♔♔♔

"Remember to choose a Lord Commander based on skill, Rhaenyra." I whisper to her as we're escorted down the hall. "Not by that of which desire."

She lets out a playful scoff as she turns to me. "I know. What's wrong with both?"

I grin back. "It is only my duty as your Hand to remind you. And if I were to trust your judgement in the ladder then nothing." I tease.

Though I too have my desires, as every lady does, I do acknowledge the skill. Something Rhaenyra seems to lack. But that is what I'm here for.

Once we arrive, Rhaenyra steps up onto her platform so we stand shoulder to shoulder and Ser Harrold presents the options.

"Ser Desmond Caron, a fine knight, Princess. Step forward, Ser Desmond." Harrold calls out. "Son of Ser Royce Caron, Ser Desmond has proved strong and steady in both the tourney lists and without."

Perhaps I am not one with the best judgement either considering I mostly paid mind to Daemon and worried for Rhaenyra during the late Queen's labor's, but I like to believe I have some good standing as I too only want to protect Nyra.

Which is why naming her heir was a dangerous and foolish attempt at punishing—

"While traveling through the Kingswood on his way to King's Landing; Ser Desmond recently brough a would-be poacher to justice." Ser Harrold's words bring me back to the matter at hand, rightfully so.

Rhaenyra looks down at the knight in question as my father, whom had to join us, steps around to her other side.

"You might thank him for his leal service, Princess." He whispers, finally something good to come from his mouth.

"We thank you for your loyal service to The Crown, ser." Rhaenyra repeats.

Ser Desmond nods and departs back to his position as Rhaenyra smiles looking up to find Princess Rhaenys across the way. I smile in her direction as well, my admiration for her still as strong as it was at the tourney.

The way she carries her self with such grace, even after being dismissed all these years is truly such strength.

Ser Harrold pulls the next small statue to the middle of the table beside us as he announces, "Ser Rymun Mallister." He moves to the front of the circle of knights. "Son of Lord Lymond Mallister of Seagard. Winner of the melee at Cider Hall."

The man had beautiful salt and peppered hair, bringing forth his years of experience.

"He was the last mounted of three-and-twenty knights." I stand correct. "Ser Rymun was knighted at eight-and-ten."

"Do any of these knights have combat experience?" Rhaenyra blurts out. Well, experience in combat and as a knight does not always mean one in the same. "Beyond capturing poachers."

The city bells toll in the distance as Ser Harrold glances at her before nodding down. He steps back and I see him and my father share a look before he grabs the next piece and moves it to the center. My father lets out a sigh.

"Ser Criston Cole." Harrold says and I raise my head up to find the knight from the tourney that had my sister and Rhaenyra in such an uproar. He dips his head. "Son of the steward of the Lord of Blackhaven." Ser Harrold, from where I am standing, does not look impressed.

"Be welcome, Ser Criston." Rhaenyra greets. I let out a sigh. She's going to pick him. Although he has combat experience, the pit of my stomach does not sit right. He nods at the acknowledgement. "You saw combat in the Stormlands." Nyra leans forward excitedly.

"Dornish marches, Princess." Ser Criston Cole corrects. "I fought for a year as a foot soldier against the Dornish incursions. Ser Arlan Dondarrion knighted me after we razed two of the watchtowers along the Boneway."

Rhaenyra nods, turning to Ser Harrold. "I choose Ser Criston Cole." She proclaims, turning to nod to me, she steps down.

"Let's not be too hasty, Princess." My father rushes to speak. Gods be good, I cannot believe it, but I agree with my father. "There's no doubt Ser Criston is a fine warrior, but houses such as Crakehall and Mallister are important allies of The Crown." He points out. "Seagard, for instance, is the realm's prime defense against reavers from the Iron Islands."

I bite my tongue as to not come off as aligning with my father.

"Those men are tourney knights. My father should be defended by a man who's known real combat." Rhaenyra says, looking to Ser Harrold before turning back to my father. "Should he not?"

"Of course, Princess." My father nods to her, shifting his gaze to me.

"Well, let us plan Ser Criston's investiture then." She states before locking her arm with mine.

"If I may have a moment with my daughter, Princess." My father speaks before Rhaenyra can whisk us away. I rub my lips together, spine tensing as I turn back around.

"I'll catch up with you." I hold my hand up to Rhaenyra. She nods hesitantly before walking off. "Yes, father?" I put on a small smile as I move over to him and he grabs my arm, pulling me closer.

I let out a noise of surprise at the haste as he squeezes my arm. "You sister is with the King." He speaks lowly. "Fulfilling her role of which you were to defiant to do." My nostrils flare as I try to pull away. "So it would do you well to make sure you keep Rhaenyra and yourself from bothering them, is that understood." Bothering them?! "Is that understood?" He repeats.

I narrow my eyes at him. "It is."

His sickening smile brightens. "Good. They shall be left alone to grow closer. A task you were supposed to do., but a price you will pay."

I rip from his grasp. "Mmm, sorry to disappoint." I scoff before hurrying off as my stomach churns.

He would sell his daughter off to the King in order to bare a fucking son all so he can have his way and prevent Daemon, or even Rhaenyra for that matter, from residing on the throne.

I blink back hot tears from forming at the thought of my person being touched and violated by the King as I would him. It is not that I despise Viserys, but to lay in bed with a man my father has been best friends with and have him lie under the impression it is for good intentions...

I want to marry for love. I want to make love in comfort. I want to live a life where I can be happy.

And thanks to Otto Hightower, it seems I never will.

♔♔♔

𝟶ʙᴜᴛᴛᴇʀʙɪsᴄᴜɪᴛ𝟽 sᴘᴇᴀᴋs!

Hello, hello Scarletted Persuasion readerssss & happy HOTD Sunday <3

Although Otto SLAYED episode 2 of season 2 can we all say a big FU for his treatment towards Henley!!!! Thank you.

Hope y'all enjoyed this chapterrr!! And yes Henley does have intuition about Criston Cole bc I want her to & with good reasonnnn, as she should!! And Otto was not a fan from the very beginning lololol, & she's very observant so she caught on to everyone's wariness about him right away!

Also just want to say thank y'all SO much for 3k+ reads on this bookkkk, omggg!! Means so much, y'all don't even KNOW what I have in store for you so stay tuned ;)

And happy birthday to our Queen Who Could Have Been... Princess Rhaenys <3 This chapter is dedicated to her & Henley is such a fan so of course had to throw in that little moment as Rhaenys was watching!!

Until next time, muah!