Cassana

Robb and I had spent the rest of the feast drinking and laughing together alongside Jon and Theon.

While I do find Theon somewhat reprehensible I do like Jon. Blunt and honest, something very rare where I'm from. A bit broody perhaps but one can hardly blame him. I can't remember the last time I've ever spoken with someone so naturally, that wasn't family. He is someone I could trust.

And Robb, I never expected a man like him. It still doesn't feel real. Yet there is this hesitation I cannot shake, a fear of allowing myself to trust him.

The fear that he could be wearing a mask just like I am. A mask that I've worn for so long I'm afraid there is little left beneath it.

A knock on the door distracts me from my own thoughts and as soon as my eyes meet his I can't hide the joy that surprises even myself.

"Robb," I smile as my cheeks flush. I have missed him these past days, something I did not expect.

"Cassana," he says returning the same nervous but excited grin.

"Well this is certainly a nice surprise," I exhale as he takes my breath away. Gods he is easily the most handsome man I've ever seen, and his voice gives me goosebumps. While many of my objections were for good political reasons that damn smile makes me overlook them all.

He looks somewhat bashful as he asks "I was wondering if you've seen much of the North outside of Winterfell?"

After a moment of thought I answer "No, I don't believe I have."

There's this wildness in his eyes, one I want to explore. He extends his hand "Come with me?"

"I'd love to," I answer as I take it. "It certainly has been a while since it's been just the two of us."

The mere touch of his skin against mine affects me in ways I didn't know were possible. I never knew that skin against skin could feel electric. That a touch could go straight to the very heart.

"Not since the feast," he remembers. "I've asked about you but your Septa tells me you've been busy."

"You have?" I ask as I realise the Septa certainly didn't tell me this but I'm unsurprised. She doesn't believe boys and girls should be alone together, even if they are to be wed, considering my immediate liking to Robb it isn't a bad judgement on her part. And there's no doubt my mother had a word with her, and Jaime as well for that matter considering she's replaced Ser Barristan with him to watch over me. But thankfully Jaime is nowhere to be found this morning.

"Of course," he says squeezing my hand. "I was a bit confused as to why you hadn't gotten back to me but then I put two and two together and realised that your Septa might not be passing my messages along, so I thought it's about time I came and saw you myself."

So he has been trying to see me, he does care.

"My mother's been hellbent on keeping me busy," I mutter, however my voice lightens as I stroke his arm. "I've missed you, Robb."

"Have you now?" he teases and I can tell he is a little cocky. Just a little, he's not arrogant or pompous. He has just the right amount. Perhaps I have a bit more than just the right amount.

"Would it be improper to admit that I miss the man I'll soon be bedding?" I ask just to see the look on his face and he is utterly speechless.

"Your Grace," he gasps in false shock. Well not completely false but he goes along with it. If anything he seems intrigued. Then again he is a man and I just mentioned sex. I'm not sure how taboo it is here but in Kings Landing, I can count the brothels from my window.

Sex is something I have thought about recently more than a proper lady would ever admit but it seems so strange how we are expected to be modest and proper and then suddenly after a few vows take our clothes off for each other. I don't want to be proper and modest. I want to be how I've always truly been, unapologetically shameless. Margaery had presented the opportunity but I knew that she had her ulterior motives, something I wouldn't fulfil.

"Don't be so modest I know you've thought of it too," I tease back as we approach the courtyard and I watch his cheeks go red and he struggles to meet my eye. I just laugh at his innocence. "You won't be blushing like that in a few weeks I hope."

A breathless laugh escapes him and he meets my eye. "You princess are nothing like I expected."

"Good," I simply smile as we enter the courtyard.

I'm relieved to find the eyes on us aren't as unwelcoming as when I first arrived and that they quickly go back to their business without a second thought. They are slowly becoming used to seeing me by Robb's side.

In the distance I look up and see a wolf inside the castle walls, however, it doesn't look like any wolf I've seen and no one looks alarmed.

"Robb?" I ask tugging on his arm lightly. "Should that be there?"

He laughs heartily and then calls out "Greywind!"

The wolf runs over and yet I don't flinch, I only feel a sense of awe at seeing one so close but I am certainly surprised when it sits obediently in front of Robb.

"He's mine," Robb says as he ruffles his fur.

"Your's?" I exclaim in disbelief. "A pet wolf?"

I knew the North was wild but gods.

