Inside Hand's Study, Eddard·Stark sat upright with their brows furrowed.
Sometimes the ignorant eyes of children can see the facts that adults turn a blind eye to. Sansa's words cleared away many doubts for him. The simple truth surged in his chest, and his heart was as cold as death.
With a strong nature, Lord Eddard understood the words Jon·Arryn said before he died. Every Robert illegitimate child he investigated had their hair as black as night, including the little girl Vale.
Lord Eddard's gray eyes looked at the book "Seven Kingdoms Genealogy and History of the Major Nobles' Family" open on the table.
Bachelor Maester Malleon recorded the last union between Stag and Golden Lion more than ninety years ago, when Tia Lannister married Gavin·Baratheon. Their only child was a baby boy who died in infancy and had no time to name him. Bachelor Maester Malleon described it in his book as follows: big, good eater, full of black hair.
Thirty years ago, a man from the Lannister family married a woman from the Baratheon family. She gave birth to three daughters and a son for him, all of whom had black hair.
Once golden meets carbon black, it can only succumb and disappear.
Lord Eddard had a look of pain on his serious face.
Although Lord Eddard wanted to handle this matter secretly and let Robert continue to be a trouble-free king, but out of honor, he could not choose to hide the truth from Robert.
After Robert learns the truth, will he become the second Mad King?
Lord Eddard remembered the scene more than ten years ago, when the little girl and the baby boy were wrapped in Lannister's red cloak. Prince Rhaegar's daughter was barefoot and wearing pajamas, while Prince Rhaegar's infant son's blood and brain matter had not yet dried.
Lord Eddard clenched his fists, he would never let something like this happen again.
Robert is indeed a person who can show kindness. As long as the other person behaves bravely and acts upright, Robert will regard him as a brave opponent and respect him with great respect.
After the war more than ten years ago, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard Ser Barristan Selmy was not the only target of Robert's pardon. Grand Maester Pycelle, Master of Whisperers Varys, Balon·Greyjoy... Each of them had been enemies of Robert, but once they swore allegiance, Robert allowed them to retain their honor.
However, the situation is different this time, poisoning in secret, stabbing in the back... This kind of thing Robert can never forgive, just like he can never forgive Rhaegar, even if he kills him cleanly and completely, he may not be able to extinguish Robert's anger.
The kingdom cannot afford another crazed king, nor can it withstand another bloody storm full of hatred.
Even so, Lord Eddard still cannot remain silent... He is Hand of the King. He is responsible for the king and the entire kingdom, so Royal Bloodline must not leave any hidden dangers.
Dong-dong-dong, the knock on the door interrupted Lord Eddard's meditation.
"Sir, Lord Gryn is here to visit."
"Let him in."
The door was pushed open, and Gryn entered the study. He greeted him and said, "Good night, Duke Ned."
Ned Duke's mood immediately improved when he saw Gryn... Fortunately, the adults' grievances did not affect this child. Gryn grew up very well. Not only did he have excellent sword skills, he was also efficient in doing things... Lord Eddard had great trust in Gryn.
Lord Eddard couldn't help but feel happy that this child won the martial arts championship. He was busy with the government affairs of the kingdom and had not praised him yet.
Lord Eddard sighed in his heart that he could never be as meticulous as Catelyn.
He recalled the sword with the story of honor given by Jon·Arryn at Vale, and he planned to give it to Gryn as a gift for Gryn to win the Tournament championship. This may be the inheritance of honor.
The grudges between adults are matters between adults, and children are innocent. He has decided in his heart... Even if he is blamed by Robert afterwards, he must find a way to protect those three children.
Lord Eddard looked at Gryn and showed a smile... Those three children can be like the child in front of them and not be implicated in the grudges between adults. They have the right to have a new life of their own.
"What was the result?"
Gryn's eyes moved slightly, he glanced at the books on the table, and said, "Duke Ned, Lord Mace has decided to leave King's Landing tomorrow, go to the Reach, and personally take charge of Highgarden."
Lord Eddard thought for a moment, frowned and said, "Is he planning to give up Small Council's seat? And... is he going back to trigger a war?"
