Game of Thrones: The Red Dragon Lord.

Chapter 160 The Lion and the Deer
Sansa's face turned red with anger, "You are just jealous that I can talk to Prince Joffrey, you wild girl. I love him and I want to be his queen and bear his children."

Arya curled her lips helplessly and said, "Seven layers of hell, I'm not jealous!"

Sansa continued, "Joffrey will be the greatest king ever - a golden lion, and we will have many beautiful fair-haired sons."

Arya was not to be outdone and retorted: "Fool, he is not a lion, he is a deer like his father."

When Sansa heard this, her eyes widened immediately and she retorted angrily, "He is not. He is nothing like that drunkard king."

Ned sat there quietly, listening to his two daughters' quarrel, but his thoughts were surging like waves in a storm.

The difference between Sansa's description of Joffrey and her view of Robert was like a huge rock thrown into Ned's already turbulent heart.

Those previously overlooked details and those vague doubts were quickly pieced together like pieces of a puzzle at this moment.

His eyes gradually became deep and solemn, and the answer in his mind became clearer.

Ned finally realized that Joffrey was not Robert's biological son, but the illegitimate son of Cersei's adultery. He was not the heir to the Iron Throne at all, and even the other two children were not Robert's children.

This realization shocked and horrified him.

He thought of Jon Arryn's death, the description in the book, Gendry whom he met yesterday, and the letter from Lysa Tully. Everything seemed to have a reasonable explanation.

Ned's brows gradually twisted into a deep "川" character.

He was filled with worry about what the consequences would be if the secret of Joffrey's life was made public.

The entire kingdom is very likely to fall into endless chaos and war, and he himself will inevitably face extremely difficult choices and huge risks.

He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down.

He looked at his two daughters who were still quarreling, and a strong desire to protect them surged in his heart.

No matter what the future holds, he will do his best to protect his family's safety.

Ned's face became extremely serious. He turned his head and stared at Sansa and Arya. "You two, from now on, are not allowed to leave the Hand Tower." His tone was firm and unquestionable.

The two daughters were frightened by their father's sudden seriousness. Arya frowned slightly, and when she heard that she couldn't leave, although she was a little reluctant, she pouted and nodded in agreement. Anyway, her swordsmanship teacher was also in the Prime Minister's Tower.

Sansa bit her lip, a trace of stubbornness flashed in her eyes, and said: "Father, why, didn't you promise me that I could go out? I didn't do anything wrong?"

Hearing Sansa's rebuttal, Ned's eyes revealed unquestionable firmness, and he said, "Sansa, now is not the time to be willful. You must obey my arrangements and must not leave here." Ned's voice was steady and powerful, with a sense of majestic oppression.

He glanced at his two daughters and saw that Sansa still looked reluctant, while Arya looked stubborn.

Ned took a deep breath and emphasized again: "This is an order and must not be disobeyed. When I come back, I will explain it to you."

After saying this, Ned immediately stood up and strode away, leaving his two daughters alone, their hearts full of confusion and anxiety.

Ned walked hurriedly in the winding corridors of the Red Keep, and the walls around him seemed to silently tell of past conspiracies and glories. His brows were furrowed, and he wanted to find Robert directly and tell him the shocking truth.

He was Robert's best friend and a loyal subject. He felt it was his responsibility to let Robert know about this so that he could make the right decision.

Soon Ned arrived at the door of the restaurant. Usually at this time, Robert would have lunch with his children. Listening to Robert's voice inside, hesitation gradually arose in his heart.

He thought of Cersei's children. If he told Robert directly, the three children would surely be killed.

Although Cersei's behavior violated morality and ethics, the kindness and compassion in Ned's heart prevented him from being cruel. He took a deep breath and was unable to move forward for a moment.

Just as Ned was standing at the door, hesitating, he heard steady footsteps behind him.

Ned's heart tightened and he slowly turned around, only to see Cersei standing there with a stern face and disgust and confusion in her eyes. It was obvious that she was also here to dine.

Cersei raised her chin slightly and spoke first: "Lord Ned, you are wandering here, what do you want from Robert?"

Ned looked at Cersei with a complicated look in his eyes. After hesitating for a moment, he slowly said, "Your Majesty, there are some things I think we need to talk about."

Cersei narrowed her eyes slightly, as if she had noticed something, but she remained calm: "Oh? Lord Ned, what do you want to talk to me about?"

Ned took a deep breath and tried to suppress the turmoil in his heart: "I think we should go for a walk in the courtyard."

Cersei was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly. The two walked side by side towards the courtyard, and the atmosphere along the way was solemn and depressing.

Arriving at the courtyard, the sunlight shone on them, but it could not dispel the tense atmosphere. When they were alone, Ned stopped and turned to face Cersei.

"Cersei, I already know the secret." Ned's voice was low and serious.

Cersei's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure: "What secret? Lord Ned, I don't understand what you mean."

Ned looked Cersei in the eye. "We both know that Joffrey is not Robert's biological son."

A flash of panic flashed across Cersei's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by toughness: "Lord Ned, please do not make false accusations. If such words were to get out, it would be treason."

Ned sighed slightly. "I could have told Robert about this directly, but I thought of the three children. They are innocent. So, I decided to give you a chance."

Cersei was slightly startled, with a hint of surprise in her eyes: "What chance?"

"Take your children away from King's Landing and fly away. This may avoid a bloody battle." Ned said sincerely.

Cersei was silent for a long time, then said coldly: "Lord Ned, you want me to give up everything I have and run away? Where do you want me to escape to?"

Ned shook his head, sighed deeply, and said: "This is not giving up, but for the safety of several children. Leave King's Landing, Cersei, and don't go back to the Westerly, otherwise you will drag the kingdom into the war. Go to Essos, where no one can find you."

(End of this chapter)