｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆ - ☆｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆
010 𝖳𝖺𝗍𝖾 𝖬𝖼𝖱𝖺𝖾- 𝗍𝖾𝖺𝗋 𝗆𝗒𝗌𝖾𝗅𝖿 𝖺𝗉𝖺𝗋𝗍
｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆ - ☆｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆

Against all reason and morals, the two had slept together. Aruna had enjoyed the togetherness and it had felt so good.

They had talked for a long time and Daemon had bandaged her hands with a new bandaid. Still, Aruna couldn't sleep that night. She was still in his bed and thus in Daemon's arms. He had already fallen asleep a while ago and was breathing calmly. But Aruna could not manage it.

The girl did not regret taking this step with Daemon. On the contrary, she was glad to have had her first time with him. Nevertheless, she had a guilty conscience towards Brandon.

Brandon was a good man and expected a timely answer. He still wanted to marry her and what was she doing? Aruna was sharing a bed with Daemon. How was she going to explain this to Brandon? She wanted to be honest with him, but in the end wasn't. Aruna was a bad person.

Carefully, she disengaged herself from Daemon's arms and got up from the bed. Awkwardly, she pulled on her undergarment and dress. She tightened the bands of the corset, but she did not manage to lace it properly.

She looked at the bed again and was relieved to see that Daemon was still asleep. Slowly she covered him up, noticing the blood on the sheet. The blood unsettled her a bit. Suddenly it all felt so real, though she didn't know if it was her virgin blood or blood from the wounds on their hands.

Aruna's chest tightened and she left the Targaryen's room as quickly as she could. Barefoot and without socks, she ran through the cold hallways and the cold stones on her feet immediately made her shiver.

Arriving at her room, she locked her door. She took off her clothes again and threw them carelessly on the floor. She would have liked to take a bath now and scrub her guilty conscience from her skin.

