When Aemond woke up in the morning Orya was still sleeping besides him, her head lying on his bed on her arms, sitting in a chair besides. He thought that she was probably feeling very uncomfortable like that, but she was sleeping finally, and he didn't want to wake her up. He still felt terrible, breathing was still very hard, but the fever was almost gone now. His mother was embroidering besides him and didn't immediately notice his eye opening.
- Mother... - the prince said almost whispering, and Alicent stopped what she was doing at once, moving her attention to her son. She placed her hand on his face and smiled.
- My dear boy, rest... How are you feeling? You don't feel so hot, praised be the gods, how's your breathing? Does it still hurt in your chest Aemond? - Alicent asked him already concerned that his symptoms would flare up again.
- Shhh, silently mother - the prince said looking to Orya still sleeping - let's not wake her up, she needs to rest too. I do feel better mother, don't worry.
- Yes dear...lady Orya has been of a tremendous help, she has been restless taking care of you Aemond...
- I know mother...she has been so kind to me - Aemond blushed, but right after started coughing a little waking lady Orya from her sleep.
- My prince, my queen, I... I am so sorry! - she abruptly stood her head from Aemond's bed.
- Oh please, I'm the one apologizing, you were sleeping so well, didn't want to wake you up.
- Not at all my prince, I could rest at least indeed...how are you feeling your Grace? - since Alicent was there, Orya felt the need to maintain appropriate language, she didn't thought wise to call him only by his name like she did before.
- Better, it's still difficult to breathe but the fever seems to be gone now
- Praised be the gods... - Orya said smiling and holding his hand, forgetting about Alicen't presence. She was so embarrassed to be sleeping there in front of the queen and prince that she excused herself shortly after, saying that she was going to see for lady Meriah, leaving Aemond with his mother only.
- I think she was embarrassed of falling a sleep with you here mother.
- Indeed...she has been such a sweet girl tho... I must be honest with you Aemond, if you allow me.
- Go on mother...
- At first, your inclination towards lady Orya worried me, she was not exactly what I envisioned for you, but with time I saw that I was wrong...she is perfect, she is everything I envisioned for you my dear.
- Mother...what do you mean? – Aemond was very surprised, he never thought to hear of such words from his own mother.
- You're still very ill my dear son, I don't wish to stress you with this issues, I just want to rest your mind, and your heart, that I approve of your choice... lady Orya I mean. You look so happy in her presence, and she has been so restless taking care of you and worrying for you, I'm sure she will be an amazing wife.
Aemond blushed, so heavily he thought for a little his fever was up again.
- So.... I have your blessing, I mean, if I decide to ask lady Orya in marriage?
- Of course, my love... leave your grandfather and your father the King with me, I'll arrange for that, I don't want you to worry about it – Aemond smiled and kissed his mother's hand in reverence and showing his profound affection for her. She got closer to him and kissed his forehead stroking his hair.

During the rest of the day Aemond received Dareon's visit and Helaena that also had manage to leave Aegon for a while with their mother, since Alicent was visiting her older son too. Orya came back into his room while Daeron was still there, securing Daeron's conviction that they were a match, and a good one. Heleana also manifested her approval when she was just him him.
- Brother... You love lady Orya, she loves you too. I'm so happy you could find someone that fits you so well and that takes care of you so patiently, this things have no price... Now you need to focus on recovery, but after, ask her to marry you...

Helaena's words settled the matter. Aemond was decided to ask Orya to marry him, however, he thought to himself that he could only do it when the illness was controlled enough for his situation to be stable and less severe. Unfortunately, that was still not the case. That night the horrible symptoms flared up again, the pain was even worse than before, he felt like his lungs were closing and his heart would give out, the maesters gave him a sedative again managing to bring him to sleep, but this time three of them were firm that the prince needed to be bled to shed the illness away in the blood. Orya and the maesters of Dorne were firmly against, so was one of the Starks and one of the royal maesters, but the head maester insisted on doing it, and since Alicent wasn't there, he felt no need of approval of no one. The prince's blood started filling a fine silver tray, his skin looked paler, his heart and breathing seemed to ease, but soon they understood it was not easing, the prince was purely just stooping to breath at all, and his heart was struggling further with the blood that was coming out of the body.
- Enough! You must stop this nonsense, you're killing him! - Orya said already crying feeling Aemond's vital signs getting frailer.
