A. N. - Yes, the story hasn't been abandoned. I know I promised to write a lot in December but then shit happened. I came across the manga called 'one piece' and decided it was a good time to read it all. So, here we are. I will try to get back into a proper schedule from now. One thing is for sure, I have realized a newfound respect for authors who manage to keep up a regular update schedule.
This chapter is longer than ever before, at 6400 words. I will try to maintain sizes north of 5k for every chapter. With this chapter I have managed to have all my lead characters interact with each other atleast once. So now is the time for you to decide whether you like this story or not.
Still need a beta, so please forgive spelling mistakes. It's really hard to edit on my phone, and my laptop is down. Review questions answered at the end of the chapter.
Thanks for your reviews and criticism. Looking forward to more feedback.
Chapter 7
The feast held after the tourney was a sumptuous affair. It seemed that the chefs of the Red Keep were trying to outdo each other. No sooner did a person's eyes passed over one delicacy, would the aromatic scent of another assault the senses. There was enough meat on the rows upon rows of tables to feed an entire army. Knights drank and flirted with serving maids, the high born discussed some treaty or intrigue that served their ends and the squires gambled away their earnings. The mood was festive with the sounds of many a singer mingling to produce a melodious cacophony.
The royal family was sitting on a raised dias, with some of the guests that the king saw fit to honour. There were the Starks, obviously. Sansa sat besides Prince Joffery, with her eyes cast downwards, not daring to look at the other Prince sitting on the other end of the table. Lord Eddard Stark had the place of honour on the King's right side. Thoros of Myr, the King's drinking buddy was seated on his other side, the seat being vacated by the Queen sometime ago. Other guests of honour were the king's brother Lord Renly, Lord Kevan Lannister from the rock, Ser Garlan Tyrell from the reach and Lord Gyles Rosby from the crownlands.
The king slammed his drained goblet on the table. Immediately, his squire Lancel moved to fill it up but the king shooed him away with a drunken wave. His eyes roamed around the table and rested on his errant son. The conversation they had before the feast was half the reason the king was trying to get roaring drunk. The other half was that he loved his arbour red.
Flashback
"What do you think you were doing boy? " Harry visibly flinched at the admonishment, disappointing Robert. He had committed many a transgressions when he was the boy's age but at least he had the nerve to face the consequences. It seemed to him like the Baratheon blood wasn't very strong in either of his boys.
"Whatever do u mean, father? " Harry drawled, immediately feeling irritated by his voice. Being reminded of a certain blonde boy doing nothing good for his mood.
" Crowning your brother's betrothed, wearing those atrocious colors. Do you fancy yourself a Targaryen, boy? "
" I didn't know she was Joffery's betrothed. I wasn't invited on the trip to Winterfell, remember. How was I supposed to know what Sansa Stark looked like. Though I must say, the girl is wasted on the wretch. " Harry replied with more than a little heat in his voice.
" That's your brother and your crown prince you are talking about. Show some respect, boy. " Cersei interjected. Trust the woman to give the boys more reason to fight, Robert thought. He wanted nothing more than for his boys to atleast stay civil to each other for as long as Harry was in the city. It was no wonder their family was as dysfunctional as it was.
" Seven save us all from King Joffery's reign. " Harry replied rolling his eyes.
" Enough with your cheek boy. Not half a day in King's Landing and what a fine mess you have caused. Now listen here, you will conduct yourself as befitting a Prince at the feast. Not one more argument between you two. I don't want to hear you two at each other's throats or I swear by the seven, you both will rue this day for the rest of your lives" he roared before storming off. Gods, he needed a drink.
Harry saw his father storm off with fury etched on his face. His mother gave him a disapproving look before guiding Joffrey out of the tent. He caught the mocking eyes of Joffrey but his father's fury made him swallow his jibe. Just when he meant to follow the rest of his family out, a soft hand came upon his chest making him stop.
"You don't think you got off the hook already, brother? " the sweet voice of Myrcella immediately brought a smile to his face. When had the girl slipped in he did not know.
