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To The Bone by oftypewritersandribbons
Fandoms: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (TV), A Song of Ice and Fire - George R. R. Martin
09 Aug 2026
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Summary
Once, Aerion believed duty and honour were ideals to be embraced or discarded at pleasure. But after Ashford—after exile to Lys and his recall—he could no longer defy his father or his grandfather. In his absence, his future had been decided. He was to marry, and if he wished to remain in Westeros as a prince, he would honour the match made. What had his exile been, after all, if not a lesson in duty? No doubt intended by his uncle Baelor as the rehabilitation of his reputation, felt to Aerion like one last humiliation. He was not to wed an eligible cousin, but a northerner. A Manderly at that—not even a true Northman.
Jocelyn Manderly had lost her mother and three siblings within the span of two moons. Then came the news that she was to gain a husband. As though the promise of a mad Targaryen were some consolation prize her father could offer to make her grief disappear. As though gowns, jewels, and a prince could mend what death had taken.
“Truly, I am not afraid, my prince,” she repeated.
“And why is that?” he asked.
“Because I am empty. I have no spirit left within me to speak to happiness nor to comfort. You could cut me to the bone and I would feel nothing.”