After the fight at the tavern, when the Lannister knights were dealt with and I finally had my fill—all to Stark's irritation, who kept looking outside the door like Tywin Lannister himself would enter at any moment, swords flaring—I told Stark that we would stay the night.
"We'll not move tonight," I said, and before I could get any reply from the man who was glaring at me fanatically, I held up my hand in front of him.
"It's best the girls rest. They've seen enough blood for one day. As you said, there ain't any other place to get any warmth before we go halfway into the Riverlands."
Ned hesitated. He looked out the small window toward the road ahead. "I don't like it. If Tywin has started to move his banners, we might be marching straight into danger."
"Danger marching towards them, you mean..." I looked him in the eyes, daring him to deny it. Which, of course, he didn't—understanding what I was implying.
Sansa, at this, let out a soft giggle—quite unlike her, at least how she had been acting all this time.
Arya was sporting a smirk of her own, like she was looking forward to more of what had just happened.
I wouldn't say I would mind cracking some skulls myself. Never thought that power would make someone barbaric like that.
"Look, I know you're worried. But the girls need strength. And I am here. I will keep watch."
"Yes, Thor can beat them all. He's strong." Arya grinned. The little one didn't know how close she was to the truth, calling me strong after seeing me beat the Mountain and play her silly water dance with her.
With a sigh, Ned agreed. There was sense in Thor's words. The nearest safe house was days away, and the Riverlands could already be filled with spies. The tavern—small and hidden—was their best chance to rest in peace.
And there was more reason for me to stubbornly stay—the girl and her father. There was a chance those men would get to them if I left immediately. They couldn't stay here, and I fully intended to make sure they left this place before we moved out.
I honestly didn't care much about the owner. A man who watched his daughter get raped in front of him and did nothing was disgusting. Yeah, maybe he couldn't do anything—but not even trying was absurd.
I just didn't wish for the girl to face the same fate I had prevented today. Not my responsibility by any means, but after I saw it, I just couldn't let it happen.
That night, the inn was quiet. The girl was tended to by her father, who kept thanking me. I barely stopped myself from showing my disgust.
Perhaps I was a little too hard on him. Not that I was wrong, but this world is very used to this kind of thing. Prostitution was common and very legal.
Rape though—not so much. But it happens nonetheless. All for people like Tywin Lannister, who would do anything and everything if it suits him.
Tsk, I should have let the faceless man go after that old lion.
Shaking my head, I looked around.
I was given the largest room—a small upstairs chamber with a single bed and a wooden table. Strange, considering I was accompanied by a Lord Paramount. Haha...
It wasn't much, but better than most places I had rested in since arriving in this world. Undressing down to my trousers, I laid Mjolnir close to my side and allowed myself some sleep.
Before getting here, I had finally gotten the bath I was longing for—and oh, it was glorious. Never thought a simple bath—which wasn't even that good since I had to bathe out in the open—could lift my mood like this.
I was getting cozy slowly. The bed was nothing compared to the one I had in King's Landing, but it was warm, and sleep came naturally to me. However, just as I was about to fall deeply asleep, a soft knock stirred me awake.
"What in Odin's name is wrong with these people and their ungodly timing for visiting others." I had two thoughts about throwing Mjolnir at the door. I wouldn't even have to get up to get it back either. It was ridiculously tempting.
Grumbling, I got up, my hand reaching for the hammer before I even sat up. Just in case. Another knock came. Sharp. Soft. Careful.
However, when I finally opened the door, my eyes widened at what I saw.
It was the same girl I had saved earlier—the innkeeper's daughter. I should have asked for her name.
But that wasn't what was important right now. She was barely dressed.
She stood in a sheer, thin nightgown, nearly transparent in the dim candlelight. Her hair was loose, her feet bare. I could see her erect nipples through the thin layer of cloth she wore due to the candlelight she held.
She was slightly taller than Sansa, and Sansa is pretty tall for her age. Must be in her mid-teens or so. She was developing all the right curves in all the right places.
"Milord..."
I blinked. I almost forgot I was staring. My lips thinned... a huge blush came to my face, but with pure willpower, I pushed it down, or else I would have made an utter fool of myself.
"Calm down... calm down," I muttered inside my head, trying not to look at those glorious peaks that were forcing my mountain to wake up.
Taking deep breaths, I calmed myself, and that was when I noticed I wasn't the only one staring.
I looked down only to notice I was topless—much easier to sleep in, though not very safe. Though it worked out perfectly now since the girl completely ignored my ogling her assets while doing the same to me.
"Yeah. I'm the Hot Guy now."
A smile appeared on my face almost instinctively. Before I opened my mouth—
"Ahem..."
"I presume you like what you see."
The girl almost jolted back. Her face said she hadn't expected this—if anything, it was the exact opposite of what she had planned.
"Mi...mi...milord. I...I wasn't." She stuttered. She had nothing to fear, but still, seeing how young she was, it made sense.
"You weren't...?" I asked, my smile now getting a little predatory. Surely this was the inner Thor coming out. Last I remember, I was a complete gentleman.
The girl flustered, now a little self-conscious.
"Shame. Here I thought my charm pulled you to me." I slowly raised my hand and lifted her chin gently.
And oh, that blush.
Handsome guys have such an advantage. I'm not sure whether I hate them more now or love my current situation.
The girl began to shudder, shifting her eyes from my face to those godly muscles—which I'd like to credit to my daily grind, but honestly, it was Thor's genetics and power.
Slowly, I stepped forward, making the girl step back—perhaps from fright or nervousness. Two steps in and she found herself firmly pressed against the wall while I towered over her.
A little chuckle escaped my mouth seeing the girl the way she was. If not for the candle in her hand, I wouldn't have seen those erect nipples. She was getting aroused.
Slowly, I raised my hand and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"You know, it's not suited for a young maiden like you to visit a man's quarters late at night. People might think we are up to no good," I leaned forward and whispered in her ear.
And earned a very satisfying hum from her, which almost felt like a response to my breath near her ear more than the question.
Now I was questioning why I was doing this to this girl again. Last I knew, I wasn't into this teasing thing. But there was just something about her innocent behavior and defenseless self that I couldn't hold back.
"What's your name?" I once again gently asked.
"Huh...?"
"Your name, my lady."
"Hmm... I'm Mina, milord. I'm not a lady," she replied with an obvious stutter. That last line was quite similar to a little she-wolf I knew—but different. Arya says it in defiance, while Mina said it like it was common knowledge. Like she'd given in to her reality.
"Mina, that's a beautiful name. And what do you mean by 'not a lady'?" I asked, genuinely acting curious.
"I'm... a lowborn, milord. I... I'm..."
"Shush..." I put a finger on top of her mouth. Why I was enjoying this was beyond me, but I wasn't stopping.
"A knight decides his lord and lady, dear... and for me, you are a lady. And a beautiful one at that."
The girl's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Say, Mina, did your father put you up to this?" I asked, but this time my tone wasn't the earlier husky one—more like demanding.
Because if that man sent his daughter to me, I didn't want it. I might be going mad with hormones driving me nuts, but I wouldn't take it. Again, some crazy kind of pride—but I knew at least this much: it wasn't the right thing to do.
xxx
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