"I missed you too Cella" Harry said, moving to hug his sister but once again her hand on his chest pushed back.
"You have a nice way of showing it, by fighting a tourney and then not even crowning me!" Myrcella replied with a hint of amusement in her voice.
"Forgive me, sister. I did mean to crown you, but... "
" But the irresistible beauty of Sansa Stark blinded you. I know, I could see it on your face. Too bad she is betrothed to Joff, isn't it. " Myrcella cut in.
"We'll see about that. " Harry said, with a smile dancing on his lips.
Myrcella gasped, "You don't mean to do something naughty, do you brother? The girl is naive and utterly in love with Joff. You will not sway her with sweet words."
Harry just continued smiling, "Is that so, why don't you tell me more about Sansa Stark"
"You are horrible, brother. And this time you can't claim to not know that the girl is betrothed. Maybe you are more Targaryen than you realize. Great grandmother Rhaella's blood must be strong in you. "
"By the seven, what is with all you people. Surely, a lot more people have crowned their brother's betrothed in a tourney before me. "
" Not as many as you might think. But the reason everyone thought you were a Targaryen was due to your colors and your sigil. Tell me, what made you think those colors were a good idea? "
Harry slapped his forehead," Honestly, I just mixed father's colors with mother's. I didn't want to wear black and gold as that would have made me look like a Baratheon. So i replaced the gold with mother's red. I didn't realize that i had ended up with Targaryen colors. It's not like I see these colors around a lot. "
" With good reason, brother. This is why you should've paid more attention to Old Pycelle's lessons. Then you wouldn't have forgotten such a critical thing. Now what was with the cooked chicken on your sigil? Were you mixing Targaryen fire with Colbright rooster? "
Harry lightly slapped the back of Myrcella's head," Don't mock your brother Cella, or do you want to sit with Joffrey for the feast? As for the sigil, it is a pheonix. It's an immortal magical creature that represents rebirth. Everytime it dies, it gets reborn from it's own ashes. "
Myrcella suddenly looked solemn," From your dreams, then. How has your... condition been. Anything new? "
Harry knew she was referring to his magic. Myrcella was the only one in family he had shared his abilities with on his many trips to King's Landing over the years.
"Nothing new, it seems to have peaked. Not nearly as good as it should be. I can't figure out the reason. Maybe the answer lies in the north, since those lands have been associated with my...condition more than anything else in westeros. "
"I went through the libraries at winterfell, you know. There are lots of tales about weirwoods and children of the forest. But I couldn't find any proof about similar condition in the current members of the Stark family. Perhaps their blood has been too diluted, who knows. The only thing I found strange in Winterfell was that every one of the Stark children had a direwolf as pet. I didn't think such ferocious animals could be tamed but seemed meeker than hounds towards their masters. Ofcourse, the same isn't true about others, as dear Joff learned in great detail and agony. "
" Ohh, do tell. What did Joffrey do this time? "
"Nothing smart, I assure you. He threatened the younger Stark girl, Arya with his new blade. The girl, disarmed him. Honestly, how he became a knight is beyond me. Then the beast took a nibble out of him before running away. You should've heard him shriek, you would think he had been gored. He still has the marks on his arms, if you want to look. Of course mother wasn't pleased and wanted the girl's hand. When she couldn't get that, she wanted a wolf pelt. Since Arya's beast had run off into the jungle, they took Sansa's beast. ".
" And the girl still loves Joffrey? "Harry asked incredulously.
