Chapter 15:
One month later.
King's Landing, at the foot of Visenya's Hill.
This area used to be a dilapidated district near Flea Bottom, where the air always carried the stench of mold. But recently, the changes here had become the talk of every commoner in the city.
The newly risen star — "Godslayer" Baron Pompey — had gone mad.
Not only had he spent a fortune buying up large swaths of surrounding ruins and expelling all the vagrants (though he did give them travel money), he had also hired over a hundred craftsmen who worked day and night, hammering and building without rest.
And today was the day the miracle would be witnessed.
In the back garden of the new Pompey residence.
A structure that the people of Westeros could only describe as a "divine wonder" sparkled under the sunlight.
It was not a stone castle, nor a wooden house.
It was a massive greenhouse built entirely from transparent "crystal" (actually reinforced glass from the system) and steel frames.
[System Building: Primary Ecological Greenhouse (Completed)] [Features: Constant Temperature Control (25°C), Photosynthesis Acceleration +200%, Disaster and Disease Resistance.] [Current Crops: Out-of-season strawberries, improved wheat, and… high-yield potatoes.]
"Gods above…"
Alice, with her slightly rounded belly, was supported by old steward Morsen as she stepped into the greenhouse. Just moments ago outside it had been the bleak, cold wind of late autumn. The moment she entered, a warm, moist air filled with the scent of soil and fruit washed over her.
She stared at the vines heavy with bright red fruit and couldn't close her mouth in shock. "Husband… are these… strawberries? In this season?"
In Westeros, strawberries were a gift of summer. Now, with winter approaching, a single fresh strawberry cost nearly its weight in gold.
"Taste one."
Victor plucked the largest, ripest berry and gently placed it in Alice's mouth.
The sweet-and-sour juice burst across her tongue. Alice narrowed her eyes in pure bliss, and the discomfort of her recent morning sickness seemed to vanish instantly.
"This 'Crystal Palace' was built for you — and for our child."
Victor gently wiped the juice from the corner of her lips. "The world outside is about to grow cold, but in House Pompey, it will always be spring."
Alice's eyes filled with tears of emotion as she tightly hugged Victor's arm. Although she occasionally caught the faint scent of women's perfume on him, and although she knew many women outside coveted her husband, as long as she had this Crystal Palace and his exclusive favor, she was content.
[Ding! Primary Wife Alice's Happiness has exploded!] [Family Cohesion +50!] [Fetal Development Status: Excellent (Mother's mood is joyful).]
Just as the warm moment lingered, old steward Morsen hurried in, breaking the peace.
"My lord," Morsen lowered his voice. "The Hand of the King has arrived. He… doesn't look well."
…
Inside the study.
Eddard Stark (Ned) sat in a chair, holding the thick book titled The Lineages and Histories of the Great Noble Houses of the Seven Kingdoms. His eyes were sunken, his stubble unkempt, and his entire being radiated the exhaustion of a man on the verge of collapse.
Over the past month, he had followed the trail of Jon Arryn's death and finally uncovered the shocking secret.
"Pompey."
Ned looked up. His grey eyes were bloodshot. "You are a clever man, and an honorable knight. There are some things… I don't know who else to tell."
Victor sat across from him, casually holding a cup of hot tea, but his mind was crystal clear.
Ned had found out.
He had discovered that Joffrey, Tommen, and Myrcella were all the products of Cersei and Jaime's incest. He had learned that King Robert had no trueborn heirs.
"If you have something on your mind, Lord Hand, I am willing to listen."
Victor didn't expose the truth directly. Instead, he played the perfect listener.
"Bloodline…" Ned's fingers tapped heavily on the page, his voice trembling. "Baratheon blood is strong. No matter who a Baratheon mates with — even a Lannister — the child always has black hair."
"But Robert's three children… they are all golden-haired."
At this point, Ned closed his eyes in pain.
This wasn't just adultery. This was treason — a scandal that could shake the very foundation of the realm. Once revealed, the entire Seven Kingdoms would be plunged into war.
"What do you plan to do?" Victor asked calmly. "Tell Robert?"
"Robert would kill Cersei, kill Jaime, and even kill those three children." Ned shook his head bitterly. "I don't want to see children bleed — even if they are Lannister bastards."
"You are too merciful, my lord."
Victor sighed. This was Ned Stark — his honor was both his armor and his shroud. In the game of thrones, mercy was suicide.
"I intend to speak with Cersei," Ned said suddenly, his eyes hardening with resolve. "I'll give her a chance to take the children and flee King's Landing before Robert returns."
Victor's eyelid twitched.
This was the stupidest thing Ned had done in the original story — revealing his hand.
Telling the enemy "I'm about to expose you, so run" was practically forcing Cersei to strike first.
But Victor did not stop him.
Because only when Ned "died" (or fell from power) would King's Landing descend into chaos. And only in chaos would House Pompey have its opportunity.
Still, Victor needed to protect the Stark "assets."
"Your sense of honor is admirable, Lord Hand."
Victor stood up and walked in front of Ned, looking at him sincerely. "But I must warn you — when a lion is driven into a corner, it will bite."
"Especially Cersei."
"I am not afraid," Ned straightened his chest.
"What about your daughters?"
Victor struck straight at the heart. "If the situation spirals out of control, what will happen to Sansa and Arya? They are still in the Red Keep — right at the lion's mouth."
Ned froze. That was his greatest weakness.
"Leave them to me."
Victor finally revealed his true intention. "King's Landing is becoming dangerous. I have a farm outside the city. My Spartan guards can protect them there. If anything happens in the Red Keep, I can take them back to the North at the first moment… or at least guarantee their safety."
Ned looked at Victor.
He saw a young, powerful knight who had dedicated his tourney victory to his daughter.
In his eyes, Victor was currently the only "outsider" in King's Landing he could truly trust.
"Sansa… she likes you very much," Ned smiled bitterly. "Perhaps you are right. Pompey, if it really comes to that… I entrust my daughters to you."
[Ding! Key Plot Point Triggered: The Wolf's Entrustment!] [Gained Eddard Stark's Absolute Trust!] [Obtained Temporary Guardianship of "Sansa Stark"!] [Quest: During the upcoming coup, ensure Sansa joins House Pompey (whether as a hostage or as a wife).]
After seeing Ned off, Victor stood by the window, gazing toward the Tower of the Hand.
The wind was rising.
Robert had gone hunting in the Kingswood. That famous boar should have already sharpened its tusks.
Ned was going to confront Cersei.
The game of thrones was finally entering "blood mode."
"Hound."
Victor called into the shadows.
"Here, boss." The Hound emerged holding his greatsword. He had been well-fed by Victor lately; the ferocity in his eyes had lessened slightly, but his loyalty was at maximum.
"Put all Shadow Guards on high alert."
Victor's eyes flashed with cold light. "Also, notify our insiders in the Gold Cloaks (officers we bought with money). The moment the bells ring from the Red Keep…"
"We charge in to protect the King?" the Hound asked excitedly.
"No."
Victor gave a cold laugh and turned to look at the warm Crystal Palace.
"We will close the gates and guard our home."
"Let them slaughter each other until rivers of blood flow. Let the lion devour the wolf. Let the stag die at the boar's hands…"
"Then we will come out and clean up the battlefield."
…
Three days later.
A terrible piece of news exploded across King's Landing like thunder.
"The King was gravely wounded while hunting in the Kingswood! His life hangs by a thread!"