The Iron Throne of Ice and Fire

Prime Minister's Tower.

Duke Eddard handed over the matter of serving the groom to Green, and he was responsible for investigating the kitchen girl, groom, and young waiter mentioned by Varys.

Duke Eddard was waiting in the study for the results of the investigation by the guard captain Jory Kelso. He casually picked up the books sent by Pycelle's waiter.

"The Genealogy and History of the Major Nobles of the Seven Kingdoms" was written by Maester Melion. Duke Eddard sat up and began to read slowly.

This book was over a hundred years old, and he felt that Pycelle was being honest for a rare moment. This book was really boring.

Duke Eddard read on patiently. He thought that since Jon Arryn had come to read this book, there must be a reason... There must be important clues and questions buried among these yellowed and fragile pages. It just depends on whether he can find out as soon as possible.

So what exactly is it? Lord Eddard frowned unconsciously.

He turned to the section on House Lannister.

The Lannister family has a long history, dating back to the trickster "Lan the Clever" during the Age of Heroes. He is as legendary as the Stark "Brandon the Builder", but more beloved by singers and storytellers.

In the ballad, Lann did not rely on swords. He drove the Kesdeli family out of Casterly Rock with his wit alone. He also stole gold from the sun to add luster to his curly hair. This is how the blond Lannister family came into being. .

According to legend, Lann lived for 312 years and gave birth to 100 brave sons and 100 agile daughters. The men were handsome and the women were beautiful. Their skills were strong and their golden hair was like the rays of the sun.

Later, there were so many Lannister descendants that Casterly Rock could no longer accommodate them all. Small branches of Casterly Rock families moved into nearby villages, and eventually the village became a town and then a city, becoming Lannisport.

Lord Eddard really wished that Lann was by his side right now to help him find out the damn secret in the book.

Boom, boom, boom.

Hearing a knock on the door, Lord Eddard closed the book that was giving him a headache, knowing that his captain of the guard had brought news.

"come in."

After Duke Ed finished speaking, Qiao Li opened the door and strode in, saluting: "My lord."

Duke Ed nodded his chin slightly and said, "What's the result?"

"I met everyone, and I talked to everyone individually. The first person was the groom who became the golden robe. He said that he knew Lord Arryn very well, and said that the two of them hit it off..."

Qiao Li snorted coldly and continued: "It is said that every time the boys name their names, Duke Arryn always rewards them with a few small coins. He also said that Duke Arryn is familiar with the nature of horses and never overworks his mounts. He also often He brought carrots and apples to the horses, so they liked him."

"Carrots and apples?"

Lord Eddard sounds like the groom has limited knowledge and cannot provide useful information.

"Tell me about the others."

"The second person is the kitchen girl. She said that Duke Irene always read late at night during that time. She also said that Duke Irene was always worried about his young son's frail body and was very rude to Lady Lysa."

Duke Eddard's gray eyes moved slightly, and he glanced at the book he had just read, and his tone was doubtful: "She said that Jon was rough to Lysa?"

Qiao Li nodded: "I'm sure, sir!"

After a moment of silence, Duke Eddard said, "Qory, please continue."

"The third person is a young waiter. He now makes a living by pulling carts. He has never spoken to Duke Aylin, but he has heard a lot of gossip, such as... Duke Aylin has often quarreled with the king recently. Duke Lin thought the food was not delicious. Duke Arryn planned to send his young son to Dragonstone Island as an adopted son. Duke Arryn suddenly became interested in raising hounds. Duke Arryn went to Steel Street to find a clever old blacksmith and commissioned him to build a hound. A brand new piece of armor, all plated with silver, with a falcon carved from blue jade and a moon made of mother-of-pearl on the chest."

After a pause, Jory added: "He also said that there was a time when Duke Arryn often went out on horseback."

Duke Ed was moved and asked, "Did you tell me where you went?"

"That boy said that Duke Arryn went to the Women's Branch."

Duke Ed frowned and said: "The female branch??"

He heard too many words about the women's branch today.

"He swore that what he said was true. He also said that he heard it from Lord Arryn's personal guards. When he was helping them lead their horses, they heard the guards joking about it."

