Chapter Thirty-Four: Matchmaking

Robb's Point of View

Loras's grandmother is staring at me. She licks her lips and takes a drink of her wine. That woman gives me nightmares. Her Grace is poking at me, and whispering to a specialist. I glance at some palace wet nurse who has been assigned my designated nanny during my stay here. She is letting Tor suckle from her breasts. He has never been breast fed. I hope it doesn't make him sick.

"He is very handsome," says the specialist.

"Could we darken his hair?"

"Auburn suits him, Your Grace."

"Yes, but darken it anyways. And give him a shave. I would prefer him to be ten pounds lighter and wax him."

She moves on to Aegon. She hates his blue hair. She makes a note to have it washed out. She thinks he needs to dress to befit his rank. I roll my eyes. Renly gets poked and proded too.

They take me in first. I sit as still as I can while they make me pretty. They even dress me. I had to endure this last Christmas. I don't understand why Her Grace wants us perfect before she will dine with us.

Aegon comes out at the same time as me. His hair is its natural silvery color which makes his purple eyes pop. He looks magnificent, like he is glowing. Its hard to look directly at him.

I walk down to the game room, Jon and Loras are playing a strategy game. Willas and Garlan are playing cards. I pull up a chair next to Loras.

"You look good," Jon says.

"Have you seen Meera?" I ask.

"I doubt she is done yet," says Loras.

"Oh. Why didn't you have to go through with it?" I ask.

"I am scheduled for tomorrow with Willas. They are going to pluck my hairs."

Loras has five hairs on his chin. He is very proud of them. I am glad he is starting to grow body hair. Jon gets a call and a sly smile forms on his face.

"Hey," says Jon getting up from his game, "I miss you too. I haven't told them yet. I haven't decided."

"Who is Jon takking to?" I ask.

"He has a secret girlfriend," says Garlan, "Thats why Mother and Father are having a hard time marrying him off."

"Why wouldn't he tell me about his girlfriend? I am his brother."

"So are we and he won't tell us."

"No. I am his blood brother."

"Robb, family isn't always blood."

"I suppose not."

Jon comes back looking happy. I want to ask about his secret girlfriend. Loras is being awfully quiet about this. I wonder if he knows who she is.

"Who is your girlfriend?" I ask.

"Someone from back home," says Jon.

"Who?" I ask. Jon motions for me to walk with him. I get up and follow him in the corridor. We get far away from listening ears.

"Satin."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"My lover is Satin. I am not like Loras. I just need him."

"You still do that? I thought you were happier here?"

"I am. But while I was visiting you, and your mother was mean I sort of got attached to Satin."

"Jon, it wouldn't matrer if you were like Loras. You're my brother and I love you."

"I slept with Renly."

"I know."

We go back to the game louge. Margaery and Renly come in looking suspicious. Margaery looks gorgeous. The outfit they dressed her in enhances her ample breasts.

"Boys, We have someone you should see," Margaery says. Renly and Margaery step aside and in walks the hottest girl I have ever seen. She is wearing a miniskirt and a tight sweater that is hugging her breasts. Her short hair is curled and highlighted. Her legs are tanned, hairless, and bare, on her feet are stilettos.

"Who's your friend she's gorgeous?" Willas asks.

"Don't you recognize me?"

"Meera," Aegon breathes.

"You l-l-look, mother of gods," I say.

"You like it?" Meera asks.

Her lips are rose red. I want to kiss them so badly I feel my already tight pants getting tighter.

"What did you do?" Aegon asks.

"You don't like it?" Meera asks.

"No. You can't fix what was already perfect."

"Gimme a break," I say.

Meera is smiling.

"Meera, like this I might be into you," says Margaery.

"Oh Margaery," Meera says giggling.

I actually think she might be serious. I am summoned for a meeting with the queen. Several guards show up to march me to her chambers.

Torrhen is being held by Her Grace. She passes him to his milknurse before she comes over to me. She touches my face, arms, and shoulders. A man takes my measurements.

"What's going on?" I ask.

"You are a healthy, smart young man, Robb. I like you. You have strong arms and shoulders and kind eyes, the type that girls fond over. You are very mature and responsible. You are the ideal husband."

She adjusts my collar.

"What?"

"These are all qualities I am sure she will love."

"She? Who's she?"

"Your betrothed, darling."

"I'm sorry, my what?"

"Your betrothed. It means-"

"No, I know what it means. I already have a girlfriend."

