Fury And Pride | Myrcella Baratheon x Male!OC Fanfiction | Game Of Thrones AU

The Red Wedding

In the halls of the Twins, King Steffon Baratheon, at a mere three and ten, wandered about the wedding with his ever-loyal best friend and ally, Robb Stark, by his side. The grand halls were abuzz with the chatter of excited attendants, their laughter mingling with the music that filled the air. Every turn he made, Steffon's gaze flickered across the room, taking in the festivities.

This union between Edmure Tully and Roslyn Frey was not a wise one at all, a Steffon thought and kept to himself, and he had made certain he and Robb would wear chainmail beneath their clothes to be sure.

As the festivities carried on late into the evening, Steffon and Robb observed as the newlyweds, Edmure Tully and Roslyn Frey, were carried off to bed amidst the cheers and well wishes of the drunken attendees. The young king and his northern companion, however, shared a glance, their minds equally on what was to come.

Steffon leaned closer to Robb, his voice a low murmur. "That could have been you."

Robb chuckled in response, the memory of their swordfight over the same issue still fresh in his mind. "And that's exactly why it wasn't," he replied with a smirk. "I believe we came to an agreement in our distaste for this union."

Steffon raised an eyebrow, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Ah, yes. An agreement that involved a bit of bloodshed, if I remember correctly." He touched his side with a wince, the memory of Robb's sword connecting with his ribs not yet faded. "Had your mother not interrupted, I would have cut your bloody head off myself."

Robb's chuckle deepened at the memory of his mother, Catelyn Stark, barging in and breaking up their mock fight. "And yet, here we both are, still friends and our heads very much still attached," he responded, patting Steffon on the back. Soon Robb left his side to go dance with Talisa. The young king couldn't help but smirk at the sight of Robb, his friend and ally, making a choice so clearly different from the one he'd offered.

Steffon leaned back against the wall, watching as Robb and Talisa danced through the throng. There was an air of confidence about robb, a defiance that echoed in his choice of dance partner. His heart ached a bit, remembering the times he spent with the foreign girl. But at the same time, he couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. Robb's choice of Talisa, while admirable in its defiance of tradition, was also a stark deviation from the established plan they had agreed upon.

Steffon exhaled deeply, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall. "Fool," he muttered to himself, his gaze never leaving Robb and Talisa.

He wasn't against Robb's choice because of jealousy or anything, but rather, Steffon knew the potential consequences of such actions. Marrying outside of duty, especially with a woman from across the Narrow Sea, could lead to unforeseen political difficulties for their alliance.

As Steffon made his way through the crowded hall towards the drinks table, he was so engrossed in his thoughts he almost missed Roose Bolton standing nearby. With a quick turn, he collided with the older man, spilling a bit of his drink onto the Bolton lord.

Steffon quickly stepped back, a sheepish smile on his face. "Ah, Lord Bolton, my apologies. I wasn't watching where I was going."

Roose Bolton, the stoic Lord of the Dreadfort, gazed down at Steffon with his cold, calculative eyes. "You're getting drunk, Your Grace," he stated bluntly. "It might be time you retire for the night."

Steffon couldn't help but note the irony. Lord Bolton was not one to care about such matters, and his concern seemed almost misplaced. He gave Roose a weary smile. "Perhaps you're right," he replied, finishing the last of his drink.

He knew that there was more to Roose's concern than mere drunkenness. The lord, who was known for his cunning and detached demeanour, rarely showed such interest in the well-being of others. It felt like there was something more beneath the surface, something Steffon had yet to understand.