Chapter 31 CHAPTER 31
Bran Stark, who had just narrowly escaped falling to his death, was still completely bewildered and had yet to understand what was happening.
But Theon Greyjoy was different.
The moment Jaime spoke, terror filled Theon's face, and even his legs began trembling uncontrollably.
Seeing his reaction, Jaime immediately realized that Theon must have overheard every word of his and Cersei's conversation.
As for Bran, the boy was merely an unfortunate accident.
In fact, Jaime almost felt grateful toward him.
If Bran had not suddenly spoken up, Jaime might never have discovered that Theon was eavesdropping outside the tower.
Jaime calmly observed the two boys while silently considering how to deal with them.
"No matter what they heard or saw, neither of them can simply walk away."
"But if both disappear at the same time, Ned Stark will immediately realize something is wrong."
"One must die first in a believable accident. The other can be dealt with later."
Jaime's thoughts moved rapidly, and within moments he already had a plan.
His cold gaze shifted between Theon and Bran before finally settling upon Theon.
"Theon Greyjoy…"
His tone carried an inexplicable calmness.
"Do you wish to live or die?"
Theon froze.
He could not understand Jaime's attitude at all.
"What… what do you mean?"
Despite his fear, he still forced himself to appear brave.
"Ser Jaime, you'd better think carefully before acting."
"This is Winterfell."
"I am Lord Stark's ward, and Bran is his trueborn son."
"You… you should let us go."
Beside Jaime, Cersei stared in shock and fury.
She had never expected Jaime to even consider allowing them to survive.
But the instant she opened her mouth, Jaime glanced back at her and calmly said:
"Trust me, Cersei."
Cersei immediately fell silent again.
She clutched her clothes tightly while glaring coldly at Theon and Bran.
At this moment, a trace of murderous intent appeared in Jaime's eyes. He slowly flexed his fingers, producing faint cracking sounds from his knuckles.
"You heard everything."
"You saw everything."
"Little squid, do you really believe I can simply pretend nothing happened and allow you to leave?"
Jaime leaned closer toward Theon and lowered his voice.
"But if you become one of us, the situation changes entirely."
"One of you?" Theon asked in confusion.
On the surface, he appeared uncertain, but inwardly he did not believe a single word Jaime said.
After all, he had witnessed the Queen committing incest with her own brother.
If their positions were reversed, he would never spare a witness either.
Theon slowly pulled Bran closer while secretly looking around for any possible chance to escape.
Jaime noticed everything clearly.
But as one of the greatest swordsmen in the Seven Kingdoms, he did not consider Theon capable of escaping from him.
"That's right," Jaime continued calmly. "One of us."
Pretending not to notice Theon's small movements, Jaime chuckled softly.
"Theon, I know you've never truly belonged in Winterfell."
"You are Balon Greyjoy's heir."
"How can the son of the Iron Islands willingly serve the family that defeated his father?"
As he spoke, Jaime carefully observed Theon's changing expression.
"Now listen carefully."
"If you kill the Stark boy, I'll pretend none of this ever happened."
"Not only that, I'll have the Queen persuade Robert to release you from Winterfell and allow you to return home to inherit the Iron Islands."
Theon's entire body trembled.
He never imagined Jaime would force him to murder Bran Stark with his own hands.
"You… you're insane…"
But Jaime heard the hesitation hidden beneath his refusal, and the smile in his eyes deepened.
Like a devil whispering temptation, Jaime continued softly:
"Theon, think carefully about your life here."
"Think about last night."
"You merely spoke a few truths at the feast, and yet the Starks immediately rebuked you."
"You are the heir of Pyke, equal in status to any Stark."
"And yet you live here like a hostage, enduring humiliation and unfair treatment."
Jaime clicked his tongue mockingly.
"Even the Seven themselves would pity you."
Theon's expression became increasingly conflicted, and his grip on Bran unconsciously tightened.
By now, even Bran understood that something was terribly wrong.
The Kingslayer clearly meant to harm him.
Bran instinctively tried to pull away from Theon, but Theon held him tightly.
"Theon, what are you doing?"
"Don't listen to him!"
"He's lying to you!"
Bran's eyes filled with tears as fear overtook him.
He desperately tried to retreat toward the broken window behind him, but there was nowhere left to go.
Jaime ignored Bran entirely and instead gave Theon his final ultimatum.
