The Betrothal

He entered the great hall and saw his father sitting on a high-backed chair at the end of a long table. Tywin Lannister was a tall and imposing man, with a bald head and a neatly trimmed beard. He wore a red and gold tunic and a heavy cloak. His eyes were cold and hard, like two pieces of steel.

He looked at Alan with a stern expression and gestured for him to sit down. Alan obeyed and took a seat next to Jaime. He noticed that his other siblings were also present. Cersei, his beautiful but cruel sister, who was the queen of the Seven Kingdoms and the wife of King Robert Baratheon. And Tyrion, his dwarf brother, who was witty but despised by everyone.

Alan felt a mix of curiosity and dread. What did his father want to tell him?

Tywin cleared his throat and spoke in a loud and authoritative voice.

"Alan, I have some news for you. News that will affect your future and the future of our house."

He paused and looked at Alan with a piercing gaze.

"You are betrothed."

Alan felt a shock run through his body. He was betrothed? To whom? And why?

He looked at his father with a stunned expression and tried to speak.

"Betrothed? To whom, father?"

Tywin smiled coldly and answered.

"To Sansa Stark, the eldest daughter of Lord Eddard Stark, the Warden of the North and the King's Hand."

Alan felt another shock. Sansa Stark? The girl who was in love with Prince Joffrey, his nephew and the heir to the throne? The girl who was naive and gentle, unlike most of the people in this world?

He couldn't believe it. Why would his father arrange such a marriage?

He looked at his siblings and saw their reactions. Jaime looked amused and bored. Cersei looked furious and disgusted. Tyrion looked surprised and curious.

He looked back at his father and asked.

"Why, father? Why her?"