It was a rare sight for most to see King Robert Baratheon sitting in the Iron Throne sober. Of course, it was nothing new to me, I didn't see him as the ignorant and drunk brute of a man everyone portrayed him to be. At least he never gave me reason to see him in such a way, I was his darling daughter and he my loving papa.

Father had a role to play in the production of the Red Keep. As did I. We all filled out our roles seamlessly and mostly without complaint. Still, behind heavily guarded doors Robert Baratheon was a different man to his facade. 

The rest of the Seven Kingdom's, including my mother, only saw one side of him. The Whoremonger King who walked around in a drunken stupor, red-faced with dark circles under his eyes and a cup of wine in his hand. 

But I knew the truth. I was there for every night-time tale and mid-day piggyback ride. I felt his relentless tries to braid my unruly hair and gentle forehead kisses long after he thought I had fallen to slumber. 

My father was a kind and gentle man to the family he loved so dearly. 

So, when Papa called the court into the Great Hall for an announcement they were quite taken aback. He played his character to the tea.

I included myself to the surprised reactions, seeing as Papa hadn't indulged me in any notion of an announcement.

Father had only taken his seat a short while ago and yet it felt as if we had been waiting hours for him to end our curiosity.

The look on his face was stern, Papa's hands were clenched into fist so tight his knuckles were turning white and his eyes kept flickering between the small council and myself. His gaze was filled with anger and reluctance, I could only suspect the announcement wasn't a joyous one.

"As most of you are aware my daughter, Princess Kendra, is of marriageable age." Papa spoke dryly and my eyes widened at the mention of my name. I didn't need someone to spell out what his next words would be. I already knew and my heart stopped at the realisation. I had been waiting for this news for some time now. The weight upon my shoulders only grew heavier at the imminence of my fate. "For many moons I have been in negotiations with the House of Martell and I am glad to announce my daughter will soon marry Prince Oberyn Nymeros Martell."

The nobles and their kin immediately broke out in hushed whispers around me, I remained static. I had yet to process my father's words. I was to be married to Oberyn Martell, a Martell.

I was trying to catch my father's eye but he wouldn't dare look at me, a sign of guilt no doubt, and for several seconds my eyes stayed on him. Watching his cheek twitch and his left leg jitter in agitation. But what did he have to be nervous about? I was the one being married off to a man over twenty years my senior and I was the one to be shipped off to Dorne with no regard to my own feelings or desires.

I knew my place as the eldest daughter of the King. That didn't make this any easier. I had always assumed father would let me pick my future husband. I suppose I thought wrong. 

I didn't want to hear any more of his words, so I turned on my heel and walked out of the Great Hall. I couldn't care less if the nobles created a scandal out of my abrupt escape, the tears in my eyes would cause a much bigger scene.

"Kendra..." I heard him call after me, but his voice only made me race faster towards the royal apartments. I could hear his footsteps catching up with me and damn my small legs if I could have gone any faster I would've, his tight grip on my elbow finally stopped me and he turned me around to face him.

"What Father?" I questioned him, tearing my arm out of his hold. I paused trying to get a hold of my emotions, but I couldn't stop the tears from escaping. And it was like a floodgate, so many tears burst, running down my cheeks like a broken dam.

"What do you want me to say? Thank you?" I laughed cynically, I knew I would have to wed sooner or later but I thought at worst I would have some say in my chosen partner.

"Kendra, I'm sorry but I had no choice." He spoke in a hushed whisper, like he was afraid he could hear his own tomfoolery.

"You are the King, you have all the choice in the Seven Kingdoms!" I cried out, pleading with my eyes for him to reconsider. ''You could have chosen any man, any man closer to my own age and certainly not one who is our enemy.''

"I know my sweet doe, and I am sorry." He sighed, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose. "But this is your duty, you will marry Prince Oberyn."

"Why him? How did you even persuade a Martell, the Red Viper no less, to agree to this marriage?" I questioned him, wiping away the tears staining my cheeks.

"We cannot talk here, follow me." He held out his arm for me but I ignored it, bumping my shoulder against his as I made my way outside to the private royal gardens.

Papa slowly walks behind me and we make our way over to a lone stone bench. This was our spot; it always had been ever since I was old enough to walk. From the bench you had a perfect view of the city down below and people watching had always made the time pass by.

"How could you marry me off to a Martell?"

"It wasn't an easy decision for me Kendra, you must know that." His voice was soft and calming but it had no effect on my pounding heart.

"And yet you still made it." I looked at him, raising a brow for him to continue.

"Not of my own accord." He shook his head, staring out at the streets of King's Landing. "If it was up to me, you would have eternity to pick any person you wanted. We both know that is not the way of our Kingdom."

