Having awkward dates with strange men whom your father thought you should marry wasn't an uncommon thing. Taking a walk around the grounds of your home, making small talk, just to end up disliking the man and refusing to marry them. Finally, your father had put an incentive into the marriage, seen as you were making such a hardship of it. If you agreed to marry the next man, he wanted you to marry, he would give you a large sum of money and some land that would be your own not linked to the money and land your husband would receive.

When you met the man who you were now likely to marry, he seemed the same as any man you had met before. Of course, this time you decided to actually be pleasant but that didn't mean you liked him anymore.

"I did not know that Blackwater had knights," you commented. "Rivers tend to not have folk living in them, let alone need men to protect them."

"It's just a title milady," he stated. "Named so after my part in the Battle of Blackwater."

"How noble of you, it is a great honour to be in the presence of a war hero," you said, not particularly meaning it.

Just because he was knighted for his role, didn't mean he actually played any role in the battle. You'd met enough men who had just been lucky enough to survive a battle and get a title from it, but it was best to befriend the man who you would have to marry to get the money and land you desperately wanted.

"Thank you, milady."

"So, Ser Bronn, what has my father offered you to take my hand?" You questioned. "I'm sure you have heard that I am slightly problematic when it comes to a man attempting to take my hand."

He let out a gentle laugh. "I have heard no such thing milady."

You shook your head. What a load of rubbish? Every man who had meant to take your hand had left in an uproar and promised to spread word of how intolerable you were to stop any other man from having to face such a hell as to marry you.

"I do not believe that for a second. Word does spread through Westeros, I have even heard some things about you," you commented.

He cocked an eyebrow, gesturing for you to continue.

"I have heard you will do almost anything to get your hands on a castle. I just find it funny as my father owns several and has offered many men before you at least one of them to take my hand. Maybe that is why you agreed to meet with me?" You said pointedly.

"No milady," he rushed. "Your beauty preceded you and if I am to marry then a woman with as strong of a mind as yours would truly be an honour."

"That's bullshit."

Bronn seemed slightly taken aback by your language.

"You and I both know the only reason that you want to marry me is because you get a hefty payment and a castle to own. All you have to do is agree to my hand and pretend we are happily married," you stated. "And I am okay with that."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't want to marry but my father has said if I agree to marry you, I get my own land and money, those are things that a woman cannot gain easily. Both of us are agreeing to this marriage for personal gain, meaning we won't get into each other's way. Maybe we'd even learn to like each other, not that I care if we do or don't."

Bronn seemed taken aback for a moment before a smile curled onto his lips.

"You are a woman after my own heart," he smirked. "Maybe marrying you won't be as hellish as it first seemed."

"Oh, it'll be far worse," you laughed, taking his arm again to finish your walk.

~*~

Written by Charlotte.