"Direwolf," he corrects and I stare at him with wide eyes. "Are you afraid?"

"Not at all," I answer honestly struck by how bizarre it is and find myself intrigued by the creature. "I thought they were myths?"

Robb eyes me curiously as I bend down and extend my hand towards it, I look to him for permission and as he nods his head encouragingly I run my fingers through its grey fur.

"He's incredible," I murmur. Suddenly the wolf jumps forward and licks my cheek.

"Greywind!" Robb panics but I'm only laughing as he nuzzles his head against my arm as a dog would.

"It's alright," I promise Robb as I continue stroking his fur. "I didn't know direwolves were playful."

"Neither did I, he hasn't done that with anyone before," Robb says and with a small smile adds, "I think he likes you."

"I hope so," I laugh as Robb sends him away and I realise there are more of them as Greywind joins an albino direwolf, when I see Jon nearby I realise who it must belong to. Jon gives us a nod and I give him a polite wave as Robb takes my hand to help me to my feet.

"He's a good judge of character," Robb assures me and I smile to myself as he guides me over to the stables and asks "Can you ride?"

"Not very well but yes," I laugh knowing that I'm capable of riding a horse at a steady speed but I was never taught how to properly ride.

"Don't worry," he chuckles before assuring me. "I won't let you fall off."

"I'm not that bad," I gasp in mock offence as I playfully slap his arm. He laughs to himself as he saddles a horse appropriate for my height which is a little bit above average for a woman due to my Baratheon blood but he is still taller than I am which I certainly don't mind.

"Can you saddle a horse?" he asks out of curiosity and I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit I can't.

"No, but will you show me?"

Without judgement, he guides me through how he saddles his own horse which is more simple than I'd expected. Despite all my reading and education, I failed to learn something as basic such as saddling a horse. Although to be fair that was hardly something my mother thought was appropriate for a princess to learn even if it would have been more practical than embroidery.

The North will be a learning experience that I never quite expected but it will be a good one.

"So where are you taking me?"

The corner of his lip turns up as he replies "You'll see."

He lifts me onto my horse by the waist and I find myself more than surprised by his strength and I very quickly realise I like the firmness of his hands on me. As he effortlessly swings himself onto his horse I find myself feeling butterflies in places that aren't so innocent and now I'm the one with red cheeks.

As we trot through the countryside he tells me the story of how he and his brothers found the direwolves and then that leads to many tales of blunders when it comes to training direwolves.

"I've certainly never trained a direwolf but I used to have a dog," I remember fondly "Her name was Asena, she was a gorgeous dog, very protective."

"What happened?" he asks as he must hear the slight pain hidden in my voice and I shake my head.

"It's not a cheerful story."

"I don't mind," he says and I suppose it's best he hears it, that he knows what Joffrey is in case my Father does decide to actually consider betrothing him to Sansa.

"Well I don't remember this well but when she was just a pup I was maybe five or six and Joffrey is only a year younger than me. My father says that Joffrey tried to strangle her and cut her open. The part my father is particularly proud of was when I picked up a little toy war hammer and hit Joffrey with it, and I don't mean like a light smack. I knocked that little shit out."

"Really?" he exclaims, not shocked by me hitting him but by nearly knocking him out. "I mean that's impressive for a five year old."

"Then about two years ago Joffrey was throwing rocks at her because he was bored so I told him to stop and he called me a bitch and a whore and every name he knew so I didn't just slap him, I punched him proper right in the nose. He's the most self-entitled prick that exists, so next thing I knew we were in a physical fight, he had my wrists pinned to the floor but before I could get him off of me she bit him. Asena had always been very protective of me and she was a big dog so when she bit him she bit him properly. Then my mother walked in and saw his bleeding nose and her biting that yellow-haired shit and that was that. She hated Asena anyways, she didn't have any warmth in her heart for any of the pets that our father gave us. She had her killed and things have been tense with both of them ever since."

"I don't blame you," he says after taking a moment to process it, he is utterly disgusted. "That's awful what they did, your mother's cruel but Joffrey-"

"Is a sadistic cunt," I finish. He raises an eyebrow at my very unladylike language but he clearly deems it appropriate. "I'm really sorry to make this depressing."

"No, not at all," he says but it's only when he looks me in the eye I know he means it. "If anything I'm glad you're actually telling me this. Everything makes a lot more sense now actually. Now I know why you are the way you are with the Queen and Joffrey."

"Really?"

