the blind knight - rhaenyra targaryen

vi

Baelon and Aemma's death shook the royal family, all except Daemon of course.

He was ecstatic and now heir once again, or at least that was what he thought. Truth was that Viserys didn't believe he deserved it. Daemon was too rash, and combative. He loved to piss people off.

"I didn't think women could be knights. I'm surprised my brother hasn't stripped you of your titles." He says to Jessica. "Yes, my Prince, I know it is not custom for Westeros, but I was knighted by my uncle who was a knight of Westeros. None of King's Landing's common customs exist where I'm from." She says calmly.

"Is that so, Princess?" He looks over to Brianne, who is twirling her wine in her cup. "Yes, my father knighted her, and I am a knight as well, or was." She adds, her hand gesturing to her eye.

"Well, you're a very good fighter, Ser Jessica. I'm shocked anyone hasn't gone after you for being a knight." Jessica chuckles. "Me, too." Daemon sets his sights on Brianne, who gives him a look that Jessica finds familiar.

A look she remembers the princess giving a certain prince at a feast the last time she had two eyes. "I hear you have a dragon, Princess." Jessica almost sighs in defeat, knowing that Brianne was set on Daemon now. "Yes, I do. She was my father's." The prince hums.

"I was under the impression that only Targaryens and Velaryons were meant to be dragon riders." He smirks. "Well, unfortunately for you, Westyrans have the blood of Old Valaryia as well. Although, we have a more natural bond with our dragons."

"Natural?"

"My ancestors devolved into humans, we are dragons. Targaryens used blood magic to form bonds. That's different." Jessica places her head in her hand, wanting this conversation to end. She hears the conversation halt and looks up to see Alicent approaching them. The girl smiles at them, before bowing to Daemon and Brianne. "Your Grace, Princess." She looks over at Brianne with a smile.

"May I have a word with her?" She asks, looking at Daemon and Jessica. "By all means." Jessica says, speaking over the Prince. "Thank you." Brianne places her cup on the small table before them, and leaves with the girl. The red head sighs in relief, and notices Rhaenyra turning into the desolate room the three had been conversing.

Before Daemon can notice his niece or continue the conversation, Jessica mutters an apology, and leaves the room to join the Princess in the hallway. When she saw how her face was still flushed, she frowned. "Have you been crying again?" The blonde nods silently, and Jessica sighs as she grabs her forearm.

Thankfully, her chambers weren't that far.

She looked around the hallway, before opening her door so they could enter. She sighs as Rhaenyra walks in further. "Do you want to talk?" The princess shakes her head no and sits on Jessica's bed. "Have you spoken with Alicent?" Rhaenyra shakes her head again.

"I've been avoiding her, but usually she's with your cousin." She frowns, making Jessica chuckle. "Well, no need to fret, she'll be gone in a fortnight."

"Well, I don't want to talk to Alicent right now, I want to talk to you." The blonde mutters, shyly looking down at her fingers. Jessica moves from where she is standing, and kneels before Rhaenyra while grabbing her hands. "I am here for as long as you need. Although, I would like to have my space in my bed." Rhaenyra smiles, shaking her head.

"Impossible request. I cannot sleep without you."

"I'm flattered."

Rhaenyra sighs as she ran her fingers through soft red hair. She looked into Jessica's eyes as her hands moved from the girl's hair to her face. They sat like that in silence, and despite her knees feeling sore, she only focused on Rhaenyra's soft caressing.

Soon, they ended up in the Godswood, and Jessica let Rhaenyra run her hands through her head as she laid on her lap. She was meant to be doing her job, being a knight, but when she was with Rhaenyra she could just be herself with no armor or sword needed. The girls had found themselves in this postions for the last few weeks.

Rhaenyra found comfort in how easily Jessica fell asleep when she rubbed her scalp.

"Princess." She hears, and she looks up to see Ser Harrold approaching. She could hear Jessica's soft snores, making her sigh. "Yes, Ser Harrold?" The man sighs as he glances at Jessica before looking at the princess. "Your father asked me to look for you, he summons you." She frowns, reminding herself that she hasn't spoken to her father in a while.

She looks down at Jessica, and lightly pats her face, making the girl groan. "Jessica." The girl opens her eyes slowly, but they widen when she sees the knight before them. She sits up abruptly, making Rhaenyra smile as she places her hands on her thighs. "Ser Harrold." She chokes out.

Rhaenyra stands with a chuckle, and Harrold holds out a hand to her. "At ease, I've only come to fetch the princess. But I do advise you to go to the courtyard soon." Jessica nods. "Of course." She stands abruptly, nodding to Rhaenyra before she almost ran away. A smile finds the princess's lips, and she watches Jessica go for longer than she should have. "Princess." She looks over to the knight, and nods as she follows him.

Later that day, Jessica stood with her cousin who was hugging Alicent goodbye. The girl seemed sad, and Brianne wished to know why, but didn't push. Jessica felt sad for her cousin, it took her a very short time to become infatuated with Alicent, she saw it in her eyes. It had only been a few weeks, but there was a bond. She didn't realize that was the way she looked at and felt for Rhaenyra yet, but she soon would.

She watches Brianne back away from Alicent, and softly wipe a tear from her cheek. "Be good for me, my Lady." Alicent nods, and Brianne walks over to cousin, giving her a big hug.

"Come home soon. No matter if they intend to keep you here for the rest of our lives, I need you to see your family again, understand?" Jessica nods and they separate.

"As you wish, your Grace." She smirks. Brianne pats her shoulder, and looks at Alicent. "I'll be expecting a letter." She winks as she turns around to board the ship. Jessica notices Alicent staring after her with tears forming, and she frowns.

The Lady Alicent Hightower had found the one she was looking for. It may have been a woman, but she was far too charming to ignore. Her knight in shining armor was leaving as soon as her life was changing for the worst.

"She'll be back." Jessica voices, making Alicent look at her with a confused expression. The red head nods toward the Keep, and the Lady followed after her.

"She's very fond of you, Alicent. Which is rare, because she is rarely fond of anyone outside of her family." Alicent sighs, her eyes tearing up at the thought. She didn't know Brianne for long, but she made her feel things she hadn't felt since arriving in King's Landing, and after her mother's death.

Not even Rhaenyra had made her feel this happy when growing up. And now it was all over if her visits to the King were to become frequent. When they got to the keep, Alicent went off to find her father, and Jessica went to her chambers to find Rhaenyra already on her bed.

She seemed happier than she was earlier in the day, and Jessica removes her armor, before placing it by her door, and walking over to stand before Rhaenyra.

"My father has made me heir." She smiles, and Jessica smiles with her. "That's fantastic!" She kneels before her, and the blonde frowns as she realizes something.

"What if I'm not ready?" Jessica scoffs.

"Well, that's silly. You weren't raised to be an heir, your father never teaches you of responsibilities that come with it. You have to learn because you're new to fulfilling this role. I think you will be a fantastic heir, and a fine queen, Rhaenyra." Rhaenyra blushes, rubbing their fingers together.

"Can I stay-"

"Yes. Why would I say no?"

———

hello readers,
thanks to everyone who's read this,
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