AN: I know the title sounds cheesy and out of a Harlequin novel, but I just love some cheesiness!

Rated M because, well, it is a Game of Thrones!AU. People will be doing the nasty. HAHA

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The Lady Of His Heart

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Giving a silent prayer as he walked through the godswood, Lord Silver Fullbuster followed his direwolf, Star, as they searched for his son. Gray Fullbuster, future Lord of Winterfell, didn't take his betrothal too kindly, even if he always knew that day would come.

Being a highborn wasn't easy sometimes.

If he could choose, Silver wouldn't have mind waiting until Gray loved someone, but his boy had always been quiet and a bit brooding. He might've never find a wife at all if he didn't intervene. Silver wasn't sure even with a marriage his son would open up to his bride, Gray didn't like to show his deeper emotions, even as a child.

Star trotted in front of Silver when she smelt her pup, Gray's direwolf, Blizzard, and licked the white fur of her son. Star had had a litter of pups four years before and while the others grew up and left Winterfell, Blizzard refused to leave, having bonded with Gray.

Silver spotted his own son, seated on the bench in front of the weirwood. Gray looked so much like Silver it was uncanny, were he twenty years younger and without the scar on his forehead, they would easily pass as twins.

"I knew I would find you here." Silver spoke and Gray kept his eyes on the carved face on the weirwood. Without an answer, Silver sighed and sat beside the younger man. "You always liked to hide here when you were upset while you were growing up."

Gray glanced towards his father and back at the weirwood. "It's quiet here. Not many people to interrupt my thoughts."

"I suppose it is." Silver nodded and both their attention returned to the tree. "You always knew this day would come, Gray. I waited until you would understand our duty."

"It's easy for you to say, you knew my mother since you two were children, you always knew you'd get married. You grew up together while I never even met the woman you want me to marry." He sounded bitter and Silver couldn't really blame him.

"I know it's hard and I know I was lucky. I would've chosen someone else if I knew you had another in mind, but Gray, if you don't marry her, then who?" Silver asked and saw Gray frown. "I know you, son. You'd be more interested in preparing for a possible war other than to get married."

"I would've found someone at some point." Gray muttered and Silver chuckled.

"Maybe. But the truth is that we need an alliance with the Porlas. They control The Twins and they could charge us a fortune just to allow grains come to the North when winter comes." Silver put a hand on his son's shoulder. "A marriage assures that alliance. It's the only way I managed to convince Jose Porla to open his gates for us when the time comes."

"Jose Porla doesn't have daughters." Gray pointed out. "He doesn't have any children."

"He doesn't have children, no, but he does have a niece whom he raised as his own since she was a babe. Having a niece married to a Fullbuster gives him more status in the North, as much as I hate to say. Our House is powerful." Silver sighed. "We need that bridge, son. The winter is going to be the harshest we ever faced and even though we can stand it, some of the people might not and we, as their Lords, need to provide for them."

"I know." Gray's shoulders dropped and Silver removed his hand, deciding to pet the younger direwolf, that was waving its tail while its mother sat a few feet behind. Blizzard didn't like strangers very much but once he took a liking on someone, he didn't hold back. It was quite an interesting combination Gray and Blizzard, but they were inseparable; Blizzard helped Gray to open up a bit more. "When am I getting married?"

"A fortnight." Silver was relieved to hear his son's subtle agreement to it. "Lady Juvia will arrive in a few days with her uncle."

"A few days." Gray rested his elbows on his thighs and hid his face on his hand. Seeing his human's distress, Blizzard went to Gray, sacrificing Silver's petting, to lick Gray's hand and then his face when Gray moved his hand. "I'm fine, Blizzard. I swear." Gray scratched the direwolf behind the ear and then looked to his father. "I thought I'd have more time."

"We all think that, but we rarely have the time we hope." Silver patted his son on the back. "Her name is Juvia Lockser, her mother was Jose Porla's sister and her father was from an old family from the Stormlands. She is the only one left, now."

Gray sighed. "Have you met her?"

"No, I haven't but I hear she's a nice girl." Silver got up from the bench. "I'll leave you to your thoughts now."

He had given a few steps, Star by his side, when Gray called him. Curious, Silver turned to look at his son.

"I will honor our duties, father." Gray's expression was one of determination.

Pride swelled inside Silver's chest. Gray was a good man, he'd be a good Lord when Silver passed and he'd be a good husband and father when the time came.

"I know you will, son."

#

Lady Juvia Lockser pulled her dark blue cloak tighter around her, and put her hands close to her mouth so she could blow some hot air on it – the woolen mittens helped a bit, but the cold of the North was something she never faced before, and it was still summer. She dreaded to think what winter would be like.

'You will find out soon enough' Juvia thought and she looked outside her litter's window and saw white. 'This is going to be my home from now on.'

"We are almost there." Her uncle, Jose Porla, said from across the carriage and Juvia glanced his way. He was the only family she had left, having lost her parents while she was still a baby and he never had children, even after marrying three different women throughout his life. Juvia and her cousin Gajeel were the children of his sisters, who were married off to Southern Lords when they were of age. As Gajeel was the only male, he'd inherit The Twins, while Juvia would get married to the son of the current Warden of the North, to guarantee a long alliance. "Remember, you must be the perfect wife. They can't know why you are really there."

"Juvia knows." The blunette looked outside once more. "She will be careful."

"You will wait my order before doing it. We must make sure it is done at the right time." Lord Porla told her.

"Are you sure there's no other way?" She looked back at her uncle. "You said you want them destroyed. Is it-"

"It is what needs to happen." Jose hissed. "I've raised you better than to question my orders, Juvia. There's a war coming and we need to be on the right side of it."

"We don't know that-"

"Yes, we do." Jose said loudly and Juvia flinched. Taking a calming breath, he took a moment before speaking again. "Remind me: what are the words of House Lockser, Juvia?"

Juvia looked at him and she straightened her back. "We live for the family."

"And who took you when your House was slaughtered? When your parents were killed? When you were nothing more than a babe?"

"You did."

"Yes, I did. I am your family." Jose said. "When they said that you live for you family, it means that you will do anything for them, even kill when it's needed. I have trained you for this moment."

