Ulf wasn't exactly sure when you started showing up.

Maybe it was after he'd been allowed to dine in Dragonstone with your family. Maybe it was after Silverwing had taken an interest in your own dragon. Or maybe you had always been there and he'd been too drunk to notice.

Regardless, Ulf had caught the attention of Rhaenyra's only daughter.

You would come to his room at the very back of the castle where the dragonseeds were housed. He knew they were all there so the royal family could keep an eye on them. Rhaenyra still didn't trust the bastards even after all the skirmishes they'd won her.

You brought breakfast. Real breakfast that was more substantial than whatever garbage scraps he'd gotten in Flea Bottom. Then you'd pester him into going for a dragon ride with him. Or following you to the garden. Or training grounds. Or.. fuckin' anywhere he'd agree to, really.

For all his suspicions, Ulf was proud as well. None of the other dragonseeds had caught the attention of a high born. He had no clue why the princess was so taken with him, but Ulf would not let the opportunity go to waste.

"Good morning, Princess," Ulf said, voice still rough with sleep as he opened the door. He didn't even have to look to know it was you. "Here to pester me again?"

His eyes dropped instantly to the tray in your hands. Meat, fresh bread, and porridge—still steaming, radiating a physical warmth that hit his face. For a second, the smug, tavern-born grin faltered. A ghost of the starving boy from Flea Bottom flickered across his face, remembering the decades spent with a hollow, freezing ache in his gut. You always made sure it was hot. He didn't know what game a princess was playing by keeping a bastard's belly full, but as he stepped aside to let you in, Ulf decided he didn't care if it was a trap. It was the best damn trap he'd ever walked into.