The Young Lion

Act 1 Ch 19 Sandwich Shop

[Later That Day]

Joffrey was waiting by the Red Keeps gate for Sansa to arrive. He had changed into a long white silk shirt tucked into black trousers with matching knee high leather boots. He wore a black vest with gold designs embroidered into it, over his sleeves he wore blacked steel bracers with matching gold symbols. At his waist he wore a brown leather belt where his broad sword and dagger hung. His simple yet elegant attire gave off a very majestic aura. 

His hair which he had been growing out hung around his nape, and shimmered in the sun’s light like beaten gold. He wore a simple gold chain necklace with a single square emerald in the middle. He felt soon he would have to have new clothes made as all his old clothes stuck tightly to his body now that he had built sufficient muscle mass. He actually was quite excited, as he couldn’t wait to assure in the Tudors fashion which he preferred much more than the current one. He had plans to make a textile sector in the near future, though he realized that he had enough on his plate at the moment and to put it off for the time being.

 After a few minutes had passed, Sansa made her way down from the castle and approached the young king. She wore a stunning blue velvet day dress with flowers embroidered into it. She wore the silver sapphire necklace that Joffrey had given her, her red hair braided into twin ponytails that laid down to her neck. It was the current hairstyle for southern women among the capital, personally Joffrey didn't like the look and preferred the more free flowing ones of the north.

She approached her young king with a beaming smile on her face, she hadn’t gotten to spend much time with him lately due to his work as the new king. She was truthfully starting to fear that Joffrey had grown to hate her for her father’s treachery, and was just avoiding spending time with her. That's why when he suggested that the two of them should spend the afternoon together in the city, a gripping fear had been dispelled from her heart. She was a little disappointed that they still needed a guard detail to escort them, but understood that as the king he required some security. As she came before her handsome fiance she gave him a curtsy.

“Your grace,” She said politely, tilting her head as she bowed, holding up the edges of her dress.

“My lady,” he said, giving a respectful bow in return. “You look beautiful my lady, it's as if the maiden herself has descended from the heavens and appeared before me.” He said in a charming tone.

He internally cringed at his words, truth be told Joffrey had no experience with the opposite sex in either of his two lives. So he had to fall back on the shoujo manga he had read in his previous life. Without any shame he adopted the mannerisms from one of the random manga's he had read where the MC happened to be a charming prince. He really wanted their engagement to work, not only was she beautiful and kind, but he knew that she had the makings of a great ruler in her. He just didn’t want her to go through the suffering that she had to in the original timeline to gain those attributes.

It worked like a charm, Sansa was a blushing mess, her face matching her hair from Joffrey's compliment. Cooing and giggling like a girl at her first crush. The hound rolled his eyes at the cheap romantic display, while Barristan chuckled. Joffrey thanked the gods that Sansa was still a child and fell easily for such obvious flattery. 

“Shall we go my lady?” He asked her politely, holding up his arm.

“O-oh yes” she stuttered, her face still red, interlocking her arm with his, burying it between her already large bosom, which caused him to blush slightly.

The pair then began walking down stone road arm and arm with their sworn shields walking behind them. Sansa had a beaming smile plastered on her face with reddened cheeks. Joffrey chuckled and smiled at the young girl's enthusiasm as they made their way into town. Behind them Barristan had a grandfather-like smile watching his kings and future queens' romantic display. While the hound just shook his head at the nauseating cheap romantic display.

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The group walked and made their way into the city, Joffrey took the opportunity to greet the common folk who passed by. He appeared to be on a first name basis with many of the small business owners in the city. Sansa's curiosity started to grow more about Joffrey’s relationship with the commoners, they didn’t fear him, nor were they intimidated by his status. They addressed him with the proper respect, but they also willingly walked up and chatted with him, and by extension her. She was not used to such social walks in her father’s domain back in Winterfell.

Typically the commoners stayed out of her and her family’ way avoiding eye contact. She always assumed it was the proper order of things between nobility and their subjects. But now here was the king himself walking among them and treating them like peers instead of servants, it was like she had entered a different world, and it honestly wasn’t half bad. 

One woman had approached the couple and had handed Sansa a rose, which she thanked her for. All the people had recognized that the young lady was his betrothed. Though they were still angry with her father’s attempted coup, they could tell by the way the young king gently held her arm, and the way he looked at her that they were still to be wed. Because of this, they treated her with the same dignity and heartfelt respect that they paid to Joffrey, who had spent the last few months cleaning up their city and feeding their families. 

As the pair gave their greetings to their subjects a little girl came running up with a greasy kebab in her hands. Not paying attention to where she was going she stumbled into a food stand and ended up spilling her food on Joffrey's pants. Everyone stood back shocked by the accident, the little girl looked like she was ready to cry at the loss of her tasty treat. Her parents caught up to her only to find the scene with the young king and their daughter.

“Y-your grace I am so sorry, my daughter wasn’t watching where she was going.” The father stuttered trying to apologize to the king.

The girl looked up slightly frightened at the sight of the tall young man with a stoic expression. Joffrey then bent down and began to pat the young girl's head, surprising everyone. 

“Hey it's alright it all comes off with a wash.” He said with a reassuring smile. “Make sure you watch where you are going from now on ok?” He asked her.

