"There is something I must talk to you about before we sleep."
"I assume it has something to do with The Hound."
"Why do you assume such?"
"This day, Ser Rolland felt it necessary to tell me about his courage in battle, Shireen about his amusing her, and Davos felt compelled to tell me he may lose his good-daughter to him. Is that so? Did he form an attachment to the Seaworth widow?"
"She most assuredly formed an attachment to him and invited him to return to claim her. Does Davos look favorably upon the match? It would leave Cape Wrath in the hands of his steward and without family present."
"He did not say. I do think he was uncomfortable for some reason. I had matters of greater concern and did not press."
"His concern might have to do with how you may view Ser Sandor after I tell you what I must. Nothing was done that brings shame on me or on you; however, I was made to realize that I should speak of it to you before you learn of it elsewhere."
"Just what is It?"
"When we departed Cape Wrath and for the service he had done, I kissed Ser Sandor on the cheek . . . both cheeks . . . as I would a brother."
"He is NOT your brother, Sansa!"
"No, in truth, I would like to think I would have shown more affection to a brother. It probably would have compared more to a display of gratitude I would have given a close friend like Davos had he slain his brother and taken on the mantle of Kinslayer to save the lives of our children and myself."
"I would hope you would not embarrass Lady Marya by kissing her husband thus!"
"You would have had me not show him gratitude?"
"Gratitude! There are many other ways you could have shown gratitude that were not . . . intimate. How many observed this display? Was it just Shireen, Lady Marya, and Ser Rolland?"
"Anyone who cared to look could have seen. It was done before I entered the carriage to depart. I would not have done such a thing in private as if there was something to hide."
"You have no idea how you put those who observed this in peril, have you? As king, I could be forced to consider you and all who observed and did not speak of it treasonous."
"Treasonous! There was no treason!"
"When the queen betrays the king with another man, it is treason! And one such as Ser Axell were to hear of this, he would try to convince our enemies that you did just that."
"I did NOT betray you. I admit I have great regard for Ser Sandor. That does not make it equal to or the same as my regard and affection for you as my husband and my king."
"This is about more than whether you have offended me, Sansa. The realm must trust you as their queen."
"I made sure we were never alone and while we had a few private conversations, they were always where we could be seen by others. I am not sure how such a simple act done out of gratitude can be used as a weapon, but you know more about these things than I. If it happens, I can only explain and take what comes. My concern is that you understand, as my husband, that I am glad of this marriage and want no other. If I have offended you, I truly do ask your forgiveness."
"That was quite a speech."
"It is an apology, a sincere one . . . not a speech."
"If you truly wanted The Hound, you could have made an excuse to bring him here or made him Steffon's sworn shield in my absence. You did not. So while I am angry, I am sure you will charm me out of it."
"You make me sound like Cercei! Although Cercei once said you could not be charmed . . . actually, she said you could not be seduced."
"Yes, well . . . the matter at hand is keeping you from being compared to Cercei. As much as I shall hate it, you will have to do the same to another and in my presence."
"What?"
"If this is something I and others witness you doing to one who has served the realm well, as it was witnessed at Cape Wrath, it will take the action away as something that can be used against you. It will have to be one of my men who distinguished himself in battle. Preferably one who has a wife . . . Why do you look so shocked? I do not want you to do this, but it needs to be mitigated!"
"I realize that. It's just that . . . I've never known you to be . . . Stannis, you are being, well . . . I am not quite sure if it is cunning or diplomatic. Both are unlike you."
"Mark my words, I do not appreciate having to make the effort."
"I wish I could say I will never put you in such a position again. All I can say is that I will try to consider the repercussions of all my actions carefully. I want to be an asset to you, not a liability."
"I would not have you fear your every action, Sansa. Your instincts, for the most part, serve you well."
"Then choose whom you would have me kiss, for I would have you line the entire army up and kiss each cheek if it would make you quit pacing and come back to bed."