Chapter 10

"Do you… do you want me to stay in your chamber tonight?" Helena asked quietly after she and Jon had finished their tea. She was still grateful he had offered to switch wine for tea; the warmth had done much to calm her nerves.

"Do you want to stay?" Jon asked in return.

Helena hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her nightgown, before she nodded. "I… I wasn't sure if you would want me here. But I mentioned to the maids that I would spend the night. It's a small thing, but… maybe… do you think we could try to avoid any unpleasant rumors?"

Jon frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

Helena blinked nervously, struggling to explain. "My father… he never hid how little he wanted my mother's company. I thought, since we were wed yesterday, we could, at least for a few days, share a bed. To show that you're pleased with me as your wife. I'm not asking just for myself. I think it would be good for the realm if our marriage seems… stable."

Jon studied her for a moment, his brow furrowed, his thoughts turning over in his mind. He knew she wasn't just asking for herself, this was about more than the two of them. There were the expectations of the realm, the whispers of courtiers, and Helena's own fragile sense of security.

"I don't care about rumors," Jon said, his gaze never leaving her face. "But I understand why you do. And you're right… appearances matter. Especially now."

Helena looked relieved, but there was still a lingering nervousness in her eyes.

"I don't want you to feel like you have to be here for any reason other than your own choice," Jon added softly. "If staying helps you feel more secure… then I'll be glad to have you here. But it's entirely up to you."

Helena lowered her gaze, her fingers tracing the edge of her teacup. "I… I think I'd like to stay," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "At least for tonight."

Jon gave a small nod, trying to make his next words as reassuring as possible. "Then you'll stay. But I promise, Helena, you'll be safe. You have nothing to fear from me."

Helena met his eyes, her own filled with uncertainty. "Thank you. I'm grateful for all the kindness you've shown me today."

Jon smiled softly at her words, though he could still see the uncertainty lingering in her eyes. He wished he could do more, say more, to ease the pain she carried so visibly. But trust, he knew, couldn't be earned in a day, it would take time and patience.

"You don't have to thank me, Helena."

Helena gave him a tentative smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. She looked tired, exhausted, really, and Jon felt a pang of guilt. This wasn't the life she deserved, to be haunted by her past and living in fear, even in her own marriage.

"Would you like to get some rest?" Jon asked, breaking the silence gently. "You've had a long day."

Helena nodded, looking grateful for the suggestion. "Yes, I think I would."

He stood from the table, moving to the side of the bed and pulling back the covers. "You can take the bed," he offered softly. "I'll sleep on the floor tonight."

Helena's eyes widened, clearly surprised by the offer. "I appreciate your gesture, but we really can't do that. The servants would surely see something, and rumors would start to spread." She paused, glancing between Jon and the bed. "I believe there's plenty of room for both of us."

Jon hesitated, noticing her nervousness. "Are you sure?"

She nodded. "You remember when I promised to offer you any advice I could about life in the court? The first thing I can tell you is that people love gossiping. It makes keeping up appearances even more important."

Jon nodded slowly, understanding the weight of Helena's words. Court life was full of whispers and judgments, and he could see why she would be concerned. He didn't care about the rumors himself, but he realized how much pressure she must feel to keep up appearances, especially as the new queen.

"I see," Jon said quietly, trying to gauge her comfort level. "But your comfort is more important to me than any rumors."

Helena smiled softly, though it still carried that tinge of nervousness. "I know, and I appreciate that. But… I think it would be better, for both of us, if we show unity. It doesn't have to be more than sharing a bed for the sake of appearances."

Jon sighed internally, not wanting her to feel like she had to do anything just for the sake of others, but he also understood the realities of their position. "Alright," he said gently. "If that's what you want."

Helena nodded, her relief visible. "Thank you. Truly."

He moved to the other side of the bed, making sure to give her plenty of space as he sat down on the edge. It felt strange, sharing a bed with someone he barely knew, someone who was still carrying so much pain. But he wanted to respect her wishes, and more than that, he wanted to show her that he wasn't a threat, that she was safe with him.

As they both settled into the bed, Jon remained tense, careful not to move too much or intrude on her space. Ghost padded over and lay down at the foot of the bed, ever watchful. The room was quiet, save for the crackling of the fire and the soft rustling of the blankets.

Suddenly, Jon recalled how nervous Helena had been around Ghost before their wedding. "Are you comfortable with Ghost staying here?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

She nodded. "Yes. I… I don't think he sees me as a threat."

Jon gave a small smile at Helena's response. "He doesn't," he reassured her. "He's always been protective of the people I care about."

Helena's lips curved slightly, though there was still an edge of hesitation in her expression. "He's a good companion. Loyal."

Jon glanced down at Ghost, who was watching them both with his usual silent vigilance. "Yes, he is. And he'll watch over you too, just like he does with me."

For a moment, silence stretched between them again, but this time it felt less strained, as if they were both slowly adjusting to the unfamiliar situation. Jon noticed the way Helena's fingers gripped the edge of the blanket, the slight tension in her posture, and though she had said she was alright, he couldn't help but worry that she still felt on edge.

"Helena," he said softly, breaking the quiet. "If you feel uncomfortable or need space, you can tell me."

Helena turned her head to look at him, her eyes wide with uncertainty. "I… I will. It's just… hard to know what's expected sometimes."