" Ohh she definitely does, or at least the idea of Joffrey. You know , crown prince, golden knight, all that. Besides, she deserved what she got. She witnessed the whole event but after mother pressured her, she failed to remember anything so father didn't have much of a choice than acquiesce to mother's demands. "
" So the girl wants to be a queen. She is the power hungry types? I thought she was more innocent and naive . "
" ohh no, or at least not yet. She is just in love with the idea of being the queen. I don't think she even realizes the kind of power and influence the position brings with it. She is just living out her favorite songs and stories. "
"How... cute! "
"Close your mouth, brother. You are drooling. Sansa Stark isn't going to make it out of your machinations with her innocence and purity, is she? "
" Joffrey doesn't deserve something as good as Sansa, and I will make sure of that. Her innocence may not survive, but she will thank me for it later. And I think I told you not to mock me. I guess you really want to sit with Joffrey. "
"How can you even say such a thing Harry. You know how much I despise him. It's his fault we can't even live together and that I see you for such short durations . "
"I was japing Cella, you know I am not so cruel as to inflict Joffrey's company on you on such a fine evening. "
Myrcella just smiled and embraced her brother. Just hugging him brought a feeling of serenity to her, something she had been missing for a long time.
" I missed you Harry" she murmured into his chest.
"I did too Cella, I missed you too. "
Finally, her brother was where he belonged, at home with her.
Flashback ends
" So boy, tell me how you got dubbed. Moore isn't that easy a man to knight you before you were ready. Unlike some others, who think knighthood is like candy to be handed out to petulant children. " the king looked pointedly in the direction of Jaime Lannister. Harry knew it was a jibe at him knighting Joffrey on the insistence of his mother. Joffrey had wanted to be a knight before him, but he wasn't willing to put in the effort as was evident from him getting disarmed by a nine year old girl. Maybe he was being a little too hypocritical here, since he himself had cheated a little to earn his spurs. But was using one's ability really cheating? If he was different from others, then there was no point in playing by their rules.
"I defeated Ser Moore in single combat, father. " Harry replied proudly earning more than a few gasps from around the table.
"Haa, you hear that Ned, my son defeated a kingsguard in single combat. And not pansies like that Lannister there, who are more interested in shining their armour, no he defeated Moore, that sullen bastard. Jon would've been so proud of you today, boy. It was his idea, you know, to have you sent to Storm's End. Every Baratheon needs space to rage Robert, he said. Send the boy to Storm's End, he will have room to grow and learn of the lands he is meant to rule. And what a fine knight you have grown to be, defeating Kingsguard and winning tourneys. Old Jon was never wrong, was he. " his father said. Harry's chest burned with a fierce happiness. His father was proud of him. Myrcella, as if sensing his emotions, grabbed his hand underneath the table and smiled brightly at him, congratulating him wordlessly.
" No Robert, he wasn't. He had more insight than the rest of us combined. May the gods give peace to his soul. " Lord Stark remarked solemnly. Eddard Stark looked like a man who didn't know how to smile. That, or he was really angry at him for crowning his daughter. More than once, the man had looked his way with a glare that promised Winter was coming for him. This was one man he would have to make amends with later. It wouldn't do to have Sansa's father think ill of him.
"You have done well, boy, but why are you still so skinny. Are you running low on rations at Storm's End? Tell him, Ned. Tell him how I was when I was his age. "
" You were a big brute Robert" Lord Stark replied with the same solemn tone but even he could tell that this was said in humour.
"Bwahahhaha... Is that any way to talk about your king, Ned? Hahhaaaha, I was a brute, wasn't I? Uncivilized, untamed, until Lyanna came around. She made me want to be a proper Lord for her. Ohh, how we loved each other. If it wasn't for that filthy white haired bastard, we would've been bound by blood today. " His father's mood did a full flip, going from full blown laughter to depressed in an instant. Lyanna Stark was such a woman, whose shadow could be felt on their family even to this day. Perhaps, Stark woman were the undoing of Baratheon men. Harry couldn't help but draw parallels between Lyanna Stark and Sansa Stark. He was now realizing the full magnitude of his actions.
His father snatched a horn of arbour red from Lancel's hand and gulped it down. He could see thin streaks of wine running down his chin and onto his doublet as he drank like a man marooned at sea. It was as undignified as it could get but not one person said anything, he was the king after all.
