Karl stood before the towering Lion Gate, staring silently at the massive gates as a familiar feeling of irritation rose within him.
How many times was he going to leave this cursed place?
Every time he departed King's Landing, another disaster seemed to follow.
This farewell, however, was far quieter than the last.
Only the three remaining members of the Kingsguard would accompany him back to the Westerlands.
As for those who had come to see the King off, the crowd was surprisingly small. Besides the family of the Hand of the King and several members of the Small Council, the only notable figure present was the young Lord of the Vale, Robert Arryn, accompanied by Ser Brynden Tully, the Blackfish.
Robert Arryn's eyes were red with emotion, clearly unwilling to see Karl leave.
He had missed Karl's previous departure, but this time things were different. Karl was now king, and Robert, as Lord of the Vale, could not avoid coming to bid him farewell.
Karl shifted his gaze toward Eddard Stark.
"I need to return to Casterly Rock immediately," Karl said solemnly. "The situation in the Westerlands must be stabilized as soon as possible."
Eddard Stark and the others naturally understood what Karl truly meant.
Ever since learning the possible identity of King Robert Baratheon's murderer, everyone had remained on edge.
If Karl did not personally return to the Westerlands, then once the news spread, the entire Seven Kingdoms could descend into chaos.
And then there was the issue of Karl's two uncles.
If they truly were involved—
Even thinking about it made Eddard feel another headache forming.
"Tywin Lannister may not have abandoned his ambitions after all," Eddard said with a troubled expression. "No one would have imagined he could commit something so monstrous after his defeat."
"Of course," he continued carefully, "we cannot completely rule out the possibility that the Faceless Man lied to us."
"The letter from Castle Black mentioned that Tywin hadn't shown any suspicious behavior."
Eddard paused before continuing.
"Still, I've already written to Winterfell. Robb Stark will gather the Northern bannermen and move them toward the Wall."
"I can only hope this truly is all a misunderstanding."
The matter had already been discussed extensively during previous Small Council meetings.
Before taking drastic action, they first needed confirmation that Tywin Lannister was truly behind Robert Baratheon's death.
What worried Eddard most was the possibility that the accusations were real.
If Tywin truly had acted…
Then Eddard did not even want to imagine what might already have happened at Castle Black.
Karl, however, did not share Eddard's optimism.
He trusted the information they had extracted from the captured Faceless Man.
The assassin had been interrogated brutally, and afterward the dark elf witch Erevi had even used magic to determine whether he was lying.
Karl simply could not believe the information was false.
Unless the Faceless Man possessed the ability to deceive even while facing torture and magical truth-seeking alike.
Still, Karl understood one important principle.
Even the smallest possibility of danger had to be crushed before it could grow.
"If Tywin truly isn't responsible," Karl said coldly, "and if he is honestly spending the rest of his life quietly serving in the Night's Watch, then I have nothing more to say."
"I'll simply continue searching for the true mastermind."
"But if he is responsible…"
Karl's eyes darkened.
"Then I'll mount his head upon the walls of the Red Keep."
"I'll personally carry out every threat Robert Baratheon ever made against him."
Silence fell over the group.
Even Eddard Stark felt a chill from the killing intent hidden beneath Karl's calm voice.
"Regardless of whether the accusations are true," Karl continued after a moment, "we must prepare for the worst possible outcome."
He thought briefly before shaking his head.
"Even if it isn't Tywin, precautions are still necessary."
Then he gave another order.
"When the time comes, have the Night's Watch assign Tywin to one of the more remote castles along the Wall."
"He must be separated from his men."
"The same applies to his brother."
Eddard nodded immediately.
"I'll include those instructions in my next letter to Lord Commander Jeor Mormont."
For now, that was the only practical solution.
After settling the matter regarding the Wall, Karl turned toward Robert Arryn.
The young lord still looked unwilling to part ways.
"Little Robert," Karl said gently, "you also need to return to the Vale."
"I can't bring you to the Westerlands. It's too dangerous."
"And you cannot remain in King's Landing any longer either."
Robert immediately puffed out his cheeks unhappily.
But under the watchful eyes of Eddard Stark and Brynden Tully, he obediently lowered his head.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Seeing his expression, Karl couldn't help but laugh softly.
When he had first taken Robert away from Lysa Arryn, Karl had honestly found the boy exhausting and unstable.
But over the months, Robert's condition had improved dramatically.
Now, without his mother's excessive spoiling, he finally resembled a normal child.
Karl stepped forward and ruffled Robert's hair.
"Once all of this is over, if you still wish it, I'll allow you to stay by my side again."
Robert's eyes instantly brightened.
"But for now, you must return to the Vale."
"If the worst happens, King's Landing will become extremely dangerous."
"After you return, you must also gather your bannermen."
"You'll need their protection, and they'll need to swear their loyalty to you."
"And in the future…"
Karl smiled faintly.
"I may need your help."
Robert Arryn barely understood the deeper meaning behind Karl's words.
All he heard was that he would be allowed to return later.
That alone made him happy.
However, Brynden Tully immediately understood how significant Karl's promise truly was.
The Blackfish quickly signaled for Robert to nod obediently.
Then Brynden stepped forward himself.
"Your Majesty, I'll escort Lord Robert back to the Vale as quickly as possible."
He considered briefly before adding:
"We could sail from King's Landing to Gulltown. It would be the fastest route. Once there, we can immediately contact the Vale lords and begin gathering their forces."
Karl immediately shook his head.
"No. You must travel by land."
