Betrothed to the Prince of Valyria

Hurt

The King, Queen, and I gathered in Taeron's chambers, the tension palpable as the maesters worked diligently to stabilize him. The room was filled with the muted sounds of medical care-soft murmurs, the rustle of bandages, and the occasional clink of metal instruments. I watched with a tight chest, my heart aching as the maesters moved around Taeron, their faces set in focused concentration.

After what felt like an eternity, the Grand Maester approached us, his expression serious but somewhat reassuring. "The situation is under control, Your Majesty" he said, his voice steady. "His life is not in danger. Thanks to his armor, he has no broken bones, only a few dislocated joints, which we have managed to fix. He should recover fully with time."

Relief washed over me, though the worry still gnawed at my heart. The King and Queen exchanged glances, their concern evident. The Queen's eyes were red-rimmed from tears, and the King's face was etched with a mix of relief and fatigue.

"Is there anything else we should do?" the King asked, his voice strained.

The Grand Maester looked at the three of us. "It's best if everyone leaves the room now. Taeron needs rest, and his recovery will be smoother if he is not disturbed. Only one person should stay with him."

I was quick to react "I can stay"

The Queen turned to me, her gaze filled with both gratitude and concern. "Saera, you should go and rest. You've done more than enough."

I shook my head, my resolve firm despite my exhaustion. "Please, Your Grace. I need to stay. I want to be here for him."

The King placed a hand on my shoulder, his expression conflicted. "Saera, you've been through a lot today. You need rest too."

But I stood my ground, meeting their concerned gazes with determination. "Your Majesty, let me stay. I know he needs rest, but I need to be here. I want to make sure he's okay."

The King sighed, giving a reluctant nod. The Queen hesitated but then nodded as well, her voice soft."We'll be nearby if you need us."

With that, they left the room. As the last of the maesters left the room, the door closed with a soft click, leaving me alone with Taeron. The quiet of the chamber was a stark contrast to the chaos of earlier. The only sounds were the soft rustle of the curtains and the gentle hum of the fire in the hearth.

I remained seated in the armchair beside Taeron's bed, my heart heavy with worry. I reached out and took his hand in mine, feeling the warmth of his skin. His breathing was steady, but his stillness was unsettling. I trailed my gaze on his face, down on his neck and torso which was visible as his shirt was not buttoned. My chest hurt and tears threatened to fall as the purple red bruises and scratches were everywhere. How can a human being be so perfect even when he is covered in bruises? I pulled his duvet up to his chest protecting his body from cold. I took some strands of hair from his face, not taking my eyes from him. Slowly bending my body to his level, i gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek.

Sitting there, I couldn't shake the overwhelming sense of guilt that settled over me. Taeron had been injured while saving me-he had put himself in harm's way to protect me. The thought that his sacrifice had led to him lying here, injured and unconscious, was almost too painful to bear. The weight of his actions pressed heavily on me, and I felt a deep, aching sadness knowing that he had risked so much for my sake.

The room felt too large and too silent without the activity of the maesters. I was surrounded by the faint scent of medicinal herbs and the muted light of the candles. It was a comforting yet somber atmosphere, one that offered little distraction from my thoughts.

I found myself lost in memories of our recent time together-moments of laughter, shared concerns, and the quiet companionship we had found in each other's presence. The image of him lying here, so vulnerable and hurt, contrasted sharply with the lively, confident person I had come to know. It made the ache in my chest feel even more profound.