Apparently his mother didn't feel the same way. "Robert dear, is there a reason to mention that woman on this joyous occasion."
"Shut your mouth, woman. I won't tolerate anything against Lyanna." His father snapped back. Harry couldn't help but feel angry at this. There was no reason to insult his mother over the memory of a dead woman. He felt bad for his mother.
Cersei, obviously feeling insulted, got up and walked away in a flurry of skirts. The kingsguard Jaime Lannister was soon on her heels.
"That was too far father" Harry spoke in defense of his mother.
"You shut your mouth too brat. Just because you can ride a horse straight now doesn't give you a right to correct your king. What? You think you are some hotshot now that you can swing a sword? Ned, Ned, tell the little shit what happened to the last man who thought it was a good idea to swing a sword near me. I bashed the bastard's chest in. That's right, I bashed his chest in so hard they named a bloody river after it. " His father continued drunkenly.
The entire table had gone silent. The king had indirectly threatened his own son with death. Someone dropped a spoon at the other end of the table and the clang reverberated through the space.
Harry's face burned bright red. Never had he been so humiliated in so public a setting. His father was drunk, and he was seeing Targaryens in every voice against his beloved Lyanna.
A hand snaked its way into his lap and took hold of his tightly clutched hand. Looking to the side, he saw Myrcella, trying to give him what little support she could.
"Robert you are drunk" fortunately, it was Lord Stark that broke the awkward moment. Even his father seemed to realize what had just happened.
"Bloody hell, shouldn't have said that. Bloody hell. " The king shook his head and flung the horn of wine away. He got up and left, followed by a couple of king's guard and his loyal friend Ned Stark.
Even though the king left, the awkwardness of the moment hung in the air like something heavy. Most of the guests looked around furtively before starting to talk among themselves or leaving for the night.
Harry could see Joffrey smirking at him from the opposite side of the table. Obviously the bastard was pleased as if he had accomplished some wonderful feat. Harry wanted nothing more than to jump up and pummel the smile right off his face.
"Dessert for you, your grace" a voice sounded from besides him.
"Take it away" Harry tried to wave away the familiar sounding voice. He was in no mood to eat after what had happened.
"I am sure you will like it, your grace" the serving maid persisted.
Harry made to reprimand the persistent maid and turned an annoyed look at the dish before stopping visibly. Before him was a plate of treacle tarts. Wait, no one here knows how to make this. He turned towards the maid to find Kara smiling at him coquettishly. She was dressed like one of the many maids and holding a jar of Northern Ale in her hand. She winked at him and made to walk away. Trust Kara to know how to lift his mood.
Unfortunately, more bitterness was on menu for him tonight. Joffrey seemed to notice the exchange and recognized the maid.
"You there, wench, pour me some wine. " he ordered Kara.
" Your grace, this is Northern Ale for the commoners, not the arbour gold you are drinking. " Kara replied very humbly. He had warned Kara not to give Joffrey any chance to be vengeful since he would definitely take it to get back at him.
Joffrey simply lifted his goblet and overturned it, spilling it's contents." Pour"
Harry had a bad feeling about this. Joffrey was definitely planning something. Kara had no choice but to walk around the table to reach Joffrey. Joffrey took the moment to send another mocking smile at him. Nothing good was going to come out of this and Joffrey was too bold for his liking.
Joffrey struck the moment Kara stood besides him. When she made to pour his wine,his hand moved to rest on her behind. Harry saw red. How dare he! How dare he touch his Kara! The hand moved and squeezed, holding Kara in place even after she had finished pouring.
Joffrey picked up the goblet with one hand, keeping his other resting on Kara's plump behind.
"This tastes like horse piss, but atleast I got to see your pretty face up close. You don't work at the red keep, do you? "Joffrey asked while continuing his ministrations.
" N.. No, your gr.. your grace. I, I came with the party from Storm's End. "
" I guessed as much. They don't make them as soft as you in king's landing" That bastard, he was taunting Harry to his face. He made to get up but a tug from Cella kept him in his seat.
