Chapter 69 CHAPTER 69
Ned walked out of the council chamber with a heavy heart and headed toward the Tower of the Hand.
Along the way, carriages and mounted knights continuously passed through the castle gates while servants and guards shouted endlessly throughout the courtyard, creating complete chaos.
Looking at the noisy and crowded Red Keep, Ned found himself missing Winterfell more than ever before.
"Damn Robert, and damn these finances!"
Ned cursed inwardly while thinking about how to solve the kingdom's enormous financial problems.
But then he recalled the number again.
"More than six million gold dragons in debt..."
"Old gods, why don't you just send me beyond the Wall to fight the Others instead?"
Ned walked while shaking his head and sighing weakly.
At this moment, he would rather face giants and wildlings beyond the Wall than haggle over every copper coin in King's Landing.
"Damn Robert!"
In the end, the Hand of the King could only curse the extravagant king once more in his heart.
He raised his head and walked toward the outer courtyard, returning along the path leading back to the Tower of the Hand.
But just as Ned passed through a gate and entered the inner courtyard, Littlefinger suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Lord Stark, you're heading the wrong way. Follow me."
After speaking, Petyr immediately turned and walked in another direction without waiting for Ned's response, seemingly unconcerned whether Ned would actually follow him or not.
Naturally, Ned became suspicious of what Littlefinger was planning.
After hesitating for a moment, he still chose to follow behind him.
Petyr led him into a stone tower and down a winding staircase.
The two passed through a sunken courtyard before continuing along a narrow and dilapidated corridor.
Dust-covered suits of armor stood silently on both sides like lifeless guards.
These were relics left behind by House Targaryen.
Ned followed behind for some time while looking at the dusty armor lining the corridor before finally frowning.
"This is not the way to my chambers."
"Did I say it was?"
Littlefinger replied without even turning around, his tone carrying faint mockery.
"I'm about to lead you into the dungeons, slit your throat, and seal your corpse behind a wall."
After pausing briefly, he casually explained,
"Lord Stark, we don't have time for idle chatter. Lady Catelyn is waiting for you."
The moment Catelyn's name was mentioned, Ned instantly stopped walking.
"What nonsense are you talking about?!"
"My lady is in Winterfell, thousands of miles north of here!"
Petyr finally stopped and turned around with interest.
"Oh?"
"So the woman waiting for you is an impostor?"
He stared at Ned's face for a moment before turning around once more.
"I'll only say this once more."
"Either follow me, or I'll keep her for myself."
After speaking, Littlefinger quickly continued down the stairs.
Left with no better option, Ned could only continue following cautiously behind him.
The two proceeded onward until they eventually arrived near a cliff overlooking the sea.
Ned looked at the twilight sky and realized they had already left the Red Keep.
His curiosity about Littlefinger's intentions only deepened further.
It was not until darkness completely covered the sky that the two finally reached their destination.
But the moment Ned saw the dilapidated three-story wooden building before him and heard music and laughter coming from the brightly lit windows, his face instantly darkened with anger.
"A brothel?!"
"You brought me all this way to a brothel?"
Littlefinger merely shrugged before replying seriously,
"Your wife is inside."
Ned could no longer suppress his anger.
He stepped forward, grabbed Petyr by the collar with one hand, and slammed him violently against the wall.
"Brandon was too merciful to you!"
At that moment, a familiar voice suddenly rang out nearby.
"My lord, stop! He's telling the truth!"
Ned immediately turned his head.
An unexpected figure entered his sight.
"Ser Rodrik?"
"What are you doing in King's Landing?"
Ser Rodrik gave a bitter smile and shook his head.
"It's a long story, my lord."
"My lady is waiting upstairs."
Ned's confusion only deepened.
"Catelyn is truly here?"
Rodrik nodded firmly.
"My lord, please follow me."
With a mind full of doubts, Ned followed Ser Rodrik into the brothel, through the noisy first floor, and up to the third story.
Upon arriving at a room, Rodrik stopped outside the door.
"My lord, I'll stand guard downstairs. Call for me if you need anything."
Ned nodded while watching Rodrik leave.
Only then did he slowly push open the door and enter.
The moment he stepped inside, he truly saw Catelyn.
"Ned..."
Completely ignoring Littlefinger still standing near the doorway, Catelyn rushed forward and tightly embraced her husband.
"Catelyn?"
Feeling his wife's familiar embrace, Ned asked in astonishment,
"Why are you in King's Landing?"
"And why are you hiding inside a brothel?"
Littlefinger stood quietly by the doorway, his smile stiffening slightly before he casually closed the door behind him.
Catelyn released Ned before glancing toward Petyr.
"I came because I have something extremely important to tell you."
"As for hiding here..."
Littlefinger smoothly continued the explanation.
"King's Landing is filled with spies from every noble house."
"Before attending the Small Council meeting earlier, I had already received news that Lady Catelyn had secretly entered the city."
"At the time, the situation was urgent."
"To avoid attracting attention, I could only hide her here temporarily. Otherwise, she would certainly have been discovered."
After hearing Petyr's explanation, the unease in Ned's heart only deepened.
