So...last chapter. It was pretty bad for my character. But the bad times will not last! :D Thank you to all who reviewed, and thank you to Kit Harington, for showing the video of him scaring Rose Leslie on April Fool's Day. It brings me so much laughter every time I see it! :)

As always, I own nothing but Ethaesper, Ophelia, Katherine, and House Pyralis.

1st P.O.V. Winterfell.

I was numb.

I felt like I was floating through the air, like a feather caught in a breeze.

After Theon took me to my room, he laid me down on my bed, and ran to go find My Lady and Maester Luwin.

When the trio came back, I wasn't crying anymore.

I wasn't gagging and I didn't feel sick.

I was frozen, my face blank as I stared up at the ceiling.

I felt like I had an out of body experience.

I could see myself simply staring up at the ceiling, my eyes still a bit red from crying, my light olive skin was now as pale as...as...as snow.

My chest was going up and down in shallow breaths and I wasn't responding to what Maester Luwin was saying to me.

I could see him checking my temperature with his hand, checking my breathing, checking everything. Theon kept asking the Maester questions, biting his thumb in worry, trying to get me to talk to snap out of it. But I couldn't.

Meanwhile, My Lady looked discomforted by my state. She kept to the back of the room, her face unusually stoic, her arms held to her chest, but her eyes filled with much sorrow and pain. She looked conflicted. About what? I didn't know. The entire time, while Maester Luwin was trying to elicit some response from me and while Theon was trying to get some answers out of the Maester, My Lady did not speak one word from her corner at the other end of the room.

Eventually, Maester Luwin came to a final conclusion: I was in shock.

My Lady eventually spoke up, her voice thick, "It's probably the lessons. She has so much to learn and it was all thrown upon her so suddenly. Perhaps she needs a slower transition into her new life." She then looked down at the floor, deep in thought.

"Perhaps the party isn't a good idea?" Suggested Maester Luwin, who was putting some lavender oil on my wrists and temples to help with my shock.

My Lady looked up and responded in a firm voice, "I understand that it doesn't seem like a good idea, but Katherine informed me that Ophelia agreed to it. Ophelia wouldn't do that unless she felt comfortable with the idea."

Oh...so that's what Katherine was asking me about. I wasn't even listening because I was too busy staring at...at...well, you know who.

"Theon?" Theon looked up to My Lady, and she pulled him aside.

"Fetch Katherine. I want her attending to Ophelia. Inform her that once she is out of her state of shock, to make sure she stays in bed." My Lady shot me a pitied glance and she looked right back at Theon. "Tell her that Ophelia is excused from lessons today."

Theon looked like he didn't want to leave, but he nodded anyway and left to go find Katherine.

My Lady strided over and knelt down beside my bed. She took my hand in mine and gave me a kiss on the side of my forehead. "Everything that is being done is for the best." She whispered. My Lady stroked my hair a bit before she concluded with, "I love you. Everything I do for you is in your self-interest." She squeezed my hand and gave me a kiss on my knuckles before she nodded to Measter Luwin and left the room.

I thought that My Lady probably felt guilty of having sprung lessons, Katherine, stays, and the party on me.

I felt bad about making her go through the trouble of worrying about me once more, but it wasn't her fault.

It wasn't the Gods fault.

It wasn't even... HIS fault.

It was my own.

I should have known that I would never be good enough for anyone.

Sansa made that clear at dinner the other night.

I was a servant, taken in by the charity of the Starks, family to a bunch of dead people who don't even matter anymore.

I was never good enough for him.

I understood that now.

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Once Theon arrived with Katherine, Maester Luwin shooed him off and gave Katherine instructions to care for my well being.

I eventually fell asleep, and I awoke to hear Katherine singing a song. My eyes opened and I turned my head to the side to see her in front of the fireplace, reading one of the books Robb had given me, with Ethaesper on her shoulder.

"I didn't know you could read." I muttered quietly.

Katherine jumped up from the seat, startled by my talking.

