Roman caught up with the Stark family immediately after resolving the Lannister pursuers; only then did everyone truly arrive on the Kings Road.
Seeing Roman covered in black and red filth, Syrio knew the intensity of the battle, but after carefully counting, he was surprised that the soldiers from Harrenhal only had minor injuries.
Syrio grew curious and pulled Roman aside to ask for details.
After hearing about Roman's experience, the first look of surprise appeared on Syrio's calm face.
"Lord Roman, did you learn magic from the Eastern Continent?"
"Mr. Syrio, would you not know if someone like me had gone to the Eastern Continent?"
Roman called for Fili to contact the ravens. After a while, it was finally confirmed that the surrounding area was safe enough.
Fili: "Lord Roman, the Lannister army is mainly concentrated in their own lands. It is estimated that they are about to attack the Riverlands, while the forces in The Crownlands are mainly concentrated in King's Landing."
Listening to Fili's report, Roman suddenly noticed a detail.
"Fili, have your ravens already flown to the Westerlands?"
The young girl immediately showed a proud yet shy expression upon hearing this.
"Hehe, Lord Roman, I wanted to give you a surprise, but I've been too busy lately and forgot about it."
Looking at Fili's shy appearance, Roman was overjoyed. He reached out and ruffled her golden hair vigorously.
"Wow! Lord Roman, your strength is too great, you've messed up my hair!"
"I'm just happy. I'll tie it back for you later."
After shaking off the enemy, the group's pace became lighter.
Until they rendezvoused with the incoming cavalry, Roman did not encounter any more attacks from the Lannister army.
Actually, after Roman slaughtered the Lannister army at the Dragon Gate, Cersei was furious and demanded the remaining troops pursue Roman together.
But the carnage at the Dragon Gate had terrified the Lannister army, causing them to dawdle along the way. Roman had already rendezvoused with the Harrenhal cavalry while they were still on the road.
Afterward, Roman moved quickly along the main road and sent the Stark family to Maidenpool.
"Taking a boat from Maidenpool to White Harbor can save a lot of time. Lord Manderly has been waiting at White Harbor for a long time. Once you go to him, you can go directly back to Winterfell."
Sansa and Arya looked at Roman with some reluctance.
"Ser Roman, when will you be able to visit Winterfell again?" Sansa asked.
"Probably not in the short term, Lady Sansa. The atmosphere in Westeros is not good right now. I still need to garrison Harrenhal. You should also return to Winterfell; you will be safe there."
Compared to Sansa's reluctance, while Arya thanked Roman, she also asked if Syrio could go to Winterfell with them.
Arya: "Teacher Syrio, where are you going next?"
"Me? To tell the truth, I don't want to get involved in the mess in Westeros right now. Perhaps returning to Braavos is a good choice?"
The little wolf girl became dejected upon hearing this, but Syrio immediately added:
"But Lord Stark asked me to teach you swordsmanship, so I will not leave until you have learned the Water Dance."
Arya cheered immediately. Roman looked at the ship in the distance; it was someone from House Stark.
"Lady Sansa, Lady Arya, Ser Rodrik is here. It's time for you to set off."
When the ship from the North docked, Rodrik brought a team of men ashore. He let out a long sigh of relief after confirming that Sansa and the others were safe, then bowed deeply to Roman.
"My Lord, thank you for your help. The North will not forget. Lady Catelyn said that if you need anything in the future, House Stark will definitely assist with all its might!"
Roman waved his hand, indicating that they should take the people back to Winterfell first, and talk about future matters later.
After the wolf pups left on the ship, Roman finally found a moment of peace.
Thinking of the looks Sansa and Arya gave him, Roman felt exhausted. Sansa was currently too naive, and Arya was completely rebellious; the two of them were not easy to deal with at all.
Roman had to scout and prevent Lannister plots on one hand, and maintain the relationship between the Stark sisters on the other, so they wouldn't fight on the road.
"Is it because they've lived too easily? They look like they've never been beaten."
"Sigh, Fili is better!"
The big golden-haired girl beside Roman heard this and asked curiously: "What? What? Lord Roman, what did you say about me?"
"Nothing." Roman ruffled Fili's golden hair. "We're finally home. You come help me, and I'll cook a table of food for you, how about that?"
Fili: "Really? Yay!!"
King's Landing, The Red Keep.
Eddard had received Roman's reply. He knew his family was safe, and now nothing could stop him!
The Duke of Winterfell had collected enough evidence during this period and had even read the books that Old Arryn had perused before his death.
He was now convinced that all three of Robert's nominal sons were bastards of House Lannister.
Robert had been in a coma since he was injured; he could neither die nor wake up.
Watching his best friend turn into this state, Eddard felt exceptionally painful in his heart, which also strengthened his resolve to kick the Lannister bastards out of King's Landing.
In the end, Eddard went to Littlefinger, because Baelish had been providing him with intelligence assistance and had promised to be able to buy off the City Guard.
Although many people had warned Eddard not to trust Littlefinger, including Littlefinger himself, Eddard still chose to let Littlefinger win over the Gold Cloaks.
One night, Robert suddenly woke up. He summoned Eddard and asked his old friend to support Joffrey as King in the future, and for Eddard to serve as the Regent of the Realm.
"Ned, look at you, you've lost so much weight during this time! the stranger is coming to collect me. If you don't take care of your health, you'll be coming to keep me company!"
Eddard: "No! Your Grace, you will be fine!"
Robert shook his head; he knew what his condition was.
The King drove everyone else away and called Myrcella alone.
The princess looked at her dying father on the bed, and tears gushed out for a while, sobbing beside Robert.
"Good child, I'm sorry I didn't fulfill my responsibilities as a father. In the future, you can only rely on yourself and that boy Roman."
"I'm so worried, I'm so worried about what the future holds for you and your brothers. Father above, please bless this poor child!"
"Cough, cough, cough!!!"
Myrcella looked at her father's state and really couldn't bear to hide it anymore.
The princess thought: "I'm sorry, Ser Roman, I just wanted my father to leave in peace. Please forgive me!"
Myrcella leaned close to Robert's ear and whispered something that only the two of them could hear.
Afterward, a look of shock appeared on Robert's lifeless face. A moment later, the King burst into huge laughter.
"This brat! He really is... he really is full of surprises! Good, good, good, Myrcella, my daughter, from now on, as his wife, you must keep an eye on Roman and don't let him run away!"
After saying these words, Robert's nerves completely relaxed, and his body gradually lost its vitality.
At night, amidst Myrcella's crying, Robert Baratheon passed away.
A week later, Fili found Roman, who was baking a cake, in a panic.
"Lord Roman! Something big has happened. Eddard has been thrown into prison by Cersei for treason!"