Bran Falling from the Tower (Part II)

Bran, having just narrowly escaped with his life, was still dazed and did not understand what had happened.

But Theon listened with a look of terror, his legs beginning to tremble slightly in fear.

Seeing him like this, Jaime instantly deduced that Theon must have heard his conversation with Cersei from beginning to end.

As for Bran, that was purely an accident.

Or rather, Jaime felt he should actually thank Bran.

If not for Bran making a sound, how could he have discovered that Theon had been eavesdropping the whole time?

Jaime quietly scrutinized the two, pondering in his heart how to dispose of them.

No matter if they heard or saw anything, they cannot be allowed to leave!

But I cannot kill them both at once, or that wolf will surely sense something is wrong.

I must first create an accident to kill one of them, and then root out the remaining one another day!

Jaime's thoughts raced as he formed a plan, his cold gaze shifting back and forth between Theon and Bran.

He noticed Theon's fear and finally let his gaze settle on him, his tone enigmatic.

"Theon Greyjoy..."

"Do you want to die, or do you want to live?"

Theon was stunned, unable to grasp Jaime's attitude. "What... what do you mean?"

But he also knew that Jaime would never let him go regardless, so he put on a brave front and said, "Ser Jaime, I advise you not to do anything rash."

"This is Winterfell!"

"I am Lord Ned's ward, and Bran is Lord Ned's own son."

"You... you... had better let us go!"

Beside them, Cersei looked furious.

She had not expected her brother to actually consider letting them go.

But just as she opened her mouth in a rage, Jaime anticipated her reaction and turned back, saying, "Trust me, Cersei!"

Cersei immediately quieted down.

She adjusted her clothes, staring coldly at Theon and Bran.

At this moment, a trace of murderous intent flickered across the corner of Jaime's mouth as he slowly flexed his wrists, his knuckles cracking softly.

"You saw it, and you heard it!"

"Little Squid, do you think I can just pretend nothing happened and let you go?"

"However, you are quite right; if I were to kill you both, that Stark would surely go mad."

Jaime stepped forward and leaned in to whisper in Theon's ear, "But if you were one of us, the situation would be different!"

"One of you?" Theon looked confused on the surface, but inwardly, he did not believe a word Jaime said.

He had seen the illicit affair between him and the Queen; if it were him, he wouldn't let anyone go either.

He pulled on Bran, his eyes darting around, trying to find a way to escape.

Jaime was perfectly clear about Theon's intentions.

But as a member of the Kingsguard, for Theon to try and escape from under his nose was nothing more than a pipe dream.

"That's right, one of us!"

Jaime pretended not to notice Theon's little schemes and chuckled softly.

"Theon, I know you have always felt uncomfortable living in Winterfell."

"You are the heir to Balon of the Iron Islands; how can you serve the man who is your father's enemy?"

He spoke while observing the expression on Theon's face.

"Now, as long as you kill Stark's son, I will act as if I never saw you today."

"Not only that, but I can have the Queen persuade the King to let you leave Winterfell and return to inherit the Iron Islands."

Theon shuddered; he had not expected Jaime to ask him to kill Bran with his own hands.

"You... you... dream on!"

But Jaime heard the wavering in Theon's words, and the smile in his eyes grew even deeper.

Like a devil, he whispered seductively, "Theon, think about your treatment; think about how just last night, you only spoke a few truths and were scolded by Stark."

"You are the heir to the Iron Islands, a status as noble as any Stark."

"Yet now, you not only serve an enemy for nothing, but you also have to endure such unfair treatment."

"Tsk tsk, even The Seven couldn't bear to watch!"

Theon's expression became even more conflicted, and his grip on Bran's hand tightened.

By now, even if Bran didn't understand much, he could tell that the Kingslayer before him harbored ill intentions.

He instinctively tried to break free from Theon.

But Theon gripped his hand tightly, refusing to let go.

"Theon, what are you doing?"

"Don't listen to him, he's lying to you!"

Bran was so terrified he was on the verge of tears, his entire body shrinking back toward the window.

But the space was so small; where else could he retreat to?

