Varys did not refute him; he nodded frankly, "Duke Eddard, you know that child very well. He indeed has not harmed any innocent person yet."
Eddard Stark's grey eyes trembled slightly. "…That is the character a knight should possess, yet now it has become something to be praised."
A meaningful smile appeared on Varys's face.
Varys sighed, "When I was young… to be precise, before I was cut. At that time, I followed a troupe around the Free Trade Cities, and they taught me one thing: everyone has a role to play, both on and off the stage. Later, when I came here to serve as Master of Whisperers, I discovered…"
He paused, then continued, "The Red Keep is the same. The Master of Laws needs to be unfeeling, the Hand of the King needs to be fierce and ruthless, the Master of Coin needs to be frugal by nature, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard needs to be exceptionally brave, and the Master of Whisperers… of course, should be cunning and skilled at flattery, and also act in an all-pervasive manner."
Duke Eddard said coldly, "Varys, you've found a good excuse for your detachment."
Varys seemed not to understand the sarcasm in Duke Eddard's words.
He smiled and said, "Duke Eddard, a courageous Master of Whisperers is as useless as a cowardly knight."
Duke Eddard frowned. He disliked Varys's word games; no matter how well-spoken, it couldn't change Varys's hypocrisy.
He took a swig of wine and said, "Varys, are you here to slit my throat for Cersei?"
Varys's smile stiffened, and he shook his head, "I can't do such a thing."
Duke Eddard's voice was laced with sarcasm, "It can't be to let me go, can it?"
Varys shook his head again, seemingly regretful. "Perhaps in the past, I might have been able to, but not long ago, Petyr Baelish suddenly disappeared from the heavily guarded Black Cells. Now… the security here has become very strict, let alone for you, whom the Queen Regent values most."
Duke Eddard's hand, holding the wineskin, paused. He said, "Littlefinger escaped?"
Varys nodded slightly. "Duke Eddard, I am very sure that although eunuchs have no honor, I have no reason to deceive you."
After a moment of silence, Duke Eddard said, "Forget it, there's nothing I can do now."
He continued, "You're rarely so straightforward… Varys, just tell me the purpose of your visit."
"My Lord Duke, I come for peace."
Varys nodded, clasping his hands together, and said seriously, "If there is anyone in King's Landing who genuinely wishes to preserve Robert Baratheon's life, it is I."
Duke Eddard: "…"
Varys revealed a helpless smile, sighed, and continued, "For fifteen years, I painstakingly protected Robert I from his enemies, only to find him ultimately harmed by an old friend…"
He looked directly at Duke Eddard. "What kind of insane thoughts were in your head that made you tell Queen Regent Cersei that you knew those three children were not of royal blood… and gave the Lannister enough time to arrange for Robert I to suffer a so-called accident?"
Duke Eddard seemed to be mocking himself. "Kind, insane thoughts."
"That's the only answer… Duke Eddard, you are a man of noble character. I often forget this because I have rarely met anyone like you in my life."
He looked around the dark and damp cell, then continued, "When I saw what kindness and honor brought you, I finally understood why."
Duke Eddard asked, "Have you found anything about the wine Robert drank?"
"I investigated discreetly. Those strong wines were given to Lancel by Queen Regent Cersei. She had planned this day long ago… Lancel was praised by King Robert, and he perhaps enjoyed the feeling of being drunk. Hunting while intoxicated is inherently dangerous; an accident was bound to happen sooner or later, and this is precisely what Queen Regent Cersei hoped for."
Varys's eyes flickered as he looked at Duke Eddard, whose face was slightly lowered.
He continued, "If not for your provocation, Queen Regent Cersei might have waited longer… Alas, even if that pig hadn't killed Robert, he would have fallen from his horse and been severely injured… or a stray arrow, or a sudden snake bite… That hunting ground was already filled with traps, just waiting for the drunken King to fall into them. So, what killed Robert I was not the wine, but your kindness and honor."
Duke Eddard closed his eyes in pain. "Gods forgive me."
