Hi there! Hereâs the masterlist of my completed and ongoing works, I hope you enjoy them!â€ïž
[ONGOING WORK]:
Avalanche: Robb Stark x Reader [In Progress]
Summary: The whole Westeros knew the South and the North rarely made a good match, but sometimes fate liked to play its game.
Avalanche Masterlist
Declassified:Congressman!Bucky Barnes x Reader [In Progress]
Summary: Politics is a game that requires secrets, just like love.
Declassified Masterlist
Sunshine: Logan Howlett x Reader [In Progress]
Summary: The first ray of sunlight holds many promises.
Sunshine Masterlist
[COMPLETED WORKS]:
*Bridgerton:
Enamored: Anthony Bridgerton x Reader [Complete]
Summary: Love is never easy.
Enamored Masterlist
Garden of Secrets : Benedict Bridgerton x Reader [Complete]
Summary: Life is the flower for which love is the honey. Â
Garden of Secrets Masterlist
*Criminal Minds:Â
Twisted: Spencer Reid x Reader [Complete]
Summary: No one can outrun their past.
Twisted Masterlist
*The Witcher:
Beautiful and Damned:Geralt of Rivia x Reader [Complete]
Summary:Â Itâs a bad idea to wish for a fairytale.Â
Beautiful and Damned Masterlist
*Vikings:
Faint of Heart:Ivar x Reader [Complete]
Summary: An arranged marriage is supposed to be political, free of any emotions. And yet, when feelings get involved in a marriage between a Viking and a Christian princess, the power balance of the world changes.Â
Faint Of Heart Masterlist
* MARVEL:
Burn The Witch : Bucky Barnes x Reader [Complete]
Summary: Thereâs a thin line between mission and love, and spies arenât allowed to cross that line.
Burn The Witch- Masterlist
Caught In The Fire - Mob!Bucky Barnes x Reader [Complete]
Summary: In a city ruled by gangsters, nothing is ever simple.
Caught In The Fire - Masterlist
The Eye of the Hurricane :Â Mob!Bucky Barnes x Reader [Complete]
Summary: Sometimes, love and power become entwined with each other.
The Eye of the Hurricane Masterlist
Donât You Love Me? : Steve Rogers x Reader [Complete]
Summary: Opposites attract.
Donât You Love Me? - Masterlist
Untouchable : Bucky Barnes x Reader  [Complete]
Summary: What happens when Bucky Barnes falls in love with someone he shouldnât have?
Untouchable - Masterlist
Bad Habit :Billy Russo x Reader [Complete]
Summary:Â Anything can happen in a coffee shop.
Bad Habit Masterlist
Once A Year : Billy Russo x Reader [Complete]
Summary: Past always catches up.
Once A Year Masterlist
Oneshots:
Theory of Gravity: Making small talk can be difficult with a crush [Logan Howlett x Reader]
King's Landing!Blossom who learned early on that firstborn heirs (Alton, Joffrey and every man that's courted her but had no balls to propose out of fear from Joffrey) are weak and not to be trusted meeting Robb Stark, who will do anything to make her feel safe and welcome in the North after it becomes clear the Prince feels entitled to her the same way he feels entitled to the throne.
Robb who drills his mother with questions about her and her family the day after the welcome feast and is told that the only reason they aren't betrothed is because the Queen refuses to and Silas Greensted is too proud to offer anything more to the royal family (Silas purposely making the betrothal unappealing)
I love this new AU! Do we think the possible engagement to Jorelle was still happening but unofficial enough that Robb felt within his right to marry? Or what if he was actually betrothed and just didn't care? Was Blossom hurt badly, secretly enough that she doesn't want to tell Silas (we know she doesn't tell him everything, but abuse victims also avoid telling their loved ones) but she shows Robb because she wants to play into his savior complex? How would their first meeting have happened? Was Silas in Winterfell or did he just wake up one day to a letter telling him his sister had eloped with the *checks notes* the future warden of the North and lord of Winterfell?
