The ninth year of summer.
April 1, 298 AC.
King Robert was about to arrive at his loyal Winterfell.
Lord Eddard Stark, the Duke of Winterfell and the King's sworn brother, had made all the preparations several days in advance. Ceremonies, servants, feasts, and banquets – Winterfell showed the utmost sincerity.
Although the bastard Jon Snow could not stand with the Stark family in the front row to welcome the King, he had to attend the welcoming ceremony with Theon Greyjoy and others.
There wasn't much time left.
Jon Snow was alone in his cabin, comforting his Direwolf.
"Ghost, stay put, just for half a day. As soon as the ceremony is over, I'll give you your favorite venison, okay?"
He believed his Ghost could understand.
Ghost, whose fur was as white as snow, blinked his blood-red eyes, looking intelligent and quiet.
Good boy. Jon smiled proudly.
Jon walked out of the cabin alone.
As soon as he left the room with hot water flowing through the walls and the fireplace, the chill of The North immediately struck him. He tightened the thick leather coat wrapped around his body.
Naughty little Arya ran over and excitedly pulled Jon, "Jon, come with me quickly, there are so many singers over there!"
Jon dotingly ruffled Arya's hair.
Among Lord Stark's children, Arya was the closest to him and didn't show any disdain for him, her bastard brother.
Bran and Robb were also good, but Jon always felt a bit inferior when facing them.
Jon never wanted to think about his future. Robb would inherit Winterfell, Bran could serve his elder brother or get other lands, but where would he, the bastard, go?
Jon let Arya pull him to the East Gate.
Theon Greyjoy leaned over with malicious amusement, "Jon Snow, a kind reminder, don't stand in the wrong place later, we're all in the back."
Jon disdained to pay attention to such shallow provocations.
This fellow Theon was said to be fostered by the Stark family, but in reality, he was just a hostage sent by the Greyjoy family. His status was even lower than Jon's, so it was not surprising how bad his character was.
Jon's attention was entirely on the musicians standing inside and outside the gate.
Arya was right, there were quite a few musicians with various instruments, nearly a hundred in total, looking quite conspicuous.
Jon was very curious.
His father's arrangements had long been finalized, and there was no mention of needing so many musicians. So, was this the King's doing?
"Arya, did you just crawl out of a mud puddle? Oh dear, you're even wearing a dusty helmet. The King is about to arrive, at least dress like a lady."
Lord Stark's eldest daughter, Sansa, walked over gracefully.
Sansa was wearing an elegant and exquisitely embroidered dress today, and her tone when lecturing her sister was soft and pleasant.
When she got closer, she gave Jon a lady's smile, but the sensitive Jon could feel her politeness and distance. Well, how could a maiden dreaming of marrying a Prince like a dishonorable, half-brother bastard?
Lady Catelyn glanced over, and Jon immediately timidly turned his head away.
Lady Catelyn Tully had given Lord Eddard three sons and two daughters, yet Lord Eddard had brought his bastard son Jon back to Winterfell.
Jon really wanted to try to understand and accept Lady Catelyn's attitude.
But every time he interacted with the Lady, her cold, disgusted eyes made Jon more deeply aware of his awkward position.
His elder brother Robb walked over at this moment.
Robb inherited his mother's blue eyes and reddish-brown hair. But Jon knew that Robb was his father's son on the inside: upholding honor, being loyal, and upholding justice.
Robb explained the reason for the musicians' appearance to his younger siblings.
"The Crown Prince composed a new piece as a gift for the King, and its first performance is in Winterfell, which is why so many people came ahead of time."
Robb also specifically reminded his two sisters, "The Crown Prince seems to have brought a Giant Lion as a mount. Don't lose face and make the Stark family a laughingstock."
Arya's face was filled with even more curiosity and anticipation, "I'm not afraid! What is a Giant Lion? What does it look like?"
Sansa held her hands together, her eyes full of longing, "I heard Prince Joffrey has hair as golden as the sun..."
Jon began to miss his Ghost. Such a quiet, good boy, who wouldn't make noise, wouldn't get angry, and wouldn't have such complicated thoughts as humans. He really wished today's event would end immediately.
More and more people gathered at the East Gate.
Bran nimbly climbed down from the high tower, running all the way to his father, shouting that the King's party was not far away.
The preparations within the city were completely finished, and Jon and the others stood straight, waiting for the King's arrival.
The air was very quiet.
Jon had never seen Winterfell look like this.
Hundreds of Northmen soldiers, clad in armor and holding spears, were divided into two teams guarding the outside of the King's Road. Dozens of large, exquisite Stag banners and Grey Wolf banners were hung on the walls and inner walls of Winterfell.
The entire Stark family stood in the courtyard, with the knights, nobles, and servants behind them looking solemn and serious.
The musicians adjusted their postures slightly.
Jon was also infected by the atmosphere in the arena. What would the King look like?
The sound of hooves gradually approached.
Cellos, violas, and violins played simultaneously, the melody graceful and subtle.
Jon found it quite pleasant to listen to, more enjoyable than most bards' music, but it seemed unsuitable for this moment.
However, he also noticed that many musicians' instruments were not participating.
Hundreds of knights, gleaming with gold, silver, and white light, rode along the King's Road. The two majestic white-armored knights leading the way escorted a large fat man.
The moment King Robert stepped through the East Gate, everyone knelt on one knee in unison to welcome the King.
The first part of "King's Landing" had just finished playing.
Countless stirring drumbeats and horn calls instantly resounded throughout Winterfell.
Jon's heart couldn't help but pound a few times, a warm current surging through his body. Many people present had an even stronger reaction.
The previous graceful melody was merely a prelude and衬托, just like the gradual preparations in Winterfell over the past few days, all for the arrival of the latter half – King's Landing.
The visiting knights poured in like a long dragon.
Countless Baratheon Stag banners and Lannister Golden Lion banners swept past people's eyes.
The drumbeats had not stopped, and were even becoming more intense.
A flash of golden light suddenly filled Jon's vision.
Many people let out suppressed gasps.
Jon's gaze was firmly captured. That was a Giant Lion, a Giant Lion more than twice the size of Ghost's deceased mother!
Truly like the legendary giant beast!
Jon saw the figure on the Giant Lion. Red and gold robes, tall and strong, with flowing golden hair as dazzling as sunlight, and a sincere and hearty smile on his face.
That figure looked towards Jon and gave Jon a look whose meaning he couldn't understand.
Jon knew that this was the Crown Prince, the future King.
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