Whispering City, Banquet Hall.
Long tables were arranged down the center and along both sides of the hall.
The tables were piled high with greasy roasted meats, fresh fruits, and a variety of wines and liquors.
As he watched the young, inexperienced maids busily moving about the hall, Green's mind was elsewhere.
The maids wore blue, round-neck, floor-length dresses that reached past their knees.
The traditional maid outfits of Whispering Keep were so long that it was always a worry they'd trip over them or get them stepped on, potentially taking a nasty fall. They also easily stirred up dust. Green privately nicknamed them "floor-sweeping dresses."
Since the maids passed before his eyes every day, Green found it increasingly unbearable. So, under the guise of making the change in the name of maid Kalaya, he arranged for someone to shorten the skirts amid his many other busy duties. The dresses were modified to fall just past the knee, and each maid was also issued a pair of mid-calf brown soft leather shoes.
To complete the look, they were given headscarves—thus was born the Kleib Maid Uniform.
After the change, Green finally found their appearance pleasing.
The reason he used Kalaya's name was because he worried that if word spread that he'd personally ordered the skirt modification, Westerosi gossip would soon saddle him with some embarrassing title—something like "Baron of Skirts."
Daenerys Targaryen: "Descendant of Old Valyria, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, the Unburnt, Queen of Meereen, Breaker of Chains, Mother of Dragons!"
Green: ".......Baron of Skirts!"
No way. Absolutely not. He would never admit it.
All credit went to the naturally clever Kalaya.
Laughter echoed throughout the hall as people raised their cups again and again. The atmosphere grew more festive by the minute.
Green sat alone at the lord's table, accompanied only by Kalaya, who was holding a wine jug by his side.
By custom, only the lord's family or honored guests could sit with him at the high table.
Green: "Kalaya, set the wine jug here. Go enjoy the feast. Look over there—your friends are all at that table."
Kalaya hesitated, her small face full of uncertainty.
Green smiled and reached out to take the wine jug from her hands: "Go on. If I need you, I'll call you."
Kalaya: "Then... I'll go check in, but I'll come back soon!"
Not long after Kalaya left, a pair of delicate, soft hands appeared in Green's vision and picked up the wine jug.
Sulana poured wine for Green. "My lord, you're going to spoil Kalaya."
Green: "Lady Sulana, you always appear just when I need you."
Sulana: "Thank you for the recognition. If you'd consider reducing my workload a little, I'd be even more grateful."
These days, both Herschel and Sulana had been constantly spinning in circles handling one task after another issued by Green.
Green: "Have you run into difficulties?"
Sulana: "They call themselves 'witch doctors'—but do witch doctors not need to trim their nails? I'm sure they've never cut them since birth. And they carry a stench that never fades. I've had no appetite since yesterday. The physicians of Whispering City are already quite unhappy with them. Gathering them together is a disaster in itself. I've even thought of pulling out that short sword I haven't used in a long time."
Green, understanding: "Seems the witch doctors haven't realized their place as prisoners."
After a brief pause, Green continued: "Sulana, we must admit they have unique skills in treating wounds and using herbs. Kleib's soldiers need more medics. With more healers and better medicines, we'll be able to save more men."
"Veteran soldiers are one of our most valuable assets."
Sulana: "You are farsighted, my lord. I understand. I just couldn't help wanting to unsheath my sword to scare a few disobedient ones."
Green nodded: "Yes. As I said—they're prisoners. So you've already found the right approach. Go ahead and make arrangements. Whether it's trimming nails or scrubbing them clean with a brush, first have soldiers press their swords to their throats. You'll find it becomes much easier."
Sulana: "Thank you for your guidance, my lord."
After she spoke, Sulana glanced to the side and subtly furrowed her brows.
Kalaya was holding a wine cup, happily chatting with maids her age.
Green followed her gaze and looked at the blushing-faced Kalaya. Green: "Kalaya picks things up quickly. As a mother, she's someone you should be proud of."
Sulana: "You have a kind heart, my lord."
Green: "Saplings need time to grow, Lady Sulana."
Among the Thorn Regiment, only Empa and Raina had earned the right to attend the banquet.
It was their first time at a feast hosted by the lord. At first, both Empa and Raina were nervous, but after a few drinks and with the festive atmosphere, they began speaking loudly and drinking heartily.
Sulana glanced at Empa and blinked: "I heard you're quite satisfied with her figure."
Green chuckled quietly: "Empa is an honest and straightforward warrior."
King's Landing, somewhere within a dimly lit room.
Petyr Baelish, known as Littlefinger, had gray-green eyes, graying hair, and a slim frame. He wore a meticulously arranged dark gray robe, giving him the appearance of a monk.
Petyr looked up, a graceful smile forming on his lips. Petyr: "Green Kleib, Baron? A rather unfamiliar name."
Spy: "Yes, my lord. It seems Her Majesty the Queen has taken an interest in him. I've looked into it—he's 15, a half-wild noble from the Crackclaw Point."
Petyr: "A model loyalist to the Targaryens…"
The corners of Petyr's lips maintained their elegant curve, his eyes calm: "One must never rely on appearances. Anything unverified is not to be trusted. The magic of King's Landing draws ambitious men like moths to flame."
Spy: "Forgive me, my lord, but should we send someone to investigate more deeply?"
Petyr shook his head lightly before replying: "No need to make special arrangements. If Her Majesty is interested, the boy will soon appear in King's Landing. The Red Keep holds no secrets."
In a soft voice, Petyr said: "Chaos is a ladder."
One month later.
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