"I want to know everything I can about you," he says as he stops his horse when we are on top of a hill hidden from view which overlooks the land and dismounts with ease. I toss a leg over so I'm sitting side-saddle and as he grabs my waist to help me down he looks me in the eye and adds. "The good and the bad."

I wrap my arms around his neck as he lifts me onto the ground, when my feet are firmly planted I realise his arms are still around my waist and mine around his neck.

"And I want to know you," I breathe as my heart is drawn to his in a way I didn't think was possible. That I could ever experience. "This may be forward but I don't think I've ever been as happy as I am when I am with you."

Something shifts in his eyes, whatever attraction and fancy that was there before turns to adoration. No one has ever looked at me as he does at this moment and I find myself getting lost in those eyes of his that reminds me so much of the sky but the longer I look the more they remind me of the seas of the Stormlands, home.

"Then let's get to know each other."

~

We sit on the hill looking out at the North as we talk.

We speak of anything and everything. There is not one silent moment. We talk of our polar opposite lives and slowly I come to understand him.

In his heart, he is passionate, loving, honourable but underneath it all there is something else. It feels as if I could reach out and touch something that he doesn't even know is there, something still brewing. It is then I realise that perhaps there are storms brewing in us both.

He points to places in the distance and tells me of them, of the people and the memories he's had there which more often than not involve Jon and Theon.

"You know Robb, no other man would take a bastard and a ward as his brothers and love them as his own flesh and blood," I tell him. "I truly admire you for that, for the love you have in your heart."

"You admire me?" he asks in disbelief and I place my hand over his.

"You are an honourable man, I grew up in a city where if you are honourable that gets you killed so there are only snakes and people who wear masks. I couldn't fully trust anyone, not even my own blood. To be quite honest I thought men like you existed only in stories," I admit sheepishly. "That there was no such thing as a truly good and honourable man, only the men who have tried to use me since I was a child to gain influence. Gods ever since I was a child I've had grown men and even women try to court me in hopes they would wed me and use me."

"Since you were a child?" he asks in disgust and there is a fierce protectiveness in his voice I've never heard before.

"Oh yes," I say thinking of Margaery, and Loras. "On my name day, I had an old friend come to my rooms to quite literally seduce me into marrying her brother who is well, let's just say it certainly would not be my bed he'd warm if we ever married. But I am a princess who can help their family gain power, my own uncle tried to push me into that marriage. And another who sat on my fathers' small council who owns the most in-demand brothels in the city has been trying to get close to me since I was a child, to earn my trust and well as I've grown older I understood why my mother kept him far away from me. That he never wanted to help me, just use me. That's all men have ever wanted from me. They've never wanted to care for me, just use me to better themselves."

"You deserve better than that," he says thickly and the look in his eyes makes my heart ache but not in pain.

"To be completely honest Robb I never expected to become so fond of you, especially not this soon, but it has been easy to do so. You are the first man who has only had pure intentions for me, and believe me after all these years I can tell, and I know you are a good man. I've never really been close with anyone before like this, and I don't mean romantically but in general, until you."

His voice is truly sad as he asks "No one at all?"

I'm silent as I realise just how alone I'd been for all those years. Even with Margaery, I never truly trusted her and with good reason. I never let myself have a moment of true vulnerability with anyone.

"Cass?" he says gently as the crippling loneliness I felt for all those years begins to resurface.

"No one," I answer swallowing my tears. "I've always been so alone. No one ever wanted me, they only wanted something from me."

"I don't," he says as he desperately but gently takes my face between his hands. "I want you."

My eyes meet his and they are filled with the same longing I feel. With the same passion. They go to his lips as my heart aches for him in a way I've never felt before. In a way I never thought I'd be lucky enough to feel.

"Cass," he breathes as his thumb brushes against my lips and my heart can't deny itself. After all this time of being the dutiful, modest daughter I'm done.

I want him.

Uncertainly I lean forward and press my lips against his, it's a strange feeling but I like it. I like the softness of his lips against mine, the way it makes my heart race and my head feel light.

The touch of his lips makes the world fade away and all that is left is us in this moment.

When our lips part I smile up at him "How fortunate I am to become so fond of the man I'm sworn to marry."

"Very fortunate indeed," he agrees somewhat breathlessly as he strokes my cheek. "Would it be improper if I kissed you again?"

"Certainly," I grin and as my lips find his a tear slips down my cheek, in realisation that for the first time in my life I am not alone.

