Lynn's smile, after Arya's figure disappeared down the corridor, slowly faded until it vanished completely.
He returned to his room, closed the door, and was left alone.
Only the longsword remained, resting across his lap.
'When I grow up, I'll marry you.'
Marry him?
Lynn clenched his fist.
Simply living like this was far from enough!
Living by Eddard Stark's pity and suspicion, living by Maester Luwin's ointments and observations.
This feeling of his fate being held in another's hands sent a shiver down Lynn's spine.
He did not want charity.
What he wanted was the right to speak to the Stark name as an equal.
What he wanted was supreme power.
As a Transmigrator, Lynn understood all the messy affairs in Game of Thrones.
This was his unique advantage, apart from the Three-Eyed Raven.
Lynn's gaze fell on the Blue Panel, which only he could see.
Moreover, he had the System!
This was also his most important asset.
Survival was just the first step.
And now, he wanted more!
...
The King's horn finally sounded over Winterfell.
The sound was clear and prolonged.
Carrying the unique splendor and flamboyance of the South, it tore through the morning tranquility of the North.
The entire Winterfell came alive.
Looking down from the highest point of the main keep.
A massive procession, like a golden dragon, slowly approached along the King'sroad.
House Baratheon's Crowned Stag banner and House Lannister's Roaring Lion banner fluttered in the Northern wind.
The knights' armor gleamed dazzlingly in the sunlight.
The ladies' carriages were adorned with magnificent draperies.
In the Courtyard, the Starks were already waiting in their finest attire.
Eddard Stark wore a grey fur cloak, his expression solemn.
Lady Catelyn stood beside him, a flawless smile on her face.
Robb, in newly tailored leather armor, stood tall like a young pine tree.
Sansa wore a sky-blue gown, her cheeks flushed with excitement, her gaze constantly darting towards the golden-haired prince at the front of the procession.
Arya wore an ill-fitting iron helmet, her face filled with impatience.
The youngest, Rickon, peeked out from behind his mother, full of curiosity.
Bran, the always energetic boy, was also among them.
Lynn stood behind an inconspicuous pillar, away from the center of the crowd, like an outsider observing this grand meeting.
The heavy thud of hooves and the sound of carriage wheels grinding on the ground grew closer.
Robert Baratheon, King of the Seven Kingdoms, dismounted.
It was not hard to guess; Robert, six feet five inches tall, stood like a towering giant, head and shoulders above everyone else. It was impossible not to notice him!
His body was bloated, his face fleshy, long past the heroic figure of the 'Stag of the Stormlands' in his youth.
Back then, clad in battle armor and wearing a great helmet with twin stag antlers, he had been a true giant.
Even Eddard struggled to wield his warhammer.
Now, he had completely changed.
But the royal majesty he exuded still made everyone bow their heads.
After the guards placed the mounting block, Robert finally dismounted.
Eddard led his family in kneeling on one knee.
Robert walked quickly towards Eddard with a cold expression.
He lightly hooked a finger upwards, signaling Eddard to stand and speak.
Only after Eddard stood up did Catelyn and the rest of the family slowly rise.
"Eddard!"
"I haven't heard from you in years."
Robert's loud voice, tinged with displeasure, echoed through the Courtyard.
Eddard respectfully bowed before speaking.
"Guarding the North for you, Your Grace."
"Winterfell is always at your command."
Robert carefully scrutinized Eddard, whom he hadn't seen in years.
After a long moment, he slowly spoke.
"Eddard, you look like you've put on weight."
Eddard subtly shrugged.
Then he gestured with his eyes for Robert to look at his own similarly out-of-shape physique.
Robert was the first to break, laughing, and Eddard followed suit.
Then Robert opened his arms and gave Eddard a solid hug.
He then hugged Catelyn.
Afterward, he began to inspect Eddard's children, lavishing praise on each one without reservation.
Following closely behind were Queen Cersei Lannister and her twin brother, Jaime Lannister.
They were so dazzling.
Cersei was as beautiful as rumored, with deep blue eyes and golden curls that exuded nobility.
Jaime was even more so; he was a born lion, with a handsome face, dazzling golden hair, and an innate sense of superiority radiating from him.
They wore polite smiles, but those smiles did not reach their eyes.
Upon seeing the Lannisters appear, Eddard's expression darkened.
House Lannister of Casterly Rock had been the last of the great houses to join Robert's cause.
They only declared their allegiance when Robert and Eddard were on the verge of a successful rebellion, and the outcome was clear.
Eddard hated such opportunists.
Furthermore, Jaime was the 'Kingslayer', and Eddard had always held him in contempt.
Even though Jaime was a formidable warrior, Eddard's opinion remained unchanged.
Lynn's gaze briefly lingered on them.
He knew that beneath their magnificent exteriors lay secrets capable of overthrowing the entire kingdom!
Cersei elegantly approached Eddard, her smile not reaching her eyes, then extended the back of her hand.
Eddard kissed the back of her hand, respectfully saying.
"Your Grace, Queen."
Catelyn also bowed respectfully.
"Your Grace, Queen."
Cersei nodded slightly and offered a faint smile.
Seeing that the pleasantries were sufficient, Robert cut straight to the point.
"Eddard, let's go to the Crypts."
Eddard knew Robert wanted to see the statue of Lyanna Stark.
After every deceased Stark was buried, artisans would carve a statue for them and place it in the Crypts.
Eddard's deceased father, elder brother, and sister were all there.
Eddard did not immediately agree.
Instead, he looked at Cersei.
Indeed, Cersei's expression was quite displeased.
Lyanna was the love of Robert's life.
Even though she was abducted and taken by Rhaegar, and then died, she was still more important than his legitimate wife.
Cersei had once loved Robert.
It was a pity that Robert only saw her as a tool for the alliance between House Baratheon and House Lannister.
Cersei would never forget.
On their wedding night, Robert had drunk too much.
As he lay with her, he kept calling out Lyanna's name!
This was the shame of her life!
Thinking of this, Cersei's expression turned cold.
"My dear, we've been traveling for a month."
"There's no need to rush to see a dead person."
Robert glared at his Queen, ignoring her reaction.
"Eddard."
He tilted his head towards Eddard, signaling him to follow.
Eddard glanced at Cersei, then followed Robert.
The atmosphere in the air was somewhat oppressive.
Arya asked Bran, puzzled.
"Where's the Imp?"
The Imp was the younger brother of Cersei and Jaime.
He was a dwarf by birth.
'The Imp' was his nickname.
Cersei overheard Arya's soft question.
With a grim expression, she walked towards Jaime.
"Where is our brother carousing?"
"Go find that little beast."