Wright's actions were straightforward and public, naturally inviting Varys to the military camp, and the news spread quickly.
At the same time, Petyr Baelish was in the office of the sewer management, calculating the earnings from his private entertainment venues from the previous week.
A male servant from one of his establishments came in, whispered something to him, and Petyr's face immediately turned ashen. His heart nearly stopped.
Wright had saved Denys Arryn, and though Petyr had originally planned to involve Varys in some matters, now Wright had approached Varys first, signaling that he was trying to dig for information behind the scenes. Petyr began sweating nervously, wondering if he had made any mistakes.
Over the years, he had been very discreet, and he was certain that Varys didn't know about his affair with Lysa Tully. But this eunuch would surely sell out his other dealings to Wright! Chaos was a ladder, but now, faced with Wright Baratheon, what chaos, what ladder? One dragon's flame could scorch everything clean!
Petyr had to change his plans. He composed himself, then told the officials at the sewer management:
"A few of my servants ran away and stole my money, I need to handle this."
"Please, do take care of it as soon as possible," the officials sympathized with Petyr's plight.
Petyr had his servant notify Lysa Tully to meet him, then hurriedly returned to his entertainment venue, where his most loyal servants prepared his money and contacted the carriage.
Soon after, Lysa Tully arrived secretly, escorted by a servant.
"What's going on? Are you leaving? Are you going to leave me all alone?" Lysa immediately clung to Petyr, shaking him desperately.
Petyr thought of strangling her, but his face broke into a smile. "There's been a change of plans. We're leaving King's Landing and heading back to the Eyrie."
Lysa Tully: "What about the body of that old man?"
Petyr: "You can make up any excuse, say you're heartbroken and need to leave first. As for the body transportation, just let others handle it. It's a great honor, many would be willing to do it."
Lysa Tully: "Why are we leaving?"
Petyr stroked her hair. "You have to go back and ensure that the Vale nobles swear loyalty to Robinn. And there are three other things you need to do."
Lysa Tully: "Tell me."
Petyr: "First, the Vale nobles are all in King's Landing now. You need to write a personal letter to them, accusing Denys Arryn of treason and trying to seize the inheritance of the Vale. You'll take your son back to the Eyrie to stabilize the army."
Lysa Tully: "Okay!"
Petyr: "Not only that, you must instruct your maid to spread word that, a year from now, you'll be looking for a new husband in the Vale."
Lysa Tully was so excited upon hearing this that she clung to Petyr and kissed him fervently. "What! I only want you! I only want you!"
"Calm down! Calm down! You need to understand that Denys Arryn was originally the second heir. Many nobles will support him. If you declare you'll find a new husband, being the daughter of House Tully and so beautiful, think of how many nobles will change sides and follow you!"
Petyr ran his fingers through her red hair, his face full of admiration and affection.
Lysa Tully: "Do you really think this will work?"
Petyr: "A year! As long as the Vale nobles support us, even King Robert won't be able to stop us! Once Gyrrobin inherits the dukedom, by then, Denys Arryn might even be dead. At that point, the Vale nobles will naturally have no choice but to swear loyalty to Gyrrobin."
Lysa Tully: "But do I still have to marry someone else? I only want you!"
Petyr Baelish embraced Lysa Tully, "There will only be one person to pledge loyalty to, so there's no need for a marriage contract to maintain the support of the nobles. Later, we can hold our wedding."
Lysa Tully, thinking about the happy life a year from now, blushed deeply and lost herself in her lover's embrace.
Petyr Baelish: "The third thing—burn the Arryn family's family tree."
Their heads rested against each other, and Petyr's eyes gleamed coldly. "Write a letter to your uncle, Ser Brynden Tully. He commands the only passage to the Eyrie, the Bloody gate. Have him intercept and kill Denys Arryn!"
"Mm, I'll do as you say!"
---
After finishing the day's work, it was evening, and Wright returned to the Red Keep's Hand's Tower. He sat down in the Hand's office, which was piled high with books and documents, to rest.
At a banquet after Renly's wedding, King Robert spoke out, stripping the members of the magic school of the right to participate in the tournament unless there were at least two mages competing, but even then, it could only be a battle between them.
Now, the only people who knew magic were Wright's students. The number was small, and everyone's strength was well known, so no one had any interest in competing.
Though they couldn't compete, attending the tournament as spectators was welcomed, and many nobles hoped to sit with the magic school members. In King's Landing, it had become a symbol of status.
Thoros followed Robert around, drinking wherever they went. Qyburn, on the other hand, took Sansa Stark, Jojen Redd, and the school's maid, Jenny Poole, to the tournament every day, explaining various sights and sounds. Jon Snow had been promoted to the commander of the Gold Cloaks and was diligently managing his hundred-man squad, patrolling daily and occasionally visiting the tournament grounds.
Eddard had been drinking with King Robert for several days, and Robb could only attend banquets with his mother. Catelyn Tully, with her son in tow, faced the proposals of nobles with a proud expression.
After the tournament, Robb would return to the North, as Eddard had already issued him a formal order, authorizing him to investigate a certain bloody bastard from the North.
Wright was tired of the magic school. With so much work during the day, when he returned, Nymeria and Tyene would drag him to Renly's place to help with the crops, leaving him exhausted. Luckily, he had an excuse to rest these days.
The Hand's office was empty except for Wright, though Robert's clothes were laid out on the chair beside him.
"Balon Swann!"
The captain of the Kingsguard opened the door and entered, followed by his apprentice, Dican Tully, who was learning martial arts under him.
"Wright, my lord."
"Go to the school and tell Nymeria I'll be late coming back tonight."
Balon Swann smiled. "I'll tell the lady that you, Wright, will be busy with the Hand's election and working late into the night."
Wright gave him a thumbs up. "Once you deliver the message, you can head back and rest. Dickon Tarly should do the same."
"Good night, my lord."
After they left, Wright grabbed a blanket and lay down on the sofa. Just as he was about to sleep, the hidden door behind the mural opened, and Robert, wrapped in a cloak, emerged.
"Haha, I heard everything. Are you really that afraid of going home?"
Robert walked over, grabbed a jug of water, and drank it. After finishing, he remembered something and slapped Wright on the head.
"Two women, and you can't handle them? You've tarnished the glory of House Baratheon!"
Two? Try handling three every day!
Wright thought but didn't say it aloud. His short hair didn't have a style, so it wasn't messy from the slap. He changed the subject. "Get changed! Once the king finishes his work, he should head to bed!"
Robert took off his simple attire and changed into the luxurious noble clothing, proudly boasting, "The daughter of House Bracken is truly beautiful!"
"Wipe the lipstick mark off your neck! The eldest daughter?" Wright tossed him a handkerchief. He had a very clear memory of the five Bracken daughters, who indirectly caused the conflict at Renly's wedding.
"Hahaha," Robert laughed, took the handkerchief, and rubbed his neck vigorously. He then raised his hand and flashed three fingers at Wright.
Wright: "The third daughter? She's also not bad, nice waist."
Robert puffed out his chest and stood tall: "It's all three!"
Since Wright became Hand of the King, Robert attended banquets and the tournament during the day. Every evening after dinner, he would enter the Hand's Tower to work with Wright until late at night, only leaving the Prime Hand's office and returning to Maegor's Holdfast to sleep.
The officials of the Red Keep believed that since Wright arrived, the king had become more diligent in his duties! The Kingsguard, attendants, maidservants, and some officials all confirmed that they had been stationed outside the Hand's office, and every day, after the king entered, he worked until late into the night. Such a change in Robert led them to believe that the kingdom was on the brink of a golden age!