Nor will I ever be again.

My arms wrap around his neck, then down his firm back as I find myself melting in his embrace and I'm not sure which one of us is responsible when my back touches the ground and he hovers above me, his swollen lips breaking into a smile before soon returning to mine.

By the time we notice the rain our hair is already damp. We break apart to look up at the sky and then at each other, laughing as we kiss again tasting the rain.

"Come on," he says as he helps me to my feet and between kisses murmurs. "We are going to be so dead when we get back to the castle if they notice we've been gone."

"Considering your horse is missing from the stables I'd say they know but it will be worth it," I grin and with one last kiss he hoists me onto my horse and unties it from the tree he secured them to.

I brush the damp hair out of my eyes as he mounts his and we laugh without a single care or worry in the world as we ride wildly through the pouring rain and the droplets on my lips taste like freedom.

We reach the stables and are still laughing as we secure the horses. He pulls me behind the stables where we are hidden and as we kiss in the pouring rain I've never felt so alive.

By the time we hear voices calling our names the rain has eased and all I feel is pure euphoria.

"I'll see you soon?" I ask hopefully.

"I hope so," he smiles against my lips and with one last kiss I return to my room as if I'd never been gone and know that everything has changed.

~

Robb

I haven't been able to wipe the grin from my face, I've never felt so alive or invigorated in my life.

I didn't think that we'd be rolling around on the ground until our wedding night but it was far more innocent than it would have looked if anyone had caught us. I felt this euphoria in her that's just intoxicating and I realised that I am falling in love with her far more quickly or deeply than I could have ever imagined.

In that moment I realised that her eyes aren't filled with fire as I had previously thought but with a storm. There is something wild and untameable in her that is still brewing, something that is fiercely passionate and even a bit chaotic, the perfect storm.

One thing I know for certain is that I never expected someone like her. I've never met a girl like her before and I never will again. There are no other girls like her, only her.

And I'm lucky enough to be marrying her.

I lie back on my bed staring at the ceiling as I find myself unable to get her out of my head nor do I want to.

When I close my eyes I still see that smile, those eyes. She is beautiful, by far the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. She resembles her mother greatly and if Cersei looked like that when she was sixteen it's no wonder they called her a beauty. Her black hair and blue eyes are the only resemblance she has to her father thankfully, but gods they make her beautiful in a way her mother never could be. But it's not just her beauty that has me this way, it's her heart that truly intrigues me.

When I saw her with Greywind that confirmed what I suspected since the moment I met her. That she has a good heart, a fearless heart.

She wasn't afraid when she reached out to touch him, most people when they see them are afraid but not her. The fearlessness and awe that were in her eyes made me realise how she appreciates what she doesn't know. That she is intrigued and not afraid. She yearns to truly experience what life can offer her and I want to help her experience it in a way she never could in the Red Keep. I want to show her Westeros for what it really is, not just the city.

Then there was when she said how she admired me for taking Jon and Theon as my brothers. I had never really thought of it that way but she's right, most men wouldn't do what I've done. I grew up with two brothers who are my closest friends and my heart broke for her when I realised just how alone she's been.

She is definitely fond of Tommen and Myrcella but they aren't as close as I am with my brothers and sisters. From what I've seen where the prince and princess go the queen also goes so it's no wonder Cassana doesn't spend much time with them, and by the sound of it it's a miracle her and Joffrey haven't killed each other yet. I have to admit I was impressed when she mentioned knocking him out as a child, she definitely seemed like she wants to do it again.

She didn't trust anyone in the capitol and I can't blame her. I didn't realise truly how much I cared for her until she mentioned men who have been trying to get close to her since she was a child, in that moment the urge to protect her from that overcame me and I knew that I would never let her be in that position again. I want to protect her, to treat her how she should be treated.

Any doubts I had were gone the moment she showed me her heart, and I realised she isn't like her mother or the other Lannisters. She doesn't want power, or anything like that, she just wants to be loved.

And gods do I plan on loving her.

"What's that look?" Jon asks as he walks into my room and sees me lying on my bed.

"I think I'm falling in love," I confess and although I know how naive I sound, I don't care, I know it's real.

He chuckles as he sits on the edge of my bed. "Does she feel the same?"

I open my mouth to speak but I know the redness in my cheeks gives it away. "She kissed me."

He looks visibly surprised. "Already?"

