iron throne of ice and fire

Chapter 488 Bloodline 11
"Oh, Arianne!"

Obaya and Nymeria sheathed their swords and hurried over, and Arianne Martell opened her arms to them.

"I am so proud of you. I love you so much." Hugging each other, Arianne kissed the cheeks of the two sand snakes.

The affectionate greeting between sisters ended after a while. Nymeria glanced at the door and asked in confusion, "Where's Tyene?"

Princess Arianne spread her hands. “Prince Doran would not allow Tyene to serve as my retainer. Apparently, he is concerned that she might bring poisoned wine into the Red Keep.”

The room gradually became dim, and Obaya raised an eyebrow: "Followers? Red Keep?"

"You're as sharp as ever, Obaya."

Arianne stretched seductively, but frowned in front of the bed in the room and said, "Sometimes I really have to admire the people of King's Landing for not liking to take a bath."

Nymeria shrugged and said, "It's normal. After all, the air here stinks."

Princess Arianne chuckled at this.

"Your Highness?" Obaya was still waiting for Arianne's answer.

Arianne curled her lips. "You are as boring as ever, my Obaya."

She leaned against the wall, her smile faded slightly, and her pair of black pearl-like eyes swept over the two Sand Snakes: "I am here as a representative of Dorne. This is the order of Prince Doran."

Nymeria tilted her head and thought for a moment, then said, "His orders... Arianne, what is your mission?"

Her voice was slightly sarcastic. "I suppose the Lannisters are no longer worthy of our prince's continued 'wooing'?"

Princess Arianne shrugged. "My father seemed to think we were doing well. I was actually surprised at the time."

Obaya and Nymeria also looked at each other in surprise.

Arianne's fingertips gently played with a strand of hair. "What surprised me most was the current situation in King's Landing. The good news is that I don't have to please that old septa. The bad news is that I have to meet that extremely cunning Duke of Marigold again."

Obaiya nodded and said, "At least...he kept his promise."

Nymeria chuckled. “Arianne was not pleased that he did not lie down in bed and talk to her…”

Arianne glared at the naughty sand snakes, spread her hands, and said, "Let's go to another place. Now that we have found you, I have to send someone to the Red Keep."

"Oh, are we going to the Lannister Queen's funeral?"

Arianne glanced sideways at the Sand Snakes behind her and said, "Of course, as the heir to Dorne, I should express 'sympathy' for the Lannister Queen Mother's plight."

…………

The candlelight flickered on the dining table.

Regent Green, Grand Maester Pycelle, Prime Minister Harris, Earl Matus, and Earl Gales, who were invited by the king to dinner, were sitting on the left side of the long table.

Sitting opposite them were Margaery, Tommen, and Myrcella.

Margaret opened the dinner with a proper smile on her face. She glanced at the people present and said, "My Lords, a simple dinner is not enough to express His Majesty's gratitude to you."

Tonight's food was still white bread and vegetable salad prepared by the Red Castle Church, but there was also cream soup... and the summer red from Qingting Island that Margaret had specially sent.

She picked up the glass: "Cheers to the kingdom, and to your outstanding contributions."

Tommen looked up at Margaery, then raised his glass and said, "Thank you. I will remember your contribution."

"To the King." When Green raised his glass, Pycelle and Giles, who were sitting on his left, and Harris, who was sitting on his right, all raised their glasses in response.

Although the kitchens of the temple had brought their best food, it was still hard for the ministers to swallow, especially Pycelle and Harris.

Green saw them tear off a small piece of bread and then sit there chewing it... His eyes moved, and Tommen, who was sitting opposite him, did almost the same.

Taking a sip of summer red, Green's eyes swept across Myrcella and Margaret, and finally stopped at the bread piled on the dining table...

The royal family is piled up with debts, and the people can eat bread and roses at will. Thinking of this... Green raised his eyebrows slightly.

Green's gaze shifted to Little Rose. Was she gently reminding them... Is there still a food crisis in King's Landing?

As if she noticed Green's gaze, Margaret looked over.

Their eyes met, and Green smiled at her and raised his glass to say, "Ms. Margery, thank you for your contribution."

