Breaking the fast and tales of Love
Loreza took a moment to stretch her shoulders and back out when she woke up. Her temporary residence was so unlike her chambers at home in Dorne, but everything was different in King’s Landing, especially because of the winter. Her muscles slowly warmed, despite the chill in the air, thanks to the fire roaring in the hearth. A cup of steaming mint tea stood on the mantle and Loreza rose and wrapped her fingers around it. At least they still had mint in the capital.
Loreza had fought the decision, or as she recalled it, the summoning, to King’s Landing for the Winter. Why would they leave Dorne for a colder harsher climate. The only one she hadn’t fought was Aliandra, allowing her eldest, the Ruling Princess of Dorne to make the final decisions for her. She had, however, declined staying within the walls of the Red Keep and had found accommodation just outside the palace walls. Nothing grand, nothing rich, but it suited her needs. The fact that she could easily slip off to The Streets of Silk was an added perk.
The mint tea refreshed her and cleared her mind. She got dressed in her usual silks, though she added a fur lined cloak, a gift from Qoren many years ago, before she braved the winter roaring outside. The sun had yet to rise, despite it being morning, but the winds were less harsh than the night before with only a hint of snow.
With practiced steps Loreza made her way to Obella’s rooms, but stopped in her tracks as she saw the door opening, yards before she reached it. At least it’s a Velaryon, Loreza thought as she saw Prince Lucerys Velaryon, heir to Driftmark step out of Obella’s room. She raised a practiced brow but curtsied respectfully to him. “Good Morrow, Prince Lucerys.”
Loreza slipped past the young man and entered Obella’s room, closing the door behind her. “Please tell me, he only came by to wish you Good Morrow,” she said with a soft smile towards her daughter. “Or did you forget you wanted to break your fast with your mother?”
Starter for: @pearl-of-dorne-obella for @asongofgoldenfireandblackblood, with an honorable mention of @tide-bound
Lucerys had stopped for only a moment, to wish her good morning and invite her out that afternoon. He had almost convinced her to go out with him that morning, to break their fast together, but she had declined, knowing her mother would be there soon.
It had all been perfectly respectable.
Respectable or not, Obella still flushed with embarrassment as her mother teased her and looked down for a moment.
"Of course not, Mama." She says and comes to sit at her little table, where tea and a light meal was waiting for them. It was still warm. "I would never forget about spending time with you."
Obella knew well that her mother had been against coming to King's Landing for the Winter. When Aliandra had made the decision, Obella had kept her excitement to herself, knowing Mama was not thrilled about it. She wished Loreza had stayed in the keep, in apartments close to her own. She knew her mother had her reasons, her dislikes, her own plans, but it didn't mean Obella didn't miss her; didn't wish sometimes that the Red Keep was more like Sunspear, where their family quarters were close and always open to each other.
However, she couldn't help but enjoy the freedom she had here. She could entertain friends, go to concerts within the Court.. see her betrothed as much as she liked. Luce was always coming and going, and Bella loved seeing him so much, loved being here with him.
Obella pours Loreza some tea as they settle at the table. "Prince Lucerys always comes by in the morning to say hello." She explains, filling her own teacup and sweetening her tea. She knew some people talked, and in Dorne, things were different between a couple engaged to be wed. But this was King's Landing. "He's very sweet to me, and always a gentleman.." She says quickly, as if to defend herself. She looks at her mother again and laughs a little. "I like him very much. I hope maybe someday.. he could join us.. so you could get to know him."
Loreza chuckled, which soon turned into the full laughter only her nearest family knew her capable of. Of course the prince would be a perfect Westerosi gentleman. Customs were still so different between Dorne and the rest of Westeros. Love was more controlled, had more rules and restrictions the further north one travelled. Loreza was glad she had grown and loved in Dorne, with the Dornish traditions and freedom. Even as a royal she felt freer in her love than what seemed possible north of Dorne.
“Good,” she said as her laughter subsided and she took a seat at the small table beside her daughter. She accepted the tea with a nod of her head and brought it to her lips for a slow sip, savoring the warmth it provided in the biting chill of the winter. “It’s very kind of him to be so attentive to you while we are staying here. Have the two of you talked about Driftmark?” She questioned curiously. The prince, her daughter’s fiancé was heir to the wealthiest house in Westeros and bound to settle on a secluded island far from home. Unlike the Targaryens and their dragons and the Velaryons and their ships, the Martells usually travelled by horse or carriage, making visits to her daughter’s future home a difficult and long travel.
Loreza placed her cup down again and grabbed a bite of bread. The Red Keep sure did tend to its guests, providing tastes of home when possible. “I would like to get to know him, I hope this winter eases soon so we all feel a bit more at ease. The cold does no good for me,” she admitted softly, reaching out to touch her daughter’s knee gently. “I must admit I long for home. For you to be able to show him where you’re from and which values you were raised by. And which values you’ll be bringing with you to Driftmark.”
