House of the Dragon. Imagines and One Shots

White tower and golden geese - Part 6 - Otto x Reader

(Y/n) sat in front of her father, her sister, the king, and unfortunately, Ser Cole. The younger daughter of the Hand beginning to wonder it the white cloak was able to function unless he was in the queen's presence. Stifling a laugh, as she got an image of her older sister working the knight like a puppet.

It had been days since she had gone to see her father; days since she had told him that she would rather die than marry a man that she did not love. Days since she had informed him, that she would rather be banished than be forced to be what she was not; to wear gowns and take part in life at court. Days since she had told him that despite her gender, she would rather take the oath, and swear herself to the protection of the king and his family.

All of it had of course not gone down well. Her father had threatened her, called her an unruly, disobedient child. Swore that he would disown her, sending her out into the world with nothing more than the clothes on her back. Yet she had stood her ground. It was not the first time that she had faced her father like this, and it would probably not be the last; and she knew to keep her head. Knew to let him rant at her, to let him get out all his anger and frustrations, then leave and let him make his decision. And now, it would appear that he had made a decision.

It had also been days since she had seen the Cargyll brothers. Since she had stood before them, as naked as the day that she had been born. Their interaction that day, the impetus that she had needed to speak to her father, as she had. To realise that if she could not be with the men that she wanted, then just like them, she would take the oath. She would swear her chastity and keep her purity. The younger Hightower just hoping that she would get the result that she desired.

"I have spoken to the king, and the small council.........." Her father began, as he sat back in his chair. (Y/n) finding herself smiling at poor Viserys, who just smiled back as best he could. The king now a shell of the man that he used to be. The lady able to remember a time, that seemed not so long ago, when the oldest son of Baelon, had smiled quite often. When he had seemed fit. Yet even in this state, she still had respect for everything that he had done. Though she had often thought that he listened to her father too much. And that Alicent had helped make him into this withered old man, long before his time.

"And despite many protests from the members of the council, about a woman becoming a Kingsguard; the king has agreed..........." Otto continued. The smile on (Y/n)'s face getting broader at the words.

"But.............." The smile slowly fading as she looked back to her father.

"There is a condition.............."

"What condition............?" (Y/n) interrupted, as she inched forward in her chair.

"There are already seven sworn Kingsguards, all of whom have proved themselves in battle, which you have not. In fact, you have never proven yourself in any sphere of combat, other than the practice ring with your tutors, that you employed behind my back. That said, the king has agreed to give you a special title, of Kingswarden, if you can prove yourself in combat against one of the Kingsguards." Her father explained. (Y/n) not liking the thin smile that had come to the old man's lips.

"And whom will this Kingsguard be............?"

"Ser Cole.........." Her father replied, as the knight stepped forward. The lady getting to her feet and staring at the white cloak. Her heart thumping frantically against the inside of her chest, as she stared into his dark eyes. It wasn't that she was afraid of him; she had refused to be afraid of any man. But the racing of her blood was due to the fact that she knew how skilled he was. How he had been the one to not only unhorse Prince Daemon, but also beat him one on one, with sword and shield, at the Heir's Tournament. A feat not accomplished by many, when the rogue prince wielded the Dark Sister.

"And what if I fail to beat, Ser Cole...........?" (Y/n) enquired. Her eyes never moving from the white cloak before her.

"Then you will wed the man that I have chosen for you. Without complaint and do your duty my daughter, and as a woman........." Otto replied. His daughter's eyes flying to him, (Y/n) well aware of what duty as a woman meant; that she would have to give herself to some pig of a man. Lie there while he grunted over her; making sure that all his needs were fulfilled, but not caring a jot about how she felt. It would mean that she would have to bear, and watch over his children, while her husband was off hunting, drinking and whoring. The younger Hightower determined that that would not be her life. That she would fight a hundred Ser Coles, rather than do this duty as a woman.

"Very well. And when am I and Ser Cole to fight.............?"

"The day after the next full moon. That should give you enough time to prepare yourself.............."

"Yes. It should............" (Y/n) agreed, pushing back her chair.

"Until then, Ser Cole." The lady continued, before bowing to the king and making her way out of the room. (Y/n) too caught up in her own thoughts, as she made her way down the corridor, to see Arryk and Erryk standing not far from the door though which she had just passed. The two looking at one another, before quickly following after her.