After being examined by the maester, Jaime was found to have no major injuries, though he would be unable to walk properly for some time.
But that was not something Roman and Eddard needed to consider; a more urgent matter had occurred: Robert had fallen and was severely injured.
When Roman heard the news, he was stunned and immediately rushed toward the King's bedchamber.
When he and Eddard arrived, they saw Robert covered in wounds, lying on the bed and at death's door.
There was a puncture wound on the King's abdomen, with wood splinters still remaining in it.
"Ser Barristan, what on earth happened?!"
Roman grabbed Ser Barristan's arm armor and demanded an answer, the force so great that the iron armor creaked.
"Cough! Never mind that old man. It was my own carelessness while riding; the horse tumbled down the slope, and I was pierced by a branch!"
Roman naturally did not believe in such a coincidence and asked, "Ser Barristan, has His Majesty been drinking?"
Old Barristan shook his head. "His Majesty rarely drinks when out and about these days. This time it was my mistake; I failed to catch His Majesty in time."
But Robert was not pleased at this moment. "Screw you! You were riding a horse too, how could you have caught me?!"
He immediately gasped in pain from his wound, and after a while, he finally recovered.
"I never expected that I, Robert, having ridden horses all my life, would end up dying because a horse's hoof slipped. Haha! It's simply ridiculous. Perhaps this is a punishment sent by the Father for my dissolute ways."
Eddard: "No, Your Majesty! You will be fine; it is just a branch."
Robert shook his head. He knew his own condition; with the current level of medical care, he was certain not to survive for more than a few days.
Roman was thinking frantically on the side: "Eddard's actions must have caught Cersei's attention, but I didn't expect her to strike so quickly. The King was riding with his Attendant, the horse stumbled and fell down the steep slope, and Ser Barristan was on horseback and couldn't save him—but what about the Attendant?"
"Damn it, the Attendant, the army, the ministers—which of them doesn't have ulterior motives?"
In the cage that was The Red Keep, Robert was a plump stag, and the lions and hyenas nearby were all waiting to devour him. Now, only a dragon and a wolf were concerned for him.
Roman's emotions were mixed at this moment. Looking at the stag on the bed, he recalled that his initial approach to Robert was merely to secure a backer for himself.
Because Robert was forthright and honest, once he considered you a friend, he would never doubt you. After spending a long time together, Roman had developed a deep friendship with this "warrior" King. Robert simply possessed the charisma to turn enemies into friends.
But now that he was dying, everything was in chaos.
"I should have known, I knew it all along; King's Landing is a death trap. The consequences of the incest between Cersei and Jaime would inevitably affect Robert, yet I let it happen."
Why?
Roman suddenly recalled Littlefinger's famous saying: "Chaos is a ladder."
Deep in his heart, was Roman not thinking the same thing?
He was even feeling relieved, relieved that Robert was going to die, otherwise, when Harrenhal needed to expand in the future, Roman would not be able to deceive himself into falling out with Robert.
Now that the psychological burden was gone, Roman instead cursed aloud: "Shameful!!"
Everyone was startled by Roman, but he was not prepared to stop:
"His Majesty has spent his life on horseback, and he wasn't drinking on this trip—how could he possibly have fallen down the slope while riding? This is an undisguised assassination!"
Everyone's expression changed. Roman looked around, but no one admitted it; even Robert was comforting him.
"Good lad, I know you are thinking of me, but the fact is, I made a mistake. The result cannot be changed now; you must look ahead."
Robert crooked his finger to signal Roman to come closer. When Roman reached his side, the King said earnestly:
"Myrcella... I am an incompetent father. In the future, you are the only one who can protect her; you are the only one who will not treat her as a piece of cargo. Promise me! Take good care of her!"
Roman gripped Robert's arm and nodded firmly.
Robert also simultaneously canceled the assassination order against Daenerys and had Eddard issue the announcement.
Afterward, the King needed to converse with others, and Eddard had to step aside. Roman quickly caught up with him.
"Lord Eddard, tell me the truth, what is the secret? I do not believe this was an accident."
Eddard looked at Roman, thinking about the results of his investigation during this time.
"The King's bastards, bastards, the King meets with disaster, the King's children? What is the difference between them? Joffrey, Myrcella, Tommen—what difference is there between them and bastards? Appearance? Build? Physique?... Hair color?!"
Suddenly, a terrifying thought flashed through his mind. Eddard looked sharply at Roman. If things were truly as he imagined, and Robert's three legitimate children were not his own, then everything would make sense!
"No! I cannot let Robert die just like this, without knowing the truth. I must do something; I need Ser Roman's help!"
Eddard wanted Roman to assist him in the coming actions; with Roman's help, he would have a better chance of success.
But Eddard also thought of his own family and servants; they also needed protection. If he failed, then they would all be finished.