"Little squid."
"Either you kill the Stark boy…"
"Or I kill both of you."
"Choose."
Theon's eyes turned bloodshot.
Memories of growing up beside the Stark children flashed through his mind.
He wanted to refuse.
But then came memories of the feast from the night before, of Ned's anger, Robb's coldness, and Galon Glover humiliating him before everyone.
Those memories slowly crushed his resistance.
Finally, in a hoarse voice, Theon asked:
"How do I know you'll keep your word?"
Jaime burst into laughter.
There was even a trace of mockery in his eyes.
"You kill him, and we hold your secret."
"You hold ours."
"That way, neither side can betray the other."
"Simple, isn't it?"
Cersei finally understood Jaime's plan, and malicious amusement flickered through her eyes.
"Not only that," she added smoothly, "you'll gain the friendship of House Lannister."
"I'm sure you've heard the saying."
"A Lannister always pays his debts."
Theon had already begun surrendering inwardly.
Still, with bloodshot eyes, he continued bargaining desperately.
"That's not enough."
"You must swear before the Seven that you'll send me back to the Iron Islands as soon as possible."
Jaime looked mildly surprised, but after exchanging a glance with Cersei, both of them agreed.
The moment Jaime and Cersei swore the oath, Bran's fear finally exploded completely.
He struggled violently and tried to flee.
But Theon held him firmly.
In desperation, Bran suddenly bit down hard onto Theon's wrist.
"Ah!"
Theon cried out in pain.
Instinctively, he struck Bran across the face, and blood from his bitten wrist splattered across Bran's cheeks.
Ignoring the burning pain on his face, Bran desperately tried to rush past Jaime and escape.
But Theon quickly recovered and grabbed him again.
"You little bastard!"
Rage completely overwhelmed Theon's remaining reason.
Dragging Bran toward the shattered window, he hesitated only briefly before shoving him outward.
Bran screamed.
His hands clawed wildly at empty air, but this time there was nothing left to grab.
The courtyard below rushed toward him with terrifying speed.
Then came a sickening impact.
Jaime leaned slightly out the window and looked downward.
Below the tower, Bran lay motionless in a pool of blood while his direwolf Summer howled mournfully beside him.
"Well done," Jaime said calmly while patting Theon on the shoulder.
Then his expression turned cold again.
"If you want to survive, do exactly as I say."
"No matter who asks, you were never here today."
"Do you understand?"
Theon nodded stiffly like a puppet.
Jaime's eyes grew colder still.
"After leaving here, immediately bandage your wrist."
"Then come find me in the guest chambers."
"Now get out of here."
Only after Jaime spoke did Theon fully realize what he had done.
He had just murdered Bran Stark.
His entire body trembled violently as he rushed down the Broken Tower without daring to look back.
After Theon left, Jaime did not immediately depart with Cersei.
Instead, he carefully inspected the tower room to ensure nothing had been left behind.
Only after confirming everything was clean did Jaime effortlessly pick up Cersei and leap swiftly down the spiral stairs toward the base of the tower.
Cersei wrapped her arms around Jaime's neck and asked quietly:
"Why did you let that little squid go?"
"What exactly are you planning?"
Jaime continued descending the tower with ease while replying calmly:
"I never intended to spare him."
"I only needed to calm him first."
"If both boys suddenly died together, even Ned Stark would realize something was wrong."
Cersei smirked slightly.
"That squid is a coward. When do you intend to dispose of him?"
Jaime glanced at her calmly.
"Cowards are easier to control."
"Don't worry."
"He won't dare speak while we remain in Winterfell."
"And once we return to King's Landing…"
A cold glint flashed through Jaime's eyes.
"I'll arrange for someone to silence him permanently."
Cersei thought for a moment before giggling softly.
"And afterward, we can send his corpse back to Balon Greyjoy."
"After all, our oath never promised we'd return him alive."
Jaime merely shook his head without replying.
When the twins finally reached the base of the tower, they quietly slipped away through another passage while no one was nearby.
Above the Broken Tower, the black raven continued circling silently overhead.
It watched Jaime and Cersei depart.
It watched Theon flee in terror.
Only after servants finally discovered Bran Stark lying broken in the courtyard below did the raven flap its wings and disappear into the gray northern sky.
Before long, all of Winterfell descended into panic.