Chapter 33

Arya watched her brother walk arm in arm with Tywin Lannister's daughter. His wife. He was smiling at her, touching her cheek, and kissing her. When Arya looked at Serafina, she saw only the faces of Tywin, Cersei, and Joffrey. Bitterness gnawed at her. Would Robb be kissing Cersei like that if Tywin had demanded him to marry her instead? It made little difference that Cersei was dead, Arya should have been the one to kill her. She had failed. She hadn't avenged her father like she had sworn to herself.

Instead, she was forced to watch her brother with another Lannister. The Lannisters had broken Sansa. Arya had always thought Sansa was foolish and naïve with her fairytale dreams of a perfect wedding and a handsome prince, but she was still her sister. And no matter how much stronger Arya believed herself to be, knowing they could never break her like they did Sansa, she would still do anything to protect her. Right now, Sansa didn't want to see Serafina Lannister, so Arya had no intention of speaking to her either. She refused to call her a Stark, Serafina didn't deserve that name.

"Arya?" Jon's voice suddenly called out.

She hadn't noticed him approach, but she didn't flinch.

"Hello, Jon," she replied, her gaze still fixed on Robb and Serafina walking by the riverbank.

"What brings you here?" Jon asked.

"I wanted to talk to Robb," she answered, her tone steely. "I didn't know he had… company."

"You mean his wife?" Jon asked, his voice calm.

Arya didn't respond, only crossing her arms in silent defiance.

"Arya," Jon sighed after a moment, "Serafina is a good person. If you would just give her a chance…"

"Did you know that Joffrey punished Sansa for your every victory?" Arya cut in, her voice cold. "He had her beaten and her clothes torn in front of his court."

Jon's expression tightened, pain flashing across his face. He looked away briefly, the words cutting deep. "I know," he said quietly. "I've heard some of what Sansa went through. I would have done anything to stop it, Arya, but we were fighting a war."

Arya's eyes remained cold, her jaw clenched. "We were all fighting a war. Sansa paid for it more than any of us."

Jon took a step closer, his voice soft yet firm. "And that's why we need to focus on rebuilding our family, not tearing each other apart. Serafina didn't choose to be born a Lannister. She's not the ones who hurt Sansa, and she's not Cersei or Joffrey."

"But she's still one of them," Arya snapped, her voice thick with anger. "And that makes her part of everything they did."

Jon shook his head. "She's more than just her name. She's Robb's wife, and she's trying to be part of our family. Can't you see that?"

Arya's gaze didn't soften. "I see what she is. And I see what it's doing to us."

Jon sighed deeply, struggling to keep his temper in check. "Robb loves her. Can't you try, for him?"

Arya's eyes flashed with defiance. "I'm here for Robb. I'll always be here for him. But that doesn't mean I have to trust her. Sansa can't even stand to be in the same room as her. How do you think she feels, knowing she has to share a home with the daughter of the family that destroyed her life?"

Jon ran a hand through his hair, frustration and helplessness etched on his face. "We can't change the past, Arya. But we can control how we move forward. We need unity now more than ever. Robb's trying to make peace, and Serafina's part of that. If you keep holding onto this anger…"

"I'm not angry," Arya cut in, her voice cold as ice. "I'm realistic. You might think she's harmless because she's quiet and soft-spoken, but that's what makes her dangerous. You don't see the mask she's wearing. I do."

Jon's expression hardened. "And what if you're wrong? What if she's not like the rest of her family? What if she's just someone who's been trapped in the same game we all were?"

Arya didn't reply right away, her gaze flicking back to Robb and Serafina by the river. She watched as Robb laughed at something Serafina said, the way he looked at her with warmth and affection. It made something twist in her chest, something she wasn't ready to name. Finally, she spoke, her voice low and bitter.

"Then that's a risk you're willing to take. But I won't be blindsided if she shows her true colors."

Jon didn't answer immediately. He studied Arya's face, searching for any crack in the wall she had built around herself. But Arya was as guarded as ever.

"You're still that girl who made a list, aren't you?" he said quietly. "Holding onto the people you hate, because it's easier than letting go."