Everyone present instantly understood why.
The sea was dangerous.
Far too dangerous.
Karl turned toward Eddard again.
"Lord Stark, arrange at least two hundred guards to escort Robert safely back to the Vale."
"Also send letters ahead to the Vale lords. Inform them of the current situation."
"In the King's name, order them to begin gathering troops and preparing supplies immediately."
"And most importantly…"
Karl's voice became serious.
"Ensure Robert's safety at all costs."
Brynden Tully immediately slapped his own forehead after realizing his oversight.
Eddard nodded solemnly.
"As you command, Your Majesty."
Karl then fell silent for a moment before speaking again.
"As for my two uncles…"
He looked directly at Eddard.
"If they truly repent and change their ways, I'll accept their loyalty."
The words sounded calm.
But everyone present could hear the deadly warning hidden beneath them.
Eddard sighed inwardly.
"I'll convey your message."
As he spoke, Eddard glanced toward the tiny golden dragon curled around Karl's shoulders like a scarf.
The little creature slept peacefully, its long neck draped lazily across Karl's back.
Perhaps it was only his imagination, but Eddard felt the dragon had already grown slightly larger in just two days.
Looking at the small dragon no larger than a cat, Eddard spoke with grave seriousness.
"I'll also remind them that dragons have returned to the world."
"I hope they choose wisely."
Karl simply nodded.
He no longer had the energy to argue with Eddard's endless optimism.
He understood the kind of man Eddard Stark was.
Merciful.
Honorable.
Trusting.
Sometimes far too trusting.
Karl only hoped Eddard would not suffer again because of that same mercy.
Without another word, Karl mounted his warhorse.
The remaining Kingsguard followed immediately behind him.
Before departing, Karl glanced once toward Sansa Stark and gave her a final nod.
Then he spurred his horse forward and rode away from King's Landing.
The white-cloaked Kingsguard quickly followed after him.
Watching Karl's departing figure, Eddard Stark slowly smiled.
Since becoming king, Karl had never once sat upon the Iron Throne.
He had not even held a proper coronation ceremony.
Instead, he spent every moment trying to stabilize the realm and prevent further chaos.
No matter how turbulent the Seven Kingdoms currently seemed—
Karl truly was a qualified king.
"Let's return," Eddard finally said quietly.
"There's still much to do."
After watching Karl disappear into the distance, Eddard turned toward his wife and daughters.
Just as he was helping them into the carriage, however, someone hurried toward him.
"Lord Hand!"
Eddard frowned slightly upon hearing the familiar voice.
It was Varys.
"One moment," Eddard said.
He first helped his family into the carriage before returning to speak with the Spider.
"What is it, Lord Varys?"
Varys maintained his usual polite smile, though internally he felt deeply wronged by the suspicious look Eddard always gave him.
"Lord Hand," Varys said delicately, "I believe we may have forgotten something important."
"Forgotten something?"
Eddard looked confused.
Varys coughed softly.
"The Prince of Dorne… and the Princess…"
"They are still imprisoned in the dungeons beneath the Red Keep."
Eddard froze.
His mouth slowly opened.
Then he turned to stare blankly toward the distant figures of Karl and Barristan riding away.
Those prisoners had originally been captured by Karl and Barristan.
But after that came Robert's funeral, the assassination attempt, the revelations surrounding the king's death, and countless other crises.
Amid all the chaos—
Everyone had completely forgotten about House Martell.
If Varys had not reminded him now, Eddard honestly did not know when he would have remembered.
Seeing Eddard's expression, Varys tactfully avoided embarrassing him further.
"Lord Hand," he asked gently, "how should we handle Prince Oberyn Martell and Princess Arianne Martell?"
"I assume we can no longer accuse them of murdering the king?"
"Of course not," Eddard replied immediately while rubbing his temples.
"So what should we do?" Varys continued. "Release them?"
Eddard thought briefly before answering.
"I'll personally apologize to them and explain the misunderstanding."
"I'll also seek House Martell's forgiveness."
"As for what comes afterward…"
Eddard looked toward the city.
"Perhaps we can still build a friendship with Dorne."
Varys nodded in agreement.
At a time like this, creating another enemy would only weaken the realm further.
If they could gain Dorne's support instead, Karl's position as king would become much more stable.
And perhaps the Seven Kingdoms could finally begin moving toward peace once again.
Still…
Varys's thoughts drifted back toward the small golden dragon wrapped around Karl's shoulders.
If one dragon egg had truly hatched—
Then what about the others?
The thought alone made him uneasy.
"I'll take my leave now, Lord Hand," Varys said politely.
"If you require anything, I remain at your service."
Since Karl had granted Eddard the authority of regent, Varys's words were perfectly reasonable.
Eddard quickly nodded gratefully.
"Thank you for reminding me, Lord Varys."
"If you hadn't…"
"We might have accidentally created another enemy for the King."
Varys smiled faintly.
"The King himself forgot about them too, did he not?"
"He had Barristan drag them out of their own residence and imprison them…"
"And then he simply left them there."
The joke eased the atmosphere slightly.
Even Eddard couldn't help looking awkward.
Still, after everything that had happened, he believed Karl's actions were understandable.
"The king was assassinated within his own territory," Eddard said firmly.
"At his own table."
"Under those circumstances, merely imprisoning Prince Oberyn instead of executing him immediately was already an act of great mercy."
Eddard exhaled slowly.
"I believe Prince Oberyn and Princess Arianne will understand that."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)