Prince Oberyn was the most handsomest man I had ever seen. It wasn't a secret that we both found each other attractive, in fact Ada had lectured us many times to not show affection outside of our private chambers. With Oberyn, however, that was a hard task. He wasn't a subtle lover by any means, sly touches and quick kisses when he thought no one was watching. He gave the nobles a means to gossip and spread salacious scandals, not that they were entirely wrong though.

So when he stepped from the shadows, stealing my breath away and pulling me into his warm body, my mother wasn't happy. Maybe it was jealousy or maybe it was the built-up anger of not getting her way, nevertheless she took her anger out on Oberyn.

"Get your Dornish hands off my daughter," She cast a look between us, her voice full of poison and hatred rising above the placid silence of the street. "You will ruin Kendra's public image."

"As if you have ever cared for my image." I accused my absent mother, I should've stayed quiet but the day had been long and my temper had grown short.

"If only you knew Kendra, you would understand." Her eyes distant, thoughtful for a moment, then her features contorted into a Lannister grin and her eyes flickered to Oberyn, as if he knew something I didn't. Her scorching stare didn't faze him though, he simply shook his head and swept me away from my mother and into a labyrinth of passageways.

"What did she mean?" I questioned as he stopped abruptly, sitting down in a seated alcove of the wall.

"I'm not entirely sure Sunbeam, but I have my theories." His crypticness made me look up at him skeptically. Throughout my life I had always been the outlier of my family. My brown hair and doe eyes caused me to stand out in the crowd of my golden siblings and extended family.

Thinking back to my childhood, the Court had always treated me differently. It wasn't just mother who noticed the anomaly.

"Okay" I muttered, holding me hands in my lap as I watched something flash beneath the hardness of his expression. There it was again, the feeling of being left out of the equation. I desperately wanted to understand what was so important about my difference which made people awkward around me. Which made them stare and point and speculate.

"I talked to your Father and Ada this morn." He turned to me, his mouth twitching like he wanted to smile.

"Dealing with?"

A shimmer of mischief glazed over his eyes as he spoke, "I asked you father if he could clear your schedule for the day."

"Really?" He nods his head and I let out a relieved breath, the stress my mother placed upon my shoulder slowly evaporating. He stood up and offered me his hand so that I could walk along with him. I smiled up at him, with that he playfully places a kiss on the end of my nose.

"This way, darling." His amused face held no sign of telling me where we were heading and although I found myself trusting his judgement I couldn't help but be a little curious as to what awaited us.

"Where are you taking us?" I asked, albeit timidly. I didn't recognise the twist and turns he was leading us through, then again I wasn't one to wonder around the back alleys of King's Landing. Not after the time I strayed from my Father and the king's guard only to find myself lost in Flea Bottom.

"Am I not allowed to cheer you up?" He peered down at me, an innocent smile gracing his lips.

"Of course," I smiled eyeing him wearily, "but you are being very secretive."

He let lose a hefty laugh before pulling me around a sharp turn, "You need not wait much longer."

I turned away from his gaze and cast a look through the archway before me, I was bombarded with a series of pleasing scenes. Rows upon rows of stalls were lined up against the walls of the Street of Sisters, a road normally used for drunken horse races had been turned into a merchant's dream. Along the walls were streams of vibrant coloured bunting, large banners were pinned behind stalls and confetti floated through the air above the chaotic scene.

The temporary market was drowning in a sea of people, not a space seemed to be empty between the buyers and the sellers. Customers stood closely to the stalls, concentration etched into their faces as they haggled for a lesser price. Shopkeepers shouted offers into the crowd, desperation for a sale echoing in their booming voices. Each stall was surfaced with various items, large sacks of nuts and dried fruit, or handcrafted rings and earrings.

My eyes drunk in the colours, the aromas and the atmosphere of the festivity. In all my eighteen years I had not seen quite a moment like this and I was filled with glee at the prospect of no longer being an observer to the scene.

"It's beautiful." I murmured, my eyes straying from the sight to see what Oberyn was up to. He all but smiled down at me and tighten his hold on my hand.

"After you?" He nodded towards the market, a large grin overtook my lips as I guided him through the crowds of people bustling around us. Sweet and unfamiliar scents attacked my nostrils, so rich that I could practically taste them in my mouth. The experience was so overpowering that I wrapped my free arm around Oberyn's, snuggling into his bicep.

