As a child, you would wait and watch from far away
But you always knew that you'd be the one
That work while they all play
In youth, you'd lay awake at night and scheme
Of all the things that you would change
But it was just a dream
Here we are, don...
Content Warning: This chapter contains explicit and intimate scenes. Reader discretion is advised. . . .
Raina sat before her grandparents, her trusted knight by her side, tears streaming down her face as she mustered the courage to explain why she was carrying a child from a man she wasn't married to.
"I tried to stop it, but he wouldn't listen," she confessed, her gaze fixed on the ground. "I'm sorry."
Her grandmother's worried eyes met her grandfather's, and she voiced their shared concern, "What are we to do? Raina is unmarried, and no man would willingly accept a woman with a child born out of wedlock."
Unexpectedly, Kol, the knight, spoke up, breaking the silence that hung in the room. All eyes turned to him as he declared, "I will marry her. Raina left King's Landing on the day after her eleventh nameday, and upon her return, we secretly wed in her return."
His earnest gaze met the bewildered expressions of Raina's grandparents as he stood firm in his commitment.
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She refused to deceive herself. Ever since she laid eyes on him, she had been drawn to him, despite the age difference. Yet, something had to be resolved.
"And what of the child?" her grandfather inquired, his gaze fixed on the older man.
"It's mine," he asserted. "No one else needs to know. We can keep it a secret." Despite the significant age gap of approximately nine years, he found Raina captivating and cared not that she was carrying another man's child. In his mind, her child would be his if they allowed it.
"Very well," her grandfather conceded. "Raina, would you prefer a proper wedding ceremony or a modest one?" he asked. Raina shook her head, indicating that an elaborate wedding was unnecessary. A small ceremony would suffice.
"In that case, congratulations," her grandfather announced warmly. Raina beamed at her grandparents.
"Let us proceed with the intimate ceremony right away, then."
"Papa," Raina interjected, halting her grandfather. "We must ensure that no one learns of this. No words shall be sent, and none shall speak of it," she firmly declared, her gaze darting anxiously around the room. The other three individuals present nodded in agreement, silently acknowledging the importance of their secrecy. With a mutual understanding, they all rose from their seats and quietly departed the room.
. . . Latter that night
"I want to express my gratitude," she said softly, her fingers deftly unraveling the braids in her hair. Her eyes met his, a touch of warmth in her gaze. "Not every man would have done what you did for me."
