"Unfortunately I have little doubt of that," Kelson was quite sure she had endured years if not decades of bullying and pressure, with constant reminders of the responsibilities of her birth and duties. "Two years old. Doesn't that negate the purpose of the marriage a bit? Or was it simply to legitimize the marriage or joining of lands and heirs were a secondary function?" Kelson could see both. If heirs were a real issue, they would have hardly tried to pressure her into marrying a two year old. There had to be another reason, land or legitimacy that the two year old could lend.
"I am sadly well aware matches are not made out of love. I tried to do my duty once. But I suppose it's too much to ask for one of our station to marry for love, instead of duty. I hope someone in my family gets to be happy. It certainly isn't going to be me." Sorry Rhaenyra, Kelson had a tendency to get absolutely despondent. Blame his mother.
Then he smiled, laughing at her compliment. " I would like to think both of our counsels sorely tested to find a match worthy of us. They may not have wanted you as heir, they may stifle under your rule, but you will still be their queen. My own council has not always been thrilled with me regardless of my gender. I am the first as well in my own way. Just because it's new doesn't mean it's wrong. You will be a great and worthy queen, even if they don't see it at first." Kelson would like to tell Rhaenyra's council to go fuck themselves.
He looked at her appreciatively, the hair, the clothing, her in general. She really was quite attractive. And fun, and smart, and witty. And strong willed. Why was that all such a rare combination? "Cannot I be both? Believe me I am quite aware of the hours it took many, many body servants to make you up like that. I too have been made incapable of movement, although not nearly as pretty." All those laces and ties and layers. He had complained when he had first been given body servants for his coronation. Years later? There was no more complaining.
"I would like to think you can be both beautiful, fashionable--and be able to dodge a sword attack rather than risk it getting caught in the I'm sure exquisite boning your dress allows. Then again, we could probably fit some more stilettos in the boning of your dress."
Kelson tried to pin down the emotion he was feeling. Being able to share a life that they both had known and in a way chafed at. The loneliness that life brought. Rhaenyra would be an amazing queen.
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"I am sadly well aware matches are not made out of love. I tried to do my duty once. But I suppose it's too much to ask for one of our station to marry for love, instead of duty. I hope someone in my family gets to be happy. It certainly isn't going to be me." Sorry Rhaenyra, Kelson had a tendency to get absolutely despondent. Blame his mother.
Then he smiled, laughing at her compliment. " I would like to think both of our counsels sorely tested to find a match worthy of us. They may not have wanted you as heir, they may stifle under your rule, but you will still be their queen. My own council has not always been thrilled with me regardless of my gender. I am the first as well in my own way. Just because it's new doesn't mean it's wrong. You will be a great and worthy queen, even if they don't see it at first." Kelson would like to tell Rhaenyra's council to go fuck themselves.
He looked at her appreciatively, the hair, the clothing, her in general. She really was quite attractive. And fun, and smart, and witty. And strong willed. Why was that all such a rare combination? "Cannot I be both? Believe me I am quite aware of the hours it took many, many body servants to make you up like that. I too have been made incapable of movement, although not nearly as pretty." All those laces and ties and layers. He had complained when he had first been given body servants for his coronation. Years later? There was no more complaining.
"I would like to think you can be both beautiful, fashionable--and be able to dodge a sword attack rather than risk it getting caught in the I'm sure exquisite boning your dress allows. Then again, we could probably fit some more stilettos in the boning of your dress."
Kelson tried to pin down the emotion he was feeling. Being able to share a life that they both had known and in a way chafed at. The loneliness that life brought. Rhaenyra would be an amazing queen.