｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆ - ☆｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆
𝖳𝖺𝗒𝗅𝗈𝗋 𝖲𝗐𝗂𝖿𝗍 - 𝖶𝗂𝗅𝗅𝗈𝗐
｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆ - ☆｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆

The next morning Aruna had been awake very early and had eaten breakfast alone, as the others were still asleep. To Aruna's surprise, she was not at all sad about it and enjoyed the time alone and in silence.

After breakfast she went to the old little library. On the way there she had only met guards guards, who looked rather tired. At first glance she thought the library was just an old dusty storeroom, but at second glance she could see and understand the system in the shelves.

Searching, she went through the rows of high bookshelves and looked at the spines. She was looking for Valyrian books because she wanted to finally understand the language of the royal family. She also wanted to see the look on Daemon's face when she eventually spoke Valyrian.

But for now, it was going to be her little secret. Yes, actually she didn't want any more secrets, but sometimes they couldn't be avoided and this one was for her own benefit.

In fact, it was harder than Aruna had thought. The letters were arranged strangely, many words looked the same and the girl had no idea how to pronounce the words.

After a long search, she finally found two books in Valyrian. Luckily for her, one of them was a translator of some kind, the other was a story book. Aruna assumed that the remaining and valuable books were in the king's chambers.

Without making a fuss, she left the library again and went back to her room. Her fingers were already itching with anticipation for the two books and so she quickly set about to study.

Annoyed, she sighed, but she didn't want to give up so quickly. She grabbed a pen and paper and started writing things down and translating the story one by one in her own language.

She worked diligently until lunchtime and did not take a break until there was a knock a at the door. She quickly hid everything before opening the door. Fortunately it was only one of the maids who now stepped into the room. She showed Aruna the dress she had given her some days ago.

Aruna had worn it on her second day here, when she had lain under the Weirwood tree with Daemon and Aruna. Her heart clenched at the thought.

The maid had managed to wash out the earth stains, which pleased Aruna greatly. But somehow she was not happy. She never wanted to wear that dress again!

"Thank you. You can't guess anything anymore." Aruna was grateful nonetheless and stroked over the soft fabric before the maid hung the dress in the wardrobe. The girl then shyly handed Aruna a letter and left the room with a curtsy.

Surprised, Aruna looked after her and then just shook her head and looked at the letter in her hand. She ran her finger over the seal of the letter and did not have to think long about who it was from.

The seal showed a wolf's head.

Cautiously, Aruna opened the letter to read it.

"Dearest Aruna,

I hope this letter finds you well.
Even if I tried, you would never leave my mind. Your meeting and your kind words were the most beautiful of yesterday.
Only too gladly would I honour your promise today to see you again.
An hour after noon I will be waiting for you in the gardens of the Red Keep
and I would be pleased if you would join me.

In thought, Ser Brandon Stark"

Never before had the girl received a love letter or been asked out on a date. Brandon's words made her happy, and his compliments made her cheeks flush and hot.

Smiling, she grabbed her cheeks before looking at her watch. She didn't have much time left and so she quickly got ready. She changed again and decided on a pink dress. The fabric was quite thin and airy, which was pleasant in the warm temperatures. She braided her curls and pinned them up, but let single strands fall out on purpose.

Aruna liked herself a lot today, but that could be because of the letter. The dress suited her and the hairstyle made her look elegant and attractive. Secretly she hoped Brandon would like her that way.

With quick steps she went down the many steps and corridors into the garden. In fact, Aruna didn't have to look for long, let alone wait, because Brandon was already standing there. Despite the heat, the Northerner wore his leather clothes and his hands were behind his back as he waited for her.

Aruna had to smile at the sight of him and her smile widened even more when he brought out a rose from behind his back. "Lady Aruna," Brandon greeted the girl and handed her the flower. "Nice of you to come"

"By the beautiful letter. How could I not have come?" she asked, smelling the beautiful red rose. "A lovely surprise. Thank you." Shyly the two looked at each other and Aruna's cheeks turned red.