So I feel like Blossom was put in the southern court around the time Margaery was, and the moment Joffrey started looking Blossom's way, sirens started blasting in both her and Silas' headsđ Nothing ever happened of course, Blossom would never want that, Silas himself wouldn't want that, and heir or not, Joffrey could not do anything about that, but it didn't mean he would leave her suitors alone! He probably did monstrous stuff to one of them, and it was enough to make everyone else start the rumor mill, and it was at that moment Silas decided he'd get Blossom out of King's Landingđ
Robb Stark, who will do anything to make her feel safe and welcome in the North She will be meltinggggđ
Do we think the possible engagement to Jorelle was still happening but unofficial enough that Robb felt within his right to marry? Or what if he was actually betrothed and just didn't care? OH! I think the second one! đ
Like, I think that would show Blossom's "skills" in seducing Robb, because she already knew she would be getting away from Joffrey (the worst case scenario, Silas would poison him before they left for Dorne) but the moment she met Robb???
She literally decided right there and then that he would be hersđ
Like, yes she would fall in love, but at first it was very much planned to make him fall in loveđ
I think Blossom would notice the way Robb was looking at her the moment she stepped out of the carriage with the queen, and decided very conveniently to be within Robb's sight, and then decided to walk to the Godswood to "explore it alone" while Robb was watchingđ So of course he followed herđ
I feel like Robb was so convinced that it was fate, and that he was the one who decided to propose within days, and then elope and consummate so that they couldn't take her, buuuut...
I have no idea where this is going and I'm nervous đ€Łđ€Ł what do you mean they are taking Sansa and Arya? What is Blossom going to do if Margaery says no?! (I know she won't but still lol) Joffery is gross. Robb is great.
Oh it'll be so angsty but so fun my love, things are gonna escalate pretty fast from now onđ
Imagine being part of the king's court and pulling up to the North expecting sullen and boring people and now you're getting outmogged every single day. Blossom, Rob, Jon, Ned, Catelyn, Jorelle constantly serving face and cunt- oh and also, the future lord Stark and his wife have both not only killed huge beasts but also have a huge wolf that follows them everywhere and they're not the only ones.
OMG I AM GIGGLING DARLINGđ
Oh yeah, the king's court had zero idea about the north, so they probably all imagined something completely different on the way theređ
And they get to Winterfell and-
Face cards, all aroundđđ
Blossom and Robb don't realize it just yet, but they're gonna become a legendary couple for many, MANY reasonsđ
Tyrion would vibe with Blossom so hard, she doesn't judge anyone, is a beautiful woman who will never ignore or insult someone based off of something they have no control over and has managed to piss off his sister in like five seconds flat
Loll oh yeah, I feel like Tyrion will actually like Blossom, unlike the rest of his siblings đ Even though they all end up becoming enemies, he would have respect for her, and she would have respect for him! đ
The hidden implications that Silas loves his sister way more than Robb loves his because he wouldn't have ever let Blossom marry a stranger he didn't investigate himself...
It's also quite interesting how nobody in Winterfell has asked themselves how House Greensted, a vassal house who clawed their way to power, very strategically made sure Blossom, who was this infamous beauty, never crossed paths with the royal family, even when there were ballads being written in her name, and the whole realm was made aware of her title đ
Like, Silas has been all around the realm to find her the perfect husband, and somehow, the royal family never crossed his mind? And coincidentally she never met any member of the said royal family? Even when all the other houses were pushing their daughters to all the feasts and such?
And not ONE PERSON thought to ask Blossom or Silas or Lord Greensted that????
Silas does not mess around when it comes to Blossom, and that's exactly why she acknowledges how lucky she is to have him đ„° Like, yes Robb would die for his family without a second thought, but he doesn't even consider the idea that Joffrey might not be a good person to Sansa, all because he trusts his father's decisions blindly đ
AU where Blossom comes to King's Landing as part of the royal family's noble entourage bc she's one of the favorite options to marry Joffrey (the only reason it isn't happening is because neither the Queen nor Silas wants it after hearing rumors about his cruelty ) does Robb falls in love at first sight or do they meet the same way they did in the original? I can definitely see Robb being all like, well she isn't formally betrothed to anyone, mother, I see no issue on why I shouldn't court her
I definitely feel like it was love at first sight for Robb, and also for Blossom but she had also some...contributing factors, such as getting the hell out of her possible betrothal đ So I think she put in extra effort to "mesmerize" Robb enough that by the end of the first week, Robb had already proposed, and they wed (in secret) in front of the weirwood treeđ
The royal family and the Greensteds and the Starks were only told the news the next morning, which almost started a war, but Robb didn't care, neither did Blossomđ
Blossom's letter to Margaery will include a "P.S: isn't the Queen a huge bitch?" which will make Margaery cry into her tea bc omg babe, yes she is, I've been wanting to say that for months
Darlingggđ
I agree with this so much, both Margaery and Blossom are so used to gossiping about people and they haven't had the chance since Margaery arrived in King's Landing!
