Therefore, Stannis is absolutely the biggest and most direct beneficiary after Renly's assassination, and his suspicion is naturally the greatest.
However, all speculations lack concrete evidence. The only two people who know exactly how Renly was assassinated are Brienne Tarth and Catelyn Tully, and both of them fled after Renly's assassination and have been missing ever since.
However, there is news that they were apparently seen near Crab Claw Peninsula, and they seem to be planning to return to Riverrun from the Trident River.
"Why did they flee?" The news from Renly's side reached Lynd immediately. He read it carefully, as if asking Jon, or perhaps talking to himself.
"I think they must have been afraid," Jon guessed. "At that time, only the three of them were in that room, and Renly died. No matter how they explained it, it wouldn't make sense. The first thing they thought of was to escape first and find a chance to explain later."
Lynd shook his head and said, "If it were just Lady Catelyn, perhaps she would do that, but Brienne would not flee. Even if she were ultimately judged a kinslayer, she would not flee. Something we don't know must have happened at that time." As he spoke, he turned to Baelon, who had just been reinstated, and instructed, "Immediately have your men find Lady Catelyn and Brienne."
"Yes, my Lord." Baelon, who had just completed the Redemption Sanctuary's loyalty trial, had become somewhat taciturn, and a hint of coldness had entered his demeanor.
Lynd didn't pay attention to Baelon's change; in fact, the current Baelon was more befitting the temperament of an intelligence chief, whereas the former Baelon was more like a knight.
"How is Moose's side doing now?" Lynd then asked.
"Stannis did not enter Storms End; he merely took over the Stormlands allied forces outside Storms End and then left," Jon began to explain. "The lords of the Stormlands are asking what to do next?"
"What to do?" Lynd was silent for a moment, then said, "They are the lords of the Stormlands; serving their liege is their duty. They only need to fulfill their obligations. As for the safety of the Stormlands, we will be responsible, and the trade in the territory will not change."
Jon nodded and said, "Yes, I will send people to notify these lords individually to put their minds at ease."
"Who is in charge of Storms End now?" Lynd suddenly asked again.
Jon quickly replied, "It seems to be Ser Cortnay Penrose. He was the Commander of the Storms End army before, and after Renly's death, he is the acting castellan. He refused Stannis entry into Storms End. He seems to prefer King Robert's bastard son, Edric Storm, to inherit the title of Duke of Storm's End." As he spoke, he asked, "Do we need to do anything?"
"No need." Lynd shook his head and said, "Cortnay is just a knight; what right does he have to decide the fate of Storms End? As for Edric, although he is a bastard son acknowledged by King Robert, King Robert did not legitimize him. His current status is still that of a bastard. How many people in the Seven Kingdoms would recognize a bastard's right of inheritance? If he truly had a right of inheritance, what he would be contending for now would not be the title of Duke of Storm's End, but the Iron Throne."
"Speaking of bastards, we also have many of King Robert's bastard sons in our territory. If Edric is qualified to inherit Storms End, then other bastards are equally qualified to receive a share of the Baratheon family's inheritance, and that would be interesting!" Rosso Brun took an apple from his pocket, wiped it on his clothes, and chuckled as he ate it.
"Haha! In that case, one Storms End wouldn't be enough," Bert couldn't help but laugh.
The others couldn't help but laugh as well.
Lynd also smiled, then asked, "How is Highgarden doing?"
"What else can it be like? Now Miss Margaery's marriage has become a taboo in Highgarden." Jon sobered up, sighed, and said, "The wedding of Renly and Miss Margaery hasn't taken place yet, so Miss Margaery isn't considered Renly's widow. She's an outsider in Storms End, and she doesn't even have the right to keep vigil for Renly. She returned to Highgarden on the third day after the incident. The Reach army outside Storms End has retreated to Bitterbridge. It's unclear what House Tyrell plans to do."
"I received news from Tumbleton that the envoy dispatched by King's Landing has boarded a ship in Tumbleton, and it looks like they are heading to Highgarden," Baelon suddenly interjected. "Could King's Landing be planning to re-establish a marriage alliance with Highgarden?"
"Highgarden shouldn't possibly agree to such an absurd request, right?" Bert was utterly shocked and said, "If such a request were accepted, how would Miss Margaery conduct herself? She would become the laughingstock of the Seven Kingdoms."
"Do you think Miss Margaery isn't a laughingstock now?" Jon said with a serious expression, "First, the Iron Throne broke off her engagement, and then her fiancé was assassinated before the wedding, without even the right to become a widow. Before long, all sorts of rumors about Miss Margaery will likely appear in the streets, taverns, and inns. I truly cannot imagine how such a kind Miss Margaery will endure these rumors."
"Kind?" Lynd looked at Jon with some surprise and said, "Jon, you have a wife and children, don't you?"
Jon's face changed dramatically, and he quickly defended himself, "My Lord, what nonsense are you speaking? I just feel that Miss Margaery shouldn't have so many misfortunes. She deserves a better person."
"You don't need to worry about her; she's much stronger than you think. Compared to that Little Rose, the assistant I arranged for you is the one you should be more concerned about." Lynd gave Jon a sidelong glance, then asked, "Why did you show her the intelligence from Winterfell and Storms End? Didn't I tell you to keep it from her?"
Jon explained, "I just felt it was better for Sansa to know some things. Just like you said about me just now, I also think Sansa is much stronger than you imagine."
"Jon, have you noticed that you've become a bit too gentle lately?" Lynd looked at Jon with a hint of surprise, then turned to the others around him for confirmation. "What do you all think?"
Everyone nodded, also looking at Jon with a hint of curiosity.
Jon's cheeks flushed slightly, and he said, "Gentle? I don't think there's any difference from before?"
Roso suddenly spoke up, "Lord Jon recently took in some sisters from the Riverlands. They are refugees and are now staying in the apartment he bought on Firestone Street. That apartment was bought privately by Lord Jon, and Lady Victoria doesn't know about it."
"Oh!" Everyone's faces immediately showed understanding, and their gazes towards Jon carried a hint of inexplicable amusement.
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