Barrowtown was quite far from Winterfell.
Its territory reached all the way to the Neck, giving it a somewhat warmer climate.
Riding at a good pace on Ater, they didn't arrive until the following day.
The city was different from most he had seen in the North, because a true city had formed around the castle, which in turn was surrounded by another, lower wall.
The checks at the city gates were quite lax; they only really drew attention because of Ater's size.
Moving through the city streets, he saw a very lively place, much more so than Winter Town.
There were shops on both sides of the streets and more people than he had expected to find so far north. Carts loaded with goods came and went while merchants called out their wares.
Harry observed everything with interest. Barrowtown was far more prosperous than he had imagined; a city like this was too important to ignore.
Having its ruler resent the Starks was definitely not something he wanted to leave unresolved.
''What a big city,'' Val said in amazement, looking at the buildings and the people moving through the streets. Neither Steam Town nor Winter Town could compare.
''It is,'' Harry said briefly, lost in thought as they continued toward the center of the city.
It was then that they reached the castle, and upon seeing them, a pair of guards immediately intercepted them.
''I'm Harry Stark, I've come to see Lady Dustin,'' Harry said as he cast a Confundus Charm on them before entering the castle.
The soldiers looked at each other before continuing their guard duty, for some reason forgetting that they were supposed to report his arrival.
Harry moved through the corridors at a hurried pace, finally finding a servant and immediately asking her to take him to Lady Dustin.
Meeting Harry's steady gaze and noticing the wolf emblem on his chest, she didn't hesitate for long before guiding him toward Lady Dustin's office.
Unaware that Harry had practically snuck into the castle.
Harry walked behind the servant while remaining attentive to his surroundings.
He wanted to see the look on that woman's face when she saw him and find out why she seemed so displeased with his family.
Although he knew what he was doing was incredibly discourteous and offensive, he wasn't going to give Lady Dustin the chance to pretend to be sick.
The servant guided them until they reached a pair of beautifully decorated double doors.
The entire castle had a luxurious appearance, uncommon in the North.
Just as she was about to knock on the door and announce the young Stark's presence, she watched in surprise as Harry simply opened the door and walked in.
Val followed him with interest, wanting to see what would happen, Harry wasn't usually so impulsive, so seeing a new side of him was always interesting.
Harry entered and immediately met the surprised and furious gaze of a woman in her thirties. She was attractive, wearing a black dress with matching makeup. Her long black hair fell loose down her back.
She wore no jewelry or ornaments, which surprised him a little.
''Lady Dustin, I presume,'' Harry said with a curious smile as he moved closer.
''Who are you?'' Lady Dustin asked cautiously before suddenly noticing the wolf on Harry's chest.
''You're Harry Stark,'' Lady Dustin said, quickly recovering from her surprise.
She truly hadn't expected someone so famous to suddenly barge into her office.
''That's right,'' Harry said, pulling out a chair in front of Lady Dustin's desk and sitting down as he evaluated her.
''Lord Harry, I ask that you treat me with respect, a letter of notice would have been the proper thing if you wanted to visit me,'' Lady Dustin said, frowning slightly.
''If I did that, perhaps I'd find you in bed pretending to be sick. I don't see you being so indisposed that you can't come when your Lord has summoned you several times,'' Harry said, looking at her calmly.
The servant who had brought them swallowed as she felt the atmosphere grow tense.
''Leave us,'' Lady Dustin said, looking at the servant.
She quickly nodded before closing both doors and leaving.
''If I say I'm indisposed, it means I am,'' Lady Dustin said, looking at Harry with a composure that honestly surprised him.
The woman in front of him didn't seem even slightly intimidated by his arrival or his presence.
''I don't think that's how things work when your House swears fealty to another,'' Harry said, frowning.
''Boy, when you're Lord Stark, you can give me your sermon,'' Lady Dustin said, leaning back languidly in her seat.
''By the time I'm Lord Stark, it won't be a sermon,'' Harry said, staring at her.
''Then what do you suggest?'' Lady Dustin said with some exasperation.
''First I want to know the reason. My father is quite respected among the other Lords; I can't find a logical reason for your hostility,'' Harry said.
Lady Dustin looked at Harry while her fingers ran through her hair, remaining silent for a few seconds before answering.
''All of those things happened before you were born, boy. They're none of your concern,'' Lady Dustin said, with no interest in talking about her past.
''Maybe they're none of my concern, but I have to deal with their consequences,'' Harry said, looking at her.
Lady Dustin looked at Harry with irritation, considering simply asking him to leave, but she assumed that would only bring her more problems.
In the end, she let out a sigh before interlacing her hands, leaning forward and resting her forearms on the desk. She met the bright green eyes of the boy in front of her.