"Yes. I am sure you do, a handsome man like you, I would expect nothing more. But what you need is a woman by your side."

"I agree."

That's why I have Meera.

"I am glad you agree. We shall announce the engagement on Christmas Eve."

"What engagement? I told you, I have a girlfriend. Meera and I are in love."

"Meera is it?"

"Yes. Meera Reed. She is really cute. You met her this morning."

"Oh that one. Yes. No, I am afraid we will cast her aside."

"What. No. I am not casting Meera aside. I love her."

She pats my chest.

"My sweet boy, you don't marry for love. You need a woman who can be a mother to your charming son and give you dozens more."

"Well yes, but, Meera can do all those things."

"You are sweet, Robb. I see why Loras likes you so much."

"He's great. The feeling is mutual, but I am not casting Meera aside for some girl I have never met."

"She's very beautiful."

"So is Meera."

"My darling, perhaps I have crossed a line."

You think?

"No, Your Grace."

"Why don't you return to your friends?"

"Thank you, Your Grace."

That was weird. I don't go back to my friends. I wander the palace corridors. I bump into Margaery, literally. She falls to the floor I help her up.

"Sorry."

"That's alright. Are you okay?"

"I had the strangest conversation with your mother."

"I had a strange conversation with my mother today as well."

"Alright, you go first."

We walk and talk wih no destination in mind.

"She wants to marry me off. She said I am betrothed."

"Weird. She wants me to marry some girl too. She wants me to dump Meera for this girl."

"Odd."

I can tell Margaery and I have the same thought. We look at each other. "No," we say at the same time.

"She means for us to marry," says Margaery. She puts her hand over her mouth.

"No."

"She is so sneaky. I can't believe her. Where would this come from. I mean its us."

"Yeah. That's silly. What do you mean?"

"I mean you're dating my best friend, and you're Loras's best friend, and Jon's your brother."

"When you say those things it actually makes sense," I say.

"You're right. I can't believe this."

Margaery walks upstairs. I follow her. She comes upon a room, guards open the doors for her. I follow because I am sure we are still talking.

"We don't have to agree," I say.

I have never been in Margaery's room before. It's bigger than my house. I sit down on her bed. She paces.

"No. You're right again. I have nothing to worry about."

She sits beside me.

"You don't like me do you?" I ask.

"You're sweet, and handsome, and a good father. But no, I don't exactly have feelings for you. You don't like me either."

"I did once. Sometimes, I still stare at your boobs."

"It wouldn't be that bad. At least my mother picked someone I care about."

She lays her head on shoulder. We hold hands. We are almost engaged. Would it be so bad?

Margaery is pretty. She's sweet and beautiful and fierce. She loves Tor. I stare at her now. There is an eyelash on her face. I remove it. She looks into my eyes. There is so much Loras in her face that it makes my stomach lurch, but there is her own look as well that makes my heart thud.

We lean in, when our lips are close enough to touch, I back away. I think of Meera and my son. I stand up.

"I need to go find Torrhen."

"And I need to brush my hair," says Margaery.

"Yeah, okay. So you'll brush your hair and I'll find Tor."

I take a deep breath to try to slow my heart rate. I walk out of Margaery's room. A girl I pass I ask her to bring Torrhen to my room. I walk around trying to clear my head.

I collapse on my bed facing the ceiling. I sigh. I put my hand on my chest. My heart is about to pound out of my chest. I grab a pillow and scream into it. Twenty-Four hours ago I was in a happy committed relationship, now I'm confused.

A girl brings Torrhen in. I grab my son and play with him. His smiles make me forget my trouble for a while. I take dinner in my room. I can't face the Tyrells right now. I put Tor to bed. I dress myself and crawl into my giant bed.

I close my eyes and Margaery's face enters my mind. I try to think about Meera, but I can't. I take a deep breath and roll over. I can't sleep.

My imagination flips through a vision of Margaery in a tight top with her breats peeking out the top, and her skirt playing peek-a-boo with her thighs. I slide my hand to my personal spot and feel the hardness.

I put my hands down my pants and shamefully get myself off. I scream Margaery's name into my pillow. I check on Tor. He is sleeping soundlessly. I get back in bed wishing sleep would take me.

I betrayed Meera. I need to talk to her. I will. Tomorrow morning first thing. I will talk to her. But what will I say? I don't know what's going on. This is so hard.