Seeing Duke Eddard immersed in grief, Varys comforted him, "Duke Eddard, if there truly are gods in this world, I believe they would not fault you. When you were in Winterfell, Queen Regent Cersei already harbored the intent to eliminate Robert I."
Duke Eddard suddenly opened his eyes, and the Direwolf's gaze became as sharp as it had been during the bloody battle in the Throne Room that day.
"Varys, you are intentionally disturbing my mind."
Varys recoiled a step, acting both frightened and innocent.
"Duke Eddard, you mustn't misunderstand the goodwill of a small person."
Duke Eddard stared at Varys. "Tell me your true purpose. I don't want to hear any more nonsense."
Varys raised a hand to wipe away non-existent cold sweat from his forehead.
"Duke Eddard, actually, I came today to tell you that Queen Regent Cersei will be visiting you soon."
Duke Eddard said coldly, "Why would she see me?"
Varys glanced at the prison door and whispered, "Queen Regent Cersei is afraid of you."
Duke Eddard showed an impatient expression. "Varys, I haven't forgotten that I am a prisoner. She can execute me at any time."
Varys quickly explained, "Perhaps my expression wasn't precise enough. I should say she fears the power behind you, the armies of Stark and Tully."
"Has the North risen?"
Varys first nodded, then shook his head, before saying, "Your wife and eldest son are gathering the Stark bannermen in Winterfell. It is said that your wife has sent ravens to Riverrun and the Eyrie. The content of those letters is not hard to guess."
After a pause, Duke Eddard asked, "No movement from Casterly Rock?"
Varys shrugged. "I hear Duke Mace of Highgarden has gathered twenty thousand troops on the border between the Riverlands and the Westerlands, under the pretext of apprehending bandits, and is holding grand banquets there with his bannermen. With the Riverlands to the east, and the Riverlands to the north, I imagine Tywin must find it very troublesome now."
"As for Dorne in the Marches… House Martell still harbors resentment over the deaths of Princess Ilia and her children. They will certainly not miss any opportunity for revenge."
"What keeps Queen Regent Cersei awake at night are Robert I's two brothers. Especially Stannis, whose claim to the succession is legitimate, and who is himself a skilled warrior. What will Stannis be doing on Dragonstone during this time? I dare say he is gathering troops, not collecting seashells… He controls the Royal Fleet. When will he invade King's Landing? Everyone knows Duke Stannis is not a soft-hearted man."
Varys finally lamented, "The The Crownlands and the Westerlands have too many enemies to face."
Duke Eddard felt puzzled. Why would Varys tell him information from outside? This was not beneficial to Cersei.
"Varys, who do you truly serve?"
Varys smiled faintly, his gaze sincere. "Duke Eddard, I serve the peace of the realm. I swear by my lost manhood. All my efforts have but one goal: to avoid war and maintain the peace of the realm."
Duke Eddard did not believe Varys's words. This was not due to his prejudice against eunuchs; it was the Direwolf's intuition… He felt that Varys must be harboring other unspeakable motives.
Duke Eddard closed his eyes, feeling a bit tipsy.
Duke Eddard's honor was unwavering. He stated directly, "Varys, I will not support Cersei's children. Stannis is Robert's true heir, and I welcome him to sit on the Iron Throne."
"Oh dear!"
Varys first exclaimed, then moved closer to Duke Eddard.
"Duke Eddard, I assure you, Queen Regent Cersei does not want to hear these words. If you don't control your tongue, even if Stannis takes the Iron Throne, you might only be able to welcome him with a rotten head."
Duke Eddard said in a deep voice, "Varys, I fear no death."
"But…"
Varys seemed to plead with Duke Eddard. "Have you forgotten your innocent, sweet daughter? Sansa pleaded so hard for you, yet you… She is truly pitiful."
A chill ran through Duke Eddard's heart. He abruptly opened his eyes. "Don't involve my daughter. Sansa is just a child."
Varys showed a pained expression. He said softly, "Duke Eddard, besides you, who cares if she is a child? In Queen Regent Cersei's eyes, Sansa is merely a bargaining chip against you… She knows that a tamed wolf is far more useful than a dead one, which is why Sansa is still alive."
