For the Knight's Mercy and Justice

Red Keep, third floor of Maegor's Holdfast.

Jaime had been standing guard outside the door for nearly an hour.

This was the room Cersei preferred to use when she had confidential matters to attend to; the wooden door was well-insulated, and no sound from within could be heard from the outside.

For some reason, Jaime shifted his body as if to press his ear against the heavy wooden door.

Jaime stopped himself just in time, shaking his head with a forced smile, as if mocking his own childish impulse.

Jaime straightened his posture again, his right hand gripping the hilt of his sword, while his left hand flicked his white cloak.

Another hour passed, and the door finally opened; Gryn walked out of the room.

Gryn nodded naturally toward Jaime: "Ser Jaime, thank you again for guiding me today. Farewell."

Gryn bid Jaime a polite goodbye.

Jaime raised an eyebrow, his lips pulling into a stiff arc: "Let me see you out."

Don't! Gryn wanted to refuse.

Without waiting for Gryn's answer, Jaime flicked his cloak and turned, already striding away, leaving Gryn no choice but to accept the escort.

The two walked down the stairs side by side, passed through the Queen's Ballroom, and exited Maegor's Holdfast.

While descending the stairs, the perceptive Gryn sensed that Jaime seemed to have something he wanted to say.

Although Gryn did not quite understand Jaime's inexplicable hostility toward him, he knew there was no need to be proactive. Besides, having exhausted so many brain cells lobbying Queen Cersei today, Gryn simply pretended not to notice.

When Gryn saw Mutton Waters waiting at the entrance, he merely waved his hand to signal him to follow.

Gryn did not utter a single word.

Mutton, his gaze as dull as ever, nodded foolishly, rubbed his belly, and fell in behind Gryn.

Jaime finally slowed his pace: "Ahem!"

Jaime coughed deliberately, glancing sideways at Gryn, who was walking beside him.

Hearing the noise, Gryn turned his head to meet Jaime's gaze, his face showing just the right amount of confusion.

"What do you intend to do? I will keep it secret."

Gryn did not answer Jaime immediately, instead turning his gaze back to the path ahead.

Gryn and Jaime did not stop walking: "Ser Jaime, I understand what you are worried about. In truth, I do not enjoy killing."

Tyrion had told Jaime this much, and he tended to agree. Although it was their first meeting, Jaime could sense that Gryn was not a bloodthirsty man; this was the judgment of an "old knight."

Jaime nodded slightly.

Is it not because of the prejudice regarding the heavy casualties in the battle reports?

Whatever! Gryn did not want to keep guessing the reason for this tsundere man's inexplicable hostility toward him.

"Ser Jaime, please look at the whole matter from a different angle. If my plan succeeds, who will be the ultimate beneficiary?"

Jaime's pair of bright green eyes shifted.

"It is Her Grace Cersei and the commoners."

"By fairly excising the evildoers around them, at the very least, their lives will be a little better."

"This is statecraft—a flexible, benevolent governance."

Gryn stopped in his tracks: "Ser Jaime, King's Landing is too unfamiliar to me. You possess great renown; if you are willing to lend a hand, my chances of success will be much greater!"

Though Jaime remained outwardly composed, his heart was not calm; he felt as if his impression of Gryn had changed in an instant.

But... I cannot just listen; I must see how you act!

Jaime knew internally that Gryn's plan had already received Cersei's approval.

Despite the faint smile, it was the first time Jaime had shown a friendly expression toward Gryn: "This is a matter concerning Her Grace Cersei; I will support you."

Gryn's calm gaze carried a sense of gravity: "For Her Grace Cersei."

Jaime could not help but be moved by Gryn, repeating: "For Her Grace Cersei."

Gryn placed his right palm solemnly over his left chest: "Ser Jaime, and also for the mercy and justice of a knight!"

Jaime's pupils constricted, his expression becoming involuntarily serious.

The Vale, Gulltown, Lord's Hall.

After listening to his subordinate's report, Lord Grafton furrowed his brows and said: "So you are saying, the only clue to the Meka Manor fire is that chorus in the harbor square... what was it called..."

The attendant whispered into Lord Grafton's ear: "Whispers of the Crypt..."

"Right, Whispers of the Crypt, the half-Wildling from Crackclaw Point..."

"House Crabb..."

"Correct, Crabb. It was them who stirred up this mess, right? But can a mere song serve as evidence of a crime? House Grafton will be the laughingstock of the big shots at the Red Keep."

The Warden of Gulltown replied, "My apologies, my lord, but those thieves departed too quickly and too cleanly; they left us with no evidence whatsoever."

The Maester to Lord Grafton spoke up, "In truth, everyone understands what is happening. The young Baron of Crabb is imitating the methods used by the old lion Tywin back in the day!"

Lord Grafton rubbed the top of his head, "Cas... Cas..."

"The Rains of Castamere..."

"Yes, The Rains of Castamere! He is seeking revenge for his cousin, yet he refuses to leave us any evidence!"

Lord Grafton tapped his fingers against the table for a moment, "Maester, how do you suggest we handle this? Such a major incident has occurred in Gulltown, and as its lord, I cannot simply do nothing. There are certainly many people in the shadows waiting to see me make a fool of myself!"

The Maester to Lord Grafton answered, "You could have others contact Lord Jon. Do not forget that there is a branch of Lord Jon's family here in Gulltown."

"As the Lord of Gulltown, it would be improper to report a nobleman to the Red Keep without direct evidence, but they are different. They are of the same house; reporting this to Lord Jon privately would be most appropriate."

"A brilliant idea!"

Special thanks to the Lord of Snow Peak Valley for the generous reward!