The moment they entered the castle, the Northern bannermen and Riverrun retainers surrounded Robb, Edmure, Galon, and the others as they headed toward the council chamber.
As King of the North and the Trident, Robb maintained impeccable courtesy.
He warmly conversed with Rodrik Harlaw and openly expressed his happiness regarding the alliance with the Iron Islands.
After the customary diplomatic pleasantries concluded,
Robb instructed his uncle Edmure to arrange quarters for Rodrik Harlaw.
Once Rodrik departed, Robb waved his hand toward his bannermen, signaling for them to leave as well.
Lady Mormont, Lord Karstark, Greatjon Umber, and the others understood immediately that Robb wished to speak privately with Galon first, so they tactfully withdrew one after another.
"Come. Let's speak somewhere else."
Without waiting for Galon's reply, Robb rose and skillfully bypassed the hall's stairway, leading Galon toward Lord Hoster's solar.
Along the way, perhaps because no outsiders remained, Robb appeared extremely relaxed.
From time to time, he turned his head and asked Galon for the detailed events of the Battle of Hornwood and the Battle of Pyke.
Galon's eyes flickered as he answered every question thoroughly.
One asked, the other answered.
It felt as though they had returned once more to their carefree days at Winterfell.
After roughly the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Galon followed Robb to the door of Lord Hoster's study.
The door already stood open.
At a glance, Galon took in everything inside—
An arched table piled high with scattered documents and books faced the doorway directly. Brown bookshelves lined both walls, equally stuffed with books.
In front of each shelf stood three trout-carved chairs.
Upon the smooth stone floor stood a lady dressed in blue.
It was Catelyn Stark.
With her back to the door, she was organizing the items atop the long table.
Though Lord Hoster had already passed away, every trace within the room still belonged to him.
Edmure, having finished arranging Harlaw's quarters and returned once more, stood beside his sister.
The gray-haired Brynden Tully sat in the first chair on the right, silently examining Galon as he stepped through the doorway.
At that moment, hearing footsteps enter the room, Catelyn turned around.
Her very first glance locked directly onto Galon, who had traveled so far to reach Riverrun.
"My lady."
Galon smiled and bowed with flawless courtesy.
Catelyn concealed the complicated feelings she held toward him and merely nodded slightly before asking,
"How is Winterfell?"
"Sansa's last letter said Bran had awakened. How is his condition now?"
"And..."
Several months had already passed since Catelyn journeyed south.
During that time, she had suffered her husband's death, her father's death, separation from her children, and the worsening tide of war.
Looking back now, it felt almost like another lifetime.
Her longing for Bran and Sansa instantly overwhelmed her dislike of Galon, and a string of questions poured out uncontrollably.
While nodding politely toward Edmure and Brynden as they rose, Galon smiled and answered each question calmly.
"Winterfell is safe. Sansa has already become quite skilled at managing affairs. Bran's recovery is progressing very well, and his spirits are good..."
One by one, he recounted the latest conditions at Winterfell before his departure.
Catelyn gazed at Galon in silence for a moment before finally revealing genuine gratitude.
"I've read Sansa's letters countless times."
"She said Winterfell nearly fell to Crow's Eye. It was thanks to you..."
Galon shook his head steadily.
"Lord Eddard showed me immeasurable kindness. King Robb treats me as his closest friend. Naturally, I would do everything in my power to protect Winterfell."
Those words caused the Blackfish to nod repeatedly, admiration plainly visible in his eyes.
Even Edmure, who had previously looked down on Galon, could not help but feel favorably toward him now.
At that moment, Robb interrupted.
"Enough. We can discuss all that later. Let's sit down and speak of serious matters first."
As the words fell,
Edmure, now acting Lord of Riverrun, sat first in Hoster Tully's usual seat behind the table.
Robb took the seat at the head of the left side, with Catelyn beside him.
Galon walked to the right side and sat directly beside Brynden Tully.
"Galon, there are no outsiders here. Speak to me as you did back at Winterfell."
After Galon sat down, Robb smiled at him.
