"Your Grace, I'm honored."
Lynn's face showed just the right amount of gratitude. Then a flicker of weakness. Pale.
"It's just... right now, I—"
"I understand! I understand!"
Joffrey caught on immediately. Waved his hands.
"You need rest! I won't disturb you!"
Like a child who'd gotten what he wanted, he backed away two steps. Nodded firmly at Lynn.
Then he turned. Left with his two new Kingsguard. Steps light and cheerful.
The corridor fell silent again.
Lynn closed the door.
Dealing with that spoiled brat was more exhausting than dealing with Varys.
He was still thinking when heavy footsteps echoed from the end of the hall.
Uneven. Not the measured tread of patrolling guards. Not Joffrey's lightness.
Whoever it was walked unsteadily. Each step like treading on cotton. But laced with suppressed fury.
Lynn's eyes flickered.
Busy night.
But the one he'd been expecting had finally arrived.
Knock. Knock-knock.
Not too loud. Not too soft.
Lynn opened the door.
Outside stood Eddard Stark.
The Hand of the King had none of his usual authority now.
Just a middle-aged man. Travel-worn. Exhaustion and confusion etched into his brow.
His honest gray eyes were bloodshot. Fixed on Lynn.
Ned walked in without a word.
Lynn closed the door. The world outside sealed away.
"Today. Was it you?"
Ned got straight to the point.
No circling. No testing.
The North's cold didn't allow for southern games.
He just needed an answer. A direct one.
Even if it was Lynn, Ned wouldn't turn on him.
Lynn had shifted the conflict away from the Starks. Ned couldn't betray that.
He'd just be angry. Angry Lynn hadn't consulted him first.
Lynn looked into those bloodshot eyes.
The Lord of Winterfell had been through more today than in the past ten years.
But Ned was too righteous. Some things he didn't need to know. He just needed to stay out of the way.
Once Lynn took the Iron Throne, he'd give the Starks an honorable place. Repayment for using them as a stepping stone.
Lynn wasn't a backstabber.
Decision made.
He shook his head calmly.
"Lord Eddard, I don't have that kind of power."
"I don't even know what the assassin looked like. How could I make him storm the throne room and attack the king in front of everyone? Accuse the queen?"
The answer was expected. But it made Ned even more restless.
He paced the room. Agitated.
The fine robe with the direwolf sigil felt unbearably heavy.
"Then what the seven hells is going on?!"
"An assassin nearly kills Joffrey. Then goes mad and charges into the throne room to kill the king!"
"And then—he blames Cersei!"
Ned stopped. Slammed his fist on the table. Looked at Lynn in anguish.
"King's Landing—this whole place has gone insane!"
"I don't understand! I don't understand any of it!"
He was a wolf in a cage.
Restless. Furious. Nowhere to strike.
"No, Lord Eddard."
Lynn's voice cut through the quiet.
"On the contrary. It all makes perfect sense."
Ned froze. Looked up. Confusion in his eyes.
"Sense?"
"Yes. Sense."
Lynn stepped closer. His black eyes deep enough to see through souls.
"Have you forgotten our earlier conversation?"
"Forgotten Jon Arryn's last words? The book of lineages?"
Lynn's voice dropped low.
"The seed is strong."
Ned's breath caught.
"Joffrey. Myrcella. Tommen. None of them are Robert's children."
"They're Lannister seed."
Lynn watched Ned's face darken.
"Jon Arryn discovered this secret. So he died."
"And now, you're investigating."
"Do you think Cersei Lannister—daughter of Tywin—doesn't know what you're looking for?"
"A mother will do anything to protect her children."
Lynn's tone grew deeper. More persuasive.
"Think. What happens if Robert dies?"
"Her son takes the Iron Throne. No questions asked."
"Who would dare challenge his bloodline then? Who would dig up old cases?"
"The king's blood is the noblest blood."
"Anyone who questions him becomes a traitor."
Ned's body trembled with the weight of it.
Lynn's words were a key.
Unlocking the chaotic door in his mind.
Yes.
How had he not seen it?
Cersei's motive!
She had every reason to kill Robert!
Once Robert died, her three bastards' claim to the throne would be unshakable!
And the attempt on Joffrey? A false flag. To frame Ned.
"Even if Joffrey died, she still has Tommen."
"It's insurance. If the attempt on Robert failed, Joffrey's death removes the Lannisters' motive."
"Robert dies? She frames you. Or Renly. Or Stannis."
"Anyone but her."
"Sacrifice one child to secure two. A bargain for her."
"And assassinating Joffrey? Robert would send the Gold Cloaks out searching. His guards would be spread thin. The perfect opening for a second assassin. Success rate skyrockets."
"She... how could she be so vile?" Ned's voice was disbelief.
"Why wouldn't she?" Lynn countered.
"She's Tywin Lannister's daughter."
"Honor. Loyalty. Things we Northmen hold sacred? Worth nothing next to Lannister gold."
"The assassin failed. To save his life, he blamed his master. Normal, isn't it?"
"As for Jaime Lannister's sword..."
Lynn paused.
"Maybe he didn't expect the assassin to name Cersei. Or maybe Cersei consulted him, but he still had a shred of knightly honor. Remembered his Kingsguard oath. Saved Robert."
"He wanted to silence the assassin. Maybe didn't want to be called Kingslayer again."
"Or maybe he just wanted to protect his sister from rumors."
"Who knows?"
"After all, their relationship is... questionable."
"My lord. It all fits, doesn't it?"
It fit.
Too well.
The tangled mess in Ned's mind unraveled under Lynn's clear analysis.
Every seemingly insane action pointed to one logical motive.
Protect her children. Secure the Lannister throne.
Joffrey dies? There's still Tommen.
The throne stays Lannister.
Ned collapsed into a chair.
After a long silence, he exhaled heavily.
Looked up at Lynn.
His gray eyes regained a trace of Northern resolve.
"What do I do now?"
He'd given up thinking for himself. Placed all hope in Lynn.
"Nothing, Lord Eddard."
"Just watch."
"The king suspects the queen. The Lannisters' reputation in King's Landing is ruined. Our first goal is achieved."
"Next comes the Hand's Tourney."
Lynn walked to the window. Looked at the distant tourney grounds. Lit up bright.
"That will be my stage."
"And our hunting ground. For glory. And gold."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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