King's Landing, morning.
Inside the spacious carriage, after hearing the attendant's report, Olenna Redwyne looked at Mace Tyrell and Margaery Tyrell.
Duke Mace was first shocked, then a little overjoyed.
Margaery frowned slightly, and after noticing her grandmother's gaze, she looked over.
Lady Olenna kindly said, "Margaery, what did you think of?"
Margaery's fingers flexed, and she replied, "Grandmother, I feel things are too coincidental. From what I understand, while Duke Jon's health has not improved, his condition was not that severe, at least he shouldn't have died so suddenly."
Duke Mace stroked his beard and interjected, "After all, he has been seriously ill, so it's not very surprising. One could even say it's the gods' mercy."
During the War of the Usurper, the Golden Rose Family was the last to surrender, and since then, they have been excluded from the Red Keep by the Small Council, led by Duke Jon.
Duke Mace, as the leader of the Golden Rose, naturally could not like Prime Minister Jon.
This time, he came to King's Landing as a candidate for Prime Minister, first to serve as Prime Minister's Advisor.
The Prime Minister's Advisor is only accountable to the Prime Minister himself and cannot attend the Small Council, which Duke Mace would certainly not be satisfied with.
Now, having just arrived in King's Landing, he heard the news of Jon's death, making it possible for him to directly assume the position of Prime Minister of the Kingdom.
Duke Jon, for him, was both an annoying person and an obstacle.
Duke Mace felt that the gods were blessing him; he was now experiencing a double pleasure.
Lady Olenna looked at her self-important, foolish son, wishing she could crack open that fat head with a wooden spoon.
Lady Olenna took a breath and paused before speaking, "Wild Boar Duke, this is not good news for you. King Robert and Prime Minister Jon were very close; he was one of the few who could directly influence the King's decisions.
Duke Jon's heir is still a young child. He will definitely need more allies to ensure his heir smoothly inherits the Vale and protects his family. I, this old woman, was thinking of using this as a basis to facilitate a deal between the Golden Rose and the Vale of Arryn, so that he would directly recommend you to the King to take over as King's Hand.
Originally, this was the simplest and most direct method, but Duke Jon suddenly died. Now, who should I negotiate with to get you, this wild boar, directly onto the Prime Minister's chair?"
After hearing his mother's analysis, Duke Mace's good mood immediately dissipated.
Margaery patted Duke Mace's large hand and comforted him, "Father, don't worry, your chances of winning are still the greatest."
Duke Mace patted Margaery's small hand back, and said with concern, "Mother, what should we do next?"
After a pause, Olenna said, "Once we arrive, Margaery and I will get out of the carriage first. You go directly to the Sept, express your condolences, and also show your face in front of everyone. Everyone needs to know you have arrived."
Margaery spoke to Olenna, "Grandmother, do you need me to accompany Father?"
Olenna waved her hand and said, "Our Duke Mace is best at pretending in front of everyone."
Although her tone was sarcastic, his mother's rare praise made Duke Mace laugh heartily.
With her father looking pleased and Olenna looking disgusted, Margaery couldn't help but laugh.
Olenna was ultimately left both angry and amused by her foolish son's thick skin.
… … … …
King's Landing, Tyrell Manor.
In the afternoon, Margaery was called to the garden by Lady Olenna.
Seeing Margaery gracefully approaching with her skirt, Olenna showed a touch of affection. Seeing Margaery always reminded her of her younger self.
"Grandmother," Margaery sat opposite Olenna.
Olenna looked at the flowerbeds and said, "The same variety of Roses, given the same amount of time, would already be in full bloom in Highgarden, but here in King's Landing, they are only in bud."
Margaery's brown eyes shifted slightly; she understood the underlying meaning in Olenna's words.
"Margaery, the people you face in the Riverlands are either family or vassals. King's Landing, however, is completely different from the Highgarden you are familiar with. This city is full of various conspiracies, and there are many bad guys like that little fellow."
Margaery nodded slightly; she always listened carefully to her grandmother's every teaching.
"Only a continuous supply of new nourishment can keep the Golden Rose thriving. This is also why your father values King's Landing.
As long as the Iron Throne remains here, King's Landing is the center of the Seven Kingdoms, and the Small Council is a place the family cannot avoid.
