The tension in the Red Keep had become almost suffocating.
Three days had passed since the tourney, and the atmosphere grew darker with each sunrise. Ned Stark spent most of his time locked away with Maester Pycelle and his own investigations. Catelyn barely slept. Robb trained relentlessly. And Joffrey's hatred toward Ethan had become an open secret among the servants.
Ethan woke early, Sansa still curled against his side in his narrow bed. Her naked body was warm and soft, one leg draped over his. He gently stroked her hair, savoring the peaceful moment before the castle woke.
Sansa stirred and smiled sleepily. "I don't want to leave this bed," she whispered, pressing a kiss to his chest.
"You have to," Ethan murmured, kissing her forehead. "Your mother is already suspicious."
She sighed but nodded. They shared one last slow, deep kiss before she dressed quickly and slipped out through the servant passage.
Morning – Training Yard
Ethan was sparring with Robb when Ser Boros Blount, one of the Kingsguard, approached with four gold cloaks.
"Ethan Snow," Ser Boros said loudly. "By order of Prince Joffrey, you are to be confined to the Tower of the Hand until further notice. You are not to wander the castle freely."
Robb stepped forward angrily. "On what grounds?"
"Insolence toward the royal family," Ser Boros replied with a sneer. "Be grateful it's not the dungeons."
Ethan's jaw tightened but he stayed calm. "I understand."
As the guards walked away, Robb cursed under his breath. "This is Joffrey's doing. The little shit."
Ethan wiped sweat from his face. "Let him play his games. I'll be careful."
But inside, he knew this was only the beginning.
Midday – Tower of the Hand
Ned was furious when he heard the news.
"This is unacceptable," he growled. "I will speak to the king."
But everyone knew Robert would likely brush it off. Joffrey was becoming bolder, and Cersei protected him fiercely.
Sansa found Ethan in his room later that afternoon. She looked pale and worried.
"I heard what happened," she said, closing the door behind her. "Joffrey is telling everyone you're dangerous. That you're trying to turn me against him."
She stepped into his arms, holding him tightly. "I'm scared, Ethan. Not just for you… for all of us."
He held her close, stroking her back. "I won't let anything happen to you."
Sansa looked up at him, eyes shining with love and fear. She kissed him desperately, her hands pulling at his clothes. Within moments they were on the bed again. Their lovemaking was intense and emotional — Sansa moving on top of him, riding him with both passion and quiet desperation, as if afraid this moment might be taken from them.
When they finished, she lay on his chest, crying silently.
"I love you," she whispered. "More than anything."
[Sansa Stark Bond: Eternal Devotion]
Late Afternoon – Unexpected Encounter
While Ethan was restricted to the Tower of the Hand, Margaery managed to visit under the pretense of seeing Sansa.
She found a moment alone with him in the corridor.
"You're being punished," she said softly, a small frown on her beautiful face. "Joffrey is more childish than I thought."
She stepped closer and slipped a small note into his hand.
"Read it later," she whispered. "And be careful. My grandmother says the wind is shifting. House Tyrell may need… strong friends soon."
She brushed her fingers against his before leaving.
Ethan opened the note in his room:
The rose garden at midnight, two nights from now. Come alone if you can. I have things I wish to discuss… and perhaps more. — M
Night – The Attack
Ethan couldn't sleep.
He was standing by his window, looking out at the sleeping city, when his new Observation Skill suddenly triggered.
[Danger Sense activated!]
He spun around just in time to see a dark figure climbing through his window — a man dressed in black, a dagger gleaming in his hand.
The assassin lunged without a word.
Ethan barely dodged the first strike. The blade sliced across his forearm instead of his throat. Pain flared hot and sharp.
He grabbed the man's wrist and slammed him against the wall. They struggled violently. The assassin was skilled — clearly a professional. He headbutted Ethan, breaking his nose, then tried to stab him again.
Ethan roared and drove his knee into the man's stomach, then smashed his elbow into the assassin's face. The man staggered. Ethan seized the opportunity, twisting the dagger from his hand and driving it into the attacker's chest.
The assassin gasped, blood bubbling from his mouth, then went limp.
Ethan stood over the body, breathing hard, blood dripping from his nose and arm.
[Assassination Attempt Survived!] [+650 EXP] [Level 13 Achieved!] [+3 Stat Points allocated] Strength: 29Agility: 28Endurance: 27Vitality: 25
He quickly searched the body. No identifying sigils. Just a plain dagger and a small pouch of silver.
Before he could think further, the door burst open. Robb and two Stark guards rushed in, weapons drawn.
"Seven Hells!" Robb shouted, seeing the body. "Are you alright?"
Sansa appeared moments later, pushing past the guards. When she saw the blood on Ethan, she let out a choked cry and ran to him.
Ned arrived last, his face grim as stone.
"This was no random thief," Ned said darkly, looking at the body. "This was deliberate."
He looked at Ethan with a mixture of gratitude and heavy concern.
"From this night forward, you sleep in the same corridor as my daughters. I will not lose you to a knife in the dark."
Later That Night
After the body was removed and the maester treated Ethan's wounds, Sansa refused to leave his side. She sat on his bed, gently cleaning the blood from his face.
"I almost lost you," she whispered, tears falling. "If you had died…"
"I didn't," Ethan said, pulling her into his arms. "I'm still here."
She kissed him fiercely, fear turning into desperate need. They made love slowly that night, Sansa moving above him with tears still in her eyes, holding him like she never wanted to let go.
Midnight – System Notification
[Hidden Quest Completed: First Assassination Survival] [Reward: New Skill – "Shadow Vigilance" (Passive Lv.1) – 20% chance to detect hidden threats]
[Warning] The forces behind this attack are still unknown. Joffrey's hatred grows. Cersei is watching. The Game is no longer patient.
Ethan held Sansa tighter as she slept against him.
He had survived the first real attempt on his life.
But he knew — in King's Landing, the knives would keep coming.