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.

For a moment, he was at a loss for words. The sight of her in such an unguarded, peaceful state was unexpected. He had always seen her composed, wary, and often frightened. This was different. This was real.

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 I overstepped, I meant no disrespect."

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.

"It's fine," he stated. "Although I must say that I'm surprised. Grey Wind doesn't usually accept food from anyone other 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?"

She blinked shyly, looking away. "Yes, Your Grace," she hummed, her voice barely above a whisper. "It would be hard not to."

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're very clever," he said finally. "You know exactly what to say to get what you want."

She looked up at him, a flicker of fear in her eyes. "Your Grace, I…"

"You should eat, my lady," he cut in. "You must be hungry."

She hesitated, her fear showing clearly now. "Shall I serve your supper first?" she asked cautiously.

"No. Just eat."

Serafina blinked, surprised by his command. She glanced at him cautiously, trying to gauge his intentions, but he kept his face blank. Slowly, she moved to the table and took a seat. She picked up a piece of bread, her hands trembling slightly.

Robb sat on his bed, observing the girl while Grey Wind moved next to her and wagged his tail. She didn't look at the wolf. She was nervous, scared. Granted, she was an excellent actress, but he could still see 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 whatever he told 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?

He shook the thought from his mind and cleared his throat, drawing her attention.

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

The fear was now very visible 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."

Robb looked down at her, his heart aching with the weight of her words. He could see the desperation in her eyes, the fear of what might happen if she were left alone. She was pleading, not for comfort, but for safety.

"You think I can't protect you in your own tent?" he asked softly.

"I know you can, Your Grace," she whispered, her grip tightening on his hand. "But there are men who would see me as a prize to be taken, not as a person under your protection. Here, with you, I am safe."

Robb took a deep breath, torn between his duty and the undeniable truth in her words. He didn't want to admit it, but she was right. There were men in his camp who might not respect her status as his captive.

"Alright," he finally said. "You can stay here if that is what you wish."

"Thank you, Your Grace," she murmured, her relief palpable and her eyes filled with gratitude as she kissed his hands.

Her lips felt soft and warm. He looked down at her, studying her face. She was young, barely an adult, thrust into a brutal war and caught in the machinations of her powerful family. Yet all he could think about was how much 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 had tried to, but only a monster would have taken advantage of a young woman who was practically begging for her life.

He helped her to her feet, feeling a strange mix of emotions. He was conflicted, knowing he was keeping her close for her safety but also battling his own feelings for her. He couldn't deny the attraction he felt, but he had to remember that she was his prisoner. Their situation was far from normal.