She tearfully shook her head understandingly, then Joffrey took a silver coin out of his pouch and handed it to her.

“Here, get a double on me.” He said with a smile the little girl took the coin with a smile breaking out on her face.

Everyone was shocked by the gesture, not only had he brushed off the girl staining his expensive attire, but he even gave her money to get a new one. Sansa looked shocked and enamored at the noble gesture, it was just like the knights and princes in the stories her septa told her as a child. Barristan looked proud, Joffrey reminding him more and more of his fallen prince Rhaegar. The Hound looked stunned at the young king's actions.

“Is this the same blonde haired little shit, that called me a dog all the time?” He thought, completely puzzled by the personality changes of his liege. 

He saw his actions in court but he had thought it was all an act to butter up the nobles and secure his throne. Now he wasn’t so sure, he remembered when he once had him poke out a man's eye just for looking at him the wrong way. Yet here he was giving silver to a little girl for her mistake. He really didn’t know what to make of him anymore.

“Maybe I was wrong.” He thought to himself as the scene continued to unfold.

“Um, thank you.” The little girl said sheepishly.

“You’re welcome, have a nice day little one.” He said as he ruffled her hair with a smile.

He then stood up and offered his arm once again to Sansa which she happily took, before continuing on their stroll. As the group of four left the crowd of commoners just watched their backs as they walked away with gazes filled with admiration. As they walked for a while Joffrey suggested stopping and getting something to eat. Sansa agreed and Joffrey led her to the recently established sandwich shop. He had spoken with a local butcher and baker and explained to them his idea, and the two ended up combining their business and forming a restaurant. 

As they approached the humbly little establishment, Joffrey approached a woman in her mid forties who was behind the counter running the business for her husband. Her name was Kalla, and she was the local butcher's wife. She helped her husband run the butcher and sandwich shop which was co-owned with the baker.

She watched Joffrey walk up arm and arm with a pretty girl, she stopped and smiled at the couple.

“Your grace, you honor us with your presence.” She said respectfully.

Joffrey smiled in turn and ordered a meal for him and Sansa.

“Kalla two regulars please.”

Kalla immediately got to work, but not before washing her hands; by now all of the food stalls were following Joffrey’s health guidelines. After all those that didn’t would face possible fines and citations. As she prepared the food Joffrey decided to sit at a table outside in the sun. The pair sat across from each other while their worn shield stood guard. Kalla soon returned with two sandwiches served with a glass of milk. He paid her with a silver stag which was worth more than the entire meal.

“Keep the change.” He said with a smile as the woman excused herself to give the couple privacy.

Sansa had not said a word the entire time they had been walking; she observed Joffrey’s behavior which was far from what she was used to back home. She had heard rumors and whispers among the court that he was spoiled, petty, and sadistic, which she could see was obviously not true, they were obvious lies spread to try to ruin his reputation. She could never believe that his personality could change overnight.

Being a high lady of noble origins she was quite confused by the lack of silverware while dining; how exactly was she expected to eat this “sandwich” without a knife and a fork. Joffrey smiled at her as she stared intensely at the food, his charming smile nearly sent her into another daze.

“What's wrong? Do you not like it?” 

The young northern lady struggled to find the words when faced with the young king's charming smile.

“There’s no silverware.” She said sheepishly.

Joffrey laughed he had forgotten the noble’s etiquette when it came to eating. He decided to take the lead as he grabbed ahold of the roasted chicken sandwich, and bit into it. The look on Sansa’s face was priceless; it was like she was watching a wolf tear into a carcass. There was no way she could participate in such uncouth behavior.  

However after a few minutes of watching Joffrey eat with a satisfied smile, her curiosity won out and could no longer resist the temptation to try the food. As such she took the bread into her gentle slim fingers and took a small bite. Which nearly caused Joffrey to choke on his food from laughter. 

The shine in Sansa’s deep blue eyes glistened like the sapphires around her neck. He could tell from one look she had never had anything like this before. Truth be told, the culinary arts were quite lacking in this world; so he spent some time teaching both the chiefs and the locals how to make basic dishes from his previous life. 

After sometime Sansa noticed Joffrey watching her eat. She felt embarrassed, but she couldn’t bring herself to pull away from the delicious contraption. Only after she finished the whole thing did she question him.

“Why are you staring at me, your grace?” She asked, confused.

Joffrey chuckled lightly; girls no matter the world are all the same.

“I just thought you looked very pretty, that's all.” He responded resting his head against his fist with a smile.

Instantaneously the girl's face reddened again smoke could almost be seen coming out of her ears. She hadn’t expected him to say such a bold thing to her in public, as his voice replayed over and over in her head.

“Don’t you have any shame?” She asked fidgety looking down, unable to meet his gaze.

He just laughed again in response.

After the two finished their meal, the pair got up from their table, Joffrey left another silver stag as a tip. The group then made their way further down the street to explore more of Kings landing. As they moved on a group of men standing in a far off alley had been watching them. 

“Psst, let's go.” The ringleader said to the others, who got up and followed behind.

The group then made their way into the crowd, blending in as they continued following behind the young king’s group while they made their way deeper into the city.