Arya's jaw tightened, and for a brief moment, Jon thought he saw a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

"I'll keep watching her," Arya said flatly. "And I'll do what needs to be done if it comes to that. For Robb. For Sansa. For us." She paused, her sharp gaze sliding to Jon. "If you're smart, you'll do the same. Or has she already seduced you the way she did Robb? Is that why you're defending her?"

Jon's eyes narrowed at Arya's words, a flash of irritation breaking through his calm demeanor. "It's not like that, Arya, and you know it," he replied, his voice edged with frustration. "I'm defending her because she's not the enemy. She's trying to be part of this family, and you're pushing her away before she even has a chance."

Arya's expression didn't soften. "I'm not the one pushing her away. She's the one who doesn't belong. You and Robb might want to pretend that everything's fine, that you can trust her, but that doesn't change who she is. She's a Lannister, Jon. The same blood that ran through Tywin, Cersei, and Joffrey runs through her veins."

Jon took a deep breath, trying to steady his rising anger. "And what about us, Arya? Stark blood runs through us, but we're not defined by the worst of our ancestors. Why should she be any different?"

Arya's eyes flashed with something between hurt and anger. "Because we know what it's like to be torn apart by people like her family. We know what they're capable of. Sansa was broken in King's Landing while that girl lived in luxury. Do you really think that doesn't matter?"

"It matters," Jon said softly. "But so does the future. We can't keep fighting old battles if we want to build something better. We need allies, Arya. We need to heal. Serafina's trying to make a new start with Robb, with all of us. Can't you at least give her a chance?"

Arya's gaze remained hard, but there was a flicker of doubt in her eyes. "You think she's trying to change? Maybe she is. But if I see any sign that she's not, if I see anything that puts this family at risk, I won't hesitate. I won't let her do to us what the rest of her family did."

Jon studied her for a long moment before nodding slowly. "I know you won't, Arya. And neither will I. But don't let your hatred blind you. We're stronger together, and Robb needs us all to be on the same side."

Arya remained silent for a brief moment before turning to Jon with a harsh look. "Would you wed her if you were to become King?"

Jon's breath caught at Arya's unexpected question. He stared at her, searching her eyes for a clue as to what she was really asking. "What are you getting at, Arya?" he asked cautiously, his voice more guarded now.

Arya didn't flinch. Her gaze was sharp, unyielding. "You're defending her like she's one of us, like she's already earned that trust. But what if it was you in Robb's place? Would you take her as your queen if it meant securing an alliance? Or would you still see the Lannister in her then?"

Jon clenched his jaw, frustration building as he weighed his words carefully. "It's not that simple. Serafina's not the monster you're making her out to be. She didn't choose her family, just like we didn't choose our enemies. She's trying to prove she can be something more than her name."

Arya scoffed, crossing her arms again. "You're dodging the question. You say she's different, that we should give her a chance. But what if she was your responsibility? Could you really ignore the blood in her veins, knowing what it cost us?"

Jon's brow furrowed as he tried to imagine that scenario, but the thought only stirred a deeper conflict within him. "If I were in Robb's position, I'd do what was best for the North. It wouldn't be about love or trust, it would be about what our people need."

Arya's eyes narrowed. "That's not an answer."

Jon let out a slow breath, feeling the weight of Arya's challenge pressing down on him. "If I had to marry someone for the good of the realm, I'd do it, no matter who they were. But this isn't about me or what I would do. It's about Robb and the choices he's made. Serafina is his wife, and he believes in her. I have to trust my brother's judgment."

Arya's stare didn't waver. "So you're saying you'd trust her because Robb does? You'd let her walk around Winterfell with our family, knowing she might have her own agenda?"

Jon's expression hardened, his patience wearing thin. "And what would you have me do, Arya? Treat her like an enemy until she proves otherwise? We can't win if we're constantly looking over our shoulders, questioning every ally we have. I'm not saying we should be naive, but we can't afford to keep living in the past either."

Arya shook her head, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "You've always been too forgiving, Jon." She took a step closer, her voice lowering to a near whisper. "Just remember who you are and who your real family is."

Jon met her gaze, his voice steady but laced with a hint of steel. "I haven't forgotten, Arya. And I won't let you forget either. Don't let your anger turn you against the people who care about you. We've been through too much for that."

For a moment, the tension between them hung in the air like a drawn sword. Then, with a frustrated exhale, Arya turned away, her eyes flicking back to where Robb and Serafina were still walking by the riverbank. "I'll watch her," she muttered, her tone cold but resigned. "But if I see even a hint of betrayal, I won't hesitate. Not even for you."

