"Carpets from Myr!"
"Hair dye from Tyrosh!"
"Wine from Lys!"
"Come and see! Exotic goods from the East!"
King's Landing seemed to have returned to its former bustling glory.
Hawkers reappeared along the roadsides, imported goods flowed into the city in an endless stream, and brothels large and small reopened their doors.
Key districts like the Street of Steel and the Street of Silk were once again teeming with people.
A carriage rolled into the city. Inside, Davos and Petyr Baelish sat facing each other. Both were in low spirits, as their diplomatic mission had been less than ideal.
Although House Tyrell expressed willingness to negotiate peace, they fiercely opposed Stannis's demand for a marriage alliance.
Such a demand was excessive by anyone's standards, let alone for the notoriously proud Mace Tyrell.
However, Stannis hadn't reprimanded them. Instead, he sent Axel Florent to escort them to the Red Keep.
Axel, now appointed Commander of the City Watch, filled them in on recent events in King's Landing during the ride.
When Davos heard that Jon had been legitimized as a Stark, a relieved smile crossed his face. He looked at Petyr and said, "It is what Jon deserves."
Petyr smiled and nodded, though his smile lacked its usual composed grace.
Strange thing was, ever since losing his left hand, he often felt intense pain where the hand used to be—sometimes bad enough to wake him in the night.
If he closed his eyes and didn't look at the stump, he could swear his hand was still there, clenched into a tight fist. It was maddening.
But soon, he heard something that upset him even more. Axel chattered on about Jon: "That Jon is truly baffling. His Grace named him Duke of Harrenhal, and guess what? He ran away in the middle of the night!
"If Melisandre hadn't seen his movements in the flames, he might be halfway back to that godforsaken Wall by now."
"Why, Ser? Why would he refuse a Dukedom?" Petyr leaned forward, asking intently.
Something he desperately craved, another man discarded like old shoes. It made Littlefinger feel sick, like a lowly beggar. He desperately needed to know why.
"According to him, he didn't want to be enemies with Robb Stark. And he claimed he needed to fulfill his duty as a Night's Watchman at the Wall. But His Grace had someone check with the Wall—the guy never even swore his vows! The real reason is probably just that he doesn't want to fight Robb," Axel said with a sneer.
To him, Jon's wavering loyalty meant he wasn't loyal at all.
Unlike Axel, who was willing to arrest his own brother Alester to prove his devotion.
But to Davos, Jon's actions—giving up lands and titles for the sake of brotherhood—only deepened his respect.
He believed Jon truly intended to go to the Wall. After opposing Robb's crown and launching a mutiny at Harrenhal, Jon had no future or standing left in the North.
Chatting along the way, the three soon arrived at the Red Keep. Seeing the Flaming Heart banner flying above the castle improved Davos's mood slightly. perhaps his four sons hadn't died in vain after all.
Soon, Stannis received Davos and Petyr. Upon meeting the King, Davos apologized profusely for failing his mission.
Stannis, however, calmly informed them that the Queen of Thorns, Olenna Tyrell, would soon bring Margaery to King's Landing to meet him personally. The marriage issue would be decided then.
"Olenna is bringing Margaery, but she still hasn't agreed to the marriage. I wonder if the Tyrells are planning to court Jon themselves," Stannis voiced his suspicion to the two—or more accurately, to Davos.
Davos thought for a moment. "Your Grace, I believe any attempt by the Tyrells to win Jon over will be futile. Everything Jon has comes from you. If he could give up a Dukedom for brotherly love, how could he betray your trust for Tyrell promises? As long as you trust him and favor him, I believe Jon will repay you."
First impressions matter, and Jon had made an excellent one on Davos. The Onion Knight was always willing to vouch for the young man.
Petyr watched their exchange. Though his hatred for Stannis gnawed at his insides like a viper, he had to hide it carefully.
Stannis mentioned that some had advised him to "pardon" Tywin and let the Lannisters keep the Westerlands, provided they paid a massive fine on top of forgiving the crown's debt, plus more interest-free loans.
