To Be Betrothed

Chapter Eleven

~17 Years~

Daemon spins the girl slowly over the dance floor as people dance all around them. He watches her with a loving smile meeting her eyes when he pulls her close. She looked so beautiful in her white gown. He could not believe that in the morning she will be his. Tomorrow will be the best day of his life and he knew it. All he could see in that moment was his princess strolling the halls her belly full of his babe as she fills the kingdom. She will be queen and he knew she would be the best ruler this kingdom has ever seen. Now, he got the chance to stand by her side and support her in her rule.

"What do you think of?" Rhaenyra asks as she lays her head on his chest.

Daemon smiles wider as he strokes her back. "You. On the iron throne. Me by your side and my babe in your belly."

Rhaenyra laughs. "That sounds like quite the prospect my betrothed. I do hope I am past child bearing age when I take the crown. My father should have many decades left to rule."

"A man can hope." Daemon says wishing he could take her lips now in front of everyone's watchful eyes.

They continue to dance as Rhaenyra imagines the future. Her sons running through the halls chasing each other. Each sporting Daemons blue eyes and her wide smile. A few Daughters dancing through the courtyard always challenging Daemons orders. She can't imagine having tamed daughters.

"Would you like to eat, princess?" Daemon asks pulling her from her hopeful thoughts.

"Yes, please, Daemon." She replies loosing herself in his eyes.

Daemon smiles as he leads her to their table. They eat and drink as they talk with the king. The whole evening is magical. Neither could wish to be anywhere else.

"Will you remain here once you are wed?" Viserys asks with a smile.

"I hoped to take Rhaenyra to Dragonstone for a few weeks before taking her to Essos for a couple moons. Let the girl see the world for awhile." Daemon says with a smile before looking down at his Betrothed. "If that would please you, princess."

The girl nods smiling wide at the thought.

"After your travel will you stay here? At the keep?" Laena asks hoping her friend would be close.

"Yes. I could not imagine a better home." Rhaenyra says smiling at the younger girl.

"Wonderful!" Viserys exclaims before sipping from his cup.

The next day

Rhaenyra stands by the carriage pacing with anticipation as she waits to be fetched. In mere moments she would be married to the only man she has ever loved. The world was spinning a little too fast as she waited.

"You look beautiful, princess." Sir harwin says as he approaches in common clothes but sill sporting his family sword.

"Sir Harwin. You look handsome." The princess says falling into old habits.

Harwin smiles as he stops a few feet from the girl. "Well, it's not everyday that my favorite princess needs escorted to her wedding."

Rhaenyra smiles. "Will we still be friends?" She says as her smile falls.

"Of course, my princess. I will always be here for you." Harwin says with a smile.

He meant it too. He knew she could never be his and he was happy that her and Daemon were so in love. But, he loved her too. He would do anything to see her happy.

"Are you ready?" He asks as he hears music begin.

"Yes." She smiles taking his arm and walking to the ceremony. He stops behind the crowd letting the girl go first as he follows with his hand on his sword.

"You look stunning, my love." Daemon says as he takes the girls hands.

"Thank you. You look amazing." She says feeling like she's falling in love all over again.

Viserys stands behind Daemon with a smile and Laena stands next to him. Harwin stands behind Rhaenyra facing the crowd watching for any sign of threat. The sept stands witness behind the maester as the man begins to speak in Velarian.

Rhaenyra can't hear a word. She is lost in Daemons eyes and the sound of her own heart beating. Once the maester hands Daemon the dragon glass the man slices his hand drawing the traditional symbol over her head before smiling softly as he presses the blade to her lip slicing it gently. He hands her the blade and she does the same before handing the maester the blade. He holds out a cup of wine and asks each to drop blood into the cup. They do before holding there bleeding hands together. The rest of the of the ceremony was a blur until the cup was shared and it was time to kiss.

Daemon felt tears in his eyes as he leans in to kiss the girl. She was his. She was finally his. The kiss whent on for a long time as they put every ounce of love and affection they felt for each other into it. It wasn't hungry. It wasn't desperate. It didn't even bring a fire to the girls body. It made them feel whole. Complete.

The two dragons sitting behind the ceremony roar as they fly above and scorch the ground behind the sept. That's when Daemon pulls away laying his head against hers and holding her face close. "I love you, Rhaenyra Targeryan."

"I love you, Daemon Targeryan."

Later that evening, it is back to dancing and feasting. There was no fear of kissing and touching anymore. They got to be as they wished right there in front of everyone. It was heaven.

"May I have a dance, my prince?" Harwin asks smiling at the princess.

"Would that please the princess?" Daemon asks oblivious to the want in the other man's eyes.

"Yes." Rhaenyra says smiling at the knight. Daemon bows letting his friend take the dance before heading to the table to watch them with a smile.

"You look perfect, my princess." Harwin says as he spins her around at an acceptable distance.

"Thank you, Harwin. I must say I was not expecting you to be such a competent dancer." The girl says with a chuckle as he moves them over the floor.

"Well, princess, I am lord Strong before Sir Harwin." He says with a chuckle.

"You seem different today. Like something has changed for you." Rhaenyra says as their eyes meet. That's when she sees it. The longing. The want. Was he in love with her?

Daemon saw it too as the man looked at his wife with sad eyes and parted lips. Had Daemon hurt his friend? Has Harwin loved the girl as long as he had?

"Something has changed." Harwin says softly trying to not sound defeated. "Do not worry your pretty little mind, princess." The song ends and Harwin stops bowing at the beautiful woman in-front of him. "I should let you get back to your husband. I just wished to dance incase I never get the chance again."

"Harwin-" Rhaenyra tries but the man walks away anyway.

What is happening?