Jon's chest tightened, but he nodded, accepting her words. "Fair enough. Just promise me one thing, don't judge her for the sins of her family. Judge her for who she is."

Arya didn't respond immediately. Instead, she gave Jon one last, searching look before finally walking away.

Catelyn fixed a polite smile on her face as she knocked on the door of Serafina's room in the tavern. The soldiers standing guard outside greeted Catelyn respectfully, a clear indication that Robb was taking no chances with his wife's safety. Of course, Catelyn understood, but a small part of her couldn't help but feel a twinge of bitterness.

This girl had been pampered her entire life, and it seemed Robb was determined to continue that tradition. Still, Catelyn reminded herself that without this marriage agreement, she might never have had Sansa back. Serafina was part of that deal, and for that alone, she deserved at least a measure of basic courtesy.

"Come in," came Serafina's voice.

When Catelyn stepped inside, she found Serafina seated at a small table with her maids, enjoying what appeared to be a quiet dinner.

"Lady Stark," Serafina gasped, clearly surprised as she quickly rose from her seat. The maids followed her lead, curtsying deeply. "Forgive me, I wasn't expecting you."

"No need to apologize. I should have visited you sooner," Catelyn replied graciously. "How are you settling in?"

"I'm well, thank you. And you?"

"I'm fine, thank you."

Catelyn's smile remained fixed, but the tension in the room was palpable. Serafina's youthful face held a mixture of uncertainty and curiosity, as if she was trying to gauge Catelyn's intentions. For a moment, the two women simply stood there, the air heavy with unspoken thoughts.

"You have a lovely room," Catelyn said, her tone polite but distant as she glanced around at the cozy furnishings. "I trust the accommodations are to your liking?"

"Yes, they are more than sufficient. Robb has been very considerate," Serafina replied, her eyes flickering with a hint of gratitude that Catelyn couldn't ignore.

"I'm glad to hear that." Catelyn's smile softened ever so slightly. "It's important to him that you feel comfortable on this journey."

Serafina nodded, her posture relaxing slightly, though the guarded look in her eyes didn't fully fade. "He's been very kind. Everyone has."

The words were sincere, but Catelyn couldn't help but notice the underlying tension in Serafina's voice. It was as though she was still testing the waters, unsure if this unexpected visit carried hidden barbs. Catelyn understood that feeling all too well. Trust was a rare thing these days, especially between families that had been enemies for so long.

"I wanted to talk to you," Catelyn began, taking a step closer. "I know this can't be easy for you, leaving everything you've known behind and marrying into a family that you might not be sure of."

Serafina's eyes widened slightly in surprise, as if she hadn't expected Catelyn to address the situation so directly. "It's… been an adjustment, yes," she admitted, her voice careful.

Catelyn nodded slowly. "I can imagine. But we all have to make sacrifices for the people we care about, especially in times like these. I won't pretend that this arrangement has been easy for anyone, but I hope you know that Robb's happiness means everything to me. If you make him happy, then that's something I want to support."

The tension in Serafina's shoulders seemed to ease a little, and her smile grew more genuine. "I care about him very much, Lady Stark. I want to do right by him, and by you, and your family."

Catelyn studied her for a moment, searching for any sign of insincerity. But what she saw in Serafina's eyes was earnestness, a desire to prove herself, perhaps even a hint of nervousness at being accepted by this formidable matriarch. It struck a chord in Catelyn, reminding her of how Sansa had once longed for approval in King's Landing.

"I believe you do," Catelyn finally said, her voice softening. "We're all learning to adapt, to find new ways forward. I won't ask you to prove anything to me, I'll judge you by how you treat my son and our family."

Serafina's eyes shone with relief. "Thank you. That's all I could hope for."

Catelyn's smile grew more genuine as she inclined her head. "Then we'll see how things go. For now, enjoy your evening. I won't keep you from your meal."

Serafina dipped her head in respect, and her maids curtsied once more. "Good night, Lady Stark."

As Catelyn turned to leave, she felt a small shift in her feelings toward the young woman. Perhaps there was more to Serafina than just the name she carried. Only time would tell if that was enough to bridge the gap between them.