"I was surprised too," I admit bashfully, knowing how improper it was. "She- she's not what I expected."

"She's not like any princess I've ever heard of that's for sure," he comments and I only find myself nodding in agreement. "She has a good heart."

"Aye she does," I say and find myself wondering what her and Jon spoke about that night at the feast for him to hold her in such high regard. "You never told me what you two talked about at the feast?"

He averts his gaze and stammers a little. "Well, she- she's a lot like her uncle Tyrion."

That comment throws me off guard. "How in the seven hells is she like the imp?"

He looks at me in bewilderment. "That's not a bad thing, I thought you would have seen it? That she's open-minded, sharp, actually see's the smallfolk and bastards as people worthy of respect."

I fall quiet having realised I might not know her like I thought, it doesn't sit right with me that it's Jon having to tell me this. "Right, of course."

He clears his throat. "Father sent me to fetch you for dinner, the King's dining with us," he tells me then exclaims. "I'm even invited."

And I know Cass definitely must have had a part in that. I appreciated how polite she was but she must actually like him if she's going out of her way like this. For some strange reason, it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth but I force myself to shrug it off.

"Is Cassana coming?" I ask and he just shrugs his shoulders.

"I hope, so but I hear she usually dines with her mother."

"I'll go by her room and ask her," I decide knowing she'll be happy to get away from her mother. Wanting to get closer to her.

The thought of seeing her again makes my stomach turn over in nervousness despite how close we were before. How she is already stealing my heart.

If we weren't promised to each other then my mother would probably smack me on the back of the head over what she would call passion in the woods.

It may be young love but at least I can call it love. Maybe not yet but I know at this rate soon I will be hopelessly in love with her. I knew before she came that everything would change but I never expected this. Now that she's here I can't imagine life without her.

~

Cassana

I might just fall in love with him.

No one has ever had such pure intentions for me. He is a good man who truly cares for me which is something I never thought I could have. I only hoped to be married to a man who wasn't cruel or preferred men. I dreamed of someone who might have grown fond of me.

I never could have even dreamed of a man like Robb.

I never expected this. I never expected someone like him. I never expected to feel the things I do, to have someone see what is in my heart. To truly see me.

But even so, I cannot say those words with truth. He has seen what is in my heart yes, but so much is masked behind the facade I've worn for so long.

And it frightens me. That he might see past it and not like what he sees, and so I tell myself one day at a time.

But that is a little hard now I've taken it further than I ever intended.

Now that I've been touched by him I don't think I can ever be untouched. Nor do I want to be. Now that I've felt lips against my own and been held in a man's arms I don't want to live without it.

Even if I tried I do not think I could ever forget it.

A knock on the door startles me and I open it expecting my mother, but instead it's someone who I much prefer.

"Robb," I smile, straightening my dress. "This is a very nice surprise, I didn't expect to be seeing you so soon."

"Neither did I," he says with flushed cheeks. "I heard the King's dining with us tonight and I thought I'd come and ask if I could escort you to join us as well."

"Well that's very proper," I tease suddenly feeling quite playful. "For a moment I wondered if you came for other things."

"Definitely not," he assures me, stuttering over the words. "You are to be my wife, I'd never do anything dishonourable."

"So we can't do this?" I ask as I caress his cheek and brush my thumb against his lips. In response he places a hand on the small of my back and pulls me close so my lips meet his, and they are every bit as intoxicating as I remember.

"I don't want to dishonour you," he murmurs against my lips and suddenly I really wouldn't mind if he did.

"At least not until our wedding night," I whisper as I kiss him deeply, hoping that night is sooner rather than later. "Now, will you escort me to dinner?"

"If you can behave," he teases and I can't help the genuine laughter that escapes me as I take his arm.

"I can try," I promise him as I feel the walls I have up begin to crumble in his presence.

"Are you ready?"

"I am but you're not."

He looks at me in confusion until I reach up to touch his soft curls which shine almost auburn in the candlelit light and tidy them. "Better."

In return he strokes a loose piece of hair out of my eyes and caresses my cheek as he kisses me intimately, every touch making my heart swell.

"We better go."

As much as I want to pull him into my room and stay with him I know that we would be very late for dinner.

I hold onto his arm as he takes me to dinner. When we arrive his family is seated and waiting.

I'm glad to see Jon there as well and he gives me a warm look when I enter but nothing noticeable enough to catch Lady Stark's attention. But enough that just I know.

