The morning after the feast, the Red Keep felt heavier.
Rumors had already spread about the confrontation between Ethan and Prince Joffrey. Some servants looked at him with respect, others with pity. Ethan ignored the whispers and went straight to the training yard as the sun rose.
He trained harder than usual. The new footwork manual he had absorbed last night was starting to settle into his muscles. He practiced the same sequences repeatedly until sweat dripped from his brow and his legs burned.
Robb joined him midway through.
"You really pissed off Joffrey," Robb said, blocking one of Ethan's strikes. "Father is worried. He told me to keep you away from the prince as much as possible."
"I'm trying," Ethan replied, breathing heavily. "But I won't stand by while he treats Sansa like property."
Robb gave him a long look. "You care about her a lot, don't you?"
Ethan didn't deny it. "More than I should."
Robb sighed. "Just be careful, brother. This isn't Winterfell."
Midday – Hand's Tower
Ned Stark was buried in work. Letters, ledgers, and meetings about the crown's massive debt to House Lannister. Catelyn had taken Arya and Sansa to visit the royal sept, hoping the faith would calm Sansa's nerves.
Ethan was helping organize weapons and armor in the armory when Sansa found him again. She was still wearing her light blue dress from the sept, her hair neatly braided with small silver pins.
"I told them I wanted to check on my new gowns," she whispered, slipping into the dimly lit armory. "We only have a short time."
The moment the door closed, Sansa stepped into his arms. This time she was the one who initiated the kiss — deeper and more confident than before. Her hands slid around his neck as she pressed her body against him. Ethan responded carefully, one hand on her waist, the other gently cradling the back of her head.
The kiss grew heated. Sansa let out a soft, needy sound when Ethan kissed along her jaw and down to her neck. Her breathing became shaky.
"Ethan…" she whispered, voice trembling. "I keep dreaming about you. About us… being together properly."
She took his hand and slowly guided it to her waist, then a little lower, over the curve of her hip. Her cheeks burned bright red, but she didn't stop him.
Ethan's heart pounded. He kissed her again, slower this time, letting his hand explore gently over her dress. Sansa shivered against him, pressing closer, her body responding to his touch.
They stayed like that for nearly twenty minutes — kissing, touching, learning each other's boundaries. Sansa's hands grew bolder, running across his chest and arms, but she still held back from going further.
When they finally separated, both were breathing hard. Sansa's lips were swollen, her eyes bright with desire and nervousness.
"I want you," she admitted in a barely audible whisper. "But I'm still scared. I want our first time to be… special. Not stolen in an armory."
Ethan nodded, gently kissing her forehead. "Then we wait. I'll never force you, Sansa. Never."
She hugged him tightly, burying her face in his neck. "You make me feel things I've only read about in songs."
[Sansa Stark Favorability: 89/100 (Very Close to Love)]
[New Passive Unlocked: "Northern Rose's Trust" – Sansa will share more secrets and vulnerabilities with you]
Afternoon – Royal Gardens
While walking through the gardens to clear his head, Ethan encountered Margaery Tyrell again. This time she was alone except for one handmaid.
"Ethan Snow," she greeted with that warm, charming smile. "You seem to be everywhere these days."
"My lady," he replied with a polite bow.
Margaery stepped closer, smelling of roses and honey. "I heard what happened at the feast. You defended Lady Sansa quite boldly. Not many men would risk angering the prince for a girl who isn't even theirs."
"She's a friend," Ethan said carefully.
Margaery tilted her head, studying him. "Only a friend? How interesting." She smiled playfully. "You're different from most men here. You don't flatter, you don't scheme openly… and yet you stand out. I wonder why that is."
She reached out and lightly brushed a leaf from his shoulder, her fingers lingering for a second longer than necessary.
"I would very much like to speak with you again soon," she said softly. "Perhaps in private. There are many things I'd like to know about the mysterious northern bastard who keeps catching everyone's attention."
[Margaery Tyrell Favorability: 41/100 (Romantic Curiosity + Attraction)]
Before Ethan could respond, she gave him a graceful curtsy and walked away, her dress flowing behind her.
Evening – Tower of the Hand
Ned called a private meeting with his closest men. He spoke gravely about the crown's debt, the Lannisters' influence, and his growing suspicion that something was very wrong with the previous Hand's death.
"You've proven yourself loyal, Ethan," Ned said. "I'm assigning you as one of Sansa's personal guards when she leaves the tower. Stay close to her. Protect her honor."
"Yes, my lord," Ethan answered, trying to hide his relief.
Catelyn watched him carefully but said nothing.
Midnight – Risky Visit
Ethan was reading by candlelight when the soft knock came.
Sansa slipped inside wearing only a thin white nightgown and a dark robe. Her hair was loose, falling over her shoulders.
"I couldn't sleep," she whispered, locking the door behind her. "I kept thinking about this afternoon."
She crossed the room and climbed onto his narrow bed without waiting. This time she was more forward. She straddled his lap and kissed him deeply, her hands running through his hair. Ethan groaned softly as she pressed against him, her body warm and soft through the thin fabric.
They spent nearly an hour like that — kissing passionately, touching, exploring. Sansa allowed his hands to roam further than before, gasping when his fingers traced the curve of her breasts over her nightgown. She trembled but didn't stop him.
When she finally pulled back, flushed and breathing heavily, she rested her forehead against his.
"Soon," she whispered. "I promise. Soon I'll be ready."
She kissed him one last time, long and tender, before slipping out of his room like a ghost.
[Sansa Stark Favorability: 92/100 (Almost Love)]
Late Night
Ethan lay awake for a long time after she left.
He opened the system and spent 400 SP on a Basic Observation Skill, sharpening his ability to notice small details in people's behavior.
[Observation Skill Lv.1 Unlocked]
A new notification appeared:
[Hidden Quest Progress]
The Game Begins
You have successfully gained the attention of three major figures (Jaime, Margaery, Varys). Reward pending…
Ethan stared at the ceiling of his small room, the distant sounds of King's Landing drifting through the window.
He was still weak. Still just a bastard.
But the threads of his new life were slowly weaving together — love, danger, ambition, and desire.
And in the Red Keep, every thread could become either a lifeline… or a noose.
===============
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