Roslin's voice was small, catching on the edges of the memory. She told him how the Greyjoy had loomed over her, how he had jammed his boot into the doorframe to keep her from retreating, and how his eyes had roved over her with a hunger that made her skin crawl.
"But then... Dae came," she whispered, her gaze fixed on the floor. "He grabbed him by the collar and hauled him back just as he was trying to step inside."
"Did he touch you?" Alaric asked. His voice was low, vibrating with a cold frequency that made the air in the room feel heavy.
Roslin shook her head quickly, though her fingers trembled. "No. But he tried to... he wanted to."
Alaric sat on the edge of the bed. He reached out and caught Roslin's hand, pulling her closer until she stood firmly between his knees. The physical contact seemed to ground her, drawing her out of the panic.
"You did well," he said, his voice dropping to a soft, steady hum. He ran his thumb over her knuckles, tracing the delicate lines of her hand. "You stood your ground. That's exactly you should deal with leeches like him."
Roslin let out a shaky breath, the tension finally leaving her shoulders as she looked down at him. "He was so certain of himself," she murmured.
Alaric gave a short, dry laugh, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I don't mind his mouth. Let him bark all he wants; words are just wind."
His eyes turned toward the door, cold and flat like winter ice. "But he tried to force his way into this room. His intentions were far from honorable, and that is where the line is drawn. If he thinks his status as a Greyjoy or his friendship with Robb will protect him from me, he is sorely mistaken."
Leaning back slightly, Alaric tightened his grip on her hand just enough to be felt. "He's lucky Dae stopped him at the door. If he had taken one step inside with that look in his eyes, he'd be wishing for death right now."
A small, dark smirk touched his lips as he looked back up at her. "Don't worry about it. I will teach him a lesson he won't forget. Soon enough, he'll realize that being a Greyjoy doesn't mean a thing."
Roslin nodded, her eyes downcast. "I understand, My Lord," she whispered. She leaned her weight slightly against his knees, watching his thumb move across her hand.
"My Lord," she started, her voice hesitant and small. "Is there a kitchen nearby? Or a place where I might find some supplies?"
Her lip pulled between her teeth as she looked up through her lashes. "I know the servants bring food to the room, but... I would like to make something for you. Something with my own hands. If it pleases you."
The words were careful, a request rather than a demand. "It would give me something to do while you are away, My Lord. I used to help in the kitchens at the Twins when my father wasn't looking. It's quiet there, and I know my way around a hearth."
Alaric looked at her, noting how the girl who had once been "terrified of making noise" was now looking for a way to care for him.
"Rose...," he said, His voice dropped to a murmur. "the kitchens here are a maze, and the staff can be a bit rough."
"I don't mind the work..." she added quickly. "I only wish to be useful to you."
Alaric reached out and ruffled her hair with that playful roughness, pulling a small, flickering smile from her lips. "I'll have Dae show you the way. Just stay close to him or the wolves. I don't want another 'heir' bumping into you in the halls."
"Thank you, My Lord," she murmured, her face flushing with a mix of relief and affection.
Roslin lingered for a moment, her fingers still tracing the leather of Alaric's vest. She looked toward the door, then back at him, her brow pinching with a sudden thought.
"My Lord," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Who is... Mr. Dae? He said he is your follower , but I never saw him during our journey."
Alaric went still. For a second, he didn't have an answer. He couldn't exactly explain that he had spent Monarch Points to summon a DEMON!.
He also hadn't expected the demon to go around introducing himself as a servant with such blatant pride.
"He is..." Alaric started, then stopped, searching for a lie that wouldn't sound like one. "He's a man of many talents, Roslin. He was sent ahead to secure our path, and now he is here to help me with my plans in Winterfell."
The explanation was thin, and he could see the faint flicker of a question still lingering in her eyes. He didn't want to explain how a man could appear out of thin air, nor did he want to admit he'd summoned a demon to play the part of a footman.
He quickly thought of something else and changed the subject.
"How about you go to the kitchen after sunset?" Alaric asked, his voice low as he watched her.
"The staff will be thinner then. Or better yet, I'll find a way to get you your own personal kitchen space. You shouldn't have to elbow through the castle staff just to cook a meal."
Roslin looked at him, her gaze softening as the mystery of Dae was pushed aside by his sudden concern for her. "Are you not hungry, My Lord?"
Alaric shook his head. "Not yet. I have too much on my mind."
Roslin nodded softly, the subject of the mysterious servant finally dropping away. "I understand, My Lord. I will wait until the halls are quiet."
A slow breath escaped as Alaric leaned back, sinking into the thick furs. He lay flat with his arms behind his head, staring at the heavy timber beams of the ceiling. Orange light from the hearth danced across the dark wood.
The room grew quiet, save for the distant whistle of the wind against the stone. Roslin didn't pull away. She stayed standing between his knees for a moment, looking down at his face with a mix of worry and quiet fascination.
Eventually, she moved to the heavy chair by the window. She sat with the grace of a high-born lady, her fingers finding the soft fur of Rivy's head as the wolf settled at her feet.
Alaric's eyes drifted shut.
A long silence passed before she spoke again. "My Lord?"
"Mm?"
"Do Rivy and Livy like me?" she whispered.
Alaric glanced at the frozen flower catching the light. He didn't hesitate. "They wouldn't let you near them if they didn't. You're part of the pack now."
Turning back to the window, she repeated the words in a faint whisper. "Part of the pack..."
The wind rattled the window pane, the only noise in the room until a familiar chime rang in Alaric's mind. A translucent blue screen flickered into existence, hovering in his field of vision.
[MAIN MISSION: THE NORTHERN USURPER]