Kara was squirming in Joffrey's grasp now. Joffrey let go of her behind and instead pulled Kara into his lap.
It was too much for Harry. He could feel his magic pulsing in his veins"Enough Joffrey, let the girl go"
"Why, brother dear, is she someone important to you? " Joffrey asked in that irritating voice of his.
" You know perfectly well who she is? " Harry growled back. He better let her go before Harry did something he would come to regret.
"Your whore, so what? Go find a new one. There are plenty like her around. Or do you want to start a fight here at the feast? You remember father's warning, don't you? Be a good boy Harry, and shut up. " Joffrey snapped at him.
" Now, my dear, why have you come to King's Landing, besides the obvious" Joffrey said returning his attention to Kara in his lap. Even though he was talking to her,the arm that went around her was resting on her thigh, prominently in Harry 's view. What' s more, the hand was bunching up her skirt, making it rise slowly above her knees. It was all Harry could do to rein in his magic which begged to lash out and slice off the hand tugging at Kara's skirts.
Kara noticed her rising skirts and tried to pull the hem down but Joffrey batted her hands away. "Please your grace" Kara pleaded to Joffrey. Never had he seen her sound so weak and desperate. He looked around, trying to find someone to end this farce. But neither mother nor father were around and Joffrey would never listen to one of the lords, not that they would speak against him. Even bloody Eddard Stark wasn't around, it was his daughter who was being humiliated too. Some kind of father he was, leaving his daughter unattended. Sansa Stark seemed shocked beyond her belief, as if not trusting her eyes.
"Answer me, wench" Joffrey spoke with a maniacal gleam in his eyes.
"I.. I the city, your grace. I wanted to see the city again. " Kara made another futile attempt at pulling her skirt down. It was riding high enough to show off most of her pale legs now. How far was Joffrey willing to go?
"Yes, the city is beautiful isn't it? You know you can see the entire city from the window in my quarters. Why don't I take you there to show you? You will see some true beauty tonight" Joffrey propositioned.
Too far. He went too far. Harry couldn't take it anymore. His magic begged for release, to crush this vile insect in front of him. He got up so fast that the chair fell behind him. Clegane spotted his movement and his hand immediately moved to his sheath. Harry angrily stabbed the table with the knife in his hand. "Move it Joffrey, or you will lose much more than a finger" Harry growled, meaning every word of his threat. If Joffrey didn't back down now, there would be blood, damn the consequences.
Harry's movement made Joffrey flinch before he calmed down. "Is that a threat, brother?" He was smiling again but now the smile seemed stretched. Everyone around the table could feel a heavy ominous presence. His magic was saturating the air, waiting on him for direction. Every eye on the table was drawn to Harry.
"No, it was a warning, I will be the one castrating you, brother and unlike Harry, father never asked me to play nice with you" it was Cella who spoke from besides Joffrey. When had the girl moved from besides him to next to Joffrey, he couldn't say, but boy was he glad.
"Come girl, you can prepare my bed for me. My serving girl is an imbecile anyway. " Cella took hold of Kara's hand and pulled her out of Joffrey's lap.
Joffrey looked furiously at Cella. " This isn't over"
"Yes it is. I want nothing more to do with you. Goodnight Harry" Cella spoke and walked off with Kara. Joffrey was apoplectic with rage. His face reddened like a red tomato. He flew out of his chair, knocking it back, before storming off to the red keep himself. Harry guessed he was going to complain to mother.
Most of the guests sensed the end to the drama and decided to call it a night. Many of the smallfolks and guardsmen were still drinking but they were of no consequence.
Cella had really swooped in at the right moment today or Harry didn't know what he was going to do. Probably kill Joffrey or get killed by Clegane while trying to get to Joffrey. Moving his gaze to Joffrey's loyal dog, an interesting sight met his eyes. Joffrey had forgotten all about his betrothed and now she had no one to escort her back to the red keep. That is, no one besides the Hound. A sinister smile graced his lips. It was time for payback.