"Seven Hells! You creepy girl! Are you trying to scare me to death?!" She demanded as she bent down to pick up the book she was reading.

I ignored her comment. "Who taught you to read?" I asked her. Most servants did not know how to read, unless they worked with things like books or ledgers. I found it odd that someone like Katherine, who worked a manual labor sort of job, knew how to read. Katherine's scowl died down a notch, and she held the book closely to her chest. "My Father."

"Your father? Where did he learn?" Katherine only glared away from me, her head facing the fire. "It doesn't matter." She mumbled.

Katherine looked down at the book she was reading and ran her hands over the hard leather cover. "Did you know that your family has it's own song?"

I shook my head.

Katherine stared at the brown book fondly as she said, "Oh yes. Much like the Lannister's have the Reins of Castemere, your family has a song of their own: The Dragon and the Phoenix."

I slightly smiled, even if it was forced, and I slowly turned to my side, putting my hands under my head. "What is it about?"

Katherine sat back down on the chair and flipped open to the page she was reading. "It says that when Jaehaerys Targaryen's daughter, Princess Viserra Targaryen, was to wed Urijah Pyralis, he had a song written as a gift to show the love and appreciation of the two houses uniting into one. Though the song is written cryptically, it is the most popular that shows the love of the Phoenix and Dragon."

Katherine looked up at me, her face written in realization as she asked, "Isn't Urijah an ancestor of yours?"

She must have read a good portion of that book. I barely knew of my own ancestors, but I do recall Urijah being mentioned by My Lady at one point.

I shrugged one shoulder. "I suppose he is. I haven't really given it much thought."

"No...you don't understand." She let out an exasperated sound. "If what is written is to be taken true, then you're not a Pyralis."

I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion. "What are you talking about? Of course I am. My Lady knew my mother, who was a Pyralis, and Lord Stark knew my father, who was a Pyralis. Honestly, Katherine..."

Katherine shook her head and she sat down on the edge of the side of my bed. "No you don't get it. If Targaryens' and Pyralis' married each other throughout the years, that means that you aren't just a Pyralis. You are both a Pyralis and a Targaryen."

My mouth opened and shut a couple times, trying to think of a rebuttal to what she had claimed. Closing my mouth, I tenderly sat up as Katherine helped me by putting her hand on my back and supported me as I became upright.

"Huh...I never thought of it that way. I guess I am...though distantly...probably. At this point though, I don't really care. I am predominantly a Pyralis by blood...or so everyone says. I haven't been able to fully grasp that fact myself...". I gave out a small laugh. "I did hear that my family liked to marry with one another. My parents were first cousins." Katherine popped her head in my line view and she made a disgusted face. "That's repulsive."

I grimaced. "I know."

Katherine walked in front of me and stated, "Don't get me wrong. I still don't like you, but...what the hell happened? You were fine this morning, then I hear that you're unresponsive."

I suddenly felt sorrow come back at me like a wave.

I looked down and mumbled, "Can you go get Theon? I want to talk to him."

Katherine's face fell at my reluctance to answer her but she obeyed and went to go fetch Theon. When the two of them came in, I said, "Thank you Katherine for helping, but I'd like to talk to my friend alone."

Katherine understood and left.

When the door shut, I mumbled, "She better bring Ethaesper back."

Theon didn't chuckle or laugh. He ran over to me and didn't let me respond as he gathered me into his arms. "Are you better? You scared the life out of me."

I clutched onto him and then I couldn't hold back anymore.

My tears started to flow down and I refused to let him go. "Ophelia..." Theon's voice trailed off as I whimpered. "He hurt me. I wasn't good enough...and he hurt me."

Theon pulled back from me and his stormy blue eyes bored into my dark crimson ones. His forehead was scrunched up. "Who hurt you?"

I looked away. I couldn't say his name.

"Ophelia." Theon's grip on me tightened as he became desperate for an answer. "Please...I want to help you."

My mind flashed to what I said to...him...before he revealed his true intentions to me.

