In The Red Keep at King's Landing.
It was time to end this, Eddard Stark thought, sitting in a chair within the Tower of the Hand with his eyes closed, carefully considering the day's plan.
First, the Master of Coin Petyr Baelish had agreed to stand with him and help expose the bastard status of Joffrey and the others. However, this man was deep and untrustworthy; he had to be wary of him.
Second, Grand Maester Pycelle had served many kings on the iron throne and held great prestige; he could cooperate with him.
But while investigating the death of the old Hand, Jon Arryn, Eddard Stark had noticed that Grand Maester Pycelle was quite close with certain Lannisters; it was very possible he was a hidden lackey of House Lannister.
Finally, and most importantly, was the commander of the King's Landing City Watch, Janos Slynt. The man's character was utterly rotten, yet Eddard Stark had to rely on the troops he commanded.
The dozens of guards he had brought with him had already been killed by the Lannisters; he was effectively alone now.
Eddard Stark thought a great deal, considering almost everything he could think of.
He wrote a letter to be delivered to his son, Robb Stark, so that if anything should happen to him, Winterfell would not be left in the dark.
However, he still did not have one hundred percent certainty, for the hearts of men here were fickle and hard to fathom.
But Eddard had to see this through, for his good brother Robert should not have died so wretchedly.
Finally, Eddard Stark stood up. He took out the decree Robert had asked him to write that day and pulled out the thick tome that Jon Arryn had often read.
"Jory, prepare a carriage for me." Eddard Stark shouted while gathering his things.
"Jory!" Yet, his repeated calls received no response. Only then did Eddard Stark snap out of it, suddenly remembering that his captain of the guard, Jory Cassel, was already dead.
Eddard Stark silently threw that thick tome onto the table, his heart weeping.
When they first came to King's Landing, Eddard had promised Jory Cassel that he would introduce him to some noble girls when they returned to Winterfell. Jory's honest smile still echoed before him, as if it were only yesterday.
Jory Cassel's father, Martyn Cassel, had died at the Tower of Joy years ago while fighting alongside him. Eddard Stark sat in the chair, rubbing his rough face with both hands.
He truly liked this loyal young man, Jory Cassel. He still remembered when he married Catelyn, Jory was the first to rush in to tease the bride and groom; his awkward demeanor had given Catelyn Tully quite a laugh.
Eddard truly did not know how he would face Jory's deceased father, Martyn Cassel, or his uncle, Ser Rodrik Cassel...
"My Lord, is there anything I can help you with?" Just then, the steward Vayon Poole heard the noise and walked in.
"No need. I am going out. Arrange for Sansa and Arya to return to Winterfell as soon as possible."
"Yes."
...
Eddard Stark took Robert's decree and strode forward, wearing the Hand's pin. Behind him followed a throng of lords led by Littlefinger, Petyr Baelish. Today, he would lay his cards on the table before everyone; there had to be a conclusion to Robert's affair.
As soon as he entered the council chamber, he saw Queen Cersei Lannister sitting calmly to the side, and Joffrey Baratheon chatting and laughing at the council table.
He felt a bit confused, thinking to himself: 'Haven't I already told you everything? Why haven't you run away yet? Do you not want your children's lives?'
Eddard Stark kept thinking about how to spare the lives of those three young bastards; they were, after all, innocent.
"Uncle, would you care to play a game of chess with me?"
Eddard Stark opened his mouth, instinctively wanting to refuse, but then he thought that Joffrey might innocently lose his life because of the showdown he was about to initiate.
Moreover, his biggest trump card right now was the City Watch, the Gold Cloaks, and the commander, Janos Slynt, had not yet arrived.
Thus, Eddard sat opposite Joffrey and replied: "Very well."
Joffrey, playing red, seized the initiative, while Eddard, playing black, countered. One red, one black, crisscrossing.
Eddard Stark was somewhat distracted. As he played, he kept glancing at the entrance of the council chamber.
The commander of the guard, Janos Slynt, was his most important piece; only by controlling the military could the scales tip firmly in his favor.
After making a move, Eddard Stark noticed the commander of the guard, Janos Slynt, walking in with his troops. He let out a long sigh; although the game with Joffrey was unfinished, he had to explain this matter to everyone.
"I believe it is necessary for me to clarify something to everyone present, something that concerns the survival of the entire kingdom." As he spoke, Eddard Stark stood up.