Jaime ignored Bran's futile struggle and issued an ultimatum to Theon.

"Little Squid!"

"Either you kill the Stark boy, or I will have to kill you both."

"Now, make your choice!"

Theon trembled all over, his eyes bloodshot as memories of his time with the Stark family flashed through his mind.

He wanted to refuse, but the image of being scolded and berated by them last night surfaced in his thoughts.

With the words on the tip of his tongue, Theon finally rasped, "How can I trust you?"

Jaime burst into laughter, a hint of disdain laced within the sound.

"If you kill him, we have leverage over you, and you have leverage over us."

"That way, neither of us will betray the other."

"Isn't that right?"

Cersei, having caught on, felt a flicker of pleasure in manipulating others. "Not only that, but you will also gain the friendship of the Lannisters."

"I believe you have heard the saying..."

"A Lannister always pays his debts!"

Driven to the edge, Theon's eyes turned red as he bargained, "That's not enough! You must swear by The Seven to send me back to the Iron Islands as soon as possible!"

Jaime was slightly surprised, but after exchanging a glance with Cersei, he agreed.

Hearing Jaime and Cersei take the oath, Bran was too terrified to speak a word.

Seeing Theon slowly turn his gaze toward him, he struggled with all his might.

But how could his small, thin body break free from Theon's restraint?

In a moment of desperation, Bran opened his mouth and bit down hard on Theon's wrist.

"Ah..."

Theon cried out in pain, instinctively slapping him across the face, splattering blood from his wrist onto Bran's cheek.

Ignoring the burning pain on his face, Bran tried to rush past Jaime.

But Theon, having recovered, yanked Bran back in an instant.

"You dare bite me!"

Theon's rage shattered his reason; he dragged Bran to the window and, after a moment of hesitation, pushed him straight out.

"Ah—"

Bran screamed, his hands flailing in the air. This time, there was nothing for him to grab onto, and the courtyard rushed toward him at a dizzying speed.

In an instant, his body slammed heavily onto the ground.

Jaime leaned out to look down, where a silver wolf pup was howling mournfully beside the unconscious Bran.

"Well done!"

Jaime patted Theon on the shoulder and commanded, "If you don't want to die, do as I say!"

"No matter who asks, say you were never here!"

"Do you understand?"

Theon nodded mechanically.

A cold look flashed across Jaime's face as he spoke again, "Once you leave, treat the wound on your wrist immediately, then come find me in the guest room!"

"Now, get out of here!"

Theon snapped back to reality, only then realizing he had killed Bran.

He shuddered, then turned and bolted toward the base of the Broken Tower without looking back.

After he left, Jaime did not immediately take Cersei away, but calmly scanned the surroundings.

Seeing that nothing had been left behind, Jaime effortlessly picked up Cersei and bounded down the stone steps toward the bottom of the tower.

Cersei wrapped her arms around Jaime's neck and couldn't help but ask, "Why did you let that squid live?"

"What exactly are you planning?"

Jaime ran while still having the breath to answer, "I have no intention of letting him go; I'm just keeping him steady for now."

"If two people were to die suddenly, even a fool like Stark would realize something is wrong."

Cersei curled her lips upward and reminded him, "That squid looks quite cowardly. When do you plan on dealing with him?"

"It is precisely because he is cowardly that he is easier to control!"

Jaime glanced at Cersei and reassured her, "Rest assured, he wouldn't dare say a word, at least not while we are in Winterfell!"

"Once we return to King's Landing, I will arrange for someone to take care of him!"

Jaime's gaze was indifferent; he had already decided in his heart how to handle this matter.

Cersei thought about it and found no flaws, giggling, "And then we can send his corpse to that old squid. After all, our oath didn't specify that we had to send him back alive."

Jaime shook his head, offering no comment.

When the two reached the base of the tower, they took advantage of the lack of witnesses to slip away quietly from the other side.

Above the Broken Tower, ravens circled.

It watched the siblings and Theon depart with a cold gaze, only flapping its wings to fly away once someone discovered Bran lying in a pool of blood.

Winterfell was suddenly plunged into tension.