Kal looked at the tall Lion Gate before him, feeling a bit troubled about how many times he had to say farewell in this damned place.
This time, the farewell involved only himself and the three remaining Kingsguard who would be leaving with him.
As for those who had come to see the King off—besides the Hand's household and several ministers of the royal court— there was only Robert Arryn, Lord of the Eyrie, who was still under the escort of Ser Brynden Tully, the Blackfish.
Robert Arryn's eyes were red as he looked at Kal, reluctant to see him depart.
He had not come for the previous farewell, but this time, with Kal leaving as King, he had no choice but to come.
Withdrawing his gaze, Kal looked toward Eddard Stark and said solemnly, "I must return to Casterly Rock as soon as possible. The situation in the Westerlands must also be stabilized."
Eddard Stark and the others of course understood what Kal meant. Ever since they learned who had truly murdered Robert Baratheon I, they had been on guard.
If Kal did not return to the Westerlands, then once the news spread, the political landscape of the Seven Kingdoms would surely become even more dire.
And then there were the King's two uncles—if things were truly as His Majesty Kal had said—
Hearing this again, the Hand, Eddard, still felt a headache coming on.
"Tywin Lannister may truly never have extinguished his ambitions. No one could have imagined he would be capable of something so deranged even after suffering defeat."
"Of course, we cannot rule out the possibility that the Faceless Man assassin was lying."
"Because the letter previously sent from Castle Black also said that Tywin Lannister had made no unusual moves.
"Still, I have already written back to Winterfell. Robb Stark will summon the Northern bannermen to the Wall in my stead. I only hope this truly is a misunderstanding, and that we have all merely been deceived by that Faceless Man."
Kal, Eddard Stark, and the others had already discussed the details of this matter during the Small Council meeting.
At the very least, before anything else, they truly had to confirm whether this was indeed Tywin Lannister's doing.
Eddard was troubled because if this matter really was Tywin Lannister's doing, he did not dare imagine what Castle Black would be like right now. He could only hope everything was a misunderstanding and that nothing had happened.
As for Eddard Stark's optimistic words, Kal did not hold much hope.
He did not believe that under his own harsh interrogation—combined with the magical methods used later by the dark elf witch to verify truth and falsehood—the information obtained could be wrong.
Unless that Faceless Man could truly still make flexible use of his lies and deception even in that kind of situation.
But as long as there was even the slightest unexpected possibility, all such possibilities had to be strangled in the cradle.
If this matter truly was not Tywin Lannister's doing, and he really had done nothing at the Wall, quietly living out the rest of his life as a man of the Night's Watch, Kal would say nothing.
Kal would simply resume searching for the true mastermind behind the scenes.
But if this matter was his doing, Kal guaranteed that his head would be mounted on the walls of the Red Keep. He would carry out, completely, everything Robert had always said he wanted to do to Tywin while he was still alive.
"No matter what the truth is, we must prepare for the worst—" Kal pondered for two seconds, then shook his head and said, "Even if it truly isn't him, we still have to guard against it beforehand."
As he spoke, he issued his order: "When the time comes, have the Night's Watch assign him to garrison a castle where people are even scarcer. He and his men must be separated—and his younger brother as well."
In response to the King's order, Lord Eddard also nodded. "In the next letter I send to Castle Black, I will inform Jeor Mormont, the Commander of the Night's Watch, about this matter."
As for the Night's Watch, this was all they could do for now. After reminding the Hand, Eddard, of what needed to be done, Kal turned his head toward Robert Arryn, who was somewhat reluctant to see him leave.
"Little Robert, you also need to return to the Eyrie now. I cannot take you to the Westerlands. It is not safe there, and you cannot remain in King's Landing any longer."
Hearing Kal's words, Robert Arryn pouted.
But under the gazes of Eddard Stark, Brynden Tully, and the others, he could only obediently salute Kal.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will obey your command."
Seeing him like this, Kal was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.
Although Robert Arryn was no longer the sickly child he had been before, and his state of mind had become much more stable, Kal did not know whether it was because he had been too nervous before, but now that he had improved, he had instead become even more clingy.