Nevertheless, she was tired and exhausted from all the events of the day, so she quickly fell asleep as she lay down in her own bed.

~~~

She would have preferred not to get up at all the next morning and probably would not have woken up so early due to the short sleep. But one of the maids gently put a hand on Aruna's shoulder, waking her up. "Are you not well, Lady Aruna?"

It took Aruna a moment to properly wake up and look around in confusion. "I was very warm overnight. I'd like to take a bath now." Her voice sounded tired and exhausted. The guilty conscience inside her spoke up again and huffed as she lied again. She had never lied so much, or at all, as she did here in King's Landing.

Somehow her new behavior caused her anxiety and discomfort.

The maid complied with Aruna's request and filled the tub with warm water. The dark-haired girl remained lying in bed, deeply hidden in her quilt, until the maid left the room again. The fear that the maid would recognize a change in Aruna was too big.

She wondered if sex had really changed her. She looked at her body carefully as she sat in the tub. At first glance, she couldn't see any changes and came to the conclusion that she was worrying way too much.

She shouldn't drive herself crazy and act normally. Aruna made the matter much bigger than it actually was.

She carefully scrubbed her body with the soft sponge and tried not to worry about it.

After her bath, she dried herself and decided on a green wrap dress that she could put on without help. She braided her hair into a large braid as the maid came back into her room. "Shall I help you, my lady?"

"I'm fine, thank you" The maid nodded, put Aruna's breakfast on the table and left the room again. As always, the food was delicious and the tea warmed her belly. Curious, she looked out the window while eating. It seemed to be another warm day and she would love to go to the garden. However, the garden was the place of her and Brandon and she did not want to see him under any circumstances now.

Aruna knew she had to make a decision, but she had unwittingly already made it last night when she lost her virginity.

After eating, she went to the healer and had her wounds examined again. The woman smeared a green paste on Aruna's hands, which she had to leave on for a moment. It smelled unpleasant and the girl was all the happier when she could wax the paste off again.

The healer gave Aruna gloves to put on. It was much too warm for the almost transparent gloves, but it looked much better than the thick bandages. Aruna was very grateful to the woman for her help.

She also knew that she should worry about her future, but at the same time she didn't want to. Aruna was not ready to choose between the men. Both would do anything for her, Aruna knew that now.

Both would offer her a good life in their own way. Make her happy and love her. Actually, she only had to choose one life, but which one?

In the corridors she met Rhaenyra, who greeted her with a smile. "Good morning. Did you sleep well?" her friend wanted to know. Aruna wondered if she should tell Rhaenyra the truth. She was tired of lying after all.

"Unfortunately, my sleep was not restful, but all was well. Look at my new gloves." Answered Aruna to her and showed her her hands. Rhaenyra looked at her gloves with a laugh. "Truly remarkable!"

Rhaenyra raked her arm, with Aruna's, and the two girls continued on their way, together. Since Aruna had nothing planned anyway, she followed Rhaenyra without thinking.

Their path led them directly to the courtyard, where some men of the King's Guard were training with swords. Aruna quickly recognized her brother, who winked at her as he sharpened his sword.

The two girls sat down out of reach of the practice fights to watch the men. Aruna couldn't quite understand why Rhaenyra wanted to sit here in the courtyard instead of in the beautiful garden or walking through the city.

"Rhaenyra I need your help." Admitted Aruna quietly and slid a little closer to her friend. Concerned, Rhaenyra looked at her then listened intently to Aruna. The Tyrell told about last night, but she left out some details. She told about the conversation with Brandon and the talk with Daemon until the night. She concealed the sex.

Rhaenyra was a good listener and always knew how to solve a problem. But now Rhaenyra could not. Quietly they talked to each other so that no one could understand them.

"I can hardly believe what my uncle has done for you." Rhaenyra shook her head slightly, though it was not an insult to Aruna. Rather, the girl wondered what Daemon would do for her friend. She only hoped that he meant it sincerely, because she felt that Aruna liked Daemon very much.

"Me neither..." agreed Aruna to her, watching the men sword fight. "Do you think I'm getting my hopes up for nothing?"

"Hopes?" repeated Rhaenyra question, taking Aruna's gloved hands in her own. "Then you choose him?"

Only now did Aruna realize her own words. Without thinking, she had asked the question. "I don't know." Aruna looked at both of their joined hands. "Brandon is a good man-"

"But he's not what you want, right? I understand that." Rhaenyra interrupted Aruna and smiled at her encouragingly. She wanted to help Aruna, but she wouldn't and couldn't take the decision away from her.

After all, it was Aruna's future life and she had to live it.