Juvia looked down, knowing the truth of his words. She vowed a long time ago to honor her parents by always taking the words to guide her decisions.

"When the time comes, Juvia will do what is best for her family." She said and looked up to her uncle, seeing him smirk at her words, proud to have helped her remind herself about her real mission. Juvia looked outside the window, where she could see the imposing building it was Winterfell.

She'd be a good wife, until it was time to put her family above it.

#

Gray stood on the courtyard of Winterfell, his father a few steps in front of him while they waited for Lord Porla to arrive, bringing his promised to marry him.

Gripping the sword on his waist to calm himself as he saw the men on horses enter the yard, followed by a carriage, Gray gritted his teeth. That was it, he was finally meeting the woman he was marrying in just a few days.

The carriage stopped and a man was quick to put a bench next to it and opened the door. Gray had seen Jose Porla once when he was a little kid and the Lord had visited Winterfell. Aside from a few aging lines on his face and the grey lines of his hair, Jose Porla remained the same: same long face, same long moustache and same black cold eyes.

Jose turned his back to then and offered his hand to the person who was inside and Gray saw a small hand take Jose's.

His first impression of his fiancée was how weird the rings on the ends of her blue hair were. Perhaps it was a southern costume; one he didn't know of but he didn't know many southerners. Her hair color was rather unusual as well, she was the first he had ever seen with it.

"Lord Porla." Silver stepped closer to the man. "I hope your travel was pleasant and uneventful."

"Lord Fullbuster." Porla bowed his head in respect. "It was a nice trip, thank you. May I introduce you to my niece, Lady Juvia Lockser."

"Nice to meet you, Sir." Her voice was soft but being a bit further behind than his father, Gray couldn't see her face properly yet, not that he was in any rush.

"You too, my girl." Silver said, being pleasant and then looked over his shoulder, indicating Gray's cue to approach. "Lady Juvia, this is my son, Gray."

Gray stepped next to his father and finally took a look at his betrothed and he was pleasantly surprised when he saw her big blue eyes, button nose and rosy lips. With his luck, Gray was expecting a female version of Jose Porla but he was happy she looked nothing like the older man.

She curtsied and Gray bowed her way. "Nice meeting you, Lady Juvia."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Gray." She sounded sincere and he hoped she was, if they were getting married, they needed to be at least courteous to each other.

"You and your party should come inside." Silver said, gaining their attention. "Rest and we all can talk later, over the feast."

#

Juvia always heard how stoic and cold people from the North were, but during the banquet, she was sure whoever started that rumor, certainly never saw them having fun: they were laughing, drinking and there were two musicians playing. Juvia looked to her side and saw her uncle still serious, nodding at something Silver – who was smiling – was telling him.

Lord Jose Porla seemed more northerner than the real northerners.

Taking a sip of her wine, Juvia decided she needed some air and she told her uncle she would return shortly. Jose nodded and told the septa who had come with them to the North, to follow her.

Juvia grabbed her furred cape and smiled gently to the people who bowed at her in respect as she walked outside – the septa usually kept so quiet and a few steps behind that she forgot the older woman was around most of the times. Juvia took a deep breath the moment she stepped out, the cold air was very refreshing.

She took a few steps, still listening the people inside making noise and having fun but her blood ran cold when she looked around and just a few feet away, there was a large dog staring her way.

"Lady Juvia!" The septa said, afraid, while Juvia stayed frozen in place because she finally saw that it wasn't a dog that was looking at her. It was a wolf. A very large wolf.

"Septa Mag." Juvia said quietly and admittedly shaking. "Go back inside very slowly."

"But-"

"Very slowly." Juvia didn't take her eyes away from the wolf. "Now." She heard the steps as the Septa walked away and the wolf's attention went to her and for a moment Juvia thought the wolf would go after the Septa. "No, no." The wolf looked back at her, its head tilted to the side as if confused. "That's right."

Juvia looked around and just a few feet away she saw an axe next to a wall and slowly stepped back towards it. The wolf took a few steps and it stopped to sit and stare at her when she squealed when she saw him advance and she ran to get the axe.

"Blizzard!" Juvia heard and looked past the wolf to see her fiancée coming their way and he was clearly reprimanding the direwolf. He kneeled in front of the animal as if to prevent it of going after Juvia even if the wolf was still seated. Gray looked over his shoulder, to his fiancée, and said. "I'm sorry, Lady Juvia, I promise you I have trained him better than that. Did he frighten you?" He turned back to Blizzard. "I told you to stay at the stables with Star."

Her blue eyes were wide and she held the axe in her hand, not trusting to let it go yet. "Trained?" She seemed surprised. "Is it… is it yours?"

"Yes but he-" Gray started to answer, but suddenly there was people coming from the hall, his father and her uncle included, alarmed probably by the septa. Gray got up and raised his hands to calm the crowd. "It's all fine. My wolf scared Lady Juvia and her Septa, but it's all fine now."

"I don't know how scared Lady Juvia was." Silver said, loud and his tone was clear one of admiration. "She looks as if she would've given Blizzard one hell of a fight." Juvia looked confused for a moment until she remembered the axe in her hands. "Good for you, my girl." He chuckled and stepped closer and took the axe away from her. "Now go inside, dear, and I'm sorry for the scare."

"Come, Juvia." Her uncle said. "This was enough excitement for tonight."

The blue haired girl nodded and walked past him in the direction of Jose and the Septa, who waited for her. Before she got back inside the castle, she looked over her shoulders and saw the large wolf up, its front paws on Gray's shoulders and licking his face while he petted him behind his ears. Silver said something and Gray nodded, pushing the wolf down.

"A direwolf as a pet." Jose muttered and her attention returned to him. "These northerners are crazy."

Well, Juvia could very well agree to that.

#

The next morning, Gray waited in the hall before going to have breakfast. The night before, his father advised him to talk to his future wife and explain to her about Blizzard and Star and how they were only a threat to enemies. If they were to wed, she would need to get used to have the wolves around.

"Lord Gray, good morning." He heard and when he looked, Gray saw Jose Porla coming his way, his niece and her septa a few steps behind.

