"This is so delicious," Myrcella couldn't stop eating a dessert that Eira had placed in front of her after she finished her main meal. The princess had already spent a night in the city of Aeternum, though only seeing the castle. She hoped to go out and see much more today.
"Indeed," Tyrion nodded and said after taking the spoon from his mouth. "It's smooth, and it's sweet, but it leaves a slightly bitter aftertaste."
"How did you come up with something like this?" Myrcella asked Eira, the only other person in the dining room with them. Everyone else was having breakfast and lunch earlier, so they could work long hours before sunset.
"That's thanks to our lord. Every dish, every new food and drink, was invented and tested by him. Our lord won't allow anything he's invented that tastes bad to be eaten. It's the same with other things; everything we've achieved is thanks to him."
"Jon cooks?" Myrcella asked, surprised.
Eira nodded, finally showing an expression on her face. She looked a little annoyed and had frowned.
"I've tried to stop him, but he just appears in the kitchens out of nowhere and starts cooking. The cooks don't stop him either, because they know he might come up with a new dish, and they want to learn."
"Jon Stark is strange. On the one hand, he seems too kind, but I've heard he's killed many wildlings."
"Don't mistake my lord's kindness for weakness, Lannister," Eira said coldly. "Off the battlefield, he is a lord who has earned the respect of his people, but when he draws his sword, the rest turn away from him. Every cut, every blow my lord strikes against the enemy is only to kill."
"You're different from the other handmaids here," Tyrion said, pointing with his spoon.
"What did that boy do to earn such loyalty?"
"That's none of your business," Eira said expressionlessly. She turned her gaze to Myrcella.
"Princess, when you've finished your dessert, I'll take you outside. My lord has prepared a special horse for you."
"Really?" Myrcella asked excitedly.
"Lord Stark doesn't have as much time as he'd like, but he's arranged things so you can enjoy yourself for a day."
"That's wonderful. I'll have to thank him later."
Eira nodded before standing behind Myrcella, waiting for the princess to finish her meal. Tyrion simply glanced at her before snorting; something told him the maid's disdain wasn't due to his dwarfism, but to something else.
When Myrcella finally finished, she walked excitedly outside as Eira led the way to the stables. There, she saw a beautiful white horse waiting.
"She's so pretty."
"She's a mare, so I think beautiful would be a more accurate word."
"Can I pet her?"
"Just gently. She doesn't know you yet, so she'll have to be a little patient, though she's always been calm," Eira said before watching Myrcella curiously reach out and stroke the horse's head, close to its mane.
...
Myrcella had already seen the city when she arrived, but that view was nothing compared to the one she was enjoying as she rode slowly on her horse. Eira was on another horse nearby, keeping a watchful eye out for anything, especially to make sure Myrcella didn't fall.
"Yesterday I saw many people working, why aren't they working now?" Myrcella asked curiously. Most of the people she saw seemed to be walking or resting; some men were even sitting outside their tents in comfortable chairs, their eyes closed.
"Our lord takes into account the quality of life of the people. As long as they have the necessary tools, people will work, but they will become too exhausted if they push themselves too hard. Work begins when the sun is up, although some work starts before sunrise. However, they can take breaks at lunchtime if they wish; they have the right to close their tents either to rest or spend some time with their families."
"They can also have the seventh day of the week off."
"Why?"
Eira looked at Myrcella, tacitly indicating that she should continue and be more specific.
"I mean..." Myrcella thought for a moment when she saw Eira's expression. "Jon seems to care a lot about the people in the city, almost as if they weren't just strangers. Why does he do that?"
"Does he know what the city's name means?"
"I haven't heard an explanation on that subject."
"Aeternum is a word from another language, an older one. The word means always or eternally, and it was used in conjunction with another to write 'in aeternum,' which means for all eternity."
"When our lord realized that the simple fortress he had been given to protect was growing so rapidly that it became a city, he decided to dedicate himself entirely to creating the greatest city. He wants everyone to remember the city, its ways, and how it transformed from a desolate place into the greatest city."
