#direreign

❝ I really believe she’s making this more of than issue than it truly is. ❞ He says, a lilt coming through the thickness of his drawl, as he rolls his eyes. Fingers prod at the table he sits at -- across from Sansa -- eager to bore her with how he spent his morning. ❝ Mother complains about the fabric, how I’m not standing straight enough, what sort of colours I want... I thought this wasn’t about me. ❞ Wyllas’ mouth twists into a frown, taking a gulp from his tankard -- it doesn’t ease his irritableness. ❝ I’ve heard the servants say weddings are more about the bride than anything else. ❞

❝ You look beautiful, Lady Sansa, ❞ He whispers to her, gaze falling to the side. Their knees touch while they sat next to one another, in the open air of Barrow Hall’s courtyard, just below the old windmill. It wasn’t private, or quiet, but Wyllas doubt she wanted to stay inside while they talked. He would probably bore her, droning on about hunting, the horses, always curious about what she had done in the days prior to her arrival. ❝ Is your dress new? I don’t ever recall seeing you wear it, ❞

bran:

    FEET STOP ON THE STONE, the familiar smell of the musty walls hitting her nose. it felt almost odd to be in winterfell once more, an eerie sensation, but it was one lyanna was going to fight through ; there was a far more important reason as to why she decided to step back into her childhood home. calmly she moves through the hall until reaching what was now the throne room, looking to the red-haired queen that stood at the opposite end.   “ your guards look untrained, unorganized, ”   she begins, moving loser with each word, “ surely you must need someone to lead them, someone to protect you. ” lips suddenly pull into a smirk, “ i cannot help but to throw my name in for choosing, your grace. ”

        “  i  hope  you’re  feeling  better .  “

a week had passed since thomas shelby o.b.e was named into parliament for the labor party of SMALL HEATH. he had quite literally started as just a man part of the small heath rifles in a war that ruined him, to the man who represented the very people he had protected. there was a gala this evening, inviting all newly elected members of parliament to come and mingle with the existing, as well as benefactors and donors who helped lined the coffers of parliament. pol had given thomas no choice as to who his plus one would be, and she was working her charm, finding investors for the shelby company limited.

thomas stood within a small group of other men in the labor party, a cigarette between his lips and a crystal glass of whisky in his hand. ❝ 've only ever been a legitimate man of business. parliament was the next logical step, ❞ he spoke, free hand catching the cigarette for lips to drag, tendrils of smoke curling out from freckled lips. he received a pat on the back from one of the other men who commented on his liberating of the races. thomas's brows raised and he pointed with his cigarette hand at the other. ❝ i'll be sure to 'ave a box reserved, ❞ mentioned the bespectaled man as his eyes scanned the room.

crystalline gaze fell upon a shock of red hair across the sea of people, standing with two dark haired men. thomas did not immediately recognize them and he gestured in their direction to his compatriots. ❝ that's eddard stark, ned. the curly haired fella is his son, robb. ❞ thomas nodded, his attention staying fixed on the younger woman with them. ❝ and her? ❞ the men around him looked at each other. one even shook his head. ❝ that's ned's daughter, sansa. i'd stay away from the starks, sir. old ned is quite fond of his family, ❞ but thomas was no longer listening. he just needed the names. eyes still fixated on the girl, he put his cigarette out on the table beside them and left the group of men, glass in his other hand. he approached ned with an extended hand. ❝ ned stark, it's a pleasure, ❞ he gave a lingering glance to the red head. ❝ thomas shelby, labor from small 'eath. ❞ he then bowed his head respectfully to sansa, careful not to sidestep her father first.

the  solidarity  of  men ,   women ,  and  children  working  tirelessly  around  her  ascertain  the  love  and  devotion  the  people  have  for  their  rulers .   perhaps  one  day  they’d  love  her  the  same .

footsteps  cede  their  mark  behind  her  as  she  retires  the  cold  for  asylum  in  the  great  hall .   violet  eyes  feast  on  the  striking ,  𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 - 𝐫𝐞𝐝  strands  of  her  audience ,   the  lady  of  winterfell .   if  what  jon  said  of  his  sister  holds  true ,   this  could  mark  the  beginning  of  a  long - standing  union .

❝     lady  stark ,   i  thank  you  for  welcoming  me  into  your  home  and  entertaining  my  audience  .   i  understand  there  is  much  to  confer .     ❞