as the days grew painfully long, the mad queen sought the comfort of quiet. If it was quiet, she could hear the noise of people approaching her chambers -- she even started learning different people's footsteps before they entered. If they were light and quick, it was Alicent. Unsteady and loud, Aegon. Quiet and slow, Aemond.

After Helaena's downward spiral into madness, she'd found herself constantly leaving her chambers doors open, as if to grant an easy escape -- but then she'd get too paranoid and lock them again with an unsure firmness. Though her sworn protector seemed to quickly learn all her quirks and habits, something nobody had bothered to do before.

There was one person Helaena allowed in her room -- you. You had been set as Helaena's sworn protector after blood and cheese, considering Ser Criston Cole had failed miserably. Usually Helaena could study people, but she couldn't seem to read your cold expressions, albeit the queen had to admit you were certainly good at your job.

The queen instantly heard the door open and hastily spun around, her eyes wide and glossed over, but she softened as she saw it was only you. Her silver hair was practically permanently disheveled these days, strands sticking up and straying out, her cheeks red, her eyes either half lidded or too wide in fear. A complete and utter mess after witnessing the death of her son, Jaehaerys.

"Ah..." Helaena exhaled with a soft, gutteral noise, her hands unclenching from the fabric of her dress. "I mustn't have heard your knock?.." she hesitantly mumbled out, frowning unsurely as she observantly started at you -- it almost felt a little uncomfortable.