Leave a comment if you want more of it!
____________________
The next morning, Ethan woke before dawn with new purpose burning in his veins.
[Daily Quest Completed!]
[+50 EXP]
[Level 2 → Level 3 (80/300 EXP)]
[+1 Stat Point awarded]
He dumped the free point into Strength without hesitation. His arms felt noticeably stronger as he stretched. The bruises from yesterday's fight had already faded thanks to his improved Vitality.
After finishing his stable duties quickly (the unconscious stable master had been found and was now blaming "a wildling"), Ethan washed his face in a barrel of icy water and changed into the cleanest black tunic he owned. He looked… decent. Not noble, but far from a common servant.
"System, show me the Shop."
[Supreme Throne Shop]
Balance: 80 System Points
Available Items:
Minor Healing Potion ×3 (20 SP each)
Basic Sword Mastery (Lv.1) – 150 SP
Charisma Potion (Temporary +5) – 80 SP
Dragon Egg Fragment (1/10) – 500 SP
Random Skill Scroll (Common) – 100 SP
"Too expensive for now," he muttered. "Need to grind more quests."
He set off on foot toward Winterfell. The eight-mile walk through snowy woods gave him time to think. Memories of the original Ethan Snow mixed with his own knowledge of the show. He knew what was coming: Robert Baratheon's visit, Ned becoming Hand, the Lannister mess, the war…
Not this time.
By the time the great grey walls of Winterfell appeared, the sun was high. The castle looked exactly like the HBO set but felt ten times more real — massive, ancient, and intimidating.
Two guards at the main gate stopped him.
"State your business, bastard."
"Sansa Stark invited me," Ethan said calmly. "Tell her Ethan Snow is here."
The guards exchanged doubtful looks but sent a runner. Ten minutes later, Sansa herself appeared, flanked by two maids and a guard.
She had changed into a finer gown, deep blue with silver embroidery. Her auburn hair was braided elegantly. When her eyes met Ethan's, a small, almost shy smile touched her lips.
"You came," she said softly.
"I keep my promises, my lady."
The guards looked shocked that Lady Sansa was personally greeting a bastard, but they let him through.
As they walked through the courtyard, Sansa spoke quietly. "My father is busy with preparations for King Robert's arrival. But I told him about you. He wants to see the boy who… handled himself well yesterday."
Ethan nodded, noticing how she kept glancing at him. Her Favorability had risen to 31/100 overnight.
[Romance Quest Unlocked]
"Winter Rose" – Increase Sansa Stark's Favorability to 60+. Reward: +500 EXP, Sansa Personal Affection Skill, Special Harem Reward.
They reached the main hall just as Eddard Stark was finishing morning court. The Lord of Winterfell looked exactly as Sean Bean portrayed him — stern, honorable, with a heavy sense of duty.
Ned's grey eyes studied Ethan carefully.
"So you're the Blackwood bastard," Ned said. "My daughter says you showed courage against a grown man. And you speak like a educated man."
"I've read what books I could find, my lord," Ethan replied, keeping his head slightly bowed but posture straight. "And I want more than a life in the stables."
Robb Stark stood beside his father, red hair bright, looking every bit the young heir. Jon Snow stood further back, also watching with interest — two Snows in one room.
"What would you ask of me?" Ned asked.
"A chance to train with your men, my lord. I want to become a soldier. Maybe one day a sworn sword."
Ned considered him for a long moment. The man's honor made him fair, even to bastards.
"Very well. You may train under Ser Rodrik. Prove yourself and we'll see. Sansa, show him to the training yard."
As they left the hall, Robb clapped Ethan on the shoulder. "Not bad for a southern bastard. Try not to die on your first day."
Jon gave him a small nod — silent respect between two bastards.
Sansa walked with Ethan toward the training yard, her maids trailing behind. When they were relatively alone near the armory, she stopped.
"You're different," she whispered. "Most bastards are… rough. Angry. You speak like you belong in a song."
Ethan turned to face her fully. The system's Charisma made his next words come out smooth and intense.
"Maybe I do belong in a song, my lady. And maybe you're the lady in it."
Sansa's cheeks turned pink. She looked away, biting her lip — that classic Sansa gesture.
[Favorability +8]
[Current: 39/100]
Before she could reply, a loud voice interrupted.
"New meat!"
Theon Greyjoy swaggered over, smirking. "Heard you beat a man twice your size with a shovel. Let's see if you can swing a real sword, Snow."
Ethan grinned. This was perfect.
Training Yard – 30 minutes later
Ethan stood in borrowed leather armor, holding a blunted steel sword. His body was still weak compared to the others, but his stats were rising fast.
Theon attacked first — cocky and fast.
Ethan dodged, using his higher Agility. He countered with a strike that grazed Theon's side.
[Basic Sword Mastery (Lv.1) progress: 45%]
They exchanged blows for ten minutes. Ethan lost the first two spars but won the third when he tripped Theon with a clever foot move and pressed the sword to his throat.
The northern soldiers cheered.
[+40 EXP]
[Strength +1]
[Agility +1]
Jon Snow stepped forward next. Their duel was cleaner, more even. Both bastards fought with quiet intensity. In the end, it was a draw.
Afterward, as they caught their breath, Jon spoke quietly.
"You fight like you've got something to prove."
"I do," Ethan answered. "Don't you?"
Jon gave a half-smile. "Every day."
Sansa watched the entire time from the balcony above, her eyes never leaving Ethan.
That evening, after a simple meal in the servant hall, Ethan returned to the small room he'd been given near the stables inside Winterfell.
He opened the system again.
[Level 4 (120/400 EXP)]
Status:
Strength: 15
Agility: 16
Endurance: 14
Vitality: 13
Charisma: 21
Dragon Affinity: 2
[New Skill Unlocked: Basic Sword Mastery (Lv.1)]
He bought one Minor Healing Potion and a Common Skill Scroll with his points.
[Skill Scroll Used!]
Obtained: Minor Fire Resistance (Passive)
"Useful for when I meet dragons," he muttered with a smirk.
A knock came at his door.
He opened it.
Sansa stood there, wearing a simple cloak over her nightgown, hood up. She looked nervous but determined.
"I… brought you this," she said, handing him a small book. "Poems from the North. You said you like reading."
Ethan took it, their fingers brushing. The contact sent a small spark through both of them.
"Thank you, Sansa." His voice dropped lower. "You didn't have to come here yourself. It's dangerous for you."
"I know." She looked up at him, blue eyes shining in the torchlight. "But I wanted to."
The air between them grew thick.
Ethan gently touched her cheek. "You're going to be the most beautiful lady in Westeros one day."
Sansa's breath hitched. For a moment, it looked like she might lean in.
Then footsteps echoed down the corridor. She pulled back quickly.
"Goodnight, Ethan Snow," she whispered, hurrying away.
[Favorability +12]
[Current: 51/100]
[Harem Conquest Progress: 51%]
Ethan closed the door, heart racing.
"System… this is going to be addictive."
[Warning: King Robert's party will arrive in 18 days.]
[New Side Quest: Impress the Royal Party] Reward: 800 EXP + Chance to gain favor with Robert Baratheon / Cersei Lannister
Ethan lay on his bed, staring at the wooden beams.
He was still weak. Still low level. But he was inside Winterfell. He had Sansa's attention. He had a sword in his hand and a system in his head.
The game had truly begun.
And he was going to rewrite every single page of it.
_______________________
Drop your Power Stones and let this story rise to the top!