"Good morning, Lord Porla. Lady Juvia." Gray nodded to them and to the septa. Juvia curtsied and blushed, which he found rather lovely.

"Can I help you?" The older man asked, curious.

"I was wondering if I could talk to Lady Juvia for a few minutes before we break our fast." Gray wondered and glanced her way, in question and Juvia nodded.

"Of course." Jose's smile was cold and Gray didn't like it at all. "Septa, come along."

"Sir…" The older woman said, outraged.

"They are to be married in two days and are just going to talk alone for a few minutes in broad day light." Jose raised his eyebrows. "I'm sure it will be fine." He bowed his head in Gray's direction. "Come along, Septa Mag."

The old woman nodded and stared menacingly at Gray before she curtsied and followed Jose, leaving Gray alone with his future wife.

"Sorry about Septa Mag, she has been with me for a few years now." Juvia said, offering a small smile. "She worries about leaving Juvia alone with any man who isn't my uncle."

Gray snorted softly at that. "I can see that." He offered his arm. "If you would step outside with me for a moment…?"

The question took Juvia by surprise but she nodded and took his arm, following him. She shuddered and pulled her coat tighter around herself but otherwise alright. They took a few steps before they stopped and Gray stepped in front of her. He turned around and whistled, Juvia looking at him in curiosity and she gasped in surprise when she saw the grey and white wolf coming their way.

"No, don't worry." Gray said and stepped closer to her before he turned to look at the wolf and say: "Blizzard, halt." The wolf took a few steps and stopped. "Sit." The wolf did as asked. "Good." Gray looked at his fiancée, who was all but hiding behind him. "I know the first impression of Blizzard is terrifying, but I've had him since he was a pup, and my father had his mother since she was a pup." Gray told her and he could see her processing his words when she finally looked away from the wolf and back to him, deep blue eyes still scared. "He won't do you harm; he didn't, even after you got that axe to defend yourself with."

She seemed to consider his words. "Well, you did arrive when Juvia got it."

"True." Gray couldn't help it but to chuckle at her words. He grabbed one of her hands. "Let me make sure he knows you are a friend." He put his remaining hand on her back and urged her forward, to bring her hand close to the wolf's nose. She tried to retract her hand but he held it in place. "Don't worry."

He could still see she was worried, but trusted him enough to let him hold her hand while Blizzard smelled her. "This is Juvia, Blizzard. She's a friend, do you hear me?" He asked the grey wolf. "You are not to scare her anymore." Gray nodded and let go of her hand. "There, don't worry anymore, he knows you now. Even liked you."

"How… how do you know?" Juvia asked, curious.

"He'd never come this close if he didn't." Gray shrugged. "He didn't snarl and he wiggled his tail for you, he doesn't do that to many people."

"Oh." She smiled. "That's good. Isn't it?"

"Yes. Would you like to pet him?" She tensed but nodded. "Blizzard, you be good now." Gray watched as she slowly put her hand on top of his head and caressed the fur a few times before she looked in Gray's direction with a smile on her lips. Blizzard used his nose to get Juvia's attention back to him, having apparently liked the petting. "See? I told you he liked you."

"You are still very scary." Juvia told the wolf. "But less so now."

After watching her petting Blizzard for a few moments, Gray relaxed. Blizzard was the best judge of character he knew, when he didn't like someone, Blizzard obeyed Gray's order not to attack but clearly let everyone know his feeling by snarling. With Juvia, though, Blizzard looked like the puppy he once was and Gray found he liked his betrothed's giggles.

"Shall we go back inside?" Gray asked and Juvia looked up, eyes sparkling in happiness, most of the fear gone. "Your septa is probably coming this way to make sure you are in one piece."

The blunette chuckled. "She is rather scary, isn't she?"

"Reminds me of the septa we had here when I was growing up." He offered his arm and she took it. "She had to put me over her knee a few times. I liked to get into trouble."

"Juvia bets you liked to explore Winterfell." She told him when they were inside. "Find all its secrets."

"How did you know?" Gray raised one eyebrow.

"Because Juvia is a grown woman and she would like to explore the castle, so she figured a child who lived here would like to do that even more."

Gray snorted softly. "You figured right. I would disappear for hours, exploring. Almost gave the septa a heart attack a few times." He hesitated before they arrived at the hall where they'd have their breakfast. "And… uh… This is going to be your home. You are free to go anywhere you want. Just tell someone, please, so no more septas have heart attacks. Or me, for that matter."

"Yes, Juvia will tell you if she goes exploring." She promised and her cheeks reddened a little. Gray cleared his throat when he felt his own cheeks warm up.

"Shall we?" He pointed to the hall and the blunette nodded.

#

With her heart beating like crazy inside her chest, Juvia walked between the godswood, her arms being supported by her uncle. The path they were to take was lighted by candles and Juvia could see some of the Fullbusters' bannerman and by the end of the path, Lord Silver stood with his dark furs around him, his sword on his hip and next to him, Gray, dressed in similar fashion as his father, his furs in a dark grey hue.

Once they arrived next to Gray, her uncle turned her way and gently pulled the hood from her dark blue cape away before he turned back to look at Lord Silver.

"Who comes before the Old Gods this night?" Silver asked, his voice deep and in the silence of the godswood, echoed everywhere.

Jose straightened his shoulders. "Juvia of the House Lockser comes here to be wed. A woman grown, trueborn and noble. She comes to beg the blessings of the gods. Who comes to claim her?"

Gray stepped forward. "Gray of House Fullbuster. Heir to Winterfell." He turned to Jose. "Who gives her?"

"Jose of House Porla, who is her uncle and guardian."

Silver looked her way. "Lady Juvia, will you take this man?"

The blunette gulped, but answered in a strong voice. "I take this man."

"Lord Gray, will you take this woman?" Silver looked at his son.

"I take this woman." Gray nodded once.

Lord Silver nodded to Jose, who placed Juvia's hand on Gray's. They looked at each other and didn't break eye contact while Gray brought her hand to his lips to kiss it.

"I am hers, she is mine." He said.

Juvia repeated the action, bringing their twined hands and kissing his. "I am his, he is mine."