"Jon." I whispered his name, something that once tasted as sweet as honey was now as bitter as cod liver oil, and my body had a physical reaction just uttering his name. I flinched when I said his name.

Theon looked at me in disbelief. "Are you sure? Snow and I aren't on the best of terms, but even I know he would never hurt you."

"Well he did."

"How?"

I thought about all that had happened between us and I broke down and cried into my hands. "He...he..." I couldn't finish because I was hiccuping too hard, prohibiting me from speaking.

Theon's eyes went wide and he started to get angrier by the minute."Ophelia...calm down. What did he do to you?"

I kept crying and Theon had enough. He grabbed me by my shoulders and shook me, my head flopping back and forth like a ragdoll. "Answer me, damn you! Did he lay with you?" He stopped asking me so I could answer. I took several deep breaths in attempt to calm myself down.

I shook my head and let my hiccups subside before I could speak. "He did not lay with me."

Theon's tense shoulders relaxed a bit, but he still wanted an answer. "What did he do to you?"

I wiped my eyes and then told him. It felt good to get everything off my chest. I told him about the kiss in the kitchens, our time in the stables, what happened at the Weirwood tree, our outing near the White Knife, and this morning in the tiltyard. When I got to the part of the promise, Theon took my hand in his and slowly unwrapped the bandage. His stormy blue eyes scanned the cut and he looked me in the eyes. Theon removed the small dagger from his belt and re-opened the cut on my palm by drawing the blade across it. I hissed and tried to jerk my hand from his grip, but the Iron Islander would not let go.

Theon cut his palm and just like yesterday by the white rushing waters of the White Knife, he meshed our cuts and blood together.

"What are you doing..." I started to ask but I saw Theon's determined look. "I'm removing every bad memory of him from you. Now when this will scar, and you won't have to think of him when you see it."

He removed his hand and rewrapped my newly cut palm. Theon made a 'go on' motion with his uncut hand, and I resumed with my story.

During me telling him the rest of what happened, Theon became uncharacteristically calm. Once I concluded with the events that transpired this morning, Theon stood up and kissed my forehead.

I suddenly became fearful of what he was going to do. "Theon! Please, don't tell anyone or say anything. Leave it alone. For me...please." Theon gave me a soft crooked smile and tilted his head to the side. "I promise I won't do anything that is abnormal."

I felt relieved and nodded. Theon kissed the top of my head and said, "I'll come by later with your supper. Maybe Katherine should have the day off for attending your lazy butt, eh?" He nudged me and left the room.

Later that day, Robb stopped by with my supper.

I was already in my nightgown and robe, sitting by the fire reading the Songs and Lores of the Dragon and the Phoenix. I had my legs criss crossed, covered by my nightgown and robe. Katherine came back as soon as Theon left and she cared for me until I assured her that I was fine and she could be excused for the rest of the evening. She did so, though with much hesitation, and left me alone with Ethaesper.

I heard the door knock, and I yelled, "Come in."

Robb entered with a tray of food, enough for two, and he gave me a wary smile. "Hi there."

I closed the book and set down by the chair. I got up and went to the doorway, looked down the hallway, only to see it empty.

I turned around and crossed my arms. "Where's Theon?"

Robb looked like he didn't know whether to laugh or sigh. "He's shovelling pig shit."

I raised an eyebrow at his language and Robb turned a pale pink. He cleared his throat. "Sorry about that. Theon got himself into some trouble earlier today, so now he, as well as Jon, have to clean out the pig pens."

"What happened?"

Robb shrugged and walked over to the small round table. He set cutlery, plates, and food out. "I am not exactly sure. I was in the tiltyard, talking with Ser Rodrick, when we heard a bunch of shouting. Next thing I know, the two of them are breaking through the wall of the stables going at each other. I tried to get them to stop, but well...", Robb turned his head to the side and showed me a purple bump on his temple, "I got caught by the lid of a barrel. Ser Rodrick stopped me and insisted that they let their aggressions out. Eventually, Father had to come down from his Solar, even though he was busy with this month's budget, and had to pull them off of each other. Now they're both in a heap of trouble."

