Prime Minister's Tower.
Duke Eddard assigned the matter of Hugh, the attendant, to Glynn, while he himself took charge of investigating the kitchen maid, stable boy, and young waiter mentioned by Varys.
Duke Eddard waited in his study for the results of Jory Cassel, the captain of his guard, picking up a book sent by Pycelle's attendant.
"The Genealogies and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms," written by Maester Melion, Duke Eddard sat down and slowly began to flip through it.
This book was over a hundred years old, and he felt that Pycelle was, for once, honest; the thing truly was dry and boring.
Duke Eddard patiently continued reading, believing that since Jon Arryn had sought out and read this book, there must be a reason… Hidden within these yellowed, fragile pages, there must be important clues, the only question being whether he could discover them quickly.
What exactly was it? Duke Eddard unconsciously frowned.
He turned to the section on the Lannister.
The Lannister had a long history, tracing back to the trickster "Lann the Clever" from the Age of Heroes. He was as legendary as Brandon the Builder of the Stark, but more beloved by singers and storytellers.
Lann in the songs, without relying on swords, drove the Casterly family out of Casterly Rock with his wit alone, and stole gold from the sun to adorn his curly hair, thus giving rise to the golden-haired Lannister.
Lann was said to have lived 312 years, fathering 100 brave sons and 100 agile daughters, the men handsome and the women beautiful, all nimble and with golden hair like the sunlight.
Later, the descendants of Lannister became too numerous, and Casterly Rock could no longer accommodate everyone. Members of the smaller Casterly Rock family branches moved to nearby villages, which eventually grew into towns and then cities, becoming Lannisport.
Duke Eddard truly wished Lann was by his side at this moment, helping him find the damned secret hidden in the book.
Knock, knock, knock.
Hearing the knock, Duke Eddard closed the headache-inducing book. He knew his captain of the guard had brought news.
"Come in."
As Duke Eddard's words fell, Jory pushed open the door and strode in, saluting, "Sir."
Duke Eddard nodded slightly and said, "What are the results?"
"I saw everyone, and I spoke with each person individually. The first was the stable boy who became a Gold Cloaks; he said he knew Lord Arryn very well, saying they hit it off…"
Jory snorted coldly, then continued, "He said that Lord Arryn never forgot to give a few coppers on the boys' naming days. He also said Lord Arryn understood horses, never overworked his mounts, and always brought carrots and apples for them to eat, so they all liked him very much."
"Carrots and apples?"
Duke Eddard felt the stable boy knew little and could not provide useful information.
"Tell me about the others."
"The second was the kitchen maid; she said Lord Arryn often read late into the night during that period, and also that Lord Arryn was always worried about his young son's frail health and was very rough with Lady Lysa."
Duke Eddard's grey eyes flickered, glancing at the book he had just been reading, and he asked with a hint of doubt, "She said Jon was rough with Lysa?"
Jory nodded: "I am certain, Sir!"
After a moment of silence, Duke Eddard said, "Jory, continue."
"The third was the young waiter; he now makes a living pulling carts. He never spoke to Lord Arryn, but he did hear a lot of gossip, such as… Lord Arryn often argued with King Robert recently, Lord Arryn disliked the food, Lord Arryn planned to send his young son to Dragonstone as a foster son, Lord Arryn suddenly took an interest in raising hounds, Lord Arryn went to Steel Street and found a skilled old blacksmith, commissioning him to forge a brand new suit of armor, completely plated in silver, with a blue jade carved falcon and a mother-of-pearl moon on the chest."
Pausing, Jory added, "He also said that for a period, Lord Arryn often rode out."
Duke Eddard's heart stirred, and he asked, "Did he say where he went?"
"The lad said Lord Arryn went to a brothel."
Duke Eddard frowned, "A brothel??"
He had heard too many mentions of brothels today.
"He swore everything he said was true, and he also said he heard it from Lord Arryn's personal guards; he overheard the guards joking about it when he was holding their horses."
Duke Eddard still found it hard to believe; he knew his foster father, who would never do anything to tarnish his honor, unless… there was an unavoidable reason to go.
