In the room where Sansa had previously been held under house arrest, she was washing up with Jeyne Poole. As soon as Viserys captured Red Keep, Varys led them out of the secret passage and back to this room.
Her current state of mind was complicated to the extreme. On one hand, she felt a profound sense of satisfaction at the downfall of House Lannister. After all, they had murdered her father, imprisoned her, separated her from her family, and subjected her to endless humiliation.
King's Landing had now changed hands. Outside, the black banner with the red dragon of the House Targaryen was flying, which seemed to signify that the old suffering had ended. However, some of the Targaryen's men had just come to take Varys away and told them to prepare for an audience with the Dragon King.
So, on the other hand, she was filled with unknown dread regarding this Targaryen Dragon King, Viserys, whom she had only heard about in her sister's letters and through rumors.
She felt that her sister Arya was too young, after all, and the rumors from the outside were not very credible. Her father Eddard's death was somewhat related to rumors, so she believed that no rumors could be trusted.
Furthermore, Viserys was the son of "The Mad King" Aerys, and she had heard far too many stories about the madness of the House Targaryen. The Sansa of now was nothing like the girl who had been praying for the Targaryens in her room earlier.
"Sansa, are you alright?" Jeyne Poole asked with a trembling voice, noticing Sansa's worried expression. Though she was slightly older than Sansa, she was even more timid.
Sansa forced a reassuring smile, even though her own palms were slick with cold sweat.
"Don't be afraid, Jeyne," she said, though her voice sounded a bit dry. "Lord Varys said that His Majesty Viserys would protect us. Besides, Arya mentioned before that she was living very well in Valyria."
Sansa didn't know if what she was saying was true; it sounded more like self-consolation. But she had no choice now, only hoping that Viserys would truly be kind to them as Arya had said.
Just then, there was a soft knock on the door.
"Miss Sansa, Miss Jeyne, please come with us. His Majesty Viserys will receive you." A somewhat familiar voice came from outside the door; it should be the Golden Company soldier who had come for Varys earlier.
Sansa's heart tightened suddenly; what was meant to come had finally arrived.
She took a deep breath, pulled up the trembling Jeyne, and straightened her elegant velvet dress. This garment had been prepared for her by her mother, Catelyn, and was the finest piece of clothing she had brought from Winterfell.
Although the dress was a bit tight now due to her growth during this period, she could still manage to wear it. Almost all her other clothes had been given to her by Cersei, and she had no desire to wear them now.
She tried her best to look composed; no matter what she was about to face, she was still a daughter of House Stark and could not bring shame to her family's name.
Opening the door, two soldiers in Golden Company armor stood outside. Their expressions were solemn, but it was clear from their eyes that they bore no ill will; instead, they were full of respect. One of them made a gesture of "please."
Although these Golden Company soldiers didn't know Sansa's exact identity, they could tell she must come from a great noble house of Westeros, and His Majesty Viserys might have intentions for the noble girl before them.
Just like Lady Margaery Tyrell of House Tyrell from The Reach, who had been with Viserys all this time. Even if she wasn't, the fact that His Majesty Viserys decided to meet them was enough for them to remain respectful.
Sansa held Jeyne's hand and followed the soldiers through the familiar corridors of Red Keep. Once, she had been kept here as a "hostage" and "future queen," surrounded by Joffrey's mockery and Cersei's false pretenses.
Now, soldiers wearing armor with the House Targaryen sigil could be seen everywhere in the corridors, methodically taking over the entire castle. The air was filled with a tense yet fervent atmosphere.
On the walls, the carvings of the crowned stag representing the House Baratheon and the roaring lion sigil of House Lannister seemed to have been cast in a layer of gloom and defeat.
They were eventually led to a spacious reception room rather than the intimidating Throne Room. Varys was standing in the center of the room, wearing his trademark, inscrutable smile.
Seeing Sansa and Jeyne enter, he bowed slightly.
"Miss Sansa, Miss Jeyne, is everything alright?" Varys's voice was as soft as ever. Seeing that the two girls were still somewhat nervous, he said, "Please rest assured, it is safe here."
Sansa didn't speak, only watching him warily. This eunuch, who had only just left them, seemed more difficult to read than a Lannister lion in her eyes now.
His eyes, which always sparkled with shrewdness, now made Sansa feel as though he were looking at her with a trace of imperceptible scrutiny.
Varys ignored Sansa's coldness and continued, "His Majesty will be here to see you shortly. He currently holds goodwill toward House Stark. He deeply sympathizes with the plight of you and House Stark, and he admires the integrity of your father, Lord Eddard Stark."
"Goodwill?" Sansa finally couldn't help but speak, her voice trembling slightly as she said, "The goodwill of the House Targaryen? Just like how they treated House Stark back then?"
These words did not dispel Sansa's doubts. She had experienced too many betrayals and lies, especially in this Red Keep. Her father Eddard Stark's integrity had ultimately resulted in his public execution.
She suddenly remembered the tragic deaths of her grandfather, Lord Rickard, and her uncle, Ser Brandon. Those were the most painful memories the Targaryen dynasty had left for House Stark. She lowered her eyes, her long lashes veiling the complex emotions within.
Varys's smile faded slightly. He sighed and said, "Times have changed, Miss Sansa. His Majesty Viserys is not The Mad King. He has experienced exile; he knows what it means to lose and what it means to cherish."
He paused, appearing to weigh his words, before finally saying, "He needs loyal allies now, and House Stark are the Wardens of the North, holding an unshakeable position there. His Majesty places great value on his relationship with the North."
"Lord Varys, how do you think His Majesty Viserys will treat us?" Jeyne Poole asked in a small, tearful voice, clutching Sansa's hand tightly.
Varys turned his gaze to Jeyne, his tone remaining gentle. "Miss Jeyne, please trust in His Majesty's mercy. The return of the House Targaryen is to bring peace and order to Westeros, not new suffering."
Sansa fell silent upon hearing Varys's words to Jeyne. She didn't know whether she should believe him or not.
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