Game Of Thrones : Merchant of Two Worlds

Catelyn held her youngest son, Rickon, by the hand while Sansa, Arya, and Bran followed closely behind as they walked out of the hall alongside Eddard Stark.

The northern lords and nobles inside the great hall of Winterfell began filing out as well.

Just as Jason Liu's carriage rolled to a stop behind the courtyard in front of the First Keep of Winterfell, he stepped out, the door held open by Kentra. At that moment, he looked up to see the entire Stark family, led by Lord Eddard, emerging from the main castle.

Seeing them walking straight towards him, with the northern lords trailing behind, it almost looked as if the entirety of the North was coming out to greet him. Jason Liu was momentarily stunned.

He certainly didn't believe that he, a foreign noble with no official recognition in Westeros, would be given such a grand welcome by the lords of the North.

Despite his confusion, Jason quickly adjusted his expression, stepped out of the carriage, and strode forward to meet Lord Stark and his entourage.

As Jason stepped off the carriage, all eyes turned towards the large four-wheeled vehicle he had arrived in. The sleek steel frame of the carriage, gleaming in the dim northern light, was unlike anything the lords of the North had ever seen.

Accustomed to the rough wooden wagons of Westeros, they couldn't help but marvel at the sheer craftsmanship and elegance of this foreign contraption. It was a vehicle of luxury, a stark contrast to the crude transports they were used to.

Lord Eddard quickly tore his gaze away from the impressive carriage and studied the young man approaching him.

Jason Liu was younger than he had expected.

Tall, broad-shouldered, and possessing a strikingly handsome face, Jason had the look of a man born into nobility. His posture was straight and confident, his skin fair and unblemished—clear signs of someone who had lived a comfortable life, far from the hardships of war and northern winters.

Catelyn Stark, standing beside her husband, took a moment to examine this foreign noble. Her blue eyes lingered on the young man before flickering to the bastard standing near the carriage—Jon Snow.

She noted, with some displeasure, that Jon looked stronger than before. But what truly unsettled her was the fact that, as he aged, he was growing to resemble her husband more and more. The resemblance was undeniable, and it made her heart tighten with frustration.

Meanwhile, the northern lords focused their attention on Jason Liu as he approached. His noble bearing and self-assured demeanor led many to instinctively acknowledge him as an equal. Even though he was a foreigner, his presence alone made it difficult to dismiss him as anything less than a man of status.

His attire further reinforced this perception.

Jason Liu wore a striking white military-style coat with silver epaulets on both shoulders, fastened at the front with gold buttons and a red-and-gold tie. His trousers were tailored perfectly to his form, and his black high-leather boots gleamed in the morning light.

In contrast, the northern lords stood in their heavy, loose-fitting woolen cloaks, thick tunics, and dull leather boots. Their garments, though practical, seemed almost crude when compared to the foreign noble's refined and tailored attire.

Many of the northern lords shifted uncomfortably, suddenly self-conscious of their rough, unpolished appearances. Some even cast envious glances at Jason's clothing, feeling as if their own garments were plain and unimpressive.

Lord Rickard Karstark and Lord Galbart Glover, both of whom had previously doubted Jason Liu's noble status, found themselves reconsidering. If this young man wasn't of noble birth, then who in Westeros was?

While the men observed Jason's clothing, the noblewomen present were more intrigued by the large, colorfully wrapped packages being unloaded from the back of the carriage.

Women, by nature, were drawn to beautiful things, and the sight of these vibrant, well-packaged goods immediately caught their attention.

The Stark girls were no exception.

Sansa Stark, now thirteen, had grown into a graceful young lady. With her long auburn hair and delicate features, she was already showing signs of the beauty she would become in a few years.

Arya Stark, on the other hand, remained as wild and boyish as ever. While she had her own charm, she lacked the refined grace that her sister possessed.

Aside from Catelyn Stark and her daughters, Jason also noticed another striking woman among the gathered nobles—a tall, curvaceous young lady with sharp, attractive features.

Despite the formality of the occasion, Jason Liu's sharp eyes had already assessed every beautiful woman in the area within the short time it took for him to cross the courtyard.

As for the other lords of the North? Well, he'd get around to noticing them later.

If Eddard Stark had known that, in just a few moments, this foreign noble had silently appraised both his wife and daughters, he would have scowled in displeasure. If he had known the full extent of Jason Liu's thoughts, he might have reached for his ancestral sword, Ice, right then and there.

Jason Liu, however, was well aware that this was a formal occasion, and he kept his thoughts to himself.

Stepping forward with a confident air, he placed his right hand over his chest and bowed respectfully.

"Jason East, Earl of Starfire City, from the distant Zena Empire in the East. I offer my sincere greetings and utmost respect to you, Lord Eddard Stark, Warden of the North. May the Old Gods and the New bless you and your noble house."

After completing his bow, Jason lifted his head and met the northern lord's gaze.

Eddard Stark was a tall man, about the same height as Jason himself. His long brown hair framed his face, and his grey eyes were steady, filled with the quiet wisdom of a man who had seen too much of life's hardships. His expression remained calm and unreadable.

Finally, Ned gave a small nod and spoke, his tone firm yet courteous.

"I return your greetings, Lord Jason East, and welcome you to Winterfell. I trust your journey was a pleasant one."

His normally serious expression softened just slightly. "We are honored by your presence at our harvest feast. I hope you will enjoy the hospitality of the North."

Jason Liu smiled, nodding in return. "The honor is mine, Lord Stark. I am grateful for your generous invitation and look forward to this grand feast."

With the formalities exchanged, Jason Liu found himself officially welcomed to Winterfell, his presence leaving an impression on the gathered northern lords—whether it was curiosity, admiration, or silent jealousy.

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