"The gods witnessed and blessed this union." Silver declared and when Juvia looked at him, she saw he was smiling at the young couple. "You are married."

She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and she noticed Gray's hands were shaking slightly when he put her hand on his forearm, and she wasn't too far behind. Her nerves alongside with the cold made her shaky as well.

They walked the illuminated path together, the few bannerman there bowed as they passed, muttering: "Milord. Milady."

When they were a few feet away from them, Gray turned his face her way and told her. "We are married."

"We are." Juvia agreed.

She was a married woman.

#

They stayed at the feast for a couple of hours while everyone partied, danced, ate and drank around them. Juvia ate some deer meat and a few sips of wine but nothing more, too anxious about the next step.

She was aware of what happened between a husband and a wife during their wedding night and she was really not looking forward to it, especially with the bedding ceremony. It would be awful enough to go through it, but to go through the bedding, strange men taking off her clothes and then handed to her new husband.

On second thoughts, maybe she needed to drink more wine.

"We will be leaving in a few minutes." Gray leaned and whispered to her.

"Oh." She cleared her throat, already feeling her heart race and looking at the crowd to guess whom, out all of those men, would lead her out. "I see."

As if he read her mind, Gray said, in a low voice: "There won't be a bedding ceremony. I told everyone they better not try it or they will have me to answer to. My father backed me on that, so trust me, no bedding ceremony."

Juvia let out a shaky breath in relief and her eyes watered for a moment when she whispered: "Thank you."

"Of course." Gray's eyes softened and he gave her a shy smile, one she returned with her own. "Just a few more minutes."

By the time they left the hall – lots of catcalling from the people there – Juvia's hands were cold once more, but because she was nervous. She was married and was about to consummate that marriage.

Gray opened the door to his chambers and Juvia stepped inside – the fire was lit and there were candles around the room.

That was it, then.

"Lady Juvia." Gray said and she turned to look at him. "Before we…" She could swear she saw his cheeks pinken up. "I would like to speak to you about something."

"Oh." She was surprised, but intrigued.

Gray took off his dark grey furs and put it on the chair by the fire. "Marriages, here in the North are different from the South." He told her and Juvia frowned. "I have heard about how some couples are rather… free to do whatever they want as long as they are discreet." Juvia had also heard about those kinds of couples. "I am not saying this doesn't happen here otherwise we wouldn't have so many people named Snow but my father was faithful and honorable to my mother and I intend to do the same with you." Gray took a breath. "You will be my only one, I will try my best to make you happy, to honor you and I will be your friend. I will not bring you the shame that would come from me having an affair or a bastard child. What I am asking you is for you to do the same."

Juvia blinked in surprise with his words. "Of course."

He breathed in relief, as if he was afraid she'd say 'no'. "Thank you." Juvia smiled shyly and she saw him glanced towards the bed and then back at her. Both of them averted their eyes and Juvia took great interest on the flames while he seemed to have found the ceiling mesmerized.

"We could… we could wait a few days." Gray offered and Juvia thought it was sweet of him, even if she couldn't accept it.

"Thank you, but we can't." She said, finally looking at him again. "If we do not consummate the marriage, it could be annulled especially without the bedding ceremony. There will be enough people doubting already and they can't be right."

Gray's shoulders dropped. "Right." He cleared his throat. "Shall we… then?" Juvia could see he looked as uncomfortable as she felt, so she chose to nod instead of speaking. "Let me just…" He walked towards the small table, grabbed the jug and poured a cup of wine, drinking it in one go. Gray looked at her. "Do you want some?"

Juvia nodded and she watched as he poured wine in the cup and gave it to her. She drank it in a few fast sips when she saw him take off his heavy coat. Juvia put the cup away and she did the same as he did, taking her coat and putting it away, standing just in her light blue dress.

After a moment's hesitation, Gray stepped closer to her, put a hand on her jaw and leaned so their lips could meet. Juvia's heart was beating like crazy inside her chest when he unlocked their lips and his hand found the ties of her dress and he pulled one string to undo the knot.

She gulped when he found the other tie, but shrugged off the dress when he pushed it away from her shoulders, letting the fabric pool by her feet. Juvia was suddenly very aware she had only her thin underdress in his presence, but forgot about a moment later when she saw her new husband take off his thick coat and throw it away and then got the hem of his undershirt and pulled it off in one fast move.

It shouldn't surprise her that he was a very fit man given his everyday exercise with a sword, but she was still surprised to see how much. He was lean and full of hard muscle and before she could really understand what she was doing, Juvia touched his firm stomach.

Gray held his breath, getting Juvia's attention and when she looked up, for some reason her stomach seemed to get filled with butterflies; his eyes were darker than before. Juvia raised her arms when he started pulling her underdress over her head. A moment later, she was completely naked in front of him. She should've been cold, but oddly, she was warm all over.

Embarrassed, Juvia looked up to him and saw his dark eyes roaming on her form until their eyes met and he pulled her to him, kissing her lips.

Juvia gasped into the kiss when he slid his tongue over her lips and she opened her mouth, their kiss deepening. The butterflies inside her stomach got wilder and restless. She had had stolen kisses when she was younger, but nothing like that.

When her husband lied her down on the bed atop of the furs and his body was above hers, only his pants as barrier, nothing prepared her to the feeling of his hand on her ribs and then up to her breasts.

She didn't know for how long they just kissed, his hands touching her chest everywhere while her hands gripped his shoulders. Juvia was breathless when Gray's lips started to trail from her lips, down her neck and her cleavage.

His lips were on her neck again and his hand traveled up to her lower back. "Tonight could be a little uncomfortable, you know that, right?"

"Yes." Juvia answered in a whisper.

Gray kissed her lips once again and Juvia relaxed in his arms – she always thought she'd have her eyes closed and trying to picture something else during her first night with her husband, but Gray was doing his best to relax her.

She let herself be taken by him, surrounded by his warmth and his whispered words.

#

Four days later, Lord Jose was walking with his niece before he took the road back to the Twins. He was quite pleased he had married his niece to the Heir of Winterfell.

"I trust you will write me if you need anything?" Jose Porla asked, ready to leave Winterfell and go back to The Twins while Juvia walked by his side.

