This development made the usually confident Master of Coin feel a sense of crisis for the first time in his life.
Fortunately, despite being entangled in such scandalous rumors, Lady Lysa maintained a strictly "host-and-visitor" relationship with the suitors. Instead, she poured most of her energy into her secret rendezvous with Petyr.
Of course, Littlefinger had considered which bastard was stirring up trouble behind the scenes.
But no matter how he investigated, he couldn't find any dirt on Varys.
However, if he had been willing to adjust his focus slightly and look toward Jon, he might have found the unexpected answer long ago.
Yes, ever since Lady Lysa arrived in King's Landing, Jon had begun plotting for power in the Vale.
Although from any logical angle, Jon shouldn't have been able to covet such things, from a transmigrator's perspective, there was a method to seize control of the Vale.
It just required him to pay a significant price.
So, before initiating this plan, Jon had to weigh the costs carefully before making a final decision.
Setting that aside, what Jon wanted most right now was his own military force, not just influence over others.
If possible, he really needed to take a step further—like kicking that dog, Janos Slynt, out of the position of Commander of the City Watch.
However, achieving this was proving tricky for Jon.
But as the saying goes, two heads are better than one. Just as Jon felt stuck, Cersei reached out to him again.
When he saw the palpable disgust on her handmaiden's face, he guessed that the poor girl must have suffered quite a bit since Cersei became pregnant.
Jon could understand why she looked at him like that. After all, he was the root cause of her troubles.
Fortunately, the Baron of Tampa was prepared. As he rose to greet her, he reached into his drawer and pulled out an exquisite crystal vial.
He generously pressed it into the handmaiden's hand, using the opportunity to gather some intel.
"This is a miraculous drop from the Shadow Lands of Asshai. Just a single drop will release a continuous, exotic fragrance. Please accept this as an apology for your hard work..."
As he spoke, Jon maintained a winning smile, instantly maximizing the emotional value for the previously resentful maid.
When she took the delicate crystal bottle, she was shocked to find it inlaid with tiny sapphires forming a brilliant blue rose.
The value of the bottle alone was far beyond her imagination.
Such a unique handcrafted item naturally soothed the maid's feelings. As for the "miraculous drop" inside, that was no longer her concern.
On the way to the Red Keep, Jon learned from the maid that the situation wasn't what he thought. Cersei genuinely had something to discuss with him.
Receiving this warning, Jon frowned slightly. But before he could ask what the trouble was, he saw a familiar figure standing outside Cersei's door.
The guard blocking the entrance wasn't a red-cloaked Lannister soldier. Instead, it was a massive figure looming nearly a head and a half taller than him.
Normally, Jon might have scoffed at the hound-shaped helmet.
But now, looking at that terrifying, burned face, the Baron of Tampa felt a surge of genuine gratitude.
Although he often reminisced about the taste of the Queen, times had changed. Any small misstep now could invite unimaginable destruction.
When these troubles were piled onto the head of the instigator, Jon had no way to deal with them.
Fortunately, the Hound's presence saved Jon from these awkward complications, and he finally understood what the maid meant by "the situation has changed."
Clearly, even though Cersei could block many people, she couldn't lock out her own children.
Leaving aside the innocent Myrcella and Tommen, Joffrey was practically an adult. Even without experience raising children, he could likely sense from various clues that his mother's sudden reclusiveness had something to do with the growing bump in her belly.
Jon deduced this because the Hound was standing here, guarding the door, instead of being inseparable from his master, Joffrey.
The Hound was likely here to keep away "unnecessary trouble"—like the certain someone who had gotten his mother pregnant.
With this in mind, Jon pondered how to enter Cersei's room.
Regarding this woman who caused him endless headaches, the Baron was reluctant, but he had to deal with the Queen patiently.
Whether out of moral concern for a pregnant woman or for the sake of future political balance, maintaining this relationship had obvious benefits.
However, the immediate problem was how to bypass the stubborn brute, Sandor Clegane.
Although Jon admitted the guy possessed a rare (if cynical) knightly spirit in Westeros, that loyalty wasn't directed at him. It was pledged to Joffrey.
Convincing the Hound to stand down was a practical challenge.
Just as Jon frowned, trying to think of a way to persuade his former defeated opponent, the Hound squatting by the door spotted him.
When their gazes met, even the other guards outside could feel the invisible clash of steel.
Although time had passed—and Jon had taken a punch from the Hound after his "tricky" duel victory—the score between them didn't seem settled.
Just as Jon prepared some opening remarks to break the ice, the Hound suddenly curled his lip and jerked his chin at him reluctantly.
"Heard... you cut off the Mountain's nose?"
This question, coming out of nowhere, choked Jon's prepared speech back into his chest. His eyes filled with confusion.
Seeing this reaction, Sandor Clegane awkwardly rubbed his thinning hair and clarified with deliberate effort.
"What I mean is... good job. Thanks for the help, Lord Jon!"
"Huh?"
At this moment, Jon realized two things: small talk wasn't his talent, and he had no idea what game the Hound was playing.
But after a moment, he understood. The Hound was approving of his actions.
Clearly, seeing his mad brother suffer was the most beautiful thing in the world to Sandor Clegane.
As he said this, the Hound, who had been guarding the door, shouldered his greatsword and roared at the other guards.