Chapter 331

So, under what circumstances can a betrothal be canceled in Westeros?

Aegor had never thought about it before. Theoretically, someone like him—who wasn’t supposed to marry or have children—shouldn’t need to consider such trivial matters unrelated to the grander game. Yet here he was, pondering such nonsense before even shedding his Night’s Watch status. He knew embarrassingly little about marriage laws in the world of ice and fire. Fortunately, whether out of her friendly rapport with Arya or gratitude for Aegor’s care of her brother, Myrcella was eager to help. She not only joined the discussion but also enthusiastically offered suggestions.

...

The cancellation of a betrothal generally falls into two categories: voluntary and involuntary.

A voluntary cancellation involves one party proposing to dissolve the betrothal, obtaining approval from an authoritative institution—typically the Faith—and publicly announcing the decision. This is what people commonly refer to as a broken engagement.

There are plenty of examples. The one Aegor remembered most vividly was Joffrey and Sansa’s situation in the original timeline. After the Battle of the Blackwater, House Lannister needed to form an alliance with House Tyrell to secure their reign. Thus, the Small Council proactively annulled the marriage pact between the Lannisters and the Starks, allowing Joffrey to marry Margaery instead. Back then, the Faith was still under royal control, so the annulment was nothing more than a procedural formality, completed without issue.

But now, the one wanting to dissolve the engagement wasn’t the head of two great houses but Arya, a young girl acting on personal wishes. The official route for annulment was clearly a dead end. That left only the more unconventional paths...

...

So, what exactly are these unconventional—or involuntary—means of dissolving a betrothal?

They involve “natural invalidation” due to specific circumstances.

And what are these circumstances?The death of one party. That’s obvious enough. Naturally, Aegor wouldn’t advise Arya to kill herself, so...

“You could just find a way to get rid of your fiancé. Problem solved, no marriage to worry about.”

“What?!” Arya jumped up. “I want to break the engagement, not become a widow or a murderer. That doesn’t count!”

“Hey, hey, I’m just offering suggestions. Whether you follow them is up to you,” Aegor replied, unbothered by her protest. “Whether you like it or not, it’s still a way to fulfill your ‘no marriage’ wish.”

“But if I kill this one, won’t they just find me another? Do you expect me to keep killing them one by one? That’s ridiculous!”

“Alright, fine, since you don’t want to use that option, we’ll move on to the second idea.”

Without waiting for her reaction, Aegor continued, marking one-third of the task as “forcefully completed.”Joining a celibate religious order. Myrcella brought this up as a possibility. There were examples, such as Baelor the Blessed, who was fanatically devout, or Lancel Lannister from the original timeline.

But this option had its problems. Northerners generally worshipped the Old Gods, whose teachings didn’t include vows of celibacy. If Arya tried to switch her faith and join the Faith of the Seven as a nun in a city like King’s Landing, she’d likely be dragged back home and beaten by her mother before she got halfway there.

“You could try building a strong bond with your fiancé and then convert him to the Faith of the Seven. Maybe inspire him to voluntarily take a vow of celibacy,” Aegor suggested.

“Do you even hear yourself?” Arya glared at him, cheeks puffed with anger. “I don’t even believe in the Seven! And even if I did, what makes you think I have the ability to convince him?”

“If you lack the skills, then practice. Put half as much effort into persuasive speech as you do into swordplay and riding, and you’ll manage it.”

“Actually, you might not need to convert to the Seven.” Myrcella, standing nearby, offered another idea. “The Night’s Watch also prohibits marriage. Lord Aegor happens to be the Lord Commander. If he issued a decree encouraging Northern and Vale nobility to join the Watch for honor...”

“See? Myrcella is younger than you and already more resourceful,” Aegor said approvingly. “The Watch could use well-trained young nobles. I’ll issue the decree; the rest is up to you.”

Theoretically, this idea was feasible. In the early days of the Night’s Watch, when the threat of the Others still loomed, many noble-born men joined for honor. However, it was almost unheard of for high-priority heirs to don the black—usually, only bastards or unimportant younger sons took that route.

Still, these complexities were beyond Arya’s immediate grasp. She frowned gloomily. “Alright, I’ll give it a try. What’s the third option?”Marrying someone else before the betrothal is fulfilled.

