Winter's Fire → Game of Thrones

lxiii. Storm Lord Feast

A/N: I imagine Alessia's dress as kinda similar to Cersei's above

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"Act as if those rumours about us could be true."

Those words bounced around in my head as I got dressed. 

Whilst I understood why Daemon asked it of me, I did not know exactly what he expected from me. Were we to act more touchy than usual? Or did I just behave as I usually would with him? Should I do a mix of both?

I completely understood Daemon not wanting any of his lords trying to offer him their daughters. If he did say yes, he would look like he was picking favourite lords already. If he said no, it could cause even more issues than he already has to deal with. It is also just very annoying to deal with constant marriage proposals.

Going back to getting ready, I almost felt nervous to put on the dress that Daemon had bought me. It was a beautiful grey dress with a silvery-metal corset breastplate sown into it. On the shoulders of the dress sat the Stark sigil of a running direwolf, both running in opposite directions, in a beautiful silver colour.

The dress was truly beautiful. It represented who I was. When I first saw it, I felt tears in my eyes because it was so beautiful and such a thoughtful design. It just meant so much to me to know that Daemon had specifically asked for the details of this dress for me.

It fit perfectly too. The beauty of the dress allowed me to simply braid my hair as I always do. It also gave off the impression that, since I did not have my sword belt, I would not have any weapons strapped to me as my chest was protected. I always did though. A dagger on the thigh, of course.

All of the lords were in the Great Hall by the time I finally reached it. It took me some extra time as I am not used to wearing dresses or putting them on myself. I am also not used to walking in them and I nearly tripped over my own dress a few times.

When I pushed the doors open to the Great Hall, there was very little attention on me at first. It was not until I got closer to the front of the hall that many of the lords gathered to watch me walk past. I just held my head high and confidently made my way to the front table where Daemon was.

Daemon watched me as I walked up to him. He was staring in such a way that I almost felt uncomfortable. I brushed that feeling aside as I took my seat to his right. It was a seat that signalled I was the next most important person in this room.

"You look beautiful, Lady Stark," Maester Jurene complimented.

"Thank you, Maester," I said. "You look... the same as ever."

We both laughed at my words. I was glad Maester Jurene saw the humour in it and did not take it as an insult. If I could become friendly with him then it would be better for Daemon. He might even be able to become friendly with his castle's maester himself if I were to lead the way.

Thinking of Daemon, he was still looking at me. He was very openly staring. He even leaned forward a little and rested his chin on his hand to stare at me. There was a slight smirk on his face and he refused to look away from me when I met his eyes.

"Is there a reason you are staring at me?" I asked, unimpressed with his behaviour.

"Your promise, Lessie," Daemon muttered, not looking away from me. "That, and you look very pretty in that dress. I am glad it fits perfectly."

I could feel my cheeks heat up a little. Daemon just laughed to himself and finally stopped staring at me.

"Thank you for the dress. Really. It means a lot to me."