"Of course, uncle." The blunette nodded, dutifully.

Jose hummed in agreement. "Remember, I want to be notified when you get pregnant."

Juvia blushed, she could feel her cheeks get warm. She had been married for less than a week and yet… "That… might take a while. We haven't… since our wedding night, we haven't… He comes to the bedroom late in the night when Juvia's already asleep and rises before she wakes up. He barely talks to me."

The old man stopped with his walk and Juvia did the same. "Juvia, you know how important it is for you to have his child, especially if it is a son." She looked down to the snow-covered ground. "When you do, you will have a solid position in the North, you will be the mother of the future Warden of the North. No one will be able to touch you, to take this power from you, from us."

"Yes, uncle." Juvia whispered. "But he doesn't want to lie with me, he avoids me."

Jose snorted. "The boy is an honorable fool, like his father. I imagine he thinks if he lies with you just because you are married, he's forcing himself on you or some other nonsense. You are his to do what he wants and he still hesitates." He looked at Juvia and put a finger under her chin, to make her look up to him. "You are young, pretty and not a halfwit. The Fullbuster boy is a young man with warm blood inside his veins. Believe me, unless he prefers the company of boys, he wants you; perhaps you just need to reassure him that this is what you want." Jose half-smiled. "Seduce him."

Her cheeks warmed again. "Juvia doesn't know how to-"

"Fullbusters are all for honor and duty, remind him he needs an heir and it's your duty to give him that. Take off your clothes and tell him what he needs to hear." Jose started to walk again, Juvia quietly behind. "You wouldn't believe what men would do for a naked woman asking them to join her in her bed."

#

Juvia was still awake hours after she was supposed to be sleeping, waiting for her husband. She would try what her uncle told her about and try to seduce her husband. It sure wouldn't be that much of a chore for her.

Her cheeks heated up when she thought about their wedding night a few days before.

When she first heard about what happened in a marital bed, Juvia was appalled by it and all she heard about was the pain.

But Gray, though, he had been sweet and aside from a little pain at first, the experience hadn't been bad at all. It was rather enjoyable, really and it didn't hurt her new husband was one of the most handsome men she had ever seen, even if he was brooding most of the time.

Hearing the door open behind her, Juvia turned to see her husband trying to get into the bedroom unnoticed, like he had been doing for the past week. When he saw the empty bed, he finally looked around the room and saw Juvia standing next to the fire.

"Lady Juvia." He frowned. "Is something wrong?"

She gathered her courage and straightened herself, chin up. "Yes, actually."

"What is it?" Gray stepped closer to her, clearly concerned.

"Juvia has a duty and so do you." The blunette told him. "We are to have children and unless there's another way of that happening, we are not doing anything about that matter." She was more than certain that her cheeks were as red as they could be. "Juvia doubts our wedding night will be enough."

Gray looked surprised with her blunt words and she saw his own cheeks get red. He cleared his throat. "I know it won't. And yes, I know we have a duty but- I don't want to force you more than I already did." She opened her mouth but he spoke before she could. "We knew each other for four days before our wedding and we had to consummate it to make it official. We did our duty, then. I know girls dream about wedding nights and I am sure you didn't dream about it thinking of a husband you met four days before."

Juvia was surprised with his reasoning and consideration. Not many men would give her time to settle into her new life and new duties. He was sweet and honorable; it was unfair how fast her heart was beating inside her chest with just a few words from him.

"Thank you, but that wasn't what Juvia dreamt about." She told him in a whisper. "Ever since she can remember, she wanted to be a mother. Mine died when I was a baby so I always craved a family of my own. You can give her that and Juvia can give you the heirs you need." Juvia stepped closer to him and Gray glanced her way. "Juvia can understand why you wanted to give her time, but give her time and push her away isn't the answer." With trembling hands but trying to look brave, Juvia untucked his shirt from his pants. "You said you wanted us to be friends, right?" Gray nodded, looking at her with the same heated eyes he did at their wedding night making her lower stomach boil in anticipation.

"How about we do not avoid each other during the day and talk like friends," she pulled his shirt up and Gray raised his arms to allow her to take it off him "while during the night, we become husband and wife."

"Simple as that?" Gray asked and watched her open her robe and shrug it off.

"Juvia doubts anything will be simple." She offered him a small smile and Gray snorted softly. "But at least we will get to know each other and do our duty at the same time." Juvia didn't look away from him when she reached for the strings of his pants and undid them.

"Lady Juvia-" Gray whispered and it was a very weak warning.

"Just Juvia." She told him and he nodded.

Not bold yet to pull his pants down, Juvia put a hand on his chest and pushed him backwards until he sat on the bed, their eyes locked all the time and she pulled her nightgown away, letting it fall to the floor.

He didn't move to touch her and it made her feel like a fool for a moment – as far as she knew he hated seeing her almost throwing herself at him.

After what seemed forever and there was no reaction from her husband, Juvia felt stupid. "Forgive me." She muttered and brought a hand to cover her breasts. "If you don't want Juvia-"

Gray took the hand she wasn't using to cover herself, into his. "I'd be a proper fool if I didn't."

"You… didn't do anything." The blunette whispered.

"You were doing quite well." He told her and she took his words as consent. Eyes still locked, Juvia let go of his hand and put them on his shoulders, slowly. She put a knee on the bed and the other by the side of his hips, sitting on his lap.

Juvia put a hand on his jaw, the other on the back of his head and kissed him. It was as if it was what Gray was waiting for her to do; one of his hands went to her bare ass while the other was brought to her back to bring her closer.

He deepened the kiss and Juvia could swear her heart was going to burst from her chest when her husband kissed her throat, then her cleavage and down to her breast. Her hands wondered to the back of his head and she gasped into the kiss when she felt him move his hand from her backside to between her legs.

During their wedding night, Gray had touched her there a few times and it felt rather nice, but that night he seemed to be much more enthusiastic with his caresses. After a few moments, he touched a small bundle that made her let out a startled moan, especially when he inserted a finger inside her.

He sucked on her breast, one of her hands went to cover her mouth, embarrassed. Gray looked up and left her breast, pushed her hand away from her lips and kissed her.

