Rose of the North

Chapter Two

"You can't marry the Kingslayer!" Robb barged into my chambers. He immediately paced back and forth while I sat on my bed quietly.

"Please do tell that to mother and father. They didn't seem to hear me the first time around."

"What happened? The rumours had Harrion of House Karstark to be your betrothed?"

"Well a Karstark is nothing compared to a Lannister." I answered simply. "I realised how foolish I've been anyways wishing to wed a man who loves me equally. Marriages were never to do it love. It has everything to do with politics." I looked at my brother but then my false pretense crumbled away. "I do not wish to marry him, Robb," I whispered.

"Do you think I want my twin sister to be cast off to live the rest of her life on some rock with an arrogant prick as her husband?" He said. "But our father's unwavering sense of duty and honour prevents me from making him change his mind. I've tried, trust me,"

"I'm angry. I'm betrayed but most of all, I'm fearful of what it may brings, Robb." I confessed. Robb is one of the few people who I let my guard down. "I do not know Jaime Lannister, but have heard plenty of whispers about him. His arrogance, his martial skills, the Kingslayer, but who is he truly? I do not want a husband who is abusive, or spends his nights in brothels, if we don't have love than there should at least be respect." I mumbled.

Robb said nothing but let me hide my face in his chest. When I felt ready, we headed for dinner in the great hall, I could hear the whispers of the servants as we walked passed, no doubt the news already circulated. Everyone knew. The rumours of my betrothal were floating around. My father officially announced it to the family. Sansa was quick to congratulate me. At the age of ten, she already acted like such a proper lady. She loved the idea of me being wed off to a dashingly handsome noble man. She gushed how she can't wait to see her sister in a wedding gown. How I wish I still have Sansa's naivety, then maybe I wouldn't be so cynical about my engagement. I couldn't stand Sansa's happiness for my engagement and excused myself from the table to get some fresh air.

But it seems the gods do not want me to be alone for Theon arrived at the broken tower no sooner than I. "I saw you left the great hall and thought I'd follow you."

"Did you enjoy yourself earlier today?" I asked him about his time with the harlot, trying to divert the attention away from me.

"Why? Is someone jealous?" Theon smirked, his usually cocky self.

"No." I crossed my arms. "You can bed all the ladies in Westeros and I wouldn't even bat an eye."

"You know you're a horrible liar, Maire," He had a playful glint in his eyes. "Besides, the only reason I bed them all is cause you won't let me sleep with you," Somehow I feel like the statement was not a joke at all.

"You know it can never happen," I said. This is not the first time when he tried to sneak in the thought of the two of us in the conversation.

"You're just scared if you sleep with me that sleeping with any other man would not be as satisfying." He countered.

I shook my head. "You're impossible."

"Am I though? I've been around you for ten years. I saw your grow from a timid little girl into an independent beautiful woman. I know you like the back of my hand and yet here you are marrying a man twice your age who you never even met. If there's a person who deserve you, it's me, Maire! Can't you see?" Then cried out exasperatedly. The news of my engagement sparked a fuse inside of him.

"Theon." I whispered. "Don't." Theon knew that I had a soft spot for him, but I was trying my damnest not to let the feelings for him grow. He is and always will be a ward, a hostage and his reputation as a man whore precedes him.