Chapter 5
Robb observed his captive as she sat opposite him at the small table, quietly eating her dinner. He hadn't yet been able to decide what to make of her. She seemed harmless, but it would have been foolish to underestimate a Lannister. If her father truly cared about her, he must have taught her all kinds of things. Robb doubted that she was nearly as innocent as she seemed to be.
"Not quite what you have become accustomed to, I'm sure," he stated after a moment of silence.
She looked up.
"I beg your pardon?"
"The food," he clarified.
"Oh. No, no, this is very good. I'm more than grateful for your kindness, Your Grace."
Robb smiled.
"Well, I can't let you starve now, can I?"
She blinked, looking somewhat insecure.
"You are very kind, Your Grace. May I serve you some more wine?"
"Why would you want to do that?"
She looked even more insecure.
"I… I would like to show you my appreciation."
Robb crossed his arms and leaned back on his seat.
"And you think serving me wine will be enough?"
"No, no, of course not. I simply wish to be…useful."
"I see. You wish to be my cupbearer?"
She bowed her head.
"If that is what you want, Your Grace."
Robb was quiet for a brief moment before speaking.
"Tell me, my lady, do you even know what cupbearer does?"
"Yes, Your Grace, I do," she replied quietly. "I have been my father's cupbearer."
Robb raised an eyebrow.
"You?"
"Yes, Your Grace, when I was a child. It was a part of my education. My father wished to teach me humility."
"Humility?" Robb repeated, trying not to laugh. "You Lannisters actually know the meaning of that word?"
"I do," she replied and stood up. She kept her eyes down while picking up the wine carafe and filling his goblet. He noticed that she stayed as far away from him as she could, but her hands were steady and her every move was graceful. Clearly she had done this before.
"Well," he stated after she sat down. "At least you didn't try to hit me with that."
"I do not wish to die, Your Grace," she replied calmly.
"What do you wish, my lady?"
She hesitated for a moment before replying.
"I… May I ask about my brother?"
Robb frowned.
"What about him?"
She blinked few times before looking at him.
"Is… Is he well?"
"Are my sisters well?" Robb asked sharply.
She bowed her head again.
"As far as I know, Your Grace."
Slowly Robb stood up and walked over to his captive.
"Stand up," he ordered.
She obeyed as quickly as she could, keeping her eyes down.
"Look at me."
Again she obeyed.
"You know what I could do to you right now, don't you?" he stated coldly. "You could scream as much as you like and no one would care."
She swallowed and nodded.
"Yes, Your Grace."
"I assume that you are a virgin. Is that correct?"
"Your Grace, please…"
"Is that correct?"
"Yes," she replied quietly.
"If I would take your virtue, would your father still want you back?"
She was breathing a little faster.
"Your Grace, I apologize if I said something…"
"Answer my question, my lady," he cut in. "Would he still want you back?"
"I… I suppose he would, but he would not pay you as much…"
"That's the difference between me and your father." He paused and leaned towards her. "I would do anything to get my sisters back, no matter what has been done to them. I think your family knows that."
She didn't say anything, but she startled a little as he suddenly grabbed her arms.
"I have tried very hard not to think about what my poor innocent sisters have been through during their captivity, so don't think for a moment that I would feel sympathy for you or especially for your brother."
"I understand," she said quickly. "Please forgive me, Your Grace."
He stared at her for a moment before letting her go.
"Finish your dinner."
She curtsied before taking a seat. He wasn't completely sure why he had just terrorized her like that. It was probably normal for anyone, even for a Lannister, to be concerned about her siblings. Not that Jaime Lannister deserved anyone's concern. He had been treated much better than he would have deserved. Robb doubted that same could be said about Sansa and Arya.
The thought of someone hurting his sisters made him furious. He looked at Serafina Lannister and for a brief moment he thought about the look on Tywin Lannister's face when he would realize that she wasn't a virgin anymore… The viciousness of that thought startled him, how could he even think about something like that? He wasn't like the Lannisters.
Yet a part of him wanted to make them pay. Take his anger out on someone. Jaime Lannister should have been the obvious target, but that wasn't what he really wanted. Tywin Lannister cared about this girl. Granted, Robb didn't know that for sure, but somehow he wanted to believe that. He wanted to believe that "the almighty" Tywin Lannister actually had a weakness. Calmly Robb sat down and observed the girl. She had continued eating, but it seemed that she had to force herself to eat.
"I believe I like your offer," he stated after a long silence. "I do need a cupbearer."
"That would be my honor, Your Grace," she said quietly.
"I'm glad to hear that. Now, shall we talk about your accommodation? Would you like to join your brother? He is in a cage."
"I… If you wish…"
"On second thought, that wouldn't really be a safe place for a woman. I'm sure you know what I mean."
She nodded.
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Would you prefer to stay here instead?"
She swallowed and hesitated for a brief moment before nodding.
"I would, Your Grace."
"Alright, that's settled then. You can start by clearing the table and preparing my bed."
She stood up and curtsied.
"Yes, Your Grace."