đŁLET MY GIRLS GOSSIPđŁ
And listen, if they were both in the same room? With Cersei? And she tried to pull that nonsense with Blossom?
Oh they would drag her in their own special way, those two can be brutal when they want tođ
Warnings: Explicit language, (canon) comments about weight, adult themes, suggestive themes. MDNI- Do not read if you're under 18.
Series Masterlist
It wasnât that you werenât good at holding grudges.
You were excellent at it, actually. Your very own sister-in-law was the proof of it, you hadnât been able to get along well with her ever since you were a child.
So it wasnât that you lacked the ability to hold grudges, it was just that Robb made it very difficult.
Day by day, your resilience was chipped away. You were still angry at him for calling that lady âpleasantâ but he kept claiming it was for Jon, and though you hated to admit it, he also had a way ofâŠ
Well.
Convincing you and quenching your anger at the same time.
You were trying to choose between two pairs of earrings when Robb walked into your bedchambers, and you had to do a double-take to realize it was not a stranger who barged in, but your husband. You gasped, your hands shooting up to cover your mouth.
âWhat happened to your beard?!â
âMy mother made me shave it,â he grumbled while you gawked at him. âFor the kingâs arrival.â
You had never seen Robb without a beard; he always had either a stubble or a very short beard, so this was the first time you were seeing him clean-shaven. Though he was handsome as always with his sharp jawline which was even more prominent without a beard, the sight felt rather strange to you, and it took you a couple of seconds to understand the reason. A huff of laughter escaped you, muffled by your hands before you lowered them.
âYou look like a Reach knight!â
The way his expression turned from annoyed to complete and utter betrayal couldâve made a simple observer think you had just insulted him. He let out a displeased exhale through his nose, then strode past you to approach your mirror like it could magically grow his beard back if he glared at his reflection hard enough.
âI do not understand why she insists so much,â he mumbled while you tilted your head, watching him in the mirror with your arms crossed. âA northman cannot be without his beard, itâs just not right.âÂ
You covered your laughter by clearing your throat and plopped down on the bed, a grin curling your lips.
âRecite me a poem,â you demanded, and he turned around to scowl at you.
âI donât know any.â
âYou look like you do,â you said airily. âCan you sing, at least? Play any instruments? Almost every knight in the Reach can.â
âIâm no Reach knight,â he grumbled. âAnd itâll grow back.â
âAre you saying that to me or yourself?â
He took another look at his reflection, running a hand over his face.
âI look like a boy.â
âA handsome Reach boy,â you chirped, earning an annoyed glare in return. Â
âDonât.â
You held up your hands in a mock of surrender before you pushed yourself off the bed.
âWell, I must go,â you said. âLady Stark needed me today, so Iâll leave you and my mirror alone.â
âWaitââ He caught up with you to grab your wrist so that he could pull you closer, drawing a giggle out of you. You playfully slipped your wrist out of his grasp with a gasp, feigning shock.
âIâm very offended by you daring to believe Iâd kiss you,â you said with a hand on your chest. âAs handsome as you are, Iâll have you know Iâm very loyal to my husband.â
âI am your husband!â
You made a noise of disagreement.
âMy husband has a beard,â you pointed out, taking a step back. âYou appear to be one of the knights who used to follow me around in the ballroom begging for a dance.â
Well, that wasnât entirely true; none of those knights were as handsome as Robb was, but he didnât need to know that.
âLearn a poem in the meantime,â you told him, walking backwards to the door. âOr grow your beard back. Whichever is faster.â
With that, you walked out of the room and left him there, your laughter echoing in the hallway.