The Red Keep has its own rules of the game, and the power game here is even more brutal. What you need to do is quickly master the rules of power here; this is very important for your future."
"Grandmother, I understand."
Olenna smiled kindly, "Don't be too nervous. Behind you is the Golden Rose; no one dares to challenge us head-on. And don't be too wary; just pretend I, this old woman, am bringing my granddaughter to play. Your task is just to observe more."
Margaery nodded, then said, "Grandmother, Loras brother…"
Olenna shook her head slightly and said, "Don't disturb him. He is Renly's squire, but he is even more a member of the Golden Rose Family. I am temporarily indulging his friendship.
Only Renly, because he gained Loras's friendship, would dare to treat the Golden Rose Family as his vassal. To say he is naive is a compliment.
To gain the support of the Golden Rose Family, our demands are also very simple: bring a Queen's crown to my granddaughter, and then I, this old woman, can personally lead his horse."
Margaery had been listening very seriously, but in the end, she couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.
"Grandmother, don't worry, I trust my brother. He will always be our family."
Olenna nodded slightly, "So, whatever he wants to do now, let's not disturb him. That friendship is also a connection between the two families; the Golden Rose will not give up any initiative."
A flicker of light passed through Margaery's brown eyes: "Grandmother, I understand!"
"Our Duke Mace is still busy for now and doesn't need our help. Some matters are better handled by us women. We need to meet Queen Cersei as soon as possible."
… … … …
… … … …
Winterfell, Lord's Chamber.
Knock, knock, the knocking interrupted Eddard Stark's contemplation.
"My Lord, Maester Luwin is outside, saying he has urgent matters to discuss."
[Luwin is the Maester serving the Stark in Winterfell. Every one of Duke Eddard's children was delivered by him, and he also served as a teacher, raising all the Stark children.]
Duke Eddard looked at his awakened wife, frowned, and said in a low voice, "Didn't I say no one was to disturb us?"
Today they received the raven with the news of Prime Minister Jon's death, and his wife had only just managed to fall asleep very late.
The attendant outside the door replied cautiously, "My Lord, I'm very sorry, Maester Luwin insists on seeing you. He is very urgent."
Duke Eddard casually threw on a heavy robe: "Let him in."
Catelyn yawned behind her hand, sat up in bed, and pulled the blanket up to her chin: "Ned, have you not slept at all?"
Eddard walked to the window, looking at the night sky outside, and said, "Whenever I close my eyes, I always think of the past."
Catelyn sensed her husband's sadness and comforted him, "Grand Maester Pycelle gave him milk of the poppy, and he passed away very suddenly, so Jon didn't suffer too much."
"I suppose that's the last bit of mercy."
Duke Eddard sighed in a low voice, suppressing the grief in his heart.
He couldn't selfishly only care for his own joys and sorrows; Catelyn also needed care and comfort.
"Your sister, and her child, is there any news of them?"
Northern men are not good at expressing affection with words, and her husband was a typical example.
Catelyn felt the concern from the man in front of her, smiled, and said, "The letter only said they were safe and sound and had returned to the Eyrie.
I truly wish they had returned to Riverrun. The Eyrie is high and isolated; it has always been her husband's family castle, not her true home.
Seeing familiar things brings back memories. Memories of Lord Arryn will surely linger on every stone in the Eyrie… I know my sister well; Lysa needs the support and companionship of family and friends most right now."
"Catelyn, your uncle is the Blood Gate Knight appointed by Jon. Brandon will do his best to take care of them."
[Brandon, full name Brandon Tully, Catelyn's father's younger brother, also known as Ser Brynden.]
After speaking, Eddard paused, then added, "You can go accompany her, and take the children with you, to fill her dwelling with laughter and noise. The child needs the company of other companions, and your sister should not mourn alone."
"If I could, I would certainly go, but… have you decided? Things have suddenly changed, will you go to King's Landing?"
Duke Eddard was silent for a moment, then said, "I am still considering."
The Direwolf's instinct told him that this was Stark's home, and not to leave the North lightly.
The Alpha Direwolf was grieving, and Catelyn knew now was not the time to discuss these matters, so she did not press further.
A moment later, the door was pushed open, and Maester Luwin entered the room.
