Chapter 95: Secret Discussion in the Study (Part 2)
"Inconsistencies?"
The group looked confused. When Robb and the others first heard the message sent by Lysa Arryn, their reaction had been shock and anger—not analysis. Since Lady Catelyn herself had believed it without hesitation, they had naturally accepted it as truth.
Saelen poured himself another cup of wine, took a sip to wet his throat, and continued:
"The first issue—let's assume Jon Arryn was murdered by the Lannisters."
He paused, sweeping his gaze across the room.
"Then tell me—how exactly would they carry out the assassination inside the Red Keep?"
Robb and the others were momentarily stunned. They had accepted the conclusion, but never truly questioned the method.
"Aren't most of the guards in the Red Keep Lannister men in red cloaks?" Jon said hesitantly. "It shouldn't be too hard for them to kill the Hand."
Saelen shot back immediately:
"Jon, are you suggesting the Kingslayer marched in with red cloaks and hacked the Hand to death in his tower?"
Jon flushed slightly, realizing the flaw in his thinking. King Robert was still alive—no matter how powerful Jaime was, he wouldn't dare act so openly.
"Then… how did Jon Arryn die?" Luwin asked, frowning in thought.
After a moment, he looked up.
"Poison, perhaps? It was said he died suddenly of illness, with no visible signs of injury."
"Yes. Poison," Saelen agreed.
"According to Grand Maester Pycelle, Jon Arryn died of severe stomach illness."
He paused.
"And as far as I know, there is a poison capable of producing exactly that effect."
"—Tears of Lys."
Saelen and Luwin spoke the name at the same time, exchanging a glance.
"Tears of Lys?" Robb asked, his expression growing serious. "What kind of poison is that?"
Luwin explained, "A rare and expensive toxin. Victims suffer symptoms resembling severe stomach sickness—often mistaken for natural illness."
"So the Lannisters used it to kill Jon Arryn?" Theon scoffed, his tone filled with disdain. "Those treacherous bastards…"
His dislike for the Lannisters was no secret.
Saelen glanced at him and said calmly,
"Not necessarily."
Theon frowned. "What do you mean?"
"That brings us to the second inconsistency," Saelen said. "How would a Lannister administer the poison?"
"The Hand's Tower was guarded inside and out by men from the Vale—Jon Arryn's own household guard. Outsiders couldn't even get close, let alone tamper with his food or drink."
The room fell into thoughtful silence.
Theon, however, wasn't convinced.
"The Lannisters are rich beyond measure. Buying off a cook wouldn't be difficult."
Robb nodded slightly. "He's right. They wouldn't need to act personally—they could simply bribe someone close to Jon Arryn."
Saelen shook his head.
"But from what I know, Jon Arryn's meals were overseen personally by Lysa Arryn and his steward, Hugh."
"Bribing a cook wouldn't work."
"And those cooks were brought from the Vale. Their families live in the Eyrie. Would they really risk everything to poison their lord?"
The implications began to sink in.
Theon let out a mocking laugh.
"What are you implying? That Lysa Arryn and her servant conspired to poison Jon Arryn?"
Saelen met his gaze, his tone deliberately ambiguous.
"If Jon Arryn was poisoned… then yes, those two are the most likely suspects."
Theon stared at him in disbelief.
"Saelen… you've lost your mind."
The room grew heavy with tension.
Yet the more they thought about it, the more Saelen's reasoning made sense—uncomfortably so.
But that only made the conclusion harder to accept.
After all, Lysa Arryn was Robb's aunt.
Robb stepped forward, his voice firm.
"You're suggesting my aunt may have been involved in poisoning her own husband. Where is your evidence?"
"Jon Arryn was her husband—and the father of her child. What possible reason would she have to do such a thing?"
"Robb, I don't have proof," Saelen said, shaking his head. "I'm only saying that they are the most suspicious."
Then he added, his tone turning more deliberate,
"The reason I suspect Lysa Arryn is because her behavior is… questionable."
"In what way?" Robb asked.
"Why did she immediately insist that the Lannisters murdered Jon Arryn?" Saelen posed his third question.
The room fell silent again. None of them had considered this angle before.
"Perhaps Aunt Lysa has evidence," Robb said first.
"Or maybe Jon Arryn told her something before he died," Jon added.
"Fine," Saelen nodded. "Let's assume she has evidence, or knows the cause of his death. Then why didn't she step forward and accuse the Lannisters before King Robert?"
Maester Luwin spoke thoughtfully, "Perhaps for her own safety. If the Lannisters dared murder the Hand, killing a woman and child would be no great difficulty."
"That's a fair point," Saelen admitted. "She might choose silence to protect herself."
"But consider this—she's now in the Eyrie, in the Vale, surrounded by bannermen and sworn knights loyal to House Arryn for generations. If the Lannisters wanted to harm her, they would need an army to storm the Eyrie."
"By all logic, she's safe."
"As the widow of the Hand, she should be the one stepping forward to accuse them."
Saelen took another sip of wine, then looked directly at Robb.
"But instead, she did nothing. She only sent your mother a vague warning letter—with no details, no evidence."
"Robb, one thing is certain—Lysa Arryn is withholding crucial information."
"Gods…" Maester Luwin murmured. "Jon Arryn was her husband. Lady Catelyn is her sister. Why would she do such a thing?"
"Perhaps she has her reasons," Robb said, still trying to defend her. "She just lost her husband—it's understandable if she's not acting rationally."
Saelen didn't let it go.
"Robb, have you considered this? Her so-called 'self-preservation' may put Lord Eddard in grave danger."
"And don't forget—your two sisters are in King's Landing as well."
Robb hesitated, then said,
"But King Robert is there. I believe he'll protect Father and the girls."
Saelen's expression hardened.
"When Jon Arryn died, King Robert was right there too. Yet the Hand was still murdered."
"And to this day, Robert believes it was nothing more than illness."
The room fell into silence once more.
After a long pause, Robb finally spoke.
"Saelen… what should we do now? My mother has already gone to King's Landing."
Jon looked surprised. "Lady Catelyn has gone south?"
"Yes," Robb replied, worry evident in his voice. "She left shortly after Bran was attacked, with Ser Rodrik. I don't even know if she's arrived safely."
"She'll be fine," Saelen said calmly—though inwardly, he added, for now.
The situation was tightening. The War of the Five Kings was drawing closer. Preparations could no longer be delayed.
Saelen's gaze sharpened as he looked at Robb.
"The situation is changing rapidly. We must act cautiously. The safety of Lord Eddard—and the North—cannot depend on others."
"The North must prepare."
Robb clenched his fists, frustration breaking through.
"Damn it… it feels like everything is happening to us at once. And we still don't even understand what our enemies want."
Saelen's tone turned firm, almost cutting.
"Robb—if you want to rule the North, you need to learn to think like this."
"Sometimes, you have to stand in your enemy's position. Only then will you see what they're truly after."
Robb lowered his head, ashamed. After a moment, he steadied himself and looked up again.
"You're right."
"So… what do we do?"