The smile on Lynn's face slowly cooled as Arya disappeared down the corridor, eventually vanishing completely.
He returned to his room and closed the door. He was alone, save for the longsword resting across his knees.
"When I grow up, I want to marry you."
Marry him?
Lynn clenched his fist. Just surviving like this was far from enough! Living on Ned Stark's pity and suspicion, living on Maester Luwin's ointments and observation. This feeling of his fate being held in another's hands made Lynn tremble deep in his bones.
He didn't want charity. What he wanted was the qualification to speak as an equal with the name Stark. He wanted supreme power.
As a transmigrator, Lynn knew all the messy affairs of Game of Thrones. This was his unique advantage, apart from the Three-Eyed Raven.
Lynn's gaze fell on the blue panel only he could see.
And he had the System! This was his most important capital. Survival was just the first step. Now, he wanted more!
---
The King's horn finally sounded over Winterfell. The sound was loud and long, carrying the unique grandeur and flamboyance of the South, tearing through the quiet Northern morning.
All of Winterfell came alive.
Looking down from the highest point of the main keep, a massive procession, like a long golden dragon, was slowly approaching along the Kingsroad.
The Crowned Stag banner of House Baratheon and the Roaring Lion banner of House Lannister snapped in the Northern wind. Knights' armor flashed dazzlingly in the sunlight. Ladies' carriages were decorated with magnificent curtains.
In the courtyard, the Stark family was already waiting in their finest attire.
Ned Stark wore a grey fur cloak, his expression solemn. Lady Catelyn stood beside him, wearing an impeccable smile. Robb, in newly tailored leather armor, stood tall like a young pine tree. Sansa wore a sky-blue dress, her cheeks flushed with excitement, her eyes constantly darting toward the golden-haired prince at the front of the procession.
Arya wore an iron helm that looked ridiculous on her, her face full of impatience. Little Rickon hid behind his mother, peeking out curiously. Bran, the ever-energetic boy, was there too.
Lynn stood behind an inconspicuous pillar, far from the center of the crowd, watching this grand meeting like an outsider.
The heavy sound of hooves and wheels crushing the ground grew closer.
Robert Baratheon, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, dismounted. It wasn't hard to spot him; Robert was six-foot-five, towering like a giant tower among the crowd. It would be hard not to notice him!
His body was bloated, his face fleshy, the heroic bearing of the "Demon of the Trident" from his youth long gone. back then, clad in armor with a great antlered helm, he was a veritable giant. His warhammer was so heavy even Ned struggled to lift it. Now, things had thoroughly changed.
But the majesty of a king still made everyone bow their heads.
After the guards placed the mounting block, Robert finally dismounted. Ned led his family to kneel on one knee.
Robert walked quickly to Ned with a cold face. He curled his finger upward slightly, signaling Ned to stand and speak.
Only after Ned stood up did Catelyn and the rest of the family slowly rise.
"Ned!"
"Haven't heard from you in years."
Robert's booming voice, tinged with displeasure, echoed in the courtyard.
Ned bowed respectfully first, then said, "Guarding the North for you, Your Grace. Winterfell is yours."
Robert examined Ned, whom he hadn't seen in years. After a long while, he spoke slowly. "You've got fat."
Ned shrugged slightly. Then he signaled with his eyes for Robert to look at his own out-of-shape figure.
Robert broke first and laughed, and Ned joined him. Then Robert opened his arms and gave Ned a solid bear hug. He followed with a hug for Catelyn.
Then he began to inspect Ned's children, sparing no praise for each of them.
Following closely behind were Queen Cersei Lannister and her twin brother, Jaime Lannister. They were dazzling. Cersei was as beautiful as the rumors said, with deep emerald eyes and golden curls revealing her nobility. Jaime was even more so—a born lion, with a handsome face and shining golden hair, exuding an innate sense of superiority.
They wore polite smiles, but the smiles didn't reach their eyes.
Seeing the Lannisters appear, Ned's expression darkened slightly. The Lannisters of Casterly Rock were the last great house to join Robert's cause during the rebellion. They only declared their stance when Robert and Ned's victory was all but certain. Ned hated such opportunistic people the most.
On the other hand, Jaime was the "Kingslayer," and Ned had always looked down on him. Even with Jaime's formidable martial prowess, Ned's opinion remained unchanged.
Lynn's gaze lingered on them briefly. He knew that beneath those gorgeous skins lay secrets enough to overturn the entire kingdom!
Cersei walked elegantly to Ned, smiling superficially, then extended the back of her hand.
Ned kissed her hand and said respectfully, "Your Grace."
Catelyn also curtsied respectfully. "Your Grace."
Cersei nodded slightly and gave a small smile.
Seeing that the pleasantries were mostly done, Robert got straight to the point. "Ned, take me to the crypts."
Ned knew Robert wanted to see Lyanna Stark's statue. Every deceased Stark was buried in the crypts, with a statue carved by stonemasons. Ned's late father, older brother, and sister were all there.
Ned didn't agree immediately. Instead, he looked at Cersei first.
Sure enough, Cersei's face looked very unpleasant. Lyanna was the love of Robert's life. Even though she had been taken by Rhaegar and died, she was more important than his lawful wife.
Cersei had originally liked Robert. Unfortunately, Robert only treated her as a tool for the alliance between Baratheon and Lannister. Cersei would never forget that on their wedding night, a drunk Robert had called out Lyanna's name while bedding her! This was the shame of her life!
Thinking of this, Cersei's expression turned cold. "My love, we've been traveling for a month. surely the dead can wait."
Robert glared at his Queen, ignoring her reaction. "Ned." He jerked his head at Ned, signaling him to follow.
Ned glanced at Cersei before following Robert. The atmosphere was a bit oppressive.
Arya asked Bran in confusion, "Where's the Imp?"
The Imp was Cersei and Jaime's younger brother. A born dwarf. "The Imp" was his nickname.
Cersei heard Arya's whispered question. Her face darkened as she walked toward Jaime.
"Where is our little beast of a brother?"
"Go find him."