Though you both had very different trainings, it was times like these you could see that Lady Stark was in fact raised in the south.
Being the lady of the castleâespecially when the said castle was Winterfellâcame with so many responsibilities. Hosting guests was not only duty but also an art, which she pulled off flawlessly, even before the guests were there. The bedchambers, the feast, the entertainment, it was all ready the moment you got the news that the king would be arriving today. There were direwolf banners hanging in and outside the castle, and by the time you and the Starks gathered in the yard, you could already hear the sound of the horses approaching.
You had picked a pearly gray silk gown for the day, to blend in with the rest of the family, with your pelt thrown over your shoulders. Jon wasnât allowed to stand with the family per Lady Starkâs orders, and it had put Robb in a rather sullen mood that he only snapped out of at the sight of Arya rushing to cross the yard with a helmet on her head. Lord Stark quickly pulled it off of her head and sent her to go stand between Sansa and Bran. You were right beside Robb, your hand in his while he caressed the back of your hand with his thumb almost absentmindedly, making you bite back a smile before you looked over your shoulder to steal a glance at your ladies-in-waiting in the crowd.
You hadnât met the king or the queen before, and it had been on purpose, thanks to Silas and your father. The kingâs many affairs with other women was not unheard of throughout the realm, and two years ago, around the time that title of yours started being thrown around, he and the queen had visited the Reach. A week before that, per Silasâ counsel and your fatherâs orders, you werenât allowed to go outside so that when you missed the feast in Kingâs honor, the whole Reach thought you had been too sick to join any feast the whole week. The reason was simple; neither your father nor Silas wanted to risk the possibility of you catching the kingâs interest, seeing that if you did, there would be so little that they could do except send you to Dorne to keep you safe and away from the most powerful man of the realm.
Though many families in the Reach would be delighted at the idea of their daughter catching the kingâs eye and elevating their status, your family loved you way too much to put you in a situation where you would be forced to be a mistress.
But thankfully, you were safe now.
Not that the married women were safe in the southern court, especially from the king. However, you were Robbâs wife now, the future Lady of Winterfell, and nobody, not even the king, could risk the wrath of House Stark and the North by crossing a line.
You were probably the safest lady in the whole realm.
You snapped out of your thoughts when the horsemen passed the gates and entered the yard, a young boy that could only be a couple years older than Sansaâthe prince, if you had to guessâ at the front. Sansa sighed beside you, making Robb turn to her and then frown at the boy who gave Sansa a smirk, and you had to bite back your smile.
Of course Sansa would admire the prince.
The queenâs carriage entered the yard as well, followed by the Kingsguard and the king, whom you only recognized because of the crown. He was a heavy man with a serious look on his face, his eyes darting around the yard as his horse stopped and his squire rushed to help him dismount. Lord Stark bent a knee, the rest of the family and the whole yard following him suit, and it was only when the king motioned at him to rise that he stood up, all of you doing the same.
The king held Lord Starkâs gaze. âYou got fat.â
You blinked a couple of times, holding your breath to see what Lord Stark would say, but he only lowered his eyes to the kingâs stomach before raising his brows at him, as if returning the statement without so much as a word. The king burst into laughter, making Lord Stark smile as well before he pulled him into a hug.
âŠGods, you were never going to understand menâs humor or their idea of friendship.
âCat!â he greeted Lady Stark with a happy smile, hugging her as well. Sansa was still staring at the prince, and you leaned closer to her so that Robb couldnât hear your whisper.
âYou might want to pretend to be a little more nonchalant, my sweet.â
Sansa gave you an abashed smile while the king and Lord Stark exchanged words.
âDo you think he finds me beautiful?â
âOf course he does,â you whispered back, watching the queen step out of the carriage. She was beautiful, the displeasure on her face wasnât enough to take away from it, and she looked around the yard before her eyes stopped on you.
âYou must be Robb.â The king shook Robbâs hand before his eyes found you. âAnd the newest member of the family, I assume. The tales of your beauty werenât lying, my lady.â
âThank you, Your Grace,â you accepted the compliment with a well-practiced graceful smile. The queen approached Lord Stark who kissed her hand, but everyoneâs attention turned to the king in a second when he spoke:
âTake me to your crypt, I want to pay my respects.â
âWeâve been riding for a month, my love,â the queen said kindly, and you had to wonder for a second whether everyone else could hear just how forced it sounded or just you. âSurely the dead can wait.â
The king didnât even spare her a glance.