"Papa would never allow me to the annual festivals." I mentioned, remembering the numerous times I was forbidden to attend the holy day celebrations. "Are there many festivals in Dorne?"

"There is always a reason to celebrate in Dorne," He quietly laughed, no doubt a past memory flashing before his eyes. "The streets are filled, much like this one, from early morning to late evening all you can smell is citrus and spice. I am all but certain you will enjoy it."

"I cannot wait." I smiled thinking of the life awaiting me in Dorne.

We moved soundlessly down the street, stopping occasionally to browse the stalls and take in the sights. Soon enough hunger crept upon me, the sweet smells of fruit and cakes not helping my rumbling stomach.

"Hungry?"

"Very much so." I laughed, feeling the heat of a blush growing in my cheeks. Oberyn moved us towards an area of tables and benches, pulling out a chair for me to sit.

"I won't be long." He promised, walking into the congregation of people surrounding the food stalls.

From my seat I could see a variety of sugary choices, ranging from the well-loved lemon cakes to honeycomb and biscuits. Although I doubt Oberyn would buy anything to satisfy my sweet tooth, he once vented of how the desserts in King's Landing were inferior to those baked in Dorne. I chuckled remembering how his face had recoiled at the sour taste of the lemoncakes.

"Who has you laughing so heartily dear?" I heard a voice behind me. I turned my body around to see a women who couldn't have been much younger than my grandfather, her wispy hair held back by a ratty ribbon and her tanned skin wrinkled by the sun's rays. She had, by no doubt, worked for most of her life. A burden I didn't understand nor have to carry.

"Oh, no-one." I lied easily, not wanting to allude to my identity and have to return to the Keep.

"Well," She was the one laughing now, with a bright smile and small dimples. "I had a no-one once, you can tell they're the good-ones if they make you laugh as you just did." As her words ended she stood up from the nearby bench in favor of standing by my side. I was astounded by the kindness shining in her wise eyes as they darted around the nearby stalls.

"Is he with you?" Her voice was soft, her smile not breaking, "I swear, young love turns me into a gossipmonger!"

I giggled along with the stranger, my hesitation for chatter renounced by her aura of friendliness. "He'll be back soon, if you want to meet him?"

"Oh, no no. I ought to leave, have a lovely evening dear." She gave me one last smile before walking over to a silk stall to begin her haggles. I smiled at the normality of it, wondering what my life would be like if I had not been the daughter to royalty.

I felt him before I saw him, Oberyn's arm gliding along the bare skin of my shoulders. He placed a wooden platter on the table. There were several slices of warm bread with a slab of melting butter, and thick chopped pork by it's side. I pouted at the lack of pastries but even so I helped myself to the food.

"Who was that woman?" He questioned, slithering his hand along the length of my thigh to rest.

"I haven't the slightest idea," I spoke, tearing apart a piece of bread. "She was very kind though."

"Sunbeam, you have to be careful as to who you speak with." I feel a tug on my skirts and looked down to see his hand fighting against the layers of silk. I shoot him a warning glare but it doesn't stop his quest, soon enough his rough fingers tickle my skin. I emitted a gasp as he squeezes my thigh, emphasising his following words. "Varys' spies lurk everywhere."

"Well then," I all but choke out the words, my body was on fire from his touch and it was a struggle to speak without letting out a low moan. "Maybe we should return to the Keep?"

"Whatever makes you happy." He smirked, the food before us long forgotten.

I knew exactly what he was doing. Leaving teasing touches around my body as we fled from the market. I felt like I was in a haze, floating through the winding passageways not caring if anyone saw the chaste kisses I was leaving on Oberyn's neck.

Rough lips pressed against mine as Oberyn pushed me through the door of our chamber, the kiss was so heated that I melted into his arms. I reached up, my hands moving to pull and tug on the short black strands of his hair.

"Jump." Oberyn growled into my mouth, I obeyed as he pulled me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist. Carrying me towards our bed, he chuckled as I fell with a soft bounce against the mattress. He crawls up my body, his eyes searching mine. I smiled taking ahold of his face guiding him into a kiss, with my lips I could feel him fighting between smirking and kissing. Both of us intoxicated by the other since the last time our bodies had connected in a passionate rendezvous.

"M'Lady!" The distant screech of Ada's familiar voice hit my ears. Oberyn's hands upon my waist tightened as he lifted his lips away, laughing at the predicament we had found ourselves in.

So there we laid upon each other, laughing as Ada's traumatised body quaked with embarrassment.