[The quest to find Rhaenyra a husband went on for long enough, or so her father said and the court thought. Plenty of men from Houses all over the realm vied for her hand in marriage, a bunch of men old and young, that wanted her for nothing but her Valyrian blood and royal titles. Now that her father had married her former best friend, Alicent, and the two bore a son her inheritance to the Iron throne was being put to question. By many of the lords who wished to keep the male heir tradition alive and by her father who had finally gotten the son he always wanted.
*Political headache.* The king had dared to call her that as if she was the thing responsible for all the problems he had. Ever since Aegon had been born to her traitorous friend and father it had been nothing but threats. Threats that she knew Otto and Alicent were just overjoyed about. Once she was out of the way they could stick her half-brother on the throne and get all that they wished for. Rhaenyra wasn't having any of that, which was why she finally relented, agreeing to wed whoever it was that her father had chosen.]
OC: "Hello, Princess."
Rhaenyra: *She turned swiftly, her violet eyes narrowing for a moment. Rhaenyra had been lost in her own thoughts and hadn't quite noticed someone standing behind her. There was something slightly familiar about the unknown man, though, his voice…*
OC: "I heard what happened"
Rhaenyra: "Oh? And what exactly did you hear?"
*Her voice was as sharp as a dagger, her gaze scrutinizing each one of his features closely. He was handsome, with a strong jaw and sharp cheekbones, and something about him made her skin prickle.*
OC: "Your Father is choosing a husband for you."
Rhaenyra: *A huff escaped her lips, her face falling in distaste as she rolled her eyes.*
"Yes, that he is, and I have little say in the matter, it would seem. What care have you in it, though?"
OC: "Well, care to change his mind? That you have some say in the matter? You are your own woman, with your own choices to make. Surely, the political turmoil will allow that."
Rhaenyra: *Rhaenyra was quiet for a moment, tilting her head and studying the man in silence. His words held logic and sense, things she valued greatly, and he was right of course… but she had tried that before.*
"And what would be the price of your assistance?"
OC: "Well, the chance to be in the presence of the Realm's Delight, always by her side. To fight for Rhaenyra Targaryen at all times would be this Knight's honor. And to have her hand in marriage would be a dream come true. Of course, if you would like."
Rhaenyra: *The princess arched a brow, her gaze flickering with a mix of curiosity and amusement as he spoke, the corner of her mouth tilting into a half-smirk. He was bold, she had to give him that, and the confidence to speak his mind so clearly was admirable.*
"You are quite the charmer, aren't you, Ser…?"
OC: "I am Ser Rickard Selmy, of House Selmy." [Randomly thought of some proper house name lol)
Rhaenyra: "Rickard Selmy, of House Selmy."
*She repeated his name with a soft murmur, as if to commit it to her memory. It was a solid name, a strong name, and even she could recognise it as a highborn family. But that was all she allowed herself to show, still not entirely convinced by his promises and sweet words.*
*Rhaenyra took a step closer.*
"So, you think yourself worthy enough to stand by my side and fight for me, Ser Rickard?"
Rickard: "Of course, I think I am capable.I am no dragon, obviously, but when it comes to protecting you when your Golden Dragon cannot, I have no rivals."
Rhaenyra: *A flicker of something akin to surprise showed in her violet eyes upon his words, an almost impressed look flashing across her face. He had a point, and that was not something Rhaenyra could simply ignore. Syrax was her pride and joy, but there were times when she needed someone else to guard her.*
"No rivals, you say? That is quite the claim to make."
Rickard: "Name any Knight, I am sure to be capable of handling them. Forgive this tone of mine, It may come across as arrogance, but it is the confidence in my abilities that gives me courage to speak to a Goddess like yourself."
Rhaenyra: *A soft scoff escaped her lips, a small grin tugging at the corners. *Goddess.* He really was something else, and the smirk only grew as the princess folded her arms over her chest, tilting her head up to gaze down at him.*
"You are certainly not lacking in confidence, Ser Rickard, I'll give you that."
*Rhaenyra reached out one slender hand, grabbing his chin to lift his head and have a better look at him.*
"Let me see your eyes, Ser."
Rickard: "You can see whatever you desire."
Rhaenyra: *Her smirk only widened, eyes locking with his as a glint appeared in her gaze. His words, so easily spoken, made her curious to see more. Her fingers gently tilted his chin this way and that, inspecting the sharpness of his features.*
"There is a strength in you, Ser, and you're not hard to look at either."
*Her thumb brushed the sharp of his cheekbone, tracing it, before moving to his lips.
Rickard: Thank you for the kind words. Words cannot describe the beauty you possess.
Rhaenyra: Oh? Flattery, you are a smooth talker.*
*The pad of her thumb slowly traced the curve of his lower lip, before moving to caress the smooth skin on his cheek. The princess paused for a moment, her slender frame standing so close to him that she could feel his warm breath against her skin.*
Rickard: "Not as smooth as your fair skin. Which glows ethereally in the light of the sun that comes up for you."
Rhaenyra: *She was getting more and more amused, and perhaps a hint of flustered, by each of his words that seemed to just easily spill from his mouth. That he could be so charming, and bold, and honest, all at the same time. And yet he was sincere; that was what made it even more surprising.*
*The princess moved her hand to gently trace the line of his jaw, tilting his head up higher to meet her gaze. Their bodies were so close now she could feel the heat radiating from him.*
Rickard: "Your touch is soft. Your warmth….I feel it"
Rhaenyra:* Rhaenyra stepped even closer, her chest nearly brushing against his now. She leaned in, her breath faintly grazing his cheek as the princess lowered her voice to a near whisper.*
"And what else do you feel, Ser Rickard?"
Rickard: It may be foolish, but I feel a certain feeling. One that I felt when I first laid eyes on you, when I saw the light radiate from your very being.
Rhaenyra:*Certain feeling.* *Her gaze flickered with curiosity and intrigue, violet eyes roaming his face and trying to find something, some sign. The princess lifted an eyebrow, her hand moving up to his chin once more. She tilted his head, leaning in a bit closer.*
"A feeling that appeared when you first saw me, eh?"
*She paused, their noses almost touching now as her thumb slowly traced his bottom lip again.*
Rickard: "Yes, Princess. Love."
Rhaenyra: *Her eyes widened in slight surprise at his straight-forward confession, not having expected it. *Love?* A part of her was disbelieving of such an easy declaration - how could this man simply love her, a woman he barely even knew - and yet he sounded so serious.*
*Rhaenyra was quiet for a moment, her gaze roaming his face, searching for any sign of deception.*
*Seeing none, she let out a faint, almost amused scoff.*
"Love. You don't even know me, Ser Rickard."
Rickard: "That could change, Princess. That could very much change. I said it was foolish, allow me to prove myself wrong. That it isn't foolish to love you."
[To Be Continued In Part 2]