Chapter 269: Robb's Request
Winterfell, Stark Lands
POV of Domeric Bolton
"Anyway. Back to the topic, your father did what he was supposed to do as Warden of the North. So, you shouldn't blame him, Robb." Domeric said. "The Boltons and Starks have a long history of rivalry. And with the amount of power I was gathering, he was worried. And did what he thought was right."
"He forced the betrothal upon you," Robb angrily said.
"For the sake of your future…" He said, "…For peace. Something that I agree with, even if I didn't like Lord Stark's method of trying to attain peace."
Robb Stark looked at a loss for words for a long moment before he finally spoke. "Did you love Ygritte before you were betrothed to my sister?"
He nodded.
Robb Stark looked conflicted now. Not knowing who the villain was in this whole affair, and whom he should blame. No one was in the wrong. Not really.
In this moment, Robb thought he was beginning to understand some things about how the real world worked. Most of the time, there was no right or wrong. There was only strong and weak.
"Sansa," Robb said in the end. "She's heartbroken."
"I don't know when she even fell for me," Domeric said. "I certainly never even tried to court her when in Dreadfort. Teach her and educate her about my lands, yes. But I never tried to make a move on her. And with your mother's presence, things were already rather tense in the castle back then."
Domeric shook his head. "I truly have no idea why she even fell for me."
Robb gave him an expression as if asking if he was retarded, and Domeric rolled his eyes.
"Oh, I know I'm decent looking…" Domeric said, and Jon snorted at that. "…and fairly wealthy…" Now, Robb rolled his eyes at that. "…and pretty good at using a sword."
"Enough…" Robb said. "…You're making us look bad with all your humbleness."
"Okay, okay." He said, "I think I can see why Sansa might fall for me. But… well, she's betrothed to Prince Joffrey now…"
"He is a Lannister through and through. And so arrogant that no one can compare him to anyone." Robb said, and Domeric smiled bitterly.
"Yeah. Our prince does have his fair share of qualities." Domeric said.
"None of which are good," Jon said with a frown.
"Yeah, well… where is this talk even going? Is there something you two want from me?" Domeric asked.
Robb looked sheepish at his question and then nodded. "Sansa… she has not eaten anything since yesterday. I was wondering if you could talk with her and…"
'Gods no!' Domeric thought.
At the moment, Sansa was already at Dreadfort, and in her place, an Imposter Mannequin was disguised as Sansa at Winterfell.
Therefore, Domeric wasn't worried about Sansa's situation. The real Sansa had probably already had breakfast with his aunt at Dreadfort.
"Robb…" he interrupted with a serious expression. "You must realize that I might have been betrothed to her once. But she is betrothed to the Crown Prince now. A girl who is destined to be the Queen. And with my bad situation with the Lannisters, how do you think it would look if I went to the room of the Crown Prince's betrothed? How would people react if they learn that the man who was once betrothed to Sansa Stark, the man she still loves, is meeting her in secret?"
"Well…" Robb searched around for a proper answer, but then his shoulders slumped, and he let out a tired sigh.
"I… I see. I'm sorry for wasting your time, Lord Bolton." Robb said and left, his little direwolf trailing behind him.
"I… I should go after him." Jon said and left with Snowstorm as well.
Domeric looked at the courtyard where a huge crowd had gathered to watch Varko and Raksa spar against one another and sighed.
He knew that Robb would resent him a little for not even trying to help Sansa, but… Domeric no longer had a relationship with Sansa, and Robb needed to understand that.
But he didn't want his friendship with Robb and Jon to be damaged by this. They were among the few people Domeric considered friends.
So, after a moment's thought, he turned and began walking quickly after Robb and Jon to catch up with them.
By the time Domeric caught up with Robb and Jon, the two were almost at the entrance to Main Keep.
"Robb, Jon," Domeric called to the two, and Robb and Jon turned to look at him when they heard Domeric's voice.
Domeric caught up with them a few steps later. But just as he was about to speak, he caught sight of the gate guards standing a short distance away.
Then, gesturing to a more secluded spot, he said, "Let's go somewhere quieter."
Robb and Jon exchanged glances and then followed Domeric, the direwolf cubs trailing behind. Once Domeric was out of earshot and Robb and Jon stood beside him, he began to speak.
"It wouldn't be right for me to visit Sansa and speak to her directly. So, I can't go to her room. But if you'd like, I can write a letter to deliver to her."
"Really?" Robb said, a flicker of hope returning to his face.
"It's not a big deal. However, I must say it upfront: I can't give Sansa any hope about us for the sake of her recovery. That would be crueler for her. But I think I can at least convince her to eat again and continue her life as normal." Domeric said seriously.
Frankly, convincing Sansa of something wouldn't be difficult. Because, currently in Winterfell, Imposter Mannequin, disguised as Sansa, was under Domeric's command.
And the reason she wasn't eating anything was because she was acting according to her new emotions after inheriting Sansa's memories.
"That's enough for me. I ask for nothing except that Sansa take care of her health. I'll leave the rest to fate." Robb said.
Robb's last sentence briefly contained the message that he still wished Domeric and Sansa to be together, but this was not a possibility for Domeric.
"Then I will write a letter and give it to you, Robb. However, you must deliver it yourself and ensure that Sansa burns it after reading it. If this letter ever comes to light, it will cause us serious problems." Said Domeric.,
"You can trust me on that," Robb said, puffing his chest.
"Thank you, Domeric. It means a lot to us." Jon then added.
"As I said, it's not a big deal. You're my friends. And while I'm not in love with Sansa, she's at least my friends' sister. It's perfectly normal for me to help out where I can," Domeric said, then added. "I'll go to my room and prepare the letter. You two wait in the courtyard a while longer. It won't take too long."
"Sure," Robb said.
"We'll be watching Varko and Raksa's mock battle meanwhile," Jon added.
Domeric nodded one last time and started walking toward his room.
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Next Chapters' Name:
Ch.270: Lord Stark's Insidious Plan
Ch.271: Lady Stark's Plea
Ch.272: Second Round of the Duel