- This must end. Now - One of the maesters of the Starks spoke and took away the needle for bleeding and the tray. The other maesters didn't complain, because they could see the practice was not bringing any health to the prince - we must trust the process and the treatments we are providing. The prince was improving, even if he's doing worst again, we know the illness, we know how it works with ups and downs' of the symptoms. We have attend other two people this last two weeks suffering with severe cases of this illness. Bleeding provoked the death of at least one of them most likely, and did not help the other one. No more bleeding's, it will only weaken his heart and lungs even more, even if it seems to slow it, it would only make his heart stop...permanently - the head maester complained something, mumbling things that were not audible and left the room saying that if the prince died his death would be on their hands. The other's ignored the words and proceded to treat the wound from the bleeding and provided the usual treatments and medicines, leaving the room only after he was stable enough. Orya placed her head on the prince's chest, listening to his heart beating and feeling the rise and fall of his chest, she only lifted her ear when she heard his heart beating steady and stronger again.

For seven days and seven nights after the prince collapsed in the duel, he struggled severely with the illness, with periods of tremendous pain, suffering and despair, and periods were he felt in a pleasant mood and spirit. It was like the symptoms came with waves, and he needed to be ready and swim through the pain when an episode of the illness manifested with intensity. He finally showed significant signs of improvement after the seventh day. The septons and Alicent praised the gods, they thought that the seven day mark was certainly a sign of divine intervention, he would still be on permanent bed rest for at least another seven days, but the maesters believed he was no longer in a dangerous condition. The illness was harsh for everyone, but specially for the ones that displayed severe cases. In moderate cases like Prince Aegon, the illness was almost unnoticeable after seven days, the prince was already out of his bed when Aemond showed the first signs of a firm recover. In the other hand, with prince Aemond things needed more time. Maesters told him that maybe he would need a month or two to recover enough to get back into his usual training and riding routines, but would probably be able to leave his chambers after the next seven days of rest, to seek the pleasure of moderate activities in the castle. During all his recovery, Orya did not leave his side, eventually the shame of sleeping there faded of, since it was not uncommon. Always attending to his needs, his pains, but also providing him some comfort and leisure of what was possible to do while he was still recovering his health on bed rest. During the second week of recovery sometimes she would read for him, such as Helaena, she drew in his chambers, and tried to teach him some techniques as well, but Aemond was more found of reading. She managed all his medicines and treatments, but his favourite part was probably when Orya combed and cleaned his long silver hair, and washed his face and arms with a wet cloth. The full bath was an occasion that obviously was not for lady Orya to witness, but Aemond felt a lot better after it, as if the water also cleaned the illness itself. When Orya was not with Aemond, which wasn't usual because she always was, she was with Meriah, to check on her and know from her more recent inclinations towards lord Eren Stark. Sometimes she would tell Aemond of some of the court's new tales too. He didn't care much about it, but he was so bored and tired of being in his chambers in bed that such stories became interesting, during those times, when they were both alone, Orya decided to talk of an important and delicate matter with the prince
- Aemond, now that it's just the two of us, I must confess something to you, something that Meriah as been talking about
- It's lord Stark isn't it?
-How do you know??
- Well...my sister doesn't talk much in court, but she listens, and talks to me too...Lady Meriah hasn't been...modest about her inclination, neither she should be I guess...not something we have done too... - Aemond blushed a little saying it, and made Orya hide her expression as well
-Well yes...you're right indeed. She does enjoy lord Eren Stark a lot... He invited Meriah to visit Winterfell, all the Dornish actually, it's spring year so even in the winter lands the times are prosper. I think he wants her to experience Winterfell before a proposition, but it's definitely looking like it will end up on that. They are planning on leaving in a couple of days.
- It seems wise indeed...winter lands can be quite inhospitable, but I'm sure that the Starks will provide for her well. So, when do you leave? I must prepare for the boredom that awaits
Orya held the prince's hand right away with a concerned expression
-No Aemond, I won't be going! I want to stay with you until you're fully recovered, and they will be departing quite soon
-That honers me for sure... but you should not stop yourself from going because of me. I'm doing much better now, you don't need to worry, a couple more days in bed rest and the maester will probably allow me to at least leave my chambers
-But I want to stay Aemond... I pray to gods everyday to thank for your recovery, but we know it will take a while for you to get your health fully back. I want to be a company that you can rely on during those times, the maestes said that even just walking can be difficult after recovering, you'll need to take it very slowly and be patient, I don't want you to feel alone in the next days, weeks, month...
