The Mountain of Ice and Fire

"Who are you?" Jeyne instinctively assumed a defensive posture.

The young knight carried an air of nobility, sharp, noble brows, maesterly eyes. It was clear he came from an illustrious noble family. Yet Jeyne didn't recognize him.

"Lady Jeyne, please take a look at this." The knight produced a pin bearing the Westerling family crest.

"You're a friend of Ser Ado Serrett?"

"Yes."

That pin was the token exchanged between Ado and Lord Gawen during the proposal. At that time, Lord Gawen had privately agreed to Ado's proposal, but it was an informal promise, not publicly announced. He hadn't consulted Jeyne yet, and since Lady Tywin was Jeyne's adoptive mother, Lord Gawen hadn't had a chance to inform him either.

"I'm sorry, Ser, but I am already engaged to Ser Gregor Clegane. Please convey my apologies to Ser Ado. I will have my father return the exchanged tokens."

"Lady Jeyne, Ser Ado Serrett is waiting for you at the watchtower on the mountaintop."

"Are there no guards at the watchtower?"

"You can rest assured, Miss. It's a time of peace, and the watchtower hasn't been manned for a long while. Tonight, all the Lannister soldiers are out drinking! They won't return to camp unless drunk."

"I'm sorry, but I cannot meet Ser Ado at the watchtower."

Intimate relationships ran rampant among the Seven Kingdoms' nobility.

King Robert Baratheon himself had once locked eyes with the bridesmaid Delina Floren at his younger brother Stannis Baratheon's wedding. They ended up sharing the bridal bed, which belonged to Stannis and his new wife.

Delina was the cousin of Stannis's new wife. Even though Robert's wife Cersei was present, Robert still made Delina his consort and fathered a bastard son, Edric Storm, with her.

Oberyn Martell, the Red Viper of Dorne, at sixteen, had an affair with the mistress of Lord Ormond Ironwood, who guarded Dorne's most important border post. He challenged Oberyn to a duel. Oberyn, a prince and only sixteen, fought with venom-coated blades. Both were wounded, but his 's wounds festered and he died days later. Since then, Oberyn was known as the "Red Viper."

From kings and princes down to ordinary knights, many nobles fought duels to claim intimacy, some dying for it. This was the prevailing noble custom in this world.

Ser Ado Serrett had sent his closest noble knight to deliver this message, hoping to make Jeyne his consort tonight.

He knew Jeyne liked him, that she harbored feelings for him, this was his confidence.

Jeyne refused the knight's invitation and urged him to leave quickly. If Ser Gregor Clegane found out, both he and Ado would be beaten to death.

The knight smiled faintly, unafraid of Jeyne's warning. Gregor was notorious, yes, but to these noble youths, powerful, undefeated, innocent of the world's cruelty, they looked down on the "ferocious dog" Gregor.

Ignorant and arrogant, these nobles thought themselves invincible because everything had gone smoothly for them.

"Very well, Lady Jeyne. May I see your cat? I'll just take a quick look and leave."

Jeyne hesitated but agreed, since the request was polite and it involved her beloved cat. "Ser Knight, please don't touch her. She's asleep."

The young knight approached Jeyne, face full of admiration. "Oh my, such a beautiful and noble cat. Only such a precious treasure could match Lady Jeyne's radiance." His smooth words made Jeyne's heart bloom.

"Lady Jeyne, you've never been to the watchtower on the mountaintop, right? The night view there, the moonlit sea, is truly beautiful and peaceful. It's a very short path up."

Lord Tywin's main castle was near the mountaintop watchtower. His residence was the highest point in town, close to the summit.

Jeyne replied, "Ser Knight, I'd love to see the view, but not tonight. Please tell Ser Ado I thank him for thinking highly of me. I am already engaged to Ser Gregor Clegane, and that cannot be changed."

"Lady Jeyne, the Mountain is not worthy of you. Ser Ado Serrett is a young hero, neither betrothed nor has he taken a consort. You are the first beautiful lady he's chosen. Come with me. Gregor will be drunk tonight, he'll never know about you and Ado."

Jeyne shook her head firmly. "Ser Knight, please go. I'm not going to the watchtower tonight."

"Very well." The youth crouched down and gently stroked the fur of the sleeping Angela.

"Goodbye, Angela." He reluctantly stood up, pulled out a pristine white handkerchief, wiped his hands, and suddenly pressed the cloth over Jeyne's mouth and nose.

Jeyne struggled fiercely, but the knight's arms were strong. One hand held her down, the other sealed her breath.

She quickly lost consciousness.

The young knight entered Jeyne's room, retrieved a black cloak left by the window earlier, wrapped Jeyne in it, and bent down to carry her like a cloak himself.

He moved swiftly and effortlessly, then slipped out.

Tonight, the entire Lannister household staff and soldiers were in wild celebration, singing and drinking till drunk.

A narrow path led straight to the mountaintop, not far at all. The watchtower was at the path's end.

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