity to take possession of Storm's End, which he longed for.

Which one should he choose? The Duke of Metz rose from his chair and paced back and forth.

After a while, the Duke of Metz suddenly stopped. He had an idea. He could ask Mrs. Olenna.

Having made his decision, the Duke of Metz immediately wiped away the hesitation on his face. After sitting down, he said: "Green, I invite you here for the royal meeting in three days."

Green asked doubtfully: "Imperial meeting?"

Seeing Green's reaction, Duke Mace was startled for a moment and murmured: "Cunning Lannister..."

Then, he explained: "The royal meeting three days later was specially convened by Lord Tywin. In addition to the appointed royal ministers, he also invited you and me to attend. It seems that the cunning Lannister did not inform you of this. News, I don’t know what tricks they are playing.”

Green frowned and said, "Could it be that...the main topic of this royal meeting is marriage?"

After he finished speaking, the Duke of Mace blurted out: "Cersei Lannister?"

Green nodded solemnly: "There are no secrets in the Red Keep. Sometimes the more ordinary an arrangement seems, the easier it is for people to relax. According to the laws of the kingdom, Queen Cersei can only accept the decision of the Royal Council."

The Duke of Metz frowned and said: "After all, they are father and daughter, they are a family, why bother..."

After talking for a while, he said with some disbelief: "Is Cersei Lannister unwilling to marry?"

Seeing that Green was hesitant to speak, the Duke of Metz leaned slightly and lowered his voice: "Green, I guessed it right, right?"

Green's silence was tantamount to acquiescing to the Duke of Metz's speculation.

After a pause, Duke Mace murmured again: "Cunning Lannister..."

The nobles of the Seven Kingdoms, especially the nobles with a long heritage, their words and deeds in front of outsiders... If they were not involved, it would seem that all the nobles are a family that loves each other, let alone the Lannister family.

The intimacy and trust between blood relatives are related to the honor of a family. The Duke of Metz can also be regarded as a model among the dukes. That's why he lamented Duke Tywin's actions. As a father and a patriarch... he would actually use the Royal Council to "raid" his daughter. In addition to sighing, the Duke of Metz thought of many things at the same time, such as... the task left to him by Lady Olenna (Chapter 269).

He had a feeling that the marriage between Willas and Cersei seemed... unlikely.

If he had cooperated with Duke Tywin to force Cersei... Duke Mace felt deeply... that no king could tolerate others "insulting" his mother.

Joffrey will be able to take charge in a few years. If he learns about this, will his hatred be transferred to Margaery next to him?

After losing the support of the king, will the queen still be the queen?

Thinking of this, Duke Mace's heart suddenly trembled. Could this also be a Lannister conspiracy? !

Are they going to use Joffrey's hatred to sway Margaery? The Duke of Mace thinks he has seen through the Lannister's dark plot!

After harming his son, how dare they harm his daughter? My poor Margery!

The Duke of Metz inhaled slowly, his big hands trembling slightly. At this moment, if Duke Tywin appeared in front of him, he would definitely choose to duel with the old lion!

After retracting his thoughts, the Duke of Metz calmed down and tentatively said: "Green, my good boy, I want to know Queen Cersei...her attitude towards marriage. This is very important to me and my daughter. If Okay, I hope you can be honest with me and treat me as a favor that I owe you."

Green shook his head slightly, and his tone was sincere: "Duke Metz, in my heart you are my mentor. It is my honor to serve you, and it has always been."

The Duke of Metz couldn't help stroking his beard with pleasure.

Green continued: "I'll be honest with you, for Queen Cersei, everyone who supports her marriage will be regarded as her...enemies."

He further explained: "She doesn't trust her child. At least until King Joffrey comes of age, I think she will never want to leave the Red Keep."

Duke Metz nodded. This information also needs to be reported to Lady Olenna as soon as possible.

After being silent for a while, he suddenly said: "If the contents of the imperial meeting are not disclosed... wouldn't all the attendees become supporters of this matter?"

The Duke of Mace was familiar with this method, because he had done similar things with the support of Lady Olenna when he governed the Reach.

Green said in a deep voice: "Perhaps Duke Tywin has prepared a boat or carriage. Once the outcome of the Royal Council comes out, Queen Cersei will be sent away directly by him, and we won't even have a chance to meet."

He spread his hands: "According to the tradition left by Targaryen, the proposal of the Prime Minister can be passed with the consent of four of the seven seats of the Royal Council, and the Lannister surname has occupied four seats. The result... is very... Obviously."

After his words fell, the Duke of Mace nodded and said angrily: "The Lannister regards the Royal Council as private property, which is another reason why I think they are too greedy. If it were not for my daughter's marriage, I would really I don’t want to pay attention to the current imperial meeting.”

