"Hahahahaha!"
Hearty laughter echoed in the room after Jon left.
Stannis and Davos looked at each other and laughed—a rare moment of genuine cheer between them.
Especially considering they had just scraped through a pyrrhic victory.
Jon had always acted like a "saint," prioritizing brotherhood and loyalty to his King. When Stannis insisted on deciding his marriage, Jon had even honestly confessed his "romantic history."
And that history amounted to a handful of letters exchanged with a girl he had met exactly once!
Both Davos and Stannis could see that Old Walder Frey had arranged the meeting between Jon and Roslin specifically to drive a wedge between Jon and Robb. But this "silly boy" actually thought he was in love.
Yet, that question he asked right before leaving showed that the young man was still human, that deep down, he had his own desires.
Realizing that Jon's "desire" was simply to have what some were born with—a name—made Davos's heart ache for him.
"Your Grace, do you think Jon can do it? Can he really convince the Northerners to set aside their crown?" Davos asked worriedly. He hated the idea of such a promising young man walking down a dead-end road.
Stannis handed him a report. Davos reached for it, then Stannis remembered his Hand couldn't read, so he summarized the contents himself.
"This is intelligence from Varys. When Jon sent ravens across the realm proclaiming me the rightful King, he also informed Robb of Tywin's escape route. However, Rickard Karstark and Brynden Tully had a falling out. Brynden let Tywin slip through his fingers and return to the Westerlands."
"So that means..." Davos began, sounding pleasantly surprised, but Stannis finished for him.
"So that means cracks have already formed between the Northern lords and the Riverlords. Jon has a chance. Furthermore, House Frey has sworn fealty to me. Without our permission, Robb might not even be able to return to Winterfell." Stannis spoke with ease, even leaning back in his chair.
"Your Grace, please allow me to go with Jon." Stannis looked at the travel-worn Davos and nodded.
Just as Davos was leaving the study, Stannis added, "Rest well for the next two days. You will depart after the Tyrells arrive."
Hearing the words "rest well" from Stannis made Davos's nose sting with emotion.
He bowed deeply to his King. All the hardship felt worth it.
"The Florents have always coveted the title of Warden of the West. They questioned Jon's loyalty. Now, I suspect they will have nothing left to say," Stannis said gravely.
The title of Lord of Casterly Rock and Warden of the West didn't have to be bound together. Robert had once considered naming Jaime Lannister Warden of the East, after all.
If not for the need to secure military command over the entire Westerlands, Jon wouldn't have gone to all this trouble.
When Jon returned to his residence near the Old Gate, Martin was guarding the door. Sansa and Arya had been waiting for a long time.
"My lord, how did it go? What did King Stannis want?" Martin took three steps in one to reach Jon.
"Jon, next time you run away, take me with you! If you take me, you won't get caught!" Arya suggested, but Sansa cut her off.
"Jon is a Duke now. You are not to speak of running away." She looked at Jon shyly. "You're still a Duke, and still a Stark, right?"
"Yes, I am," Jon confirmed. Sansa breathed a sigh of relief. Then Jon added, "But His Grace wants me to be the Duke of Casterly Rock and Warden of the West."
"What?!" The Frey brothers popped out from nowhere. Ryman Frey looked incredulous. "Casterly Rock? But... Tywin is still inside Casterly Rock!"
Jon explained the situation: he had to convince Robb to give up his crown first, then lead an army to conquer the West. Only after taking the castle would he truly be the Duke of Casterly Rock.
"Good! Jon, I believe you can defeat Tywin."
"Take me with you! Take me with you!"
The sisters reacted differently—one out of adoration, the other out of sheer recklessness.
House Frey naturally preferred a son-in-law who was Duke of Casterly Rock over a Duke of Harrenhal, but the risk was enormous.
Stevron tried to persuade him. "Jon, I'm not saying your choice is wrong, but I believe a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Harrenhal is ruined, yes, but the lands are vast, and the Gods Eye is right there. If you manage it well, in ten years you'll be one of the top lords in the Riverlands. But the Westerlands..."
Stevron trailed off. He thought Jon was biting off more than he could chew.
Jon knew the Freys were driven by profit, so he didn't mention that Harrenhal was still his "fallback" option.
Beric and Thoros also expressed their concerns. Leaving aside how to persuade Robb, the Westerlands were a nightmare to invade.
