The fourth day in the Red Keep started with the sound of trumpets.
King Robert had declared that a grand feast would be held that evening to "celebrate the new Hand of the King." Servants ran through the corridors carrying tables, tapestries, and barrels of wine. The entire Red Keep buzzed with nervous energy.
Ethan spent the morning in the training yard as usual. This time, he wasn't alone. Robb and Jon had joined him, along with a few other northern guards. The three of them sparred in turns, helping each other improve.
"You're getting faster," Jon told him after losing a close bout. "It's like you've been training your whole life."
Ethan smiled slightly. "Just trying to survive here."
Ser Rodrik watched them with approval. "Keep this up, lads. In this city, strength is the only thing they respect."
After training, Ethan's body felt properly tired — the good kind of tired that came from real work.
Current Status:
Strength: 26 (+1)
Agility: 25
Endurance: 25
Vitality: 23
Charisma: 26
Dragon Affinity: 9
Level: 11 (1240/1800 EXP)
The point in Strength came after weeks of consistent effort. It felt earned.
Late Afternoon – Tower of the Hand
The Starks were preparing for the feast. Sansa was in her chambers with her maids when Ethan passed by the open door. She saw him and quickly excused herself, stepping into the corridor.
"Ethan," she whispered, pulling him into a small side room. "The feast tonight… Joffrey will be there. He's been telling everyone I'm going to be his wife."
Her voice trembled with anxiety.
Ethan gently held her hands. "I'll be close by. I won't let him humiliate you."
Sansa looked up at him, eyes full of trust. She stepped closer and kissed him. This time the kiss carried more heat. Her hands slid up his chest as she pressed her body against his. Ethan responded carefully, kissing her deeper, one hand resting on her waist. Sansa let out a soft sound against his lips when he gently nipped her lower lip.
They stayed like that for several minutes — kissing, touching over clothes, breathing each other in. Sansa's cheeks were flushed when they finally pulled apart.
"I wish we could stay like this forever," she whispered, forehead against his. "Just you and me… without all these eyes watching."
"Soon," Ethan promised. "When it's safer."
She smiled shyly and fixed her dress before slipping back into her chambers.
[Sansa Stark Favorability: 86/100 (Deep Affection + Physical Attraction)]
Evening – The Great Feast
The Throne Room had been transformed. Long tables groaned under roasted boar, honeyed duck, baskets of fruit, and endless pitchers of wine. Musicians played lively songs while torches and candles bathed everything in golden light.
King Robert sat on the Iron Throne, already drunk and laughing loudly with Ned beside him. Cersei sat to the king's left, beautiful and cold, her green eyes scanning the room. Joffrey sat near them, sulking.
Ethan stood with the other guards behind the Stark table. He had a good view of everything.
Sansa sat beside her mother, looking stunning in a blue-grey gown with silver embroidery. She kept glancing toward Ethan when no one was looking.
During the feast, Margaery Tyrell approached the Stark table with perfect grace.
"Lady Sansa," she said warmly, "you look radiant tonight. The North clearly breeds great beauty."
Sansa smiled politely. "Thank you, Lady Margaery."
Margaery's eyes shifted and found Ethan standing nearby. She gave him a small, knowing smile.
"Ethan Snow," she said sweetly. "I hope you're enjoying your first royal feast."
"I am, my lady," he replied with a respectful bow.
Margaery lingered for a moment, her gaze appreciative. "Perhaps later you can tell me more stories of the North. I find them quite… captivating."
[Margaery Tyrell Favorability: 34/100 (Clear Interest)]
As she walked away, Sansa shot Ethan a quick, slightly jealous look. He gave her a reassuring smile.
Mid-Feast
Joffrey, clearly drunk on wine and spite, stood up and pointed at Sansa.
"Come sit beside me, Sansa! Show everyone who you belong to!"
The hall grew quieter. Sansa froze, face pale.
Ned's jaw clenched. Catelyn looked furious but helpless.
Ethan stepped forward before anyone else could react.
"Prince Joffrey," he said loudly enough for nearby tables to hear, "Lady Sansa is still in mourning for her home. Perhaps it would be kinder to let her stay with her family tonight."
Joffrey's face turned ugly. "You again! You keep forgetting your place, bastard!"
King Robert laughed drunkenly. "Leave the boy alone, Joffrey! He's got more balls than half my court!"
Jaime Lannister smirked from his position near the king. Cersei, however, watched Ethan with narrowed eyes — calculating.
The moment passed, but the tension remained. Joffrey sat down, shooting daggers at Ethan the entire night.
After the Feast – Midnight
Most of the guests had left or were too drunk to stand. Ethan was walking back to the Tower of the Hand when he heard footsteps behind him.
He turned to see Varys, the Spider, standing in the shadows wearing flowing robes.
"Ethan Snow," Varys said in his soft, high-pitched voice. "A most interesting name for a most interesting young man."
Ethan tensed. "Lord Varys."
The eunuch smiled kindly, though his eyes were sharp. "You have made enemies very quickly. Prince Joffrey does not forget slights. And yet… you also seem to catch the attention of certain ladies." He tilted his head. "Tell me, Snow… where does a bastard from the North learn such confidence?"
"I learned it surviving," Ethan answered carefully.
Varys chuckled softly. "A wise answer. In this city, information is power. And you, my young friend, are becoming quite the source of interesting information."
He stepped closer, voice dropping to a whisper. "Be careful whose attention you attract. Not all of it is… beneficial."
[Favorability with Varys: 21/100 (Curious + Amused)]
Varys bowed slightly and disappeared into the shadows as silently as he had appeared.
Late Night – Ethan's Room
Ethan sat on his bed, processing the day. He spent 300 SP on an Intermediate Footwork Manual, absorbing the knowledge slowly.
[Stealth Mastery Lv.1 → Lv.2]
Before sleeping, the system gave him a new notification:
[Main Quest Update] Survive the Lion's Den Build influence while protecting Sansa Stark. Current Progress: 18% Warning: Joffrey's hostility is increasing.
Ethan looked out his window at the sleeping city, the Red Keep looming around him like a cage of swords and whispers.
He was still weak. Still low in the hierarchy. But he was no longer invisible.
And in King's Landing, being noticed was both the greatest opportunity… and the greatest danger.
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