Clash of the Lion and the Wolf

The atmosphere in the hall was chilling, dropping to freezing point.

Jaime's sudden act of murder caught everyone present off guard.

Except for Garon.

The moment Jaime drew his sword, he realized that Jaime had already formed the intent to kill.

But Garon did not step forward to intervene; instead, he chose to watch quietly from the sidelines.

Times had changed.

If he hadn't been betrothed to Sansa, Garon would have flipped the table regardless of the cost, forcing Theon to expose the sordid affair between Jaime and Cersei to sabotage the marriage alliance between the royal family and The North.

But since he had already successfully secured his betrothal to Sansa, flipping the table no longer served his interests.

Garon's target had shifted from Jaime and Cersei to Theon.

He intended to use this accident to eliminate Theon once and for all!

Garon had deliberately coordinated with Tyrion to pin the crime of attempting to murder Bran squarely on Theon.

Although I don't know why Jaime could tolerate Theon staying alive after catching him in the act,

If Theon is exposed, I don't believe you'll be able to sit still, Jaime!

Unless you want your whole family killed by Robert.

As expected, the plan to use someone else's blade went even more smoothly than imagined.

Garon hadn't expected Theon's mental fortitude to be so weak that he would be forced into a self-incriminating outburst by a few simple words.

He had originally been wondering how to plant seeds of suspicion in the minds of Ned and Robert if Theon stubbornly refused to confess.

But now, none of that was necessary.

Theon's outburst had made the situation extremely simple.

Jaime had one, and only one, path to survival—

That was to kill Theon before he could say another word!

At this moment, seeing his goal achieved, the corners of Garon's mouth curled up, revealing a smile of triumph.

Theon is dead; next, it is time for the King to judge the lion.

So, what will you do, Jaime?

Garon thought with great interest.

Sure enough.

Robert, having snapped out of his shock, looked at Jaime with fury and cursed, "Kingslayer, I told you to take him alive, not to kill him!"

Ned, standing to Robert's right, was equally enraged.

Even if Theon had attempted to murder Bran, he should have been dealt with only after a trial confirmed his guilt.

Now that Theon had been killed by Jaime without a trial, what would others think? What would Balon of the Iron Islands think?

They would only conclude that Theon's death was full of suspicious circumstances!

"Garon!" Ned shouted angrily, "Seize the Kingslayer for me!"

"Yes, Lord Ned!" Garon, who had been watching the show, accepted the order readily, drew the longsword at his waist, and stepped forward. "Ser Jaime, you have defied the King's command and executed Theon without authorization. Surrender at once!"

Jaime turned around and gave Garon a deep look, a flicker of wariness flashing in his eyes.

"Giant Bear Slayer..."

He whispered Garon's moniker in his heart, yet without the slightest hesitation, he tossed his sword beside Theon's corpse.

"Your Grace, Theon was resisting arrest; I merely slipped up in the heat of the moment."

"Besides, it is confirmed beyond doubt that Theon attempted to murder the son of the Warden of the North!"

"I killed him early, which is also avenging Lord Ned. The Hand of the King should be thanking me!"

He wore an arrogant smile on his face, seemingly not worried about the situation at all.

"Slipped up? Avenging me?" Ned was so angry he actually laughed. "Theon was unarmed. You tell me you slipped up? I think you killed him on purpose!"

Cersei, who had been worried about Theon spilling secrets, felt her heart settle the moment Jaime cleanly dispatched him.

She took a light step forward and said with disdain, "Theon was going to be executed sooner or later; Jaime just killed him a little early. What is there to be so surprised about?"

"Do you only feel happy if Jaime lets the murderer of your son go free?"

"But Your Grace!" Ned raised his voice. "He had accomplices!"

"Who was he consorting with? What were they plotting? Why did he call out the Kingslayer's name before he died?"

"Now, thanks to the Kingslayer, we know nothing!"

Cersei arched an eyebrow and challenged, "Lord Ned, are you suspecting the King's Kingsguard? Or are you suspecting the Lannisters?"

A flash of anger crossed Robert's face, and he turned his head, saying coldly, "Shut up!"

Cersei sneered, ignoring Robert, and spoke on her own accord: "Lord Ned, do not think that just because you have become the Hand of the King, you can slander the Lannisters as you please!"

"You should be grateful that I am a woman; if I were a man, I would not hesitate to meet you on the battlefield!"

Before Ned could reply, the fury in Robert's heart could no longer be suppressed.

He turned his head to glare at Cersei and suddenly struck her across the face with a slap.

Slap—

The crisp sound of the blow caused Cersei's head to tilt and her hair to dishevel. Jaime was so enraged he wanted to step forward, but Garon blocked his path with his sword drawn.

Cersei tilted her head, clutching her face and taking two deep breaths before slowly looking up to mock Robert.

"I shall wear this as a badge of honor!"

Robert did not care for Cersei's mocking tone and said coldly: "Then wear it quietly and keep your mouth shut, or I shall make you even more honored!"

"Now! Take your brother and get out!"

Cersei cast a dangerous glance at Ned, then turned and walked away without hesitation.

"Jaime!"

She called his name as she passed him.

Jaime shrugged his shoulders, bent down to pick up his sword from the floor, took two steps back, and followed Cersei out the door.

Tyrion watched his troublesome sister and brother walk away, his face full of distress.

He wanted to offer an explanation, but noticing the atmosphere in the room, he knew there was no room for him to speak, so he had to move his short legs and follow them out.

After the Lannisters had left, Ned walked to Theon's corpse with a complex expression, remaining silent for a long time.

Robert turned to pour himself a cup of wine and downed it in one gulp.

After finishing, he looked at Garon and commanded: "Giant Bear Slayer, carry Theon's body out."

"And the rest of you, get out as well."

"I have things to discuss with Ned in private!"

"Yes, Your Grace!" Garon sheathed his sword, walked past Ned, hoisted Theon's body onto his shoulder, and strode out of the hall.

Robb and Jon followed closely behind.

"Robb, where should Theon's body be thrown?"

Garon stood by the statue in the hall and asked Robb.

Robb looked disgusted and said indignantly: "Throw him to the dogs!"

Jon also cursed: "For attempting to murder Bran, I wish I could tear him limb from limb!"

Just then, Ser Rodrik, who had been inspecting Winterfell from afar, heard the noise and strode over: "What are you doing?"

"Ser, we have caught the culprit who attempted to murder Bran!"

"What?"

Ser Rodrik was startled: "Who is it?"

"Theon Greyjoy!" Garon shook the corpse on his shoulder and added, "He confessed it himself!"

At this, Ser Rodrik fell into a brief state of confusion.

He never imagined that Theon would attempt to murder Bran.

"Could there be some misunderstanding?"

Ser Rodrik still refused to believe it.

But Garon said: "The evidence is as solid as a mountain, and he confessed himself; there is no misunderstanding!"

Robb and Jon, standing to the side, nodded in hateful agreement.

Ser Rodrik was instantly rendered speechless.

"Ser, do you know where the body should be placed?"

In the end, Ser Rodrik could only hastily point Garon in a direction.