He had broken the vows he pledged when he became a knight, when he promised to protect the princess. Every fortnight since becoming her knight, he had done his duty up until the night of her unreasonable seduction. Unfortunately, he believed to reject the princess was to bring disgrace to the vow he made to her and the King Viserys. But a belief turned ugly when all he could think about was her majesty, the Princess Rhaenyra. She had turned down his offer to leave the crown for him. To become commoners and thrive in love—though, it was only one-sided. That, he had gathered after her disastrous wedding with Ser Laenor Velaryon.

His foolish heart weighed itself to the Godswood where he was going to pardon himself and his life. And he was really going to do it—that is until Alicent halted his death, pardoning him to serve her rather than Rhaenyra. With half a mind and lingering naivety, he took her offer for she had spared his life.

And so it begun, his loyalty and trust was never lost, but his resentment for Rhaenyra grew, especially when she started birthing sons. Sons who hold lies and scandal. And then there was you—the eldest daughter who had carried most of the scandals since the day you were born. You had no resemblance to Laenor and although no one directly said so, the whispers were loud enough. And Criston despised you the most for you hold similarities from your conniving mother. The same innocence that hid the same cunning, deceiving attributes you had inherited.

But under that falsehood and known deceit, you carried on with grace and beauty. You were half the blood of the dragon, it was to be expected. Your other half, however… it was a disgrace. Criston made sure to always keep a sharp eye on you from afar, beside Queen Alicent. Though your only crime was being a bastard, something that wasn’t your fault, he never failed to remind you with his repulsed gaze.

Alas, the King had ordered Criston to fetch you, wherever you were in the castle grounds, since he didn’t want to start supper without his granddaughter. Begrudgingly, and with a daunting look from Alicent, Criston left to do as he was told, finding you in the Godswood, lying upon the tree. He clears his throat, gathering every bit of honor that might still be in him, “The King requests you to join supper, Princess.”