In Westerosi law, marriage always overrides a betrothal. As long as the union is consensual and officiated by a septon, it’s legally binding. In such cases, any prior betrothals automatically become void. A prime example was Robb Stark and Jeyne Westerling: when the Young Wolf insisted on marrying the daughter of a minor Westerlands noble house, his betrothal to a Frey was rendered null.

This gave Aegor an idea.

“You said you hate Harry because he has bastards, right?”

“Exactly! And more than one, I hear!” Arya complained angrily. “It’s disgusting!”

“Disgusting or not, it shows he’s not a fool blinded by love. He clearly understands the difference between indulging in pleasures and securing alliances...”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means he’s experienced,” Aegor continued, ignoring her interruption. “Someone like him, having secured an alliance with House Stark, would never foolishly risk it. Unless, of course, King Stannis offered him a princess. So, if you want out, you’ll have to take matters into your own hands—find someone you like and marry him.”

“What? That’s even more troublesome! I don’t want to marry anyone!”

Aegor ignored her protests and pressed on. “Remember, it must be a legitimate marriage, not just... you know. The boy you choose needs to have some standing—someone your brother can’t dismiss outright. Ideally, someone from the North, Riverlands, Vale, or Crownlands who is loyal to Stannis. If they’re your brother’s ally, he and your mother will have no choice but to accept it.”

He emphasized this point because he’d seen too many failures, including those involving people he’d once helped or opposed—like Littlefinger and Tyrion Lannister.

Littlefinger had seduced and impregnated Lysa Tully but failed to secure a marriage, leading to his eventual exile. Tyrion, on the other hand, had married a farmer’s daughter with a proper ceremony but still lost her to Tywin’s wrath.

Arya frowned, frustrated. “Why is this so complicated?”

“It’s really not,” Myrcella said kindly. “There are similar strategies. For example, I once heard about a noblewoman who fancied her sister’s fiancé. One night, she ‘got lost’ and ended up in his chambers. The next day, they were betrothed, and their families hastily arranged a wedding to cover up her growing belly.”

“How shameless! Who was that?” Arya grimaced. “Besides, my sister doesn’t even have a fiancé.”

“Hasn’t Sansa chosen a new match yet?” Aegor asked, then reconsidered. “Never mind. Myrcella’s point isn’t about sneaking into someone’s bed but creating a situation where ‘what’s done is done.’ If you can orchestrate something between Harry and Sansa, your family might have no choice but to shift the engagement to her.”

Arya tilted her head, pondering. It still seemed tricky, but at least it was simpler than marrying someone herself. “Hmm... Sansa is prettier than me. If I give Harry a chance to notice her, he’ll definitely be tempted.”

“Good. But don’t slack off yourself,” Aegor warned, ruffling her messy hair. “If you don’t want to scare him away with how unkempt you look, put in some effort. Didn’t I tell you? No sloppiness in front of your master!”

“But I was excited to see you...”

“Enough excuses,” Aegor said, pulling his hand back. “You wanted three ideas. I’ve given you four. Satisfied?”

Not entirely, especially since the fourth idea came from Myrcella. But Arya decided to try the last plan first. If it didn’t work... well, she’d figure something else out.

“Fine, I’m satisfied—for now. But Master, Winterfell is so boring! Stay with me for my name day, and then take me to Crown's Rest afterward!”

Aegor rolled his eyes. Crown's Rest was hardly an amusement park. “That’s the front line. It’s dangerous, not a place for fun. Stay here, listen to your brother and mother, and behave. When they allow you to visit, I’ll welcome you.”

“They’ll never let me go again!” Arya clung to his arm. “You don’t know how hard I had to work to get Robb to let me visit the Wall last time!”

“That’s nonsense,” Aegor said, exasperated. “Remember the heart tree beneath Castle Black? I’m planning to turn it into a pilgrimage site for Old Gods worshippers. Behave, and maybe you’ll get to visit.”

“Really?”

“When have I ever lied to you?”

It was true—he had plans for Long Night Hold and Crown's Rest. Not for Arya’s sake, though, but to attract pilgrims, boost the economy, and fund the Watch. Every coin counted.