***************Sansa POV***************
Sansa Stark realized with a start that there were no familiar faces around. Her father had left with the king, Septa Mordane had taken a sleepy Jeyne away long ago and even Prince Joffrey had stomped off. Actually, that last one was better. After his atrocious behavior at the table, she wasn't sure if she wanted to be accompanied by Prince Joffrey. The night had started with the prince being an epitome of courtesies. He paid her compliments, japed with her, made her laugh and even told her little tid bits about the guests on the royal table. Sansa quite forgot all her courtesies and lost herself, captivated by the charm of her golden Prince.
Perhaps the prince was as bad at handling his drink as his father? She sure had seen the Prince drink quite a lot more than at Winterfell. Didn't the entire unfortunate affair begin after that blasted wench had brought yet more wine for the Prince? Sansa was confused, she didn't know what to think about any of the royal children anymore. Only sweet Tommen's behaviour seemed to be consistent. He liked his cats at winterfell and he still liked them.
The bad blood between the two Princes was clear as day. Princess Myrcella had taken her side with Prince Harry. The king didn't seem too fond of either of the Princes. His behaviours was yet another one of the many strange behaviors from people of the red keep. He seemed to be a different man before and after his drinks. His mood changed too quickly. He could be praising his son and threatening to kill in a space of minutes.
"Let's go back to the keep little bird" a gruff voice sounded from behind her. Sansa turned and a gasp escaped her mouth. Not Sandor, surely there was someone else who could escort her. The man scared her, with his nightmarishly horrific face and crude manners.
"You are not the only one who needs to sleep and I have had too much to drink. I might have to kill my brother tomorrow at the melee. " the gruff voice barked at her.
Sansa was scared, she didn't want to go with him, yet she had no other choice. She told herself a true lady wouldn't be scared of someone's face. Just as she was about to leave with him, a voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Can't you see, Hound. You are scaring the poor girl. I will take her back. Go find your ball of hay and sleep off your wine. " it was the Prince, not her Prince Joffrey but Prince Harry. Gallant Prince Harry, who had won the tourney, trouncing knights twice his age. Prince Harry, who had crowned her as his Queen of Love and Beauty, to the scandal of many. She didn't know whether to be relieved or even more worried about her new escort. Surely Prince Harry was too gallant to do anything untoward, she reasoned.
"Piss off boy, I am not leaving the little bird to you after all that happened today. "
" That's Prince Harrison to you. Tell me, dog, are you so eager for another trouncing in the same day. Has your ass stopped hurting already? " Prince Harry mocked Ser Sandor on his defeat in the finals.
"Lucky win, it was... it was the fire on your shield" Ser Sandor replied with a far away look in his eyes.
Prince Harry just smirked in response. "Go sleep off your wine, Hound and make up a better excuse when you are more coherent tomorrow. Or are you going to challenge me with your blade? " Prince Harry's hand came to rest on his sword. She didn't want the two knights to fight over her. Whatever the result, it was Ser Sandor who would lose. He couldn't get away for raising his blade against royalty.
Ser Sandor glared at her. He wanted her to choose her escort. Handsome Prince Harry or the ugly Ser Sandor, it wasn't a very difficult choice. She took a small step towards Prince Harry. Ser Sandor looked furious. He spat angrily at the ground before turning around and leaving.
"Allow me, my lady" Prince Harry extended his arm for her to take, just like a perfect knight. She took his arm and they began to walk.
"You rode very gallantly at the tourney today, your grace. "
" Don't call me that Sansa, we are to be family after all. Just Harry is fine"
"Alright, Harry" she tested the name on her lips, shyly. It seemed to please the Prince.
"As for the tourney, I won, didn't I. So I must have been doing something right. You looked very beautiful too, my lady. It was a good thing I didn't see you earlier or I don't think I would have stood a chance of winning the tourney."
