The Banished Blood

Chapter 7

Over the next few days, I would take to eating alone in my room, and reading through and finishing the books Aemond gave me. I had ignored everyone. I hadn't seen the boys in days. Heleana came often, just to sew and talk with me. Often talking to herself, as I didn't understand what she was saying half the time. One afternoon, when I was re-reading a chapter I didn't understand. Arykk barged in. Panting.

"Yes?" I asked. Lifting my eyes from the pages looking up to him. He smiled slowly.

"I think you'll like this Princess. Please, Dyana." He gestured her into the room. As she brought in a bundle of clothes and shoes. I looked at them, then back to him.

"What are these for?" I asked him. Setting my book down on the carved table. Getting to my feet.

"You said you wished to fight, you can't fight in a dress, it'll catch and throw your balance. Get dressed, have lunch, I'll be readying everything in the courtyard for you." He smiled, my chest filled with warmth.

"Really?" I asked.

"You commanded it, so I have provided it." He smiled, I smiled back, as he left. Dyana dressed me in trousers, and leather, as opposed to the soft cottons and silks I wore before. She laced up my shirt, not opting for the corset today. She pulled my hair back, I pulled away.

"Leave it down." I asked of her, she obeyed, simply brushing it. She left, as I looked at myself in the mirror. Hard leather boots, loose trousers so I could move. My body not being bound by the conformity I had endured. I felt like I could breathe again. I smiled at myself. This, was liberating. I turned from my room, down the hall for lunch. Thoughts raced my mind. Stay away from Aegon, if he provokes you. Get Arykk, no. Defend yourself. I don't need a man to do something I can do myself. Putting a boy in his place. I pushed the doors open calmly. Looking to the table. Alicent sat with her scrolls, I hadn't seen her at the table in the mornings for what felt like forever. She looked up, looked back down, doing a double take. Heleana gasped at what I was wearing, she clapped her hands once, putting them over her mouth, to supress a laugh of joy. I smiled to her. The boys weren't here yet. I sat myself right next to Heleana; smiling. I nodded at Alicent.

"My Queen." I smiled, she just sat there, looking at me, a small genuine smile crept her face.

"What's this for?" She asked.

"Fighting in the yard. Ser Arykk will be showing me. I've read all about the kings heir, the dragons, the titles at the moment, the men of the realm. A woman may take a title when all the men die, but she must also marry one. Rather ridiculous if you ask me." I answered, my plate being laid. I expected her to turn her nose in disgust at me. But she just continued her smile.

"I knew I liked you." She remarked, looking back down at her scrolls. Heleana turned to me.

"I think you'll be a great fighter (Y/N)." She beamed.

"Thank you, Heleana. What have you been sewing?" I asked, popping a piece of food to my mouth. She showed it to me. It was a bumblebee. The yellows and blacks blended so well. "It's beautiful." I smiled. She turned shy, with a wry smile.

"Thank you (Y/N)"

I just smiled, heading back to my food, sitting in a comfortable silence with them. I smiled to myself. I was ready for this. When the door flung open, I looked up. Aemond was panting, blood ran up along his face, as he was holding a rag in his hands, wiping them. Then dabbing his face. He looked to me, staring for a second. Setting himself down gracefully despite his appearance.

"Where have you been?" He asked, pulling his chair in, delving to his meal. Cutting at the meat.

"Learning, reading mostly." I replied calmly. Sticking my fork to my food. "Philosophy too."