Ned wasn't sure how to feel. Sure, Lady Jamiela was pretty, no, stunning. He just did not know if their friendship would still last after Lord Robert broke the news to her.

While they were hunting, Robert actually brought up the subject. It seemed to Ned that he really liked Lyanna, and he couldn't blame him. Robert is a good man, befriending Ned overnight. Lyanna, in the other hand, was a stunning wild wolf cannot be tamed.

After dinner, he attempted to look for Jamiela, but it seems that she had darted away, much to Ned Stark's dismay. Sighing, he retreated to his bedroom with a heavy heart.

As Eddard marched towards his door, he could hear muffled sobbing to his left. Whirling around, he found himself face-to-face with the door to his beloved sister. "Lyanna?"

He knocked on her door, twice. When she did not reply, Ned took it upon himself to open it slowly, which was unlike of Ned. Of course, he respected privacy, but he could not bare to hear his sister's cries echo the Stark's head that night. "Lyanna, are you-"

Ned found himself thinking he hadn't come in. Lyanna was sobbing in her quilt, her face tear-streaked. Yet there was still the same fierceness in her hazel eyes. He stood there, gawking.

"What!" Her words struck Ned, and he immediately felt bad for barging in her private quarters. "Um- I heard, you, er..- Lyanna. Are you alright? Do you need.. a hand?"

Ned closed the door behind him, before taking a seat next to her. "I just, I don't know, Ned. I'm scared. I know I must be brave, Robert looks like a good lord, but I don't know what to expect! What if-" Her voice cracked, and Ned gave her a gentle smile, as he wrapped his arms around her small yet fit body.

"I know it's hard. Betrothal wasn't in the mind of Father until Lord Robert brought the matter to his hands. It would not be a wise move if Father declined the proposal. It would mean an alliance with two Great Houses. Also, I know how you feel, too. I'm also part of this, and I.. I don't know if I'm ready for it.. but we both have to brave, you understand." His sister looked at him in the eye, and it struck to Ned at his sister's utter magnificence. No doubt, this what brought Robert to this thought.

"Alright, brother." Lyanna wiped the tears from her eyes, and smiled fiercely at Ned, her eyes twinkling, like a true untamed direwolf. "That's my sister." said Ned, and Lyanna smiles at him, before it faltered quickly.

"Brother.. if you don't mind me asking, how do you feel about, this Lady Jamiela?" asked Lyanna, her eyes staring at him. Ned almost flinched at the subject, and just sighed.

"She... would make a fine Northern lady, Father would approve of her, and.." Lyanna shook her head, and held his face gently. Ned looked at his sister, smiling up at him.

"No.. I meant, how do you think of her?"

It took a moment before Ned answered. "My input would not matter, here. Good night, my sister." He stood, and gave her another embrace, before leaving her room. But her question still lingered in his mind for the whole duration of the night.

How did he truly feel towards her..?

♚•♚♢♚•♚

          "I most definitely can not believe it! You are betrothed to Eddard Stark! Can you imagine that?" Jamiela twirled her hair, and sighed at her handmaiden's giddiness and said. "It's not as fun as you think it is, Myriane. Imagine being forced to be the soon-to-be wife of a man- a big Northern lord, to be specific, you still haven't properly met? I mean, yes, I know Eddard, and he seems to be a respectful man, but it isn't as fun as choosing who you would want to marry."

Myriane gave her a smirk. "I still think that you are beyond grateful to be with him." She contemplated, before handing her her cup of tea. "There, drink it. It may calm your nerves." Jamiela wasted no time draining the contents of the cup, and it sent a soothing  sensation down her throat. Jamiela gave out a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

Myriane placed her hand on Jamiela's and gave her a smile. "It's alright, my lady. You may learn to like him. Likewise, he may to, but I don't think that is needed, since, by the looks of it, seems really into you, already." Jamiela giggled, and shook her head, but smiled.

"I guess, so, Myriane. Thanks for the tea." The Baratheon thanked her, and the raven-haired woman bowed. "I was just doing my job."

Myriane breathed a small sigh, before exiting the quarters, leaving Jamiela to her lonesome state, who contemplated the situation at hand.

Ned, yes, seems to be a nice man. Chivalrous, and very approachable, he makes a good husband, for sure. Although..., the question is, how Ned felt towards the drastic news, and if the Stark will acknowledge it... but.., there's- Jamiela groaned frustratedly, interrupting her train of thought, which vanished in an instant.

A knock was heard from her door, and Jamiela whirled towards the sound. "Um, come in..?"

The figure opened the door slightly, but Jamiela could see the shaggy brown haircut of her betrothed. "It's alright. I'm not avoiding you or anything, Ned." said Jamiela, sighing.

It seemed that Ned flinched, before coming in, not forgetting to close the door behind him. Jamiela watched him carefully, then Ned faced the Baratheon with a state, and biting his lip, he decided to speak first.

"Lady Jamiela, I know my father was foolish to allow such thing to happen to you. I am therefore apologizing on his behalf about the-" Jamiela raised her hand for the Stark to stop. Confused, Ned listened to her words.

"I know this is turbulent, for me, for you, for your sister, Lyanna, for my brother, Robert, too. But Ned, I want to get one thing straight with you - I am not angry about it." Ned's face remained silent, but Jamiela could see the bewilderment present in his eyes.

"Look, Ned. I really like you to be my friend. You are an intelligent man, and definitely a dutiful husband. You intrigue me, a lot. I don't know if actual love may blossom between us, but I'm sure that I would want to remain as your friend. Will that be alright?"

Ned's face went blank for a moment, before nodding. "Of..of course, my lady. There is no guarantee that we may fall for one another, but I would gladly accept your request of friendship." He says, and Jamiela breathes a sigh of relief, before smiling. "Thank you."

The Stark mirrored it, before his gaze went elsewhere, intriguing Jamiela once more. "Is everything alright? You look.. troubled." Ned almost jumped, at Jamiela's touch, before realization hit, and relaxed. A bit.

"Nothing. I just cannot imagine how you must feel about me, now." Jamiela wanted to smack Ned in the head, but restrained herself. "Ned, what did I say? I do not hate you. I still see you the same way, as my friend." He sighed, before nodding. "Alright, my lady."

"So.. what are you here for, exactly?" She asked Jamiela, feigning interest. Ned crossed his arms. "Just that, really. Not unless you want to do something else..?" Jamiela grinned.

"It's a deal. Tomorrow morning, then?"
"Deal."