I wanted to yell out of frustration, but I restrained myself.

I told Theon not to do anything, and he picked a fight with... Ugh! I sat down and covered my face with my hands. My voice, muffled by my palms, asked, "Who came out worse?"

"Originally, Jon did. But he ended up gaining the upper hand near the end of it."

I looked up. "And now they have to shovel pig waste? For how long?"

Robb shook his head and sat down across from me. "Until the pens are clean. Then they have to go to bed without supper. Tomorrow, they'll be fixing the hole they made in the stables' wall and after that, they'll be fixing the rafters at one of the barns near the outskirts of Wintertown."

"Sounds like a lot of work."

Robb cocked his head to the side, while looking down at the food, and shrugged. "Well they deserve it."

I saw that he set a place for himself as well, and was already digging into his food. "I suppose you are dining with me then?"

Robb nodded as he took a bite of his turkey pie.

Picking up on my irritation, Robb assured me to take it easy. "It's fine, 'Felia. This isn't the first time they've gotten into a scuffle with each other. However, this time it was more violent, I have to admit."

I was annoyed.

Despite Robb's assurance, I didn't want Theon doing this, or else people would ask questions as to why he had a problem with...a certain broody male.

I heard Robb's fork clank along his plate and I saw that he had already finished his pie. He quickly started to chow down on his roasted carrots and potatoes. "Why are you in such a rush?" I asked him as I took a small bite of a roasted carrot.

Robb looked up from his plate and wiped his mouth with a cloth napkin. "I have to help Mother. She's making invitations for your nameday party, and since there is a lot of people she intends to invite, she has enlisted my help as well as Sansa's and Bran's. Which reminds me...", He pulled out several swatches of fine looking paper, "I need you to pick one."

I gave him a confused look. "Why do I need to pick one?"

Robb gave me a disbelieving look. "Because it is for your party. Mother has these ones already in store, for this specific reason, and doesn't need to commission for any new paper."

"Oh..." I took the swatches from him and examined each of them.

I looked back up to the Stark boy and squinted my eyes as I flipped each swatch to it's backside, looking over each detail on all of them. "Umm...remind me...why is this so important?"

Robb answered, with his mouth full of food, "It sets the tone of the party."

"The...the tone? What does that even mean?!"

Rinn swallowed and wiped his mouth clean. "It means that just by glancing at an invitation, people will know whether it's a formal occasion or not. And then from there, they can sumise the extent of formality the party will be."

"Isn't every party formal?"

"No."

I sighed and put my plate to the side of me. I placed all the swatches in a row and squinted my eyes at each. One was a deep purple, the other a light blue. One was a rich red, while another was a plain white. The one that caught my attention was a white marbled swatch, with forest green detailing on the borders of it. I lifted it up and handed it to Robb. "This one seems nice. How formal would you say this would be, by the indication of it?"

Robb took the swatch from my fingers and held it up. He raised his eyebrow and flipped the swatch over, looking over each inch of it. "Very formal. Not the level of a royal wedding, but enough to say that it's nice enough to be dressed for a ball."

I looked down at the others in disdain and I slumped down in my chair. "It's the only one that appeals to me...but I don't really want a ball."

Robb gave me a smile. Reaching over to pocket the rest of the swatches, he held the one I picked out in his hand. "Don't worry about that. I'm sure you'll be the moon of the ball."

Despite the horrible day I had, I couldn't help but snort. I covered my mouth. "The moon of the ball? What kind of saying is that?"

Robb chuckled and rubbed the back of his head. "I prefer the moon over the stars. It's bigger and tends to stand out...stars only get lost among the beauty of others. Stars look like one another, there's nothing unique about them...but there is only one moon in the sky."

I suddenly felt uncomfortable at his comment, and that familiar sting in my eyes that I was entirely acquainted with, returned full force.

Why couldn't I be good enough for him?

