Bran Stark, who had just narrowly escaped falling to his death, was still completely bewildered and had yet to understand what was happening.
But Theon Greyjoy was different.
The mont Jai spoke, terror filled Theon's face, and even his legs began trembling uncontrollably.
Seeing his reaction, Jai imdiately realized that Theon must have overheard every word of his and Cersei's conversation.
As for Bran, the boy was rely an unfortunate accident.
In fact, Jai almost felt grateful toward him.
If Bran had not suddenly spoken up, Jai might never have discovered that Theon was eavesdropping outside the tower.
Jai calmly observed the two boys while silently considering how to deal with them.
"No matter what they heard or saw, neither of them can simply walk away."
"But if both disappear at the sa ti, Ned Stark will imdiately realize sothing is wrong."
"One must die first in a believable accident. The other can be dealt with later."
Jai's thoughts moved rapidly, and within monts he already had a plan.
His cold gaze shifted between Theon and Bran before finally settling upon Theon.
"Theon Greyjoy…"
His tone carried an inexplicable calmness.
"Do you wish to live or die?"
Theon froze.
He could not understand Jai's attitude at all.
"What… what do you an?"
Despite his fear, he still forced himself to appear brave.
"Ser Jai, you'd better think carefully before acting."
"This is Winterfell."
"I am Lord Stark's ward, and Bran is his trueborn son."
"You… you should let us go."
Beside Jai, Cersei stared in shock and fury.
She had never expected Jai to even consider allowing them to survive.
But the instant she opened her mouth, Jai glanced back at her and calmly said:
"Trust , Cersei."
Cersei imdiately fell silent again.
She clutched her clothes tightly while glaring coldly at Theon and Bran.
At this mont, a trace of murderous intent appeared in Jai's eyes. He slowly flexed his fingers, producing faint cracking sounds from his knuckles.
"You heard everything."
"You saw everything."
"Little squid, do you really believe I can simply pretend nothing happened and allow you to leave?"
Jai leaned closer toward Theon and lowered his voice.
"But if you beco one of us, the situation changes entirely."
"One of you?" Theon asked in confusion.
On the surface, he appeared uncertain, but inwardly he did not believe a single word Jai said.
After all, he had witnessed the Queen committing incest with her own brother.
If their positions were reversed, he would never spare a witness either.
Theon slowly pulled Bran closer while secretly looking around for any possible chance to escape.
Jai noticed everything clearly.
But as one of the greatest swordsn in the Seven Kingdoms, he did not consider Theon capable of escaping from him.
"That's right," Jai continued calmly. "One of us."
Pretending not to notice Theon's small movents, Jai chuckled softly.
"Theon, I know you've never truly belonged in Winterfell."
"You are Balon Greyjoy's heir."
"How can the son of the Iron Islands willingly serve the family that defeated his father?"
As he spoke, Jai carefully observed Theon's changing expression.
"Now listen carefully."
"If you kill the Stark boy, I'll pretend none of this ever happened."
"Not only that, I'll have the Queen persuade Robert to release you from Winterfell and allow you to return ho to inherit the Iron Islands."
Theon's entire body trembled.
He never imagined Jai would force him to murder Bran Stark with his own hands.
"You… you're insane…"
But Jai heard the hesitation hidden beneath his refusal, and the smile in his eyes deepened.
Like a devil whispering temptation, Jai continued softly:
"Theon, think carefully about your life here."
"Think about last night."
"You rely spoke a few truths at the feast, and yet the Starks imdiately rebuked you."
"You are the heir of Pyke, equal in status to any Stark."
"And yet you live here like a hostage, enduring humiliation and unfair treatnt."
Jai clicked his tongue mockingly.
"Even the Seven themselves would pity you."
Theon's expression beca increasingly conflicted, and his grip on Bran unconsciously tightened.
By now, even Bran understood that sothing was terribly wrong.
The Kingslayer clearly ant to harm him.
Bran instinctively tried to pull away from Theon, but Theon held him tightly.
"Theon, what are you doing?"
"Don't listen to him!"
"He's lying to you!"
Bran's eyes filled with tears as fear overtook him.
He desperately tried to retreat toward the broken window behind him, but there was nowhere left to go.
Jai ignored Bran entirely and instead gave Theon his final ultimatum.
