Chapter 11

Robb was just about to enter his tent when he heard it. Serafina was laughing. For some reason that startled him so badly that he froze.

"Good boy. You surely are a handsome fellow. Grey Wind, was it?"

Robb frowned and looked inside the tent. The girl was petting Grey Wind. She laughed and rubbed the wolf gently. Usually, Grey Wind didn't allow anyone except Robb to touch him, but that wasn't what caught Robb's attention.

"A handsome name for a handsome wolf," she hummed softly as she knelt.

Grey Wind licked her cheek, earning a warm smile and a kiss from her.

"Good boy."

Robb stared at her, suddenly understanding what he was seeing. A real smile. A genuine feeling. She looked very… relaxed. He had no idea how long he had stood there, staring at her before she noticed him. Her smile vanished as she quickly stood up and curtsied.

"Your Grace," she said quietly. "Forgive me, I gave your wolf a piece of meat. I apologize if that was a wrong thing to do."

Robb continued staring at her. Everything about her had changed immediately when she had noticed him. Her voice, her body language, her expressions… She was almost like a different person.

"No, it wasn't," he murmured. "Although I must say that I'm surprised. Grey Wind doesn't usually accept food from anyone else than me."

"I apologize," she repeated. "It won't happen again."

She kept her eyes on the ground as he approached her.

"Why are you apologizing?" he asked calmly.

She hesitated for a moment and blinked shyly before replying.

"It was not my place to touch your wolf, Your Grace," she replied softly. "Please forgive me."

"You seemed happy when you petted him," Robb stated.

"Well, he is a very handsome animal, Your Grace," she replied, her lips curving into a coy smile. "Just like his master."

Robb raised his eyebrows.

"You find me handsome, my lady?"

"Of course, Your Grace," she assured without looking at him. "I am grateful for all your kindness."

Robb looked at her silently for a moment. It seemed that she was a very smart girl. Her every word and action were meant to please him. Tell him what she believed he wanted to hear. Attract him. None of it was real though. She had manipulated him from the moment they had met. Obviously, he should have been angry about that, but how could he be?

What he saw before him was a young woman who was desperately fighting for her survival. She had no physical means to fight him, but it seemed that she was still quite resourceful. Robb had to hand it to Tywin Lannister, he had taught his daughter well. Almost too well for the girl's own good. She was playing a dangerous game and he doubted that she fully understood it.

"You should eat, my lady," he stated after a long silence. "You must be hungry."

For a moment he was sure that she was confused, but she got over that quickly.

"Thank you, Your Grace. Shall I serve your supper first?"

"No. Just eat."

He sat at his desk and pretended reading a letter. What he wanted to see was the girl's reaction. She was clearly cautious as she sat at the table and started eating. Grey Wind moved next to her and wagged his tail, but she didn't look at the wolf. She was nervous. Granted, she was an excellent actress, but he still noticed that. Yet all he could think about was how she had smiled at Grey Wind and kissed the wolf. That had been real.

Was it possible that she could ever look at him like that? Touch him like she had touched Grey Wind. No, probably not. They were enemies and she was his captive. Perhaps she would do what ever he would tell her to do, but none of it would be real. He almost huffed at his own thoughts, why was he thinking about any of this? Why was he thinking about her? Yes, she had managed to fool him, but he saw the truth now. He saw what she was trying to do. She was a Lannister; deceitfulness was in their blood. She was his enemy. Yet, he still wanted her. Why? What was wrong with him?

"You can give him a taste," he stated as carelessly as he could and glanced at Grey Wind. The wolf was still wagging his tail. Traitor. Serafina gave the wolf a piece of meat without saying a word. She was also careful not to touch Grey Wind. Did she think that Robb was mad at her for petting Grey Wind? Probably. He should say something to her. Assure her that everything was alright.

Why? She had played him for a fool. Yes, because she feared for her life. He had forced her to share his bed. Chained her. Allowed her to serve him. Was that the way a noble girl should be treated? His sisters had probably been treated even worse, why would he… No. He needed to stop. This wasn't him.

"I will arrange you your own tent," he stated as calmly as he could. "You will stay there for now on."

There was fear in her eyes as she stood up as fast as she could.

"Your Grace, I never meant to displease you. Please, give me a chance to correct my mistake, I will do whatever you want…"

"No," he sighed. "I am not punishing you for anything, I am just trying to do the right thing. You shouldn't stay here."

"I want to," she assured quickly. "Please."

"You will be safe in your own tent," he murmured. "I will arrange guards…"

"Your Grace," she cut in tensely and walked over to him. "I wouldn't be safe." She paused and kneeled before taking his hand between her own. "Please, let me stay here."

Her hands felt soft and warm. He wanted to reach out and touch her cheek. There was no doubt that she would have let him do it and more if he would have tried to, but only a monster would have taken advantage of a young woman who was practically begging for her life.

"Alright," he heard himself saying. "You can stay here, if that is what you want."

She sighed and kissed his hand.

"Thank you."

Seeing how relieved she was made him feel guilty. Perhaps she was playing a game, but she wasn't playing for fun. They were both in the middle of a war and they were both fighting for their survival.