"I don't know how to tell him. He doesn't deserve this." Admitted the girl, now looking back into her friend's face. But Rhaenyra looked to the men. "Who is that?" wanted to know Aruna when she noticed that Rhaenyra was not watching all of them, but only one man.

"Ser Harwin Strong. He is the commander of the city guard and the son of my father's hand." Rhaenyra immediately told. Aruna was grateful that Rhaenyra responded to her change of subject. She was not yet ready to admit to herself her indirect decision.

"He looks nice." Commented the young Tyrell, and the Targaryen laughed. "Nice? Oh Aruna, if you only knew how nice." Her words made Aruna's ears prick up. She could quickly hear that Rhaenyra seemed to know Ser Harwin better.

"Why haven't you told me about him yet?" Aruna wanted to know, nudging her friend gently.

"For the same reason you haven't told me about Daemon." Replied Rhaenyra. The two girls had to laugh. "I am married to someone else and you are engaged. Yet we desire someone else." Rhaenyra's voice was also very quiet as she spoke.

Aruna had been aware that it was not a love match between Laenor and the princess. But they were so sincere with each other and seemed to get along well. Aruna had very much wanted her two friends to fall in love.

"I know what you're probably thinking now, Aruna. But it's not like that." Honestly, the heiress looked at her lady. "Laenor and I agreed on this marriage and that we would be allowed to have other lovers. Just because we are married, we still deserve to love truly."

Aruna believed her every word. Still, the news shocked her a little, since it was a private matter for the two of them and none of their business. Besides, Aruna was not in the right to judge.

"That's very sincere of you two, and I'm glad you've come to terms." She then told Rhaenyra, watching Ser Harwin carefully. He was a handsome man with many curls. Harwin was a bit older than the two girls, but neither Rhaenyra nor Aruna seemed to mind older men. "Our tastes in men are so different, yet so alike."

Rhaenyra had to laugh at Aruna's statement. Somehow, she was right. "Guess so."

Ser Harwin Strong became aware of the two giggling women and finished his training with his training partners, then came upon the two women. "Good to see you, princess. My Lady." Respectfully, he bowed his head.

"Ser Harwin, may I introduce you to my closest friend, Lady Aruna?" Rhaenyra looked briefly at Aruna and then had eyes only for the main man. A blind man could see how the two adored each other. Harwin seemed to have fallen for the princess as well.

"Nice to meet you, Lady Aruna." Now Ser Harwin also bowed to the Tyrell and smiled at her. He had a truly warm and heartfelt smile. "The pleasure is all mine, Ser Harwin."

The three talked to each other. Harwin was very sympathetic to Aruna. He was a jokester and very educated. She quickly took a liking to him, especially when she saw how Rhaenyra's mood and demeanor changed in his presence. Especially the sparkle in her friend's eyes was striking. She wanted nothing more than for Rhaenyra to be happy, and if Harwin made her happy, then Aruna was happy as well.

Aruna wondered if she and Daemon had such a connection as well. Or with Brandon?

Again, Aruna's stomach ached. She really needed to talk to him. Brandon was surely eagerly waiting for an answer, but Aruna didn't want to break his heart.

"Excuse me, please. I'll see you later." Aruna stood up and bowed her head briefly as a sign of respect to her friend, who was also the princess and heiress.

"Where are you going?" inquired Rhaenyra, looking curiously at Aruna. "I have to look for someone urgently." Answered Aruna and took her leave. She smiled at her brother as she passed by as she made her way to her former favorite place.

She didn't know if it would still be her favorite place in King's Landing after talking to Brandon.

The dark-haired one didn't have to look long before she found the Northerner in the garden. "Ser Brandon!" she called out, trying to get his attention. She felt quite sick and her stomach ache got worse.

But the worst part was actually that she almost overthought everything at the sight of him. Brandon was a really good person. "Lady Aruna! What a nice surprise." Brandon greeted her with a kiss on her hand, ignoring the glove. "How are you?"

She almost said out of reflex that she was fine, but that would have been another lie on her list. "Not well to be honest..." she admitted then. She could feel Brandon's worried look on her, but tried not to look at him.

Brandon put a hand on Aruna's back and led her to a nearby bench.

She had never minded his light and barely noticeable touch before, but now it made her really uncomfortable. His hand had only been on her back briefly and so gently, but now the spot burned unpleasantly.

"Your statement yesterday really got me thinking." Not even the many beautiful and colorful flowers could calm Aruna.

Brandon also avoided eye contact and sighed. "You mean more about your agreement?" He asked, leaning back on the bench. "And about the prince, right?" He was right, and that angered her deeply.

"Do you hate me?" Aruna wanted to know cautiously she looked at him hoping not to have to say anything more.

"Is that supposed to be your new answer?" Brandon seemed to understand Aruna. He seemed to know and understand everything better than Aruna herself. She really thought she wanted to be his wife. But in reality, he had only given her the attention she wanted so much from Daemon. It was stupid to drop Brandon now.