The compliment made her blush. Something funny jumped inside her stomach too. Ignoring the feeling, she changed the topic. " Who taught you to ride like that"
"Mostly intuition, Sansa. But I have squired for Ser Mandon Moore of the kingsguard for a long time as you know. "
" Yes, I heard. Prince Joffrey has also squired for Ser Jaime. "
" More like Joffrey threw a fit amd uncle Jaime dubbed him on his shoulder. I can better a thousand dragons that Joffrey has never cleaned Jaime's armour or tended to his horse. " There it was again, the animosity between the Princes.
" The Prince and you don't get along much, do you? Forgive me, I shouldn't have presumed so much"
"Enough Sansa, you have a right to ask. You are the one who is stuck marrying him after all. Yes, Joffrey and I don't get along much. That's because Joffrey is cruel, vindictive and somewhat mad. I know I shouldn't speak like this of my own brother but you saw proof of it at the feast tonight. That wasn't a one-off incident. The girl, Kara, has been my friend since I left for Storm's End all those years ago. She is, special to me. Joffrey recognized her and intentionally humiliated her to get back at me. "
" Surely things can't be as bad as that? "
"Listen Sansa, I do not want to influence your opinion of Joffrey. All I will ask of you is to judge him objectively. He can seem very charming when he wants to be. But the real Joffrey is who you glimpsed at the table tonight. "
Sansa was silent for sometime. Harry was pleased with himself. He had done his job of planting a seed of doubt in her mind. Now it was time to let it grow. Seeking to steer the conversation in another direction, he asked," How have you liked King's Landing so far? "
"Ohh, it is like a dream. I love the city. There is just so much here that I want to see. The harbour, the market, the cloth bazaar, the musicians alley. I want to see it all but there is just no time. "
" Calm down Sansa, take a breath. You can see them all. You have plenty of free time in the day, don't you? "
" Yes but father is always busy and... Prince Joffrey wouldn't go without his litter. That just brings too much attention. "
" Yes but it gives you security too you know, I doubt they would let you travel without much security. "
" I know"
"You know I have travelled the city often enough under a disguise. Maybe one of these days, I will steal you from the Hand's tower, disguise you and show you around King's Landing. " The Prince said, taking a step towards her. They had finally reached her chambers inside the Hand's tower.
" You will? " she asked, with hoping blossoming in her heart.
"Ofcourse, I have some responsibility towards my Queen of Love and beauty. " prince Harry's hand reached up to catch one of her curls that had escaped her bun and tucked it behind her ear. His touch made her shiver.
"You know, there is one part of my reward I was denied today after crowning you. "
" What par... " Sansa began to question before a pair of lips closed down on hers. She gasped in surprise and that was all the opening the Prince needed to slip his tongue inside her mouth. The Prince's lips tasted of chocolate and apples. The tongue burned her wherever it slithered inside her mouth. She tried to battle it with her own, push it out but quickly lost the battle. This was true kissing, the one maidens giggled about and the one that knights gave their Princesses after rescuing them. This was nothing like the pecks she had from Prince Joffrey. She thought she liked those but this kiss made her realize how truly naive she had been. This kiss filled her with wanton desire. The Prince's lips radiated heat like hot coals and something squirmed deep inside her belly. The Prince's hand had snaked around her waist, holding her flush against him. Her own hand had bunched up in his tunic near the collar, somehow holding on for dear life. Just as she thought she would die for lack of breath, the Prince pulled back. She was heaving for breath, she realized. That kiss had the zeal of life and the promise of death in it. She thought she could lose herself in that kiss, completely consumed by the fire the Prince's lips seemed to light.
"Thank you for the reward, my Queen. " Prince Harry spoke before turning around. My queen, she liked the sound of that. She rushed inside her chambers and slammed the door behind her, her breath short.
She wanted more, she wanted so much more. But she didn't know what she want. She wanted nothing more to open the door, run out and fling herself back into Prince Harry's arms. But was it what she wanted? She had already given more than she was ever supposed to. This man wasn't the one she was supposed to kiss. This was wrong, she could lose her head for betraying the crown Prince. But what a glorious way to go it would be, in the arms of her gallant Prince.
