Yeah, I think there's something else going on, though. It's one thing to assert the obligation existed at one time, but not anymore. It's another thing to assert it never existed.
I tend to think it once existed. I think it's a lot harder to prove it never existed.
More importantly: Is there a reason that Ned is saying this now and in such an awkward manner?
I think people just assumed he would never use the stake. He said it now because I asked plenty of times in the discord.