Duke Eddard's voice was filled with rage. "If Cersei dares to harm Sansa, Stark and Tully will never let her go!"
Varys sighed, "Queen Regent Cersei is not a rational woman; that is something everyone knows."
Duke Eddard could not hide his worry for his daughter; he was somewhat at a loss.
Varys glanced at Duke Eddard, then continued, "Prince Rhaegar's daughter… wasn't Princess Rhaenys also a child? She was a lovable little darling, younger than both your daughters. Did you know she had a little black cat named Balerion? Princess Rhaenys liked to treat it as the true Balerion the Black Dread… But I imagine on the day the Lannister broke down her door, they quickly made her realize the difference between a kitten and a dragon."
Varys seemed to be lost in sorrowful memories.
After a pause, Varys let out a weary sigh. "Archbishop once told me that because we are sinners, we suffer. If that is true… Duke Eddard, please tell me… why is it always the innocent common folk who suffer the most in the power games of you great lords?"
"Peace is actually very simple. You just need to promise the Queen Regent that you are willing to confess your rebellious crimes, order Winterfell to recognize Joffrey Baratheon as King, and vow never to reveal her secret, then I believe she will agree to let you take the black, and Sansa will not be harmed… Most importantly, it avoids a great war, and the common people can continue to live peaceful lives."
Varys walked to the prison door, then turned and nodded slightly towards the silent Duke Eddard.
"If you are willing, think it over carefully before Queen Regent Cersei arrives… Duke Eddard, I advise you not to overestimate her patience."
With that, Varys reached out and knocked on the door.
...
...
The City Watch (Gold Cloaks) are the garrison and law enforcement of King's Landing. They have two barracks in the city: the eastern barracks near the Dragon Gate, and the western barracks near Cobbler's Square.
Gold Cloaks Eastern Barracks, Commander's Tent.
Glyn sat at the table, on which lay a detailed map of King's Landing.
Glyn looked up from the map and said, "Leyton, go rest."
It was already bright, and Glyn and his young steward had been busy all night. He missed Maester Al and Samwell, who were far away in Whispering City.
Leyton lifted his head from the pile of documents; his dark circles were very deep.
"My Lord, there's not much left. I estimate we can finish this morning."
After speaking, Leyton couldn't help but yawn, quickly covering his mouth.
Glyn revealed a slight smile. "The corruption within the Gold Cloaks is too severe, but it also gives us a good excuse… Leyton, I appreciate your effort."
Leyton scratched his head awkwardly.
After a while, he put away a letter and said, "My Lord, Rowsell has already arranged for the King's Landing merchants to meet you tonight."
Glyn nodded slightly. Leyton was referring to the merchants who had cooperated with Glyn during the King's Landing hunt last year.
"Lord Glyn, Ser Lancel Lannister requests an audience," a messenger's voice suddenly came from outside the door.
Glyn raised an eyebrow. Had Lancel already been knighted?
...
Lancel stood proudly in front. Glyn rubbed his hair, thinking the boy must have been psychologically manipulated.
"Count Glyn, Her Majesty the Queen Regent commands me…"
Lancel's words were interrupted by Glyn. "Speak on your knees."
Lancel looked at Glyn in disbelief.
"I represent…"
With a whoosh, Glyn's longsword flew past Lancel's cheek, almost touching it, and finally stuck into the wooden post of the tent, its hilt still trembling there.
Lancel was so frightened that he immediately knelt down.
"You… you…"
Glyn tilted his head, his tone laced with confusion. "Lancel, have you forgotten my warning?"
Lancel's face flushed. "I am a knight!"
Glyn rose from his chair, walked over, and crouched in front of Lancel. Their eyes met.
"Tell me, what does my warning have to do with whether or not you are a knight?"
Lancel's handsome face twisted slightly. "Don't forget, you have no proof!"
With a thud, Lancel curled up on the ground in pain.
Glyn had already stood up. He leisurely said, "Why do you think proof is necessary? Have you ever considered what the consequences would be if Joffrey found out about this?"