"Don't." Gray told her, kissing her again for a moment, moving his finger inside her. "I need to know if what I am doing is right for you." Juvia frowned in confusion. "We are going to be married for a long time and I promised you would be the only one for me, didn't I?" Juvia nodded. "No reason why both of us can't enjoy it and for that, I need to know how you react."

Forgetting her embarrassment for a moment, Juvia's frown deepened. "Enjoy it?"

"Yes." Gray said and moved his finger inside her slowly and then added another, stretching her slowly; the feeling not so foreign anymore. "When done right, both can enjoy it."

"Juvia enjoyed it before." She told him, just realizing she was moving her hips the same rhythm as his exploring fingers. Gray touched a spot inside her and she gasped loudly with the sensation of a lightning bolt passing through her. Before she could say anything else, she felt him keep moving his fingers making sure to touch that spot every time and his thumb caressed the bundle of nerves atop of her sex. "Oh. What-?"

Gray's mouth closed on her nipple, sucking it and adding to her already heightened senses. She arched her body, breathing so hard and her heart beating so fast she thought it would burst from her chest, her hands tugging on his hair while she moved her hips, chasing something she didn't know what it was.

"-sama." She panted. "Gra-"

"Just Gray." He told her, lips on her neck trailing down to her cleavage and then her lips. Juvia couldn't understand the fire inside her, why everywhere Gray touched her seemed like she was burning and she might've been crazy but seven hells, she wanted to burn in the flames.

Juvia pulled his head up by his hair and kissed him for a moment, panting and moaning. Gray's touches finally sent her over the edge and it felt as if every inch of her body burned. Juvia heard herself let out a long moan.

She was panting, when she felt her husband lie her down on the bed and she saw him pull down his pants and stepped out of them before he covered her body with his, kissing her.

Opening her legs so he could settle there, Juvia sighed when he asked. "Husband and wife during the night, huh?"

"Yes." She nodded and felt Gray's manhood touch her sex and strangely enough, she wasn't afraid like she had been when they had done it for the first time. She held her breath when he slipped inside her slowly and it was much easier than before, no barrier that time and whatever Gray made her feel earlier sure helped, she just felt a small discomfort.

"Are you okay?" He asked when he stopped and Juvia nodded, her hands on his back, pulling him close while Gray kissed her neck.

Slowly, Gray started to move inside her and she sighed when the discomfort started to melt away. He kissed her lips, a hand caressing its way up from her hips to her breast and he looked her in the eye. Juvia bit her lower lip and pulled him down to kiss him.

She moaned into his lips when Gray's moves made him rub a nice spot inside her. He looked at her, his hands went to her hips again and started to quicken his thrusts, brushing the spot every time. Juvia held on to him, the gods know for how long, just feeling him slide in and out of her, hands on her hips, ass, lips and teeth on her throat.

It didn't make sense to her how much she liked to hear Gray's little groans, how she enjoyed the way his eyes darkened when he lowered his face to her breasts and used his teeth to tease her, how his eyes flashed proudly when she arched her body, closed her eyes, asking for more.

She looked his way and saw the moment he broke down, snapping his hips on hers, searching her lips, groaning when he released himself inside her. The blunette smiled into the kiss when she felt his weight on top of her, the kiss turning less frantic.

Supporting his weight with his elbows again and looked down on her, his eyes were softer and he didn't seem to be brooding so much. He was even more handsome, then.

Pulling him down one last time, Juvia kissed him slowly and she held her breath when he exited her. Gray didn't break the kiss, so both were on their sides, one of his hands on her waist while hers were cupping his face.

"Juvia guesses we reached an agreement." She said and he snorted softly, making Juvia smile.

"I guess we did." Her husband told her. "Even so, we are not doing this if you don't want to."

"What if you don't want you to?" The blunette asked in a whisper.

He thought it over for a moment. "If I don't come here to sleep, it's because I don't want to. And if you don't want me, just say so. I mean it, you tell me." Gray told her, serious. "I'm really not into forcing women."

"Alright." Juvia muttered.

"Remember what I told you when we got married?" Gray asked her. "I meant it."

She put a hand on his cheek. "Juvia did too when she agreed. We will be the only ones for each other, we will try to make the other happy and we will be friends."

"Yes." Gray agreed. "Friends." He pulled the covers on top of them and slid closer to her. "But here…"

"Here, we are more." Juvia whispered, lying on her stomach while he was on his side, one of his hands on her lower back and her breath got caught on her throat, oddly her body heated up all over again, her heart beating faster. "We have a duty, after all."

"Yes." Gray cleared his throat and nodded. "It's our duty."

Juvia rested her elbows on the mattress to support her weight and kissed his lips – the gods knew she was being way too forward that night, but she really liked kissing him, liked being touched by him and it appeared he never liked to take initiative so she had to.

#

Juvia woke up and it was way too early – she could see the sun was not up yet and it was quite cold, but she needed a glass of water – the cold made her throat dry too fast. She sat on the bed and pulled the sheet she was under to cover her naked form.

Noticing the embers on the fireplace, Juvia could understand why the room was so cold. She looked over her shoulder and saw her husband lying on his stomach, his face towards her and Juvia felt her cheeks get hotter when she thought of what had happened just a few hours before.

Lucky didn't begin to cover Juvia's situation. She had heard stories about women who married gross men, men who beat them, men who forced themselves on their wives just because they were married.

Gray didn't seem to be like any of those men. He had been nothing but kind to her, making sure she was comfortable. Juvia was sure she would like to be his friend when morning came, just as much she enjoyed being his wife during the night.

Juvia slid off the bed and she hissed when her feet touched the cold floor. She got her underdress and put it on before she walked to the small table where there was a jug of water next to the wine they had earlier and a cup. She drank the cold liquid slowly and she was about to return to bed when she saw her husband sit on the bed, looking around, confused until he saw her with the little light coming from the fireplace.

"It's too early." He told her, confused, and Juvia nodded.

"Juvia just needed to drink some water." She told him and walked back to the bed, getting under the covers. "And it's cold, Juvia needed to put her underdress back on. She's not used to the cold yet."

