Robb sighed loudly as I attempted to fix the part in his hair. His unruly curls made a mess of things, but I was succeeding.

"I am trying to help you," I reminded him and kissed his nose.

Robb grinned at me, "I know, but does it matter what my hair looks like?"

"Not to me, but I am sure your mother would feel differently, and until we are the Lord and Lady of Winterfell, receiving royalty ourselves, I will try to defer to your mother."

"Yes, clearly, the archery lessons you are giving to Arya fall right within deference to her," Robb teased.

"Well those are secret."

Robb raised an eyebrow, "Secret? You think no one knows."

"No one has proven it, and that is more important."

"Very sneaky, Analysa Stark."

I smiled and kissed my husband slowly. I wrapped my arms behind his neck as he pulled me closer him. His tongue massaged mine, and in the slow smolder, I yearned to take off his doublet, trousers, and shirt. The feel of him against me did not make it any easier as I tore myself away from Robb.

"We have already been warned that King is near," I protested before falling into another kiss. "We must go receive them."

Robb sighed, "When did you become so agreeable to the rules? Your brother Will would be most disappointed."

I smirked, "Shall we refer back to your comment about Arya and archery."

"Noted."

Robb ran his hand down to the small of my back as we left our chamber. I leaned into him, walking together down the corridor. We found Jon along the way. I was already sickened, knowing that Lady Catelyn had likely asked him to stay far from the festivities.

"Can we switch places?" Robb asked Jon. "Minus my wife, you can't have her."

"I will have it all or I will have none of it, Robb," Jon returned with a teasing smirk to me.

"I'll suffer through the miserable parts then. The good ones make up for it," Robb returned.

"Touching," Jon teased, his hand over his heart.

Robb and I continued onto the courtyard. Lady Catelyn and Lord Eddard were already there along with half the castle. The Starks looked upon their son and me with proud smiles.

"You both look very nice," Lady Catelyn said.

Robb glanced up towards the top of his head with a smile to me. I returned it with a self-satisfied smirk.

"Robb looks very handsome," I agreed, grinning at my husband.

Robb blushed slightly. I loved that I still had that effect on him, and he certainly had it on me. As the other children came in, Robb took his place next to his father and I next to Robb. Sansa stood to my other side.

"You look lovely, Sansa," I added.

She appeared nervous to meet our guests as the sound of hoof beats grew louder, but my compliment seemed to calm her some.

"I hope they like us," she whispered.

"I'm sure they will."

The guards led the royal procession, the gold and silver clanging in its grandeur, the stag and lion proudly displayed for House Baratheon and House Lannister. A gorgeous carriage rolled in, bearing what I could only assume to be the queen and her younger children.

I leaned into Robb, whispering, "This is far more impressive than my family's arrival."

Robb shook his head, "They have quite the host, but nothing has ever struck me as you did when you rode into Winterfell half a year ago…except maybe when I married you in the Godswood."

I felt a tug in my chest as I looked at my husband. Staring into his eyes, desire burned in my stomach, urging me to lean in and kiss him. I could tell from the way Robb's chest was rising just a little faster than normal that he was fighting back the same feelings.

Whenever I was near Robb, it was agony not to be physically touching him. I hated spending time apart from him as we fulfilled our duties as the heirs to Winterfell. I wondered for an instant if I would ever want him any less. Looking at his blue eyes, I sincerely doubted it.

Robb seemed to shoot to attention suddenly. He glanced back at his father, who was staring straight ahead. I had to imagine that Lord Eddard had been the one to get his son to look back at the procession rather than at me. I tore my own eyes away as well. It was likely for the better. I could not imagine lasting much longer without kissing Robb, which would not have been the ideal welcome for the royal family.

"Ned!"

A giant man, who I quickly realized was the king, came towards Lord Eddard, hugging him tightly. He was not quite the king I had pictured from my father's war stories, but peacetime had clearly allowed him the chance to enjoy the fruits of his and his men's labor.

The queen stepped out of the carriage, holding her head high, her furs wrapped tightly around her shoulders. A plump boy and a small, pretty girl followed her as a tall, blond boy dismounted his horse and came forward. The king hugged Lady Catelyn as Eddard kissed the queen's ring. Then, the king turned towards us.

"This must be Robb and his wife, Analysa, formerly of House Samelson," he surmised.

I curtseyed as Robb bowed. "Your grace."

"You've done very well for yourself, Robb, and at a young age," the king added, smiling and slapping Robb heartily on the shoulder.

I blushed under the compliment and looked to Robb, who was grinning widely.

"Your father was a great man, Analysa. I am sorry we lost him so soon."

"Thank you, your grace."

He nodded and continued down the line to meet the rest of the Stark children before we were introduced to the royal family. They all were handsome, taking after their beautiful mother, but I felt incredibly uncomfortable under the gaze of the queen and the eldest boy. It seemed as though they were inspecting us.

When we were allowed to leave after the departure of the king and Eddard to the crypts and the exit of the royal family to their chambers, I searched the crowd for Jon. Robb and I fell into step with him quickly.

"Quite the show," Jon stated.

Robb chuckled.

"I am not sure I have ever felt so judged in such a short time," I commented.

"Well, not by the king. He was very friendly," Robb added.

Jon laughed, "Yes, and what a great king."

With his hands, he hinted at his size, getting a laugh from Robb and me.

"Is it too much to ask that you all behave for the remainder of the king and queen's stay?" Lady Catelyn asked from behind us.

Robb's and Jon's eyes were closed, cursing under their breaths. I knew the harshness in her tone was reserved primarily for Jon, which always made me prickle in defense of my new brother, but the comment was fair enough. Robb and Jon often found themselves in trouble, and it was no well-kept secret that I taught Arya how to use a bow in addition to running around with Robb and Jon.

I turned first, speaking up for the guilty boys behind me. "Yes, we will behave. We promise. For their stay, it will seem you have the perfect children."

A small smile forced itself upon Lady Catelyn's lips, "Perhaps the king and queen could visit more often."