The wolf lord gripped Roman's shoulder: "Ser Roman, there is an important matter I need your help with."
"No need for formalities, Lord Eddard. A few years ago in Winterfell, I swore an oath to the new and old gods that I would do everything in my power to help House Stark the next time they were in trouble. Just tell me what it is."
Afterward, Eddard requested that Roman take his family out of King's Landing, so that they would not be implicated in the future actions.
Roman nodded and whispered to Eddard: "My lord, be careful in everything."
Afterward, Roman walked out. He immediately went to his stronghold and began to count heads and assign tasks.
"Fili, use a raven to notify our troops. Have them send 500 Ironmen and 1000 Light Cavalry, and have them march here with all speed."
"The rest of you go to protect the people from Winterfell. If necessary, you may kill anyone who stands in your way."
"At the same time, notify our inside men among the Gold Cloaks. Have them secure a city gate to ensure we have a chance to leave the city."
Finally, Roman looked around at everyone: "Remember, everyone, safety first! I do not want to see your names on a monument when the time comes. Do you hear me?"
Everyone present responded with excited yet restrained voices: "Understood!!!"
Roman personally went to the residence of House Stark. As soon as he entered, he saw Sansa, with Septa Mordane and Jeyne, giving Arya trouble, while Arya's fencing instructor, Syrio Forel, was trying to smooth things over.
When Sansa and Arya saw Roman arrive, they immediately stopped arguing and crowded around him, not forgetting to disparage their sister, but there was no longer any impulsiveness in their words.
Roman hushed the two chattering girls and said seriously: "Lady Sansa, Lady Arya..."
Arya: "I am not a lady!!"
Sansa: "Ary!! You wretch!!"
"All right, all right, let's not get hung up on such details. There is something more important now."
Roman then explained Eddard's decision and told them to prepare quickly; if they were late, it would be too late.
Everyone was confused, not knowing what Eddard was up to, but Syrio was experienced and knowledgeable. He immediately guessed that a major event had occurred in The Red Keep, and coupled with the recent rumors of Robert falling from his horse, he bowed and said:
"Arya, Lady Sansa, I think it is necessary to heed Lord Roman's advice. I fear Lord Eddard truly needs you all to remain safe."
Someone among the Attendants asked: "But is this true? What if the Queen blames us..."
At this moment, Septa Mordane spoke up: "Lord Roman swore in the name of the new and old gods in Winterfell that he would help House Stark. Have you forgotten that? Furthermore, Lord Roman's deeds in the Riverlands and the North are known to all. I do not think there is any reason to doubt him."
Hearing that all three of them held this attitude, the group no longer had any doubts.
Arya had never liked The Red Keep with its many rules, so naturally, she had no objections.
Sansa now had no affection for Joffrey at all, so naturally, she would not do the foolish thing of going to consult with Cersei. Moreover, she was secretly delighted because she could be close to Roman.
After they reached a consensus, they packed their luggage immediately, and the group of old and young followed the soldiers of Harrenhal, preparing to head to the Dragon Gate.
Before leaving, Roman found Myrcella.
The precocious princess had also heard the news of the King falling from his horse by this time. After a long period of communication between father and daughter, Myrcella now had feelings for Robert as a father.
When Roman entered Myrcella's room, the princess's eyes were already red from crying. She looked at Roman and cried even harder.
"Ser Roman, the King... How is Papa? Can you help him?"
Roman felt a sharp pain in his heart. He silently shook his head and stated his purpose: "Princess Myrcella, I have pressing matters to attend to, and I must bid you farewell now."
The princess looked at Roman in disbelief and said in a trembling voice: "Papa is leaving me, and you are going to do the same?"
Roman checked the surroundings with his White Flame Vision and then gently wiped Myrcella's tears with his hand.
"Princess, I have sworn before His Majesty Robert to protect you. This departure is only temporary; I will fulfill my promise."
"No! You're lying! I know, I've heard it all; once you leave, you can never come back. That's how history in the books always goes!"
Roman held Myrcella's small hand and said: "Princess, I am not a person from those picture books. I have the ability. I request that you do not reveal the following, can you do that?"
Although she did not know what Roman was going to do, Myrcella nodded and swore to the Seven that she would not reveal it.
Seeing that Myrcella had sworn, Roman took a step back, and then huge dark green dragon wings unfolded from his back, instantly occupying most of the room.
Myrcella had never seen such a thing; her mouth stayed open for a long time, and she was too surprised to speak.
Roman extended his wings in front of Myrcella, and the princess touched the details of the dragon wings with a look of shock.
"In the future, if you need me, use the raven that Sister Fili gave you to contact me, and I will fly to your side to take you out of the mire."
Roman flapped his wings and used his arms to wrap Myrcella in his embrace, the dragon wings and the White Flame gently soothing the princess's heart.