Gray lied back down, on his side and watched her for a moment before he sighed and pulled her closer to him, making her gasp in surprise. He had an arm over her waist and her body molded perfectly to his. "Sleep closer to me." He told her and Juvia could feel her heart beat faster with the contact, especially since her dress rolled up and she could feel his bare legs on hers. "It's warmer if we sleep that way."

"Oh." She cleared her throat softly.

He must've felt her tensed body, because he muttered, clearly sleepy. "Don't worry; it's night, we're still husband and wife." Juvia couldn't help but to chuckle and she felt his lips curl. "Sleep." He said and she hummed in agreement, feeling warmer with her husband's arms around her.

#

"Another morning with porridge for breakfast." Silver sighed, playing with his food. "Lady Juvia must think we are either poor or that we really enjoy porridge."

"Or that someone said he didn't want fish or chicken for the past few days and he also hasn't gone hunting either." Gray told his father. They were having breakfast together, like they had since Gray and Juvia were married, but that morning the air was lighter and Silver must've picked on that.

The blunette chuckled and looked to her father-in-law. "Juvia doesn't mind the porridge, Silver-sama. She quite enjoys it with some honey."

"Call me father, my dear." Silver told her. "I have always wanted a daughter but sadly my wife died before we could have one. I had to wait eighteen years for my son to get married so I could get a daughter, so please, call me father."

"Of course, father." Juvia repeated dutifully.

"You shouldn't bully her into calling you that." Gray pointed out.

"I take offense at that." Silver pretended to be offended, but he winked at Juvia, who hid a few giggles.

"Don't humor him." Gray told his wife, clearly pretending to be angry. "You are creating a monster."

"Alright, Gray-sama." The blunette put a hand on his thigh under the table to calm him and then removed it after a moment.

"I was thinking." Silver said after a few moments. "We received an invitation to attend to a wedding in a fortnight. The oldest son of Lord Ross is getting married to the daughter of Lord Sintherby. You must remember the young Ross, Gray. He stayed here for a few months when both of you were twelve."

Gray seemed to think for a moment. "Oh, yes. Lucian, isn't it? Big guy, hair so blonde it was almost white?"

"That's him." Silver nodded. "I was thinking you and Juvia could attend to it. Your first official outing as a married couple. It's a two-day journey from Winterfell to Castle Ross."

Juvia looked at Gray, who looked back at her. "If Gray-sama doesn't mind going, neither will Juvia. It will be nice to see more of the North and to meet more of your bannerman."

"I think it will be nice to go." Gray agreed, looking at her and then at his father. "People need to know who is to become their Lady in the future."

"It is settled, then." Silver seemed pleased to himself. "You will leave in ten days."

The blunette smiled to her father-in-law and she waited until her husband had finished with his porridge before she spoke. "Juvia thought we could take a walk to the godswood." He looked up when he realized she was speaking with him and frowned in confusion. "Friends during the day not ignoring each other, remember?"

Understanding dawned in his expression. "Oh, that's right." Gray nodded and then looked at his father. "I will escort Lady Juvia to the godswood, father. I will meet you later so we can go to town."

"Of course, son." Silver nodded and smiled when Juvia stepped closer to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek, it had been just a little time but Juvia grew quite fond of him. "Oh, see? Daughters are better than sons. I think he was seven the last time he even hugged me." He looked at his son.

"Good thing she calls you father now, huh?" Gray told to his father and offered his arm to his wife. Juvia chuckled and took his arm, stepping closer once they were outside. "You will get used to the cold, but you need thicker dresses or at least a coat."

"This is the thickest dress Juvia has." She looked down to her dark blue dress. "Perhaps she needs a northern made dress."

"It is probably for the best." He told her and saw Star, sitting and looking quite annoyed while Blizzard tried to get her attention by biting her ears and her legs, anywhere he could. "He just doesn't learn." Gray shook his head and whistled, gaining Blizzard's attention.

Gray untangled his arms from Juvia's just in time the large direwolf jumped on him, paws on his shoulders and Gray groaned with the weight when Blizzard licked his cheek. "You are not a puppy anymore, you know?" Gray pushed the wolf down and his attention went to Juvia. "Blizzard, you behave now."

Juvia waited to see what the wolf would do, but thankfully he didn't jump on her, but went close enough her only option was to pet him and scratch behind his ears.

"He jumps on me, but sits when he's close to you." Gray crossed his arms over his chest.

"You did tell him to behave." Juvia chuckled when Blizzard bumped his nose on her hand so she'd pet him again.

"That I did." Gray nodded and scratched the wolf's head. "Go to the stables. I'll be there soon to feed you." Gray whistled and Blizzard trotted to where Star waited and both walked away.

"They are very smart." Juvia said, watching the wolves.

"Yes." He agreed and once again offered his arm to his wife.

"Why 'Blizzard', though?" Juvia asked when they resumed their walk. "Juvia can see why name her Star with that mark on her head, but Blizzard?"

Gray snorted. "It is as simple as it sounds: his litter was born during a blizzard, I thought I was being clever."

"That's sweet." Juvia chuckled. "You must've been a sweet child."

"I wished I could say it happened when I was a child, but I was fourteen." He smirked when he heard her laugh quietly. They walked in silence for a few moments before Gray spoke again. "You are letting your hair loose, now." He commented.

"Oh, yes." Juvia touched the long curls. "Juvia thought she looked too much of a southerner with the rings of hair. Juvia wants to fit in and she can see that, unless there's a party, the women prefer easier styles."

"Those rings by the end of your hair were quite… unique." He tried to be tactful.

Juvia chuckled. "That's one way of seeing it. It took Juvia an hour to style her hair that way."

"I like it loose, it shows the color more." He shrugged. "Here up north most of us have dark hair. Blue is a nice change."

"Imagine if we have a blue haired son." She asked.

"I think he would be the first blue haired Fullbuster, that's for sure." Gray chuckled.

"Will you mind if it happens?"

"No." Gray shrugged once again. "Hair color doesn't matter, it's silly to be that superficial. I know someone with pink hair and it never bothered him."

"He must be interesting."

Gray smiled. "You have no idea." They stopped in front of the gates of the godswood. "Here we are."