"My lord said, 'I want to create a place that isn't just rocks and wood piled up into structures. I want Aeternum to be its people, so that even if it is destroyed in the future, it will remain in the hearts of the people, for all eternity.'"
"It was the first time I'd ever heard the lord of a place want the people around him to live well. In the end, it was just another reason why I decided to give my life to help him."
"That's wonderful," Myrcella smiled as she began to look at Jon. with different eyes. Only now did she understand that Jon Stark was so much more than she had thought.
"By the way, Eira. Were you born here? From your words, you seem to have a great affection for the city."
Eira's expression changed slightly when she heard that question. For a moment, she remembered those terrifying years and closed her eyes before shaking her head.
"No... I was from King's Landing."
"My lord took me in from the streets. I didn't know what someone from the North was doing in the capital until I came here, and he showed me everything. I lived in the filthy streets, begging every day for a little food. Every day was hell, and I didn't know if I would live to see the next morning, until I met Jon Snow." Eira lowered her gaze slightly before smiling. Myrcella was surprised to see Eira smile like that. She had only known her for a day, but she could tell that the handmaid wasn't good with her emotions or simply chose not to show them.
"I had been beaten, spat upon, and insulted; every time I asked for help, it was the same. But... when he saw me, he felt no disgust, no fear in his eyes. He simply extended his hand toward me."
"It was the first time I had felt the warmth of another person."
"I... I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing, Princess? I don't believe the suffering in your life was your fault."
Myrcella shook her head and said, "But my father and mother were supposed to be responsible for the people of the kingdom, especially in the capital. I myself have smelled the stench outside the castle, but I simply kept my distance."
"Seeing this place, hearing about your past, and comparing everything to where you used to live... it's as if King's Landing was hell and this is heaven."
"That was the case for many people, Princess. But you shouldn't torture yourself too much with such thoughts. You are here now, and you will live with our lord."
"Although I'm also thinking about my brother, Tommen. He was supposed to come too, but my mother screamed and complained so much that Father just let her do whatever she wanted rather than listen to her anymore. Tommen will have a hard time being alone with Joffrey."
"Isn't the First Prince a good person?"
"He enjoys hurting others," Myrcella said, wrinkling her nose in disgust.
"I see," Eira simply said and nodded.
"What's that?" Myrcella suddenly noticed a building with display cases showing different kinds of fabric and clothing.
"Ah, that's one of the two tailor shops. All kinds of garments are made there; people also learn tailoring in a building at the back."
"Can we go in?"
"Of course," Eira nodded before dismounting and helping Myrcella up. As they entered the doorway, they saw men and women turning their heads toward them.
"Miss Eira, what can I do for you today?" A woman walked from behind a counter and spoke respectfully to Eira.
"The princess was curious about the tailor shop. I hope you're not too busy."
The woman's eyes widened for a few seconds before she gave Myrcella a respectful bow.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Princess Myrcella."
"And of course, you can look at whatever you like. I'd be happy to show you around if that's what you want."
"That would be wonderful, thank you," Myrcella smiled before noticing some beautiful dresses displayed near a wall.
...
"Did you enjoy yourself?" Jon asked as he poured some tea. It was getting dark, and Jon had finally finished his work for the day. He called Myrcella over so they could have some quiet time alone to chat.
"Yes, it was all so exciting. We visited most of the city, I saw the tailor shops and other places."
"I hope Camille didn't bore you too much with all the information. She really loves creating clothes."
Myrcella shook her head. "No, I enjoyed the conversation. I learned things I didn't know about sewing and dressmaking."
"Eira told me about the name you gave the city. I think your goal is amazing, Jon." Myrcella smiled before picking up her cup and taking a sip of tea.
"Thank you," Jon smiled.
"No, I enjoyed the conversation. "How are you feeling? I mean, all this talk about our upcoming marriage. It must have been quite a shock for you."
"Not really. I knew it would happen eventually, though admittedly not in the way my father announced it. I just hope my grandfather doesn't do anything."