"I'm really glad" Brandon admitted and held out his arm to her. "shall we?" Aruna took his arm with a smile and the two began their walk through the garden.

"I hope you enjoyed the feast yesterday, Ser Brandon?" asked Aruna. She could think of nothing better to ask. She had not had time to prepare at all! "It was a short and lovely evening, but I could only think of you the whole time" The man looked at her almost shyly as he admitted this and Aruna was sure his cheeks were red.

The Tyrell smiled at the Stark and she too became even more shy. "You impressed me a lot yesterday too" Aruna would have liked to say more. Wooing him with beautiful words as well, but something made her falter. Unfortunately, Aruna knew what it was, or rather who it was.

The two of them walked among the many flowers and bushes and had a good chat. He told her stories from the north, told her about his siblings and about himself. Aruna, on the other hand, told about Highgarden and only a few details about her family. After all, she didn't want to scare him off right away.

"How long will you be here, Ser Brandon?" she wanted to know. King's Landing was a fine city, but not a place to linger long if you had a home somewhere or were passing through.

"I don't have a day of departure in mind yet," he told her honestly, letting go of her arm. "But I like it here for now" Aruna looked at him incredulously. King's Landing was beautiful but crowded and many people played crazy games among themselves. King's Landing was simply dangerous.

"And how long do you plan to stay?" asked Brandon curiously. Aruna played with the rose in her hand while the two talked. "I don't know yet either. Maybe forever?" She herself had thought many times about a possible departure, but had not found an answer. Would her family leave her here? Would Adrik stay with her?

"Princess Rhaenyra has appointed me her personal lady. She decides that." Explained the Girl with the dark curls. "And what does personal lady mean? We don't have that in the north. It's a royal title, isn't it?" Aruna found it very pleasant not to always ask questions, but also to give answers. Even if they didn't say much.

"Honestly? I don't know that either." Aruna had to laugh and Branden joined in her laughter. "Rhaenyra did, without thinking when she tried to save me from my family".

Questioningly, the man looked at her, but decided not to inquire further. He hoped Aruna would confide in him and tell her everything. Brandon didn't want to push or scare the girl away, because he really liked her.

"You're good friends with each other, aren't you? You and the princess." Brandon stated as he took her hand again and the two continued their walk through the garden. Aruna's hand began to tingle as he held her hand and her heart beat faster as he didn't let go of it either.

What they didn't know at that moment was that someone was watching them.

"Yes, we are good friends." Aruna told him briefly. She wanted to tell him more. Tell him how great Rhaenyra was, but deep in her heart she was afraid of being used for information. to be exploited for information. "What are your siblings like?" Aruna asked instead, trying to change the subject.

"I have a sister and a brother. We are all quite different and yet so alike." Brandon's eyes sparkled as he talked about his siblings. He seemed to love them quite a bit love and miss them. Aruna couldn't imagine being so far away from her brother. "Aaron is eight and quite a whirlwind. He keeps us all pretty busy!"

The two laughed and Brandon lightly squeezed Aruna's hand as they walked. "Ronja is the quietest of us. She prefers to hide with her books" Aruna listened intently, trying to imagine his siblings. She was sure that Lord Rickon and his wife would never be bored with the activities and preferences of their children.

"My brother Adrik was just like your sister, but he was quickly forced into the position of a knight. You may have seen him yesterday? He was also one of the five" Aruna was proud, though at first she was against her brother's participation in the tournament.

"An impressive young man." Added Brandon. He still had a gentle smile on his lips. "Do you have any other siblings?"

Aruna shook her head before speaking. "No, only six cousins" As a child, she was often sad that she didn't have more siblings. But she was glad to have Adrik and after all she had many cousins, even if she didn't get along with all of them.