Also, the Jon Arryn Duke Eddard knew would not wear jeweled silver armor; his foster father had taught him and Robert that armor was for defense, not decoration.
Jon had spent over a decade in the Red Keep, and it was possible he had changed his mind; he couldn't be exactly the same as before, but this transformation was too great. Duke Eddard sensed something was amiss.
Jon's personal guards could surely provide more useful clues, but they had all been taken to the Vale by Lady Lysa, damn it!
...
Duke Eddard decided to go to Steel Street to investigate in person. As for the brothel… he looked at his captain of the guard.
"Jory, the brothel investigation is yours."
Jory chuckled, "Sir, that's a tough job!"
...
Duke Eddard left the study and, upon reaching the staircase, saw Petyr Baelish standing with his back to him, by the corridor window.
Petyr sensed the movement; he turned and bowed slightly to Duke Eddard, the entire process both elegant and composed.
Petyr curved his lips, his voice hoarse and magnetic: "Hand Eddard, it seems you are going out?"
The Direwolf disliked the cunning and slyness Petyr exuded. He said to his guards, "You go prepare the horses first."
Once everyone had left, leaving only Duke Eddard and Earl Petyr, he asked directly, "Petyr, why are you looking for me?"
Petyr was immaculately dressed, standing with his hands behind his back, and smiled, "Hand Eddard, it seems the topic of whores at the Small Council still leaves you angry."
Duke Eddard said coldly, "That was the Small Council, not a tavern."
Petyr shrugged, his smile a little helpless: "The Small Council you preside over is too serious; everyone needs time to adapt. I am merely a jester who volunteers his services."
Duke Eddard stared at the sincere-faced Petyr for a moment, then said, "Petyr, you have no reason to do this. You should know very well that I do not like you."
Petyr's smile turned bitter: "Because I am a sentimental idiot. I worried that Catelyn… my lady would dislike me for not helping her husband. Please keep my matters confidential; over the years, I have painstakingly worked in the Red Keep to make others believe I am evil and cruel, and I truly do not wish for anyone to see through me."
Duke Eddard did not believe a single word of what Petyr said, but he did not show it. Earl Glynn's detailed analysis had convinced him; anyone could be Jon's killer, and a Direwolf hunting is very patient.
Duke Eddard said calmly, "Petyr, perhaps you mean well, but I do not like this method, and I do not trust you."
Petyr's eyes flickered, but he showed no unusual reaction to Duke Eddard's words.
"Hand Eddard, you are adapting quickly here. Not trusting me is correct; in the Red Keep, you cannot trust anyone, including your own eyes."
Duke Eddard furrowed his brows; he disliked their ambiguous words. The Red Keep felt like a den of foxes.
Petyr shifted his body slightly, pointing to where he had been standing before, and said, "Hand Eddard, please, step over here."
Seeing Duke Eddard's confused expression, Petyr chuckled lightly and said, "Come here, I'll show you something interesting."
Duke Eddard frowned and walked over.
Petyr stood casually beside Duke Eddard, his gaze shifting to the window outside.
"Over there, past the square, at the armory entrance, do you see a young man squatting on the steps sharpening a knife?"
Duke Eddard followed Petyr's gaze and asked, "What about him?"
"He is one of Varys's spies. The Spider is very interested in your every move."
Duke Eddard said disdainfully, "It's common knowledge that the eunuch has lackeys everywhere."
Petyr moved at the window and said, "Now look at the city wall, furthest west, above the stables, do you see that guard leaning against the wall?"
"Is this person also the eunuch's lackey?"
Petyr shook his head slightly: "No, that fellow is Queen Cersei's man. Please note, his line of sight falls directly on the door of this tower; who comes in and who goes out is perfectly clear. Those two are far from all; there are many even I don't know about. Everyone knows there are no secrets in the Red Keep."
Duke Eddard was furious: "Is everyone in this damned Red Keep someone else's spy?"
