While being served lunch by Reek, Roose Bolton scolds Ramsay on his recent flaying of Lord Cerwyn and his family on what was supposed to be a routine tax collection. Ramsay points out that he eventually got the taxes, but Roose reminds his son that terror cannot sustain their hold on the North and that they are outnumbered if the other houses rise up in rebellion.
Ramsay stared at his father, feeling angry and frustrated. "I was just doing my job, father." He said defensively. "The Cerwyns didn't have the money to pay their taxes, so I had to remind them of what happens when you fail to pay your debts." Roose Bolton looked at his son with disappointment, feeling concerned about the way he was carrying out his duties as the Lord of Winterfell. With Tywin Lannister's death, the pact between the Lannisters and the Boltons is effectively dead. Roose then declares that the best way to cement Bolton control of the North is through marriage.
Sansa and Luciya Stark are horrified to see Moat Cailin. There is only one reason Baelish chould be taking them there - he means to return them to Wintefell, straight into the arms of the Boltons. Sansa and Luciya looked at each other with concern, feeling deeply uncomfortable about the situation. "Petyr, what are you doing?" Luciya asked calmly. "Where are we going?" Baelish turned to the sisters with a sly smile. "Don't worry, my dear Sansa." He said gently. "I am simply taking you back home. To Winterfell."
Recalling their earlier discussion of a marriage proposal, Sansa realizes that the proposal is not for him, but for one of them, and furiously declares that she would rather die than marry Roose Bolton. Littlefinger corrects her and clarifies that one of them will be marrying Ramsay Bolton, then calms Sansa down by convincing her that nobody will look for them there, and suggests that this is their best opportunity for revenge. The sisters reluctantly agree.
Luciya looked at Baelish with worry, feeling concerned about the situation. She knew that her sister had been through a great deal of suffering, and was afraid that marrying Ramsay Bolton would cause her even more pain. Sansa looked at Baelish with fear in her eyes, feeling terrified at the thought of being married to Ramsay Bolton. "I... I don't want to go back there." She said quietly. "Please, Petyr. Don't do this to me."
At Winterfell itself, the Boltons and their households greet Sansa, Luciya, and Littlefinger. After a tense moment, Sansa graciously accepts Roose's welcome, putting on an air of politeness that protected her in King's Landing, while from afar, Ramsay's bedwarmer and secret lover, Myranda, observes with jealousy and anger. Ramsay looked at the sisters with a calculating expression, feeling intrigued by their presence in his home. He approaches Luciya with a sly smile and spoke to her with a flirtatious tone. "Hello there, beautiful." He said softly. "You must be the infamous Luciya Stark." Luciya felt uncomfortable by Ramsay's attention, feeling disgusted by his lustful gaze, yet she still asked, "You...heard of me?"
Ramsay laughed softly, feeling amused by her reaction. "Oh, yes, I've heard many things about you." He says seductively. "They say you are just as beautiful as your sister." Luciya felt disgusted by his flirtatious tone, feeling uncomfortable with his lustful gaze. She knew that Ramsay was a cruel and twisted man, and she didn't want anything to do with him. But she also knew that he held power over her and she had to be careful not to anger him.
Silently apologizing to her older sister for what she was about to do, Luciya told Ramsay, "Take me instead of Sansa." Ramsay looked at Luciya with surprise, feeling intrigued by her bold request. "You want to marry me, instead of your sister?" He asked curiously. "Why would you want to do such a thing?" Luciya remained silent for a moment, feeling conflicted about her decision. She knew it was wrong to take Sansa's place, but she also knew that Ramsay was a cruel and vicious man and she didn't want Sansa to have to suffer the same fate. Luciya resolutely replied, "I will marry you on the condition that Sansa goes free and the rest of the North and my family are left alone."
Ramsay nodded in agreement, feeling pleased by Luciya's request. "I accept your terms." He said confidently. "Sansa will be free to go and the North shall remain safe under my rule." Luciya felt relieved by Ramsay's response, feeling satisfied that she had made a decision that would protect her family. She knew that it was wrong to take Sansa's place, but she also felt that it was necessary. She was willing to sacrifice herself in order to save her sister and the rest of her people.
Sansa looked at her younger sister with tearful eyes. "You will never stop trying to save others..." She silently said. Luciya looked at Sansa with a sad expression, feeling conflicted about her decision. "I'm sorry, Sansa." She said softly. "But I had to do it. I had to save you and our family. And this was the only way." Sansa remained silent for a moment, feeling touched by her sister's kindness and sacrifice, knowingt that Luciya was always looking out for her and doing whatever she could to keep her safe. She felt grateful for Luciya's love and devotion, even if it meant she would have to marry Ramsay Bolton.
Luciya, not wanting to see her older sister suffer the same fate as her, urged Sansa to flee. Sansa looked at Luciya with tears in her eyes. "I can't leave you here." She said softly. "You don't know what Ramsay is capable of." Luciya remained silent for a moment, feeling conflicted about the situation. She knew that Sansa was right, but she also knew that it was her responsibility to take Sansa's place. She didn't want to see her older sister suffer the same fate as her. But she also knew that it was necessary in order to protect the rest of their family.
Luciya hugged Sansa and urged her once again to leave. Sansa hugged Luciya back tightly, feeling saddened by the situation. She knew that she couldn't leave her sister in Ramsay's hands, but she also knew that Luciya was right in her decision to take her place. "I won't forget you." She whispered softly. "I will find a way to save you and reclaim the North from Ramsay." Luciya felt relieved by Sansa's promise, feeling satisfied that she had made the right decision.
Luciya looked around the castle with a mixture of nostalgia and sadness, feeling reminded of her childhood and all that she had lost. She was happy to be back in the place where she had grown up, but she also felt overwhelmed by the memories and feelings that it brought back.
As Luciya explored the castle, Reek watched her from a distance, feeling conflicted about his feelings for his former mistress. He wanted to speak to her and tell her how he missed her, but he knew that it would only bring danger upon both himself and Luciya. Elsewhere in the castle, Baelish subtly warns Ramsay against inflicting any harm on Luciya, and discusses the situation with Roose, who is suspicious of Littlefinger's motives in betraying the Lannisters. Baelish points out that Tywin is dead, Jaime is one-handed and politically useless, and that Cersei is about to be forced into the background by Margaery, who is quite fond of Luciya. Bolton, nevertheless, demands to read any messages Littlefinger might send off back to the Capital.
Baelish looked at Roose with a sly smile, feeling satisfied with himself. "Rest assured, my lord." He said confidently. "I will make sure that Luciya is kept safe and protected by Ramsay." Roose Bolton watched Baelish with suspicion, feeling wary of his words. "You are ambitious, Lord Baelish." He said calmly. "But do you truly think that you can protect Luciya from Ramsay?" Baelish pauses, then nods in agreement. Roose scoffed and replied, "We'll see."