Arthur XX

293AC

The cheese really was very good actually, though I didn't really care for the wine, or much drink at all really. Not only was my body still developing, but this was Westeros and anyone who thought dulling their senses was a good thing might as well slit their own throat as far as I was concerned.

I sank into the chair across from Desmera, we were alone, save for Jaerys and a couple of Redwyne guards, but my, erm, date, was clearly quite uncomfortable with the situation. If she thought she was disguising it she was wrong. Her discomfort was written plain all over her body language.

The question from my perspective was what exactly was prompting that discomfort? Was it the fact that she was being betrothed so young? Was it my appearance? (She certainly did seem to be glancing at my scars more than most people) Or, was there something else going on, something I hadn't seen yet?

It was clear that she was dancing around asking me anything she wanted to ask me, so eventually, I got sick of talking about feasts and other shit. Though her suggestion of hiring chefs from the Reach might be warranted. I finally broke our stalemate.

"Lady Desmera," I said, gazing straight into her eyes.

"Yes, my prince?"

"What is it that you are avoiding asking?"

She gaped for a moment, and her facade cracked. "Wha- Oh, I mean, I don't know what you're talking about."

"You've been dancing around it the entire evening, what is it that you would like to ask me? I presume it doesn't have to do with food."

I saw the girls shoulders tense up for a moment, but then she stiffened herself. "I was… I wanted to know if you like the Arbor better than Sunspear or Tarth."

As the words escaped her mouth I nodded lightly, I suppose that would press on her mind, but it was something I certainly had to be careful in answering.

"I'm not sure it's really a fair comparison." I finally said after a moments thought. "At Tarth I was greeted plainly but warmly, and nothing was assumed of me. At Sunspear I was treated kindly but they did not know quite what to make of me. Here I have been treated mostly as a curiosity and been paraded around in front of half the Lord's of the Reach. I won't deny that the food is best here, but of the three I think that Tarth was my favorite."

Her face visibly tightened at that, but it gave me time to continue. "It is of little consequence though, because I will not be marrying Brienne. She expressed a desire to be a knight over being a lady."

"I have heard of her, a silly thing for a woman to want yes?"

I felt my eyebrows raise involuntarily before I forced my own face back into line. "I do not think so, but she has made her decision, judge it as you may."

"Ah- I mean." Desmera looked panicked on having disagreed with me. It made me wonder just how much pressure was on her shoulders. "Oh, I have made a fool of myself. I think I will retire for the evening."

I didn't stop her as she left, in many ways I didn't want to get attached, not after giving my word to Arianne. So she walked quickly away back into the tower, and I finished my cheese.

Jaerys gave me a strange look once I finished and retired to my assigned quarters.

"You know sworn swords don't take an oath of silence right?"

"I am aware my lord, only it isn't my place."

"Ah, I understand."

Let the man keep his advice to himself if he wanted to. If he didn't want to talk, I wouldn't force it.