No, I don't mean Robb

I meant...well, you know. Why couldn't I be like the moon for him?

Was I the same as all the rest of the other stars?

I knew that I never stood out, that I always preferred to be in the shadows or among others in the crowd. But I guess my tendency to lean towards being normal didn't work in my favor this time. I was too normal for...

I shut my eyes tightly to prevent any tears from dripping down.

I opened them and gave Robb a watery smile.

"That's a beautiful notion. Now if you don't mind", I stood up and ushered Robb out of my room, "I would like to get some sleep."

"Wait!" I paused my actions and stared at Robb, who had a repentant look on his face.

"Yes?" I asked, slightly impatient.

Robb swallowed as he looked around. His eyes shone with regret as whispered. "Ophelia...I am sorry...I am so sorry."

"For what?"

Robb took a deep breath before he went on with his out-of-nowhere apology. "I realized that I jumped into a friendship with you, disregarding the past. That was unfair of me. I wanted to apologize for a previous deed committed by me long ago, as a foolish child. This apology is long overdue, but please hear me out nonetheless..I'm sorry...for nearly causing you to drown at the docks in White Harbor, for causing you to lose Nova, for the lost years of friendship between us...will you forgive me?"

It was was silent.

I wasn't expecting him to apologize for something even I had forgotten. I whispered, "For the longest time...this was all I wanted to hear. But now I realize that I have forgiven you years ago...I only thought that you didn't want to be my friend anymore because I had held a grudge against your person for a while..."

I gave him a small forced smile. Robb didn't say anything as I shut the door.

I no longer felt hungry, so I didn't eat the rest of the food.

I just went to bed.

It's funny how when you're sad, all you want to do is sleep. I was foolish in thinking that the next morning I would be alright...because I wasn't.

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All throughout Winterfell, people heard of the 'emotional affliction' that had occurred within me. Some snickered, others gave me looks of sympathy.

Septa Mordane eased up on her iron rule, and made lessons softer and easier.

Everyone thought what happened was a result of too many things happening all at once.

Only Theon knew the real reason why I really did crumble down in despair.

Other than his confrontation with the black curly haired boy, he did not tell anyone why I went into shock. I'm glad he kept it to himself, something else that was very much out of character. He's a good friend.

The following days blurred with one another. I did my best to keep myself busy and avoid any spot where I might have run into him, which was hard because there's only so many places in Winterfell you can go without seeing someone you wished to avoid.

I took refuge in my room, the Godswood, or in My Lady's room. I occupied my mind with lessons, studying all sorts of subjects well into the night. Every two days, Robb and I would spend three hours together. He taught me most dances, though I had trouble with many of them. When I wasn't busy with lessons or Robb's tutoring, I threw myself in planning a party I did not want. Though it was a good distraction, I found myself dreading the Ball would be held for my belated nameday.

My actual nameday came and went, quietly uncelebrated. The reason for this being that I would be able to celebrate it at the party, so there was no need to celebrate it twice.

Everyone, and I do mean everyone, seemed excited for the upcoming celebration.

The servants twittered and chatted about how long it's been since Winterfell has had a celebration of this magnitude.

Lord Stark cracked a small smile when he heard an old friend was planning on attending with his young son. My Lady would sometimes get emotional about how this was my first huge party, and how she wished my mother could be here with us, though overall she overflowed with excitement on my behalf.

Even the children were excited. All Sansa could talk about was what she thought she was going to wear to the Ball and who of high social standing was coming. Arya and Bran were excited to see some of the people who fought in both the Greyjoy Rebellion and Robert's Rebellion, and hear their war stories. Rickon was excited to eat all the tasty food that would be served.

To some degree, this giddiness had affected both Robb and Theon. Whenever they were together, the conversation eventually drifted to which Ladies from what Houses were attending.

I only wished I could be as happy as they all seemed to be.

I desperately wanted to be as content as they all were.

