the blind knight - rhaenyra targaryen

viii

"And I apologize for inconveniencing the men you brought here, Ser Otto."

Before Jessica stood the Hand and Ser Harrold as they listened to her apology. "No, it's quite alright, Ser Jessica. The king seems to trust you, although I'm not too sure the princess was fond about the decision."

The girl knew Rhaenyra was only mad she couldn't make the decision herself. "Well, I cannot read her mind, so..." Ser Harrold watches her silently, but speaks up.

"You're a good fighter, Jessica. Not boisterous and strategic, and a woman. Most people don't think women can even lift a sword." Jessica chuckles, racking her mind for the many times people were shocked at her mere existence.

"Well, myself, my sister and our cousin wanted to learn how to fight, and we did." The men nod, and the Lord Commander looks at Otto. "Ser Otto, I'd like to speak with her privately. Unless you have anything else to say to her?" The Hand shakes his head as he stands to exit.

"I'm glad you're here, Ser Jessica." He says, although his tone doesn't match the statement. She bows her head as he exits.

The door closes behind her, and the man sighs. "I told you to get out of here while you could." Ser Harrold says with a smile. Jessica chuckles and nods. "I tried, but the princess can be very convincing." She smiles.

The man hums. "That she is. Now, you're stuck with me and can never have sex again." Jessie laughs at his informal speaking. "Yes, well I'd have to start to never do it again, Ser Harrold."

"Really? A kind young girl has certainly had a partner or two?" The girl shakes her head, and he chuckles. "No, sir. Most considered me ugly, and here I'm considered a bastard."

"Well, I consider you to be neither. You're a pretty girl, and a fine knight to boot."

"I appreciate that." The man sighs, and they fall into silence before he pats her shoulder. "This was a good talk, Jessica. Go find your princess." The girl nods as he exits the room as well.

She wandered off to look for Rhaenyra and Alicent.

The girls hat arrived from the Sept after a while, and split off. Alicent went wherever she usually went, and Rhaenyra caught up with Jessica. "Jessie!" She runs over to Jessica, who turns to her with wide eyes.

"Princess." She greets with a bow. Rhaenyra gives a small smile, and loops her arm through Jessica's, forcing Jessica's arms from behind her back. "Are you training today?"

The redhead shrugs. "I believe it is my priority to watch after you now, so it will be rare for me to do so, Princess."

"Well, I demand you do. I'd like to watch." Jessica looks at her with a frown. She'd watched Jessica during her lessons, or at night when no one was around, but now she had to be by her side everyday, so Rhaenyra wished to take advantage.

"If that is what you wish."

"It is."

Jessica nods, and allows Rhaenyra to drag her down the hallway. "Do you want me to train now?"

"Maybe later, take me to the Godswood." They continue to walk with their arms connected, and some watch them strangely through the halls. "I've noticed we spend most of our time in the Godswood. Do you ever wish me to take you anywhere else?"

Rhaenyra shakes her head. "It's where you do your best thinking. Isn't that what you once said?"

"Yes, but I asked about you, Princess."

"What did I say about calling me that?"

"We are in the presence of court, when we leave wandering eyes, I will call you whatever you like." The blonde smiles. "Well, we're almost there." The taller girl chuckles as they walk outside.

"We were here earlier, no?" Jessica frowns. "Yes, but our minutes spent here make me feel calm. For Alicent, it is the Sept where she prays to her Gods. But for me, it is here. With you." She separates their arms, and walks ahead.

"I'm glad I stayed." Rhaenyra turns around and looks at Jessica with a frown. "Many moons ago, I wanted to leave. I was going insane and I wanted to leave. I still miss my family, but I am glad to have made friends of you and Alicent."

Friends.

If Rhaenyra had her way, they'd be more than. But Jessica was too gentle. Her and Alicent refused to break rules, and they only followed authority. If Jessica wouldn't notice Rhaenyra, then she'd make sure she put herself out there to be noticed.

She starts by stepping into Jessica's space. Her gaze made the knight gulp at their closeness. The princess grabs Jessica's hand from behind her back and holds it out toward her.

She rips the girl's glove off and hold it under her arm. "What are you-?" Jessica's words halt as she feels Rhaenyra's pointer and middle finger brush against her palm.

"You have soft hands. Even with your calloused palms." She whispers. Jessica noticed how intimate this was, and how random. She watched as her palm was flipped and Rhaenyra runs her fingers over the small healed scar on her finger.

"I sliced my finger on sharp glass."

"Of course, you did. I'm sure there are a million other scars I haven't seen."

"None I can show you are in appropriate places." Jessica teases, making Rhaenyra chuckle. The princess' smile falls, and the daze Jessica felt went away.

"Is something bothering you, Rhaenyra?" She looks up from their hands with a sad smile. "I can't stop thinking about my place."

"Your place?"

"As heir. I feel father will replace me. I try to distract myself with thoughts of other things," Jessica's eyebrow raises, but Rhaenyra ignores it. "But my mind still plagues me. Even in this hour."

"I don't think he'll replace you. He loves you, Rhaenyra." The princess scoffs. "I'd beg to differ." Jessica could still feel Rhaenyra playing with her fingers, and she looks at her.

"I think if you show him how well you can handle being heir, maybe it'll solidify his belief in you."

"You don't understand, Jessica. He appointed me heir to spite Daemon." Her head is lifted from their hands with Jessica's other hand. "Well, I believe that he trust you with this. Don't be so down on yourself. Daemon would be a horrible king."

Rhaenyra laughs with a nod. "I don't doubt it."

They soon left the Godswood after their conversation, and Jessica had trained thoroughly before taking Rhaenyra to her chambers. She stood outside the door when Alicent spotted her and ran over.

"Jessica." She calls out softly.

She removes a rolled parchment from her sleeve and moves closer to Jessica so she can whisper in her ear. "I need you to send this to Brianne for me." Jessica looks at her confused.

"We've been sending letters to one another, and my father has become suspicious since he has sent me to entertain another." Jessica frowned more as she noticed Alicent's growing nerves.

"Who are you-?"

"It's not important, I just need you to send this to her. And maybe a few more until my father backs down." Jessica looks down at the parchment Alicent is pushing into her chest. "O-Okay, I'll send it and the others."

"Thank you." She squeezes Jessica's hand before taking off into the darkened corridor.

———

thank you all 2k!
i'm debating on whether to do a sansa book cuz i'm doing one for daenerys rn, but i need a distraction during break so let me know if any of you would want that