The Dragon & The Wolf

A Princess' Duty

As Rhaenyra was walking through the corridors of the Red Keep with Ser Criston by her side, the princess's thoughts were turned to the person she was looking for this morning. Arthur had been as much as a blessing to her as a massive pain in her ass and the source of many of her headaches in the evening. She couldn't deny that her personal adviser was helpful and smart, and particularly good at his job. But he was just so... rudely honest!

(-)(-)(-)

One day, Rhaenyra had complained about the small council's meetings, declaring that they were long and boring, Arthur had glared at her.

"If ruling is too boring for your taste and the fate of your people not worth your time, then you'd better renounce the Iron Throne right now." He had scolded her.

Rhaenyra had never complained about the small council meetings ever again, but she didn't speak to Arthur in a week for that. That didn't stop the Stark from speaking his mind though, something he never failed to do.

Another day, she had met him in his private chamber sporting her new dress, the Northerner had frown and shaken his head the moment Ser Criston had closed the door.

"This dress is awful, you should not wear it again."

Rhaenyra had gaped as if he had slapped her.

"What are you talking about?! This dress is beautiful, it's from Pentos!"

"You look fat in it."

A sept-like silence had followed that statement, the Realm's delight had felt humiliated and defiled, she had wanted to gouge out that barbarian's grey eyes.

But Arthur had spoken first, and not to her.

"Ser Criston, be honest, what do you think of the Princess' dress?"

The Kingsguard had gasped and glared at the Northerner for putting him in such position, however, with Rhaenyra's expecting gaze on him, he had no choice but to answer, though he had chosen his words more carefully :

"This dress doesn't do your beauty justice, Princess."
"In other words : 'yes princess, this dress does make you look fat'." Arthur had translated.

Furious and devoured by shame, the Princess had stomped her foot in anger.

"You're such an oaf! You give compliments to all the other ladies in the Keep!"

Arthur had burst out laughing.

"I lie to all the other ladies in the Keep." he corrected her. "Lady Darklyn has a nose like a potato and I called her 'a lovely sight'. You're the only one who gets to hear the truth from me. Because the handmaidens, kitchen maids, ladies and ladies in waiting gossip about you every single day. I'm not doing this to slight you, quite the opposite."

Rhaenyra had bitten her tong when she heard that, once again, she had been angry but could still understand his point. On the other hand, she had come to realize something, and that had bothered her. So she had crossed her arms had shown a pouty face.

"You never complimented me." She had pointed out, with an annoyed and accusing tone.

The Stark had given her a look of dismay and had sighed.

"Why do you care?"

At that, Rhaenyra had put on a mischievous smile.

"Well I'd like to hear an honest compliment for once, that is of course if your sour tongue is capable of pronouncing sweet words without poisoning you."

Ser Criston had chuckled at her wit, while Arthur was rolling his eyes with half a smile on his face. A victory in Rhaenyra's eyes.

"Princess, you're by far one of the most beautiful women I've ever met... and this dress doesn't do your beauty justice because you look fat in it."