"Robert, that's not funny. What you're saying doesn't make any sense," Ned hurried to the King's side as they walked toward the same room as yesterday, this time to break their fast. The King was walking down one of the corridors of Winterfell as the Lord of House Stark spoke in a low but heavy voice.
"What's the problem? I think they could make a good couple," Robert snorted before quickening his pace and throwing open the door to the Great Hall. The people inside were slightly startled to hear the door slam against the wall.
"Jon Snow! Where's Jon Snow?"
The young direwolf was surprised to hear his name called by the King. He looked at his little sister, who returned his gaze, confused. After a few seconds, he took the small white direwolf that Arya had given him earlier that morning and handed it to her to hold.
"Your Grace, here I am. What do you need me for?"
Robert nodded and walked toward the table where his family and Ned's were seated.
"Come here, boy."
Jon simply obeyed and stood about six feet away from Robert, right in front of him.
"I'm going to make an announcement! I want everyone to keep their damn mouths shut!"
Jon looked at his father, but saw only a complicated expression. It seemed a mixture of annoyance, panic, and sadness. When Jon saw that, he felt his stomach sink and his throat tighten.
Robert looked around and nodded when he saw that everyone was silent and expectant.
"From this day forward, my daughter, Princess Myrcella Baratheon, is betrothed to Jon Snow, the son of my best friend and Warden of the North, Eddard Stark."
"What?!" a surprised shout came from behind Robert, causing the King to turn around in annoyance. It was his wife, Cersei Lannister, who screamed and stood up in surprise before glaring angrily at her husband.
"What does this mean, Robert?! This makes absolutely no sense! I will not accept this!"
Cersei's shouts silenced any murmurs, but they didn't stop the glances exchanged between some people and others directed at Ned and Jon.
"Your Grace..." Jon decided to speak, and he did so respectfully. Robert looked at him when he heard his voice.
"I think some of what your wife is saying makes sense," Jon said, placing a hand on his chest to point to himself. "I'm a bastard, everyone knows that. Such information isn't something that's been kept secret. I think this engagement could be an insult to the princess."
Robert remained silent before frowning.
"Boy, how many years did it take you to establish a city in the New Don?"
"Would you please excuse me?" Jon asked, perplexed by the question.
"Just answer."
"... After a couple of years, the city had taken shape. After that, it just grew and solidified in every sense."
"How many poor people live in the city?"
"...None," Jon replied after a short silence.
"How many can read and write?"
"Except for children under six, all of them," Jon said immediately, squared his shoulders slightly. While the situation was a complete surprise, Jon couldn't help but feel proud of what he had done in the city of Aeternum.
"Have you killed and stopped wildling raids?"
"More than a hundred have fallen by my sword, and three raids have been stopped in the New Don."
Robert nodded with a grunt.
"I, Robert Baratheon, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm of Westeros, and head of House Baratheon of King's Landing, legitimize you, as Jon Stark of House Stark, for your merits toward my realm."
Complete silence filled the great hall. No one uttered a single word when the king finished speaking. Jon stood staring at Robert for a few moments, not quite grasping the words, until he felt someone squeeze his shoulder. He glanced back and saw his father nodding solemnly.
It seemed Ned had no choice but to accept what Robert had said.
Jon immediately knelt and said,
"I, Jon Stark of House Stark, thank Your Majesty for this tremendous gift."
Despite not understanding the decision that had just been made, Jon had to go along with it. He couldn't simply disobey the King, especially after receiving such a gift. Now all he could do was accept and do his best.
Cersei Lannister was trembling with rage in her seat, glaring at her husband with an almost venomous expression. While the problem of her daughter marrying a bastard had been solved, she still wasn't happy. She knew there would come a time when her daughter would have to stay in the North, and that only fueled her hatred for her husband and king.
Jaime Lannister had been standing to one side in shock until he heard Jon's words of thanks. His eyes flicked to his sister and then to Jon himself, looking the young Stark up and down.
Only he and his sister knew (or believed) that Myrcella was actually their daughter. On one hand, he was angry at Robert's decision, but on the other, he was relieved because he understood that Myrcella wouldn't be abused in this place or even in the New Don. It could have been worse, much worse.
As for Myrcella, she didn't know how to react properly. She knew there would come a time when her marriage would be announced, but she hadn't expected it to be now, and not like this. She looked at Jon and realized he wasn't ugly in any way; in fact, he was one of the cleanest and most handsome men she had ever seen. She only hoped he would also be kind and not do anything wrong.
Anyway, with her father making this decision, it was very difficult to change her mind.
Ned had already processed everything, but even though he had to accept this, his mind was still a little jumbled. Now more than ever, he had to keep Jon's birth a secret. Although all of this was too ironic. Robert might be the person who hated the Targaryens the most, especially Rhaegar, but now he was marrying his daughter to the son of the woman he loved most and the man he hated most.
It was as if the gods were playing with him.
And perhaps he wasn't so far from the truth.
As for Jon, who had already accepted this, he was thinking about the reactions of his friends from other universes. Rias and Naruto would probably laugh while Harry gave him an encouraging smile.
"Now let's celebrate this engagement!" Robert shouted more excitedly as he threw his hands up. Out of courtesy, everyone shouted after him, although they were too shocked to drink wine. The only one who actually got up and jumped toward Jon was a very happy Arya.
"Wait!"
Suddenly, a shout halted the growing celebration. Jaime Lannister had stepped forward and looked at his King.
"What do you want?" Robert asked, his expression irritated.
"Your Grace, I would like to test young Stark. Since he is to marry my niece, I would like to know if he has what it takes to protect her."
Robert's eyes gleamed for a moment, almost as if he had been expecting something like this. He simply looked at Jon, waiting for a response.
"If Ser Lannister wishes to test my abilities, then I have no objection," Jon said decisively.
"Good! Then we'll go out now! The sooner this is settled, the more fun I can have!"