GOT: My Secret Lover is sansa-Chapter 125 Red Awakening

The red light washed over the marching army. Horses stamped their hooves in the dirt, nervous and restless.

[ALERT: Great Global Awakening initiated.]

[Magic has returned to the world.]

[Your summon ’Dae’ (Demon class) has been permanently strengthened by the ambient energy.]

[WARNING: World difficulty has increased significantly.]

Alaric stared at the floating words. There was no extra context. No explanation of what the Awakening actually meant or how much stronger his enemies would be. He read the warning twice, then closed the window with a blink. He shook his head, pushing the thought away. He would deal with it when the time came.

Beside him, Margaery watched the sky. The red glare reflected in her brown eyes.

The source of the crimson glare, a massive comet tearing a jagged wound through the heavens, trailed a long tail of fire across the clouds. Margaery squinted up at it, her jaw set against the eerie light.

"My grandmother used to talk about signs like that," she muttered, her voice barely carrying over the rhythmic thud of thousands of marching boots and the clinking of chainmail. "She always said a bleeding sky was the gods spilling wine before a great feast."

"Claimed it meant guaranteed victory for our side. A good omen for the righteous, and a whole lot of dead bastards on the other."

Alaric didn’t say anything. With the glowing blue words of the System warning still burned into his retinas, he was fairly certain it wasn’t the gods spilling wine—it was the world shifting on its axis. But he didn’t want to ruin her fierce optimism. He just offered a slow, silent nod, keeping his eyes fixed on the rutted dirt road as the column marched onward.

They walked in companionable silence for another mile, the heavy atmosphere of the Awakening settling over the army. Finally, Alaric leaned in, his shoulder brushing hers to pull her attention back down to earth.

"I managed to scrounge up something sweet for you," he said softly, a teasing lilt in his otherwise gruff voice. "A new treat for you to try. I’ll give it to you at the next rest stop."

Margaery finally dragged her gaze away from the apocalyptic sky. She looked at him, a familiar, wry smile breaking through her serious expression, instantly shifting from a battle-ready soldier back to his wife.

"I would love to see what my husband has prepared for me," Margaery whispered, leaning in just close enough for her breath to warm his ear.

Alaric turned his head, a smirk touching his lips, ready to fire back a witty reply—when a cold, sharp presence abruptly clawed its way into his mind.

My Lord, a voice hissed, echoing in the cavernous spaces of Alaric’s consciousness. It was Dae. The demon’s mental tone was a mixture of dark amusement and restless energy, amplified by the recent Awakening.

’I have caught a rat in the snow. Ramsay of House Bolton.’

Alaric’s smirk faded into a hard, flat line, though he kept his pace steady so Margaery wouldn’t notice the sudden shift. Report, he commanded through their psychic link.

The bastard tried to play the smiling ally, Dae sneered mentally. Acted as a friend, offered his hospitality, then tried to maneuver a blade into my back the moment my eyes were turned. A pathetic attempt. I have him restrained. What shall be done with him?

Alaric didn’t have to think for long. The name Ramsay Bolton carried a vile reputation that preceded him, even in this shifting, chaotic world. A man who found joy in flaying people alive and hunting the innocent for sport.

He likes to make women run for their lives through the woods, doesn’t he? Alaric thought coldly, directing the grim intent straight into the demon’s mind.

’He likes the thrill of the hunt. So, do the exact same to him. Turn him loose. Hunt him.’

Dae let out a low, telepathic chuckle.

But do not let him die, Alaric added, his internal voice turning to iron. He is pure evil, Dae. I want you to make him regret every single vile act he has committed in his miserable life. Break him down. Let him taste his own medicine, over and over again.

Consider it done, Dae purred, the psychic link vibrating with dark anticipation.

Alaric marched for another dozen paces, his mind racing as he considered the strategic board.

Wait. One more thing, Alaric sent. Theon Greyjoy. Take advantage of his miserable state. Break him out, or use him however you see fit, but we are going to use him to take over the Iron Islands.

A wave of absolute, unholy euphoria washed over the mental link. The demon’s presence flared brightly in Alaric’s mind, practically vibrating with excitement.

’Oh, thank you, my Lord,’ Dae practically sang, his voice trembling with sadistic joy.

’Finally! You have decided to give me some truly good work to do.’

The connection abruptly severed as the demon eagerly severed the link to begin his hunt.

Beside him, Margaery nudged him with her elbow. "You’ve gone quiet," she noted, her eyes searching his face. "Thinking about that sweet treat?"

"Something like that," Alaric said smoothly, his smile returning, though his eyes remained dark and distant. "Just finalizing some preparations."

Three Days Later

The heavy scent of pine and campfires hung thick in the air. Their massive host had finally made camp at the very edge of the Kingswood, the looming shadow of King’s Landing resting just over the horizon.

Inside the cavernous command tent, the ambient noise of the restless army was reduced to a dull murmur. Margaery sat on a sturdy wooden chair pulled flush against Alaric’s, her head resting comfortably against the solid mass of his bicep. In one hand, she held a stack of freshly unrolled raven scrolls; in the other, a small, dark square of the strange, rich confection he had given her. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

She took a delicate bite, her eyes fluttering shut for a brief second as the decadent flavor melted on her tongue.

"Husband..." she muttered, her voice dropping into a soft, contented hum. "This thing is really tasty. What did you call it again? Chocolate?"

A small smudge of brown lingered on the corner of her lower lip. She caught Alaric looking at it and deliberately, teasingly, darted her tongue out to lick it away, a spark of mischief in her brown eyes.