"I'll keep this brief. On your way from Seagard to Riverrun, you must already understand our current situation."
"I hope that, just like at Winterfell, you can give me your advice without holding anything back."
Robb looked toward Galon, seated beside Brynden, his voice filled with expectation.
Galon remained silent for a moment.
Finally, beneath the expectant gazes of the four people in the room, he began speaking.
"The war between the two stags has ended.
Though Stannis, that piece of pure iron, survived and fought fiercely, he ultimately lost at the Blackwater.
Unless something unexpected occurs, he no longer poses any real threat."
"Dorne and the Vale remain detached from the conflict.
The Lannisters have joined with House Tyrell through marriage.
After Stannis' disastrous defeat, the Baratheon bannermen have once again sworn loyalty to the Iron Throne."
"When the Westerlands, the Reach, and the Stormlands combine forces, their military strength is more than double ours.
Even with aid from the Iron Islands, we still lack the strength to face them head-on.
Worse still, some among the Riverlords are likely already wavering, preparing at any moment to side with King's Landing."
Galon's eyes swept sharply across the expressions of the four listeners.
Robb barely maintained composure.
Catelyn's eyes were filled with worry.
Brynden appeared deep in thought.
Only Edmure displayed dissatisfaction—whether toward Galon's words or the wavering Riverlords was unclear.
"Robb," Galon said in a low yet sincere voice, "I spent the entire journey to Riverrun thinking about how to resolve this situation."
"However, before I reveal my solution, there are certain matters I must first understand clearly."
Robb's eyes brightened before hesitation followed.
Yet he did not delay. Meeting Galon's sincere gaze directly, he nodded firmly.
"Before you marched south from Winterfell..."
Galon's tone carried deep regret.
"I once advised you to find King Robert's legitimate bastard and rally the realm in his name.
That banner would have been unquestionable legitimacy, enough to gather all enemies of Joffrey beneath our command."
Galon sighed.
"But later, I learned you had crowned yourself King in the North.
And once you became king, unless you seized the Iron Throne itself, every claimant with a legal right to the throne would seek your death."
His eyes shifted as he deliberately displayed confusion.
"Did you truly not realize that doing this would only push potential allies away from your side?"
There was no accusation in his voice.
Only confusion and inquiry.
Beside Galon, Brynden silently sighed. He too had never approved of Robb becoming king.
After a moment of silence, Robb finally spoke honestly.
"Galon... at the time... Gendry Baratheon's whereabouts were unknown."
Bitterness appeared on his face.
"When news of Father's death arrived, emotions exploded.
The Greatjon and many Riverlords demanded it... If I had refused the crown, the army's morale would have collapsed.
I had no choice."
Galon nodded, understanding visible in his eyes.
"I understand." But then his tone abruptly shifted, growing heavier. "Then the second matter... House Frey."
"Maester Luwin once told me that, in order to cross the Twins, Lady Catelyn negotiated a marriage pact with House Frey.
But after arriving in the Riverlands, I learned that you instead became betrothed to a Westerling of the Crag, breaking your oath.
Robb, my brother, you should know better than I what kind of vindictive man Walder Frey is."
Galon's gaze swept across Catelyn, Edmure, and Brynden, immediately noticing their dissatisfaction and understanding the situation.
"For the sake of a woman from the Westerlands, you placed our entire army's retreat route in danger."
"Tell me why."
Embarrassment surfaced on Robb's face.
He shook his head, clearly wanting to avoid the subject, but Galon continued speaking.
"Robb, I need to understand your true thoughts. Otherwise, I cannot devise any viable plan for you."
Galon's words left Robb unable to avoid the issue any longer.
"I... I love her, Galon."
Robb's voice trembled, filled with youthful stubbornness and determination.
"I couldn't hurt her. I thought... I thought victory would make up for everything."
"Love? Victory?"
Galon sounded stunned, disappointment gradually appearing in his eyes.
"But we are getting farther and farther from victory."
After saying that, he fell silent, allowing the silence itself to convey his disappointment.
The room became deathly quiet.
