I woke up once again in the nursing room. It had been four days since my daughter was born, and all the while I'd been relieved to find that Ramsay loved her even though she was a girl.

He sat with her in his arms by the fire, a rare moment when it was just him and I and no nurses in sight.

"Ramsay-"

"Shhhh," he placed a finger over his lips before pointing down at our sleeping daughter: Lady Erika of House Bolton.

Willard was in one of the two cribs holding a toy, giggling softly as he tore it's head off. Ramsay gently got up and placed Erika in the spare crib. The way he carried her seemed as if he was holding a fragile treasure.

Once the two babies where in their cribs he knelt beside my bed. Stroking my hair gently he said "The nurse warned me not to put another baby in you for a while. Your labor was harsh, my lady."

I smiled comically "I know. I recall it being so."

He took my hand just as he had four days ago. Even in my weakest moments, even when I knew he loved me, I was scared of harming him. Scared he'd hurt me for it. It made no sense, for he would hurt anyone for me.

"...But I want more children." He mumbled.

I blinked.

Kissing the top of my head he explained "Your family has had an unfortunate history with it's children. I do not want the same fate to fall on our children without there being more children, like you, to continue our legacy. We need many Lords and Ladies of Winterfell to secure it."

Swallowing back my fear of childbirth I nodded shakily.

He smirked "You're such a good girl." He kissed me. "You make me very happy."

"It's my first duty to do so. Second is ruling the North-"

"And third is being a mother." Ramsay finished for me, "Listen, my darling. I know you love our child... and Willard... but we both know the only reason Willard was kept alive is became you felt pity for his life. If you'd like, you don't even have to see your children. We have wet nurses-"

"Our children will be taken care of by their mother and father," I stopped him.

Ramsay clenched his jaw. "Very well...Let me explain this differently: We have just started a war. Sansa Stark's army is to attack the Dreadfort soon so I must leave in five days to stop her. Now I'm not letting you leave this Keep ever again in the name of war so you must be capable of running Winterfell."

I started to raise my voice "You are leaving me here alone while you fight a war?"

"Edda," he raised his finger at me, "Calm. I don't want to get angry at you. I've let many things slide with you but do not forget who I am." He jerked my Flayer arm towards his chest, revealing the carved word. "You will stay here and do as I command Wardeness of the North," mockingly he imitated my voice when I proclaimed myself the rightful heir of Winterfell.

I'd gotten too comfortable with him, that must have been why I said it. For I still do not understand how I could've said the next words if not-

"I am the highborn Lady of Winterfell, the true Heir of the North without whom you'd have nothing. You do not tell me what to do, Bastard."

All the warmth left his face. A moment passed before his hand struck me so hard against the cheek that I let out a shriek.

A nurse came in at the sound of my cry, cowardly standing by the door in fear of my husband. The glare from his icy blue eyes did not break from mine.

He made me flinch when he leaned in to whisper in my ear, "If you ever talk to me that way again I will cut off your tongue. Is that understood?"

My eyes started to water. He wouldn't. He loves me, he would never do that-

The insanity in his eyes screamed I was wrong.

"Yes, my love," I choked out.

He formed a deceivingly soft smile, kissing the side of my face that stung from his palm. "I'm sorry, my lady." Ramsay stood up "The nurses say you will be able to walk in three days. I hope they are right so I can hold in my arms at night."

Our daughter cried herself awake. Ramsay got to her before the nurse, commanding her to worry about me. Holding Erika in one arm and scooping up Willard with the other he left me alone with the young nurse.