âNed,â he said curtly before he walked away, and Lord Stark followed him into the Keep.
âŠAh.
The crypt.
Where Lord Starkâs sister who was also the kingâs alleged true love laid in her eternal sleep.
The Queen looked like she wanted to argue, but her brother touched her arm as if signaling her to stop talking, and you averted your eyes, making yourself busy with your bracelet.
It was one of the many things you and Margaery were taught when you were little.
If someone above your rank was insulted or ignored in front of you, you never saw it.
Lord Stark and the king spent almost an hour in the crypts while the queen retired to her bedchambers to rest. It seemed that Lord Stark had much to speak with the king, because Robb had come to find you in the yard around an hour before the feast, clearly released from his fatherâs solar. You quickly dismissed your ladies-in-waiting so that you could speak freely at the far corner of the yard, and to be completely honest, the way you two sat was not appropriate at all; rather than sitting across from one another, you had your back against his chest, his arms wrapped around you while he nuzzled to your hair.
It had been rather peaceful, at least until a moment ago.
âA betrothal?â you repeated, craning your neck to look up at him. âBetween Sansa andâŠâ
âPrince Joffrey,â Robb finished your sentence for you, letting out a displeased noise as you pulled out of his arms to turn to see him better. âDonâtââ
âAnd Lord Stark said yes?â
âSansa would cry for the rest of her life if he did not,â Robb said with a grimace. âShe is in love already, and they havenât even talked to each other yet. My mother talked my father into it, he will take the girls with him when he goes to Kingâs Landing to be the Hand.â
A frown pinched your forehead while Robbâs fingers drew shapes in your palm absentmindedly.
âRobb, I donât thinkâŠâ
Gods, how were you going to approach this?
You had to walk a very thin line here. You couldnât risk anyone think you were trying to sabotage Sansaâs future, especially when the root of your worries was her future. Sansa was the sweetest girl ever, and you were certain she would grow up to be the loveliest lady and queen, but it was because of that you werenât as excited as Lady Stark about this union.
Sansa was too sweet and naive for Kingâs Landing.
Not to mention, you knew nearly nothing about Prince Joffrey. There was a reason why it had taken Silas so much time to make a decision about your husband, marriage couldnât be decided in a haste. Granted the king and Lord Stark were friends, but it didnât mean their children would form a good union, and the moment they wed, Sansa would be bound to Prince Joffrey forever, regardless of how strong her house was.
And this was yet another time you were thankful to the gods for Silas and the rest of your family.
Those rules didnât apply to you.
âWhat is it?â Robb asked, pulling you out of your thoughts. You opened your mouth and closed it again, then took a deep breath.
âSansa is very young still.â
âOh they wonât wed right away,â Robb said. âTheyâll wait until my father deems it the right time. Sansa will just be in Kingâs Landing in the meantime, with Arya.â
You stole a look at the rest of the yard, deep in thought.
âWell, perhapsâŠâ You paused. âPerhaps if they wonât wed right away, Sansa could stay here a bit longer so that I can teach her things.â
âLike what?â
âLike how to survive in the southern court.â
He huffed a laugh. âOh come on.â
âRobb, Iâm serious.â
âMy father will be with her, sheâll be fine.â
âYour father cannot save her from everything,â you said. âNor can he help her in everything, especially when it comes to the south. Itâs a different world than here, and please donât get me wrong, but Sansa still believes in fairytales. She must learn know how toââ
You stopped yourself and Robb pulled his brows together.
âHow to what?â
Manipulate people.
It was beyond you how no one had given her the necessary training, especially if the southern court had been a possibility all along. You were rather sheltered and very much aware of it, but when it came to southern court games and wielding power, you and Margaery were given a very strict education.
Although you falling in love was unexpected, your husband falling in love with you had always been the plan.
âThe southern court is an incredibly dangerous place,â you told him. âI fear she might not be ready for it just yet. If she stays here a little longerââ
âNothing bad will happen to her in the southern court,â he assured you. âMy father and the king are close as brothers.â
âWhich is wonderful, but think about it,â you insisted. âSilas didnât make our union happen because of my father and yours. He made it, because he approved you above all that. Does your father know Prince Joffrey? Do you? Beyond the fact that he will sit the Iron Throne once his father passes?â
âHe canât do anything to Sansa,â Robb brushed you off. âSansa is a Stark.â
You caught the sight of the queenâs brother Jaime Lannister and Prince Joffrey stepping out of the keep into the yard, then huffed out.
âCan you please ask your father either way?â you asked. âIf she can stay here for a moon or two?â
His eyes softened as he cupped your cheek gently, then dipped his head to give you the sweetest kiss, making your heart skip a beat. A giggle escaped you, your cheeks growing hot.
âWeâre in public!â
âAnd weâre on our honeymoon,â he defended himself while you dragged your fingertip over the snarling wolf clasps on his doublet before you buried your face to his chest where his laugh rumbled deep. He pressed a kiss on top of your head, his hand still cradling your cheek.
âBut youâll ask?â you insisted and he heaved a sigh.
âIâll ask,â he said. âHappy?â
âVery,â you chirped as you lifted your head to beam at him. âThank you!â
He held your gaze in his, stroking your cheekbone with his thumb.
âIâll never be able to tell you no, will I?â he asked and you scrunched up your nose, then grinned.
âProbably not,â you said airily. âBut then again, why would you want to?â
That drew a chuckle out of him, and he shook his head as if he couldnât believe himself.
âAye,â he murmured, leaning in to kiss you again. âWhy would I want to indeed?â
Thanks to Lady Stark, the feast was going perfectly.
And everyone was having fun. Sansa was over the moon with the news, and she had made you promise that you would lend her one of your gowns for her to wear in the Kingâs Landing, so that she could impress the ladies there. Though you wanted to say it would take more than a gown, you decided not to say anything until Robb asked Lord Stark, so instead you assured her that you would help her with choosing the perfect gown and jewelry so that she would make an impeccable first impression on the southern court. Just until a moment ago that you and Robb were sitting at one of the tables among your peers, drinking and laughing, but when Arya threw food at Sansaâs dress, Lady Stark had shot him a look that clearly said to step in, so that the royal family wouldnât notice the chaos that was about to erupt. Robb heaved a sigh and kissed your temple before he made his way to Arya and lifted her out of her seat, telling her it was time for bed. Arya pouted, but one gentle push from Robb made her start walking, and they both left the Great Hall so that he could tuck her in.
Watching Robb take care of his siblings never failed to make your chest all warm. He knew how to handle all of them, adapting a softer approach with Sansa and Bran while roughhousing Arya and Rickon who loved it. For a moment, you couldnât stop your mind from wandering off, so you found yourself imagining what a great father he would make one day, to your own kids.
You knew it was too early, you still couldnât tell whether you were ready, especially with your motherâs fate, yet the simple image of him with a baby made you smile.
You wondered whether they would take after him or you. Or perhaps they would be the perfect combination of you bothâ
âMy lady.â Alysâ voice snapped you out of your thoughts. âLady Stark and the queen ask for you, I think.â
You turned your head to take a look at the High Table where only Lady Stark and the queen satâeveryone else had scattered around the Great Hall. Lady Stark nodded at you and you pushed your chair back.
âThank you Alys,â you whispered and stood up, then made your way to the High Table. You swept a well-trained curtsy, then straightened up and smiled at them, clasping your hands in front of you.
âYour Grace,â you said. âLady Stark.â
âHello my dear.â
âI wanted to see the infamous Blossom of the Reach,â the queen said, making your smile wider. âEveryone sings your praises, even miles away.â
âThank you, Your Grace.âÂ
âIncluding your best friend,â she said, making your head whip up. âMargaery Tyrell. She is dazzling the capital as we speak.â
And judging by the tone of her voice, she was not happy about that.
You wouldâve been lying if you said it was unexpected. Margaery never feared anyone, no matter their social standing.
âAs she dazzled the Reach,â you said. âIâm sure she flourishes in Kingâs Landing.â
âDo remind me, who had more admirers in the Reach? You or her?â
The attempt was nearly pitiful, and you had to hold back your laughter. This wasnât new, the way people would try to sow discord between you and Margaery so that you would turn against each other and become rivals forâ
For what?
