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The following week passed in a blur of sweat, steel, and stolen glances.
Ethan woke every morning before sunrise, his body aching but growing stronger with every passing day. The Supreme Throne System had become his obsession.
[Level 6 (210/700 EXP)]
Status:
Strength: 19
Agility: 20
Endurance: 18
Vitality: 17
Charisma: 24
Dragon Affinity: 3
He had spent every System Point he earned on training scrolls and potions. His Basic Sword Mastery had reached Level 3, and he'd unlocked a new passive: Northern Resilience – 15% resistance to cold and fatigue.
This morning, the training yard was alive with the sound of clashing steel. Ser Rodrik Cassel barked orders while Robb and Jon sparred against older soldiers. Ethan faced Theon again — their fifth duel this week.
"You're getting cocky, Snow," Theon taunted, circling him with a grin.
Ethan didn't answer with words. He moved.
Their blades met in a sharp ring. Ethan feinted left, spun, and delivered a powerful strike that nearly knocked Theon's sword from his hand. The Greyjoy stumbled back, eyes wide.
"Seven hells," Theon muttered. "What are they feeding you bastards?"
[Sword Mastery progress: 78% toward Lv.4] [+35 EXP]
From the balcony overlooking the yard, Sansa watched with two of her friends. Her eyes followed Ethan's every move. She had visited him almost every evening now — bringing books, warm bread, or simply talking under the stars. Her Favorability had climbed to 68/100. The system called it "Romantic Interest" stage.
After training, as Ethan wiped sweat from his face, a small figure darted toward him.
"You fight dirty," Arya Stark said, arms crossed, a wooden training sword tucked under her arm. She looked exactly like the wild child from the show — messy brown hair and fierce grey eyes.
Ethan smiled. "Dirty keeps you alive, little lady."
Arya narrowed her eyes. "Teach me that spin move you did on Theon."
Jon, who had walked over, chuckled. "Arya, Father will kill us both if he sees you with a real sword again."
"I don't care," she shot back. "I want to be a warrior, not some stupid lady sewing all day."
Ethan knelt to her level. "Tell you what. Train with me in secret at dawn, and I'll teach you. But you have to promise not to get caught."
Arya's face lit up. "Deal!"
Jon shook his head but didn't stop them. There was a quiet respect growing between the two Snows.
That afternoon – Godswood
Sansa had asked Ethan to meet her in the Godswood. The ancient weirwood tree stood silent, its red leaves like drops of blood against the white snow.
She waited for him wrapped in a thick white cloak, cheeks pink from the cold. When Ethan arrived, her expression softened into that shy, beautiful smile he was becoming addicted to.
"You're improving so fast," she said as they walked together under the trees. "Even Robb noticed."
"I have good motivation," Ethan replied, voice low. He stopped and turned to face her. "A certain red-haired lady keeps visiting my thoughts."
Sansa looked down, biting her lip. The system pinged.
[Favorability +5]
[Current: 73/100]
[Harem Quest "Winter Rose" – 73% Complete]
They sat on a stone bench near the heart tree. For a while they simply talked — about songs, about the South she dreamed of, about how she wanted to be loved like in the stories. Ethan listened, then gently took her gloved hand.
"You deserve more than stories, Sansa," he said softly. "You deserve someone who would burn kingdoms for you."
Her breath caught. She looked up at him, eyes shining. Slowly, almost hesitantly, she leaned in.
Their first kiss was soft — cold lips meeting in the freezing air. Sansa tasted like winter berries and innocence. Ethan's hand cupped her cheek, deepening the kiss until she let out a tiny, surprised sound.
When they pulled apart, both were breathing harder.
"I… I shouldn't," Sansa whispered, but she didn't move away. "If anyone saw…"
"No one will," Ethan promised. He kissed her again, slower this time, letting his hand slide to her waist. The system went wild.
[Hidden Event Triggered: First Kiss]
[+100 EXP]
[Sansa Stark Favorability +15]
[Current: 88/100]
[Harem Conquest Progress: 88%]
[New Title Unlocked: "Winter's Temptation" – +3 Charisma when interacting with noble ladies]
The kiss grew hotter. Sansa's fingers clutched his tunic. For a moment Ethan considered pushing further — the system had already offered beginner aphrodisiac potions — but he held back. Not yet. He wanted her to come to him fully.
They broke apart when they heard distant voices. Sansa's face was flushed deep red.
"I have to go," she whispered, touching her swollen lips. "But… come to my chambers tonight. After the feast. The servants will be busy."
Ethan's heart raced. "Are you sure?"
She nodded, eyes full of nervous excitement, then hurried away.
Evening – Great Hall
The feast was lively. King Robert's arrival was only twelve days away, and Winterfell was buzzing with preparations. Ethan sat with the other guards and servants, but his eyes kept drifting to the high table where Sansa sat beside her mother.
Catelyn Stark had noticed something. She kept glancing between her daughter and the new bastard with a frown.
After the feast, as the hall emptied, Ethan slipped through the corridors using the servant passages he'd memorized. His Agility and new stealth skill helped him avoid patrols.
He reached Sansa's chamber door and knocked softly — three times, as they had agreed.
The door opened.
Sansa stood there in a thin white nightgown, hair loose down her back, candlelight making her look almost ethereal. She pulled him inside quickly and barred the door.
"I can't stop thinking about you," she admitted, voice trembling.
Ethan didn't waste words. He kissed her hard, lifting her effortlessly thanks to his improved Strength. Sansa gasped as he carried her to the large bed and laid her down.
Their hands explored. Ethan kissed her neck, her collarbone, slowly pushing the nightgown off one shoulder. Sansa's breathing became heavy, her fingers digging into his back.
[R18 Scene Activated]
[Harem System Bonus: First Intimate Contact grants +200 EXP and permanent +2 to all stats with Sansa]
They didn't go all the way that night — Sansa was still too nervous and innocent — but they went far enough. Hands and mouths discovered new territories. Soft moans filled the warm chamber while snow fell silently outside the window. When Sansa reached her first peak under his fingers, she buried her face in his neck, shaking.
Afterward, they lay tangled together under the furs.
"You're going to ruin me," Sansa whispered with a small, happy laugh.
Ethan kissed her forehead. "Only in the best ways."
[Favorability: 95/100]
["Winter Rose" Quest Completed!]
[Rewards: +500 EXP, "Gentle Lover" Skill (Lv.1), Sansa Stark Loyalty Bond]
Midnight – System Notification
[Level 8 Achieved!]
[New Function Unlocked: Basic Harem Management]
[You may now view detailed affection stats and give small gifts through the system for favor boosts.]
[Warning: King Robert Baratheon's party arrives in 11 days.]
[Major Quest Updated: Impress / Survive the Royal Visit]
New Sub-Quest: Prevent or exploit the assassination attempt on Bran Stark.
Ethan stared at the ceiling while Sansa slept peacefully on his chest.
The story was accelerating. Joffrey, the Lannisters, the dagger, Bran's fall… everything was coming.
But this time, he wouldn't be a side character.
He gently stroked Sansa's hair and smiled in the dark.
"Game on."