Bran had just escaped death by a hair, and he was still dazed, not understanding what had happened.
But Theon's face was stricken with fear, and his legs began to tremble slightly.
Seeing him like this, Jaime immediately realized that Theon must have heard his conversation with Cersei from beginning to end.
Bran, on the other hand, had simply been there by accident.
Or rather, Jaime ought to thank Bran.
If Bran hadn't made a sound, how would Jaime have discovered that Theon had been listening all along?
Jaime quietly sized them both up, wondering what to do with them.
Whether or not they heard or saw anything, I can't let them go!
But I can't kill them both at once, or that wolf will realize something is wrong.
I'll have to stage an accident and kill one of them first. I can deal with the other later!
Jaime's thoughts raced, and he soon had a plan. His cold gaze shifted back and forth between Theon and Bran.
He noticed Theon's fear and finally fixed his eyes on him, his tone inscrutable.
"Theon Greyjoy..."
"Do you want to live or die?"
Theon froze, unable to read Jaime's intentions. "You... what do you mean?"
But he knew full well that Jaime would never let him go, so he put on a brave front and said, "Ser Jaime, I advise you not to do anything reckless."
"This is Winterfell!"
"I'm Lord Ned's ward, and Bran is Lord Ned's own son."
"You... you'd better let us go!"
Cersei looked furious and shocked.
She hadn't expected her brother to consider letting them go.
But just as she opened her mouth in anger, Jaime anticipated her reaction and turned to say, "Trust me, Cersei!"
Cersei fell silent again.
She gathered up her clothes and glared coldly at Theon and Bran.
A murderous glint flickered at the corner of Jaime's mouth. He leisurely rolled his wrists, and his knuckles gave a faint crack.
"You saw it, and you heard it!"
"Little Squid, do you think I can pretend nothing happened and let you go?"
"But you're right about one thing. If I kill you all, Stark will go mad."
Jaime stepped forward and leaned close to Theon's ear. "But if you're one of us, things are different!"
"One of you?" Theon asked, feigning confusion, though he didn't believe a word Jaime said.
He had seen Jaime's disgraceful affair with the queen. If their positions were reversed, he wouldn't let anyone who knew about it walk away, either.
He held on to Bran, his eyes darting about as he searched for a way to escape.
Jaime knew exactly what Theon was thinking.
But as a member of the Kingsguard, he knew Theon had no chance of escaping him.
"That's right. One of us!"
Jaime pretended not to notice Theon's wary little glances and chuckled softly.
"Theon, I know you've never felt at home in Winterfell."
"You're the heir to the Iron Islands, Balon's son. How can you serve your father's enemy?"
As he spoke, he watched Theon's expression.
"Now, all you have to do is kill Stark's son, and I'll pretend I never saw you here today."
"Not only that, I can have the queen persuade the king to let you leave Winterfell and return to inherit the Iron Islands."
Theon shuddered. He hadn't expected Jaime to ask him to kill Bran with his own hands.
"You... you're dreaming!"
But Jaime heard the hesitation in Theon's voice, and the amusement in his eyes deepened.
Like a demon, he whispered persuasively, "Theon, think about what you've been through. Think about how Stark scolded you last night just because you spoke a few honest words."
"You're the heir to the Iron Islands. Your status is as noble as Stark's."
"Yet here you are, serving your enemy for nothing and enduring unfair treatment."
"Seven hells, even the Seven can't stand it!"
Theon's expression grew more conflicted, and his grip on Bran's hand tightened.
By now, even Bran, who understood little, could tell that the Kingslayer meant him harm.
He instinctively tried to wrench himself free of Theon.
But Theon clutched his hand tightly and wouldn't let go.
"Theon, what are you doing?"
"Don't listen to him! He's lying to you!"
Bran was so terrified that tears welled in his eyes. He edged backward toward the window.
But there was so little room. How far could he retreat?
