Affairs of the Heart (A Modern Sandor Clegane Story)

Two

Slamming the door to her room, Melody wanted to scream. Stannis had never been the one to force his sister to do anything, except attending college. Now, he suddenly expected her to marry a man she'd met once in her life at Robert and Cersei's engagement party. The meeting hadn't been a pleasant one that Melody could remember. It was so bad, Melody herself ending up drinking more than her fair share and puked all over Loras Tyrell's designer shoes.

A knock on the door made the young woman feel like she was going to explode. "Go away!" she cried, but whoever it was ignored her. The door opened and Melody picked up a pillow and threw it at the intruder. Davos arched a brow at the offending pillow before looking back up at Melody. "Well, I'm not sure what I did to deserve that, but alright." Melody mumbled an apology.

It wasn't like Melody to throw a tantrum. It never had been, but she was just so frustrated with Stannis. "Melody," Davos said softly. The young woman felt the tears pricking her eyes. She hated the pity in his voice. She couldn't help but walk over and wrap her arms around him. "Shh," he cooed, "It'll be alright." Melody shook her head. "Why is he doing this, Davos? There has to be another way to keep the Lannisters' support."

"I tried to talk him out of it, but you know your brother. He's set in his ways." Melody hugged him closer. She had always been close to Davos. He was Stannis' closest friend since they were in college and he had become a father figure to Melody. "I don't want to marry him," Melody muttered. "I know, Melody. I will see if I can get Stannis to change his mind, but until then, you have to play the part of the obedient Baratheon, alright?" Melody sniffled and nodded. "Okay, Davos. Just...try your best." Davos chuckled. "I will. Now, give us a smile."

Melody gave him a teary smile and he returned it. "That's better. Now, I have to get back to Stannis. He's been on the phone with Tywin Lannister arranging for the Lannisters' arrival. In a week, apparently." Melody groaned loudly. Great. Once Davos left, Melody threw herself down on her bed and looked up at the ceiling, her mind trying to figure out a way out of this mess.

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As expected, the Lannister family arrived exactly one week later. Melody was standing between Stannis and Renly, dressed in a blue business suit and hair brushed to perfection. Not a strand was out of place. She was the very picture of the perfect Baratheon when the doors opened and the Lannisters came in, lead by Tywin.

"Stannis," Tywin greeted sounding extremely bored. "Tywin, welcome. Cersei, Jaime, Tyrion, children," Stannis bowed his head a little at each of them. Everyone's eyes were glue to Melody except for Jaime's. He refused to meet her gaze, but Melody wasn't having that. It wasn't like she wanted this.

"Good afternoon, Jaime," she said, attempting to sound cheerful. Jaime looked at her in surprise. "Hello, Melody." His look of surprise turned into a charming smile. One that Melody refused to fall for. She knew that smile well. Renly had one similar. He used it whenever he wanted something. The two of them had a stare down. "I'll have the butler show you to your rooms then we can have lunch together," Stannis said as he sensed the tension. Melody was grateful to get out of there.

Unfortunately, she'd forgotten that Stannis had decided to give Jaime the guest room next to Melody's. As she made her way up to her room, Jaime and one of the maids followed. "Are we going to ignore each other unless we're in public, Melody?" he asked her. She narrowed her blue eyes at him. "Get this straight, Jaime. I do not like being forced in a marriage. So please don't expect me to act cordial when we're alone."

Jaime sighed, "Fair enough. However, I would ask that we at least try to get along. We are getting married after all. I don't want to spend our marriage hating one another." Melody let out a breath. "Fine." Jaime smiled again when the two finally reached their rooms. Melody was about to enter hers when Jaime stopped her.

"Oh, I forgot. My family has our security team and most of them are on their way. I've assigned one of them to be your personal guard. My father ran for office once. I want to make sure you're protected." Melody's brows scrunched. "T-Thank you, Jaime." Jaime simply shrugged. "It's nothing. Your guard will arrive late tonight, so you'll meet him in the morning." Melody nodded and asked, "What's his name?" Jaime smirked. Melody shuddered at his ominous reply. "Everyone calls him 'The Hound'."