Chapter 2

Jon had never really thought about getting married, and he certainly hadn't had any thoughts about his wedding, but if he had, the wedding wouldn't have been anything like this. "The wedding feast" Walder Frey had arranged for him and his newlywed wife was nothing more than cruel mockery. A travesty of a wedding.

Once again, Jon couldn't help but wonder what kind of man could do this to his own daughter. What kind of man could humiliate a scared girl like this? He glanced around the hall, filled with Freys laughing and jeering. The atmosphere was anything but celebratory. It was clear to Jon that this entire event was meant to amuse Walder Frey at their expense. He clenched his fists under the table, seething at the injustice of it all.

Jon looked at his new wife, who sat beside him with her head bowed, silent tears still trickling down her cheeks. His heart ached for her. She was just a child, thrown into this nightmare without any say in the matter. It was painfully clear that she wasn't nearly old enough to get married. Jon wasn't sure how old she was exactly, but he guessed somewhere between eleven and thirteen. A child.

He doubted that she had even bled yet. In the north no girls were married off before they had bled. Apparently, things were different here or then Walder Frey simply didn't care about any decency.

He leaned closer to her, trying to offer some semblance of comfort.

"It's going to be alright," he whispered softly. "I promise you, I will protect you."

She glanced up at him with those wide, fearful eyes, and Jon felt a surge of determination. He would do whatever it took to keep her safe and to make sure she didn't suffer any more than she already had.

Across the table, Walder Frey watched them with a satisfied smirk, as if their misery was his entertainment. Jon could barely contain his anger, but he knew he had to keep it in check. They needed to get through this night without provoking the Freys any further.

He turned his attention back to his bride, trying to focus on her rather than the grotesque spectacle around them. "Your name is Shirei, right?" he asked gently, hoping to ease her distress.

She hesitated for a moment before whispering, "Yes, my lord."

Jon nodded, offering her a reassuring smile. "You don't have to be afraid, I swear to you."

She didn't look at him and he really couldn't blame her for that. He couldn't even imagine how it felt for a young girl to be in her position. Her father had just handed her over to a strange man like she was an object. Ironically, that was exactly what Jon had wanted to save Arya from.

"So…" Jon continued after a moment of silence. "Shirei… That's a nice name."

"Thank you, my lord," she murmured.

"Please, call me Jon. May I call you Shirei?"

"Of course."

"Thank you." Jon paused, trying to decide how to continue. The whole situation was uncomfortable, especially when they were surrounded by her family, Robb, Catelyn, Theon, and most of the northern lords who had joined Robb.

He glanced around the hall, noting the expressions of those present. Robb's face was set in a grim mask, a mix of gratitude and guilt evident in his eyes. Catelyn wore a similar expression, though her gaze was more protective than anything else. Theon, ever the rogue, wore a smirk that Jon found infuriating.

Jon cleared his throat and turned his attention back to Shirei.

"I..." Jon started, but he didn't have time to finish his sentence when a male servant appeared next to him and poured him more wine.

"My lord," the servant said so quietly that only Jon could hear him. "My lady asks to speak to you."

Jon frowned. "Your lady?"

"Lady Derwa Frey, my lord," the servant replied.

"Where is she?"

"She… She asks to speak to you privately, my lord. Outside the dining hall."

"Alright," Jon replied cautiously. "Tell her that I will be there soon."

The servant bowed. "Yes, my lord. Thank you."

Jon picked up his wine goblet and took a long gulp. He couldn't imagine why one of Lord Frey's daughters wanted to speak to him. He hadn't even met her. It was very unlikely that she wanted to congratulate him. He waited for a moment before excusing himself.

"Of course, my lord," Lady Shirei said quietly. It seemed she wasn't comfortable calling him by his first name yet, and he wasn't going to pressure her. They could talk about these things privately. Thankfully, no one seemed to pay much attention to him leaving the dining hall.

"My lord?" a cautious female voice said when he reached the hallway.

Jon turned and saw a woman who curtsied at him. He had seen her earlier at the wedding ceremony, but they hadn't spoken. She was wearing a modest dark grey gown, and her long brown hair was down. He wouldn't have necessarily described her as very beautiful, but she wasn't ugly either. A very average-looking woman, just like most of the Frey girls.

"My lady," he greeted her. "What can I do for you?"

She blinked a few times nervously; she wasn't looking him in the eye.

"I… I am here to plea for my sister," she said quietly. "I beg you to take pity on her."

Jon's brow furrowed in confusion. "Your sister? Do you mean Shirei?"

She nodded.

"It is not my intention to offend you, my lord," she continued quickly. "But… Shirei is only twelve, she… She is not a woman yet."

"Yes, I agree," Jon replied.

Lady Derwa finally looked at him, she was still cautious.

"You do?"

"Of course. I'm not a monster, I would never… I would never touch a child. Your sister will be safe with me, my lady, I promise you."

Lady Derwa's eyes watered up as she curtsied.

"Thank you, my lord, thank you so much. My sisters and I were so afraid for Shirei. She is a sweet and innocent girl."

"I'm sure she is and as I said, she will be safe with me."

Lady Derwa nodded gratefully.

"You are a good man, my lord."

"Any decent man would do the same," Jon replied. "As you said, she is a child."

Lady Derwa looked distressed.

"My father… He…"

"I won't let him hurt your sister," Jon assured.

"No, you don't understand. He… He will demand you to…consummate your marriage."

Jon's eyes widened.

"What? Surely he wouldn't…"

"He would," Lady Derwa replied quietly. "It's his way to show his…power."

And probably also his way to show Jon his place. The thought was nothing but disgusting, Jon truly despised the man.

"I'll refuse," Jon replied firmly.

"No, you can't, my father wouldn't accept that."

"What are you suggesting then?" Jon asked sharply.

Lady Derwa looked at him calmly.

"Let him believe that he won. It's the only way."

Jon pressed his lips together, he truly hated this. Yet he had to do this. For his father, for Robb and for Shirei.

"Alright," he muttered tensely. "I'll let him believe that he won, but no need to worry, no harm will come to your sister. I give you my word."