Inside the Prime Minister's study, Eddard Stark sat with a furrowed brow.
Sometimes, the innocent eyes of a child can see facts that adults overlook; Sansa's words cleared away many doubts for him, and the simple truth churned in his chest, making his heart as cold as death.
"The seed is strong." Duke Eddard understood this dying phrase from Jon Arryn; every one of Robert's bastards he had investigated had hair as black as night, including the little girl in the Vale.
Duke Eddard's grey eyes looked at the open book on the table, "The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms."
Maester Melion recorded the last union between a Stag and a Golden Lion over ninety years ago, when Tya Lannister married Gerold Baratheon. Their only child was a stillborn male infant who did not live long enough to be named, described in Maester Melion's book as: "Large, good appetite, with a full head of black hair."
Thirty years before that, a Lannister male married a Baratheon female. She bore him three daughters and one son, all of whom had black hair.
Gold, when met with charcoal black, could only yield and vanish without a trace.
...
A look of pain appeared on Duke Eddard's stern face.
Although Duke Eddard wished to handle this matter secretly and allow Robert to remain a carefree king, his honor prevented him from concealing the truth from Robert.
Would Robert become another Mad King after learning the truth?
Duke Eddard recalled the scene from over a decade ago: the little girl and infant boy wrapped in Lannister red cloaks. Prince Rhaegar's daughter was barefoot and in her nightgown, while Prince Rhaegar's swaddled son still had fresh blood and brains on him.
Duke Eddard clenched his fist; he absolutely could not let similar events repeat.
Robert was indeed capable of showing mercy; as long as someone displayed valor and acted with integrity, Robert would treat them as a brave opponent and hold them in high esteem.
After the great war over a decade ago, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard Ser Barristan was not the only one Robert pardoned. Maester Pycelle, Master of Whisperers Varys, Balon Greyjoy… all of them had once been Robert's enemies, yet once they swore fealty, Robert allowed them to retain their honor.
However, this situation was different. Poisoning in secret, backstabbing… Robert could never forgive such things, just as he could never forgive Rhaegar; even a clean and thorough killing might not extinguish Robert's rage.
The kingdom could not endure another Mad King, nor could it withstand another bloodbath filled with hatred.
Even so, Duke Eddard still could not remain silent… He was the Hand of the King; he was responsible to the King, and even more so to the entire kingdom, so there could be no hidden dangers in the royal bloodline.
Knock, knock, knock. The knocking interrupted Duke Eddard's contemplation.
"My lord, Count Green is here."
"Let him in."
The door opened, and Green entered the study. He bowed and said, "Good evening, Duke Ned."
Duke Ned's mood immediately improved upon seeing Green… Fortunately, the adults' grievances had not affected this child; Green had grown well, not only excelling in swordsmanship but also being effective in his duties… Duke Eddard trusted Green greatly.
Duke Eddard couldn't help but feel relieved; this child had won the tourney champion, and he, busy with kingdom affairs, had not yet praised him.
Duke Eddard sighed inwardly; he could never be as meticulous as Catelyn.
He recalled the sword with a story of honor that Jon Arryn had given him in the Vale; he planned to give it to Green as a gift for winning the tourney, perhaps a passing down of honor.
...
The grievances between adults were matters for adults; children were innocent. He had already decided in his heart… even if Robert blamed him later, he would find a way to protect those three children.
Duke Eddard looked at Green with a slight smile… Those three children could also be like this child before him, untainted by the adults' grievances; they had the right to their own new lives.
"What's the result?"
Green's eyes flickered, glancing at the book on the table, and he said, "Duke Ned, Duke Mace has decided to leave King's Landing tomorrow for the Riverlands, to personally take charge in Highgarden."
Duke Eddard pondered for a moment, then frowned and said, "Is he planning to give up his seat on the Small Council? And… is he going back to start a war?"
Green shook his head: "The Golden Rose will not easily give up a seat on the Small Council. Duke Mace has recommended Garth Tyrell to be the Master of Coin."
