After Jojen's declaration, he kissed my cheek and exited my chambers to return to his own, leaving me confused and overwhelmed. I fell asleep that night on sheets that still smelled like him.
In the morning I awoke to see my mother, her face a mix of indecipherable emotions. "Lehna, I'm glad you finally got some sleep," she breathed. "however the handmaidens came in to burn the sickbed sheets only to find you curled up in them. I told them you were just tired, but is there more to the story?" The Queen raised her eyebrows at me.
"No, Mother. I came in from the Citadel to find Jojen had left, and I was just so tired I must have fell asleep right there. Thank you for clearing up the handmaidens' confusion. They're a chatty bunch." I swept past her to my wardrobe where I donned a lilac dress to attend the Small Council Meeting.
Isabel Tyrell gave a suspicious huff. "I love you, dear, but you're playing a dangerous game." She helped me with my dress and hair.
"There is no game. Theon is my betrothed and future King. I will remain faithful to him as a wife and Queen should be." My dear mother has grown used to lying nobles, but she'd never expect it from me.
She kissed my head. "Spoken like a true Baratheon. I'll see you at the meeting. Oh and Lehna? Know that no matter what I love you."
I watched her leave from my mirror and clasped on a necklace given to me as a gift by the Iron Islands. Like most things from the mines of the Islands, it was not a handsome necklace, but Jojen had magicked the necklace so that he could see and hear everything the necklace did.
A Kingsguard escorted me to my uncle's chambers. Since Loras was Hand of the King, I felt more comfortable near him than I would anyone else. He greeted me warmly and bid me sit across from the King.
Once everyone had arrived, it was time for business. Lord Baelish talked about the growing treasury due to the lack of war, Varys discussed reports of Daenerys Targaryen (nothing to report), and Loras mentioned the tensions rising in Flea Bottom as a result of the radical Sparrow people.
Cersei then clasped her hands together. "Now to discuss what's most important - the wedding of my lovely granddaughter."
I blushed and looked to my parents. Joffrey stood and announced, "Yes. Lehna, Theon has been in attendance at the castle for two months now. This means that your wedding is in a week. It is good to see that you are well again. I am so proud of you."
I bowed my head. "Thank you, Your Grace."
Lord Baelish continued droning on about the nobles we would invite, the amount of food to prepare, the cost of all the livery, and how we had enough coin to last through three Royal Weddings. I hardly listened. I had two weeks to get my feelings in check.
When the meeting adjourned, I went to the dungeons to be alone and think. I had such strong feelings for Jojen, but I was betrothed to Theon and a loveless marriage would be miserable. Can I learn to love him?
Of course I would have a lavish wedding, that would bring me some happiness. But seeing Jojen there knowing it's not him by my side, I don't know if I could handle it. I already agreed to the watched consummation, so there was no getting out of that. Oh seven hells, I would have to lose my maidenhood to Theon! Or would I?
I discreetly left the dungeons to go see my teacher. Since his illness, we had put off our lessons and I needed to learn so much. I knocked on his door.
"Lehna? I expected you sooner. Why did you go to the dungeons?" I forgot about that blasted necklace.
"I needed to think. Jojen, I'm scared." He turned his head to see if anyone was watching and pulled me inside. Once the door was closed he wrapped me in a tight embrace.
"Do you want to continue our lessons?" He murmured. I nodded and stepped away from him, ready to learn. For hours we drilled spells, control, good uses and bad uses of magic.
I soon got so tired that I collapsed onto Jojen's small bed. "Are you alright, Princess?" He asked, holding my hand. His blonde hair hung over his face as he looked down at me on the bed.
"Jojen?" I asked. "Can I ask you something?"
"Anything," he replied.
"I don't want Theon to be my first. I know he's been with dozens of other girls, so why should he be my only one?" I took a shaky breath. "Would you....be my first?"
