Inside the fireplace, sparks occasionally flew from the fire, landing on the flagstones with a faint crackling sound.
The new liege lord's voice remained gentle, but Baron Gryphon felt a chill run down his spine after hearing it; his Adam's apple bobbed a few times as he said, "Yes... yes, Lord Kleyber."
The firelight from the fireplace flickered in Kleyber's eyes like tiny specks of light; his fingers caressed the body of the wine glass as he said, "Gryphon, since you've thought of the problem, it seems you've also thought of a solution.
Let me hear your idea?"
Baron Gryphon felt his daughter's intense gaze, but his eyes remained motionless, as if he hadn't noticed.
After a pause, he said, "Lord Kleyber, perhaps you could adopt Robert Arryn as your foster son and rule the entire Vale as his foster father.
I believe the time before young Robert comes of age would be enough to solidify your rule."
"It's a good idea, but it's not feasible."
Kleyber took a sip of summer red and continued, "I came to the Vale in King Joffrey's name, and the authority to deal with Lord Arryn rests with the King; I don't have that power."
Shaking the wine glass in his hand, he added, "Loyal Gryphon, I can tell you directly that Lord Arryn is King Joffrey's'spoils of war,' and the King will personally try him, and he's running out of patience."
Trial?!
After a moment of silence, Baron Gryphon said worriedly, "Lord Kleyber, forgive my bluntness, but if young Robert leaves the Vale, he is very likely to be exploited by those with ulterior motives, and I think... this would be detrimental to your rule over the Vale."
Gryphon Huth looked at his new liege lord with extreme sincerity... He absolutely couldn't leave House Arryn any chance to make a comeback, otherwise... he didn't dare imagine the fate of the Hersy Family at that time.
Kleyber seemed to see what Gryphon was worried about: "There will be no room for House Arryn in the Vale, you can rest assured, my loyal Baron."
A hint of hesitation appeared on his face; his fingers lightly tapped the armrest of the chair, and he added, "Gryphon, someone has privately reported to King Joffrey that Robert Arryn is not Jon Arryn's child; he is a bastard born from Lysa Tully's affair."
"How is that possible!" Baron Gryphon blurted out, and his children all showed shock on their faces.
Then, Baron Gryphon, perhaps thinking of something, suddenly paused and then quickly said, "It's very possible! No, I mean young Robert is a bastard, he's Lysa and Petyr's bastard!"
Kleyber frowned slightly, seemingly somewhat unconvinced: "Gryphon, what I told you... is still just King Joffrey's speculation..."
He sighed softly: "This is also one of the reasons the King ordered me to send troops; the just King Joffrey will never allow... the sin of mixed bloodlines to occur under his Iron Throne, which is why he wants to personally conduct the trial."
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