Duke Eddard murmured, "Garth Tyrell…"
"Duke Ned, Garth Tyrell is Duke Mace's uncle; he has served as the Steward of Highgarden since Duke Mace's father's time."
After a pause, Duke Eddard asked directly, "Green, what do you think?"
Green respectfully replied, "Duke Ned, Garth Tyrell's ability is beyond doubt. I think he is perfectly capable of being the Master of Coin. And…"
With a sigh, Green continued, "You should be well aware of the state of the kingdom's treasury. The Tyrell wants a seat on the Small Council, and the kingdom's finances need the support of House Tyrell."
"Damn it!"
Duke Eddard remembered the kingdom's debts and couldn't help but curse under his breath.
Green shrugged: "The King dreams, the Hand builds the dream."
Duke Eddard paused for a moment, then sighed, "The King feasts, the Hand cleans up."
Green first smiled, then said seriously, "Duke Ned, Petyr has been imprisoned. The kingdom's finances need the support of House Tyrell. I must tell you, this is the sensible choice."
The reason was naturally not that simple; it also involved an unspoken balance and transaction between the two sides. Green only explained the most direct reason, but that was enough; saying more or deeper would only give the Direwolf a headache.
The Direwolf had a unique way of doing things, and Green, his "aide," was understanding.
Indeed… Duke Eddard nodded, and said decisively, "So be it. I'll arrange it tomorrow."
Green picked up the wine jug, poured a cup of wine, and offered it to Duke Eddard.
"Regarding the war, I think you can also rest assured. Duke Mace is not an impulsive person; one could say he is calm enough. If it were anyone else, war would have already broken out in the south."
Duke Eddard took the wine cup, took a sip, and agreed, "Hmm, he's doing very well."
Green also poured himself a cup of wine and leisurely said, "Whether there's war in the south actually depends on the Duke of Casterly Rock, on what his final decision will be."
...
As Green was about to leave, Duke Eddard looked up from the book on his desk and said, "Green, I'll arrange an assignment for you outside the city soon."
Green's current position was Queen's Affairs Officer, and the enraged Robert might take his anger out on this child. Therefore, he planned to find a suitable opportunity for Green to leave King's Landing for a while, and then recall him once things here were settled.
Green stopped, his eyes trembled slightly, and he said, "Duke Ned, I am always at your command."
Green glanced at the book on the Hand's desk again, then bowed and left.
...
...
Red Keep, Godswood.
Duke Eddard handed a sealed envelope with a Direwolf sigil to his captain of the guard, Jory: "Give this to Cersei in Maegor's Holdfast. Go."
The thick walls outside the Godswood blocked out the clamor of horses and people from the castle.
Duke Eddard heard the chirping of insects and birds, and the rustling of leaves in the wind; it was peaceful and quiet here. The heart tree in this place was a brown oak; although it had no carved face, Duke Eddard could still feel the Old Gods he worshipped.
The Godswood was empty, and Duke Eddard was immersed in its tranquility, losing track of how much time had passed.
At sunset, the clouds above the high tower walls were already bathed in red hues.
Cersei Lannister's figure appeared; she had come alone as arranged, and Duke Eddard gave a slight nod from afar.
Queen Cersei approached, looking down at Duke Eddard who was sitting on the grass, her tone still the familiar arrogance: "Stark, why did you ask me to meet you here?"
When she received Duke Eddard's letter, Cersei guessed that the Direwolf wanted to meet her about the marriage alliance. She deliberately waited until close to sunset before finally arriving.
Queen Cersei's curly golden hair danced lightly in the wind, her emerald eyes were like the lush leaves of midsummer, and her fair skin seemed to emit a faint reddish glow.
Duke Eddard looked up at Queen Cersei… She was still beautiful; he had not seen Cersei's beauty for a long time, and now it was awakened once more.
Duke Eddard calmly said, "It is for the Gods to bear witness."
"I hope the Gods are free today."
After speaking, Queen Cersei sat down on the grass beside Duke Eddard, every movement of hers exceptionally graceful.
