chapter 199 part 2
Fury flashed in Lady Catelyn's eyes. "Is it my fault? If not for my own sister, if not for my trust in her, would I have come here alone?!"
"Don't be angry..."
As he spoke, Petyr tried to step forward to comfort her, but Catelyn's warning gaze stopped him in his tracks.
Petyr shrugged, looking slightly awkward. After a pause, he said, "Catelyn, our Lysa has nightmares every day. She needs our help."
Catelyn's voice was laced with sarcasm. "She's *your* Lysa, isn't she, Littlefinger."
Petyr seemed wounded by her words. "Catelyn, I think you must know that after Lysa married into the Vale, she suffered many miscarriages. Her mental state has always been... very poor."
Sighing, Petyr took a small step forward. "At least Lysa trusts that I, her childhood friend, would not harm her. She is willing to believe me, willing to listen to my advice... Since my affection can help her in her helplessness, how could I hesitate? Cat."
Five miscarriages, plus two stillbirths... Catelyn could not imagine Lysa's sorrow. If it had been her, she was certain the grief would have been beyond words.
When Catelyn came back to her senses, Petyr was already standing right in front of her.
Catelyn's voice was filled with warning. "Petyr!"
This time, Petyr ignored Catelyn's warning. "Cat, my heart has always remained there. It has never moved."
Catelyn's anger flared even hotter, and she warned him again, "Petyr!"
Petyr gave a pained smile and took a step back.
Only then did Catelyn speak. "Petyr, I do not wish to repeat myself. Please call me Lady Stark!"
Petyr feigned anger. "The most I can accept is calling you Lady Catelyn. To make me call you Stark... You might as well command me to become a septon!"
Catelyn was unmoved by Petyr's jests. She turned sideways and gestured with one hand toward the window. A cold smile was on her face. "Please!"
Petyr was stunned for a moment, then coughed a few times to cover his embarrassment.
He shamefully averted his gaze from Catelyn's, though his tone was one of dissatisfaction. "Lady Stark."
Catelyn coldly observed the abashed Petyr. Though she showed no sign of it, she was actually... startled for a moment. It was as if a scene from their childhood had just replayed itself.
*What a cunning man. Very Littlefinger.*
Catelyn turned to face the window, her tone calm. "Please leave. I do not wish to be disturbed again."
Catelyn's auburn hair glowed captivatingly in the morning light. She was still so beautiful, so enchanting to him.
"My dear Lady Stark, are you sure you wish for me to leave?"
The corners of Petyr's mouth curled up slightly as he continued, "I have just received news of your eldest son. If you are not interested..."
Catelyn quickly turned to Petyr, her tone somewhat urgent. "News of Robb? Tell me, what is it?"
"It's good news. Don't worry, Cat."
Petyr first offered a reassuring word, then said, "I may have to abandon all my previous forms of address for you..."
He gave an elegant half-bow, then looked up at Catelyn. "Robb has declared himself the King in the North, Queen Catelyn."
*King in the North?* Catelyn covered her mouth in disbelief.
Why would Robb make such a rash move?
Their enemy had only been the Lannisters. Now, they would have to add the two Baratheon brothers to the list. The North would soon be isolated and alone, or rather, surrounded by enemies on all sides.
Ned's misfortune had already left Catelyn in despair. Once her two daughters returned safely, she longed to return home and mourn her late husband for the rest of her days.
Catelyn had hoped Robb would peacefully inherit his father's title, rule Winterfell, kiss some girl's lips in the godswood, marry, have children, and live a happy life.
Catelyn said angrily, "If I hadn't been imprisoned here by you two, I could have certainly prevented this from happening."
Catelyn's heart was in turmoil... She and her son had raised the armies of the North for the safety of their family. How she wished for this war to end quickly... Would the Lannisters and the Baratheons join forces against her son?
The smile on Petyr's face deepened, his eyes glinting. "Cat, it sounds like... you think your son declared himself King in the North because he was instigated by others?"
"Of course that's what happened!"
"Not necessarily..."
"You don't even know my son!"
Petyr maintained a faint smile. "Cat, it's true I don't know your son. But I know the human heart."
He said slowly, "Besides the man himself, who can sway the stubbornness of a Stark?"
Catelyn's body leaned weakly against the windowsill... Robb's personality was so much like his father's... No one could sway their decisions... Why was he in such a hurry to declare himself king? Did he not see the problems that would follow? Catelyn could not guess the reason.
Catelyn suddenly looked at Petyr and said, "Petyr, I must return to my son's side. He needs me! Help me!"
Petyr looked troubled. "Cat, you know I can't bear to refuse you..."
He sighed, then added, "Lysa will not let you leave. Even my own situation now... is much the same as yours. The only place I can move about freely is this castle."
*You're cunning, you'll surely have a way!* Catelyn thought to herself. "Petyr, help me. I'll owe you a favor."
After a moment of silence, under Catelyn's expectant gaze, Petyr nodded helplessly. "Let me think..."
With that, he paced back and forth a few steps, then stroked his chin in thought.
After a pause, Petyr looked at Catelyn and said, "Cat, the matter of Robb declaring himself King in the North is already irreversible. Besides... I don't think your son would agree to take back that decision. It concerns the authority of a ruler."
Catelyn had to admit that Petyr had a point... Robb was not just her son; he was Ned's heir. He had already declared himself King, he had already come this far, and his lords were all watching him... If she went to stop him, it would be like a mother sending a small child to bed without his supper. His lords would laugh behind his back at a lordling being disciplined by his mother... Robb needed the respect of his bannermen, even their fear, and ridicule was the poison of fear.
Petyr showed an elegant and confident smile. "Cat, don't worry. Since I have raised the problem, I will naturally help you solve it."
(end of chapter)