Game Of Thrones : Merchant of Two Worlds

jason Liu's title as Earl of Starfire City might sound impressive, but it hasn't been officially recognized by the King of Westeros or the nobility. To the lords and people with knowledge of how things work in Westeros, his status seems a bit hollow.

Sure, people call him "Lord Jason" when they meet him, but their true thoughts remain hidden. Among the servants and those close to the Stark family in Winterfell, the skepticism runs deep. These are not just common folk—they are knights, minor nobles, or people with a fair bit of understanding of Westerosi politics.

Take Jon Snow's situation, for instance. Jason Liu knighted him, giving him a title and swearing him into his service. However, this doesn't change the fact that Jon is a bastard in the eyes of many. While some are envious or jealous of Jon's newfound status, others keep their distance. After all, they can't be sure if Jason Liu's title or his actions will ever be fully recognized by the King.

For Jon, though, becoming a knight has brought noticeable changes to his life in Winterfell. Since aligning himself with Jason Liu, his relationship with the Stark family has improved slightly. His knighthood means he will never inherit Winterfell or the title of Lord Stark, which brings relief to Lady Catelyn and Robb Stark. With Jon now firmly tied to Jason Liu, he poses no threat to Robb's position as heir.

Even the servants of Winterfell have started treating Jon with more respect—at least outwardly. While they might still whisper insults like "bastard" behind his back, they no longer dare to mock him openly. This is the power of noble status, even at its lowest tier. A knighthood might be the cheapest and least influential rank of the aristocracy, but for someone like Jon, it represents a world of change. Jason Liu has, quite literally, transformed Jon's life.

At the banquet, Jason Liu sat at the head of the table. To his right sat Lena, who managed much of the business in his stores, followed by Martha with her youngest daughter in her arms and her son Michal seated beside her. Sutan, Venisa, and Bella followed in order. Normally, clerks and maids would never dine alongside a lord, but Jason Liu insisted that this was a family banquet. Everyone was encouraged to relax and not worry about their status.

As they ate, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway. Jon Snow entered the room, dressed in a black cashmere coat and carrying something carefully in his arms. A sword hung at his waist, and his coat partially concealed whatever he held.

"Apologies for being late, my lord," Jon said as he bowed slightly to Jason Liu. He then carefully placed a small, snow-white bundle on the floor, using his coat to cushion it.

"What is that?" Michal, the curious seven-year-old, asked as he leaned forward to get a better look.

Lena, intrigued as well, stood and peered over Jon's shoulder. "I think I heard it cry. Is it alive?"

All eyes turned to Jon, who smiled faintly. Jason Liu, however, was already piecing it together. Earlier that day, Jon had accompanied Eddard Stark to execute a deserter from the Night's Watch. Jason recalled a pivotal moment from the original story: on their way back, the Stark party had stumbled upon a dead direwolf by the river, its body pierced by antlers. The wolf had been protecting her litter of six pups.

In the story, each Stark child—Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon—had taken one pup. Jon, however, received a snow-white direwolf that was different from the rest. This wolf would become his loyal companion, Ghost.

Looking at the bundle in Jon's arms, Jason realized it must be the same white pup. Michal, unable to contain his excitement, crouched closer for a better look, one of the older men at the table, exclaimed loudly.

"By the old gods! It's a direwolf pup!" he said.

In the North, direwolves were legendary creatures, rarely seen in the wild anymore. Their appearance was often considered an omen. As a Northerner, he immediately recognized the significance of the pup and its connection to the Stark family.

While the others gathered around Jon, Jason's thoughts drifted to another figure—Theon Greyjoy. Theon wasn't present at the moment, as he had gone with Ser Rodrik Cassel to investigate reports of animal attacks on local villages. However, Jason knew Theon would return soon.

Theon Greyjoy's story was a complicated one. A son of Balon Greyjoy, lord of the Iron Islands, Theon had been taken as a ward—or more accurately, a hostage—by Eddard Stark after Balon's failed rebellion against the Iron Throne. Though Theon was raised alongside the Stark children and treated well, his status as a hostage always lingered over him.

This duality—being both a noble heir to the Iron Islands and a hostage in Winterfell—shaped Theon into a deeply conflicted individual. Outwardly, he carried himself with arrogance and pride, but inwardly, he was plagued by insecurities.

Theon especially took out his frustrations on Jon, mocking him for his bastard status. To Theon, Jon was an easy target, someone who symbolized a similar lack of belonging. Unlike Jon, though, Theon tried to ingratiate himself with the legitimate Stark children, particularly Robb.

The animosity between Jon and Theon had been present since their childhood. Jon endured Theon's taunts in silence, knowing his own position left him little choice.

Jason Liu, reflecting on these dynamics, couldn't help but pity both Jon and Theon. Each was trapped by circumstances beyond their control, struggling to find their place in a world that constantly reminded them of their shortcomings.

As Jason's thoughts returned to the present, he watched Jon carefully tend to the small pup. The direwolf's arrival felt like a sign—a turning point not just for Jon but for everyone at Winterfell.

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