''I'm sure your Maester didn't teach you this part of history, but more than 15 years ago I was about to become engaged to your uncle Brandon, my relationship with him was already something of an open secret,'' the woman said with a faint look of reminiscence.
''But everything was ruined when the Maester at the time convinced your grandfather that it would be of greater benefit to marry the heir to a Tully.''
''And there I was, a young woman in love who was no longer a virgin and had the man she expected to marry taken away from her,'' she said in a sarcastic tone.
''Then you were betrothed to Willam Dustin,'' Harry said, looking at the woman who seemed to be telling someone else's story.
''Willam wasn't the husband I had hoped for, but he was a good man. He treated me with respect every day from the moment I arrived. I thought I could come to love him with time, but I was left with nothing but the horse I gave him before he left,'' Lady Dustin said while her eyes looked at him with conflicted emotions.
''That's rough, southerners really make relationships complicated,'' Val said, leaning closer to Harry and whispering.
Harry pinched Val's thigh to make her be quiet while quickly thinking about what to do.
''It's not my House's fault, is that what you want to say?'' the woman said, looking at Harry, who seemed like he wanted to say something.
Harry looked at her, at a loss for words. If not for his Occlumency, he would have thought the woman could read his thoughts.
''Maybe it isn't, but I have nothing else. Even indirectly, your House made me lose everything,'' Lady Dustin said, showing some resentment in her eyes.
Harry only looked at her in silence, feeling genuinely confused. He almost wondered what he had gotten himself into; he had no idea what to say to her.
Comfort her? Or tell her that her resentment was stupid after so many years?
Val looked at Harry, who seemed not to know what to say, and immediately guessed that the story had softened him.
She couldn't help smiling, thinking that it was her moment.
''And do you plan to stay like this for the rest of your life?'' Val asked, unable to endure the silence any longer.
Somehow, she felt that this woman was trying to drive Harry away by using her past to make him feel sorry for her. She had to admit that the woman had chosen well; Harry tended to be weak in these kinds of situations.
Lady Dustin's gaze immediately sharpened as she turned toward the young blonde woman.
''What is that supposed to mean?''
''You've been angry for more than a decade over two dead men. Get over it already, find yourself a husband or have children,'' Val said, rolling her eyes.
''If you're going to bring your women around, at least teach them something about politics,'' Lady Dustin said, addressing Harry without bothering to answer Val.
Val looked at the woman in annoyance before looking at Harry, who remained silent for a moment before answering.
''She isn't a Dustin by birth. She can remarry and have ten children if she wants. That's not the problem,'' Harry said, looking at Val.
''The problem is what would happen afterward. She rules these lands as Willam Dustin's widow, but she doesn't have a clear heir.''
''If she remarries, her new husband and his House would have their own interests in these lands. And if she simply has a child without marrying, she would have to get her vassals to accept that child as her heir.''
''Not to mention that the Dustin vassal Houses have their own interests. As long as there is no clear heir, they can tolerate the situation, but as soon as one appears, some would surely try to favor their own interests.''
''It's a whole political mess,'' Harry said, looking at Val.
''Listen, I really want to solve this situation between us somehow. I don't know if you have something in mind,'' Harry said with a sigh as he looked at her.
The woman looked at Harry and her expression softened a little as she remained silent for a moment.
''There's nothing you can do. Nothing will bring back the husband I lost or the children I never had, you'd better go home, it's not as if I'm going to betray you, I simply don't like your House,'' Lady Dustin said, shaking her head.
Val looked at her in surprise when she heard her say that before looking at Harry.
''And I'm supposed to be fine with that?'' Harry said with an ironic smile.
''You don't have another choice,'' Lady Dustin said, shrugging slightly. A faint curve appeared on her lips as she watched him fall silent.
Remembering the impulsive way Harry had entered her office, she had to admit that she was enjoying his silence a little.
The room fell into silence. Their conversation seemed to have reached a dead end.
''Why don't you have a child with Harry? If it's a Stark, they shouldn't dare bother you,'' Val said suddenly, breaking the silence.
Her words landed like a bomb, making both Harry and Lady Dustin look at her in disbelief.
''You're really bold,'' Lady Dustin said, letting out a low chuckle. She herself didn't know whether she was furious or amused.
Then, suddenly, she fell silent, her expression slowly changing as Val's words began to sink in.
''I'm just saying, if you want to have a child who can inherit your position,'' Val said, shrugging before looking at Harry, ready to leave.
The black-haired woman narrowed her eyes at the blonde before looking at Harry.
She noticed that the boy was looking at Val with a mixture of annoyance and amusement at her words.
