"I thought you refused to visit this 'filthy excuse of a city, as you called it, regardless of my upcoming nuptials with the king? What changed your mind, sister?" Margaery inquired playfully, albeit with a just genuine interest, as they strolled down the pathway in the garden that, eventually, lead to the pavilion.
Although pleased to be reunited with her older sister after months apart, the future queen couldn't help prod the lioness of Highgarden, in title, for answers as to what changed her, normally stubborn, heart. "-and you even brought Empress with you." She added, beaming happily down at the purring lioness, the literal one, before brushing her fingers gently through its luxurious fur that is no doubt more groomed than her own hair.
"Yes, well, grandmother convinced me otherwise." There was something in the way Kassandra Tyrell curled her rose painted lips into a mischievous smile that had Margaery doubting, narrowing her blue eyes at the dark-haired beauty as though it would bring forth her intentions. "Oh come now, don't give me that look." As if it had just been her imagination; a look of tender innocence unfolded over the gleam of mischief in her sister's azure orbs.
The older woman chuckled, amused, before she pushed herself against her sister and entwined their arms like vines, urging her pet to increase its pace infront of them. "I've missed you, sweet sister." She added - and while she did, indeed, yearn for her sister, her words was not the entirety of the truth.
Margaery knew as well, and waited for the older woman to continue, only the atmosphere grew sombre each passing second as the lioness dropped her smile. "Mournful little birds sang to me in Highgarden." She whispered, gaze cast downwards in thought, "About the king; his dogs; the queen; the old lion; this place is full of beast…" A momentary pause settled between them as Kassandra rounded infront of her sister, causing the feline ahead to halt as well, "Why you would want to be a queen in this wretched land is beyond me."
The young rose fell silent, disoriented even, but she fought the instinct to avoid her sister's scrutiny that at one point used to send her scurrying back to their grandmother in fear. Kassandra was very much like Olenna, the Queen of Thorns, for she, too, was very insightful of many things. Unlike herself and the elder Tyrell, however, the lioness wasn't willing to take a risk for the sake of the game of thrones.
The dormant lioness of Highgarden.
"Not a queen. The queen." Margaery repeated what she once said to Littlefinger, with equal, if not more, resolution in her voice, under the piercing gaze of her sister.
There was another pause. A longer one. Margaery wondered if she had angered the older woman.
But Kassandra smiled affectionately, playfully shaking her head in feigned disapproval, "Yes...that has always been your dream, hasn't it? To be the queen of the Seven Kingdoms."
The sisters shared a giggle.
Such bliss was short-lived, however, when a familiar, hateful, voice called out to the future queen.
"Lady Margaery." Cersei, escorted by her father, approached them with an impish smile, no doubt looking-forward to torment her soon to be daughter-in-law, only she found herself halting in surprise and clutching Tywin's elbow in fear when the golden lioness leading the Tyrell sisters came to view. "W-What is that- beast-"
"Beast?" Kassandra interrupted with a raised brow, wasting no energy to hide the offense she took. It was clearly evident on her face as Cersei took on a defensive posture while Margaery reached out for her hand.
Margaery inclined her head with feigned respect towards the Lannisters, "Your Grace, Lord Hand, it is my honour to present my older sister, Lady Kassandra of House Tyrell."
Kassandra returned Cersei's heated stare until the tension became undeniably uncomfortable for all those present, in which at the realization the lioness conceded, this time. She offered a formal, though detached, curtsy to the queen, but bow she did not, and merely offered a hand to the Lord of Casterly Rock.
Tywin narrowed his eyes, regarding the woman in a split second, before he dared to walk forward, with a reluctant Cersei, to accept the offered hand and plant a chaste kiss atop it, "The lioness of Highgarden." He stated coolly, his eyes darting to the literal counterpart standing rather protectively of its mistress, then returning green to lock with azure. "Your reputation precedes you, my lady." The beauty of the lioness among the roses inspired many songs in the Seven Kingdoms - the lady that never was without her beast.
"I was told your sister was not coming to the wedding." Cersei stated all but courtly, her gaze practically burning a hole through the older Tyrell's slender figure. Kassandra, though older, didn't look a day older than Margaery; she was taller, however, hair darker and eyes...those eyes almost resembled that of her younger sister's, but there was something gleaming in them that made the lioness of Casterly Rock regard her more of a threat then the woman to marry her son and be the queen of the Seven Kingdoms.
"Your birds misinformed you, your grace, I was unwell. A common cold. It was never my intention to miss my sweet little sister's wedding, I was merely waiting for my cold to pass." Kassandra replied without missing a beat, turning to Margaery to push her hair off one shoulder as the mischievous curl of her lips stretched into that of a sisterly smile.
"I didn't want to mention what is not set in stone." Margaery returned her smile, playing along with the ruse, "She even brought Empress with her."
Two sets of green eyes glanced down at the lioness - who had soundlessly made its way over to Tywin, nuzzling its cheek against his leg as though they were old friends. "Empress. What a fitting name." The old lion hummed in approval, arching down slightly to pet the purring feline.
Kassandra narrowed her eyes. Though submissive with her, Empress wasn't one to be affectionate towards strangers - let alone one as formidable as Tywin Lannister. He is a lion himself, I supposed. A playful smile made its way to her lips at the thought.
"It must be kept in a cage. It could hurt the king." Cersei said through gritted teeth, glaring at the back of her father's head for succumbing. "Such beasts should not be allowed to roam so freely."
"Empress." The lioness recoiled at the coldness in the tone in which her name was spoken, retreating from the Lord Hand and returning to its place beside Kassandra. As though sensing its mistress' distress, it rubbed against her and pushed its head under her hand to get petted in silent hope to distract her.
Tywin tried to hide his disappointment, straightening his back and allowing his hand to return to his side, and instead wondered how a formidable animal known for its merciless survival instinct could be so docile under the command of a rose. No...not a rose, a lioness herself.
"You see, your grace, Empress is quite obedient. She would never lay her claws upon his majesty, the noble King Joffrey." Margaery noted the stony expression her sister wore as she spoke to the queen without reservation - she both cheered and feared for Kassandra. Cersei might be emotionally-driven most of the time, but she was a force to be reckoned with in her own right - even if it was just because of her unpredictable nature.
"Yes, see to it that she doesn't." The blonde almost snarled, "It would be such a pity to see such a beautiful creature cut open for treason." The way her green eyes lingered on the older Tyrell had the latter doubting she was referring to Empress.
This made the lioness of Highgarden no less indignant.
A/N: I've been meaning to write this for a while, but never had the time to. But here it is! What do you think? I honestly want to know if you guys think this is worth exploring. Otherwise I'll probably just leave this here lol. Please let me know in the reviews.