After a pause, Green's steady voice sounded: "With Duke Tywin's wisdom, he knew that this would cause dissatisfaction among other nobles, but he still insisted on his own ideas. This shows that... before he achieves some of his goals, at least The Lannisters will still hold the king's council."

Duke Metz took a sip of wine before asking, "What else does Tywin want to do?"

Green said slowly: "Lannister has always wanted to win over the Dornish people. I heard that Prince Oberyn will arrive in King's Landing soon."

The Duke of Mace's hand holding the wine glass moved slightly. He was silent for a while and said, "I heard about it too. I remember that Lannister also sent the head of the Magic Mountain in order to please the Martell family. Sunspear (Chapter 177).”

Green shrugged and said, "Others... I can't tell at the moment."

After a pause, the Duke of Metz leaned back in his chair and said: "I invited you here today because I want to recommend you to become the minister of the Royal Council. Now that I think about it... there is actually a lion's den there."

Green smiled and said: "Thank you for your kindness, I will keep it in mind. Duke of Metz, now is not the right time, at least..."

After a pause, he said directly: "At least until Queen Cersei's matter is clear, I will not support Prime Minister Tywin."

Hearing this, the Duke of Metz was startled. He looked at Green, paused, and sighed.

Green expressed his feelings to him, and the Duke of Metz reached out and patted Green's arm. He was thinking that maybe the reason he liked Green was not just because he understood his art of war, but also because he valued his friendship.

"Green, my good boy, how can I help you?"

"Duke of Metz, I would like to ask for your help to postpone the convening of this royal meeting."

The Duke of Metz thought about it by stroking his beard and postponed... He suddenly felt that this idea seemed to be a good one. Although he didn't show it on his face, Lady Olenna was not around, and he felt uneasy. The old lion was really... So cunning!

His conversation with Greene had already made him a little confused, and the Duke of Mace had to admit that rather than dealing with the various intrigues of the palace, he might be better suited to stay in a place where he could display his art of war, such as... Storm's End.

Thinking of this, Duke Metz asked: "Green, I can help you, how long do you need to postpone it?"

Green raised his glass and said, "Duke Metz, thank you for your help. I only need a few days. To be specific... what I can tell you is that it will not exceed the day Miss Margaery enters King's Landing."

He showed a smile: "I can seem to hear the voice of King's Landing. Everyone is looking forward to the new queen of the Seven Kingdoms - Margaery Tyrell."

A trace of pride flashed on the Duke of Metz's fat face, and he sighed: "Margery, my daughter, she is loved by everyone, she is my pride."

Green's brown eyes trembled imperceptibly. Seeing Duke Mace's reaction, Green thought of another possibility. Could it be that Duke Mace used too much force to promote the name of Little Rose in King's Landing?

At this time, Duke Mace pinched his chin and murmured: "I have to find a good reason for postponing the royal meeting invited by Tywin..."

Green smiled and said, "How about feeling unwell?"

Duke Mace laughed, paused, and suddenly said: "If Duke Tywin did not attend the royal meeting without us..."

As he spoke, he waved his big hand: "That is Lannister's own family matter and has nothing to do with us."

Green tapped his chin: "Yes, Lannister's game will be even more unpopular, and the Royal Council will no longer be the Royal Council."

…………

…………

Riverrun.

Robb Stark sat beside the fireplace, staring into the flames.

There were footsteps, and Brynden Tully walked over.

"King Robb, my chamberlain tells me that your appetite is still not very good."

"Uncle and grandpa."

Robb called out hoarsely. His face looked haggard, but his eyes were faintly sharp, like a hungry wolf staring at its prey.

Lord Brynden's head was gray, and the wrinkles on his face became more and deeper.

He sat on the wooden chair next to Robb and sighed: "My child, the sadder your heart is, the more you must learn to eat more."

He changed his tone and joked: "Only in this way can you have the strength to cry happily when you want to cry."

The corners of Robb's mouth curled up slightly reluctantly, his fingers gently rubbed the sandy-blond hairband in his hand, and said: "Uncle and grandpa, I miss Jenny, every night... I wait for her in my dreams, I I just hope that... I can at least see her once in my dream and tell her that I am sorry for her. As her husband, I failed to protect her. It was my arrogance that harmed her..."

Duke Brynden closed his eyes in pain, and after a while, he opened his deep eyes.

"Although no specific evidence has been found, I think... our guess should be correct. Black Walder is the murderer who poisoned Queen Jenny..."

After a pause, he stared at the person next to him: "My child, I want to ask you again, have you really made your decision?"