-Chapter 125-
-POV MC-
I grabbed an apple and said while biting into it and looking at all the members of House Stark seated at the table:
"I was supposed to head North after the birth of my son, but seeing the misfortunes that struck your House, I couldn't hold back my desire to see if you were all well."
I observed everyone's reactions and noticed that aside from Robb and Catelyn, everyone was more or less pleased and relieved by my presence.
I knew exactly what was troubling Catelyn: she feared that the disgust I feel for her and her family of traitors would extend to her children, especially because of all the rumors I had deliberately let slip to weaken the grip that House Stark had on the North.
"You don't seem happy to see me, Robb," I said, looking at my 'brother' who was gazing into his cup indifferently, probably trying to hide the anger he felt towards me.
He looked up at me and met my gaze fearlessly then said, "It's always a joy to see you, dear brother."
I smiled, seeing that he used the fact that we were friends to emphasize the word 'brother.'
'It seems that the fact that I am king is still not sitting well with our young master,' I thought, slightly amused.
Catelyn intervened by signaling the servants to start serving breakfast. I didn't exchange many words with them and simply stayed back, exchanging occasional smiles with Arya.
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-POV Robb Stark-
Seeing that asshole smile while talking to my brothers and sisters at the table had me tense all day.
I knew he knew it hurt me, and he took perverse pleasure in doing it as revenge.
'His biggest flaw is revenge,' I thought as I watched him mistreat one of the guards in the training yard.
"Roger, you are really old now, I still remember all the times you made me eat dirt, but now you can't even touch me," he said with a big smile while placing his sword under Roger's throat.
"Damn, that's enough," I said quietly as I headed toward the stairs leading to the training yard.
A hand gripped my shoulder firmly, and I found myself face to face with Ser Rodrik.
"Let me go," I said, trying to free myself.
"No," he said in a plain tone, completely indifferent to my anger.
"I..."
"It's a direct order from your father. You must not under any circumstances continue to harbor the feuds you've nurtured with your brother under the instigation of that pathetic worm Theon Greyjoy," Ser Rodrik said.
"I didn't..."
"Don't lie to me, boy, I'm not your father. I've seen you interact every day under my supervision during your training in this yard. I know perfectly well the role he played in the rift between you and the king," Ser Rodrik said.
I looked away, feeling shame engulf me, and he said, "You chose Theon as a brother instead of your real brother, and he's making you pay for it. You're ashamed and you probably regret that choice now, but whatever happens, you can't go back."
I looked up to meet his gaze, he hesitated for a few seconds, and then he said:
"I probably shouldn't tell you this, but your mother's poor decisions are the main cause of all the turmoil in the North, and the king has been very clear on this, particularly by sending letters to all the Northern houses individually to express the anger he felt at what he called at the time a betrayal because, according to him, your father's bannermen had chosen to betray the Stark blood flowing in his veins to protect the Tullys."
He paused for a few seconds then continued:
"Few houses in the North recognized or took the king's complaints seriously because at that time, only House Stark had the right to call the bannermen to raise their war banners, and the king broke that once he summoned his vassals to King's Landing. The dominance he demonstrated and Roose Bolton's grip seriously shook the authority of House Stark in the North, and it's possible it will never regain the authority and hold it had over the North."
"But now, we've regained it given the impending annihilation of House Bolton and all its allies. House Stark will regain its unshakeable status as a Great House and will once again lead the North," I said, shocked.
He spoke softly, "According to your father, he asked that the Dreadfort of House Bolton not be damaged by siege engines."
"And?" I asked, not understanding the obvious implication to him.
"He has reclaimed the lands his ancestors had given to the Night's Watch. What do you think will happen to the lands of the traitors?" Ser Rodrik said.
"He surely doesn't plan to..."
"It's already done," Ser Rodrik interrupted.
A sensation of horror overtook me, and the only thing I could think of while looking at my cousin was that he was a true genius but also a damn monster.
I couldn't help but think that everything could have turned out differently if we had been real brothers.
'Unfortunately, I've ruined our fraternal relationship, and he will probably make me pay for it until the end of his days,' I thought somberly.