The Silent Knight

-8-

Marisia's POV

I watch as Maddox leaves, feeling a hole burn through my chest. This was not what I wanted but what I have to do to ensure nothing happens to her. How is she so blind to not see everything I have done is for her?

I look back at my father remembering our final conversation.

"Marisia there is something very serious I must discuss with you." My father mutters out.

We have spent all day replaying memories we have had together and his advices on how I should lead the Seven Kingdoms as a Queen.

"The Lannisters, they are one of our great allying houses but they always have underlying agendas. History tends to repeat itself in the most unexpected of ways. They know of all of our secrets, in order to keep them safe you must do as I say." He coughs before continuing.

"Wed to Matthias Lannister. It will resolve an issue I don't want you to have to deal with my dear. I should have spoken to you about this sooner, I am so very sorry Marisia." He musters up all of his strength to place his shaky hand on my face. I hold it there and nod as tears stream down my face.

"I know how much you love her. Don't ever let that go." He says as he closes his eyes for moment to rest, my hand still holding his.

I blink quickly, pulling me out of my thoughts.

Ever since we were children I would always have my eyes on her. She would forbid me to watch her train but Rose and I would sneak a way in to watch her.

Rose and I would giggle to each other when she would win so effortlessly, but go quiet when she would get wounded.

I would watch her as other girls our age would take in her beauty, gawk at her as she would walk me around the Keep. I would feel in those moments lucky and grateful to have of her the way that I do. To have the relationship we have had since we were children, even if it is kept a secret.

I do not blame her for thinking that I am selfish or as if I am not fighting hard enough for what we have. A part of me wants her to think those things, so she could despise me. It would make seeing her easier.

It takes everything in me to not be able to love her publicly. For every fiber of my body wants to be connected to hers at all times, sometimes it is so difficult to deny these feelings that I forget about our status and the masses.

When she won her battle I stood in the middle of that arena and loved her in all the ways that I could. I hugged her as I do when we are alone, not worrying about the thousands of eyes watching our every move.

During the ceremony of my coming age I lashed out of pure jealousy. As I danced with suitors I stole glances over towards her at every chance I could. I watched her usual banter interaction with Rose. I saw her look away when Matthias offered me a dance. I saw Francesca and the way she looked at her, but this was different than the usual gawking.

She looked at her as I do, have, and always will. With love and admiration as if I might lose her if I look away. I did not like the way Maddox acted towards Francesca. I could tell from their brief interaction that she somewhat enjoyed her company.

If I could love her how others could. If I could love her how Francesca could. Being one in front of the entirety of the Seven Kingdoms and not caring about politics or what people say or may do.

It was an impossible battle. A war I simply could not win. I knew telling her to send that Raven would change something between us. Maybe it is what I wanted, to keep her safe.

I close my eyes and picture her face, her body. Her short brown hair and the pieces that would fall in front of her eyes. Her eyes. Blue eyes that become dark when we are alone. Her perfectly set face and jawline that I would trace as we lie together. Her stature being tall and muscular. She is mesmerizing.

I think of how she has always been by my side. Sworn her life as mine as she kisses every inch of my body. I think of how she has protected me from harm. How because of her I have never had the experience of acquiring a scrape or even a bruise. I am safe with her near, I always have been. I feel safe with her.

I pause and remembering when we first loved one another.

"I've become bored Maddox, take me somewhere new." I say after we were done playing around in the garden.

She grabs my hand and takes me to Jesper. She lifts me up onto him carefully sitting on the back end of the saddle. Maddox hops on and I snake my arms around her stomach tightly resting my head on her back.

We take off some ways away from Kings Landing it has become evening when we reach a small patch of water surrounded by nothing but trees. I hop off of Jesper and walk to the water.

Suddenly I feel myself being lifted off of the ground as Maddox throws me over her shoulder.

"Maddox don't you dare." I squeal, laughing at what is to come.

She runs into the water while holding me and sets me down gently as I become submerged in water. I stare at her playfully before splashing her. She laughs as she nears closer to me.

She shakes her head towards me, water falling from her head and onto my face. I laugh at her antics.

I resist the urge to stay still as I feel myself move closer towards her. I reach my hand up and move the wet strands of her brown hair out of her face. I feel her hands place themselves on my sides, igniting heat throughout my body.

Without hesitation I kiss her. I kiss her for the first time as we melt into each other. I feel my entire body burst into flames as she pulls me in closer.

We pull away as we hear a bird chirp above us.

"Marisia." She says as her blue eyes consume me.

"You cannot kiss me again." I say orderly as I see one of her brows quirk up.

"As you wish, princess." She says as she turns around to make her way back to where we entered the water.

I freeze knowing that the feelings I have held for her since I can remember have now been served to her on a silver platter. I follow her out of the water and she turns away from me taking her shirt off to ring out.

I stare at her back with my mouth agape wanting nothing but to touch every inch of her body. I think for a split moment of how wrong this all is, how forbidden this is.

I take in a sharp breath and quickly spin her around, reaching up and kissing her passionately. She reciprocates as we spend sunset loving each other fully. Every built up feeling we have had released to one another in a moment at which I wish I could stay in forever.

I bite my lip, pulling myself out of the memory holding back tears.

I then think of the man, a stranger, I am soon to marry. I become repulsed at the thought of any man but knowing it will be him makes it worse. My father was always right and never wrong when it came to a strategy, which is why I must marry Matthias Lannister. 

I open my eyes and sigh leaving my father's room, knowing that the second I close the door behind me I will be crowned Marisia Targaryen, Queen of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm.