[Chapter Size: 3700 Words.]

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Third Person POV

Winterfell, 298 AC.

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Lord Stark began to listen to his friend talk about how they had shared many moments throughout life, both living in the Vale under the tutelage of Jon Arryn and fighting in the war of rebellion against the Targaryens, as well as the last war they fought together, against the Greyjoy rebellion, while the king laughed at his own tales.

But, in fact, the king was no longer trying to grab any servant girl who passed by like a dog in heat. He seemed to have politicized his behavior, and Lord Stark was relieved by that. Still, he continued to think Cassandra’s action was very risky, and he thought he would have to talk to her later.

“HEY, Ned! Speaking of the end of the Greyjoy rebellion… Where is that squid? Don’t you have one of the Greyjoy boys here?” Robert suddenly asked, seeming to look for someone in the hall immediately.

Ned looked strangely at his question. It was as if he didn’t even care to remember what really happened when they defeated Balon in his rebellion and the agreement they made.

“He’s in the hall… but his movement is quite limited after what happened all those years ago,” Ned commented, pointing to one of the last tables.

There sat Theon Greyjoy. He was sitting with servants and guards. His eyes were fixed on the high table at that moment and he noticed that Lord Stark was pointing at him while the king tried to spot him — which was truly a humiliation for someone of his status.

No one really talked to him. He still chatted a bit with Robb, but the bond they once shared was no longer the same. Now, he had been treated like a servant for over a year, and even though he claimed his position as heir of Pyke, no one ever did anything. He had thought about running away countless times.

But now, he was lame, for his hand, after being broken in such a way by the bastard, when he was just an 11-year-old boy visiting Winterfell about eight years ago, never recovered. He was broken, in such a low situation, and hatred consumed him ever since Arya came to Winterfell.

He knew his position in Pyke could be greatly harmed by this. After all, he couldn’t even hold a sword or even a bow properly now. The idea of returning home and being humiliated even more terrified him. Maybe that’s why he never really fled.

“Yeah… I heard about that. But I didn’t know that even after what he did, you’d be so cruel to the young Squid.” Robert commented, surprised. Not that he felt pity — to him, it was just a squid.

“Actually, my daughter Arya insisted I give him a harsher punishment.” Ned commented with a sigh.

“The girl? I see. Well, she’s fierce. Can’t expect less.” Robert laughed, while turning his attention to Arya’s table, where he saw that Dornish noble. He seemed to be quite a nuisance while she was talking with the Lannister dwarf.

Robert quickly noticed that the princess was uncomfortable with the Dornishman’s presence and wasted no time changing his tone.

“Hey, you there, Dornishman! Don’t bother the girl and go sniff your own kind’s ass somewhere else!” the king exclaimed immediately.

The Dornishman merely bowed to him and to Arya and began to leave without insisting, while Ned had his eyes fixed on Arya, who was talking to Tyrion — someone for whom Ned certainly had a dislike.

Not because he was a dwarf, but because of his family. Still, he kept his eyes on Tyrion, who was talking with Arya, while the girl — his daughter — seemed quite at ease, speaking about something he couldn’t hear.

Ned left Arya alone, not wanting to disturb her and knowing full well she could take care of herself. His gaze returned to the table where his eldest daughter sat, along with her mother and Rickon.

Catelyn’s eyes were fixed on him at that moment. She was hurt, and Ned didn’t even know what to say about it. After all, it wasn’t his fault, but it had truly been a humiliation for her — one that extended to House Tully, with the restless gaze of Brynden Tully — but what was done could not be undone.

And even though she looked at him with sad eyes… her behavior over the years in this castle and the way she treated Arya were unforgettable. Though he had never wished such humiliation upon her and her house, he also couldn’t control Robert’s mouth and there was nothing he could do.

She stared at him, stood there for a while, then turned her gaze away, seeing Robb in the distance talking at another table with other young Northerners.

The feast was still quite lively, as Ned kept watch over the surroundings. Guards were stationed around the hall that night in case they needed to act.

Jory was also on duty with his uncle, helping with the security of House Stark and the king, since there were many more guests than a usual feast, as Ned had already noticed.

His eyes went to the kitchen, where he saw Cassandra trying to keep a low profile, practically hiding while still giving orders here and there to the servants — but she no longer appeared among the tables.

Ned just sighed. She wasn’t to blame for what had happened either, though she should have spoken to him instead of going directly to the king like that. He would deal with her later.

“So… Lord Stark… It seems your daughter is quite comfortable with my brother.” The voice pulled him from his thoughts.

Lord Stark looked to the king’s side and saw the queen speaking directly to him, while Robert stopped drinking and looked on with suspicion — since that woman only opened her mouth to say irritating things.

“Seems like it.” Lord Stark gave only a brief response.

Obviously, as an unmarried woman in her position, Arya was eyed by many, and seeing someone like her talking with Tyrion drew attention — especially when she seemed quite at ease, unaware that she was talking about Arctic.

“I feel that none of the other young men managed to please her, but Tyrion seems to have done so. Perhaps a potential marriage is on the way here.” The queen said mockingly, while Ned furrowed his brow.

Obviously, she was being sarcastic, trying to ridicule Arya with that tone, even if she was also speaking about her own brother.

“I don’t think that’s the case. Your brother and my daughter seem to be talking about something that interests them.” Ned said calmly.

“The only thing he knows how to talk about is prostitutes and drinks. Maybe your daughter is hearing that now, hearing about his skills in bed, as he boasts about across the Seven Kingdoms.” She spoke with a venomous tone.

Ned looked at her with a completely dark gaze, but before he could say anything, the king immediately grew irritated, slamming the table hard.

“Shut up, woman! You only open your mouth to speak nonsense!” he shouted, making everyone immediately look toward the high table.

Cersei stared at him with contempt, while their children, for the most part, shrank in their seats.

“You dare mock me like this, Robert?” she said coldly.

Arya and everyone at the table also looked surprised at what was happening.

“Can you stay quiet for at least one peaceful night, or just get out of my sight. You’re unbearable!” he said, still loudly.

The queen only clenched her teeth and said nothing. Even her brother, Jaime, at another table, watched the scene with anger, seeing his sister humiliated like that.

She simply remained silent, cursing Robert under her breath.

“So this is how the king treats his queen?” Bran murmured at another table near the high table, with many eyes still on the royal couple in an open argument, shocking especially the Northerners present.

The queen, even as the target of the king’s yelling, remained there with a hard stare, while the music kept playing as if nothing were happening.

“That’s not our problem. Let them deal with it.” Robb murmured beside his brother, taking his eyes off the high table.

He honestly didn’t look kindly on the royal family — not even the king — despite his father speaking well of him. Bran felt the same.

But something held the boy’s attention: the Kingsguard protecting the high table. His eyes shone as he observed their posture, especially that of Barristan Selmy. Despite his age and gray hair, he looked fierce and steady like a true warrior.

Bran had always dreamed of becoming a knight and, who knows, one day a Kingsguard serving the king. He knew he wasn’t Winterfell’s heir and would have to choose a different path someday, but his expectations had been somewhat shaken the moment he saw the royal family with his own eyes.

He shared that impression with Robb.

His eyes scanned each of them until they stopped on Joffrey. He didn’t see someone who mingled with others. Joffrey had chosen to stay beside his mother for the entire feast, keeping himself isolated as if everyone owed him something, with a superior look toward all.

Bran had once had a good impression when he heard about him, thinking he might be a good king, but seeing him now, he doubted he was the kind of king he would want to serve as a Kingsguard.

Joffrey’s eyes noticed someone staring at him so intently. He returned the gaze, spotting the boy among the Northerners, beside the Stark heir — or rather, among the savages, according to his and his mother’s thoughts about House Stark and the Northerners.

For a moment, they stared at each other in silence. Bran quickly looked away, not wanting to offend him, while the prince continued to observe him.

“What are you doing?” Robb lightly tapped his brother’s shoulder, noticing the prince’s gaze.

“I was just curious… wanted to know more about the royal family. I didn’t mean to offend him.” Bran murmured.

Robb, still seeing the prince staring at them, placed a hand on his brother’s head.

“It’s all right. Just… don’t stare too long. We don’t want to cause trouble for dad.” he said, unbothered by the prince’s stare, and his thoughts returned to what was being discussed among his northern friends.

“How can the king speak that way to such a beautiful woman?” someone at the table murmured, returning to the earlier subject of the king shouting at the queen.

“Actually, I’d never be stressed if a woman like that was waiting naked in my bed every night.” another commented, laughing, drawing more laughter from the others.

Cersei, in fact, had a beauty far above most women they had ever seen. She was openly declared one of the most beautiful in the Seven Kingdoms.

“I still prefer becoming Robb’s brother-in-law.” another said, making the table laugh even more, while Robb just looked at them, shaking his head. He didn’t like hearing this kind of teasing among the younger ones… Obviously, they were talking about Arya.

“If you could talk to her without stuttering, that would already be a start. After all, even a dwarf can do that.” another pointed toward the table, laughing, while Robb looked on, observing his sister talking with Tyrion, raising an eyebrow.

“She told me she met a Lannister once in Yi-Ti… Maybe that’s what they’re talking about.” Bran commented softly, with Robb surprised by that information, though he didn’t know the nature of the conversation between his younger sister and Tyrion.

They saw that the dwarf and Princess Arya finally seemed to have finished their conversation, as he began to stand up, offering thanks.

“Thank you for everything you shared, Princess Arya. I must say, I’m dazzled.” he said with such sincerity that Arya even looked at him with respect. That alone made her better than ninety-five percent of people in Tyrion’s eyes.

After all, most spoke to him only because of his position as Tywin Lannister’s son. Even so, there was always disdain in their eyes, or falseness in their tone. That’s why he preferred common folk, who, even if they mocked him, were at least honest — and sometimes even treated him like a normal person.

But Arya had shown respect. She didn’t mock him at any point, and had a conversation that was perhaps one of a kind in his life with a beautiful young woman who didn’t feel disgusted to be near him.

Tyrion wasn’t a fool; he knew she felt no attraction to him, just wanted to talk, but even so, Tyrion found it pleasant.

“Thank you for the conversation, my lord. I hope you have a pleasant evening.” she said, as he nodded and began to walk away, being observed by some people.

Some laughed, seeing the dwarf walk past the tables, shorter than the chairs themselves, nearly tripping over the servants passing by with trays full of drinks and food, unable to look down.

He saw his brother standing in a corner, looking quite frustrated. He approached and sat beside him.

“You look upset.” Tyrion murmured, sitting down and grabbing a cup, filling it with wine again before drinking.

The two stared at each other in silence for a few seconds.

“Did you hear how the king spoke to our sister?” Jaime murmured angrily.

“I doubt she was pleasant either. After all, our sister can be quite irritating when she wants to be, and she knows Robert isn’t exactly a poet.” Tyrion said.

“It wasn’t just that. It was… humiliating. He shamed her in front of the whole hall…” Jaime commented, trying to keep a neutral tone, but visibly bothered.

Tyrion just shrugged. He rarely defended his sister. Jaime, seeing that Tyrion wouldn’t say more, returned to asking what he had been doing at Arya’s table for so long.

“Tell me, what were you talking about with the self-declared Princess Arya to have stayed at her table for so long? It almost looked like a pleasant conversation… which is hard to imagine.” Jaime said, with a curious tone.

“Oh, just trying to wring information out of me, as always.” Tyrion replied, a smile appearing on his face.

“And did you?” Jaime raised an eyebrow.

“She’s very articulate… Maybe too much. And I, a bit drunk, ended up saying a few things I shouldn’t have.” He took a sip of wine. “Don’t tell father.” Tyrion finished with a light laugh, while Jaime frowned.

“You should be careful with what you say, Tyrion. You didn’t come here for leisure. We’re enemies.” Jaime pointed out.

“I know… But you won’t believe what she told me.” Tyrion replied, drinking even more.

“And what would that be?” Jaime asked.

“She said she found our lost uncle, Gerion. He’s living in Yi Ti.” He said this while lifting his gaze and seeing his brother stunned.

“Is that true?” Jaime murmured.

“Yes. And that’s not even the part that’s going to shock our dear father.” Tyrion said, taking another sip. “She said that Jon… that Jon Arctic has the Bright Roar. That sword our uncle went to sea searching for, to earn the right to give the Lannister name to little Joy… The sword is in Arctic.” Jaime looked even more surprised by that before scoffing, still quite incredulous.

“And now what does that king of Arctic want from our father? Because that’s what he’s holding. You know our father will do anything to get that sword.” Jaime commented.

“Oh yes, I know that very well. And this is the part that surprised me. Jon Arctic is doing this at Gerion’s own request. He intends to bring Joy to the kingdom. She’ll be legitimized there, will have a very good life… as the princess of Arctic, as the princess informed me.” Tyrion said, while Jaime was already starting to imagine how their father would react to all this.

The surprise ran through him too. He liked their uncle, as did Tyrion. Gerion always made them laugh, always in good spirits when they were growing up in Casterly Rock or during visits over the years.

“But you know what’s funniest, brother?” Tyrion spoke again, almost wanting to laugh. “Imagine the look on our father’s face when he hears this… and still learns that Arctic has closed itself off. There’s no telling when the kingdom will reopen. She said the exchange will only happen when the kingdom opens again.”

“You’re referring to that madness about fighting the dead we heard about a few weeks ago?” Jaime frowned.

“Yes. And the princess herself firmly believes it. There was no doubt in her voice when she said they would be fighting the dead. Can you believe that? Fighting white walkers… but after everything we’ve heard and seen about Arctic, a seed of doubt is planted — maybe they’re telling the truth.” Tyrion said, leaving his brother unsure of what to think.

Meanwhile, at the high table, after the queen finally tired of clenching her teeth from the king publicly scolding her in front of everyone, she turned her attention back to her husband.

“You know, my dear husband…”

The queen spoke again at that moment, while everything in the hall had already returned to normal. And he looked at her, drawing a displeased raised eyebrow as he saw she hadn’t given up.

“Maybe it’s a good time to talk about your friend’s bastard son. The one who could be attacking our kingdom at any moment… and usurping your place and that of our son…” The queen spoke beside him, while the king immediately furrowed his brow.

“Why are you saying this?” he asked, trying to keep control, but turned his eyes toward his friend. Already a bit drunk, her words seemed to have more effect.

“But she’s right… Ned, tell me about your son.” he exclaimed.

Ned frowned. “Perhaps this is not the right moment for such a conversation.” he replied, but the queen quickly intervened.

“Maybe he’s not the one best suited to speak about the kingdom beyond the Wall… but the girl is.” the queen said again, as she looked toward the girl’s table.

“That’s true… Well, maybe we need a lady of Winterfell at the table.” Robert said, laughing.

“Wait… what are you doing, Robert?” Ned immediately frowned, but the king no longer cared about Lord Stark and turned his attention to Arya, who instantly felt the eyes turning in her direction.

She raised an eyebrow, noticing that everyone was looking at her, while the king was already smiling.

“Princess!” he exclaimed, drawing the attention of the tables.

“Yes?” Arya replied with a neutral expression.

“I’d like you to sit beside your father, here at the high table, to represent Winterfell.” he said, while the queen looked somewhat disappointed and irritated by such a thing, as if she expected him to be more disrespectful to the girl — yet he continued calling her a princess.

Arya looked at the king and nodded. “Of course. I’m coming.” she said and turned back to the table. “I want you to take care of Mearin and don’t let anyone sit here, understood?” Arya said, standing up as her two guards followed her, under the gaze of everyone in the hall.

It was something insane: a seat not even the heir of Winterfell had the right to sit in — and now it was being offered to Arya Stark.

Everyone could see, once again, the king’s favor toward the girl, as she passed with her Royal Guards, facing the Kingsguard of Westeros.

“My king… I don’t think this should be allowed…” one member of the Kingsguard commented upon seeing the two royal guards behind Arya.

“Princess Arya doesn’t go anywhere without us two… She’s under our protection.” the Arctic Royal Guard, Bari, said in a firm tone.

“Let her come with her guards.” the king said, and the Kingsguard of Westeros was forced to allow full passage.

Arya sat beside her father, where there was an empty chair. She had intended to do so anyway at some point, as she needed to be with her father, speaking with the king to help control the situation — and even to try to extract some information.

Sansa’s gaze was full of indignation upon seeing her sister sit at the high table, while she — the possible future queen — remained on the sidelines. But no one seemed to care about that, and most had already expected it, knowing Arya’s current position in the family.

“Now yes, Ned’s girl is with us!” the king laughed loudly.

“Now come on, tell me about your journey. I’d like to hear everything!” he asked, and Arya found it reasonable — as long as she didn’t reveal anything vital about Arctic.

The queen and her children kept their eyes fixed on her too, from the other side of the table, attentive.

Arya then began to recount her journey to the North, since she was eight namedays old.

She didn’t reveal anything sensitive about Arctic, despite the queen asking rather insistent questions. Arya ignored her — and even ignored the king’s questions whenever they touched on things she couldn’t share.

That night, she put into practice everything she had learned over the years: from theoretical lessons with Jon, her experience in Arctic, and even her adventures at sea while traveling through nearly the entire known world.

She kept the king enchanted — and even her father, who, despite having already heard many of the stories, seemed to listen as if it were the first time.

At the same time, Arya subtly managed to extract information that not even the foolish queen noticed.

She realized that Cersei thought herself smarter than she really was, and that her intellect was well below even that of her dwarf brother.

During the conversation, Arya began to uncover some rather interesting things — all while continuing to tell fragments of her story and calmly yet firmly denying any information that could harm Jon.

All of it, under the watchful eyes of the entire hall.

With that, we can finally bring the Winterfell feast to a close.

————-Nexts Chapters —————-

Chapter 288 – The House of Dragons.

Chapter 293 – The Queen’s Resentment.

Chapter 303 – Some Conversations of Lord Stark.

Chapter 312 – Jon is here.

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