Attention?
The queen wasnât the first, nor would she be the last to find out your and Margaeryâs bond ran too deep to get harmed by such comments. Margaery could be crowned the most beautiful girl in the realm tomorrowâin your opinion, she deserved itâ, and you would be cheering her at the top of your lungs. She could be the queen, and you would be the first to bow down; there was no possibility of you turning bitter for her accomplishments and happiness, you loved her way too much for that.
And it was mutual too. Margaery never held contempt for you even when that title started being thrown around in the Reach, instead she fueled it, so that even more people would talk about it.
There was nothing anyone could do to make you and Margaery turn into enemies, no matter how much they tried.
âOh, one stops counting after a while,â you said with a laugh. âIt was rather hard for us to keep track of it, but the last I remember she had poems and I had songs. You would have to ask her though.â
âThe Reach does love its songs, does it not?â the queen asked. âJust as singers love their embellishments, Iâd say.â
âŠAh.
Well, alright then.
There were only three people in this hall who could tell what that veiled comment really meant; the queen herself, Lady Stark, and you, seeing that you were all quite fluent in the language of the southern court and how it held insults behind compliments, or simple statements.
Like that one.
âSuch admirers can affect a lady in a certain way,â the queen added. âLike excess pride. You and your friend should be careful.â
So now not only were your looks exaggerated, but you and Margaery were both arrogant.
Very well.
If she came all this way to your home to insult you and your best friend, you could play the game.
âBoth my best friend and I look up to you as the pinnacle of humility, we grew up with the tales of your beauty, Your Grace,â you said airily. âBack when we were little girls, that was all we would hear from Kingâs Landing. To this day, I still remember how many admirers you used to have back in the day. Iâm sure youâre delighted that his majesty relieved you of them, even after so many years!â
The tiny twitch of her lips reminded you of a snarl, but it was gone as fast as it came.
âWell,â she said after a beat. âI hope that you and your husband will be as happy as me and the king have been.â
The same king who had spent the majority of the feast drunk with another woman in his lap.
Sure.
She could keep hoping, Robb would never do that to you.
âIâm sure it would please you, Your Grace,â you said with a bright smile and she held your gaze in hers, then gave you a curt nod, signaling you could leave. You dropped a curtsy straight down with your head held high, then walked away from the High Table to join your ladies-in-waiting.
âThe queen does not look happy,â Lyra murmured and Jorelle raised her brows, stealing a look at the table.
âWould you be?â she asked. âIf my husband humiliated me like thatâŠâ
âI will never wed.â
âYou might have to,â Barbrey said and Lyra shrugged her shoulders.
âNot really. Iâm not the heir, I have no such responsibilities. One of my sisters has two children, she was never wed.â
âBear Island has different customs than the rest of the North,â Wylla said. âIf my father tried to wed me to someone like the king, Iâd run away.â
âSheâs still the queen,â Barbrey said and Wylla shook her head.
âIâm too northern to accept such disrespect.â
âBy the way, have any of you talked to her ladies-in-waiting?â
âIâve been avoiding them like the plague.â
âWell, Iâve talked to them, andâŠâ
The rest of Alysâ words disappeared into a buzz when the familiar feeling hit you, making you frown slightly. Your theory was that it was instinct for ladies of the court, you just learned to notice when men were looking at you even without a glance in their direction. Perhaps it was habit, perhaps it was a way to survive, but you knew when they were watching.
And sure enough, when you turned your head, you found Robb, Lord Stark, the king and Prince Joffrey all looking in your direction. Robb did not look happy for some reason, he had his jaw clenched while he listened to the king, and Prince Joffrey scowled before his eyes found mother and his frown deepened, as if she had done something of great offense. You let a lovesick smile light up your face as you waved at Robb without sparing the rest of them a glance, and that seemed to snap him out of his mood, that familiar soft light appearing in his gaze as he lifted his cup a little to greet you. The king said something and smacked him on the back, letting out a boisterous laugh and you lingered there for a moment, then rolled your shoulders back.
âIf youâll excuse me for a moment,â you said and walked away from your ladies to approach the men on the other side of the hall.