Her gallant Prince, where did that come from? Her Prince was Prince Joffrey, the golden Prince, the one who was going to make her Queen of all Seven realms. Prince Joffrey was handsome, all the girls said so. He was smart, and most importantly, he was the man her father had betrothed her to. But he didn't kiss like that, a traitorous voice spoke from the back of her mind.
No, no, no, no. She couldn't think like that. Sansa flung herself on her bed, burying her face between the soft pillows. Sleep wasn't going to come easily tonight.
***************Lemon*****************
Harry entered his room to find the most appealing site awaiting him. Sprawled on his bed was the naked form of Kara. Kara was lying on her stomach, with her head propped up on her arms giving him a smouldering look.
"Your reward for winning the tourney awaits you, your grace." she spoke with a look of pure lust in her eyes. Within moments, he divested himself of his clothing and pounced on his prey.
Their lips met in a ferocious entanglement as both of them tried to consume the other. After what the crown Prince had done, they both needed this. Without any foreplay, Harry reached between the two and pushed his member inside her waiting womanhood eliciting a gasp from her. Surprisingly, Kara was quite wet and ready for him. So Harry began to mercilessly pound her into the mattress,not letting up for even a moment
Moans and gasps escaped Kara's lips freely as Harry gave her no respite. His mouth was latched on to her breasts, alternating between sucking and biting. Kara realized that Harry was in no mood to make love tonight. No, tonight he was going to fuck her brains out. She had some inkling that this was going to happen tonight. Tourneys were battles and men got their blood up after a battle. The exchange with the crown prince during the feast wouldn't have done anything for his mood either. After such a day, their was no room for delicate touches and soft caresses.
She dimly realized Harry pulling out and turning her around to make her rest on her hands and knees. Taking her from behind was okay but she didn't really like it when he took her in the other hole. Buggery was a sin, the seven said so. But tonight was not a night when Harry would listen to her protests.
"How dare that bastard touch what is mine" harry growled. A stinging slap on her behind made it clear to her who the bastard was.
"I took a bath Harry, and burned the dress. That's two dresses you owe me now..ow..ow" the end of her speech turning into whimpers as Harry pushed inside her.
"Good" Harry's breath ghosted over her neck as he nipped at her and grabbed her breasts. "You know where the money is, just buy as many as you want love"
"That's not..ahh..not what i want. I want to go buy them with youowww. Would it kill you to be a little gentle. You sure are in a feisty mood tonight. " she complained praying Harry would listen.
Thankfully he did. He slowed down the speed of pumping his member into her butt." Forgive me, you just are so irresistible tonight Kara. "
" If that is so, then what kept you so long" failing to keep the pleased tone out of her voice.
"Ohh, i was just getting a taste of some lemon cakes" Harry replied mysteriously before erupting deep inside her.
How was it? Was Joffrey enough of a dick? Harry isn't a hero, and this chapter should establish that once and for all. The lemon at the end is a short one but important for character development.
Review questions :
Tywin Lannister: Harry hasn't experienced another life, he has a few glimpses that have carried over into his reincarnation. The experiences of previous world are lost with that world. This Harry is completely different, with his own set of experiences. I am sorry you feel that he is a weak character, I have scaled him according to the universe he is in. Cant have a deus ex machina.
Lilo23: Yes, but that is all i can tell u right now.
Jiubantai: Too far into spoiler category, sorry can't answer.
OverlordMetatron: Explained in this chapter.
Drolihc: i am sorry you feel that way, thank you for your feedback.
Alpha: I hear you and the slow story progression is frustrating me too but i needed it to establish a baseline. Now that all the main characters have spoken atleast once and i have established a rough sketch of all, things will speed up.
If i missed any, it was because i thought your questions were answered among others. Once again thank you for your feedback and keep reviewing.