"Maybe I'll have the pleasure of meeting them all someday." The Northerner reflected and looked up at the sky. It was a cloudless day and the sun shone brightly in the blue sky. "I hope not. At least it won't be a pleasure." Joked the girl. The Tyrells were not an easy family. "Wicked."

The two ate cake together after their walk and drank tea in a gazebo in the garden, chatting well. Aruna enjoyed Brandon's company and Brandon enjoyed Aruna's company.

They had many things in common, but also many differences. Aruna was sure to learn a lot from him and maybe teach him something someday.

And if time allowed it, maybe a real friendship would develop or even something more. Maybe then her heart could finally recover from Daemon's rejection. In the evening they said goodbye and promised to meet again as soon as possible. Aruna was already looking forward to it.

Since she did not have time to change, she immediately went to the small hall where they would have dinner tonight. And if time allowed it, maybe a real friendship would develop or even something more. Maybe then her heart could finally recover from Daemon's rejection.

In the evening they said goodbye and promised to meet again as soon as possible. Aruna was already looking forward to it.

Since she didn't have time to change, she immediately made her way to the small hall where dinner would be served. She breathed a sigh of relief when she realised that she was not the last one there. Rhaenyra seemed to have been waiting for her and waved her friend over when she spotted her.

Aruna greeted the princess and sat down next to her. "I heard you were out all afternoon? Rhaenyra asked with a smile. Laenor leaned over slightly to listen in. He sat on Rhaenyra's other side.

"Yes, I went for a walk with Brandon Stark." Aruna told with a smile and when she saw the questioning eyes of her two friends she told more. "We had a good chat and it wasn't awkward for a second. We'll meet again soon."

"Well, if you couldn't convince him of you, then I don't know!" joked Laenor, making a toasted the two women. "I'm sure he fell for her long ago, dear husband!" Rhaenyra nudged Laenor gently.

"Who has fallen for whom?" None of the three had noticed how Daemon had entered the room. He looked questioningly at the friends as he sat down.

Aruna and Rhaenyra were silent and exchanged a glance, but by then Laenor was answering the other man already. "Brandon Stark has fallen for Lady Aruna. And perhaps she too?" the question he addressed to Aruna with a grin and winked at her.

The Tyrell was taken aback and didn't know what to say to that. In a way, she didn't want Daemon to know about her and Brandon, but in another way nothing had happened between them yet. Besides, she didn't owe Daemon anything and would gladly rub it in.

"I can imagine," Daemon commented, taking a sip of his wine. He had leaned back in his chair and leaned half on the arm rest.

"What do you mean, Prince Daemon?" Aruna's voice was bitchy and she propped her elbows on on the table. She startled herself with her voice.

"That any man in Westeros could fall for you if given the chance." Daemon's voice was almost indifferent in contrast to hers, and his gaze was fixed on his goblet.

His behavior almost made Aruna despair. Had Daemon just paid her a compliment? Almost helplessly, she looked to Rhaenyra, who immediately understood. "You too, uncle?" asked the Princess the question of all questions and everyone waited anxiously for Daemon's answer.

The Targaryen began to grin and exchanged a long look with his niece. "No."

His answer didn't surprise Aruna, but she was embarrassed that he said it out loud in public. She took another sip of her wine and now leaned back as well. "Then I guess I'm lucky." Said the dark-haired then courageously.

Immediately, three pairs of eyes focused on her.

"And Brandon, too." Added Rhaenyra, looking at her friend with a smile. Aruna was glad to have her as a friend, who quickly understood a predicament and helped her.

Laenor looked back and forth between the three and didn't really seem to understand the discussion. Sighing, he then leaned back in his chair. Rhaenyra did the same as her husband.

Cautiously, Aruna looked in Daemon's direction only to find that he was already looking at her. For an eternity the two looked at each other and tried to understand each other's thoughts.