Duke Eddard looked into the distance and said, "The seed is strong. Those were Jon Arryn's last words."
"I didn't notice."
Queen Cersei scrutinized Duke Eddard's serious face and said coldly, "Lord of the Hand, I am not in the mood for riddles. Did you call me here for this?"
Duke Eddard looked at Queen Cersei, his gaze sharpening: "Is the father the Kingslayer Jaime? I am not asking about your brother, but your lover."
Queen Cersei turned her head to look at Duke Eddard, her face showing no change at all regarding what Eddard had said.
Queen Cersei stated frankly, "Both brother and lover. To keep their blood pure, the Targaryen have intermarried siblings for three hundred years. We have been together since we were small, what's wrong with that? Jaime and I are not just siblings; we are two halves of the same life. When we were born, he came into the world holding my foot."
As she spoke, a faint smile flickered across her lips: "Only when we are together do I feel complete."
Perhaps because of Cersei's unreserved honesty, when he confirmed the answer face-to-face, he did not feel the rage he had imagined.
"It seems those three children are all Jaime's."
"Thank the Gods for being free."
...
After a moment of silence, Duke Eddard couldn't help but ask the doubt in his heart.
"Cersei, you have been married for over ten years, why have you not had children of your own?"
Queen Cersei's expression was arrogant: "Your brother got me pregnant once, and my brother found a physician to help me get rid of the child. That man never even knew about it."
As she spoke, her tone became scornful: "Stark, I tell you frankly, I absolutely cannot stand that man touching a single hair on me. That man and I haven't been together for many years… If that man would just stay away from those whores, he might stumble into my room after drinking… But I have other ways to satisfy him. Anyway, no matter what we do, that man is usually dead drunk and forgets everything by the next day."
As Queen Cersei's words fell, Duke Eddard's brow furrowed even deeper, and the doubts in his heart deepened as well.
Duke Eddard sensed Cersei's deep hatred for Robert from her words… Had something happened that he didn't know about?
Regardless of his inner thoughts, Duke Eddard's voice remained calm: "I remember Robert's appearance that day; he captivated almost every woman present. That day, you both received everyone's blessings."
He continued, "Cersei, what exactly did he do to make you hate him so much?"
Upon hearing Duke Eddard's words, Queen Cersei's eyes immediately ignited with green fire in the twilight, like the Lioness of the Lannister sigil.
"Why hate?! On our wedding night, the first time we shared a bed, he called out your sister's name. He was on top of me, reeking of wine, and he actually whispered the name Lyanna in my ear."
"Blue Roses." Duke Eddard's face flashed with sadness: "I truly don't know whether to pity you or him."
Queen Cersei said coldly, "Direwolf, the Lioness does not need sympathy; that is an insult to me."
Duke Eddard's grey eyes gazed at Queen Cersei for a moment, then he spoke, "Cersei, you know very well what I must do."
Eddard had originally only intended to find a way to protect those three children, but after his conversation with Cersei, he changed his mind… Just like that mistaken spring, perhaps Robert and Cersei's union was a mistaken marriage. Let her leave with her three children.
"Stark, what must be done?"
Queen Cersei asked, as if to herself, then she extended her fair hand and placed it on Duke Eddard's thigh.
"A true man… he usually does what he wants to do, not what he has to do."
As Queen Cersei spoke, her fingers slowly brushed against Duke Eddard's thigh.
Queen Cersei gently leaned closer to Duke Eddard, her voice uncharacteristically soft: "Hand Eddard, Joffrey is still many years from adulthood, and the kingdom needs a strong Hand of the King. No one wants to restart a war, especially not me."
Queen Cersei's hand brushed Duke Eddard's face and hair, then she continued, "If friends can turn into enemies, why can't we turn enemies into friends? The Lady of Winterfell is a thousand miles away… You need me, and you can get more pleasure from me."
Queen Cersei's hand wrapped around the back of Duke Eddard's neck, her body exuding a gentle suggestion: "Ned, be good to me, and I swear you will never regret it."