The third day in King's Landing brought no peace.
Ethan woke before sunrise, the distant sound of the city already rising like a restless beast. He spent the first hour of the morning in the training yard again, repeating the same drills until his arms felt like lead. The blisters on his hands had hardened into calluses. Progress was slow, but visible.
Current Status:
Strength: 25
Agility: 25
Endurance: 24
Vitality: 22
Charisma: 26
Dragon Affinity: 9
Level: 11 (680/1800 EXP)
No sudden rewards. Only the quiet satisfaction of consistent effort.
Ser Rodrik watched him from the side, nodding approvingly. "You're not chasing glory, boy. You're building foundation. That's rarer than you think in this city."
Midmorning – Small Council Tower
Ned Stark had been locked in meetings since dawn. When he finally emerged, his face was darker than usual. Ethan caught him in the corridor.
"My lord," Ethan said quietly. "Is everything alright?"
Ned glanced around before answering. "The Small Council is rotten to the core. The crown is deeply in debt to the Lannisters. Lord Baelish smiles too much and says too little." He placed a heavy hand on Ethan's shoulder. "Keep your eyes open. And keep Sansa away from Prince Joffrey as much as you can."
"I will, my lord."
Ned studied him for a moment longer, then nodded and walked away.
Noon – The Courtyard
Tension finally snapped.
Joffrey was walking through the outer courtyard with a group of his friends and two Kingsguard when he spotted Sansa with her ladies. He called her over loudly, like she was a dog.
"Come here, my future queen! I want to show you something."
Sansa approached nervously. Ethan was twenty paces away, helping unload supplies, but he watched everything.
Joffrey held up a beautiful golden necklace. "This is for you. So everyone knows you belong to me." He stepped closer and tried to put it around her neck without asking.
Sansa flinched. "Thank you, my prince, but I—"
"You will wear it," Joffrey snapped, his voice turning cruel.
Before Ethan could stop himself, he stepped forward.
"Prince Joffrey," he said clearly, "Lady Sansa may prefer to receive gifts in private. She is still adjusting to life in the capital."
Dead silence fell over the courtyard.
Joffrey's face twisted with rage. "You filthy northern bastard. You dare speak for her?"
He shoved Sansa aside roughly and stepped toward Ethan, hand on the hilt of his ornate sword.
Two Kingsguard moved forward, but Jaime Lannister appeared from the colonnade, raising a hand to stop them.
"Let the boy speak," Jaime said, sounding amused. "He seems to have strong opinions."
Ethan kept his posture respectful but firm. "I only wish to protect Lady Sansa's honor, Your Highness. As any loyal servant of House Stark would."
Joffrey's face turned purple. "I should have you whipped for your insolence!"
"Enough," Jaime cut in, his voice suddenly cold. "This is not the time or place, Your Highness. Save your tantrums for when you're king."
Joffrey glared at Ethan with pure hatred before storming off, his friends trailing behind him.
Jaime looked at Ethan and shook his head. "You really do have a death wish. Brave… but stupid."
[Favorability with Jaime Lannister: 28/100 (Amused Respect)]
[-15 Favorability with Joffrey Baratheon (Now: -40/100 – Deep Hatred)]
Sansa rushed to Ethan the moment Joffrey was gone, her hands shaking.
"You shouldn't have done that," she whispered, eyes wide with fear and gratitude. "He will remember this."
"I couldn't watch him treat you like that," Ethan replied quietly.
Afternoon – Godswood of the Red Keep
Sansa found him later in the small godswood inside the Red Keep. It was nothing like the one in Winterfell — the weirwood was young and thin, but it still offered some privacy.
She didn't speak at first. She simply walked into his arms and held him tightly.
"I was so scared," she whispered against his chest. "Not for me… for you."
Ethan stroked her hair. "I'm not afraid of him."
They sat together on a stone bench beneath the tree. For a long time they just talked — about Winterfell, about the songs she loved, about her fears of becoming queen to someone like Joffrey. Sansa slowly relaxed against him.
Then she kissed him.
This kiss was different. There was fear mixed with longing. Her hands clutched his tunic desperately as she pressed closer. Ethan kissed her back, slow and deep, one hand gently resting on her lower back. When his lips moved to her neck, Sansa let out a soft, trembling sigh.
"I want to be with you," she breathed. "Truly be with you. But not here… not like this. I want it to be perfect."
Ethan pulled back slightly and looked into her eyes. "Then we'll wait until it feels right. I'm not going anywhere, Sansa."
She smiled, eyes misty, and rested her head on his shoulder.
[Sansa Stark Favorability: 84/100 (Deep Affection + Trust)]
Evening – Unexpected Encounter
While returning to the Tower of the Hand, Ethan crossed paths with Petyr Baelish — Littlefinger — near the throne room entrance.
The man was dressed in fine grey and silver, a mockingbird pin on his chest. He smiled that strange, knowing smile.
"Ethan Snow," Littlefinger said smoothly. "The bastard who keeps angering princes. You're becoming quite the topic of conversation in certain circles."
Ethan bowed carefully. "Lord Baelish."
Petyr studied him like a merchant examining valuable goods. "You have an interesting face. Not quite Stark. Not quite anything I recognize. And yet you stand close to the Hand's daughter." His smile widened. "Information is more valuable than gold in this city, young Snow. Remember that."
[Favorability with Petyr Baelish: 15/100 (Mild Curiosity + Suspicion)]
Littlefinger walked away without waiting for a reply, his footsteps light on the stone floor.
Ethan stood there for a moment, a chill running down his spine. He knew how dangerous that man could be.
Late Night – Ethan's Room
After another long day, Ethan sat by his window, looking out at the lights of King's Landing.
He opened the system and spent 200 SP on a Basic Stealth Manual. New knowledge about moving silently and using shadows settled into his mind.
[Stealth Mastery (Beginner) – Lv.1 Unlocked]
Small steps. But each one made him a little more dangerous in this nest of lions.
Before he slept, a new notification appeared:
[Warning: Joffrey Baratheon now sees you as a personal enemy.]
[New Side Quest: Survive Court Politics] Stay alive and protect Sansa while increasing your influence. Time limit: 30 days
Ethan closed his eyes, the weight of the Red Keep pressing down on him.
He was no longer just a bastard from the North.
He was starting to become a player.
And the game was far more dangerous than he had imagined.
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