The question takes me off guard, my head tilting as I try to remember. Harwin uses the moment to smack my sword out of my hand, his own dropping for my safety and his arms wrapping around me.
An arm gently presses against my throat, Harwin having put me in a controlled headlock. My lips part, fingers instinctively digging into his arm. Heat crawls up my neck, blood pounding in my ear. I know this is a training exercise, but I can't help in feeling so safe in his arms. My muscles automatically relax, and my breath slowly comes back to me with each second.
- No doubt, you could handle yourself in an armed fight but what if they get to grab you like this, - Harwin says to me, his voice thickening with an emotion I can't quite place. - How do you get out?
You twist your head, his grip not being tight in any way, and find his lips with ease, capturing them.
Harwin falters, his arms opening and allowing you the opportunity to slip through and distance yourself from him.
- That's how. - i lick my lips, drawing the taste of him into my mouth. He doesn't say anything, even as he quickly reaches for his sword, sheathing it against his hip and holding my eye for a moment longer.
- One day, - he croaks. - You're going to wake up and find yourself all alone. - And with that, he turns his back on me.
- I already am. - i whisper to myself, biting my finger to keep the tears at bay.
- I don't know what you've done, but l'd steer clear from my father, - Rhaenyra bursts inside, speaking before seeing me. She calls for me when I don't respond, hoping she'll leave. She doesn't.
Rhaenyra perches herself beside me, brushing a strand of my silver hair behindy ear. - What's happened? - she asked looking at me.
- Ser Harwin told uncle of my nightly adventures.
Rhaenyra frowns, gazing out the balcony. - It wasn't him, it was Ser Criston, - I look at her, shifting to lean my back against the wall, mirroring my sister. - He said as much when Ser Harwin confronted him about teaching you how to wield a sword.
- Shit, - I murmur, leaning my head back.
- I assume he came from seeing you, with how riled up he was. Never seen him so angry. - She looks at me expectantly.
- I kissed him. - Her eyes widen at my words. - To prove a point! He asked me how I'd escape from a headlock, and I kissed him, to distract him. It worked because he let go of me.
- that makes sense,- Rhaenyra nods, - What was it like?
I glance at her, a small smile ghosting over my lips. - it was only brief, but they are smooth, the complete opposite of him. - i said and we both giggled.
I ran into Harwin in the middle of the night. I was going for a walk in the garden as i was bored.
- what if i was someone else, Princess and would want to kill you? - he asked.
- Have you ever thought that maybe I just don't give a fuck? - i was getting irritated. - This is the only time I feel normal, where my existence is insignificant.
- Princess, no one asks to be born rich or poor, - he starts, remembering all the times you spoke of wishing to be someone other than a princess. - But it's our duty to become what we're meant to be - Lord of Harrenhal, and Princess, of the seven kingdoms.
A single tear slipping down my cheek as I squeeze your eyes shut to keep them away. - I don't want to be a princess, if it means this. I just want to be someone's greatest love.
Suddenly, Harwin understands you. He knows you. - Daena - He says my name softly, bringing his hand to my chin and tilting it up. Forcing me to look at him. Harwin wipes at your cheek with his thumb, tenderly caressing the flesh of my skin in his hand. - Sorry, Princess. - He mumbles, the sound of metal armour clanging together draws his attention elsewhere. Pushing me against the wall and covering the majority of my body with his, with no space left between you.
My brows furrow in confusion, question flashing in my eyes. I squeak, given no time to prepare, my eyes wide in surprise.