Gryn shook his head. "Golden Rose will not give up Small Council's seat easily. Lord Mace recommends Garth Hightower·Tyrell to serve as Master of Coin."
Lord Eddard murmured, "Garth Hightower·Tyrell..."
"Duke Ned, Garth Hightower·Tyrell is Lord Mace's uncle. He has been holding the position of Steward of Highgarden since Lord Mace's father."
After a pause, Lord Eddard asked directly, "Gryn, what do you think?"
Gryn replied respectfully, "Duke Ned, Garth Hightower·Tyrell's ability is beyond doubt. I think he is qualified for Master of Coin. And..."
After saying that, Gryn sighed lightly and continued, "You should be very clear about the situation of the kingdom's treasury. Tyrell wants a seat for Small Council, and the kingdom's finances need the support of Highgarden."
"Damn it!"
Lord Eddard couldn't help but cursed when he thought of the kingdom's debt.
Gryn shrugged. "Kings dream, Hand of the King builds dreams."
Lord Eddard paused for a while and sighed, "The king eats, Hand of the King shits."
Gryn smiled at first, and then said seriously, "Duke Ned, Petyr has been imprisoned, and the kingdom's finances need the support of House Tyrell. I have to tell you that this is a rational choice."
The reason is naturally not that simple. There is also a balance and transaction that may or may not be spoken by both parties. Gryn only told the most direct reason, but it is enough. If you talk more and deeper, Direwolf will feel a headache.
Direwolf has a unique way of doing things, while Gryn's "assistant officer" is considerate.
Sure enough...Lord Eddard nodded and said decisively, "That's it, I will make arrangements tomorrow."
Gryn picked up the jug, poured a glass of wine, and handed it to Lord Eddard.
"As for the war, I think you can rest assured that Lord Mace is not an impulsive person. It can be said that he is calm enough. For ordinary people, war would have broken out in the south."
Lord Eddard took the glass and took a sip, agreeing, "Well, he did a good job."
Gryn also poured himself a glass of wine and said leisurely, "Whether there is a war in the south actually depends on Casterly Rock's Duke Lannister. It depends on how he makes his final decision."
When Gryn was about to leave, Lord Eddard looked away from the book on the desk and said, "Gryn, I will arrange an errand for you outside in a while."
Gryn's current position is Queen's Chamberlain, and the furious Robert may be angry with this child. Therefore, he plans to find a suitable opportunity for Gryn to leave King's Landing for a period of time, and then recall him after the matter here is settled.
Gryn paused, his eyes trembled, and said, "Duke Ned, I am at your disposal at any time."
Gryn glanced at the books on Hand of the King's desk again, then bowed and left.
Red Keep, Godswood.
Lord Eddard handed his guard captain Jory an envelope sealed with Direwolf's seal. "Give this to Cersei of Maegor's Holdfast, go ahead."
Godswood The thick wall outside blocked the noise of people and horses in the castle.
Lord Eddard heard the chirping of insects and birds, and heard Leaf rustling in the wind. It was peaceful and quiet here. The Heart Tree here is a brown oak tree. Although there is no face carved on it, Lord Eddard can still feel the Old Gods he believes in.
There was no one in Godswood. Lord Eddard was immersed in the silence here and didn't know how long it had passed.
At sunset, the clouds on the high walls of the tower were already covered with red clouds.
Cersei·Lannister appeared, and she came alone as promised. Lord Eddard nodded slightly from a distance.
Cersei Queen walked closer and looked down at Lord Eddard sitting on the grass. His tone was still familiar and arrogant. "Stark, why did you ask me to meet here?"
When receiving Lord Eddard's letter, Cersei guessed that Direwolf's appointment with her must be for the purpose of marriage. She deliberately waited until sunset before coming.
Cersei Queen's curly blond hair is dancing in the wind, her green eyes are like the leaves of midsummer, and her fair skin seems to exude a light red sheen.
Lord Eddard raised his eyes and looked at Cersei Queen... She was still beautiful. He had not seen Cersei's beauty for a long time, and now he was awakened again.
Lord Eddard said calmly, "It is for the Gods to bear witness."
"I hope the Gods is free today."
