Saviour Complex (ser harwin strong)

Chpt 16: A Proposition

"We should really go back to my inn" Harwin said. "I haven't left the castle grounds in years, Harwin. I wish to see more of the realm" i said.

We walked through the crowds of people and little children as i smiled to myself. There was men fighting, women whoring and children causing all sort of trouble.

"Wine! Wine, Ser?" a tradesman called out. I kept my hood down as i took the wine from him. "He just called me Ser" i said with a small giggle as Harwin laughed.

I gulped the wine and winced at the taste. Even though i've drank wines from all over the world, i still could never get used to the taste.

Suddenly, flames of fire blocked my path as an old, frightening woman smiled at me. "Do you wish to know your death, child?" she said as a flash of a blue, icy man flashed my eyes.

I shook off the vision and kept walking. "I believe this wine is tainted" i said throwing it on the floor. "Come. This way" Harwin said gripping onto my hand. We made our way through an empty alley as a boy ran our way. Harwin sighed in annoyance. This must happen a lot. "Thieves" he mumbled.

As the boy tried to run passed us, i stepped out of the way and Harwin grabbed a hold of him. "And who might you be running from now?" Harwin asked as the boys hood flew up.

"Princess?" Harwin said with a shocked look.

I pulled my hood farther down as my heart beat faster. "Ser Harwin" Rhaenyra mumbled. It was then i saw Daemon following closely after her. My blood boiled as i worked out what was happening.

Fleabottom, past sunset, near some of the best whore houses? Daemon and Rhaenyra we're together. Harwin scoffed as he worked out what was happening. "I was just bringing her back to the castle, Ser Harwin" Daemon said.

Harwin rolled his eyes slightly. "You take care boy.... Next time you may not be so lucky" he said letting Rhaenyra go. She uncomfortably laughed as they both walked off.

I watched them both leave as i let out a sigh of anger. "Azalea" Harwin muttered. "Come" i said as i followed after them, keeping my distance. "This is not a good idea" he said through gritted teeth.

"I do not care" i answered. I watched them both walk hand in hand through Fleabottom as they walked into one of the many whorehouses. I gulped at the sight.

Harwin stood there awkwardly not knowing what i was about to do. I took a step towards the brothel as Harwin grabbed my arm. "Leave it" he mumbled.

"If they are truly coupling then what is to become of me. I must see" i said angrily. Harwin let my arm go as he nodded. "I'll keep watch. Be careful."

I gave him a small nod as i made my way inside. The sight of everyone coupling made me shiver. With every step i took, i felt fear wash over me. Maybe i did not wish to find out what Rhaenyra and Daemon were doing.

I pushed the curtains out of the way as i felt my heart skip a beat. I watched as Daemon removed Rhaenyras blouse. I feared mostly for my life. I knew if Daemon was in love with Rhaenyra and wanted to marry her, he would take any measure to make that happen.

I let out a frightened breath as i ran out of the brothel. "We must go" i said grabbing Harwins arm. "What! What?!" Harwin exclaimed as i dragged him as far away as i could.

I tried to catch my breath as i pulled him into an alley. "I can not live like this much longer" i said winded. "What are you taking about?" he questioned.

"This! This place! These people! These fucking Targaryens... They can't win. I won't let them win" i said to myself as i paced up and down.

Harwin knew better than to speak. I tried to think of how to keep my place in the kingdom secure. How to keep my family safe. How to survive a few more years at least.

Then it hit me.

I stopped pacing as i turned to Harwin. "Oh no" he mumbled to himself as i walked over to him. "I have an idea" i said grabbing his hands. "But you will not like it."

I made Harwin escort me back to the castle immediately. I was right about him not liking my idea, but he eventually agreed it was the only way. He gave me his dagger to keep myself safe as i strapped it to my ankle.

I cleaned up the messy chambers and made some tea for myself as i waited for Daemons return. And thankfully, a few hours later, he did.

Daemon opened the door looking like he had just been dragged through the Seven Hells. He froze up as he saw me waiting for him. "Husband" i said calmly.

"Not now, please. I'm too sober for your antics" he mumbled. "I need to speak with you" i said. "Like i said, not now" he repeated. He poured himself some wine and sat down in the chair opposite me.

"I know you brought Rhaenyra to a brothel."

Daemons face went as pale as winter snow as i spoke. "I suppose your dog Ser Harwin told you of this" he said taking a sip of his wine. "I'm not mad. But i am concerned on where this leaves me" i said trying my best to keep my composure.

"I don't know what you mean" he said trying to act coy. "I mean you love her. I've known this since the day i saw you both in the throne room."

Daemon rolled his eyes. "Your wrong" he said. "Okay... Pretend then. I don't really care. But i am not stupid, even if you think i am. I know things. And i know that if you love her and wish to marry her, i am of no use to you. You'll dispose of me."

He stayed silent. "I wish to keep my life. But i do not love you like i wish i could, and same goes for you... So i have a proposition" i said. Daemon paused. "Go on" he said.

"Ever since our marriage, people have been asking me when we are going to have a child. We need to bear kin. It's our duty whether you like it or not. If we are to have at least one child, it would get people off our backs. You want that don't you?" i questioned.

He scoffed. "You wish to lay with me?" he asked cockily. I sighed and put on a fake smile. "I would rather throw myself from the roof... But, i believe we have too."

"My idea is, we lay with each other once. Just one time, and get it over and done with. And if i am to bear a child, we do our duty but dine where we sit fit. You with who you choose. Rhaenyra or some whore i don't really care... And i who i choose" i said.

"The lord Strong you mean" Daemon mumbled. "I said i who i choose. Who i choose does not concern you" i said. And if you don't get pregnant after that one time?" he questioned. I gulped.

"Then you can kill me. Or i myself rather. I would prefer a clean death at the hands of myself... But beside that, i believe i deserve a chance here" i said. I saw Daemon quite shocked by my proposal. He leant back in his chair and laughed.

"You are smarter than i thought" he said. I smiled weakly. Feeding into a man's ego seems to be the only way to survive Kings Landing. "So what do you think?" i asked.

He sighed. "I guess it's a good idea. Not the worst anyways... And it would get Otto Hightower off my back" he said considering the idea.

I leaned forward in my chair waiting for his answer. Daemon gulped the rest of his wine as my nervousness built up. "But what is in it for me? It would be much easier to just kill you in your sleep" he said.

A smirk appeared on my lips. "You said it yourself, husband. I'm a witch. My mother was one and i believe i am too. Or at least i can be with time. I can help you when you need it" i said.

I saw Daemons face light up. "With what?" he asked. "With anything. If you keep your word and stay on my good side, i can help you with power, castles, lovers and so forth... But if you betray me, i will curse you until the end of time."

Daemons face stayed as still as stone. After a long pause, he finally smiled. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to try" he said. I took a deep breath in and out with relief. "I understand that Ser Harwin is quite dear to you. I hope he will not come for me if you do come to be with child" he said.

"We have an understanding. This needs to be done."