In a bright, richly furnished room, there was a very young girl. She was tall, but very fragile, with gorgeous fiery red hair almost to the waist, which framed her gentle face and emphasized the beauty of the azure-blue eyes. The features of her face were correct: her forehead was medium, her nose was straight, slightly upturned, and her mouth was small but puffy. Her figure could be called ideal: seductive feminine forms, long legs, a thin waist, graceful hands - all this combined perfectly with each other. She was wearing a light dress made of emerald silk with a small round neckline, trimmed with moon stones and intricate embroidery.
Coming up to a low table with a round mirror, the young Princess sat on a soft chair and began to consider her reflection.
- Oh!" she shouted softly. - What is it? A wrinkle?
She was feverishly looking at her impeccable white face, looking for a flawless lack.
- Are you all dressed up, Sister? - There was a cheerful twin brother's voice behind her.
When he entered the room slowly, he sat down on the edge of the bed, accidentally waving off some silk dresses lying on a satin bedspread. With a quiet rustle they fell on a soft, fluffy carpet.
Although brother and sister were born on the same day, both their appearance and character were the exact opposite of each other.
The young man was of medium height, thinner, with black like a crow's wing, wavy hair, and slightly darker skin. The local girls found him attractive and dreamed of getting at least a little attention from the young prince. As a young man of his age, he was interested in weapons and hunting. But the warrior from him was not important. In this he reminded his father; Robin was always weak in health and did not have excellent fighting skills. Among other things, the son of the Queen of the North loved to read; his preferences included books on the history, world order and economy of different states. He was interested not only in their native North, but also in the whole of Westeros, and even in Essos, which he had ever dreamed of visiting. This guy was very different from his sister, because she was curious only about the typical girl's things: clothes, jewelry, local news and, of course, the princes.
- Ned! What did you do? These are my new dresses! - The girl was outraged. Quickly rising from her seat, she rushed to collect elegant silk from the floor.
With a smile, Ned Arryn asked:
- Why do you need all these outfits? Our mother hasn't given you any receptions for a long time.
- Ned, soon our mother will be elected queen, and I will be a Princess and live in King's Landing! - She said, "I'll be a Princess and live in King's Landing," with her nose high and dancing around the room. - I need to prepare in advance so I don't have to face the city's fashionistas in the mud.
The girl easily ran her fingers through the thinnest fabric that flowed between her fingers.
- Stupid sister," the guy said with a crooked smile on her lips, joking at her sister. - you're already a princess. Our mother is the Queen of the North. Or have you forgotten?
- What kind of title is that? Queen of the North. You'll think about it! - A girl snorted and sat down at the table again and started combing her shiny hair with a wooden comb. - Mom deserves to be Queen of all Westeros. And she will be!
The girl smiled and dreamily covered her eyes with fluffy lashes.
- You are coming with me. - Suddenly there was Sansa Stark's voice.
The Queen of the North entered her daughter's room and took that critical look.
Now it was hardly possible to recognize one of the most beautiful women in Westeros. Over the past few years, Sansa has become pretty foolish; her eyes did not read anything but longing, loneliness and fatigue from pursuing her duties. For many years now, there has been no smile on her face; she has been replaced forever by an ice mask of indifference. All that gave out the remnants of the former beauty - a hole of copper hair, which is definitely a little dimmed over time, but still gave the charm of this tortured woman's life.
Catelyn, when she heard the news, cried out loud with joy and slammed her hands like a child. Ned, on the other hand, was clearly not happy to hear it.
- Mom, I don't want to go to King's Landing. Sir Garde and I were going hunting. - He said with a disgruntled voice that he was going to go out of bed.
- Eddard, you will come with me and pay tribute to your late uncle and King of Westeros. - in an unobjectionable tone, Sansa answered. - Moreover, it is time for you and your sister to have their families, and all the lords and their children will gather in the capital. I will find you worthy parties. After I become Queen of the Westeros, you will lead the North. And you need to get married.
Brother and sister looked at each other. Catelyn had long dreamed of being married to some worthy lord, but Ned, on the contrary, did not have the slightest desire to be bound by marriage. He remembered the young blond knight with whom they were going hunting, and his heart contracted. Were they no longer destined to spend time together without care?
Without agreeing, they remembered their last journeys outside the Northern Territories. I must say, neither Ned nor Kat had travelled so far in their entire lives. As a child, they lived in the Eagle's Nest for several months while their father was alive. But these memories were so vague and vague for them, as it was so long ago, and they hardly remembered their stay in the Arryn Valley. Moreover, both Ned and Kat could hardly remember their father in the face. With Lady Sansoy, Robin Arryn had more of a practical alliance of political gain, which was purely a guest union. Parents were seen as necessary; to solve some everyday problems and problems concerning the interests of their children. And then came the day when the father died suddenly. And the twins stopped coming out to his land, too.
Of course, they made several trips to their mother's uncle, Lord Edmund, to the Riverlands. But even there they were last there about five years ago. And Red Harbor was out of the question. Lady Sansa did not see any sense in such long journeys, neither for herself nor for the children. And their uncle, King Bran the Broken, did not conduct receptions, tournaments and other entertainment activities; he led a rather closed lifestyle and was known to be a very practical and sensible ruler in spending.
But this day came when he died, and they all had to completely change their lives and, most importantly, they had to be prepared for the inevitable changes to come.