Roman's move caught everyone present off guard; even Fili rushed forward to check if he was injured.
Robb stood frozen in place. He was originally just being young and impulsive, mentioning it offhandedly to take Roman down a peg.
Roman could have just laughed it off, but no one expected him to apologize so formally and even swear an oath to make a promise.
Eddard first scolded his eldest son with a serious face: "You, stand aside!"
Then he also joined the check-up, leaving Roman looking quite helpless.
"Lord Eddard, I am perfectly fine. The new and old gods understand my character; they will not harm me. There's no need for you to worry, the feast has only just begun!"
After much persuasion, Roman finally got everyone to refocus their attention on the banquet.
He looked at the food on the Northern banquet table; it was truly meager. It seemed they really couldn't produce anything good here, as even the seasonings were pitifully scarce.
So Roman had Fili go and fetch some Harrenhal specialties.
The girl was still a bit worried about Roman and kept wanting to do a detailed check-up, forcing him to cup the soft flesh of Fili's cheeks with both hands and whisper:
"Fool! Did you forget what I am?"
Fili then remembered—Roman is a dragon! White Flame was his signature skill, but he didn't show it often as he didn't want to be ostentatious.
At that thought, a look of realization dawned on Fili's face, and she then ran out with a smile.
A moment later, the Servants pushed carts and distributed canned fruit to everyone present.
Canning was the highest craft of Harrenhal. It was originally intended as marching supplies for the army, but he discovered that processing southern fruits and selling them north could make a fortune.
Thus, this food-grade canning was also invented.
Watching tropical fruits cooked in sugar water sealed in transparent containers, the Northerners were once again shocked by Harrenhal's extravagance.
And when a guest impatiently scooped out a yellow peach and put it in his mouth, he even praised the old gods on the spot.
Following that was a great revelry as guests opened their cans and carefully protected the glass bottles from damage.
After all, these glass bottles could be sold for a high price, being even more valuable than the southern fruits themselves.
While everyone was enjoying the delicacies, Eddard and the Winterfell Maester frowned.
The Maester had already confirmed with Roman that these cans were specialized foods for long-term storage.
"My Lord, Harrenhal is likely not that simple."
How could Eddard not know? A single can contained glass manufacturing, sterilization processes, and sealing technology; it was a manifestation of Harrenhal's strength.
Thinking of this, Eddard suddenly began to feel fortunate that Roman intended to be on good terms with House Stark, otherwise...
The room was warm and cozy from the hearth, but the wolf lord couldn't help but break into a cold sweat at such a terrifying imagination.
However, Roman did not know Eddard's thoughts at this time. He looked at the cleared scene and thought about doing something to get on good terms with Robb and his group.
But before they could think of a good way, Sansa had already approached.
"Lord Roman, may I have a dance with you?"
Only then did Roman realize the ball had begun. The musicians had changed the music, and the men and women on the floor had already found their respective partners.
"I usually neglect my training, so my dancing might make people laugh. I hope Miss Sansa will be understanding."
Roman's respect was quite pleasing to Sansa. She took Roman through three dances in a row until Catelyn's call pulled her back.
Arya, meanwhile, said to Robb and Snow, who had run over from the side: "Look at how sturdy that guy's muscles are. I bet five Robbs combined couldn't beat him!"
Robb now understood he had caused trouble and didn't dare to retort loudly, only curling his lip and muttering: "I'll be able to surpass him in the future."
Snow, on the other hand, watched the radiant Roman and drank his soup without a word.
After Sansa left, Fili also ran over excitedly wanting to dance with Roman, but neither of them knew how, eventually creating a big blunder that drew a round of laughter from the guests.
At the high table, Catelyn was silently watching Roman below. Eddard also noticed her unusual behavior and asked:
"What's wrong? Do you have some thoughts about that boy Roman?"
Catelyn looked back at her husband and sighed: "Ned, this cunning and clever boy has put you in a bind!"
Seeing that her husband still didn't understand, she spoke more clearly: "That boy only promised one instance of help in his own name, but you are now tied to him!"
Eddard was puzzled: "This was originally Robb's mistake, and the Hean Family doesn't owe us anything. An oath witnessed by the new and old gods is serious enough. Why talk about being tied together? It's already good enough if others don't call us Starks overbearing."
Catelyn looked at Eddard speechlessly. Her husband's noblest and greatest weakness was his honor and rules.
Eddard himself was an extremely upright and honest knight. Once Roman's oath was issued, Eddard would absolutely take it seriously.
Moreover, since it was Robb's problem to begin with, Eddard would not let Roman bear a mysterious responsibility after being provoked by his own son, no matter the scale.
So...
Catelyn closed her eyes with a headache. As long as this oath remained unfulfilled, Eddard would always maintain a good relationship with Roman.
If it were fulfilled, it would be even more significant; Eddard would definitely treat Roman and even the Hean Family as honored guests of House Stark.
But the most fatal point was this: the Harrenhal represented by Roman was already a rising star in Westeros, and the Royalists of the Riverlands were gathering once again.
The military strength Harrenhal displayed this time was shocking enough. What was he, Roman, representing the Hean Family—a family that lost the struggle—trying to do by being so aggressive?
The information from this banquet would surely spread. At that time, how would people view House Stark? How would the iron throne view it?
A Royalist and a Stark, one of the founders of the new dynasty, coming together?
Catelyn still wanted to persuade her husband, but Eddard no longer wanted to discuss it.
"In any case, as long as Roman hasn't broken his oath, I will never do anything harmful to him! The old gods will not tolerate such betrayal!"
Roman was currently discussing Riverlands anecdotes with the wolf pups and Fili. If he knew Eddard's thoughts, he would be grinning from ear to ear.
Eddard was just like that: his own sense of knightly honor, his friendship for his friends, and his sense of responsibility toward his family—these three together created this man of flesh and blood.
At the same time, they also led to his death at the hands of Cersei and Littlefinger.
Although Roman felt somewhat sorry for Eddard—after all, he was one of those utilizing Eddard's honor—he simply didn't want Papa Wolf to die.
Catelyn gave a great sigh; there was no pulling her husband back.
She recalled the introduction of Roman in the letter from her father, Hoster; at that time, Roman was just a shy child.
Only a year later, Roman had grown into a lord of terrifying strength.
Growth? Catelyn didn't think so; she believed more that Roman had been hiding his light.
Now, he simply couldn't hide it anymore.
This night, because of Roman, every member of House Stark gained a different set of impressions.
more chapter available in p@tréøñ(Atoki_29)