Lynn looked at her.
He knew he had made the right bet.
This promise was more precious than gold.
"Madam."
Lynn's voice was soft.
"I don't want anything."
"It is my duty to serve House Stark."
Catelyn was stunned.
She hadn't expected such an answer.
She looked at Lynn's eyes, which appeared exceptionally calm in the candlelight, and her respect deepened.
"Rest assured, Ned will make a fair arrangement for you."
Catelyn straightened up.
"You should rest and recover."
"If you need anything, just tell the servants directly."
With that, she gave Lynn one last look and turned to leave the room.
The moment the door closed, Lynn's tense nerves finally relaxed completely.
He had succeeded.
He had gained the trust of House Stark, especially Catelyn Stark.
This was the most crucial step in his plan.
It was also to make it known to the world that he had done House Stark a favor.
This way, if House Stark were to ever turn on him in the future, they would first have to consider whether they could withstand the rumors and gossip from the outside world.
Especially in the North.
However, Lynn hadn't even had time to catch his breath.
The door was knocked on again.
This time, the knocking was steady and strong.
"Come in."
Lynn said.
The door was pushed open.
A golden figure walked in.
Jaime Lannister.
He was still in his dazzling golden armor, without a single mark from any weapon.
A playful smile hung on his handsome face.
He closed the door behind him and walked straight to Lynn's bed.
He looked down at Lynn, his blue eyes scrutinizing him like an interesting object.
"I've heard about your deeds."
Jaime spoke, his voice carrying a casual magnetism.
"Catching a child falling from the sky with your bare hands."
"Quite an impressive feat."
"You must be Jaime."
Lynn asked calmly.
The smile on Jaime's face froze for a moment.
Then, the smile became deeper and more dangerous.
"So you know me."
Lynn said to himself.
"What are you doing here?"
"Of course, I've come to visit our hero of Winterfell."
Jaime pulled over the chair Maester Luwin had just sat in and took a seat.
He crossed his legs and leaned slightly forward.
"I'm very curious."
"Why were you under that abandoned tower at that time?"
Jaime's gaze tried to dissect Lynn's mind.
He wanted to see what Lynn was thinking now.
And what he might know.
Lynn didn't move.
He didn't need any unnecessary movements.
"I like quiet."
Lynn spoke, his voice a little muffled from lying down.
"It's secluded enough, no one will disturb me."
"It's a good place to practice sword fighting."
This explanation was simple, direct, and flawless.
The smile on Jaime's face didn't change.
But the scrutinizing look in his eyes grew stronger.
"Practice sword fighting?"
Jaime repeated the words, drawing out the end of the sentence with a hint of mockery.
"A man, instead of sharpening his spear in the warm bed of a brothel, runs to this godforsaken place to brave the cold and practice sword fighting."
"Truly… unexpectedly diligent."
Lynn's gaze shifted from Jaime's face to his reflective golden armor.
"In the North, the consequence of laziness is death."
Lynn's tone was flat.
As if stating a perfectly ordinary fact.
The smile on Jaime's face finally faded a little.
He couldn't see the slightest fear in Lynn's eyes.
Only a dead calm.
This made him feel a touch of annoyance.
Like punching cotton.
Jaime stopped questioning.
He knew he wouldn't get anything more by asking.
Lynn's answers were impeccable.
His gaze moved from Lynn's face to the longsword at the head of the bed.
It was a very ordinary standard longsword.
The hilt was somewhat smooth from wear, and there were a few shallow scratches on the scabbard.
Jaime stood up.
He reached out and picked up the sword.
The weight of the metal felt insignificant in his hand.
"Clang—"
Jaime drew the longsword.
The blade reflected a cold light in the dim candlelight.
He lightly flicked the blade with his finger.
It produced a crisp hum.
"A good sword."
Jaime commented.
"It seems the blacksmiths in the North haven't lost their touch."
His gaze returned to Lynn.
That gaze became sharp.
"Have you cut people with it?"
Lynn's gaze didn't move.
"Yes."
His answer was simple and direct.
Jaime pointed the tip of the sword at Lynn, the blade glinting in the candlelight.
"Many people."
Jaime's lips curled.
"What does it feel like to kill?"
Lynn said with a smile.
"Nothing."
"They wanted to kill me, so I killed them."
Jaime also smiled.
He returned the longsword to its scabbard and casually tossed it onto the bed.
"The first time I killed someone was when I was fifteen."
Jaime's voice was flat.
"A fugitive, on the Kingsroad."
"He tried to steal my horse."
"I ran my sword through his throat, and his dirty blood sprayed all over my face."
Jaime looked at his hands, hands of a knight, clean and strong.
"I vomited all night."
"I thought I would remember his face forever."
He paused, then looked at Lynn.
"But I can't remember it now."
"I've killed too many people."
"On the battlefield, in the tourney grounds, in alleys."
"Killing, for me, is as simple as breathing."
Jaime stood up and walked back to the bed, looking down at Lynn.
"People are like a tattered sack."
"Just a gentle poke, and they'll die."
"Killing isn't actually hard."
"What's hard is making others feel that your killing them is justified."
"And the simplest way to do that is to make them draw their sword on you first."
Lynn's heart constricted.
Jaime Lannister wasn't making small talk.
He was issuing a warning.
He was telling Lynn that he was an executioner who killed without batting an eye.
Anyone who opposed him would face his furious onslaught.
With that, Jaime left.
Shortly after Jaime left, an elegant figure appeared at the doorway.
Hi readers! Over 80+ advanced chapters are now available on Patreon. To access them, simply purchase any product from my Etsy shop, then follow me on Patreon and send your order ID there.
In return, I'll share a free coupon code worth $80, which gives you full access to the entire story — just like purchasing it directly!
Take advantage of this special offer — it's like owning a product and getting to read the full story!
Patreon Luffy1898
Etsy link on bio