He vaguely sensed that something terrible had happened.
"What important matter forced you to travel all the way to King's Landing?"
But instead of answering immediately, Catelyn first looked toward Littlefinger.
"Petyr, I'd like to speak with Ned alone for a moment."
Petyr's eyes flickered slightly.
He turned and reopened the door.
"Don't take too long."
"The Hand and I still need to return to the city quickly before anyone notices our absence."
Catelyn smiled gratefully toward him.
"I will never forget your help."
Petyr smiled and nodded.
"I'll wait downstairs."
With that, he turned, closed the door, and walked down toward the second floor before entering another room nearby.
Petyr skillfully walked to the side of the room and opened a hidden door.
A wooden ladder immediately appeared before him.
A strange smile slowly spread across his lips as he climbed back upward toward the third floor.
And directly beside the room where Ned and Catelyn were speaking.
The wooden walls inside the brothel had almost no soundproofing whatsoever.
Petyr stood silently inside the adjacent room while listening carefully as Catelyn began explaining why she had risked such a long journey south.
"Ned, I came because of Bran."
"Bran?"
"Listen to me first. Besides Theon Greyjoy, Joffrey was also involved in harming Bran."
"That man Joel was sent by Joffrey!"
The moment those words were spoken, Ned's entire body trembled violently.
"What nonsense are you talking about?!"
Knowing Ned would not believe her so easily, Catelyn immediately recounted Garon's investigation from beginning to end.
At the same time, she also took out the pouch embroidered with the crowned stag that Garon had sent through Roger.
Instantly, Ned stared at the pouch in disbelief while his emotions surged violently like a stormy sea.
"How is this possible?!"
"Why would the prince try to assassinate Bran?"
Catelyn answered bitterly,
"What other reason could there be?"
"It must be because of the tournament."
"Winterfell humiliated Joffrey, and afterward he sought revenge against Bran."
During her long journey from White Harbor to King's Landing, she had repeatedly wondered why Joffrey would attempt to murder Bran.
After thinking endlessly, she could only conclude that it stemmed from the humiliation Joffrey suffered during the tourney at Winterfell and his resulting hatred toward the North.
But Ned slowly shook his head.
"No."
"That reasoning doesn't fit."
"It definitely wasn't because of that."
His expression became increasingly troubled as countless clues rapidly flashed through his mind.
Suddenly, Garon's earlier words resurfaced clearly within his thoughts.
"You must understand that anyone capable of harming the Hand's family must possess enormous influence over the King. Perhaps even the King himself is deeply entangled in it."
Ned murmured softly,
"Who in King's Landing possesses such influence?"
Almost instantly, he blurted out,
"The Lannisters..."
Ned suddenly paused.
He recalled the Small Council meeting from earlier that day.
Even though no Lannister had physically attended, the entire meeting revolved around Lannister gold.
Ned's eyes gradually sharpened.
"It's the Lannisters."
Catelyn also immediately reacted.
"You mean the Queen and the Kingslayer instructed Joffrey to do it?"
Ned took a deep breath before replying solemnly,
"I'm afraid that is the only explanation."
"Before his death, Theon admitted he had dealings with Jaime Lannister."
"I suspect Bran discovered part of their conspiracy and they attempted to silence him."
"And now, even with Bran unconscious, they still refuse to let him live."
Catelyn looked at Ned with fear in her eyes.
"Then doesn't that mean you're in terrible danger here in King's Landing?"
"No."
"Now that I know the truth, the ones truly in danger are them."
Ned reassured her before revealing Garon's earlier advice.
"Back in Winterfell, Garon suggested that I seize control of the Gold Cloaks and firmly control the armed forces of King's Landing."
"As long as I command enough soldiers to suppress the city, the Queen and the Kingslayer won't be able to create much trouble."
After hearing Ned's plan, Catelyn finally relaxed slightly.
Meanwhile, Littlefinger's smile in the neighboring room grew wider and wider.
"So you also intend to control the Gold Cloaks."
"It seems I'll have to lend you a helping hand."
Petyr remained silently listening for a while longer.
Only after the two began exchanging affectionate words did he quietly leave the room.
He descended to the second floor, circled around the first floor for some time, and only after estimating enough time had passed did he return to the third floor.
Petyr gently knocked on the door.
"Lord Stark, it's almost time. We should return before suspicion arises."
Hearing the knock, Catelyn reluctantly opened the door and bid farewell to Ned.
Before leaving, she turned toward Petyr.
"Petyr, thank you for helping me this time."
"Please help Ned as you helped me."
"I will always regard you as a dear brother."
Littlefinger nodded meaningfully.
"I will."
He then looked toward Ned.
"I only hope Lord Stark no longer dislikes me."
Ned forced an awkward smile.
"Very well."
"My Hand, if you ever need anything, then for my lady's sake, I will do my best to assist you."
"Now, we truly should leave."
Petyr, now in an excellent mood, turned and led Ned out of the attic.
That very night, Catelyn and Ser Rodrik quietly departed King's Landing and began their return journey toward Winterfell.
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