Still, at least now he seemed like a normal child.
So Kal had to step forward and reach out to rub his hair.
"After all of this is over, if you still wish it, I will allow you to come to my side."
"But for now, you must return to the Vale. If things turn out to be the worst, King's Landing will not be safe, and once you return, you also need to summon the bannermen who belong to you."
"You need their protection, and at the same time you must have them swear fealty to you. Furthermore, perhaps I will need your help afterward."
Kal continued rubbing Robert Arryn's hair while smiling as he spoke to him.
When he had first taken Robert Arryn away from Lysa Tully, he had actually not liked this jumpy little brat very much.
But after following him for a period of time, he had discovered that as Robert Arryn gradually improved—no longer spoiled and beginning to understand things—he was actually just an ordinary child.
Thus, over these past few months, Kal had gradually developed a bond with Robert.
Robert Arryn still could not fully grasp the weight contained in Kal's first sentence; he was simply happy that he would be able to return to Kal's side in the future.
As for Kal telling him to return to the Vale and summon his bannermen, he did not pay much attention to it.
After all, when the King gave him an order, all he needed to do was follow the arrangements with peace of mind.
But Brynden the Blackfish understood very well how important Kal's promise was to Robert Arryn, and quickly signaled him to nod.
Then, before Robert Arryn could speak, he looked toward Kal and said, "Your Majesty, I will bring Lord Robert Arryn back as quickly as possible."
Then he thought for a moment. "If we travel by ship from King's Landing to Gulltown, the speed should not be an issue. We can also make use of Gulltown's influence at once to seek assistance and to have Lord Robert Arryn summon his bannermen."
When Kal heard this, he quickly waved his hand. "No, you must go by land."
Kal finished speaking and then turned his head toward Eddard. "Lord Eddard, arrange a force of at least two hundred men to escort Robert Arryn back to the Vale, and write to the lords of the Vale to inform them in advance about the matter before us."
"Then, in the King's name, have them assemble their armies ahead of time and prepare their supplies. And have them send people to receive Robert—his safety is important!"
Although Kal had not spoken too plainly, everyone present understood what he meant to express.
Brynden Tully also slapped his own head after realizing it.
Eddard Stark looked at Robert Arryn, then nodded, his expression serious. "By your command, Your Majesty!"
"All right, that is all for the matter at hand. As for my two uncles—" Kal paused here,
and looked deeply at the Hand, Eddard. "If they truly repent, I will accept their fealty."
Hearing this sentence, which sounded calm on the surface but carried killing intent between the words, Eddard could only sigh in his heart.
"I will tell them what you have said."
As he spoke, Eddard Stark glanced at the small golden dragon that had stretched its long neck out, draping itself over Kal's shoulder like a scarf as it slept.
He did not know whether it was an illusion, but he felt that in just these two days, this dragon—named Robert by Kal—seemed to have grown a little.
Looking at this little dragon that was only slightly larger than a cat, his tone was full of solemnity.
"And I will especially tell them that you have brought dragons back into this world. I hope they will make the right choice."
Seeing that he still viewed everything with such optimism, Kal could not be bothered to correct his Hand anymore.
He understood what kind of person Eddard Stark was, and he also understood why he would think this way, so he did not wish to argue.
The human heart was far more complicated than he imagined. Hopefully, with his reminder, Eddard would not suffer again because of his own "mercy."
So Kal nodded, looked at everyone present one by one, then directly swung himself onto his warhorse.
The three remaining Kingsguard hurried to follow.
Kal gave Sansa one last nod, then rode off at once, and the white-cloaked knights quickly followed.
Seeing Kal—who, ever since becoming King, had not sat on the Iron Throne even once, nor held a formal coronation ceremony, and was now leaving for the sake of the peace of the Seven Kingdoms—Eddard could not help but show a faint smile.
Although the situation throughout the Seven Kingdoms was now somewhat unclear and had the appearance of an approaching storm, it was just as Robert had said to him before: Kal truly was a qualified king.
"Let us go. We should return; we still have many things we must do."