Even with the Ironborn's help, Robb hadn't dared attack Casterly Rock, contenting himself with ambushing Tywin at the Red Fork.
"Jon, Casterly Rock is a mountain of solid stone! Seven hundred feet high? No, it's three times the height of the Wall! Think about how many lives it would cost to take it!" Beric hoped Jon would abandon this unrealistic dream.
There were even more difficulties Beric didn't mention. The Lannisters had ruled the West for thousands of years. There were countless cadet branches bearing the name.
Even if Jon took the Rock, how would he govern?
Would he have to sleep with a dagger under his pillow every night?
Stannis's decision soon spread. Alester Florent, still acting Hand, was ordered by Stannis to prepare at least five thousand troops. If Jon succeeded in persuading Robb, these troops would support Jon's campaign in the West.
As Master of Whisperers, Varys naturally found out. He came to Jon that evening with gifts and "sincerity."
At dusk, Varys found Jon when everyone else was off guard.
"So, it seems you've decided to attack Casterly Rock?"
"Opportunities in life are limited. Since I have this chance, why shouldn't I try?"
Seeing Jon's frankness, Varys said nothing outwardly but approved internally. Attacking the West would take at least three to five years. Even if Jon succeeded quickly, he would face a massive insurgency as an outsider.
He would face endless rebellions, Ironborn raids, and pressure from the Reach.
Either way, it benefited Varys's plans. So, he decided to give Jon a little "push."
"Jon, do you remember that 'friend' I mentioned?"
"Mm." Jon nodded, curious how the Spider would spin his web this time.
"He is actually a Magister from Pentos. You've heard of Pentos? My friend deals in dragonbone and other such goods. I thought a young man of your talents would shine brightly across the Narrow Sea, and he would surely trust and employ you."
Jon played along. "Sounds like your friend is more of a merchant. I only know how to fight. What use would a merchant have for me?"
Varys smiled. "He is not merely a merchant; he is a Magister. A Magister naturally needs his own armed forces."
"Ah, I see."
"But now you have a better path. I have contacted my friend, and he is willing to invest at least three hundred thousand gold dragons in you. Use it to hire sellswords or develop your lands. In return, you simply need to grant him a title, perhaps an earldom, once you succeed." Varys smiled appropriately. "The Free Cities are free, yes, but they are a jungle where the strong eat the weak. He longs for the stability of Westeros."
"He thinks Westeros is stable? Gods, there must be an eighth hell I don't know about." Jon cracked a small joke.
He accepted the money gladly.
The Westerlands didn't just have gold under Casterly Rock. There were mines at the Golden Tooth, Castamere, and at least a dozen other gold and silver mines.
In other words, once he took the West, Jon would be wealthy. But no one complains about having too much gold.
"Please thank him for his kindness. However, two hundred thousand will suffice. For the remaining hundred thousand, please have him purchase supplies and send them to the Wall. The weather is turning cold here; I fear it will be even worse up there."
"Of course. No problem at all," Varys promised with a smile.
In his view, Jon attacking the West would drain Westeros's strength. If Jon succeeded, there might be a chance to bring him into the fold later.
Varys had thought Jon was purely ambitious, but his concern for the Wall seemed to exceed expectations.
An ambitious man with a sense of responsibility? Varys noted silently.
They chatted pleasantly over tea before Varys left.
The news of Jon being named Duke of Casterly Rock was circulating only within the inner circle of power. The common folk didn't know yet.
The people of King's Landing only knew that Jon had refused Stannis's reward and tried to flee to the Wall to serve.
Some called him a fool; others called him a true knight.
Even the antler-men Jon had helped began to spread the name "Jon the Noble."
And honestly, "Jon the Noble" sounded a lot better than "Jon the Bastard."
Soon, the news that Jon had finally accepted a reward reached Sandor Clegane's ears. He sought Jon out again. At first, the guards blocked him, but after he stood at the gate for two full days, Robert Frey finally brought him to Jon.
Looking at the nearly seven-foot giant explaining his purpose, Jon asked, "So you don't plan to return to the Westerlands at all? You just want to stay by my side because I killed your brother?"
"Yes, my lord." Sandor nodded, pledging his loyalty. "My skill may not match my brother's, but I promise you, few men in the kingdom can stand against me."
"My lord, please allow me to serve you."