𝚆𝙾𝙼𝙴𝙽, 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘯

-𝚌𝚛𝚘𝚜𝚜 𝚖𝚢 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝, 𝚑𝚘𝚙𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚒𝚎

-:[o0o]:-
ALARRA STARK...was only a child of eight when news of her mother's passing was made known. her father, RICKON STARK, didn't even seem to react; he only had complaints about the loss of 'the boy'. it was confusing for alarra who knew her parents as a loving couple; it was eye-opening for the young girl, one could say.

it showed her just how cruel the world was. at ten, alarra had made a plan; it was an unexpected plan for a ten-year-old. so no one had seen it coming; the plan had worked for years; no one would think a child, let alone a GIRL could think of something quite like that.

it was effective in the sense that she could play the damsel in distress. she did so well-of course-many things had been 'handed' to her because of this: gold, jewelry, dresses of the finest tailor, and as many insiders she could place into kings landing right under her father's nose.

all was going well for her; her plan was inching closer. but-of course-all good things must come to an end at some point, right?

her end came in the form of a prince who could see through her like the solid-like and transparent look of glass. she was an open book to him, and he somehow knew just the buttons to push to make her lose her act.

-:[𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚏𝚎𝚕𝚕]:-

-:[o0o]:-

"MY LADY...are you sure this outfit is to your liking?"

"yes, i'm sure," the gentle voice of the noirette girl was like a melody to the occupants of the room. smiles occupying their faces as they all seemed to automatically relax, replicating the nonchalant stature of the newly turned 'adult'.

alarra had just turned ten and seven, and it was because of this development that THE LORD OF WINTERFELL saw her fit to be wed. this proposal had many lords worried for the young girl, who was known dearly to many as a young INNOCENT child. so when alarra had fussed upon her father's declaration, the lords were quick to agree, saying:

'my lord, don't you think she is just too young?'
'please rethink, my lord. the lady alarra is a winter rose far too above that of the like of a southern man'

alarra was shocked-but pleased nonetheless-it wasn't everyday that MEN went against their 'leader'; and for the purpose of his daughter's wants? yes, she was quite pleased.

but as touching as the lords care for her was, her father didn't budge; instead, she was stuck. forced to attend a ball in favor of potential suitors so her father could marry her off to the bidder with the most influence.

that was nearly a moon ago.

preparations had been nonstop-ordered by her father, no doubt-dress fittings and additional 'etiquette lessons'. her father was adamant she wouldn't embarrass him; alarra had to fight the urge to say he had already embarrassed himself enough.

but now she sat in her sleeping quarters-ten of her hand-picked handmaidens helping her with her hair, dress, shoes, etc. she was only hours away from stepping into the hall, where the ball was to commence. alarra had been struggling with her self-control these past few days, fighting the urge to fist fight one of her personal guards or the very tempting thought of cursing at her septa-an older woman who insisted that she was the epitome of ladylike. maybe that was what she was considered in the south.

not only that, but her father had been bringing in some of his 'friends'. wanting them to persuade his daughter to marry before this fool's ball. her self-control was hanging only by a string, and it was a miracle it hadn't snapped.

"my lady, we are done...are you ready?" alarra looked up at herself and smiled.

she looked breath-taking.

"...i'm ready." her words came out steady and confident, hiding her strong feelings of annoyance.

'let's get this over and done with,' she thought with a gentle smile, feeling seconds away from slamming someone's head in.

-:[o0o]:-

-althea_venus_mondelli