The Little Rose of Highgarden disappeared down the corridor, carrying a heart full of bewilderment and a faint trace of sweet fragrance.
Lynn returned to the window. The night breeze brushed his cheeks, its touch gentle and fleeting, like an unreal dream.
He had to admit that Margaery Tyrell was an immensely charming woman.
She was clever and knew how to read a situation.
More importantly, she knew when to bare her fangs and when to sheath her claws.
Working with her would undoubtedly be a pleasure.
Still, he seemed to have met a few too many women tonight.
Lynn rubbed his brow. Just as he was about to close the window, a hesitant knock sounded at the door.
Knock, knock.
The sound paused, as though whoever stood outside was debating whether to continue.
Knock.
Lynn stopped what he was doing.
He knew that sound well.
"Come in, Sansa."
The door was gently pushed open a crack, and an auburn head peeked inside.
Seeing Lynn looking at her, Sansa Stark grew visibly nervous.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the doorframe, but she still mustered the courage to enter, then carefully closed the door behind her.
She had changed.
That was Lynn's first impression upon seeing her again.
The girl before him still wore an exquisitely made gown. Her beautiful auburn hair was neatly arranged, like the rivers of Riverrun shimmering in the sunlight.
But the little girl's innocence and fanciful dreams seemed to have been worn away, for the most part, by the brutal reality of King's Landing.
She no longer stood with that timid eagerness to please she had always shown before. There was a new composure to her bearing.
Her blue eyes were like polished gems. Though still clear, they no longer held that worldly ignorance. Instead, something