"Little squid."
"Either you kill the Stark boy…"
"Or I kill both of you."
"Choose."
Theon's eyes turned bloodshot.
mories of growing up beside the Stark children flashed through his mind.
He wanted to refuse.
But then ca mories of the feast from the night before, of Ned's anger, Robb's coldness, and Galon Glover humiliating him before everyone.
Those mories slowly crushed his resistance.
Finally, in a hoarse voice, Theon asked:
"How do I know you'll keep your word?"
Jai burst into laughter.
There was even a trace of mockery in his eyes.
"You kill him, and we hold your secret."
"You hold ours."
"That way, neither side can betray the other."
"Simple, isn't it?"
Cersei finally understood Jai's plan, and malicious amusent flickered through her eyes.
"Not only that," she added smoothly, "you'll gain the friendship of House Lannister."
"I'm sure you've heard the saying."
"A Lannister always pays his debts."
Theon had already begun surrendering inwardly.
Still, with bloodshot eyes, he continued bargaining desperately.
"That's not enough."
"You must swear before the Seven that you'll send back to the Iron Islands as soon as possible."
Jai looked mildly surprised, but after exchanging a glance with Cersei, both of them agreed.
The mont Jai and Cersei swore the oath, Bran's fear finally exploded completely.
He struggled violently and tried to flee.
But Theon held him firmly.
In desperation, Bran suddenly bit down hard onto Theon's wrist.
"Ah!"
Theon cried out in pain.
Instinctively, he struck Bran across the face, and blood from his bitten wrist splattered across Bran's cheeks.
Ignoring the burning pain on his face, Bran desperately tried to rush past Jai and escape.
But Theon quickly recovered and grabbed him again.
"You little bastard!"
Rage completely overwheld Theon's remaining reason.
Dragging Bran toward the shattered window, he hesitated only briefly before shoving him outward.
Bran scread.
His hands clawed wildly at empty air, but this ti there was nothing left to grab.
The courtyard below rushed toward him with terrifying speed.
Then ca a sickening impact.
Jai leaned slightly out the window and looked downward.
Below the tower, Bran lay motionless in a pool of blood while his direwolf Sumr howled mournfully beside him.
"Well done," Jai said calmly while patting Theon on the shoulder.
Then his expression turned cold again.
"If you want to survive, do exactly as I say."
"No matter who asks, you were never here today."
"Do you understand?"
Theon nodded stiffly like a puppet.
Jai's eyes grew colder still.
"After leaving here, imdiately bandage your wrist."
"Then co find in the guest chambers."
"Now get out of here."
Only after Jai spoke did Theon fully realize what he had done.
He had just murdered Bran Stark.
His entire body trembled violently as he rushed down the Broken Tower without daring to look back.
After Theon left, Jai did not imdiately depart with Cersei.
Instead, he carefully inspected the tower room to ensure nothing had been left behind.
Only after confirming everything was clean did Jai effortlessly pick up Cersei and leap swiftly down the spiral stairs toward the base of the tower.
Cersei wrapped her arms around Jai's neck and asked quietly:
"Why did you let that little squid go?"
"What exactly are you planning?"
Jai continued descending the tower with ease while replying calmly:
"I never intended to spare him."
"I only needed to calm him first."
"If both boys suddenly died together, even Ned Stark would realize sothing was wrong."
Cersei smirked slightly.
"That squid is a coward. When do you intend to dispose of him?"
Jai glanced at her calmly.
"Cowards are easier to control."
"Don't worry."
"He won't dare speak while we remain in Winterfell."
"And once we return to King's Landing…"
A cold glint flashed through Jai's eyes.
"I'll arrange for soone to silence him permanently."
Cersei thought for a mont before giggling softly.
"And afterward, we can send his corpse back to Balon Greyjoy."
"After all, our oath never promised we'd return him alive."
Jai rely shook his head without replying.
When the twins finally reached the base of the tower, they quietly slipped away through another passage while no one was nearby.
Above the Broken Tower, the black raven continued circling silently overhead.
It watched Jai and Cersei depart.
It watched Theon flee in terror.
Only after servants finally discovered Bran Stark lying broken in the courtyard below did the raven flap its wings and disappear into the gray northern sky.
Before long, all of Winterfell descended into panic.
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