"This decree was written and sealed by His Majesty the King on his deathbed. It states very clearly: His Majesty the King shall pass the throne to his rightful heir." Eddard Stark scanned the crowd, holding the decree high.
"And his rightful heir is certainly not the bastard born of the incest between this House Lannister's Jaime and Queen Cersei: Joffrey Baratheon! His rightful heir is Stannis Baratheon, who has been enfeoffed at Dragonstone!"
"Lord Janos Slynt, please execute His Majesty the King's decree and drive out the pretender!"
Janos Slynt was shocked to hear this. He had only agreed to Queen Cersei's request to turn on him at the necessary moment because his heart was already inclined toward the Lannisters, so he had agreed casually.
But he had not expected that there was such a great secret involved! He gritted his teeth, cold sweat streaming down. He knew that even if he refused now, it was too late; he could only go down this path to the end.
"Lord Slynt, come, thrust your spear point into my chest. Let me see how you rebellious subjects commit regicide!" Joffrey looked at the hesitant captain of the guard and smiled slightly.
He had long seen that this guy was a standard fence-sitter. In the current situation where the outcome was clear, he would certainly not let him down.
Sure enough, the very next moment, Janos Slynt made his decision. He raised his left hand and clenched his fist. The Gold Cloaks beside him understood, all turning around, their spears turning with them.
The sharp points were aimed directly at Eddard Stark, who had previously felt he held the winning hand. Thus, the situation was reversed.
"You!"
Just as Eddard Stark was astonished, Petyr Baelish behind him suddenly pulled out a dagger, quickly stepped forward, and grabbed Eddard from behind.
At the same time, the ministers behind them also pulled short blades from their clothes, instantly stabbing to death the few people Eddard Stark had previously won over.
"My apologies, Lord Stark, but you had best not move right now." Petyr Baelish's dagger was very sharp; Eddard Stark could even feel the chill from it.
Overall, Eddard Stark's political ability was adequate, but his sense of justice and honor had invisibly hindered his methods.
He could see some clues and knew what to do to respond, but his morality did not allow him to do so.
Despicability is the passport of the despicable, nobility is the epitaph of the noble.
Although their positions were different now, Joffrey still held high respect for Eddard Stark. It was a pity that Eddard was born in the wrong era. In this era of moral collapse where everyone was stained with filth, his being untainted was, in itself, a crime.
Joffrey slowly stood up and walked to Eddard Stark. He finished the move he hadn't made earlier. Eddard Stark turned his head, looking helplessly at the endgame on the board.
Joffrey's general occupied the center, the chariot pressed hard against his general on the flank. A 'bare-faced' checkmate; the black pieces had nowhere to go.
"Uncle, checkmate."
Eddard Stark looked up into Joffrey's green eyes, then lowered his head and sighed helplessly.
...
At this lonely peak, one stands solitary.
Joffrey Baratheon sat on the cold, tall iron throne. This spike-filled iron throne was at least three to four meters high, allowing Joffrey to overlook everything in the vast throne room.
He tapped the armrest of the throne, carefully recalling his various actions in this coup.
First was Janos Slynt. Although Joffrey truly did not think much of the likes of Janos Slynt, considering that he really needed those three thousand men of the City Watch right now, he had to promise him great benefits.
However, this man was different from Littlefinger and Varys; he was an utter fool. Even if he were to be reused, he must absolutely not dirty his own hands.
It just so happened that his mother, Cersei, had already done this for him in advance, so he did not need to step forward. However, his mother, Cersei, had actually given this guy the title of Lord of Harrenhal as a reward; wasn't this nonsense!
Joffrey frowned and thought. He decided to let this guy be smug for a while, because he remembered that not long after, his good grandfather Tywin Lannister would send his cheap uncle Tyrion Lannister to King's Landing to be the Hand.
At that time, this guy Janos Slynt would be exiled by Tyrion to The Wall to be a member of the Nights Watch; there was no need for him to consider too much.
Varys had chosen neutrality this time, neither helping nor sending word. But in Joffrey's eyes, not being absolutely loyal was absolute disloyalty.
It seemed he would have to properly discipline Varys.
As for the result, Joffrey considered his current actions to be similar to the development of the original book. Eddard Stark was thrown into the dungeon, and Sansa Stark was temporarily placed under house arrest.
However, although he had captured the master swordsman Syrio, Arya Stark had still escaped.