Her fingers pressed against the desk until the tips turned white. The blonde's words seemed crazy, but the more they echoed in her mind, the more she realized that it was an option she had never considered.
A child of Harry Stark wouldn't be a Dustin.
But neither would it be a child the lesser lords could easily push aside.
Perhaps only a crazy and ignorant woman like her would think of something like that, let alone dare to say it aloud.
She had thought in the past about simply having a child, making him her heir, and fighting anyone who got in the way, but after weighing the situation, she had never dared to do it.
She was surrounded by lesser Houses that coveted her position. At first they tried to court her with marriage proposals, but she wasn't stupid; as soon as she accepted one of them, she would have to share her power with a man whose family would also have interests in her lands.
Even if Winterfell intervened in her favor, by remarrying she could lose the position she retained as Willam Dustin's widow.
''Forget it. The next time I ask you to go to Winterfell, I expect a different answer. In return, I'll see what I can do for you regarding the lesser Houses,'' Harry said as he placed one hand on the desk and stood up, ready to leave.
Before he could remove his hand from the desk, Lady Dustin's voice stopped him.
''Wait... just wait a moment,'' the woman said, frowning.
Her expression was complicated, with a hint of embarrassment in her eyes, as if she herself couldn't believe what she was doing.
Under Harry's gaze, she could only remain silent, trying to form the words in her mind without making them sound ridiculous.
''What do you think of her words?'' Lady Dustin asked, meeting Harry's bright green eyes.
To her embarrassment, the look the boy in front of her gave her was one of pure disbelief.
Even so, she could only hold his gaze, trying to make him understand that her question was serious.
The sound of Val's suppressed laughter didn't even make her blink.
''That someone needs to read more books on politics,'' Harry said awkwardly.
Lady Dustin noticed his discomfort. Gently biting her lip, she thought about giving up.
But remembering that, if she did nothing, she would probably die without ever having had a child, she hardened her expression and tried to set aside dignity and embarrassment.
''You could consider her words. If we had a child, our interests would be united. Although I can't answer for House Ryswell, I would do everything possible to make them support you,'' Lady Dustin said after a moment of silence.
The blonde really was right. Harry was an exceptionally good option: he had no interest in taking away her power, he was the future Lord Stark and had all of the North at his disposal. He didn't need her lands nor did he have any reason to dispute her authority.
She could keep her power, she would have a child and would even have the support of the future Lord Stark.
She felt more convinced with each passing moment. It was an opportunity to change her fate.
A loud laugh echoed through the room.
''I like you,'' Val said, looking at her with interest.
''Shut up,'' Harry said, looking at her in annoyance.
Val only made a face at him before smiling, genuinely interested in Harry's answer.
Harry looked at the woman in silence. Seeing her surface thoughts, he couldn't help feeling truly confused.
He had never been in that situation. He wasn't even sure he wanted a child, much less one with a woman he had just met and with whom, although he didn't hate her, his relationship wasn't exactly good.
Lady Dustin's anxiety and embarrassment were really strong, but even stronger was her fear.
Considering the political benefits and feeling somewhat moved by the emotions he was picking up, Harry began to hesitate.
His mother would throw a tantrum when she found out, his father would probably be upset too.
But he supposed that sleeping with the vassals wasn't the political solution his father expected.
''I won't ask you for anything beyond this. I don't expect marriage or love, I only want a child to whom I can leave my position and have the satisfaction of raising him,'' the woman said, looking at Harry with a hint of pleading in her gaze.
Harry felt that he really couldn't look her in the eyes. Unconsciously, he glanced at Val, only to find her looking back at him.
Letting out a sigh, he looked back at Lady Dustin.
''And what about the problems between us?'' Harry asked.
''My problem was never with you. If we have a child, you'll have all my support as long as you give me yours,'' Lady Dustin said, looking at him seriously.
''I need to think about it,'' Harry said, looking somewhat lost.
''Of course. For now, how about we have something to eat? I'll have them prepare a feast,'' Lady Dustin said, standing up decisively before walking to the door and opening it.
The servant who was several meters away immediately approached to see what Lady Dustin needed.
''Have them prepare the best feast they can, as quickly as possible,'' Lady Dustin said, looking at the servant.
She nodded nervously before quickly walking away down the corridor.
''This way,'' Lady Dustin said, guiding them toward the dining room.
''What a good hostess,'' Val said with a slight smile.
''By the way, who are you? Please tell me you're not the next Lady Stark,'' Lady Dustin said, glancing at the blonde.
''Of course not, I'm Val, Lord Stark's favorite,'' Val said with a mocking smile.
Barely a hint of a smile appeared on Lady Dustin's lips before she shook her head and continued walking. It had been a long time since anyone had dared to joke with her.