- What about years?
- What do you mean Aemond? Do you plan on staying ill that long? – Orya said jokingly, avoiding thinking about the meaning of those words. Her embroidery stood still on her lap, with her hand still holding the prince's, he lifted his back from the bed and pillows to get closer to her, to reveal the intention of those words.
- What if I asked you to marry me Orya? – Aemond's heart was racing, and his chest felt tight and heavy, he was still ill, but he could definitely be sure the symptoms were no more than a product of his anxiety
- I would accept – Orya said firmly, she had no doubts, looking at him, she wanted to smile of joy but at the same time she was afraid of the topic itself – but I know I am far from ideal as a suitable marriage for you, and you know that too...so please, don't bring us hopes that might never become true...
-What do you mean far from ideal? – At this moment Aemond was even closer to her holding her face on his hand, with his healthy eye gazing her reactions
- I'm not my cousin Aemond...my cousin was an ideal match, and even her was not consensual with your family. Otto's disapproval could be seen at distance... I'm a legitimized Martell, but I'm still a bastard, I do have coin and wealth of my own, but I'm also older than you...older than what the royal house envisioned for you I'm sure.
- You are a legitimized daughter, that's all that matters regarding the Martell name. You cousin's brother is the one that will heir the lands and ruling, not Meriah, or you. You are no heir indeed but neither am I, and I have no lordships of my own. You age is but a small detail that for me posts no concern at all. Most importantly you are ideal because you are you Orya. The times I spent with you made me experience an happiness I thought I did not possess. You cared for me with love, in health and sickness, that has no price...it's you that I want, that I need. To guide me, to comfort me, to advise me, to treat my heart with care, to make me laugh, maybe sometimes to make me cry as well... - Aemond looked away when finished but Orya held is face back to hers, she was emotional with the words she had heard from the prince, and responded with kissing him, and holding him on her arms in a long hug after it
- I love you so much Aemond...nothing would make me happier than becoming your wife, I feel treasured and valued for you, as a maiden, as a fighter... but we need to think. What about your mother? And Otto, and the King?
- My mother has given me her blessing...in fact, she was the one bringing the matters to my attention, not that I didn't think of it a lot, but she made me see things for what they are. People already talk so much about us Orya, it won't come as a surprise for anyone in the court ...besides she told me that she was moved by your love and devotion. My father, the King, I don't think he would be opposed, I don't think he has a lot to say in those regards or that he cares that much... my granddad Otto is probably the biggest problem, but it will be useless if it's decided by both the queen and the king
- Queen Alicent really said that? – Orya blushed with his words, almost not listening after it
-Yes she did.. she said much more in fact. She believes you the one capable of treasuring my heart...and so do I. I was decided in asking your hand in marriage some days ago, but I wanted to recover first, to be sure I would at least survive to be able to ask you. I should probably wait for a total recover to ask it but since it will take some time I thought I should do it now.
- I hope I'm worthy of such honor... I'm glad you didn't wait more! - Orya hugged him again, moving him back in his bed while laying on top of him, listening his heart beating, now healthier, and she cried a little in happiness. They were finally engaged and the illness was perishing.

Three days after the later even, the Dornish and the Starks departed to Winterfell. Before that, Orya confessed to Meriah that Aemond asked her in marriage and that she accepted. Alicent already knew too and congratulated them both on that, she was purely happy with it, so did Helaena, Aegon and Daeron. Otto in the other hand was still mad that the Starks were leaving with the dornish and no match was in sight for Daeron and Serena, so Alicent was still to tell Otto about what was settled, she demanded Otto to not visit Aemond without her supervision, she didn't want anything to disturb his peace in healing, she would take care of it later. Meanwhile, Orya told her uncle, Meriah's father, lord of house Martell, that she was going to marry prince Aemond. In fact, the prince firmly asked her to bring him to his chambers so that he could ask for her hand in a proper way, even if technically he was not her father. It was still not a public decision, but it was a decision, and he wanted to be sure there were no hard feelings with any of the Martells. Meriah's father consented proudly of course, in fact, he was already expecting such news, he only said "Of couse you have my blessing child, you father, my brother, god's save him, would be so happy for you. Live your life now, for once, you only have one. I hope prince Aemond continues his recovery and that he's worthy of the honor of having my precious Orya has his wife" And so they departed, without Orya, envisioning to secure the match for the younger Martell.