Bran was no longer in danger. Under Catelyn's heavy protection, unless Roman himself acted, only a Shadow Assassin could harm him now.
In the following days, Roman looked after Bran while conversing with Walder.
Roman discovered that Walder, with his mind intact, was quite intelligent and nimble, which was why Eddard had called him to care for Bran.
"Walder, you look like an old hand at this. Why didn't I see you when I visited Winterfell before?"
"Oh, my Lord. I used to look after the horses, so of course, I couldn't go to the feast and disturb you."
Walder had been on a streak of good luck lately. First, he was recognized by Roman and gained his favor; later, because of his efficiency, Roman praised him in front of Eddard, and now his living conditions had improved.
Roman, however, looked at Walder and fell into deep thought. In the original series, Walder's mind was fried because Bran glimpsed into the past and imprinted the command "Hold the door" onto him.
Now that Walder's mind was normal, it meant the future event in the tree hollow where Walder saved the crippled Bran would not happen.
"Three-Eyed Raven, I almost forgot about you. What do you plan to do next?"
While pondering possible future variables, Roman fried fish. He didn't have much to do lately, so he took the opportunity to do things he enjoyed.
Fili was also studying seriously by his side. She had always been Roman's personal Servant and naturally didn't want to miss any chance to improve herself.
"Lord Roman, why do you take the fish out after frying it before sautéing the spices? Can't they be fried together?"
"Why add water to the fried fish again? Is it to let the broth soak into the meat?"
While Fili was happily enjoying her time alone with Roman, Sansa was secretly wiping away tears.
This was because not long ago, Eddard and Robert had reached a marriage alliance; Sansa was to marry Joffrey.
If it were before, Sansa would have been infatuated with a handsome blonde like Joffrey.
But ever since she heard of Roman's deeds and spent time with him, Sansa had lost interest in other men.
Restoring Harrenhal, improving the territory, uniting the Riverlands, vigorously suppressing bandits, heading north to aid the Night's Watch, killing 400 in the tunnel, and slaying an Ice Spider single-handedly.
In the Riverlands and the North, Roman was already famous, not to mention he had saved Bran's life.
Few of his generation could achieve such feats.
"And Ser Roman is so gentlemanly and humble. He treats everyone equally and is willing to look after me and chat about lady-like topics."
Joffrey? Setting aside achievements, there were even rumors of him torturing kittens.
She heard Joffrey had once cut open a poor pregnant cat just to see the kittens inside its belly.
Sansa pulled on Eddard's arm: "Father, I... I don't want to marry Prince Joffrey! I don't want to go to The Red Keep."
Eddard looked at Sansa in surprise. He stared at his daughter in confusion, not understanding how Sansa had suddenly become a different person.
In the past, Sansa cared deeply about topics like becoming a queen or a lady and was always thinking about visiting King's Landing. Now she was refusing such a great opportunity?
Catelyn came to Eddard's side at some point and said softly:
"Your dear daughter's soul has been charmed away by Roman. As her father, you didn't know at all?"
At this, Sansa couldn't help but blush.
"Mother..."
Eddard suddenly felt a headache coming on. He had seen Roman and Sansa dancing before, but he thought it was just normal social etiquette. He didn't expect his daughter's heart to be stolen when he wasn't looking.
The master of Winterfell could only patiently tell Sansa about Joffrey's virtues, using rhetoric he didn't even believe himself to comfort her.
"My dear, Prince Joffrey is also young and promising. By joining with him, you will be respected and loved, and you will become a Queen in the future, just like Queen Cersei..."
Ultimately, under the persuasion of Eddard and Catelyn, Sansa agreed to first interact with Joffrey to develop some feelings.
After Sansa left in disappointment, Eddard and Catelyn went to the window of the high platform. Through the large glass, they saw the figures of Roman and Fili.
At this moment, Roman had finished cooking, and Fili was feeding him. The laughter on their faces was so conspicuous that Catelyn couldn't help but grumble.
"Roman is betrothed to Princess Myrcella. To be so intimate with another girl is simply improper. Has he spent so much time with His Majesty Robert that he's picked up the King's bad habits?"
Eddard could only chuckle awkwardly. Robert's reputation as a philanderer sometimes affected him as well.
Eddard could only use the excuse of looking after Bran to leave.
After enjoying their delicious meal, Roman and Fili strolled around Winterfell together, comparing the differences between Winterfell and Harrenhal. Unknowingly, they arrived at a shack.
Fili suddenly pulled him: "Lord Roman, a wolf!"
Looking closely, a Snow-white Direwolf was silently staring at them from a high spot, which made Roman realize.
"Ghost?"
"Lord Roman knows this child's name?"
Jon Snow also stepped out from the side and greeted the two.
Roman looked at Snow and said with a smile, "You've been following us this whole time, haven't you?"
Snow's body shook. He didn't know how Roman could have discovered him, especially since he and Ghost had been so careful.
Roman could now keep White Flame Vision active at all times; almost no creature could escape his eyes. Coupled with Fili's ravens monitoring the surroundings constantly, it would be a miracle if a novice like Snow could stay hidden.
But Roman didn't want to argue with Snow: "I assume you have something important to ask me. Let's make it brief."
Snow scratched his head and said hesitantly, "I heard you fought through an entire tunnel of wildlings at the Wall. I want to spar and learn from you!"
Roman didn't agree immediately but suddenly asked, "Where did you find this Direwolf?"
"Ghost? He was found in a litter with several other direwolves. My brothers and sisters each have one."
"Weren't you afraid the mother wolf would retaliate when you took the pups?" Roman asked, puzzled.
"Lord Roman, we didn't see the mother wolf. There were no traces of her anywhere."
Hearing this, Roman's eyes narrowed. If the mother wolf hadn't died, did that mean Eddard would be fine too?
Roman suddenly wanted to seek out those prophetic scenes from the original work, but then he dismissed the idea.
"How foolish! Roman, when did you become someone who only follows prophecies?"
So what if there's a prophecy? Since Roman could change Harrenhal and the North, he could just as easily shatter those wretched prophecies.
Having thought this through, Roman let out a laugh: "Of course you can. But Snow, be warned—I won't go easy on you. Getting hit will hurt!"
"I wouldn't have it any other way! I will keep up with your speed, Lord Roman!"
Subsequently, amidst cries of pain, Snow was sent to Maester Luwin's chambers.