A hint of doubt flashed across her elk eyes, and she quickly revealed an elegant smile: "Thank you for your compliment, Your Highness. I am honored."

The Duke of Metz is coming soon...

Looking at each other, King Grimm's smile deepened... He planned to "persuade" Earl Gyles to bring all the food from Rosby tonight (after Stannis and Renly raised an army to blockade King's Landing, before Rose provided bread to King's Landing, half of the food in King's Landing was transported from Rosby and Stokeworth), and... tomorrow he would meet Cersei's former confidant, the second daughter who "married" Ser Bronn—Countess Tanda Stokeworth.

And...

Leaning back in his chair, Lord Green couldn't help but rub his head and brows. The great task of fighting zombies was waiting for him. He not only had to be fast, but also steady.

Everyone continued to eat and chat in low voices. Among them, Green discussed with Pycelle the selection of the Minister of Justice and his requirements for that candidate.

Prime Minister Harris on the other side was "eavesdropping" on Green's voice in a somewhat funny posture, anxiously waiting for a good opportunity to join the conversation.

After a while, Tommen, under the encouraging gazes of Margaery and Myrcella, looked at Green who was sitting opposite him.

"Regent Green."

Green's brown eyes moved slightly, and he also looked over, and said in a gentle voice: "Your Majesty Tommen."

The two people's movements quickly attracted everyone's attention, and the table gradually became quiet.

After a pause, Tommen's childish voice sounded: "Miss Margaery told me that when the Stormlands are under the king's control, my kingdom will become stronger than ever before. Thank you again for your contribution to the kingdom."

"This is a great honor."

Green pursed his lips and smiled: "It seems that you are very interested in this matter, Your Majesty?"

Hearing this, Tommen opened his eyes wide in disbelief. How did Green know what he was thinking?
Those still gentle eyes seemed to be looking directly into his heart. For the first time... Tommen felt an inexplicable fear of Green, who had always been kind to him.

Under the table, Myrcella held Tommen's chubby hand.

Looking at his sister who was encouraging him secretly, Tommen nodded: "Yes, I really want to participate and learn..."

"His Majesty."

His words were suddenly interrupted by Pycelle, and Tommen looked at the old Grand Maester in confusion.

Pycelle changed his usual submissive attitude and said sternly, "Before you reach adulthood, your task is to study, practice sword skills and horsemanship, and not waste precious study time under the pretext of studying."

His tone became more severe. "You want to run before you even learn how to walk. This is irresponsible of you to the Seven Kingdoms. His Royal Highness the Regent once taught your brother: If you wear the crown, you must bear its weight. I hope Your Majesty will remember this motto."

Pycelle's accusation came out of nowhere, leaving Tommen sitting there at a loss, even panicked. Seeing Margaery's secret gaze, Lord Matus put down his wine glass and said, "Grand Maester Pycelle, King Tommen's..."

"enough."

Green interrupted Matus and looked at Tommen, whose eyes were red. "If Your Majesty is interested in government affairs, you can come to the royal court at any time. This will really help you learn how to govern the kingdom."

He knocked on the armrest of the dining chair. "Of course, if you want to be a wise king, the loyal advice of the old scholar cannot be ignored. So, the premise is that it will not delay your daily study tasks. This may take up your sleep time. Can you do it?"

Tommen rubbed his eyes, sniffed, and said, "Will it be late? I... feel very sleepy after taking a shower."

"It shouldn't be too late." Green chuckled, and the others also laughed in good faith, except for Pycelle who still had a stern face.

Green raised his glass: "To the health of the king."

Everyone raised their glasses and said in unison: "To the health of the king."

The atmosphere warmed up instantly. After the wine glasses were put down, Green's voice came again: "Listening more and watching more are a shortcut to seeing things clearly."

He took out a very ornate Valyrian steel dagger and said, "Listen with your own ears, see with your own eyes. If one day... you can discover the flaws in the kingdom's government affairs by yourself, I will give it to you as a gift, Your Majesty."

Tommen said excitedly, "Really?"

Green smiled and nodded. At this moment, the Regent seemed to be looking at his own child.