After saying that, Cersei Queen sat down on the grass next to Lord Eddard. Every move she made was very elegant.
Lord Eddard looked into the distance and said, "Strong nature, these are the last words of Jon·Arryn."
"I didn't pay attention."
Cersei Queen looked at Lord Eddard's serious face and said coldly, "Stark Hand of the King, I'm not in the mood to play riddles with you. Is this why you called me here?"
Lord Eddard looked at Cersei Queen, and his eyes became sharp. "Is the other party Kingslayer Jaime? I'm not asking about your brother, but your lover."
Cersei Queen turned her head and looked at Lord Eddard. Regarding what Eddard said, her face showed no abnormal expression.
Cersei Queen said calmly, "He is both a younger brother and a lover. Targaryen has been marrying brothers and sisters for three hundred years in order to keep their bloodline pure. We have been together since childhood, why not? Jaime and I are not just siblings, we are basically the same life divided into two halves. When he was born, he held my feet before he came to the world."
As she spoke, a faint smile flashed across her lips, "When we are united, I feel complete."
Perhaps it was because Cersei was not shy about being honest. When he confirmed the answer in person, he was not as angry as he imagined.
"It seems that those three children are all children of Jaime."
"Thanks the Gods for being available."
After a moment of silence, Lord Eddard couldn't help but ask the doubts in his heart.
"Cersei, you have been married for more than ten years, why don't you have children of your own?"
Cersei Queen looked arrogant. "Your siblings made me pregnant once. My brother found a Maester to help me get rid of the baby. That person didn't even know that this happened."
As she spoke, her tone became contemptuous. "Stark, let me tell you frankly, I can't stand that person touching me at all. I haven't been together with that person for many years... If that person stays away from those girls, he can stumble to my room after drinking... But I also have other ways to satisfy him. Anyway, no matter what we do, that person is usually so drunk that he forgets everything the next day."
After Cersei Queen finished speaking, Lord Eddard's brows furrowed deeper, and the doubts in his heart also deepened.
Lord Eddard felt her deep hatred for Robert from Cersei's words... Has anything happened that he didn't know about?
No matter what was going on in his heart, Lord Eddard's voice remained calm. "I remember Robert's appearance that day. He fascinated almost all the women present. You received everyone's blessings that day."
He added, "Cersei, what did he do to make you hate him so much?"
Hearing Lord Eddard's words, Cersei Queen's eyes suddenly ignited with Wildfire in the dusk, just like Lioness with the Lannister family emblem.
"Why hate?! On the night of our wedding, when we slept together for the first time, he called your sister's name. He was on top of me, smelling of wine, and he actually whispered the name Lyanna in my ear."
Blue rose, Lord Eddard's face flashed with sadness. "I really don't know whether I should pity you or him."
Cersei Queen said coldly, "Direwolf, Lioness does not need sympathy, that is an insult to me."
Lord Eddard stared at Cersei Queen with his gray eyes for a while, then said, "Cersei, you know exactly what I have to do."
Eddard was originally only prepared to find a way to keep those three children, but after talking to Cersei, he changed his mind... Just like False Spring, maybe the union of Robert and Cersei was a wrong marriage, and let her leave with her three children.
"Stark, what must be done?"
Cersei Queen asked as if talking to herself, then she stretched out her white and tender hand and placed it on Lord Eddard's thigh.
"A real person... he usually does what he wants to do, not what he has to do."
Cersei Queen said, her fingers slowly brushed against Lord Eddard's thigh.
Cersei Queen gently approached Lord Eddard, her voice was rare and gentle. "Eddard Hand of the King, there are still many years until Joffrey reaches adulthood, and the kingdom needs a strong Hand of the King. No one wants to restart the war, especially me."
Cersei Queen brushed his hands over Lord Eddard's face and hair, and continued, "If friends can turn against each other, why can't we turn enemies into friends? Lady of Winterfell is thousands of miles away... You need me, you can get more happiness from me."
Cersei Wang Hui's hands were wrapped around the back of Lord Eddard's neck, and her body exuded gentle hints. "Ned, be nice to me. I swear I will never let you regret it."