Chapter 231

That Evening.

"I owe you an apology Lord Bolton." Lord Stark said as soon he met the man in his solar.

"For what Lord Stark?" he asked as he sat in the chair opposite to Lord Stark.

"For… King Robert has betrothed his son Prince Joffrey Baratheon to my daughter Sansa Stark." Lord Stark told him, not knowing that he already knew all these things "I… told the king that my daughter was already betrothed but he… insisted rather strongly on this matter." Lord Stark shook his head "Forgive me, there was nothing I could do."

His eyes narrowed and his grip on the chair tightened. He glared at Lord Stark for a long moment before he finally said "That is rather insulting Lord Stark. I got your letter before departing from Dreadfort but I didn't believe it. I didn't believe that honorable Lord Eddard Stark would do something like this. Do remind my why King Robert started the war against the Targaryens."

Lord Stark's face paled and his eyes became hard "Are you going to rebel against us. During such a critical time when we all should come together."

He scoffed at Lord Stark and looked at godswood from the window. There was a long silence between them. "That would depend on what kind of compensation House Stark is willing to pay for such an insult."

"You can always be betrothed to Arya. She's my younger daughter but I assure you that I love her just as…"

"No." He said "Why would I be betrothed to another Stark girl when being betrothed to Sansa led to such a huge insult. No Lord Stark. There won't be any more betrothals between House Bolton and House Stark. Not after this."

Lord Stark looked pained at that.

He probably understood that if a war took place between House Bolton and House Stark then it was quite likely that House Stark would lose.

Even if they stayed together to fight the Long Night, the next Summer would definitely start with a civil war.

He took a deep breath and shook his head "Let's be honest with each other Lord Stark." He said "You and I know very well that I never wanted to be betrothed to Sansa and you never wanted to betrothed the girl to me. The only reason you did so was because the growing wealth of House Bolton posed a danger to House Stark. But with an alliance with the Crown, House Stark has no need to fear House Bolton anymore."

"That is not…"

"Let me finish Lord Stark." He said "I never wanted to be betrothed to Sansa. She's just… not the kind of woman I want as my wife. So I am more relieved by this new turn of events than anything."

"You are?" Lord Stark asked with suspicion.

"I am." He nodded "The only problem is that such a thing is a huge insult to House Bolton. And I am not the kind of person that lets others insult my house without any retaliation. Until the Crown and House Stark pay the necessary recompense for this, you may stop counting House Bolton among your allies."

He got up from his chair, turned around and started walking away.

"Lord Bolton." Lord Stark said.

He turned to look at the Lord who looked both guilty and frustrated.

"I… House Stark has betrayed your trust. Not on purpose but it has done so regardless. I apologize for that. But… the Long Night…"

"The alliance against the White Walkers is still in place." He said and Lord Stark slumped in relief "House Bolton will play it's part in the defense of the Wall. Because if it falls, then it is likely that the whole of the North will fall with it. I would rather such a thing not happen."

Lord Stark nodded and he turned around and left the room.

He stopped at the door and looked at the man once again "I'll be waiting to hear how you plan to recompense me for this insult Lord Stark."