The Silent Knight

-4-

"Excuse me your grace, it is time for you to head to great hall." I inform Marisia as I crack her door slightly.

"Just a moment Maddox!" She says as I hear her shuffling around.

I know how she gets during these ceremonies. This one is to congratulate her on her new age of turning eighteen. Another year of becoming closer to her status of being a Queen.

Every house is in attendance, princesses and princes of the Seven Kingdoms gather in celebration of her. To be frank I believe  she deserves these ceremonies daily.

She opens her door and spins for me quickly.

"How do I look?" She asks as if she's been deciding on what to wear since she awoke from her slumber.

"Mesmerizing as always princess." I say as I hold out my arm for her to hold as I walk her to the great hall where everyone is patiently waiting.

As the doors open to the great hall, all eyes turn towards the princess. She pulls me closer to her and tightens her grip on my arm. She looks up at me and smiles slightly, somethings she has always done out of nervousness.

"Welcome Princess Marisia, heir to the Irone Throne along side Maddox Knight heir of House Knight!" The Master of Ceremonies announces. Everyone begins to clap as I walk Marisia down towards the center of the room.

The king stands and welcomes his daughter.

"My lovely daughter, my heir, how incredible it has been to watch you grow into the woman you are today. I know you will rule the Seven Kingdoms as your grandmother did. Keeping peace and safety amongst our world. Everyone raise a glass to my beautiful daughter."

Everyone raises their glass towards Marisia and takes a drink as her eyes stay focused on her father.

"Now enjoy your night everyone, thank you for your journeys and arrivals in celebration of my daughter!" He says as he sits back down slowly.

"Maddox Knight, would you mind if I give the princess her first dance?" A quick Lance Tyrell asks kindly bowing to Marisia. I look at her and she nods her head for me to let her go.

This is the part I dread the most. Watching her dance with princes from all houses within the Seven Kingdoms. I stand off to the side in my suit of armor watching the princess closely and those around her.

Although I am unable to dance with my love, I watch as she elegantly dances in coordination with her suitors. Seeing them smile and gawk at her beauty.

"Look at you, metal suit." I am pulled out of thoughts as I turn to the one and only Rose Stark.

"You know it looks quite uncomfortable, can you even breathe through that helmet?" She jokingly asks flicking the side of my helmet.

"Don't you have suitors to impress?" I ask keeping my eyes on Marisia.

"Ah but you see coming and bothering my best friend is something I find much more entertaining." She says while elbowing my arm.

"She isn't going anywhere you know." She says looking from the princess to me.

I shake my head and sigh.

"What's going to happen when she marries Maddox? Are you going to continue to follow her around like a lost heartbroken puppy for the rest of your long boring life?" She more so says instead of asks.

"Yes I most certainly will." I say standing up straighter than I was before.

"Pathetic, you two make me physically ill." She fake gags and skips away.

I watch as Matthias Lannister makes his way over to Marisia. I place my hand on the butt of my sword out of spite. I watch as he steals her from Draco Tully.

He whispers something in her ear and she begins to laugh. Her laugh. It could swoon every single breathing living thing in this room. My face begins to heat up as I watch her place her hand on his bicep out of laughter.

His eyes glisten down towards hers as they begin their dance. I clench my jaw and look away for a moment as I catch princess Francesca Tyrell staring in my direction looking me up and down with a smile plastered on her face.

She begins to walk towards me and I reposition my eye sight back towards the princess who is no longer dancing amongst suitors.

Swiftly Marisia grabs my arm as I am now turned towards princess Francesca.

"Your grace." She bows her head and then looks back at me.

"You were accompanied and I was just looking to formerly meet the infamous Maddox Knight. In my house we greet all knights in orderly fashion." She says.

I look down at Marisia as her eyes are sending fires through Francesca's skull. Her jaw is clenched and I don't move a muscle. She nods her head slowly as confirmation I am allowed to greet the princess still not taking her eyes off of Francesca.

I move forward and take out my sword and bend down on one knee. I keep my head down not saying a word. I feel hands begin to pull my helmet off of my head slowly. I look up as my brown strands fall in front of my face. Francesca is holding my helmet while staring at me intently.

She is quite beautiful. For a slight moment I think about what it would be like to be with someone like her, unafraid of hiding their affection towards someone like me. Her hazel eyes capture my blue eyes as I stand up slowly.

I bow my head, "Princess.".

She reciprocates nervously. "Maddox Knight, it is pleasure to meet your acquaintance." She proceeds to reach her hand out for mine to take, considerably a risky move if she knew of the relationship the future Queen and I share.

I take it and quickly glance over at Marisia who continues to shoot daggers through Princess Tyrell. I turn back to Francesca. I lower my head and kiss her hand softly keeping my eyes steady on hers.

"Pleasure is all mine." I say with a slight smirk before backing away, feeling Marisia's arm snake back around mine tightly.