But it seemed just like the day that the incident happened, it was harder and harder to get out of bed each morning. All I wanted to do was sleep in the darkness and never get up again. If it wasn't for Katherine yanking the covers off of me every morning, I'm sure I would've done just that. I was constantly wearing a mask, trying to assure people that I was alright, when in actuality I wasn't.

I once heard that whenever you are in pain, the best thing to do is to take it day by day.

That wasn't true for me.

All I could do was moment to moment.

Anything else ended up becoming too overwhelming.

For the past fortnight, I had not seen the black curly headed boy all that much. I was positive that he was avoiding me just as I was avoiding him. Whenever I did manage to catch a glimpse of him, I ran the opposite direction, would find an aclove of darkness, and bawl like an emotionally disturbed child.

Then I would proceed with my mask of all sunny smiles.

I wanted to forgive him.

But I was so angry and hurt by what he did...I just couldn't.

I couldn't even forgive myself.

I should have known it would only end in disaster...and we weren't together that long.

It should've been easier to get over him and whatever we were...but when we were together, it felt like anything was possible. I felt like stardust and butterflies all wrapped into one. He was my friend since we were children, and now we couldn't even be in the same room together.

I missed his grouchy moods and ever-present brooding nature.

I missed the way his dark eyebrows always looked constantly worried, with his Stark grey eyes analyzing everyone and everything.

I missed his strong arms and tight hugs.

I missed his rare smiles, deep chuckles, and his gentle touch.

I missed the way he would look at me...like I actually mattered.

I just missed him.

And this made my dark days darker.

However, there were some good moments.

To my common knowledge, prositiutes weren't literate.

Ros was the exception.

At first, I sent a letter asking how the bath went. She sent one back, praising it for making her skin "as smooth as a newborn babe's bum". She said it made her skin rosier and that her clients liked the new glow and delicate feel of it. Then the letters started to talk about other things. For example, one letter told me of her worst fear (which was dying) and I told her mine (which was deep bodies of water). We spoke of our favorite colors, her's being orange and mine being yellow, though I have a tendency to change my favorite color every now and then. I looked forward to her letters. They brought me some semblance of peace. I would often fall asleep right after reading one, due to how calming it was.

Theon, being a consistent client of her's and a good friend of mine, decided to take me into Wintertown one day. He had finished with his punishment and wanted to celebrate...by going to the brothel. I was put off when he told me this, but he said that he wanted me to come along. He said that while he was 'getting acquainted with a new employee of theirs' I could spend my time with Ros.

I perked up and that night, we snuck off into town.

Theon Greyjoy, is vastly misunderstood.

When he first arrived, I quickly learned that either you loved him or hated him. There was no in between. I have this silly belief, that even in the most horrid people, there can be some good inside. I've always tried to see someone in a positive light, give them the benefit of the doubt.

I guess that's how come it is easy for me to get along with someone as crass as Theon. I don't overlook his flaws...how can one overlook something that is so glaringly obvious? But if it were me, I wouldn't want anyone focusing on my flaws. So I show him, as well as others, that exact same courtesy.

I like charisma of our friendship. We're two people on the opposite sides of a spectrum, yet we blend together extremely well.

I cherish him, just as I know that he values me.

We talked a lot during this late night excursion. He was concerned about how I was holding up.

"Is it better today?"

"Is what better today?"

"Your sadness."

Was it better today? I kept on, wearing my false smile while picking out the centerpieces for the tables. I ended up choosing some nice green ones that would have candles in the middle. My Lady saw that I was a bit more glum than usual, and her advice to me was, "To embroider something. It soothes the mind." I inwardly scoffed at her advice. If only it were that easy. "I suppose."

I could see Theon's knuckles turn white as he gripped the leathers reins. "By the Drowned God...I want to kill him for what he did to you."

"Please don't." I whispered. If something happened to that black curly haired boy I would be distraught, despite what he's done to me.

"Why shouldn't I?! You haven't been yourself...it's like the sun had died and been replaced with a fuckin' rock! You're hardly to blame, this is his fault." Theon ground out, his teeth clench, and his words laced with venom.