It can be said that Regent Green really did his best for the healthy growth of the king, and Matus Rowan had to admire him.

He slowly stood up, touched Green's chest and said, "Your Highness, please accept my respect. It is my great honor to serve you."

Except for Pycelle who hesitated to speak, everyone else was praising Green's good deed.

Green raised his hand to calm them down, and when they gradually calmed down, he slowly said, "What I hope most now is that Tommen can grow up quickly and take on the responsibility of ruling the kingdom as soon as possible, and I..."

He seemed to be joking: "My real responsibility is to get married as soon as possible. My large territory needs an heir. Alas, my beautiful fiancée can't wait any longer."

After the words were spoken, everyone laughed kindly once again.

Dinner continues.

Suddenly feeling a burning gaze, Green couldn't help but look over. Little Rose had a pair of "special" eyes. When she looked at someone, that person could feel her deep love and then fall in love with it.

How dare you test the Regent?!

After a brief eye contact, Lord Green drank the wine in the glass in one gulp.

…………

That night, the marigolds were behind and the golden roses were in front.

Ups and downs.

…………

…………

The next day, morning.

"Your Highness, the Duke of Metz's army will arrive at King's Landing before noon tomorrow."

Green, who was having breakfast, put down his glass of milk, blinked his sleep-deprived eyes, and called out, "Sir Ange."

Hearing the voice, An Gai, who was standing nearby, immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Highness."

"Pass on my orders. No Tyrell army is allowed to approach King's Landing, except Lord Mace Tyrell himself."

After Anguy left, Leighton moved closer and said, "Your Highness, the Duke of Metz may refuse to enter the city alone."

Green nodded his chin: "Let him come in and we'll talk."

He rubbed his temple and asked again: "Where is Mason (retainer knight)?"

Leighton thought for a moment and replied, "At the latest, we will arrive in King's Landing the afternoon of the day after tomorrow."

Just as the maids took away the food trays, a messenger in a blue robe came to report that Prime Minister Harris was already waiting in the study.

The throne room, the regent's temporary study.

In the morning light, the Prime Minister's necklace on Harris sparkled.

He bowed deeply and said, "Good day, respected Regent. It is an honor to be summoned by you in person."

"Good day."

After Green sat down, he took a quick look at Harris's bald head and said, "Please sit down."

As soon as Harris Swyford sat in the chair in front of Green's desk, the maid brought the wine jug and wine glasses, then closed the door and left.

There were only two of them left in the study. Looking at Green who was frowning in thought, Harris couldn't help but feel a little nervous: "Your Highness, if there is anything you need me to do for you, please tell me and I will be at your disposal."

Green pointed to the golden wine glass on Harris's table, first motioning him to drink, then he raised the glass and took a sip.

Harris took a sip of wine in confusion, paused, and called respectfully, "Your Highness?"

Green seemed to have come back to his senses. He smiled apologetically and said, "Sir Harris, we must pay attention to the problems in the West."

Harris resisted the urge to scratch his head and replied casually, "Yes, Your Highness, the situation over there is indeed worrying."

Green nodded slightly. "The defeat and death of Davon Lannister at Riverrun will cause panic among the people of the West. I need a reliable person to stabilize the peace of the West."

Reliable person?

The Regent seemed to be referring to him?

Harris's eyes turned slightly. "Although it was a defeat, I heard that... Sir Stephen Swyford (his eldest son) performed his duties brilliantly during the retreat. Perhaps... he would have the honor to serve you."

"Yes, I believe he is a brave knight, but..."

Green shook his head slightly: "...His prestige is not enough to appease the uneasiness of the lord of the Western Territory."

He looked directly at the anxious Harris and said, "Obviously, what the Westerly needs right now is a Guardian of the Westerly with sufficient prestige, and the acting Lord of Casterly Rock."

…………

After seeing off Harys Swyft, who was sometimes excited and sometimes lost, the busy Regent Lord Green led everyone outside the throne room door to personally welcome the Dornish envoy who came from afar - Princess Arianne Nymmellos Martell, the heir of Prince Doran.

"Welcome, Princess Martell."

(End of this chapter)