The slender Maester Luwin wore a long robe woven from grey wool, trimmed with white fur, the colors of the Stark.
Maester Luwin waited until the door behind him closed before he nodded and said, "Please forgive me for disturbing your rest. Someone left a letter on my table while I was dozing."
As he spoke, Maester Luwin took a tightly rolled letter from his sleeve.
"It clearly states that only Lady Catelyn is to open it. I was worried it was something very important, so I dared not delay for a moment."
Catelyn saw the Arryn Family's crescent moon and falcon sigil stamped on the letter.
She reached out and took the letter, not caring that she was unclothed, letting the blanket slip, and gasped, "It must be Lysa's letter. I'm afraid it's not good news. Ned, this letter contains endless sorrow, I can feel it."
Duke Eddard frowned deeply and said, "Catelyn, don't panic, open it and see first."
Catelyn unfolded the letter, scanned the contents, and said, "This is… Lysa and I invented a secret language when we were young, only she and I understood it."
Catelyn threw off the fur blanket and swung her legs out of bed.
Eddard was momentarily stunned by his wife's sudden action: "Catelyn, Maester Luwin is still here."
Maester Luwin, who had already turned his head towards the door, said, "My Lord, I think I should excuse myself first."
Catelyn picked up a nightgown, put it on, and walked to the candle. The words on the letter were very small; she needed the candlelight.
"Ned, every one of my children was delivered by Maester Luwin. Now is not the time for false formalities…"
Before she could finish speaking, Catelyn's body suddenly stiffened.
Eddard noticed his wife's abnormality, walked over and supported Catelyn: "You are afraid? Tell me, what exactly is in the letter?"
Catelyn looked at the anxious Eddard, her voice trembling: "Lysa says Jon Arryn was murdered."
"Did she say who the killer was?"
"The Lannister."
Duke Eddard instinctively felt this was impossible: "Your sister is overcome with grief; she doesn't know what she's saying."
Catelyn denied, "Lysa herself is impulsive, but she wouldn't joke about something like this. She even specifically wrote a secret letter to tell me; Lysa must have been terrified, which is why she took her son and hid in the Eyrie."
Catelyn gazed at her silent husband, then added, "Now we truly have no choice. You must go south yourself to get to the bottom of this."
Duke Eddard sighed, "The South is a place full of vipers and beasts; it is best for the Direwolf to avoid it."
At this moment, Maester Luwin advised, "My Lord, from the last letter, it is clear that King Robert intends for you to take over as King's Hand.
The Hand of the King wields great power, enough for you to uncover the true cause of Lord Arryn's death. If it is found that Lord Arryn's death was indeed a murder, the culprit can be brought to justice.
Even if the situation turns unfavorable, you will have more than enough power to protect Lady Arryn and her young son, and can withdraw safely at any time."
Catelyn added, "Eddard, in the last letter, King Robert also mentioned bringing Sansa along. Don't you understand Robert's meaning? He intends for his eldest son to marry Sansa."
[Sansa Stark is Eddard and Catelyn's eldest daughter, and their second child.]
Eddard finally spoke, "Catelyn, Sansa is only eleven years old (it is now 298 AC in Westeros)… and I don't want my daughter to marry into the South!"
Eddard's father, brother, and sister all died in the South; this was a wound he could never erase.
Catelyn, as Eddard's wife, naturally knew these things, but however sad, it was in the past, and she did not want Sansa to be affected.
Catelyn's voice was a little raised: "Eddard, this is the King's goodwill. You cannot always treat him as your old good brother; the King's pride is everything to him.
Sansa might one day become Queen, and her children will rule vast lands from The Wall in the north to the mountains of Dorne in the south. Isn't that good?"
Hah, the Iron Throne!
Eddard's expression was weary and sorrowful, but Catelyn knew she could not embrace him just yet… For the sake of her children, she had to first convince her stubborn husband.
Catelyn continued, "You say you love Robert more than your own brother. If what Lysa says is true, do you think Robert will be safe? You know how vicious the Lannister are. Are you going to stand by and watch Robert be in danger?"
Eddard's lips moved, and he turned around with a heavy expression, facing the narrow window.
Catelyn did not speak again, nor did Maester Luwin. They waited in silence… Eddard quietly bid farewell to his beloved North.
Dear ones, please vote!