âYour Graces, my lord,â you greeted the king, the prince and Lord Stark, then beamed at Robb and turned to them. âMay I please borrow my lord husband for a minute if you donât mind?â
The king laughed.
âOh he stopped listening to us the moment you looked his way,â he said. âBut thatâs how a newlywed must be, huh Robb? Your father used to have the same look on his face whenever you looked at your mother.â
âRobert, come on now,â Lord Stark said and the king grinned.
âYou did,â he insisted while you laced your fingers through Robbâs. âThe same tortured look, even when I dragged you to hunts! Thatâs how you know itâs a good match.â
 âSpeaking of matches, Iâve heard the happy news,â you told Prince Joffrey with a smile. âIâm certain you and our beautiful Sansa will be as happy as we are, Your Grace.â
Prince Joffrey didnât seem delighted at all, his eyes finding his mother again before forcing himself to smile.
 âThank you, my lady.â
âAnyway, as I was saying, the whole North is talking of that duel! The future Warden of the North is a great fighter just like his father!â
A shadow crossed Prince Joffreyâs face but you paid him no mind.
âIâm glad the whole North is entertained, but I was rather terrified,â you said, leaning sideways to Robbâs arm and he pressed a kiss on top of your head as if trying to soothe you at the mention of the duel.
âYou had nothing to worry about, I told you that,â Robb muttered into your hair and you shot him a mischievous look.
âThe love of my life putting himself in danger scares me, thatâs no crime,â you said, earning a chuckle from the king. âIs it, Your Grace?â
âNot at all,â the king said. âEven the strongest men are defeated by love more than sword, my boy. Great warrior or not, you might want to keep that in mind.â Â
âI will, Your Grace.â
âIf youâll excuse us please.â
Robb followed you as you both crossed the Great Hall, still holding your hand tight until you stopped and turned to him. He seemed rather tense, frowning at Prince Joffrey who had just approached the queen to mutter something to her ear with a sour expression. You raised your brows, watching Robb grab a cup from one of the servants before he took a sip, still glaring at the High Table.
âIs everything alright?â
His attention snapped back to you. âMm hm.â
âAre you certain?â you asked. âWhat were you all talking about before I approached?â
âIâll tell you later.â
Though you wanted to insist, you decided otherwise. âHave you had the chance to talk to your father yet?â
âAbout?â
âAbout Sansa!â you whispered. âIf she can stay a bit longer.â
âI mentioned it, he said no.â Robb shrugged his shoulders. âAnd Iâve told you, heâll keep an eye on her. Sheâll be safe.â
You pursed your lips before taking a deep breath.
âAlright, then Iâll send a letter to Margaery first thing in the morning,â you said. âSheâs in Kingâs Landing, she should be able to help Sansa.â
He tilted his head.
âMargaery Tyrell?â
âDo you know another Margaery?â
âYour best friend whom youâre angry at?â
âIt doesnât matter whether Iâm angry at her or not,â you said. âAt the end of the day, I trust her with my life. We both know whatâs important and when to put aside disagreements, sheâs never going to deny me if I ask her for a favor.â
âEven after what happened?â
âDonât underestimate her loyalty to me, or mine to her,â you said. âTrust me. If I need help, sheâll help.â
âIâll never understand you two,â he muttered. âAnd I still think youâre worrying for nothing and Sansa will be fine, but very well. Write to her if itâll put your heart at ease.â
âHey.â Jonâs voice reached you and you looked over your shoulder to find him smiling. The sight seemed to have taken Robb by surprise as much as you, because he scoffed a laugh.
âDid Theon get maimed?â he asked. âHow come youâre smiling?â
âUncle Benjen is here.â
Robbâs eyes widened. âReally?â
âWait, Benjen Stark does exist?â you asked, looking between him and Jon, and Robb nodded fervently.
âOur uncle. Heâs the First Ranger of the Nightâs Watch.â
You were guessing that was an impressive title in the North, from the proud tone of Robbâs voice.
âCome,â Robb added. âI must introduce you to him, heâs amazing.â
âI mean to be honest, I doubt introductions are needed,â you pointed out, drawing chuckles out of both brothers. âI feel like I know him already.â
