Chapter 14: Gifts and Marriage Proposal

3rd POV

When the carriage bearing the sigil of House Bolton arrived along with its escort to Winterfell, descended from the carriage Domeric Bolton, Lord of House Bolton and Barbrey Dustin, Lady of House Dustin and Domeric's aunt, right behind them were the Uruk Warriors, and Human Soldier, who was part of their escort.

Guards at the gates of Winterfell guided Domeric and Barbrey to the manor where Eddard "Ned" Stark and Catelyn "Cat" Stark (nee Tully) was.

"Welcome once again to Winterfell, Domeric" Said Ned as he extended his hand to Domeric for a shake, which Domeric gladly accepted.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Stark" Domeric said as he bowed his head a little in respect, using a professional tone in his voice to speak to Ned.

"Lady Dustin" Said Ned while there was a weird tone in his voice when referring to Barbrey, his voice being guilty? there was no way to know for sure.

"Lord Stark" Barbrey replied in a cool tone as she bowed her head not out of respect but out of noble etiquette.

Cat was going to say something to Barbrey, but all it took was one look from Ned for her to be quiet and not make the already heavy mood get worse.

After that it was just small talk between Ned and Domeric, who were trying to lighten the mood, as they both knew the two women had a hatred for each other, almost equaling the Hatred of House Martell against the Lannisters.

TimeSkip

Days passed and the Lords and Ladies of the various Houses of the North arrived at Winterfell, with their escorts and gifts.

Domeric didn't bring a gift with him, the gift would arrive the day the party started, as the gift was indeed impactful.

He got to know the Lords and Ladies during this time, always being professional in his tone and showing no emotion towards them.

He knew that more than half of the Houses of the North are in some ways his enemies, only his Vassals and Allies of House Bolton are trusted, and House Mormont may also fall to the Boltons' influence if they play their cards right.

Barbrey kept talking to the Lords and Ladies of the Houses who were Vassals of House Bolton, as well as talking to her father and brothers.

It was tactically agreed that Barbrey would handle the part that was next to House Bolton and Domeric would handle the other Houses.

"Lord Bolton, the gift has finally arrived" Said the Human Guard of Csa Bolton, in Domeric's ear.

"Bring it on" Domeric ordered while still drinking a glass of wine.

Soon Ned appeared, drawing the attention of everyone at the party, to thank the presence of all the Lords and Ladies who were at the party.

When the gifts were given, Domeric was the only one outside the group of Nobles who were giving gifts and was actually near the entrance to the Hall.

"Domeric, has the gift arrived?" asked Barbrey, who was beside Domeric, as he looked at the Starks.

"Yes, it arrived in perfect condition, nothing that a few Trolls to scare off all the possible thugs on the road" Domeric replied as he continued drinking.

When everyone gave their gifts, the guests and the Starks realized that only Domeric didn't deliver any, so many focused their attention on him.

"Lord Stark, Lady Sansa's gift is outside, unfortunately, I couldn't bring it here as it was too big" Said Domeric when he saw that everyone was paying attention to him.

With Ned and the others nodding, they went outside to see what the gift was, to say they were curious was an understatement, and when they saw several Trolls that were guarding something in the gardens, it had a tarp covering it.

Most of the Lords and Ladies, including the Starks, realized what this gift was about, and were quite impressed by it.

Soon the canvas fell and the present was revealed, a statue of Sansa Stark, completely in gold, in her hands was a large Spherical Ruby, it was simply beautiful for the spectators.

"D-Domeric...That's--" Ned was trying to say something, but he just had no words for what was in front of him.

"Yes sir, this is the gift for Lady Sansa" Domeric said as if it was no big deal, but inside he was laughing like a madman.

The statue was not just a gift, it was also a subtle way of showing the economic power of House Bolton, as no House in the North could make a statue of gold.

The Vassals and Allies of House Bolton stood a little way off and were looking at the other Northern Nobles mockingly, quite enjoying the face they were making.

"Poor people, I almost felt sorry for them, for being so poor" Said a wife of one of the Lesser Lords who was Vassals of the Boltons.

The Vassals of House Bolton have developed a lot in both economic and military matters, having the hand of House Bolton in control of everything.

This caused people from other places to move to lands that were linked in some way to House Bolton, but most would go to Lands that were under Domeric's direct control.

The Vassal's Lands were able to develop thanks to the "Loyalty Control Plans" that Domeric created, he would help in the development of these Lands, while at the same time making them loyal to House Bolton.

The Cult of Sauron was essential in this, as after a long time of thinking, Domeric accepted that they were part of the Army, being both normal soldiers and a kind of Political Commissioners.

He sent several of these Commissioners to ensure that the Vassal Troops were loyal to House Bolton, while also preaching loyalty to Domeric in the villages.

Sansa, who was with her parents, was in awe of the gift Domeric had given her, looking at her statue from all angles.

Sansa's brothers gaped at the statue they received, never thinking this would happen.

"I hope you enjoyed the gift, Lady Sansa" Domeric said as he enjoyed the expressions everyone was making.

Ned, who finally regained his composure, looked at his wife, who was also looking at him, and they both nodded.

After the Party, Ned's Office.

Domeric was sitting in a chair opposite Ned, who was behind the table where he signs his papers.

"I want to start by thanking you for the gift on behalf of Sansa, Domeric, she really liked it" Ned said while looking at Domeric with a slightly complicated look.

"I'd like to talk to you about a proposed Marriage, between you and Sansa," Ned said as he waited for Domeric's response.