He had clearly ordered people to keep an eye on the Nights Watchman Yoren, but Arya seemed not to be with Yoren. Could it be that the Faceless Men were already involved in this?
Sigh, whenever Joffrey thought of the tears of his beloved Sansa Stark, his heart immediately softened.
He had no choice, really. Politics is never about defining who is right or wrong. If he lost to Eddard Stark, just keeping his life would be considered a good outcome.
At this moment, in his mind, the voice of rhllor suddenly sounded.
"I perceive that you do not seem very happy."
"That is none of your business. I advise you not to bother me." Joffrey felt somewhat annoyed; this rhllor who had suddenly appeared did not seem as powerful as he had imagined.
This fellow was not the omnipotent deity described in legends; instead, he was more like a soul that could dissipate at any moment. Hmm, more like the old grandfather in a ring.
This guy had been trying to coax him into making a deal yesterday, but what Joffrey hadn't expected was that he asked for his heart the moment he opened his mouth.
This is absolute nonsense! If I give you my heart, how am I supposed to live!
Furthermore, rhllor claimed that his heart would not disappear, but would simply transform from a King's Heart into a God's Heart. I don't believe a word of that!
From then on, Joffrey was on guard against him at every turn, fearing the fellow was plotting something against him.
"Hahaha, one day you will come to beg me. Before that, you must not be seduced by the Night Lion."
...
The dungeons within King's Landing were deep and dark. Since it was difficult for sunlight to reach here, and it was currently the rainy season of summer, countless foul and pungent odors ran rampant.
The damp, dark environment had also become a breeding ground for many creatures. Green-headed flies circled in the air, and huge rats scurried through the various cells.
At this moment, the sound of faint footsteps rang out, breaking the silence here.
Eddard Stark narrowed his eyes as he watched the figure approaching him. When the person walked closer, he recognized him: it was the master of whisperers, Varys.
"Lord Stark, I would like to know why you suddenly went to confront Queen Cersei? Why didn't you just arrest her and the three children first?" Varys asked, standing outside the cell and looking at Eddard Stark, who was now a prisoner.
"My honor and justice do not allow me to do such a thing."
"Oh, apologies. Forgive me for forgetting once again that you are a man of honor." Varys continued.
"Whenever I see the miserable situations you fall into because of honor, I always wonder: is honor really that important?"
Hearing Varys's words, Eddard Stark lowered his head. He only hated himself for not being fully prepared and for easily trusting others.
However, he had never regretted making such a decision, because his conscience was clear.
"Varys, can you get me out of here?"
"I can, but I do not wish to do so."
Eddard Stark fell silent; he did not speak again.
"Lord Stark, heed my advice. Your best outcome now is to confess to treason. Cersei has already said that if you plead guilty, she will let you don the black and go to The Wall to serve as a member of the Nights Watch. Then you will still be able to be with your brother and your bastard."
"Impossible! I will absolutely not let them twist black into white!" Eddard Stark became suddenly enraged upon hearing this; he would rather die than stand for the false king!
"Then your daughter is doomed."
"I..." Eddard Stark fell into a dilemma again, but in the end, the safety of his family took precedence. He understood at this moment that the honor he regarded as his life was worthless in the eyes of others.
"Sigh, Varys, please go tell Cersei. I agree to her terms; please ask her to spare my daughter."
"Lord Stark, you have made a correct decision."
Looking at the dejected Eddard Stark, Varys shook his head secretly and left his cell.
Varys had always held a sense of sympathy for Eddard Stark; there were very few people in this world who valued honor and justice as much as Eddard did.
On one side was limited justice, on the other was limitless evil; who would win and who would lose seemed destined from the very beginning.
Just as he was thinking about these things and preparing to return through the secret passage, someone suddenly appeared before him.
"Who goes there?!" Varys was startled. This was a secret passage only he knew about, not even his little birds knew. How could someone be waiting for him here today?
"Lord Varys, you have truly opened my eyes today. I never expected that there would be so many sprawling secret passages beneath The Red Keep."
"Your Majesty, how did you..." Varys recognized him; this person was actually the new king, Joffrey Baratheon.
"I was just coming to see if the omnipotent 'The Spider', Lord Varys, would secretly sneak my uncle, Lord Stark, out. It seems I have made a wasted trip."
Joffrey stood with his hands behind his back, looking at Varys before him with a smile. As long as he wished, at this distance, he could easily kill this spider of uncertain allegiance.
