The Wrath

The wolf's choice

"You will be betrothed to Prince Lucerys, of Houses Targaryen and Velaryon, heir to Driftmark and future Lord of the Tides."

Sofia turned to look at the young boy. She pitied him. From the look in his eyes it was clear that he was unaware of his father's plans for him.

She sat back down, inhaling deeply. "Did you even ask him for his opinion about this matter?"

Luke was shocked. How could have Daemon plotted everything without including him? How could he have already chosen the boy's future without letting him have a say about it? Surely this girl seemed nice and was wery good looking, but to speak about marriage? She was a stranger to him.

"In times of war men bring out all their cruelty, slaughtering young princes in their sleep and committing unspeakable other crimes, neccessary ones sometimes. I want my sons to be safe. Jacaerys is the second in line to the Iron Throne. I want one of the Royal Guards loyal to us to always be with him. I want the other two to always vigilate on his mother, as I will, too. But, speaking of Lucerys, I chose you as his personal guard. You are a good fighter, swift and efficient, and you are loyal, just like all those damn Starks whose blood you share. And what a better way to always have an eye on him than being married?"

A moment of uncomfortable silence fell on the table. Sofia was the one who interrupted it.

The girl was studying her future betrothed. He seemed nice and gentle. If she really was going back to Westeros he surely would be the best choice for her, among all those old, slimy perverts of lords.

She wanted to help Daemon, she really did. He had always been nothing but kind to her. And she was extremely curious about this brother who, even though they never met, was ready to welcome her back home.

And, most of all, she wanted revenge. She wanted to show her dead father that the daughter he chose to forget could reallly be someone, even in the West. She really was pondering the Prince's offering.

"And" Daemon continued "With this marriage we would sign an alliance with the largest kingdom of Westeros. When war comes for us, we shall meet it together."

It was a well studied plan, she had to admit it. She kept fidgeting with her goblet for a few more minutes, before finally speaking out her decision. "I want to speak to the boy alone"

Daemon nodded a gestured Jayce towards the door.

Jacaerys sent a worried but encouraging look and a small smile to his little brother, hoping to reassure him.

The door closed behind them, and Lucerys suddendly felt the weight of the future of his family on his young shoulders.

Sofia sighed. "What an ill fate must noble people tend to" she sent him a small smile, even tho it didn't reach her eyes.
"I perfectly understand you might prefer to marry someone else, maybe someone you've known for a longer time. If you don't want this marriage to happen, you just have to tell me now, and I will refuse Daemon's offer. I won't force you to do anything."

Lucerys was stunned. She was providing him the choice his own father was so eager to neglect him.

He was a stranger to this girl, and yet she was ready to throw away the bright future that was offered to her only because she cared about his feelings. He couldn't take away from her the opportunity of a new life. He could barely imagine what she had been through in this hell of a city. And he couldn't disappoint his family nor his House. They needed to sign this alliance with the North. And Sofia was far better than half the noble girls he had ever met.

"I have responsibilities towards my kin. I will marry you, My Lady, but I want you to know that I will show you respect and I will treat you as best as I am capable of."

She nodded "Thank you, My Prince."

He had to fight with all his strenght the blush that was forming on his cheeks when those words left her mouth. That 'My Prince' would have haunted his mind for days.

He swallowed, as Sofia stood to open the door to the other two princes waiting outside.
Once they all were back sitting, Sofia spoke. "As you know, I'm not a maiden anymore. How do you plan on hiding this?"

"We won't speak of it to anyone, and I and your brother will put to the sword anyone who might dare to make assumptions about it."

"Good. I accept." she finally answered.

Daemon stood, encourageing the other two to follow his example.

Sofia did the same, picking up a beatiful valyrian steel dagger from under her bed. The hilt was adorned with beautiful, intricated designs and one large ruby on either side, the blade as sharp as the gaze of the woman wielding it.

She knelt in front of Lucerys, laying the dagger in between the two. "You have my blade, you have my life. I pledge my loyalty to you, Lucerys, of the Houses Velaryon and Targaryen, heir to Driftmark and future lord of the Tides. I will protect you, from this day to the last of my days."

A short silence followed, Luke awkwardly exchanged looks with his father and brother, unsure of what to to. He swallowed nervously. "Rise, Sofia of House Stark." And so she did.

Daemon smiled at the girl. "Pack your belongings, say your goodbyes and fetch your wolf, My Lady. We sail at dusk."

Sofia bowed her head. "Of course, my princes." She sent one last look at her betrothed, only to find him already looking at her. The shared a small smile, before the three of them turned their backs on her and disappeared behind her door.

Wrapping herself tighter under her cloak, she took a deep breath. A new chapter was about to begin, but first, she would have to put an end to the one she was currently in. And to build herself a future West, she would have to leave a lot behind in the East, starting with a certain blonde girl.