Petyr nodded, counting on his fingers as he spoke: "Ah, let me count, they have to watch you, your children, your guards, your attendants… including anyone who comes into contact with you."
Finally, he quipped, "Being a spy is hard work too."
Duke Eddard said angrily, "I'll clean this place up sooner or later!"
Petyr turned to Duke Eddard, smiled, and said, "I admire your resolve and decisiveness, but I must tell you, the Red Keep can never be truly clean; it would be easier to make the Others dance for you."
Duke Eddard said sternly, "Petyr, not everyone is willing to be someone else's lackey."
Petyr met Duke Eddard's sharp gaze and said, "Everyone has a price, it's just the number of gold dragons that moves them that differs."
He spread his hands, and continued leisurely, "This morning, a strange young man approached me. He took a few gold dragons from my pocket, and I know that last night, our Prime Minister and the Queen's chief steward visited Pycelle and Varys together. Hmm… your movements are quite valuable now, second only to King Robert."
"Damn it!"
Duke Eddard couldn't help but curse. Was this Robert's Red Keep? The Hand of the King's movements had become something for dirty people to earn gold dragons.
Petyr regained his elegant smile: "There are no secrets in the Red Keep; that is the rule of the game here. I hope you adapt quickly, my Prime Minister."
Duke Eddard inhaled lightly, paused, and said in a deep voice, "Petyr, thank you for the special reminder, but I will absolutely not conform to the terrible rules of the game in the Red Keep."
Petyr shrugged and said, "Hand Eddard, you Stark are as stubborn as the rumors say. I dare say you will one day crash down with a bang, and I believe it won't be long before I hear the cracking sound."
He shook his head, sighing, "I suppose you intend to have your men visit brothels, don't you? Do you know how many brothels there are in King's Landing? And by now, you should be well aware of how conspicuous your movements are…"
Petyr hadn't finished speaking when Duke Eddard's large hand suddenly grabbed his shoulder, and his back slammed against the wall.
Duke Eddard drew his dagger and pointed it at Petyr's bearded, pointed chin, saying coldly, "Littlefinger, it seems you've been watching me too, and so openly standing before me. You should know what crime this is."
Petyr lowered his eyes to the gleaming dagger and scoffed, "Stark, you're not the only one investigating Prime Minister Jon's death. Don't forget I was the Hand's steward; Prime Minister Jon promoted me to Small Council… Hiss…"
Duke Eddard tightened his grip on Petyr's shoulder, and he couldn't help but cry out in pain.
"How did you know I was going to investigate the brothel?"
"Heh~ your men are acting so conspicuously, do you think everyone else is blind and deaf? Besides, I've been secretly investigating this matter myself; it's not hard to guess, is it?"
Duke Eddard lowered his dagger: "Do you have other clues?"
Petyr first straightened his clothes, then said, "Hand Eddard, impulsiveness doesn't solve problems. Because of Catelyn, I want to try and assist you… Frankly, only a fool would do this; I'm starting to regret coming to you!"
Duke Eddard put away his dagger, paused, and said, "Sorry."
"Ha ha~ You are truly insincere."
Petyr shook his head with a helpless expression, then continued, "The people I arranged will guide your men to the brothel Duke Jon visited."
He adjusted his hair again and said, "Stark, don't ask me why I haven't reported my suspicions about Prime Minister Jon's death to King Robert. I am just a minor noble from the Fingers Peninsula; my voice carries little weight, and besides, I have no evidence in hand. I can only investigate and gather evidence in secret."
Duke Eddard's face remained serious: "I am very grateful for your strong assistance. Perhaps I should trust you."
"No, never trust anyone. In the Red Keep, you cannot trust anyone, including your own eyes."
Petyr's smile was elegant, and he added, "I can't delay too long. Today, I happened to be passing by. I'm on my way to a dinner arranged by Tanda Stokeworth. She intends to marry her youngest daughter to me, so the food on the table is always abundant… To be honest, I'd rather marry a pig. Hmm… don't tell her that; I genuinely like her eel pie."
After speaking, Petyr nodded slightly and turned to leave.