"Can we not talk about this please?"

"No! I want-"

"Please Theon...I have no wish to discuss it any longer...it hurts too much."

Theon halted the horse and turned his head to the side, looking back at me. "I just...I just want you to be happier. You can fool everyone but me."

I swallowed thickly and tightened my hold on his waist. Laying my head to his back and staring out at the tops of the green trees that started to blur as the horse began to gallop again, I said. "I know. This is cheering me up though...going to see Ros. You didn't have to bring me along, but you did...thank you."

Theon didn't say anything more until we arrived in town. He slowed the horse down, until we came to an establishment that was lit up brightly by a mass amount of candles in the inside. A giant contrast to the rest of the town (asides from the dimly lit pub) that was completely dark. Theon jumped off of the horse and offered me his hand. He helped me down and started to fret over me, dusting me off and fixing my hood to cover my face.

"Stop! I'm fine!" I whined as he made sure the hood was concealing most of my face.

Theon stepped back and gave out a whistle of satisfaction. "Good. I don't want anyone knowing that you're here. If word got out that you went to a brothel and that I took you..." Theon massaged his neck and gave me an uncomfortable look.

I rolled my eyes. "So you're really only worried about yourself then?"

Theon chuckled and turned to the saddle, getting out a new large bottle of the pink milk bath that I made for Ros. He handed it to me and I tucked it under my arms, hiding it completely under my cloak.

"Of course. Who else would you be able to mope about with, if I'm not here? Plus, if someone knew that you, a noblewoman, went to a brothel, your reputation would be ruined.

'What reputation?' I thought wryly. Still, there was some truth to his words.

"You do have a point."

Theon gave me a lecherous grin and threw up a bag of coins, catching it in midair. The Iron Islander winked at me. "Don't I always?"

I blushed furiously as I trailed behind him. Theon threw open the double doors and and announced in a grand voice, "Who's ready to have some iron pumped into them?!" A bunch of half dressed women who were not busy with a client, squealed and ran towards Theon, each pulling him towards their own direction. This wasn't because Theon was exceedingly charming or a great lover (which Ros informed me of in one of her letters, though I'm not sure why), but it was because when he paid, he paid well.

This time he was paying with my less-than-outgoing nature and sense of modesty.

I wanted to die.

What was I thinking going there?! It was embarrassing! Was I supposed to wait for Ros? It wouldn't be that bad...right?

As Theon swung his arms around two girls and started to kiss them on their cheeks, I tried to think of a good reason to leave.

Then a completely naked woman strutted in front of me to go join in on the feeding frenzy. I just about fainted. Theon smirked at the naked woman and took her by the hand upstairs to one of the rooms, leaving me alone with a bunch of disappointed whores.

My cheeks burned a bright red at the scene I had just witnessed. My hands clutched the bottle very tightly, I had no care if I had an excuse or not. I needed to leave or else I would have a heart attack at the sight of another one of these frenzies.

I quickly turned around, and in doing so, I bumped into one of the prositiutes and fell back on the floor. Luckily, my hood managed to stay on. Unluckily, the bottle fell from my grasp and rolled away, landing under the sole of a worn shoe.

I flipped onto my stomach and pushed my upper body up to see those shoes walking towards me. An older lady with frizzy red hair, who looked to be forty-five at the latest, held the bottle in her hands. She had a stoic gaze and all of the chattering in the room seized. The woman stopped in front of me, and motioned with her index finger for me to follow her.

By her facial expression, I knew that it was not a suggestion.

I pushed myself to my feet, and looked back to see that Theon had already left.

I followed the woman to a back room.

I was nervous upon entering, but when I did, I was surprised to see that it was not a bedroom. It was modest little Study, with a tiny window, a wooden desk, and a hearth.

I stared at the woman who took a seat behind the desk and stared at me. Standing upright, was the bottle of milk bath.

"Shut the door and sit."