Harry simply walked behind them with a contemplative expression.
He wondered if accepting something like this counted as selling his body.
Once at the table, several servants brought some drinks and a little bread while Harry could hear the commotion coming from the kitchen. They were clearly rushing to prepare something.
The silence at the table was somewhat uncomfortable. Being the oldest among them, Lady Dustin felt that she should say something, so she fixed her eyes on Harry before speaking.
''I've heard a lot about you. Some things are difficult to believe: the grain, the livestock, and the enormous metal beast that can carry anything,'' Lady Dustin said, looking at him.
Harry blinked, somewhat surprised by the change of subject, before nodding.
''They're things I've done over the years. It's no secret that I give grain to the Houses; if you had gone, you would have gotten your share,'' Harry said, looking at her.
''To be honest, I wanted nothing to do with the Starks,'' Lady Dustin said, gently swirling the wine in her cup.
''Ah, but now you even want his bloodline,'' Val said teasingly.
''Besides, it's not as if it was charity. If the amount of grain we produce increases, the amount we give to Winterfell each year also increases,'' Lady Dustin said, ignoring Val and looking at Harry.
If that had been his intention, it had been truly clever: he had gained an impeccable reputation among the people and, at the same time, increased the grain he received from the Houses.
''You'd still be the biggest beneficiary,'' Harry said, shrugging.
The servants began arriving with the food, so they paused their conversation until they were alone again.
''There's something I want to ask you before giving you an answer,'' Harry said, looking at the woman. He noticed how she immediately tensed as she stared at him.
''You're Lord Ryswell's daughter. It wouldn't be that difficult for you to have a child and make him your heir with your father's help. My father wouldn't make things difficult for you either,'' Harry said, looking at her.
''If you put it that way, it isn't that difficult. The problem is that my father only looks after the interests of House Ryswell, and that's what he should do, but who would look after the interests of House Dustin?'' Lady Dustin said as her fingers tightened around her cup.
''But you're originally from House Ryswell, why do you care so much about House Dustin?'' Val asked, confused.
''At first, my father began giving me advice that benefited House Ryswell. I still saw myself as a Ryswell, so I didn't hesitate to follow it, but little by little it began to affect the city's economy.''
''It was then that I realized. In House Ryswell I was only Lord Ryswell's daughter, but in House Dustin I am Lady Dustin.''
''If House Dustin is powerful, so am I. If House Ryswell is powerful, only my father is. Since then, I decided that I would put the interests of my House above those of House Ryswell.''
''In conclusion, you rebelled,'' Val said, chuckling.
''Either I marry a man from one of the more powerful lesser Houses, or I marry a man loyal to my father. In both cases my power would slowly erode. The safest way to preserve it and have a child is with someone who has no interest in my position. In other words, you,'' Lady Dustin said, staring at Harry.
''You can be in his life as much as you wish. I only hope you'll support his succession,'' the woman said.
''I see,'' Harry said briefly.
The table fell silent as both women looked at Harry, waiting for him to make a decision.
''You don't have to answer me immediately. Think it over carefully. It's not a decision that should be made so quickly,'' Lady Dustin said when she saw the conflicted expression on Harry's face.
She knew she was only delaying the answer. She was afraid he would reject her.
''I'll think about it,'' Harry said, also feeling some relief at not having to answer immediately.
After dinner, Lady Dustin guided them to the rooms that had been prepared for them. Once Harry and Val entered, she returned to her own chambers accompanied by her trusted maid.
''Lis, help me bathe,'' Lady Dustin said, looking at the brown-haired servant.
She immediately approached and began carefully undressing her.
Looking at herself, she noticed that her skin was no longer as smooth as it had been years ago. Her hands ran over her breasts and she couldn't help thinking that they weren't as firm as they had been in her youth either.
The rest of her body remained in good shape, her abdomen was still smooth and her legs were defined. She had always considered herself very beautiful, but at that moment she couldn't help feeling a little insecure.
''My Lady?'' the maid asked when she saw her distracted.
''Lis, do you think I'm attractive?'' Lady Dustin asked, looking at her.
The servant looked at Lady Dustin in surprise before quickly recovering.
''Of course, my lady is a beautiful woman,'' Lis said, looking at her. She wasn't lying. Lady Dustin was barely past thirty and still retained much of the beauty she had possessed in her twenties.
''Would you tell me the truth if I weren't?'' Lady Dustin said, letting out a low chuckle as she shook her head.
''I don't think so,'' Lis said softly as she smiled somewhat mischievously.
Smiling slightly, she entered the water, feeling the warmth spread over her skin.
Even the warmth of the water couldn't relax her; she could feel a knot in her stomach.
----
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