"We need to do this more often." Juvia took his hand on hers. "Juvia likes to talk to you."

"It's weird, but I like to talk to you too." Gray frowned a bit.

"That's a good thing." She said. "We are getting along."

"I guess we are." Gray agreed. "Father and I are going to town but we will be back for supper."

"See you then." Juvia smiled and walked to the godswood.

#

Gray looked to his right where his wife rode her white horse, a guard escorting them on the front and another a few meters behind. She had been riding for the past five hours and not once she complained. When she told him there was no need for a carriage to take her, that she could ride for as long as was necessary, he was skeptical but she held on during the journey to Castle Ross and now, they were on their second day, still five more hours until Winterfell but she stayed strong.

They had been married for almost a month and aside from the first days when he had been apprehensive about intimacy, they had no trouble at all. Juvia was quite an intelligent woman, kind and always treated him and his father with respect.

Silver was already charmed, Gray wasn't too far behind. For an arranged marriage, he was happy with how things turned out.

During the wedding they attended, she had been the perfect guest and when they left, Gray was sure all Lords and Ladies there would let everyone know about the new Lady of Winterfell.

"For someone who spent most of her life locked away in the Twins, you know how to charm a crowd." Gray told his wife. "When exactly did you learn that?"

Juvia frowned in his direction. "What are you talking about? Juvia just treated them the same way she treats anyone."

He looked at her, trying to see if she was being modest, but saw nothing but confusion in her expression. She was speaking the truth, she did nothing on purpose.

"Did you know that I never saw Lord Redfield smile until he talked with you at the wedding?" Gray raised an eyebrow.

"He is an interesting man." Juvia told him. "His wife was from the Stormlands, like Juvia's family. He says Juvia reminded him of her."

"That explains it." Gray snorted. "Should I worry?"

Juvia chuckled. "We had a deal, remember? Not even sixty-year-old Lord Redfield will make Juvia break that deal."

"Good to know." He was about to say something else when they heard a shout. Gray watched as the guard who rode ahead of them fell from his horse. There was a man holding a bloodied sword next to the horse. Two more came from the woods on their left and another from their right.

Gray wielded his sword and he looked at his wife, who was looking at the men, scared. He and the guard would be able to fight their way out, but with Juvia there… they would need to protect her. He wouldn't let anyone hurt her, not while his heart was still beating.

"What do you want?" Gray asked.

"Your horses. Whatever food you've got and money too." The one who seemed to be the leader of the group, said. Gray noticed they all wore the same types of furs, black. Were they… from the Night's Watch? That didn't make sense, everyone knew they executed deserters.

There was no time for that, though. They were all armed and looked quite desperate.

"Alright." Gray nodded and came off from the horse, nodding slightly to his wife to do the same. Gray walked around Juvia's horse and saw the guard had also dismounted and slowly walked so he could stand next to Gray, both protecting Juvia. "Everything we have is on the bags attached to the horses. You can have it."

"I know him." One of the men, the older one, took a step closer, frowning. "You're Gray Fullbuster, aren't you? Bloody boy looks exactly like his father."

The others looked at him with interest. "We could get some good money for him. His father would pay."

"And look at the pretty girl. We could all use a pretty girl like her around." One of them said, three missing teeth on the front and way too thin to be healthy.

"We need the horses and the money to get the fuck out." A man around his thirties said, he seemed to be the only one sane enough of the group. "We need to go as south as south go."

Gray tensed. They were starting to disagree and that wasn't good at all.

Gods, how he wished he had brought Blizzard with him.

"Juvia," he whispered, praying the men kept arguing so they wouldn't hear them "if a fight breaks, you get on your horse and ride until you reach Winterfell."

"No." She whispered back. "We need to attack." Gray frowned. "The guard they hurt is still alive. We need to take them out and care for him. Juvia will help."

"We can take them, milord." The guard whispered. "You and me. Two against four is doable."

Gray saw one of the men push the other's shoulder and knew soon things would get ugly. Holding his sword tighter, he nodded at the guard by his side. "Juvia, run to the trees and wait." She didn't answer but he was sure she heard him. "Roman, on the count of three."

"I'll get the ones on the left, sir."

"One. Two. Three." Instinct took over when Gray charged in the direction of the men, swords up. The first one went down quickly, he was distracted, but the others were better prepared and put up a fight.

Gray groaned when he was hit on the arm and saw the guard, Roman, fall to the ground. He was supposed to be much better than the men who were trained in the Night's Watch, but apparently, in their despair to run, they improved their abilities.

The second man Gray was fighting finally fell once Gray slashed his front and he was aware there were two enemies more. He turned just in time one of them swung his sword, Gray's own Valyrian steel sword stopping the hit.

Gray could swear man number four was about to attack him, but instead, Gray's eyes were wide when he saw his wife, his seemingly sweet and helpless wife, with a sword in her hands, wielding it as if she had done it her entire life, fighting the man.

"What the fuck?" He yelled and the one fighting Gray got distracted enough with the fight that Gray pushed the man and started to swing his sword, with much more purpose – Juvia was fighting, he needed to help her.

Gray finally put the sword through the man's stomach, pulled his sword from it and turned around, just to see Juvia swirl perfectly, sword in hand, hitting the son of a bitch right on the chest.

What the fuck he had just witnessed?

Juvia was panting when she looked at him and Gray knew, then; she hadn't picked up that sword instinctively because she needed to protect herself and her husband. She picked that sword because she knew how to use it.

"What the fuck, Juvia?" Gray said in disbelief.

Blinking in surprised, Juvia straightened herself and told him in a whisper: "You were not supposed to see that." One of the guards moaned and she looked at him and then back at her husband. "We need to take care of them." The blunette said. "Juvia will explain to you later."

"Juvia…"

"Later." She promised and Gray nodded after a moment; they needed to get medical attention to those men.

"Later." He agreed, scowling. Gray Fullbuster wasn't too fond of secrets and it seemed his wife had some of her own.

He would get to the bottom of it, one way of the other.

#

AN: So, the first part was just to set the mood. Things will really happen during part 2. I hope this was alright.

07/19/2017 ~ BonneyQ