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He finds you in a corner of the gardens, a supposed haven that only you and his sister should know. The golden cloak catches your eyes in the sunlight and it feels almost violating that he is here. That he can simply rip the last bit of solitude away from you when already every waking moment is haunted by the thought of him and the hopes he planted inside you.
“My lady, I was hoping to find you.”
“Ser Harwin.”
“I would ask to speak to you privately, if you could spare the time.”
You glance at your guard, standing proudly in the distance. Improper as it may be, you must grant Harwin the privacy he so desires. He sits closer to you than ever before.
Your voices drop to whispers, as if there is something shameful to being free with each other.
“My lady, I-”
“You stopped writing to me.”
It is a haunting thought; that he might have shared the same affection with others. To write words like that, you need to burn inside.
“I could find no more words to put in writing.”
“I had hoped you would say them in person.”
“Too often, affection is easier put on paper than spoken out loud. Please, do not consider my devotion to you lesser.” his hand reaches for you, touches the fabric of your dress as if to ask permission.
“And what is left now?”
“When words ran out, I came to find action was needed.”
He sees the twitching of your hand; the silent beckoning to touch you. Large fingers trace over yours to feel the softness. When they lace together, he holds them in his lap to draw you closer. There cannot have existed a touch tenderer than this.
“Above all, I wanted your permission… that I might be yours in the eyes of Gods and men. That you might be mine and I could speak to you freely, or touch you when words again begin to fall short.”
Breathing becomes so much more difficult. Your body can only concentrate on the warmth of his hand.
“I would think my father’s word far outranks my own.”
“I would disagree. Your answer means much more to me.”
“Have you spoken with him?”
“I would never put you in such a position. I shall await your answer, whatever it may be.”
“Well then.” He seems so lost, this mighty man at your mercy. You move your entwined hands towards you; leave them close to your face. It is so simple to lean into the touch. “I hope that the next time we see each other, I will be yours and you will be mine. Then you can touch me freely… kiss me whenever you want.”