Jaime's affairs became the talk of the town among the commoners in Winterfell, and most were not surprised by the outcome.
After that day, Jaime would pull a long face whenever he saw Roman. The shame of being knocked unconscious twice was simply too great, yet Jaime was not the kind of person shameless enough to boast after a defeat.
Others remarked that Jaime Lannister had become more composed since then, but Roman knew it was merely the patience Jaime displayed in preparation for another duel; without being thoroughly beaten down, he would never reflect on himself.
However, Roman didn't bother with such things. He had been keeping an eye on Bran during this time, with Fili assisting from the side using her ravens.
Due to Cersei's interference, Fili could finally be alone with Roman. The girl was currently lying comfortably in Roman's arms, inhaling that familiar scent.
Roman stroked Fili's face. "I won't abandon you, so there's no need to worry so much."
Fili just smiled and shook her head. "In the future, the time I spend alone with you will only grow shorter. Opportunities like this are rare!"
Roman sighed. Fili's optimism made his heart ache even more, but he immediately pulled himself together.
"It's not as if nobles in the history of Westeros haven't taken multiple wives. If it comes to it, I'll just follow their example in the future!"
Hearing this, the smile on Fili's face bloomed like a flower, but it vanished without a trace in the next second.
"Fili?"
"Lord Roman! I see Lord Bran Stark climbing the castle, and there are several masked men around him!"
It's happening! Roman knew the boy would meet with misfortune, though this time it was assassins coming for him.
Is it Cersei or Jaime? Roman wondered to himself as his body began to pick up speed.
"Fili, stay close to me and don't wander off. We're going to Lord Bran!"
At this moment, young Bran had no idea that disaster was imminent. He was simply delighted that his father and the King had gone out hunting, giving him the perfect chance to climb.
Young Bran's climbing skills were very adept, and in a short time, he reached the top of a tower.
From here, he could overlook a vast expanse of land, giving him a feeling of ruling over the world.
Bran was currently enjoying the cool breeze of the North. His hair fluttered in the air, obscuring his vision, which prevented him from seeing the dark figures nearby.
By the time young Bran felt something was wrong, the assassins had already closed in. A bright blade unsheathed, aimed straight for Bran's neck.
This sudden turn of events startled Bran so much that he fell to the ground.
Just as the assassin was about to succeed, a flock of ravens rushed over and pecked fiercely at his eyes. In pain, the assassin could only close his eyes and try to drive the ravens away.
Bran seized the opportunity to scramble up and run, shouting for help as he went. However, because he hadn't wanted his climbing to be discovered, he had specifically chosen a remote corner.
Help didn't arrive; instead, he drew all the assassins toward him.
When Bran reached a high platform, he found himself with nowhere to run, surrounded by masked assassins.
"No, you can't do this!"
The assassins paid no heed to Bran's words. They gripped their weapons, prepared to deliver the fatal blow.
But then a dull thud sounded, followed immediately by the assassin in front of Bran being pinned to the wall by a sharp arrow.
That assassin looked around in despair and confusion, trying to find the archer.
The other assassins acted as if facing a great foe, glancing around. One of them tried to strike Bran first, but he too was pierced through the neck by a heavy arrow.
This assassin's vitality was stubborn enough that such an attack didn't kill him instantly. A rattling sound came from his throat as blood flowed from the wound and his mouth.
Bran then watched as the other assassins were picked off one by one by the incoming arrows. The scene left him utterly shocked.
"Lord Bran! Get down quickly!"
Roman finally arrived on the scene. Fortunately, Bran was up on the tower and the assassins couldn't swarm him at once, which had given Roman the chance to react.
Bran looked at the bow in Roman's hand and understood that the man was his savior.
Having survived the ordeal, Bran wept with joy, but as a result, he lost his footing and fell straight down from the high tower.
Bran: "Aaaaaahhhhh!!!!"
Roman: "You brat! Do you just have to fall once?!"
Bran plummeted from the high tower of Winterfell. Catching him with just hands definitely wouldn't work; his body wouldn't be able to withstand the impact.
Roman dropped the heavy bow, his body exerting power instantly. He performed a sliding tackle beneath Bran, using his flexible ribs and abdominal cavity to absorb the impact of the fall.
Nevertheless, Bran still fainted from the high-speed drop.
Fili also ran over hurriedly: "Lord Roman! How are you? Are you hurt?"
Roman: "I'm perfectly fine, but it's hard to say for Lord Bran."
"Fili, use the ravens to monitor the surroundings. I'll use White Flame Vision. We aren't completely safe yet."
Roman and Fili carefully checked the area, and only after ensuring there was no danger did they take Bran back to the Great Keep of Winterfell.
News of the assassination attempt on Bran spread through Winterfell in an instant. With both Robert and Eddard present at the time, this was a direct provocation against their authority.
Robert and Eddard angrily sent men to search for clues, and the individuals Roman had killed were the best source of evidence.
At this time, Guards were already stationed outside Bran's bedroom, and no one was allowed entry without Eddard's permission.
Now, as Roman and Fili walked through Winterfell, passing Servants and nobles would bow respectfully to them.
The two entered Bran's room, where Eddard, Robert, and Catelyn were all present.
Seeing Roman approach, Catelyn immediately rushed forward and hugged him.
"Thank you, Ser Roman! Thank the old gods, you saved my son. I... I truly don't know how to thank you!"
Roman waved it off. "It wasn't just me, it was us. Fili played an indelible role in the rescue."
Fili smiled shyly upon hearing this. Seeing this scene, Robert couldn't help but laugh heartily.
"Good girl, you've certainly met a good man. You must cherish him!"
These words made Fili's face turn red to the tips of her ears instantly, and she had to bury her face behind Roman's back.
Roman looked speechless. "Your Majesty, have you forgotten your own daughter?"
Robert leaned close to Roman's ear with a wicked grin. "Oh, stop pretending! Do you think I don't know what your relationship is? Is your connection to this girl really just master and Servant?"
"Aren't you worried that Myrcella will be bullied in the future?"
Robert: "I believe you are a man who sees things through. Besides, if you dare do such a thing, I will surely cut off your tail and saw off your dragon horns!"
Eddard came over to pull the bantering Robert away. He looked at Roman, the expression on his face shifting like clouds.
After thinking for a long time, Eddard finally said, "You have helped the Starks once again. The North remembers! You will always be a friend to the Starks!"
Roman also embraced Eddard, then asked, "How is Bran's body? No major injuries?"
"No, the Maester said he just suffered a shock and will be fine after resting for a while. By the way, how did you save Bran?"
Roman simply recounted his actions briefly; the rest could wait until Bran woke up to tell.
At that moment, a seven-foot-tall Attendant walked in. He bowed respectfully to the room full of nobles.
"Your Majesty, My Lords, good day. I have brought the medicine."
Roman looked at this Attendant and suddenly found him very familiar. He asked tentatively:
"You... is your name Walder?"
Seeing that the great hero Roman actually knew him, the Attendant was overjoyed and answered excitedly:
"Yes, My Lord! It is an honor to be known by you!"
Roman only nodded calmly, but internally, waves of shock were crashing through him.
The future has undergone a massive change!