So you are Eddard's bastard! I remember your name, named after Jon Arryn, you are Jon Snow."
King Robert's voice echoed through the spiral stairs and the crypts.
The spiral stairs leading to the crypts were pitch black, and the torch in Jon's hand flickered.
Indulgence in wine and women had taken a toll on King Robert's body, and he was already gasping for breath after walking only a short distance down the spiral stairs, leaning against the wall to rest for a while.
Robert smiled, "Jon, who is your mother? She must be an extraordinary woman to make Eddard, who values honor, forget his duties and honor."
Jon had not yet answered when Eddard said reluctantly, "Robert, my having a bastard with a woman outside not only stained my own honor but also insulted Catelyn. Please do not mention my bastard's mother again, especially not in the crypts of House Stark."
Robert sighed, "Eddard, after all these years, you are still the same. You are too serious, rigid, and stubborn."
The Winterfell crypts were long, supported by pairs of grayish-white stone pillars, between which stood statues of Winterfell's past lords and kings.
Jon was familiar with the name of every Stark within. Torren Stark, the 'King Who Knelt,' was the last King of Winter, and the Starks after him were Lords of the North.
Before Aegon the Conqueror swept across Westeros with his dragons, House Stark were the Kings of Winter. In even older times, House Stark were the Kings of Winter, vying for supremacy in the North with Red King House Bolton of The Dreadfort and the King of the Barrowlands House Dustin of the Barrowlands.
It was said that an even lower level of the crypts contained the tombs of older Starks, but few had ever ventured there.
Lyanna, whom King Robert wished to see, was in the deepest part of the crypts. Lyanna and her brother Brandon stood beside their father, Lord Rickard.
According to the traditions of House Stark, only lords or past Stark kings were entitled to have statues erected in the crypts. Lord Eddard, out of his deep love for his brother Brandon and sister Lyanna, broke with custom for them, allowing them to rest beside their father.
Under the torchlight, King Robert tenderly caressed Lyanna, "Lyanna was much more beautiful than this. I once wanted to erect a statue for Lyanna outside the Great Sept of Baelor in King's Landing, but that damned Cersei and the High Septon both opposed it."
The Great Sept of Baelor was the seat of the High Septon, where a statue of Saint Baelor stood. Saint Baelor resisted women his entire life, believing they brought corruption. Jon couldn't help but suspect that if King Robert had indeed erected a statue for Lyanna next to Baelor's statue, Saint Baelor's coffin lid would surely not have stayed shut.
King Robert had always deeply loved Lyanna, and Jon could make good use of this in the future. Of course, the prerequisite was that King Robert lived longer, for as long as Cersei continued her affair with Jaime, Cersei would eventually have to eliminate King Robert to protect the secret of her children.
King Robert fondly reminisced about Lyanna, from their first meeting, their engagement, all the way to the famous Tourney at Harrenhal during the false spring. King Robert was filled with sorrow.
"I swore to kill Rhaegar to avenge Lyanna."
Eddard said bitterly, "Your Grace, you have already done so. You personally slew Rhaegar in the Battle of the Trident."
"But I didn't kill them all!" Robert said gloomily, "Illyrio, the cheesemonger of Pentos, hid Rhaegar's brother and sister. These dragon spawn, I will kill them all when I get the chance."
If King Robert knew Jon was the child of Rhaegar and Lyanna, he would likely snap Jon's neck without hesitation. King Robert hated the Targaryens, and he would certainly not spare the child born of his archenemy Rhaegar and his goddess Lyanna.
Eddard frowned, "Your Grace, didn't we rise up against Mad King Aerys to stop Mad King Aerys from slaughtering the innocent? Why can't you spare Prince Viserys and Princess Daenerys?"
Robert was full of impatience, "All these years, I listened to Jon Arryn's nonsense, which is why The Beggar King and Daenerys escaped. And now you're spouting the same old platitudes."
Eddard raised his head, "Your Grace, how exactly did Jon Arryn die?"
Robert sighed, deeply saddened, "Although Jon Arryn was over eighty, he was always hale and hearty. He suddenly fell gravely ill and passed away within a few days. Grand Maester Pycelle believes Jon Arryn was worn down by his heavy responsibilities, as he had to handle all the complicated affairs of the kingdom."
Jon Arryn was murdered by Lysa and Littlefinger, the transmigrator Jon Snow muttered to himself.
Jon Snow planned to go south to King's Landing and personally contend with Littlefinger. Littlefinger thought that by sleeping with the cow Lysa, he could do as he pleased. If he, Petyr Baelish, was Littlefinger, then I, Jon Snow, am Big Thumb, specifically to counter Littlefinger.
Subsequently, King Robert clapped Eddard on the shoulder.
"Eddard, Jon Arryn is dead. I need one of my own to assist me. The position of hand of the king is yours. I appoint you hand of the king, hand of the king!"
Eddard was not surprised. In fact, many in Winterfell had guessed as much. After all, King Robert had never been to Winterfell, and immediately after Jon Arryn's death, King Robert traveled thousands of miles, leading a grand royal entourage, to Winterfell in the North. Even before the King arrived, it was widely rumored throughout the North and even Westeros that Eddard would be the next hand of the king.
Eddard knelt before Robert, "Your Grace, I am willing to serve you. However, there are many others in the kingdom more suited for this position than I, such as your brother, Lord Stannis."
Upon hearing Lord Stannis's name, King Robert felt a wave of nausea, "Stannis is not suitable to be hand of the king. He is currently the master of ships and has already offended everyone on the Small Council. You are the only choice."
With the conversation at this point, Eddard could only swear fealty, "Winterfell, the North, and I are at Your Grace's command."
King Robert helped Eddard to his feet, "Don't call me 'Your Grace.' Our relationship is closer than brothers. I saw your daughter Sansa today; she is a truly beautiful girl. Since you and I are like brothers, the relationship between House Stark and the royal family should be strengthened through marriage."
"Sansa should be betrothed to my son Joffrey."
This caught Eddard off guard, "But, Robert, Sansa is only eleven."
"She is old enough to be betrothed. The marriage itself can wait until the children are grown."
There was no room for negotiation with the King, so Eddard could only accept.
Robert smiled, "Eddard, let us together build a prosperous era. Now, let us go and enjoy the feast, listen to the singers. I saw many pretty girls in your Winterfell. Tonight, I must have my fill of fun."
Under the gaze of the Stark people, Jon felt a storm brewing.
As long as Robert was alive, the stag of The Stormlands, the roaring lion of the Westerlands, the kraken of the Iron Islands, the rose of The Reach, the tully trout of The Riverlands, the spear-and-sun of Dorne, and the crescent moon falcon of the Vale could maintain a fragile balance. Once King Robert died, internal strife would inevitably erupt within the kingdom.
Jon secretly prayed that no accident would befall King Robert before Jon became powerful.