Disclaimer: I do not own anything from A Song of Ice and Fire or Game of Thrones. Everything belongs to George R.R Martin.

Chapter IV - The Royal Feast

Alyssa POV

"What?" Alyssa demanded quietly, not wanting to alert any of the Royals here. "You can't betroth me to Prince Joffrey."

She was at her father's solar, and sat across of her parents. Ned and Catelyn gave her a small smile and Catelyn said, "Alyssa, when I marry your father, I didn't know him, but over the years, our love grew, having, Robb, you and your siblings."

"But-" Alyssa began.

"The wedding wouldn't have to be until you are six and ten, Alyssa." Ned assured. "It will give you and the Prince to know each other. You may grow to love each other, besides, you will be Queen of Westeros, it's every maiden's dream to be Queen."

Alyssa could see her father looked a bit apprehended, and Alyssa said, "Why me? Why not Sansa? Sansa would love to marry Prince Joffrey, she could take my place anytime."

"You are the eldest daughter of House Stark." Her mother told her. "The King believes that you and Prince Joffrey shall be a good match. Yes, you are a year older than him, but you are much more fortunate then most girls of your age, many girls in your age are already married."

Alyssa sighed knowing that she lost the battle and said, "Can I be excused?"

"Yes." Ned said nodding his head. "But there will be a feat in Winterfell, and you are required to walk with Prince Joffrey."

Alyssa groaned and opened the door and slammed it back, she walked furiously into her room where Rhae immediately leaped up onto her and licked her face. Alyssa smiled and patted Rhae. Rhae was one of the seven direwolves that her brothers, Robb, Jon and Bran found when their father executed a deserter of the Night's Watch. They found seven direwolves who's mother has been stabbed by one of the Stag's antler. Her mother believed it was an omen, but Alyssa believed that her mother was being superstitious.

Rhae is perhaps one of the most beautiful direwolves out of all the other seven. She had the silver-gold fur and the indigo eyes. Maester Luwin told her that Rhae resembled a Targaryen. The Targaryens are one of the last fourty family descended from Old Valyria, and Valyrians had silver-gold hair and indigo eyes, they were regarded as gods. Alyssa thought about the Starks, compared to the Valyrians who had existed for five thousand years, and were the greatest empires in the world. The Starks had ruled the North for eight thousand years, but before the Conquest, the North was a poor land which the Starks only rely on loyalty of their bannerman.

Alyssa spent her time playing with Rhae that she didn't realize how long it has been. Septa Mordane came in and was shocked, "Alyssa Stark, you get dressed right now, you are going to be walking with the Crown Prince."

"Yes, Septa Mordane." Alyssa replied. She dressed in the new gown that a seamstress made for her, it matched with her dark hair and blue eyes, with stripes of grey, which shows her status as a daughter of House Stark. Her hair was braided elegantly, and on her neck was a direwolf pendant. The gown was embroider richly with a belt around. She wore a fur coat and walked out of the room, making sure Rhae stays in her room.

oOoOo

The Royal Feast was very active in Winterfell, with music all around. Alyssa was sure she has never seen a feast this active, she had to spend a long time with her siblings, especially with Sansa gushing at the fact how Alyssa will marry Joffrey. She was surprised that Sansa wasn't jealous of her, but Sansa seemed to be delighted. Arya and Jon joked that Joffrey looked like a girl. Robb and Theon thought Joffrey was spoilt. Bran and Rickon were too young to understand and Alyssa herself wasn't sure of Joffrey. He was handsome with his gold hair and emerald green eyes.

"May I have the honor of walking with you, Lady Alyssa." Joffrey said courteously.

"Of course, my Prince." Alyssa said trying to keep the bitterness out of her voice, she had hunch of Joffrey and that there was something wrong about her. She took Joffrey's arm and walked to the feast. She looked around, trying to find Jon. She knew Jon was a bastard so that he wouldn't be sitting at the higher section of the table, but still, he has to be in here right? Robb was walking with Princess Myrcella, Sansa walked with Prince Tommen, while Arya, Bran and Rickon followed them from behind.

During the feast, she danced with everyone in the room. From her father, to King Robert, to young Prince Tommen who was poor dancer. She danced with Robb, her uncle Benjen, Theon, Bran and Rickon. She even danced with Prince Joffrey upon his request and felt uncomfortable as he kept lingering on hier face than onto her breast. Later, she and Robb made a bet, which Alyssa lost. She was told to dare to walk over to the Queen. Alyssa immediately felt nervous but did so.

"Hello little dove." Cersei said looking at her. Queen Cersei was sitting next to her mother, but immediately Alyssa felt something about Cersei Lannister. Alyssa gave a light curtsey and greeted the Queen.

"Such as young beauty." Cersei said and Catelyn smiled proudly. "How old are you?"

"Two and ten, Your Grace." Alyssa said politely.

"Have you bled yet?" Cersei asked seriously and Catelyn looked uncomfortable.

"Yes." Alyssa replied. However, she didn't want to talk about this here, it felt utterly mortifying to speak to this about the Queen. The topic quickly changed with Cersei praising her dress. Later, Cersei dismissed her as if she was one of her servants, Alyssa went back to join her siblings, ignoring Prince Joffrey glances.