"Tywin Lannister? I understand he's a man of considerable wealth and political power. I've heard he's also very intelligent and cunning. But would he go so far as to disobey the king's orders?"
"Grandfather does many things, and few can stop him. If he's heard a lot about the city, then I don't think he'd do anything so rash, especially since the king legitimized you," Myrcella said earnestly, though Jon thought she was a bit naive to think that. Tywin Lannister could very well send an assassin into the city under the guise of seeking refuge. There are many ways to kill a person; a weapon isn't always necessary.
"Grandfather does many things, and few can stop him. If he's heard much about the city, then I don't think he'd do anything so rash, especially since the king legitimized you," Myrcella said earnestly, though Jon thought she was a bit naive to think that. Tywin Lannister could very well send an assassin to enter the city under the guise of seeking refuge. There are many ways to kill a person; a weapon isn't always necessary."
"You know quite a lot."
Myrcella tilted her head slightly.
"I'm sorry, when I first saw you, I thought you were an extremely naive girl, completely unaware of the things around her."
"That may be true sometimes, especially when I don't know someone. I think it's difficult to see a person's true nature when you don't know them."
Jon nodded, understanding. He thought it was good that she had eyes that revealed a person's lies and potential. He had already seen Myrcella's potential, and he was surprised. The aura surrounding Myrcella when she activated her eyes and saw people's potential was rare, even rarer than Eira's. While Eira had the potential to be the greatest knight, Myrcella had the potential to use magic. It was an impossibility in a world where magic was almost lost, but he saw it clearly.
However, magic was about to return, according to what his shadow and he himself sensed. Perhaps Myrcella could learn magic and become truly powerful in the future.
She would have to ask Harry for some help anyway; she needed to understand how magic worked in this world, and he was the best person she had nearby to teach her a little.
"By the way, Jon. I heard from Eira that there's a weirwood tree here. Can I see it tomorrow?"
"Of course. I'll take you there," Jon nodded. "Although it might be a little spooky."
"There's one near the capital, but I've never been to see it. I've always been curious about those trees. Mother never let me."
"Well, then we'll do that tomorrow."
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, and Jon let the person in.
"Excuse me," Eira entered carrying a large covered platter.
"Were you able to do it well?"
Eira felt like sighing at her master's question. Jon simply chuckled at Eira's expression.
"My lord, I've told you many times not to do this sort of thing. Even if the cooks love new recipes, you always end up scaring them off just by being in the kitchens."
"I think they just enjoy teasing you a little, Eira."
Eira didn't reply, but instead placed the plate on the table before bowing and leaving.
"Is this a new dish?"
"It's a dessert," Jon smiled at her before uncovering the large platter and revealing a cake. Myrcella saw something that looked soft covering the cake, and there were some sliced strawberries on top.
"Is this... a tart?"
"A cake," Jon replied as he cut a slice and placed it on a small plate already on the table. Myrcella immediately picked up a fork and cut a small piece, but was surprised at how soft it was. The closest thing she'd ever tasted was a tart, but the pastry was much harder. The fork seemed to sink into the cake before cutting through it smoothly.
Myrcella covered her mouth when she tasted the cake.
"It's so sweet!"
"That's the point. Do you like it?"
"Yes, it's very good!" Myrcella smiled before taking another slice.
"Then I'm glad," Jon nodded before he too began eating a piece of cake.
"I'm glad I came here."
Jon blinked and looked at Myrcella, who was smiling at him.
"Really?"
Myrcella nodded and continued, "It's only been a day, but I feel freer than ever. You're a great person too, Jon. I think I could be very happy here with you."
Jon sighed, his voice a little shaky.
"That's good, very good."
"To tell you the truth, I was quite nervous. I've never been very close to women because of my previous status as a bastard. I didn't know the right way to approach you or talk to you."
"You were a bastard, but I think you could have been a better man than any of them. Even if you're a true Stark now, I don't think things would have been all that different."
Jon gave Myrcella a genuine smile.