Duke Ed was still in disbelief. He knew his adoptive father and he would never do anything to tarnish his honor unless... there was a reason why he had to go.

Also, the Jon Arryn that Duke Eddard knew would not wear jewel-encrusted silver armor. His adoptive father once taught him and Robert that armor is armor, and it is for self-defense, not decoration.

Jon has been in the Red Keep for more than ten years, and he may change his mind. No matter what, it will never be exactly the same as before. However, this change is too big, and Duke Eddard noticed something unusual.

Jon's personal bodyguards would surely have provided more useful clues, but they were all taken away to the Vale by Lady Lysa, damn it!

…………

Duke Ed planned to go to Steel Street to investigate for himself. As for the women's branch... he looked at his guard captain.

"Qiao Li, I leave the investigation of the Women's Branch to you."

Qiao Li said with a smile: "Sir, this is a hard job!"

…………

Duke Eddard left the study and walked to the stairs when he saw Petyr Baelish standing in front of the corridor window with his back to him.

Petyr noticed the movement. He turned around and bowed slightly towards Lord Eddard. The whole process was elegant and calm.

Petyr raised the corners of his lips, and his voice was hoarse and magnetic: "Prime Minister Ed, it seems you are going out?"

Running Wolf didn't like the cleverness and cunning exuded by Petyr, so he said to the guards: "You go down and prepare the horses first."

After everyone left, only Duke Eddard and Earl Petyr were left. He asked directly: "Petyr, why are you looking for me?"

Petyr was dressed neatly. He stood with his hands behind his back and said with a smile: "Prime Minister Eddard, it seems that the topic of women's daughters at the Royal Council still makes you still angry."

Duke Ed said coldly: "That's a royal meeting, not a tavern."

Petyr shrugged, his smile a little helpless: "The royal council you are sitting in is too serious, and everyone always needs time to adapt. I am just a jester who voluntarily serves."

Duke Eddard stared at Petyr with a sincere face for a while and said, "Petyr, you have no reason to do this. You should know very well that I don't like you."

Petyr's smile turned bitter: "Because I am a sentimental idiot. I am worried that Caitlin...Mrs. will hate me because she did not help her husband. Please keep my affairs a secret. I have been in the Red Keep all these years." I try my best to make others think that I am an evil and cruel person, but I really don’t want others to see the truth in me.”

Duke Eddard didn't believe a word of Petyr's words, but he didn't show it. Earl Greene's detailed analysis convinced him that anyone could be the murderer of Jon. The running wolf was very patient when hunting.

Duke Eddard said calmly: "Petyr, maybe you mean well, but I don't like this approach, and I don't trust you either."

Petyr's eyes flickered, and he didn't show any signs of strangeness because of Duke Eddard's words.

"Prime Minister Ed, you have adapted very quickly here. You are right not to trust me. You can't trust anyone in the Red Keep, including your own eyes."

Duke Eddard frowned. He was disgusted by their specious words. The Red Keep seemed like a fox's den.

Petyr leaned slightly, pointed to the place where he was standing before, and said, "Prime Minister Ed, please come here."

Seeing Duke Eddard's puzzled look, Petyr chuckled and said, "Come here, I'll show you something interesting."

Duke Eddard frowned and walked over.

Petyr stood beside Duke Eddard as if nothing had happened, and his eyes moved toward the window.

"There, past the square, at the door of the armory, can you see a young man squatting on the stairs sharpening a knife?"

Duke Eddard followed Petyr's gaze and said, "What's wrong with him?"

"He is Varys's spy. The Octopus Spider is interested in every move you make."

Duke Eddard said contemptuously: "It is a well-known fact that eunuchs have lackeys all over the world."

Petyr moved near the window and said, "Now look at the city wall, the farthest west side, above the stables. Do you see the guard leaning against the wall?"

"Is this man also the eunuch's lackey?"

Petyr shook his head slightly: "No, this guy is Queen Cersei's man. Please note that his eyes fell exactly on the door of this tower, and it was clear who entered and who came out. The two of them are far from all, there are many Even I don’t know, everyone knows that there are no secrets in the Red Keep.”

Duke Eddard was furious: "Is everyone in this damn Red Castle someone else's spy?"