Robb's face burned with humiliation. He instinctively looked toward Brynden and the others for support.
But all three—including Catelyn—simply shook their heads at him.
Clearly, they wanted the young king to admit his mistake.
At last, Robb lowered his head and rasped, "Galon... I was wrong. Help me. Tell me what we should do now."
At that moment, Galon knew—He had completely seized control of the discussion.
'Now I should appear as the man who turns the tide.'
Galon thought calmly to himself.
He took a deep breath and stood, walking before Robb.
"Good!"
Patting Robb's shoulder, Galon began his performance.
"The situation is indeed terrible, but not entirely hopeless!"
He slowly paced toward the center of the room, speaking with cold logic and calm rationality.
"Based on the current situation, we still have three possible paths."
Robb immediately asked, "What three paths?"
"The first path—"
Galon faced Robb and spoke words that instantly filled him with anger and shock.
"Kneel before Joffrey. Return Jaime Lannister. Swear loyalty to the Iron Throne.
Though humiliating, it would at least preserve the North and the Riverlands."
Robb clenched his teeth and suddenly looked up, fury blazing in his eyes. "You want me to kneel before the man who murdered my father?"
"Never!"
'I knew you would say that.'
Galon seemed to have expected the answer long ago and calmly soothed him.
"Good. If you had agreed, I would have been completely disappointed in you."
Then he paused.
"As for the second path..."
Galon's tone grew solemn.
"It is also humiliating, but it is the most realistic path.
Robb, immediately negotiate with House Westerling. Offer them sufficient compensation, but demand they voluntarily dissolve the marriage agreement."
Robb visibly shook and prepared to refuse, but Galon quickly continued.
"Then personally travel to the Twins and apologize to Walder Frey. Fulfill your original marriage pact and wed Roslin Frey.
At the same time, Lord Edmure must also marry into House Frey.
A double marriage alliance is necessary to repair the fracture and stabilize the Riverlands once more.
As long as the Riverlands remain stable, we will regain the foundation needed to fight the Lannister alliance."
Galon's gaze blazed intensely as it swept across Brynden, Edmure, and Catelyn.
"Send a steady, experienced commander to hold Riverrun and pin down the Lannisters from the Golden Tooth.
The rest of us seize Harrenhal and create the appearance of preparing to assault King's Landing."
"The alliance at King's Landing is currently overconfident due to its overwhelming strength.
They will inevitably leave the city to engage us.
We send small detachments to harass the Crownlands and lure them into dividing their forces."
"At the same time, I will have the Ironborn fleet raid along the Reach so House Tyrell cannot fully commit its strength.
And then—no matter how many roads they attack from, I shall answer each one personally!
We concentrate our forces, devour the divided Lannister armies piece by piece, and ultimately seize King's Landing in one decisive strike!"
Brynden's eyes lit up instantly.
"A brilliant plan! Lord Glover truly lives up to his reputation!"
His gaze toward Galon was now filled with excitement and approval.
From both military and political perspectives, the strategy before them was indeed the optimal solution.
"You flatter me, Ser Brynden," Galon replied with a smile.
"But the core of this strategy requires us to stabilize our own camp first. Otherwise, we will collapse before King's Landing even attacks us... Robb, what do you think?"
Silence once again engulfed the room.
Robb's face turned pale, his hands gripping the sword hilt so tightly his knuckles whitened.
Catelyn immediately understood his hesitation.
Pain filled her eyes as she looked at her son.
Part of her hoped he would place the greater cause first. Yet another part ached for the sacrifice he would have to make.
Meanwhile, Galon watched Robb's struggle while calmly calculating inwardly.
'Walder Frey values pride above all else.'
'If Robb truly went to the Twins personally to apologize and reconcile, combined with Edmure's marriage alliance, the old man might genuinely agree.'
'Of course, that depends on King's Landing not gaining too overwhelming an advantage first.'
'But with Robb's personality, he will never abandon Jeyne. Which means this strategy can only end one way—the Red Wedding.'
A strange light flashed through Galon's eyes.
