BLEEDING LOVE ⚜️ ROBB STARK

Chapter Twenty-One • The Longest Ride

Dedicated to Myrte_ thanks for your awesome comment that made my day and motivated me to finish this chapter.

King's Landing - 291 AL, nine years ago

Lyla clapped her hands as hard as she could with a smile permanently spread across her face, today all eyes were on her, which meant she had to let them all see "what a pretty princess" she was. Today they were all celebrating her seventh name day with a tourney, her father's favorite. He wasn't riding, but many knights of the Westerlands, Stormlands, and Crownlands were going to be riding for the young princess, including her uncle, Ser Jamie Lannister of the Kingsguard.

When her uncle won; there was clapping from maidens who giggled at how handsome the knight was, his reputation for being handsome transcended that of his reputation as a kingslayer in the eyes of maidens. There was laughing from the rich men who were smart enough to bet on Ser Jaime, they would be leaving with their pants filled with coin, one being her Uncle Tyrion, who always bet on family and was well drunk. Lyla, her five year old brother Joffrey, and three year old sister Myrcella, were all happy with his victory as he rode past them and removed his helmet to reveal his long golden hair.

He rode up to the young princess as she tried to fight her giggling to behave like a proper princess that her handmaiden Fae always told her that she had to be.

"I hope my victory pleased you, my princess," he teased her.

"You rode very well, Uncle Jaime," she praised him, as well as a seven year old could articulate. He smiled at how she tried to pronounce the words like her mother would. He rubbed her head, ruffling all those black hairs on her head. She reached to touch his horse.

"Come now, Lyla," her father ordered.

"Yes, father," Lyla nodded towards him, she always strived to be an obedient daughter to win her father's favor since she was not born a son. She turned back to her uncle with her usual smile- as she knew he wanted to see her smile, "pardon me, Uncle Jaime."

"The king is waiting, I'll see you at dinner, dear niece," Jaime excused her kindly as a proper knight should. Jaime was always closest to his black-haired niece than to the golden-haired prince and princess.

Lyla rose up from her seat, with her handmaiden Fae followed closely behind her, as she followed behind her father, Ser Barristan (who always gave her the kindest smiles and greeted her), and Ser Meryn Trant (who she never liked for his mean face). Fae smiled, as if she knew where they were going, which made Lyla smile at the older woman- she couldn't have been older than her twenties, Lyla suspected. Lyla kept her hands to her side, flower crown on properly, and made sure to keep her golden and blue wrap-dress stayed unruffled.

Lyla wondered where her father was taking her as they walked besides each other in silence. Soon enough they arrived at the stables.

"Lyla do you remember when you saw your Uncle Renly come in with that fancy stead of his?" Her father questioned, bending down to meet her gaze. She nodded. "I believe you're old enough to learn how to ride, princess," he finished as a stable boy walked over with a white mare which caused the princess to gasp in awe.

"Oh, father," she nearly squealed almost unladylike as she wrap her arms around her father. He lifted her up and spun her around, his laughter could be heard throughout the castle while she giggled lightly. Lyla had stolen the King's heart from the moment she was born, which made the old knight Barristan and the lowborn handmaiden Fae smile at the view of the love shared between father and daughter. She pulled away and looked at her father. "I love her father!"