Petyr knew he would soon be kicked off the Small Council and exiled from power. He decided to influence Stannis's decision while he still could. "But Your Grace, if you leave Tywin in the West, what if he secretly allies with the Tyrells?"
Petyr's question unsettled Davos. In fact, Stannis was worried about exactly that, but was undecided.
Petyr continued, "Your Grace, why not ask for Jon's opinion? You could use the title 'Duke of Harrenhal' as an option—or a fallback. Ask him if he is willing to march on the Westerlands. If he succeeds, grant him Casterly Rock. If he fails, you can always give him Harrenhal later."
Stannis and Davos exchanged a look. Robb was now independent in name and fact.
The Reach was powerful and populous, but it lacked natural defenses. If they could secure the Westerlands as a buffer, it would cover that weakness.
It would give them much more leverage. It seemed keeping the West in their own hands was the safer bet.
Seeing them sway, Petyr added fuel to the fire. "Your Grace, since the Queen of Thorns and Margaery are coming to King's Landing, why not add a condition to the peace terms? Don't force the marriage, but demand they aid Jon in attacking the West. As we discussed on Dragonstone, this would drain the Reach's strength. And if a Tyrell or two unfortunately perished in the campaign... well, we wouldn't have to worry about a West-Reach alliance for a long time."
Davos disliked Petyr's suggestion; it felt insidious and cruel.
But the risk of a renewed Lannister-Tyrell alliance was a thorn in their side that couldn't be ignored.
"Your Grace, maybe we should ask Jon?" Davos asked hesitantly.
When Jon saw Stannis again, Davos was by his side, but Petyr had been sent away.
Upon seeing Jon, Davos immediately wore an expression of appreciation and relief.
Jon responded in kind, though when he looked at Stannis, the King with the receding hairline was as expressionless as ever.
"Your Grace." Jon bowed slightly.
"Jon," Stannis began. "You told me you fled because you didn't want to be enemies with Robb. Is that correct?"
"Yes, Your Grace." Jon admitted it directly.
"I do not wish for the fires of war to consume this kingdom any longer either. I understand your reluctance to fight Robb. However, I have a condition—or rather, a task for you. If you can complete it, I too wish to avoid kinslaying."
Hearing this, Jon immediately bowed. "Name it, Your Grace. I will accomplish it."
Seeing Jon's eagerness, Stannis was still displeased but didn't show it. "I want you to convince Robb to give up his crown and bend the knee to me."
Stannis gave the order, but Jon didn't answer immediately. A brief silence filled the room.
Davos grew anxious, thinking, Jon can't possibly expect Stannis to concede further, can he?
Fortunately, after half a minute, Jon finally spoke. "Your Grace, I can try. If Robb refuses to give up his crown, then let me lead the army against him. If fate decrees I must be a kinslayer... then please, let me return to the Wall afterwards."
The Wall again!
Davos smiled bitterly to himself, feeling helpless.
In his eyes, Jon was trapped in a moral dilemma due to his birth. Davos felt a pang of sympathy for the young man.
Stannis looked like he wanted to say something, but stopped. Finally, he nodded. Then he added, "I had originally intended to name you Duke of Casterly Rock..."
Jon's heart skipped a beat. This was what he had been working for all this time.
Varys's intel was solid.
"The West is still in the hands of traitors. If you can persuade Robb to submit, I will declare you the next Duke of Casterly Rock and Warden of the West. I know you have few soldiers of your own; I will send troops to assist you."
Since Stannis had put it so plainly, Jon had to make his stance clear. "If I succeed in persuading Robb, I will reclaim the West from the traitors for Your Grace!"
"Mm." Stannis nodded. "One last thing. Your marriage. I will decide your marriage. You are not to defy your King again."
Jon nodded, then confessed about Roslin. "I have exchanged letters with Lady Roslin of House Frey. My father is gone, and my mother is likely long dead. If Your Grace could arrange for me to marry Lady Roslin, that would be best. But if Your Grace has another choice, I will obey."
Stannis stared at Jon for a moment, then said, "Fine. I know. You may go." He waved his hand impatiently.
Jon turned to leave, but after two steps, he turned back. "By the way, Your Grace... I am... still a Stark, correct?"