Petyr nodded. He clapped his fingers and said, "Well, let me do the math. They have to monitor you, your children, your guards, your waiters...including anyone who comes into contact with you."

Finally, he joked: "Doing eyeliner is also very hard."

Duke Eddard said angrily: "I will clean up this place sooner or later!"

Petyr turned to Duke Eddard, he smiled and said: "I admire your determination and decisiveness, but I have to tell you that the Red Castle can never be clean. It would be better to let the White Walkers dance for you. easy."

Duke Eddard said solemnly: "Petyr, not everyone is willing to be someone else's lackey."

Petyr met Duke Ed's sharp gaze and said, "Everyone has a price, it's just that the number of golden dragons that impress him is different."

He spread his hands and continued leisurely: "This morning, a strange young man came to me. He took a few golden dragons from my pocket, and I know that last night our Prime Minister and the Queen were The Chief Steward has visited Pycelle and Varys hand in hand. Well... your whereabouts are now very valuable, second only to His Majesty Robert."

"damned!"

Duke Eddard couldn't help but curse, is this Robert's Red Keep? The whereabouts of the Prime Minister turned out to be a way for dirty people to earn gold dragons.

Petyr regained his elegant smile: "There are no secrets in the Red Keep. These are the rules of the game here. I hope you will adapt as soon as possible, my Prime Minister."

Duke Eddard took a breath, paused, and said in a deep voice: "Petyr, thank you for your special reminder, but I will never comply with the bad rules of the game in the Red Keep."

Petyr shrugged his shoulders and said: "Prime Minister Eddard, you Starks are as stubborn as the rumors. I dare say you will fall down with a bang one day, and I believe it won't take long to hear. To the sound of cracking.”

He shook his head and sighed: "I guess you are planning to let your men visit the women's branch? Do you know how many women's branches there are in King's Landing? And you should be very clear by now how eye-catching your whereabouts are... …”

Before Petyr could finish his words, Duke Eddard's big hand suddenly grabbed his shoulder, and then his back hit the wall.

Duke Eddard drew out his dagger and pointed it at Petyr's pointed chin with a beard, and said coldly: "Littlefinger, it seems that you have also set your sights on me, and you are still standing in front of me so upright. You should know that this is What crime?"

Petyr lowered his eyes and glanced at the dagger with a cold light, and mocked: "Stark, you are not the only one who is investigating the cause of Prime Minister Jon's death. Don't forget that I was once the Prime Minister's political officer, and I was the leader of Prime Minister Jon." I was promoted to the position of Imperial Minister...hiss..."

Lord Eddard tightened his grip on Petyr's shoulders, and he couldn't help but scream in pain.

"How did you know that I wanted to investigate the Women's Branch?"

"Ha~ Your men are acting with great fanfare, do you think everyone else is blind and deaf? Besides, I have been investigating this matter secretly. It is not difficult to guess, right?"

Duke Ed put down his dagger: "Do you have any other clues?"

Petyr straightened his clothes first and then said: "Prime Minister Ed, impulsiveness cannot solve the problem. Because of Kate, I want to help you as much as possible... Only an idiot would do this. I regret coming to you. Got it!"

Duke Ed put away the dagger, paused, and said, "Sorry."

"Haha~ You are so insincere."

Petyr shook his head slightly with a look of helplessness, and continued: "The people I arranged will guide your men to the women's branch that Duke Jon visited."

He straightened his hair again and said: "Stark, don't ask me why I didn't report my suspicions about Prime Minister Jon's death to King Robert. I am just a small nobleman from the Five Fingers Peninsula. I am of a low profile, not to mention that I have no hands at all." Without evidence, I can only investigate and collect evidence secretly."

Duke Ed still had a serious face: "I am very grateful for your help. Maybe I should believe you."

"No, never trust anyone. You can't trust anyone in the Red Fort, including your own eyes."

Petyr smiled elegantly and added: "I can't wait too long. I just happened to pass by today. I was going to attend the dinner arranged by Countess Tanda. She intended to marry her youngest daughter to me, so there were always delicious food on the table. It's very rich... To be honest, I'd rather marry a pig. Well... don't tell her about this, I really like her eel pie."

After saying that, Petyr nodded slightly and turned to leave.