I laughed again, this time not as despairingly as before, and looking up at Papa I could see he didn't want this either.

"Then why must I marry him?" I pushed further, slipping my hand around his arm and tucking my legs underneath me.

"The small council voted, a truce with the Martell's is long overdue and Prince Oberyn is the best suitor considering your current circumstances."

"Circumstances?" I questioned him, knowing exactly what he was referring to and not liking the direction he was taking the conversation.

"You are eighteen Kendra, people are talking about your inability to produce heirs and although it doesn't matter to me-"

"It shouldn't matter to any person that isn't me! Mother can spread her lies as much as she wants but it will happen, I will bleed soon. I know it." I cried out interrupting Papa. 

It seemed as though I couldn't get a break from the scandal that was my late coming moonblood. Since my thirteenth name day tension surrounding my womanhood had grown, from Mother to the small council to the entirety of the seven kingdoms. I felt as if my body wasn't my own. I was owned by the seven kingdoms. I was their sweetheart; their darling princess and the court's prying eyes had a front seat to the ins and outs of my life. 

Papa wrapped his arms around me, pulling me closer and I obliged curling myself into his body.

"The world doesn't work as such Kendra, if you marry Prince Oberyn you'll be protected. There are certain events that even I cannot intervene."

"I can protect myself." I uttered stubbornly, only resulting in Papa's laughter.

"I know you can my sweet doe, but" He paused sucking in a shaky breath, "Oberyn Martell is the perfect match for you, if you don't bleed, he doesn't require any children. You won't feel the fear and pressure of producing heirs with him Kendra."

I edged away from my father and crossed my arms over my lap, "Oh, he has bastards then."

"It isn't ideal, I know this." Papa sighed, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. ''He treats his girls with love and respect, soon they will be your children too.''

A bittersweet smile tugged my lips, and I suppose nothing could be done now. The court knew of the wedding and rumours of a run-away bride would be less than savoury. There was no way out of this arrangement so I would just have to face the facts; I am marrying the Red Viper.

Papa and I remained seated on the bench for a while longer, no talking, just staring out into nothingness. We both needed the peace to process my circumstances. 

Oberyn would be arriving in the morrow and soon after we would wed. The thought was scary, to marry a complete stranger. I would be in control of that fact. Sulking would only lead to my own misery. Now I had to focus on the task of getting to know my exotic husband-to-be.

My lady's maid, Ada, was currently gossiping about my betrothed as she prepared my bathtub. She sat on the floor adding oils and flower petals to the steaming hot water, I stood behind the wall divider attempting to unlace my corset.

"I've only ever seen the Prince once, his hair is almost as black as yours."

"Well, he is a Martell, I would expect no less." I laughed, slowly accepting my fate of becoming a Martell myself. "Is he a good man Ada? Do you know what he's like?"

She made her way over to where I was standing, turning me around by my shoulders and made work on undoing the intricate lacing. "The chatter about town says he's a phenomenal fighter. He can yield both spears and swords. I suppose wasn't named the Red Viper for nothing."

I hummed at her words. I hadn't been interested in the Prince before Papa's announcement but now I wished I had paid more attention to the ladies' frivolous nonsense about the Dornishman. 

It wasn't much nonsense now I was to marry the man. 

As soon as Ada had released me from the confinements of my corset, I submerged myself in the warm water letting it envelop my body.

"I've heard he's a well-travelled man." She reveals timidly, peering at me from the corner of her eyes.

"Well travelled? To the North or South?" I questioned, letting a small gasp escape my lips as she poured a steady stream of water through my hair. 

"The Free Cities I believe." I cracked open my eyelids, staring at Ada as she scrubbed at my scalp. 

I scoffed. Lys was known as the perfumed sister, it was a popular city in Essos for the nobility to take paramours. The Lysene women were beautiful with pale skin, silver hair and pale blue eyes. Given the name of the city it was no surprise that the women perfumed their hair. Well, that was fine. I had more expensive, luxurious perfume. 

Ada chuckled at my unwarranted jealousy, "I thought you didn't want to marry the man, yet here you are looking very green."

"Me, jealous." I laughed, "Ada that's the funniest thing I've ever heard you say."

"Okay, Princess, whatever you want to hear." She giggled, a sly smirk etching its way across her face. She stood up from her place beside the tub and retrieved a towel, I accepted it begrudgingly not wanting to leave the warm water.

After I had dressed, Ada sat down next to me on my bed, and we continued our chatter about my future husband. The Dornishman sounded intriguing and slowly but surely, I was coming around to the idea of being wedded to this hearty man.