Aruna was the first to come to her senses, and then let her gaze wander around the room, looking for her family. Unfortunately, she could not find them anywhere. She would have loved to have her brother at her side now. Instead, Laena, Laenor's sister, came and took the seat next to Daemon as a matter of course.

You could literally feel the tension between the two and Aruna was sure that the beautiful Laena had claimed Daemon's heart for herself.

With a smile, Laena greeted the guests at the table and at the same time looked into their gloomy faces. "Did something happened?" she asked worriedly, looking at her brother. The brother shook his head. "We just ran out of things to talk about." Slowly, the young woman nodded. You could see that she did not believe him.

"I wove a wonderful basket today. I would be delighted if you two would accompany me tomorrow. It was really fun!" Laena tried to lighten the mood by talking about her day and inviting the other two women to weave baskets.

Aruna would have liked to tell her no right away, just because she knew that Rhaenyra didn't like to do such things. But she reconsidered and then nodded with a smile to please Laena.

"I'm sure you will. I would love to accompany you tomorrow, Lady Laena" Laena smiled broadly and looked at Aruna gratefully. "I'm looking forward to it!"

Aruna actually felt less so, but this way she had a reason to go to the city and see what had changed there.

Not long and dinner was served. At the table there was a cheerful and exuberant mood, as it always was when there was a lot of wine and good food, as it always was when there was a lot of wine and good food. It was the last day of the planned feast and many guests would leave tomorrow.

Aruna decided to talk to her family about her own departure as soon as possible. She had avoided her aunt and uncle as much as possible during the last days. Unfortunately she had spent too little or no time with her brother and her little cousin Will. Suddenly Aruna got a guilty conscience, because she still had not been able to find them among the guests.

Aruna then almost choked on her wine when she felt something on her leg. She did not have to think what it could be, because she knew immediately. Daemon's leg.

Her eyes turned to the Targaryen, but he did not look at her at all and was talking with Lady Laena and Ser Laenor. His niece sat bored next to them, and Aruna was overwhelmed. Should she take Daemon's behavior as a renewed approach? His behavior and his words contradicted each other and drove Aruna crazy! Why couldn't he finally make up his mind?

"Prince Daemon" Aruna addressed him and the man turned his head questioningly to her. He was a good actor. "Lady Aruna?" His manner completely threw her.

"In case you didn't notice, but you're standing with your foot on mine." The girl lied. After all, she could hardly say in front of everyone that he shouldn't lean his leg against hers.

"No intention, my lady" the prince apologized and pulled his leg back. Despite the fabric of her dress, Aruna's leg became quite cold and she immediately missed this small gesture from him.

Besides, he had said my Lady again after a long time and Aruna's heart immediately beat faster. None of the three others had paid any attention to their conversation and had instead continued their own conversation.

It didn't take a minute and Daemon's leg was leaning against hers again. She inconspicuously looked under the table to see if something could be seen, but the tablecloths were fortunately that long to the floor. Heart pounding, she slid very close to the table and leaned her leg against his as well.

Surprised, Daemon looked at her. Aruna, on the other hand, grinned at him superiorly and took another sip of her wine. The Targaryen also slid as close as he could to the table with a grin. During the main course, the legs of the two touched and a smile graced both of their faces.

Boldly, Aruna stroked Daemon's leg with her foot as Daemon grabbed her leg with one hand. Her thoughtful look gave way to a startled one. He placed her foot on his thigh, then stroked his hand over her leg. Aruna still wore stockings under her dress, over which he now stroked with his warm fingers.

A quick glance told her that no one was watching the two. The secret touching between the two made Aruna go crazy and her thoughts only circled around Daemon. More precisely around his fingers and the places his fingers should touch.

The dessert was set up as a cake buffet, after all, today would have been the wedding reception. One by one the guests got up and helped themselves. The cooks had once again outdone themselves.

Aruna loved the food in King's Landing. And Aruna loved much more about King's Landing....

***
I wish you all a nice day/evening.<33
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