But it was better to leave him now than later when it would only hurt more.

"I think I have feelings for him." She played with her long braid. She was really nervous. "I've tried to suppress my feelings, but I can't. And it wouldn't be fair to you either. You deserve a woman who truly loves you."

"And you're not that woman, huh?" Replied the man with dark hair. The ring around Aruna's finger was suddenly tight, so she pulled open her glove, took the ring off, and gave it back to him. She didn't deserve the ring. She didn't deserve Brandon. "Thank you for your honesty."

"It's the least I can do...I'm truly sorry, Ser Brandon." Her words were sincere and honest. "I would have liked to have been your wife-"

"Please don't say that." Brandon interrupted her immediately. He didn't want to listen to her any longer. "It's just not fair... I tried so hard and you change your mind just because he's here again?" Brandon was hurt and stood up upset.

"Then what do you want me to do?" she inquired, confused.

"Marry me!" Brandon knelt in front of the seated woman and placed his hands on her knees.

The situation was more than uncomfortable for Aruna. "You can't force me, Brandon."

Brandon looked sad about her decision. He had fallen very much in love with young Tyrell and now to hear that she loved someone else pained him very much. "I know, but I can ask you again, Aruna." He said softly and gently took her hands in his. "And ask you to forgive me...I left the crown at your door. I don't know what I was thinking."

Brandon's confession shocked Aruna. She had been firmly convinced that Daemon had left the crown at her door, even when he had denied it. Now she knew better.

She quickly guessed what his plan had been. He had tried to make her decision easier, but in reality he had driven her into the Targaryen's arms.

"I never meant to hurt you. You must believe that." Aruna leaned forward and rested her forehead against his. Her guilt grew more and more.

"I know, but you made your choice and I really can't force you." The two looked into each other's eyes for a long time and then suddenly he kissed her. He kissed her deeply and full of feeling, but Aruna could not return the kiss.

Only hesitantly did he let go of her and then breathed a kiss on her gloved hand. "I hope you reconsider your decision..." with these words he stood up and put his ring back into her hand. "No matter what you decide. I will be there for you and I want you to keep this ring."

Aruna closed her hand and held the ring tightly, watching Brandon leave her in the garden. Her heart ached and her guilty conscience almost made her bring up her breakfast again.

She knew no one could take the decision away from her and so she sat in the garden for a while thinking about everything.

Aruna was a southerner through and through and she was very attached to her brother and her friends. She could hardly imagine living in the cold north far away from all her loved ones. But she also knew that she would surely leave King's Landing with Daemon.

Either way, she would have to leave and she was far from ready.

Brandon had been right with all his words. He had been the one who had rebuilt her, loved her and was willing to give her everything. He had been the one to pick up the pieces.

But her heart and much more belonged to Daemon. She absolutely had to talk to him.

With quick steps she walked through the garden and she became faster and faster. She had to search for a long time until she finally found Daemon.

He was standing at one of the big arches in one of the open corridors. From here one had a good view into the garden Aruna had to realize frightened. He had certainly been watching her.

"Daemon." Hopefully she smiled at him and stepped closer. Only briefly he glanced at the girl and then looked somberly into the garden again. He had seen it for sure. "What's wrong?"

"What's wrong?" he repeated after a while. He had his arms folded in front of his chest and Aruna felt quite small with him. "Yesterday you seduce me and today you seduce him? What are you doing?"

"shhh!" she took another step closer and looked around, upset. The walls had ears in King's Landing and she didn't want to cause more attention and rumors around her. "Keep your voice down, please."

"Oh I didn't know you cared so much about your innocence." Daemon's voice was sarcastic and cold. By now Aruna knew he only did that when he was hurt or angry.

"Don't make me look like that, please! We agreed, didn't we? Why are you like this now?" Aruna wanted to know from him. Daemon's mood seemed to change on a daily basis and she didn't understand him most of the time. "He kissed me."

Daemon narrowed the distance even more and leaned down to her ear. "And I fucked you." He breathed into her ear. Immediately Aruna got goosebumps all over her body. "It was a mistake."

"Why?" That was all she could say. She was stunned by his words and she felt taken advantage of. "Is it because I left yesterday?"

Daemon shook his head. His violet eyes looked icy. "I should have married you before we did this." He opined, and his words sounded sincere. "I shouldn't have touched you."

"But you did, and I don't regret it, Daemon." Aruna tried to reach for his hand, but Daemon took a step back.

"But you should."

****
This is far from the end... what do you think will happen next?
What do you think of my new cover?

Have a good day/night!!<3