I'd mentioned to my father that if we dine with the Stark's to invite all of them. He muttered 'fine, except for the Greyjoy.'

I thought it was a decent compromise.

Father is seated at the head of the table and I'm unsurprised, he never dines with my mother so it makes sense he would with his oldest friend.

"Princess Cassana," Ned says seeming somewhat surprised. "We thought you would be dining with the Queen."

"She won't be happy," my father mutters, but it's muffled by the large cup he's drinking out of.

"Robb asked if he could escort me and I couldn't refuse," I say and he pulls out a chair for me like a proper gentleman. "Thank you."

He smiles to himself as he sits by my side.

"You are always welcome your grace," Catelyn says courteously and for the moment my father puts his drink down long enough to talk he looks proud.

"Look at them Ned, they look like a married couple already."

Robb and I exchange a glance as I take a long drink to conceal my not so guilty smile as I remember us on the hill, and only minutes ago.

"Speaking of which your grace," Robb begins sounding strong while I know on the inside he's most definitely nervous. "When will the wedding be?"

I have to suppress a smile of amusement at how nervous he is around my Father but then again he isn't just his brides' father, he is the King.

"Soon," he says without elaborating too much more as he appears far more interested in his food which is being served than his daughters' wedding.

"How soon?" I ask trying not to appear too eager but simply curious.

"Well your mother has insisted we invite Tywin", he groans and while Robb nods his head I clear my throat.

"But my grandfather knew we were betrothed before we left for Kings Landing?" I ask, confused as to why he wouldn't have left with us. "He never mentioned attending the wedding?"

"He was probably waiting to see that it was going ahead before making the journey," Ned tells me and I realise it's likely true. My grandfather lectured me before I left in being a good wife but looking back at it he spoke of the entire situation as if it was solely my fathers fancy. As if he was amused even.

"He would have travelled back to Casterly Rock after my name day," I say realising what that means. "So it would still be two months at least until the wedding by the time he travels and the arrangements are put in place."

I had thought that the wedding would be in a few weeks at the latest, not in a few months at the soonest.

"I can wait," Father says taking a drink "I'm sick of that stinking city but up here it's real country. We need to go on a hunt Ned. A proper hunt."

Robb shares my look of disappointment and subtly brushes his hand against mine in comfort. I look up and briefly catch Jon's eye, he gives me a respectful nod of the head before taking a drink, looking somewhat forlorn.

"Well, at least it's more time to get to know each other before the wedding," Catelyn says optimistically.

"Indeed," I agree with a smile but I would rather not wait, however as I look at Robb I know the wait will be worth it. He is worth it.

"How are you liking the North?" Ned asks and somehow I forgot that by coming to dinner I'd have to speak to Robbs parents normally as if we weren't rolling around on a hill earlier.

"Very well," I answer honestly. "It's certainly a change from Kings Landing but a very pleasant one, it actually reminds me somewhat of the Stormlands."

"See that's why I like it up here", my Father laughs heartily. "Plenty of game to hunt just like at Storms End, I'll need to get myself a boar."

Well, that's not quite what I was referring to but alright. "It is already starting to feel like home," I assure Ned and Catelyn and out of the corner of my eye, I catch Robbs proud smile. "As I've said to Robb and my Father I believe that I will be very happy here."

"Well we are certainly glad to hear it," Catelyn says warmly. "We will have to start looking at making your gown for the wedding, I'm sure your mother will be wanting something elaborate."

Sansa's eyes light up in excitement at the mention of it whereas Arya begins to pay more attention to her food. Jon seems to blank out at the mention of dresses while the younger boys have hardly been listening anyways.

"Sansa, would you like to help me with my gown?", I offer knowing her embroidery is lovely and wanting to get to know her, she's only three years younger than myself and while a little high-strung seems lovely.

"I would love to your grace," she beams and my smile is genuine.

"Please just call me Cassana, we will be sisters soon," I say knowing what simple gestures of kindness can do and when I see the appreciation in Robbs eyes I know that it does mean something to her.

"Stark and Baratheon together," my Father says to Ned. "Just how it was always meant to be."

Robb rests his hand on top of mine and my thumb strokes the side of it as the words ring true. As it was always meant to be. It is what it truly feels like.

~

Throughout the evening it becomes clear to me just how close the Starks are, how deeply they love each other. I know my parents love us children but it's always been distant or overbearing, cold at times even. With the Starks it is nothing of the sort. It becomes even clearer how much Robb loves his family, he is the eldest and he has the protectiveness only an eldest child can have.