I immediately did as I was told. After sitting, the woman gave me a smirk. "So ya are the fairy that I was told about." Her dialect was choppy and sounded foreign. I decided not to comment on it.

I gave the woman an incredulous look. "I-I-ummm...excuse me?"

The woman grabbed the bottle and held it up. "Ros came one day with one of these bottles of bath. She said it made her skin as soft as a babe. Sure enough, she told the truth. When I asked where she bought it, she merely replied, "A fairy gave it to me."

I paled and reached for the bottle. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to get her in trouble or anything it was a gift for her..." The woman held it above her head and clicked her tounge. "Now, now. There's no need for haste. I never said Ros was in trouble."

My attempted grasps for the bottle faltered and I gave the woman a wide eyed look. "Who are you?"

The woman set the bottle back down and laughed. "I thought that would be obvious. I am the owner of this establishment"

I gasped in shock. "But you...you...you're a woman!"

The woman waved off the comment. "Aye, I am. And a twat between my legs doesn't mean that I'm useless. But we aren't discussing me, I want to discuss ya."

"Me?"

"I want to do business with ya."

I clutched my cloak tightly to me and I leaned away from the woman. "I am no whore."

The woman laughed loudly and wiped her eyes. "I am aware. No, I don't want ya to work for me, I want ya to work with me."

I was confused. What did this woman want? "How so?" I asked the woman suspiciously, not relinquishing my grip on my cloak.

"I would like ya to make my girls these baths, though in smaller quantities. I hear Winterfell is hosting a grand gathering soon, and business will prosper during that time. Men like soft skin, women like having soft skin, and I like having my pockets full. So, do ya agree?"

My jaw slackened. "But...that bath was a special gift I made for Rose...if I gave it to others, it wouldn't be as special."

"I suppose not. But ya would make a nice amount of coin, and I would be happy to buy any other products ya that could...enhance my girls' beauty."

I was stunned.

This wasn't supposed to happen.

All I wanted was to visit Ros, have some girl talk, then go home.

I didn't even think the bath was that good! I whipped it together in a haste...

However...the thought of being able to work again (even if it was just making baths and soaps) was very appealing. And I would be getting paid too.

Everyone wanted me to do one thing or another that appealed to other people.

Don't eat too much.

Don't skip down the halls.

Don't go around barefoot.

Don't laugh too loudly.

Don't talk to Ethaesper in public.

I had to look a certain way.

I had to talk a certain way.

I had to be someone other than myself.

Well...now I was going to do something for me.

"I will do it...but I have some conditions that need to be met"

"Go on."

"I can't make the Rose bath for everyone. The ingrediants are too expensive to make in mass quantity...however, I do know other bath recipes. I propose that I make you a sampler of the different variety of baths, and I'll have you choose which one works best for your girls. I also know how to make soap...well, only frankincense and lavender soap. Ros will continue to get hers for free though..."

"And the pricing?"

"We can discuss that when I bring over the sampler. I'll come back within three days. Does that sound agreeable?"

"Very well. Three days."

I shook that womans hand and continued to sit. She gave me a confused look. "You may go."

I gave the woman a sheepish smile. "Can I please wait in here? I don't really want to-", A loud moan from the next room over interuppted my sentence-,"wait out there."

The woman laughed. "If ya are going to do business with us, ya need to get used to these sort of sounds."

I fiddled with my thumbs. "I don't think that I ever will." Quickly changing the subject I held out my hand. "I don't know your name."

The woman shook it. "I am Nadyea. And ya are?"

My mind went back to what Theon said earlier and I thought up a name very quickly. "My name is Sera."

Thanks to all who reviewed! It was such an honor seeing those who favorites and followed this story. Please tell me your thoughts on this chapter. Next chapter: Ros and Ophelia spend some time together, dealings with the brothel, and chaos before the party. If we could get this story up to 75 reviews, it would make my day! Please read, review, and rest easy! :) P.S. I want to hear your thoughts on the whole Jon debacle Ophelia is going through right now. What do you think is going to happen?