Jon nodded, understanding the weight of her words. "There's no expectation between us, not when it comes to things like this. I want you to feel safe, and if that means giving you more space, I'll do it."

Helena's gaze softened, her tension easing slightly. "Thank you, Jon. I… I appreciate your kindness."

Jon offered her a reassuring nod. "There's no rush. We'll figure things out together."

Helena finally settled more comfortably against her pillow, her shoulders relaxing a bit as she took a deep breath. Jon stayed still, listening to the soft breathing of Ghost at the foot of the bed.

Eventually, he heard Helena's breathing even out, signaling that she had fallen asleep. He let out a quiet sigh of relief, hoping that, for tonight at least, she would find peace in her dreams. For a long time, Jon lay there staring at the ceiling, his thoughts a whirl of concern and guilt. He knew it would take time for Helena to heal, for trust to be built between them. But for now, he was content with the small steps they had taken today. He just hoped that, in time, she would no longer feel the need to hide behind appearances and could find true comfort in his presence.

Sleep didn't come easily for Jon that night, but he didn't mind. What mattered most was that Helena was resting peacefully beside him, free from fear for now.

"Did you find out anything?" Tyrion asked, concern etched on his face.

"Yes, I believe so," Jon replied grimly. "Someone, a man, harmed her while she was locked in the tower."

Tyrion's expression darkened. "Who?"

"She didn't say, and I didn't push it," Jon paused, crossing his arms. "Can you find out who it could have been?"

"I will find out," Tyrion said firmly. "Helena is my niece, and whoever hurt her is going to pay for it."

"Good. I want to be informed about everything you discover."

"Of course. But we must be subtle. As I mentioned, there are those who wouldn't hesitate to exploit Helena's trauma. She deserves to heal in private."

Jon took a deep breath, the weight of his responsibility settling heavily on his shoulders. "I won't let her suffer any longer, Tyrion. I want her to feel safe, especially now that we're married."

Tyrion nodded, his eyes narrowing in thought. "You're right to be concerned. Helena has been through enough. It may take time for her to truly feel safe."

Jon's jaw tightened. "I understand that, but I'll do whatever it takes to support her. I need her to know that she can trust me, that I'm not like the others who have hurt her."

Tyrion was quiet for a moment before continuing. "I've tried to decide whether I should try to talk to her about this or not."

"I'm not sure if that would be a good idea," Jon replied hesitantly. "You're her uncle and I have no doubt that she cares about you, but this is a very personal matter to her."

Tyrion rubbed his chin thoughtfully, the light from the window casting shadows across his features. "I agree that it's delicate territory. Perhaps it's better to let her open up in her own time. But I want her to know she has my support, regardless of the situation."

Jon nodded, appreciating Tyrion's consideration. "She needs to feel that she can talk about it if she chooses, but pressuring her might only drive her deeper into herself."

"Exactly," Tyrion replied, a flicker of approval in his eyes. "We must be her safe haven, not another source of anxiety. If she senses we're probing into her past without her consent, it could reinforce her feelings of vulnerability."

Jon leaned back in his chair, contemplating the weight of their conversation. "I think she needs a place where she feels comfortable. Did she have any specific place she liked when she was a child?"

Tyrion's brows furrowed as he considered Jon's question. "She did actually. The flower garden right below the King's quarters. There's a view to the sea. She spent hours there, painting."

Jon nodded thoughtfully. "She mentioned that her mother burned all her paintings. Perhaps she would enjoy painting something new?"

Tyrion's eyes softened at the memory. "Yes, that might be just what she needs. Helena always found peace in her art. She used to sit there for hours, lost in her own world."

Jon leaned forward, considering the idea. "I'll ask her about it, suggest that she spend some time in the garden. If she wants to paint again, I'll make sure she has everything she needs."

Tyrion smiled faintly, appreciating Jon's initiative. "You're taking this seriously, and that's admirable. But remember, don't overextend yourself. You're new to this role of husband, and there's still a kingdom to govern."

Jon exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "I'll manage."

He felt that he owed Helena at least this much.

"Very well," Tyrion said, nodding in agreement. "Just remember, you're the King. One of the perks in that position is that you don't have to do everything yourself. You have me and the small council."

Jon gave Tyrion a small nod, but the weight of his responsibilities still pressed heavily on him. "I know. But Helena is my wife now, her well-being is my responsibility."

Tyrion's gaze softened further. "You're a good man, Jon. I told Helena before the wedding that she has nothing to worry about, you would never mistreat her."

Guilt hit Jon so hard that he couldn't bring himself to look at Tyrion in the eye. He felt nothing but shame when he thought about his wedding night.

"I should go and see how she is," he murmured.

Tyrion smiled. "I'll leave you to it, then. And don't hesitate to call on me if you need anything, whether it's advice or just an ear to listen."

With a nod of thanks, Jon watched as Tyrion left the room. As the door closed behind Tyrion, Jon let out a slow breath, the room suddenly feeling too quiet. His mind was a storm of emotions; guilt, worry, and an overwhelming need to make things right with Helena. He couldn't shake the memory of her fear, the uncertainty in her eyes when she looked at him. No matter how many battles he had fought, this was a challenge unlike any he had ever faced.