I may not be as close to Tommen and Myrcella as he is to his brothers and sisters but we are equally as protective over them. They all have such good hearts and such innocent minds. Tommen and Myrcella are very much like them, I don't know how they've stayed so innocent and kind-hearted in a city like Kings Landing. Then there is Joffrey and I swear the gods just wanted to punish the Lannister bloodline with him.

However, with the Starks I feel at home in a way I never have before. When Robb said that he couldn't give me a crown but he could give me a good home and a good family he spoke the truth.

As Robb laughs with Jon the sound makes my heart sing, when his blue eyes meet my own I realise how I'm beginning to adore him. The same look is reflected in his own eyes.

Eventually, Catelyn leaves to put the children to bed and my Father drunkenly rambles on about going on the greatest hunt the North has ever seen.

"I think I'm going to retire," I say knowing how it goes when my father is drunk. "Thank you for dinner Lord Stark."

"You are always welcome at our table Princess."

I push my chair back and look at Sansa and Jon who are the only other Stark's remaining at the table besides Robb.

"Good evening, Sansa, Jon," I farewell and look at Robb. "Could you escort me back to my room, I'm afraid I might get a little lost otherwise."

Ned nods his head in permission and Robb stands. "Of course."

Arm in arm we walk back to my room.

"Tired?" he asks as I find myself yawning.

"Only a little," I say stroking the inside of his arm "I had a nice time tonight."

"You did?" he asks seeming surprised by this. "It wasn't too much having dinner with everyone?"

"Not at all, it was nice actually," I smile sleepily. "You were right when you said you could give me a good home and a good family."

He wraps his arm around me and kisses the top of my head as we continue walking through the empty halls.

"My mother likes you," he says proudly. "You made a good impression on her."

"I'm glad," I smile as I reach up to hold onto his hand which rests on my shoulder.

"You seemed disappointed when your father said we'd have to wait," he mentions and I could almost laugh.

"I've hardly kept my feelings for you a secret, I want to marry you Robb," I confess shamelessly. "And as you'll soon come to learn, I'm not a very patient person."

"Well, there are worse things to be impatient over."

"Just wait until we're married, you'll truly learn what impatience is then," I laugh as we stop outside my room. "I should warn you that some people consider me to be quite difficult."

"You're worth it," he says, his voice suddenly becoming serious as caresses my cheek while his arm is still around me holding me close. "Would it be forward of me your grace to confess that I'm falling for you?"

"Not at all," I breathe, despite everything that's happened between us I'm still not quite able to believe the words even though I know that they are true, all my life I've been guarded but now it's time to let that guard down, to trust him. "Because I was about to make the same confession."

Our lips meet and I wonder if this is what they call young love. Fast and foolish I often hear it called, but we aren't running around the woods in secrecy, we're betrothed to be married and I know that these next few months we are forced to wait will be satisfying but oh so painful and he will learn just how impatient I can be.

When he pulls away he presses a light kiss to my forehead that makes my eyes flutter shut. "Goodnight Cass."

"Goodnight", I smile but for a moment we linger there still in each other's arms, neither of us wanting to let go until finally the sound of footsteps makes us jump apart and we both look to see my mother.

"Cassana, I missed you at dinner," she says eyeing Robb sceptically.

"Actually I was dining with Father and the Starks", I say, making sure to include Father. "Robb was just escorting me back to my room, I am still getting lost here."

"What a gentleman," she smiles stiffly and the poor man looks terrified, I'm even a little afraid for him.

"Your Grace," Robb says nodding his head politely, it's become very apparent tonight that he is afraid of my parents. My Father is harmless but my mother however...

"Has your father told you that the wedding is to be postponed until we make the arrangements with your grandfather?"

"He has," I answer bitterly but I can't even blame her for it, even she is afraid of the great Tywin Lannister, but she is far too smug for my comfort. "However I suppose that gives you time to enjoy your time away from the city as I doubt you will be returning North after the wedding and I surely won't be returning there afterwards."

Her face drops and her eyes turn cold at the thought of me leaving for good. "It is time you had some rest."

"Indeed," I agree as I look to Robb who I've never seen so uncomfortable "Goodnight Robb, Mother."

Giving his hand a reassuring squeeze I enter my room and realise that these next few months may be painful in more ways than I anticipated.