At this moment, he was merely a loyal friend sincerely advising Robb to dismantle the explosives before they detonated.
Whether Robb chose to do so was entirely his own decision.
And just as Galon expected, after a long silence Robb finally rasped,
"Then... what is the third path?"
Clearly, he had already abandoned the possibility of reconciliation with the Twins.
Galon's eyes flickered, but he did not press further.
Instead, he unveiled another strategy equally doomed.
"If you refuse to humble yourself before the Twins, then there is only one path left—find another road and gamble everything!
The reason the Lannisters defeated Stannis is because of House Tyrell's support from the Reach."
Galon's voice suddenly rose.
"We must break that alliance!"
"My lords, I am willing to personally journey to Highgarden and tell the Queen of Thorns, Lady Olenna—
That the King in the North is likewise willing to wed Margaery Tyrell as his queen!
And after victory, we can promise House Tyrell lands in the Westerlands!"
The moment those words fell, everyone in the room was stunned.
"Impossible!"
Edmure abruptly stood.
"Margaery is already promised to Joffrey! Why would House Tyrell ever break that betrothal?"
"That is because they are not yet married."
Galon's gaze swept toward Robb meaningfully.
"A betrothal is only a betrothal. Until the wedding takes place, nothing is truly settled.
Lady Olenna is an extremely intelligent woman who understands politics and values profit above all else.
And I do not even need to fully persuade her to join us. As long as doubt begins growing within her heart, that will be enough."
"While the Reach hesitates, we gather the combined strength of the North, Riverlands, and Iron Islands and launch war directly against Tywin.
Just once! As long as we win a single major victory and prove to Highgarden that we offer more value than the Lannisters, House Tyrell will completely turn to our side!
At that time, Your Grace will command the North and Riverlands internally, while the Reach and Iron Islands support you externally."
"The great cause will be within reach!"
Those words filled everyone present with excitement and longing.
Everyone except Robb.
Galon pretended not to notice the struggle on Robb's face and deliberately smiled.
"Robb, if you agree, I can depart for the Reach tomorrow."
He appeared utterly confident.
"You needn't worry too much. I have at least a fifty percent chance of persuading Lady Olenna.
At the very least, I can prevent her from fully siding with the Lannisters."
Before Robb could speak, Catelyn had already been completely moved.
Galon's strategy aligned perfectly with her own hopes.
"Robb, Galon is right. That Westerling girl is not worthy of you.
When I traveled with Renly's camp, I spoke with Margaery Tyrell several times. She is gentle, graceful, beautiful, and nobly born.
With her as your queen, House Stark could replace House Baratheon and rule the Seven Kingdoms from the Iron Throne!"
Brynden nodded in agreement.
"Indeed. The Queen of Thorns prioritizes profit above all else. Though risky, the final path truly offers the highest chance of success."
Edmure's eyes toward Galon were now overflowing with admiration and praise, his attitude becoming instantly enthusiastic.
"Haha! The gods truly blessed Sansa by allowing her to marry you!"
Galon smiled faintly and slowly returned to his seat.
The three strategies formed a perfect logical loop.
Every road to survival had been intentionally tied by Galon to the same dead knot—Sacrificing love.
So would Robb sacrifice Jeyne Westerling?
The answer had already been decided long ago.
"No!" Robb lifted his head. Painful determination filled those blue eyes. "I will not abandon Jeyne. I love her!"
"I am a Stark. I will never break my vows!"
"...You already have!"
Galon turned sharply, and for the first time genuine disappointment and grief entered his voice.
"Robb, a king's honor lies in protecting his people—not protecting his love!"
Yet Robb met Galon's gaze and still shook his head firmly.
"No."
Only one word.
Galon slowly closed his eyes, his face filled with overwhelming disappointment and sorrow.
As though Robb's stubbornness had left him utterly speechless.
"Your Grace, you..."
Galon left the sentence unfinished, as though preserving the last shred of dignity for Robb.
Then he closed his mouth, stood up, and silently walked out of the study.
In an instant, the atmosphere within the room froze like a winter night.
__________
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