Part 4

Jon bit his bottom lip nervously. The hall was full of people who were eating, drinking, laughing and talking. The musicians were playing and everyone seemed cheerful. Well, almost everyone. Jon had noticed the tension on his father's face as soon as he had arrived. Both Ned and Catelyn were smiling and socializing with their guests, but Jon could tell that they have had a fight. About him. Perhaps about the wedding arrangements or something like that.

Jon had always felt guilty for causing his father trouble. Ned had always been a good father to him and done much more for him than most men would do for their bastards. Jon didn't blame Catelyn for resenting him and he had tried his best to stay out of her way. He wondered how that would work out after the wedding. Obviously the best answer would be for him to leave, but where could he go? To Dragonstone?

Somehow he doubted that Stannis would want him there. Jon most likely wasn't the husband Stannis had hoped for his daughter. Ned had assured that Winterfell was Jon's home; he and his wife were welcome to stay right here. Would Lady Shireen want to stay here? Jon swallowed as he thought about her. First things first, they weren't even married yet. He hadn't even had a conversation with her yet.

Suddenly he noticed that the musicians had stopped playing. Stannis Baratheon had just entered the hall arm in arm with his daughter. She was wearing a light pink gown and most of her brown hair was down. She seemed nervous when everyone in the room was suddenly looking at her, but she still managed to smile.

Stannis on the other hand looked tense and he glanced at the crowd almost warningly, like he would have expected them to mock his daughter. She hadn't tried to hide her face and Jon didn't see any reason why she should. Perhaps most men wouldn't have called her outstandingly beautiful, but Jon found her intriguing. He could have continued looking at her for a long time. He liked what he was seeing.

"Lord Stannis," Ned greeted their guest. "Lady Shireen, you look lovely tonight."

"Thank you, my lord," she replied. "You look lovely as well."

Ned seemed stunned for a brief moment and Jon hid his smile behind his hand.

"Thank you, my lady," Ned managed to say. "That's…always nice to hear."

Shireen smiled, making Jon again to reach the conclusion that she most definitely had the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. There was simply something so genuine about it. Catelyn also greeted their guests before Ned led them to his table, joining Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, Rickon, Jon, Theon and few lords and ladies. Stannis' seat was next to Ned's and Shireen's next to Jon's. Everyone stood up to greet the guests.

"Lady Shireen," Robb said politely.

She greeted him before looking at Jon.

"My lord," she said smiling and curtsied.

Much to his horror, he couldn't do anything except stare at her with his mouth open.

"My pretty," he finally blurted out. "My lady!" he corrected as quickly as he could. "My lady. My pretty lady. No, I mean…" His face was turning red when he finally managed to bow. "Lady Shireen."

She looked at him in wonder for a moment before smiling at him. There was an awkward silence and Jon was too embarrassed to notice that Robb was trying to tell him something by cocking his head towards her chair.

"Jon? Perhaps the lady would like to take a seat?"

Thankfully that snapped him out of it; quickly he pulled out the chair for her.

"Thank you, my lord," she said.

"You are welcome," he murmured.

This was certainly going well; he didn't want to see how many people were probably laughing at him. At least the musicians had started to play again, so everyone weren't staring at him and Shireen.

"I apologize," he murmured after a moment of silence.

"Why?" she asked.

"For embarrassing you, I didn't mean…"

"You didn't embarrass me, my lord," she assured. "I'm the one who should apologize."

His eyes widened and he finally managed to look at her.

"What, why?"

She blinked few times before replying.

"The chair thing. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do, but I certainly didn't want to embarrass you."

"You didn't, believe me. I'm more than capable of doing that all by myself."

She smiled.

"And I am more than capable of taking a seat all by myself; you don't have to worry about that."

He smiled too.

"Are you implying that I don't have enough manners to assist a lady?"

"No, not at all. I am saying that I require very little assistance. I have got used to do things by myself."

"I see. Hopefully I won't be completely useless to you then."

"I'm sure you won't be, my lord."

She paused and thanked a servant girl who was pouring her some wine. Jon noticed that she looked the girl in the eyes and smiled. That was something he admired after meeting so many arrogant noblewomen. Shireen wasn't arrogant and Jon doubted that she had a malicious bone in her body.

"So, what do you think about Winterfell, my lady?" he asked.

"I think this is a beautiful place," she replied. "Very different than Dragonstone."

"Yes, I'm sure that's true. Have you traveled a lot?"

She shook her head.

"No, I have lived my whole life in Dragonstone, this is the first time I have traveled anywhere."

"Oh…"

"But I have read many books," she added. "So in a way I have traveled in many places."

He couldn't help but smile.

"Yes, I suppose you're right. I have never been much of a reader myself."

"But you can read, my lord?"

"Yes, of course, I just… To be honest, learning how to read and write was something I was forced to do, but I never really enjoyed it."

Shireen looked at him curiously.

"What kind of books did you read?"

"Boring ones," he replied. "You know, family history, a lot of names, dates, titles and so on."

"That's your problem," she announced. "You have read wrong books."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Really? May I ask what books I should have read?"

She smiled.

"I would be more than happy to show you, I have some of my favorite books in my chamber."

"I'm eager to see them."

She thanked the servant girl again as the dinner was served.

"What kind of things do you enjoy, my lord?" she continued. "Since you mentioned that you didn't enjoy learning how to read and write."

"Well, I enjoy hunting. Riding. Spending time outdoors."

"I see. There's certainly a lot of outdoors here."

"Yes," he replied smiling. "How about you? Do you enjoy spending time outdoors?"

She hesitated before replying, he saw a glimpse of sadness in her eyes.

"I… I do, but… It's not always possible."

"Why not?"

She tried to smile, but she didn't look at him.

"I don't wish to bring anyone shame," she said quietly.

He was about to ask what she meant, but then he understood and glanced at her father. Was he embarrassed by her? Hadn't she been allowed to go outside?

"My lady," he stated as calmly as he could. "I want you to know that after the wedding things will be…different."

She looked at him cautiously.

"What do you mean, my lord?"

He smiled and touched her hand.

"When you are mine, we can go anywhere you want. I will be proud to call you my lady and I will cut off the tongue of any man who dares to disrespect you."

She blinked rapidly few times; a flush was rising in her cheeks.

"My lady, I apologize if I…"

"No," she said quickly. "No. I… I wish I can be worthy of you, my lord."

"What? You already are."

He only hoped that he could be worthy of her. And he had meant what he had said; he would be more than proud to call her his lady.