-29- For compassion and justice

Red Keep, Maegor's Holdfast, 3rd floor.

Jaime had been guarding outside the door for nearly an hour.

This room was one Cersei favored for confidential matters, its wooden door providing excellent soundproofing. From the outside, no sound from within could be heard.

For some reason, Jaime decided to shift his body, as if to press his ear against the thick wooden door.

Just as Jaime moved, he stopped himself in time, forcing a smile and shaking his head, as if mocking his own childish behavior.

Straightening his posture again, Jaime tightened his grip on the sword hilt with his right hand, and flicked his white cloak with his left.

Another hour passed before the door finally opened, and Gallen emerged from the room.

Gallen nodded naturally to Jaime. "Ser Jaime, once again, thank you for guiding me. Good day."

With polite farewell, Gallen bid Jaime goodbye.

Jaime raised an eyebrow, lips pulling into a forced curve. "Let me escort you."

"It's fine..." Gallen wanted to refuse.

Without waiting for Gallen's response, Jaime swung his cloak and turned away, already stepping forward. Gallen had no choice but to accept Jaime's accompanying.

...

Side by side, the two descended the stairs, passed through the hall, and exited Maegor's Holdfast.

As they descended the stairs, the perceptive Gallen sensed that Jaime seemed to have something to say to him.

Although Gallen didn't quite understand Jaime's inexplicable hostility towards him, he also knew there was no need to be deliberately proactive. Plus, today he had spent a lot of brainpower persuading Queen Cersei, so Gallen pretended not to notice.

When Gallen saw Mordin Water waiting at the door, he just lightly waved his hand to signal him to follow.

Gallen didn't say a word.

Mordin, with a still and awkward expression, nodded and rubbed his stomach, following behind Gallen.

...

Finally, Jaime slowed his pace. "Ahem!"

Intentionally clearing his throat, Jaime glanced sideways at Gallen as they walked.

Hearing the noise, Gallen turned his head and met Jaime's gaze, his face showing a hint of puzzlement.

"What are you planning? I'll keep it confidential," Jaime said.

Gallen didn't immediately respond to Jaime, instead turning his gaze back ahead.

As they walked side by side, Gallen said, "Ser Jaime, I understand your concerns. Actually, I don't like killing either."

Tyrion had told Jaime about this, and Jaime agreed. Although it was their first meeting, Jaime could feel that Gallen was not a bloodthirsty person. This was a judgment of a "true knight."

Jaime nodded slightly.

"Ser Jaime, please consider the whole situation from a different perspective. If my plan succeeds, who will ultimately benefit?" Gallen stopped walking.

Jaime's green eyes flickered.

"It's Queen Cersei and the common people."

"Act justly and remove the evildoers around them. At least their lives will be a little better."

"This is governance, flexible and benevolent governance."

Gallen stopped walking. "Ser Jaime, King's Landing is too unfamiliar to me. You have prestige. If you are willing to lend a hand, I will have more confidence!"

Although Jaime's face remained unchanged, his inner thoughts were turbulent, feeling that his impression of Gallen had changed somewhat.

But... I can't just listen, I have to see how you do it!

Jaime knew in his heart that Cersei had already agreed to Gallen's plan.

Although his smile was faint, for the first time, Jaime showed a friendly smile to Gallen. "If this is about Cersei. I will support you."

Gallen's calm gaze was heavy. "For the queen."

Jaime couldn't help but be influenced by Gallen, repeating, "For the queen."

Gallen's right palm pressed against his left chest. "And for the compassion and justice of knights."

Jaime's pupils contracted slightly, his expression involuntarily serious.

------

Vale, Gulltown, Lord's Hall.

After listening to the report from his subordinates, Lord Grafton frowned. "So, you're saying the only clue to the fire at the Meyer Estate is that... singing at the port square..."

The steward whispered in Count Grafson's ear, "Listen to the Whispers of the Abyss..."

"Yes, Listen to the Whispers of the Abyss, the Half-Wild of Crackclaw Point..."

"House Crabb..."

"Yes, Crabb, they must be behind this, but can a mere song serve as evidence? House Grafton will be ridiculed by the bigwigs at the Red Keep."

The sheriff of Gulltown said, "I'm sorry, my lord, but those thieves left too quickly, leaving us no evidence."

Lord Grafton's maester spoke up, "Actually, I think we all understand what's going on. The young lord of House Crabb is imitating what the old lion Tywin did years ago!"

Lord Grafton rubbed his head. "The Rains of Castamere..."

"Yes! This is revenge for his cousin, and they don't want to leave evidence for us!"

Lord Grafton tapped his fingers on the table for a while. "Maester, what do you think we ought to do? Such a big incident in Gulltown, as the lord, I can't just sit back and do nothing. There are surely many people waiting in the shadows to see me stumble!"

The maester replied, "My lord, you can have someone contact Lord Arryn. Don't forget, there's a branch of House Arryn in Gulltown."

"As the lord of Gulltown, without direct evidence, it's not appropriate to report directly to the Red Keep about a noble family. But they are different, and it's appropriate to inform Lord Arryn privately."

"Not a bad idea..."