( Eddard Stark's perspective)
I knew she didn't Jon, but I didn't expect her to mistreat the child like this. Jon's actions are sure to anger her. I promised my sister I would protect him, but I've done a terrible job. On one hand, it's a good thing Cat is cold towards the child. That way no one will question his lineage, but I can't let her hurt him like this.
He won't experience maternal love, but at least I can let him experience paternal love and start treating him like a real father.
"However, your handling of this matter was too hasty and crude. I must reconsider your knighthood. I have decided on our course of action. If you have any news about the Ironborn, please inform me immediately."
(Male protagonist's perspective)
"My lord, may I know your decision?"
"You may not know."
I'm not surprised. He may have a preference for me, but he still sees me as a commoner, so he won't let a commoner question him.
"My lord, I love your sons as brothers, and I will protect them as long as I can. But please do not mistake me for an ordinary commoner. I bow before you not because you are Stark or a nobleman. I bow before you because I respect you; you are the father of my best friend. To me, nobility is just a word. Most nobles were originally warlords or bandits. The kings of their time did not grant them power because they wanted it, but because they had to."
I saw his mouth almost fall to the ground.
"If I want to be a knight, I will be a knight; if I want to be a nobleman, I will be a nobleman. Of course, I also long to be a proud the North nobleman, but if I cannot get what I deserve here, I will find it elsewhere."
I'm tired of arguing with rigid men. I may have the body of a child, and sometimes I can't help but act like a child, but I'm still around 40 years old.
"How dare you speak to me like that? I might groom you to be a knight or a nobleman, but you are not. It seems I must place you where you are meant to be."
It seems it's time to show Lord Stark just the tip of the iceberg. This is such a waste, but I don't have a spell that can mimic the same effect. I unleashed half of my magic in an instant, rushing towards Lord Stark like a tsunami.
"My lord! You are not my father. In fact, you are the reason my father isn't here. So stop pretending I'm not an ordinary person; I've told you that all along, but you've always treated me like one."
( Eddard Stark's perspective)
His shout made it hard for me to breathe, let alone speak. It felt like a huge rock was pressing down on me. He spoke louder and louder. In his presence, I felt so small and insignificant. Since last week, everyone in Winterfell had been talking about how the Old Gods had sent Aermir to save and protect the believers. Before this, I knew nothing about it, but looking at him now, I could only feel that he couldn't possibly be an ordinary person.
Every bone in my body told me to remain friends with him, but I couldn't accept such disrespect. I was only thankful that Rodrik had left the room, and that it was just the two of us. No one saw how awful I looked. I'm House Stark; I can't just bow my head like this. It took a lot of effort for me to stand up and say...
"I won't pursue what happened here. You said you love my son like a brother, and I believe you. But if you do something similar, even if this is the last thing I do, I will cut off your head."
(Male protagonist's perspective)
The magic release was more effective than I expected, but he withstood it and didn't fall. It seems the House Stark truly possesses royal blood, or perhaps magic is in their blood, since his children are all Warg.
"I understand you, sir. I wouldn't have done this if we weren't alone. All I wanted was your respect, because the only reason you know the Ironborn is because of me, and you sent someone else because you still don't trust me. It's all a waste of time for me, but I don't care. I won't take responsibility when the Ironborn arrive. I've done my duty, warned you... sir."
"As you said, I don't fully trust you, and your performance today didn't leave a good impression. You can't expect me to betray my promises and vows."
So he chose his pride and obsession with honor over his duty to the North. He was unfit to be a supreme lord; his obsession with honor prevented him from seeing what he truly needed to do. I am truly disappointed; I thought he would choose the North over his honor.
"My lord, at least after sending out the Crow, please collect the flags."
"Without the king's order, I cannot requisition my flag; to do so without the king's order would be considered dishonorable, even an act of treason."
"It would be a lie to say I'm not disappointed in your choice, but you are a lord and you must bear the consequences of your decision. However, I beg you not to send the Crow to King Robert. There are better ways if you wish to let him know, but I do not wish to tell you now. Please reconsider until your scouts return and report back confirming my intelligence. However, if you do not change your mind, I will tell you how to contact King Robert without spies intercepting your message."
"If you have this method, why don't we contact each other immediately?"
"Because of King Robert."
What do you want to say?
"King Robert is a barbarian. Once he knows this, he will muster his army for battle, but we are not fast enough to protect our coastline, which will again cost the North their lives."
Seven months later, the scouts returned with news that confirmed my suspicions. They had just reached the coastline when they were lucky enough to encounter the Ironborn who were stealing trees, and I also learned from Bo what had happened.
In these seven months, all the Direwolf have grown to the same size as ordinary wolves. Today, we will hold a meeting in the lord's sunroom. If he doesn't change his mind, we will tell him my plan, and I believe he won't change his mind.