However, Joffrey felt that killing Varys just like that would be too much of a loss. It would be better to utilize him to handle some matters for himself; this way, he wouldn't have to dirty his own hands.
"Your Majesty, you are overthinking. I am infinitely loyal to you." Varys lowered his head and bowed. His eyes kept blinking as he focused on thinking of a countermeasure, and his hands inside his wide sleeves were about to sweat.
If Joffrey could find him every time, his situation would be dangerous.
"I hope it really is me overthinking, otherwise, who knows where your head would end up moving to." Joffrey decided to let Varys temporarily serve as his intelligence network; he could not waste this fellow's talent.
Joffrey never judged people solely by whether they were good or bad; he only looked at which position was more suitable.
"Let me think, is it Pentos? Or Braavos? Or perhaps Tyrosh?" Joffrey continued, walking closer and closer to Varys.
Hearing this, cold sweat broke out on Varys. He did not know where Joffrey had learned these things.
"Lord Varys, come work for me. You will remain my master of whisperers, and I can also grant you some land near King's Landing. I think you should know what that means."
Joffrey knew that to control this cunning fellow Varys, he had to use both kindness and severity. Relying solely on the oppression of power, this person would absolutely not submit.
"Everyone makes mistakes, I only hope you can correct them in time. I can also let bygones be bygones regarding those messy schemes of yours in the past."
Listening to Joffrey's words, which were so frank and open, Varys believed that this new king must know everything.
Varys thought to himself: It seems I can only cooperate with Joffrey for the time being, and I cannot make any other moves, at least to ensure I am not killed by him first.
"Your Majesty, you are really overthinking. I have always been wholeheartedly loyal to you!" Varys knew that even if he conceded at this time, he absolutely could not admit to those things, because he always felt that the other party might be bluffing him.
Joffrey smiled. He stepped forward and patted Varys on his broad shoulder, making the latter shudder.
"Lord Varys, sometimes I really cannot figure out which side you are actually on." Joffrey said with a smile, staring intently at Varys's purple eyes.
"Your Majesty, I will always stand on the side of peace." Varys knew he had passed this time, and he let out a long sigh of relief in his heart.
Joffrey looked at the righteous-looking Varys and always felt a slight sense of discordance. He just didn't know if the peace Varys spoke of was the peace of House Baratheon, or the peace of House Targaryen.
"Lord Varys, please remember: fire is my weapon, radiance is my eyes, do not think about escaping from the palm of my hand." After saying this, Joffrey turned and left.
Just as he was about to reach the end, the voice of rhllor sounded again.
"How about it, kid. Isn't this ability quite good? Now you can see anything near the burning flames and hear their voices."
rhllor first gave Joffrey a taste of the benefits, letting him witness an ability that mortals could not understand.
rhllor's voice sounded very kind, as if bathing a person in sunlight, and did not have that dark, evil feeling.
"Give your heart to me, and in its place will be an incomparable God's Heart! From then on, you will have no weaknesses, and you can drive flames at will. You can also use my name to recruit all kinds of believers."
"What is a God's Heart?" Joffrey asked.
"A God's Heart has no physical form; you can understand it as your original heart turning into flames. Furthermore, you will fuse with my divine power and transcend the mortal realm."
Listening to the seductive voice, Joffrey did not continue speaking but walked out in silence.
On the other side, Varys stayed in place for a while. Watching Joffrey's gradually receding figure, he changed to a different direction and slowly walked out as well.
However, what neither Joffrey nor Varys expected was that not long after the two of them left one after another, another person secretly came here.
A low voice rang out—
"Lord Stark, I want to know the truth."
...
The North, Winterfell.
Robb Stark looked at the letter in his hand, his heart filled with mixed emotions. However, he had to display the spirit and decisiveness expected of a qualified heir. Now that his father, Eddard Stark, was imprisoned in King's Landing, he had to raise an army to demand an explanation.
"Maester Luwin, those houses all swore they would follow House Stark with their lives, right?" Robb Stark frowned, his words cold and devoid of any emotion.
So cold that Theon Greyjoy, who was sitting next to him, shivered and looked up at him.
"Yes." Maester Luwin replied.
"Then go notify them; the time for them to pledge their loyalty has arrived." Robb Stark blinked his blue eyes; his cold expression seemed to radiate waves of frost.
"Yes."
Maester Luwin looked at Robb Stark's resolute eyes and thought to himself: This child has truly grown up.