(Ellion's POV)
"So..." Aerys said as he approached me, "How was she?"
I looked at him, "Your Grace?"
"Selene." He said, standing next to me and looking over to the gardens from where he stood, "I reckon she gave you a visit."
"Yes, Your Grace." I said, "She did."
"So....? How was she?" He looked at me
I nodded, "She was good, Your Grace." I said, "I have no complaints."
"Ah, that's good." He said with a chuckle, "Had a good fuck with her, huh? That's strange, though. When I saw her, she was a bit shaken up. I asked her how you were and she didn't want to answer. I don't suppose you did something to her?"
"I would never harm a woman who doesn't deserve it." I said as I had my hands behind my back, "But if you wish to know the truth, she was shaken up because we couldn't finish our session."
"Ah, is that so?" He said, "And why is that?"
"A certain someone interrupted us." I said, glancing at him, "Someone you might know very well."
He gave me a knowing look, his purple eyes staring right at me, "Hm....."
"Her Grace, The Queen, told me that you had sent her to my chambers." I said, "Mayhaps His Grace forgot that I was to be busy with Lady Selene."
He crossed his arms, "If I did not?"
I looked over to the gardens, "The Queen was not pleased with what she saw."
"What did she tell you?" Aerys asked me
"She said that she would not tell anyone." I said, "And she told me to be careful. But I am not sure if it is safe to simply do as His Grace wishes now that she's found me out. If His Grace wants me to enjoy more women, it has to be at a different-"
"I will handle Rhaella." He said, "Trust me, you don't have to worry about her at all. She knows her place in this world, and it is to obey not only her King, but her husband. Make no mistake, boy, you are naught but my subject."
I don't think so.
That is not something I am going to spend my life as, a subject of a King like him.
"Hm...." I said
"You do as I say and I get you women to fuck." He said with a slight smirk, "Ladies, smallfolk, servants, prisoners. It doesn't matter who, just do as my will commands, and all of the pussy should be yours."
"If you say so, Your Grace." I said
"I do say so." He said, turning around, "If you excuse me, I shall go and speak to my wife."
"Put her in her place."
****************
Later that night, I was taking a walk by the Secret Gardens, getting some air. It hadn't been long since the sun had set, the Night had just begun.
I reached the gondola that was overlooking the sea and noticed someone sitting on it. Upon spreading my Observation Haki throughout the area, I found that nobody was in the direct vicinity; just me and this person.
I walked up to the gondola to see Queen Rhaella sitting down, wearing a white dress. She had a sorrowful look on her face as her head was hanging down slightly.
I reached her, "Your Grace." I said, "You should not be out here alone."
She looked up at me, "Oh, Ser Ellion."
"You need someone to be with you at all times." I started, "You don't know if-"
"Nights like these are the only time I can be alone and at peace, Ser." She said, looking over at the waters, "I apologize if I have alarmed you."
"Oh." I said, "Pardon me, then. But would you mind if I am here then? To ensure that you are safe?"
"I don't mind at all, Ser Ellion." She said, her eyes had a deep sadness to them, "I don't mind at all...."
I noticed something on her cheek, a mark of sorts that I couldn't see properly due to the shadows of the night. I stepped closer and leaned down slightly, seeing that it was a bruise. I then noticed there was another bruise on her neck and another one on her chest, above her breast.
"Your Grace...." I said, "Those marks...."
She lifted the top of her dress up uncomfortably, covering her cleavage, "It is nothing." She said, "Forget it."
I blinked, "Who did this to you?"
She was silent for a couple of seconds, "The only man who can do it without getting his head removed." She said softly, "The one whose favor you have."
I straightened up and sighed, "Aerys...."
She nodded slowly and shifted in her seat, "That is correct."
"Why would he do this?" I asked, "You are his wife."
"Even the Queen of The Seven Kingdoms is no stranger to the beatings of an angry husband." She said, "After the stunt that he pulled, sending me to your chambers as you were in bed with Lady Selene, I confronted him. I spoke against him, and he was displeased. These are the marks of his.....grace...."
I don't know what to say or how to respond to this. To think that Aerys would strike his own wife and mark her beautiful face like that. The look in her eyes tells me that this is not the first time; she has the eyes of a wife who has endured this plenty of times. I don't know what to feel about this.
Wait, no.
Of course I do know this.
This is wrong, this is outrageous.
Why the fuck would that bastard do this? Is he insane?
"This is my fault, Your Grace." I said, stepping forward, "Allow me to fix this. I will do anything for you to make up for this. If it were not for my recklessness, you would not have been struck. I-"
"It was Aerys who manipulated that interaction." She cut me off, "And it was I who decided to speak against him. It is no fault of yours."
"No, My Queen." I said, "The fault is mine. I swear it upon Old Lyonel's soul, I shall make it up to you."
She looked at me, "You don't have to do anything." She said, "A young man like you, you have so much to look forward in life. You should not concern yourself with something like this, Ser Ellion. I am the Queen.....cursed to be with that man forever..."
I sighed, "But....."
"I would take you up on that offer, however." She said softly, "If you are to do whatever to make up for it..."
I nodded, "Yes...."
"Sit with me for a bit." She said, scooting over to the side, "Sit with me and keep me company. Nights like these are perfect to gaze upon the stars and wish for something more than what one has."
I blinked, "Are you certain?" I asked, "Your Grace...."
"Go on." She said, patting the spot, "There is nothing to worry about."
I sat down next to her, feeling her radiating warmth, "Very well." I said, "I shall be here, keeping you safe."
"Good." She said,
"I appreciate that."