After sending off the departing King, Eddard glanced at his wife and daughters, feeling a bitter smile tug at his lips, then turned around, preparing to return to the city as well.
But just as he was about to help his wife and daughters mount their horses, Varys hurriedly came up.
"Lord Hand!"
Seeing that it was Varys calling him, Eddard instinctively furrowed his brows.
"Wait a moment, Lord Varys."
Saying this, Eddard first helped his wife and daughters into the carriage, instructed the driver to set off ahead, and only then returned to Varys's side.
"Lord Varys, is there some reason you stopped me?"
Eddard was somewhat puzzled why Varys would call out to him; after all, the King had only just left. If there was something important, why had it not been discussed at the Small Council, and why stop him at a time like this?
Seeing the Hand staring at him with such guarded eyes, Varys felt that he could hardly maintain the polite smile on his face. He felt wronged, but had no idea whom to tell.
"Lord Hand, I believe we seem to have forgotten something—"
"Forgotten something?" Eddard Stark blinked, unable to understand what Varys meant.
"The Prince of Dorne and the Princess are still in the Red Keep's dungeons—" Seeing that Eddard Stark had truly forgotten, Varys could only make it clear.
Eddard's expression stiffened; hearing Varys's words, his mouth slowly fell open.
Then he slowly turned around, looking toward Barristan Selmy, who had already ridden off into the distance.
Those people had been captured and brought back by Kal and Barristan together.
But after they had been captured and imprisoned, the sudden disappearance of the new King, the funeral of the previous King, the Faceless Man assassin's attempt, the truth behind the previous King's death, and all manner of delays—he had already forgotten that the Dornish family members were still locked in the cells.
If Varys had not reminded him, he did not dare imagine whether he would have remembered them at all.
Seeing Eddard's expression, Varys immediately understood what had happened, but being a man well-versed in courtesy, he certainly would not point it out directly.
So he could only speak tactfully: "Lord Eddard Stark, how should we deal with Prince Oberyn Martell and the others?"
"I do not think we can continue to bring up charges of murdering the King against them."
"Of course," Eddard could not help lifting his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, feeling utterly exhausted.
Varys continued. "Then what should we do—release them, or…"
"I will personally apologize to them, explain the cause of this matter, and seek the Martell family's forgiveness."
"As for what comes next," Eddard said, raising his head to look through the distant arch of the city gate toward the city within, "we shall see whether we can still establish friendship with Dorne."
Hearing Eddard's words, Varys nodded, agreeing with the Hand's decision.
Because if this matter were handled improperly, in such a turbulent time, Kal—who had only just been legitimized from a bastard and then immediately become King—might very well gain an unnecessary enemy.
So if they could win the Martell family's friendship, the matters to come would surely be much easier to resolve.
And the Seven Kingdoms would naturally begin to return to peace.
However—
Thinking of the golden little dragon that always lazed on Kal's shoulder, Varys could not help but furrow his brows again.
He had been troubled by this matter these past two days, yet had never found an answer.
But if even one of Kal's dragon eggs had hatched into a dragon, then…
"I shall return for now, Lord Eddard. If there is anything you need, I will await your command at any time."
Since Kal had previously granted Eddard Stark the authority of regency, Varys's words were not wrong; what he needed to do now was serve the Hand.
Eddard Stark returned from his momentary distraction. He had not noticed the look deep within Varys's eyes. He hurriedly thanked him warmly: "Thank you for reminding me, Lord Varys. If you had not spoken, perhaps we would have brought an enemy upon the King."
Hearing this, Varys smiled. "Did the King not forget as well?"
"He had Ser Barristan Selmy drag them from their own home, and then simply dusted off his hands and left."
Varys made a small joke to ease the atmosphere, signaling that Eddard need not worry.
Hearing this, Eddard Stark truly did not know what expression to make regarding this blunder.
"The King was assassinated on his own grounds, at his own table. In such a situation, the fact that His Majesty Kal did not deal with him on the spot and merely restrained him already counts as the King's mercy."
"I believe Prince Oberyn Martell and Princess Arianne Martell should be able to understand that."
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