Chapter 268: Revealing Some Truths
Winterfell, Stark Lands
POV of Domeric Bolton
"The Crown won't be sending any men nor any resources," Domeric said.
"None!" Jon said.
"Why?" Robb asked.
"For many reasons. Firstly, The Crown is deeply in debt to both the Iron Bank and Lord Tywin. It has also taken loans from the Faith and the Tyrells, so the King doesn't have any wealth to share in the first place."
"The crown is in debt! How?" Robb asked, looking confused.
Domeric shrugged his shoulders. "Excessive spending on useless biyearly tournaments. Bad handling of the gold, a large amount of negligence from the King, and no small amount of corruption. The point is that even if he wanted to, the King cannot help us in this matter."
Domeric paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in, before continuing.
"And secondly, most of the food the Crown gets comes from the Reach and the Riverlands. The crownlands only produce a small amount of food. So, if the King wanted to send us resources or food, he would have to ask the other Kingdoms for help, and with how weak his position is, he can't do that."
"So, we're on our own?" Robb asked. "Doesn't the King realize that if the North falls, then the White Walkers will be free to roam all across Westeros, and the other Kingdoms will fall soon as well."
"The King does realize that," Domeric said. "Problem is, the lords in the South consider White Walkers to be fairy tales made by old women to put children to sleep. They won't believe us without proper evidence. Many of them still don't even believe that I've brought any giants and wargs with me from beyond the North."
"But you still have the Ice Sword. Right? We could use that as proof." Jon said, looking more desperate by the second.
"It'll not be enough. We'll need a wight to show the truth to the world." He said.
Both Robb and Jon frowned at his words, and he continued, "The King has thus asked me to go on yet another expedition up North."
Both Robb and Jon looked shocked at that. "I agreed and would start preparing for yet another expedition beyond the Wall as soon as I get back to Dreadfort."
"But you almost lost your life on the last expedition," Jon said.
"Aye. But I've learned from my mistakes. And I'll be better prepared this time. Don't worry about my health. I'm not dying any time soon." He said with a smile that seemed to have assured the two boys.
"I… I want to come with you as well." Jon said, and Domeric instantly shook his head.
"Rejected. I won't be taking any other men aside from my own in this expedition."
"I won't be a burden. I swear." Jon said.
"No. And I'll not change my mind no matter what, so stop trying." He said.
Jon looked a little saddened at not being able to help, so Domeric put a hand on the boy's shoulder and gave him a reassuring squeeze. "Don't worry, train well. Because once the Long Night begins, you'll have plenty of chances to prove yourself."
With that said, he turned to Robb and said. "You wanted to talk with me about something?"
Robb opened his mouth to speak, but he cut him off, "Don't deny it. You've been strangely quiet for some time. There's something on your mind. What is it?"
Robb looked a little hesitant but spoke. "That… Ygritte. What is your relationship with her?"
"She is my lover."
Robb's fists clenched upon hearing that "Were you with her even when you were betrothed to my sister?"
"I was."
Robb looked both angry and hurt at his admission to basically cheating on his sister.
"Why?" Robb asked.
"Why love Ygritte? Or why not be faithful to my betrothed?" Domeric asked.
"Both."
He rubbed his chin for a moment before he spoke. "One thing you must realize, Robb, is that this betrothal was not my idea. In fact, I was fairly against it, and it was mostly forced upon me."
Domeric paused dramatically, turned his gaze to Varko and Raksa's mock battle in the courtyard, and then continued.
"I don't like being told what to do, Robb, especially when I'm being forced into something. If I'm forced into something, I might even stop loving the things I love. Besides, I'm someone who believes a person should only marry someone they truly love. Marriages based on politics, wealth, or ambition seem fake to me. That's why it was hard for Sansa and me to be happy from the start. I can't be happy with something that's been forced upon me."
Robb looked shocked at his words. "What? Forced? Why? Who would force you to…" he stopped mid-sentence as he realized that his father was the only one in the position to do so.
Domeric realized Robb had found the answer to his own question before he could even finish it. But before he continued on this subject, he thought it appropriate to give Robb and Job some advice.
"Let me give you some advice, Robb and Jon. True love is a tough thing to find, especially from those of noble Houses. Many people will eventually want to marry you because of your looks, your money, your nobility, your political advantages, and many more reasons, even if they don't love you. If you see it as a duty to your House, I can't say anything. But if you ever find someone you truly love, I suggest you don't miss out. You might regret it for the rest of your life."
Domeric paused for a moment and then continued.
"But know that pursuing true love comes with a price. You might turn against your family, offend others, and even have to leave your life behind to start a new one. However, know that true love always requires effort and striving for it. After all, if you don't fight for your love, what kind of love can you have?"
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Next Chapters' Name:
Ch.269: Robb's Request
Ch.270: Lord Stark's Insidious Plan
Ch.271: Lady Stark's Plea