Flayer

32.Ramsay

"Is there a reason your grin is particularly wide today?" Roose asked. He'd requested for me to eat privately with him the next day instead of joining the Lords and Ladies of the North. He looked quite puzzled, to say the least, at my joy.

I simply laughed as I cut my meat slowly. I couldn't stop thinking about Edda and the things she'd done to me. If there was ever a doubt in my mind that I was completely and utterly obsessed with her, it was erased last night.

Roose put down his utensils and folded his hands over the table "You're acting strangely, Ramsay. Even more strangely than after the Battle of Winterfell. Care to share?"

I gave him a look. My smile barely died down as I insisted "Trust me, father, I simply woke up with a spring at my step and a beautiful bride at my side. That, I think, is all a man needs to be happy," I munched on a piece of meat.

Roose raised his eyebrow at me "Really?"

"Would I ever lie to you, father-"

He banged his fists on the table and stood up, "Damn it, Ramsay, the maids told me about the blood on your sheets!"

This time my smile grew wider and more crooked.

"You bedded Edda Stark, didn't you? Forced her to do Gods know what-"

"And, my Lord?" I asked.

He stayed silent.

I stood up as well, twirling my knife in my hands as I paced around the room with loud and clumsy steps, "Firstly, I did not force her... Secondly," I stopped dead on my tracks and raised my eyebrow at him "Why do you care what I do with my bride?"

Roose clenched his jaw.

"She's mine after all," I walked over and placed the knife on the table again. "And... you were the one who threatened to illegitimize me if I did not bed her, don't you remember? 'If you fail to put an heir in Edda Stark, let's hope the Maesters are right and Walda gives me a proper heir?'"

I was right. He knew I was right, he knew I was onto him and his plan to get rid of me.

"What changed your mind, father?" I pressed on.

He was still silent, giving me one of the coldest looks I'd ever faced. I didn't mind, I gave him an even more threatening grin and strutted my way out of his room.

...

As I passed the stables I heard the gentle and loving voice of my bride. Edda's was talking to someone... And she didn't seem very enthusiastic about it.

"I am very happy here in Winterfell, my Lord-"

"Oh don't give me that shit, Edda! Who brought you here? Was it Lord Bolton?" Asked someone. I recognized this man as Lord Mazin.

I stood out of eyesight but within earshot to hear their conversation, anger boiling in my veins as I listened.

"You poor girl, I am so sorry. Of all the men to be married to... I could've protected you, I could've hid you in my palace. I've failed your father, Edda. You and Sansa are rumored to be the last Starks, did you know that?"

She stayed silent.

"Robb is dead, your brother Rickon, your sister Arya and half brother Jon-"

"Arya?" Her voice chocked up "J-Jon?"

He was obviously hesitant. I thought of the letter on her brother Jon's demise I had hid away. It was a couple of weeks ago, after the battle... and she was so weak I-I couldn't tell her.

"I'm sorry," Lord Mazin said.

She did not respond.

"... Please, Lady Stark-"

"Bolton," she snapped. I heard Lya the direwolf let out a growl. "I'm to be Lady Bolton, Lord Mazin."

The Lord continued to speak, but carefully and slowly as if begging for his life. No doubt Edda was threatening him with her direwolf "...Edda don't do this, please. My men have everything prepared for your escape. You only have to say the word and we'll take you somewhere safe, with your sister Sansa or anywhere else a Stark can be without being killed-"

"There must always be a Stark at Winterfell, my Lord,"

My pride filled my chest when I heard her say that. That's my bride...

"You and your men will leave Winterfell on account for your health and never come back, do you understand?"

"...Edda-"

"Do you understand?"

He swallowed so hard I could hear. "I will leave, on account of my health."

"Good"

He started to walk out and so I hid behind a wagon. Just as he was leaving the stables he paused.

"Before I leave, what was that your father once said? Oh yes..." he turned around, "The lone wolf dies, Edda... but the pack survives."

With that, he left.

...

Since Edda hadn't left the stables in a significant amount of time I decided to go in to check on her.

As soon as I went inside I saw her sitting on a pile of hay with Lya laying at her feet. Tears were streaming down her face.

"Love?" I asked as I knelt by her. She didn't look up.

"... Th-the lone wolf..." I stroked Lya's fur.

"What of it?" I furrowed my brow as I stroked her cheek.

She paused for a moment, staring blankly in front of her. Then, she said "Winterfell is my home. The North is my Kingdom, and my brother died for it to be independent." She paused, "No, he didn't die for it. He was murdered, Ramsay, by your father." She looked at me, "We will take back the North in the same way it was stolen."

She pulled out a knife from her cloak and offered it to me. "You're the son of Roose Bolton. You're next in line after his death,"

This was all too much "...Edda, I don't think I can-"

"Your father wants you and I dead, Ramsay. He wants your baby brother to be heir. Get rid of both and you're the Warden of the North. Everyone will bow to you. Wouldn't you like that? Isn't that all you've ever wanted?"

I licked my lips and nodded. She was right.

...However, I refused the knife.

Her eyes widened at my sudden action. "You, Edda. You've gotten fairly well at handling all types of blades." I smiled crookedly.

Edda was pleased, her smirk appearing across her face "When?"

"Our wedding night, I hope. What a grander gift to us newly weds than the entire control of the North!" I joked.