(Vaelor's POV)
"I am sorry, boy." I said in High-Valyrian as Shrykos nudged me with his snout while letting out a rumble, "My mind has not been in the right place as my heart has been wounded. Forgive me."
I was in the Dragonpit, going to take Shrykos for a ride and my beautiful white dragon was excited to see me after so long. He pulled back and let out a rumble, shaking his neck as he snorted.
I smiled and patted his snout, "Let us go...."
"Brother..." I heard someone call
I turned to see Daella walking up with Ser Ryam behind her. I suppose she was escorted by him so she could meet me here. I agreed to take her on a ride at the behest of Alyssa, who told me that Daella has also been in a down mood as of late.
"Sister." I said as Ser Ryam bowed slightly without saying a word, "You wanted to fly? We should make haste; Shrykos has been eager to do so. He is restless after all."
She smiled slightly, her hair getting in front of her face due to the slight breeze that hit us, "Yes..." She said, "If it is not too much trouble."
I offered her my hand, "Come." I said with a slight smile, "You go first."
She nodded and took my hand, "Yes...."
I led her to Shrykos's side, having her climb up to the saddle as he lowered himself all the way down. I watched as she sat on the saddle, adjusting herself on the back part as she tucked her hair behind her ear.
"I'll be behind you." She said with a smile
I climbed over, sitting on the saddle and giving Daella the strap that fastens us together for safety. It's a large and wide leather belt that Baelon had commissioned for us. It connects to my belt and wraps around Daella's waist, keeping her secured as it was fastened on the saddle.
"Go on." I told her, "Make sure it is comfortable."
"Yes, brother." I felt as she adjusted the strap while I did the ones that connected to the saddle, "It has been a while since I've done this."
After a few seconds, I felt her arms around my waist from behind, signaling that she was ready.
I then looked at Ser Ryam, "We'll be back in around an hour, Ser." I told him, "Await for us here."
He nodded, "Yes, My Prince." He said, "Be safe."
I nodded back and looked back at Daella, "Are you ready, sister?" I asked her, "We're about to take off."
She nodded, "Yes..."
***************
"Vaelor...." Daella said as she hugged me from behind, her face pressed against my back
We had been flying for around 10 minutes now, the sounds of Caraxes and Meleys in the distance were heard. I had caught up to my brother and sister, who had taken off prior to myself and Daella. There was nothing but silence atop Shrykos, only the sound of the White King's wings flapping. I could feel the wind hitting my body, my clothes fluttering repeatedly.
"What is it?" I said
"I am sorry." She said softly
I frowned, "What are you talking about?" I asked, "Why are you apologizing?"
"I am sorry for everything that has happened to you, Vaelor." She said, her voice still soft, "I know that you didn't hold any contempt for Lady Ellyn. You were planning on treating her well. You were going to be a good husband to her, I knew it. Your heart is very kind and the fact that she was taken from you.....the fact that she was murdered in that way...it pains me.....it wounds me...."
I stayed quiet for a few seconds, looking to the side and seeing the Blackwater below us. I really didn't want to think about all of that right now. This is the last thing I wanted to speak to Daella about. I didn't want to be reminded of that pain I felt, that failure of mine. But at the same time, I didn't want to say something wrong to Daella. I didn't want to snap at her, telling her to drop the subject.
I didn't know what to say. I just opened my mouth.
"It's fine." I said as I felt the reins, hearing Shrykos letting out a rumble, "Daella, you should claim a dragon. It is a wonderful thing. It-"
"You do not understand, Vaelor." Her embrace tightened, "You don't understand at all."
"I do." I said, "I do understand."
"Vaelor...." She said, "I am sorry..."
"Sorry for what, sister?" I asked, "You don't have to-"
"I am glad that you are no longer betrothed!" She cut me off, "And it wounds me that I have those feelings. Lady Ellyn didn't deserve to die! She didn't! And yet.....a part of me is glad that you are no longer to marry anyone. But.....it devastates me to know that a woman died so brutally and tragically....I don't know what to do!"
"Daella...." I said as I looked back at her, seeing that tears were in her eyes
"I...." she said, "I liked her! I thought of her as a nice woman! I'm such a terrible person! I'm so stupid.....feeling a bit of relief....a few weeks later.....relieved that Father and Mother didn't plan to betroth you right away to anyone else.....I'm so sorry, Vaelor!"
Her voice was cracking, her lips were curling as tears flowed down her cheeks.
"Don't cry." I told her, my tone was soft
"I...." She said softly, "I'm such a horrible person.....I love you, Vaelor! I love you with everything I have. I don't want anyone to marry you now....I would have accepted Lady Ellyn because she was a good woman! But...gods, Vaelor.....! Why does it hurt so much to love you? Is it because I feel guilty for what happened??? Vaelor, please.....please tell me it is not a sin in loving you!"
"Daella...." I said seriously,
"It never was."