Jaime ignored Bran's futile struggles and delivered his final ultimatum to Theon.
"Little Squid!"
"Either you kill the Stark boy, or I'll have to kill you both."
"Now, choose!"
Theon trembled all over, his eyes bloodshot. Memories of his time with House Stark flashed through his mind.
He wanted to refuse, but then he remembered how they had scolded and berated him the night before.
The words caught in his throat. At last, Theon rasped, "How can I trust you?"
Jaime burst out laughing, a hint of contempt in his laughter.
"You kill him, and we'll have something on you. You'll have something on us, too."
"That way, neither of us will betray the other."
"Isn't that right?"
Cersei finally understood, and a glint of delight at manipulating people crossed her eyes. "And you'll have the friendship of House Lannister."
"I expect you've heard the saying..."
"A Lannister always pays his debts!"
Desperate now, Theon's eyes reddened as he bargained. "That's not enough! You have to swear by the Seven to send me back to the Iron Islands as soon as possible!"
Jaime was slightly surprised, but he exchanged a glance with Cersei before agreeing.
After Jaime and Cersei swore their oaths, Bran was too terrified to say anything at all.
When he saw Theon slowly turn toward him, he struggled desperately.
But how could his small body break free of Theon's hold?
Finally, in a panic, Bran opened his mouth and bit down hard on Theon's wrist.
"Ah..."
Theon yelped in pain and instinctively slapped him. Blood from his wrist spattered across Bran's face.
Ignoring the burning pain in his cheek, Bran tried to run around Jaime.
But Theon reacted in time and yanked him back.
"You dared to bite me!"
Theon's anger overcame his reason. He dragged Bran to the window with both hands, hesitated for a moment, then shoved him straight out.
"Ah—"
Bran screamed, his hands flailing in the air. This time, there was nothing for him to grab. The courtyard rushed up at him at terrifying speed.
In an instant, he hit the ground hard.
Jaime leaned out and looked down. A silver pup howled mournfully beside Bran, who lay motionless, his fate unclear.
"Nicely done!"
Jaime patted Theon on the shoulder and ordered, "If you don't want to die, do as I say!"
"Whoever asks, tell them you were never here!"
"Understood?"
Theon nodded mechanically.
A trace of coldness crossed Jaime's face as he added, "Once you're away, treat the wound on your wrist immediately, then come find me in the guest quarters!"
"Now, leave at once!"
Theon came to his senses, only then realizing that he had killed Bran.
He shuddered and ran down the Broken Tower without looking back.
After Theon left, Jaime didn't take Cersei away right away. Instead, he calmly surveyed the surroundings.
Seeing that they had left nothing behind, Jaime easily scooped Cersei up and bounded down the stone steps toward the tower's base.
Cersei wrapped her arms around Jaime's neck and couldn't help asking, "Why did you let that squid go?"
"What are you planning?"
Jaime ran as he answered, still able to speak without effort. "I never planned to let him go. I was just keeping him calm for now."
"If two people suddenly died, even a fool like Stark would realize something was wrong."
Cersei's lips curled upward as she reminded him, "That squid looks like a coward. When are you going to deal with him?"
"His cowardice is exactly what makes him easier to control!"
Jaime glanced at Cersei and reassured her, "Don't worry. He won't dare say anything, at least not while we're in Winterfell!"
"Once we return to King's Landing, I'll arrange for someone to take care of him!"
Jaime's expression was calm. He had already decided how to handle the matter.
Cersei thought it over and saw no flaw in the plan. She giggled. "Then we can send his corpse to that old squid. After all, we never swore we'd send him back alive."
Jaime shook his head without comment.
When they reached the base of the tower, they made sure no one was nearby before slipping away in silence through another exit.
Above the Broken Tower, a raven circled.
It watched Jaime, his sister, and Theon leave with a cold gaze. Only after someone discovered Bran lying in a pool of blood did it beat its wings and fly away.
Winterfell was suddenly on edge.
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