"Princess Diana, you are Queen Visenya come again!" Tytos Lannister spoke as if he had met her ancestor. She smiled politely and thanked him demurely, her sister's words from earlier in the forefront of her mind, 'You are a princess, Di. Remember your duty.'
Remember your duty, was she not doing her duty by binding herself to the most powerful house outside of their own? Rhaella had been wed for almost three moons, yet still she remained barren. Her father seemed as if he regretted wedding his only son to his elder daughter, but was ever mindful of the prophecy of the woods witch. How can the prince that was promised come from a line that had yet to yield a child? If Aerys had no trueborn children, her son would inherit the throne. But Aerys would set Rhaella a side, and call it duty, before he ever gave her the satisfaction of rising above him in rank, even if his death were to cause it. The siblings had never gotten along.
"I thank you, my lord. You have been a most generous host, and I am happy to be celebrating more than just Lady Gemma's name day." Diana replied, repressing a smirk at his confused expression. It was the middle of the feast, and she had been waiting for the ever late Lord Walder Frey hobble in, the last of the lords to arrive.
Tytos took a deep swig from his glass of wine, the third one by her count in just as many courses, she noticed he emptied his plates as well as his glasses. Before he had a chance to question her further, Tywin stood, his steely gaze sweeping over the hall until it was silent. Diana had to admit, for a man of barely eighteen, Tywin had a presence that commanded attention and respect. Diana grinned to herself, he was to be her Lord husband, and was about to tell half the realm.
"My lords and ladies, tonight we not only celebrate my sweet sister, Gemma's name day and the tourney in her honor to follow, tonight we celebrate the unification of two great houses." Whispers erupted like wild fire, but another sweep of his gaze and they were silent once more. Tytos was staring bewildered at his heir, "The Princess Diana has accepted my offer for her hand in marriage. The Targaryen princess shall be the next Lady of the Rock." Diana was staring in mock affection at Tywin, ensuring the court's enthusiasm at the news. From the corner of her gaze, she watched Tytos speaking furiously with his son, Tywin's face was blank, but his father seemed about to burst with excitement, but was scolding his son for not telling him sooner.
"You were in the tower, Father." Tywin said levelly. The lord of Lannister had his whore sitting at a lower table, with minor Westerland lords who kissed her rings to get good merits with their liege lord.
"What a wonderful day for betrothals, Lord Lannister." Walder Frey spoke, his rickety form surrounded by a few of his brood, his first and second sons included. "Perhaps in honor of Lady Gemma's name day, she and my son Emmon would make a wonderful match."
Diana watched her betrothed bristle visibly next to her, his rage palpable. "I'm so sorry, my lord." Diana replied softly, "But Lady Gemma shall be entering my service, and betrothed to a Lord or heir of my choosing, not a second son. She is a bride of the Rock after all, and my future good sister." Her voice held a simper to it, but there were those around them stifling laughter at the slight the princess directed towards the Lord of the Twins, his son was not worthy of her family, even by marriage.
Tywin was staring at her, shock clearly visible. Gemma, from further down the table, looked as if she were about to cry. "Thank you, your grace!" She said, and quickly added, "I would be happy to enter your service, as my cousin Johanna is in your sister's." Diana faked a smile then, Johanna Lannister was a nice enough woman, but she had caught her brother's eye. If Rhaella was not with child soon, he may proctor a mistress.
"You put the stipulation of a handmaiden in your betrothal contract." Tywin accused, "And spoke of a hedge knight or second son asking for my sister's hand." His green eyes glinted into her purple, he was onto her.
Good. He was not a complete fool then. "The Master of Whispers may have bent my ear when heard of my upcoming betrothal." Lord Frey had been hauling his ever growing group of eligible descendants across Westeros, and Emmon had already been bragging about his Lannister bride to be to those around him.
"When shall the wedding be?" Gemma questioned, she was seated between her father and brother, in a seat of honor since it was her name day. "Will the king be there?"
"In six moon turns." Diana estimated, "We'll need to prepare, send out announcements and invitations. And most likely, my Lord grandfather has spoken of wishing to see Casterly Rock."
Across the table, Rhaella watched her sister interact with her soon to be family. "It shall be lovely, I am sure."
Diana smiled at her sibling, "You must help me pick out fabrics for my wedding gown." She had helped her with Rhaella's own, and Diana remembered how Rhaella cried when she first saw herself, Diana was never truly sure if those were tears of joy, sorrow or both.
Her sister only nodded in response. They made light conversation with those around them, both Tywin and Diana thanking those who came over to congratulate them. Diana drank a goblet of wine, then another, as the night progressed, until the liquor made her sleepy. She excused herself before the men got too far into their cups, although Lord Tytos was already deeply invested into his. Knowing she would get lost attempting to navigate the bowels of the Rock, Tywin offered to escort her to her chambers.
"Thank you." Tywin rumbled softly, surprising her at the door to her chambers. "For saving Gemma from a landless lord."
Diana could have laughed with relief, he had seemed upset before, as if she had overstepped. "You're welcome, my lord." She responded, and slipped into her room.
Her handmaiden, Alyssa Velaryon, had followed discreetly behind her princess and entered her chambers a few moments after. She made quick work of Diana's complicated updo of twists and braids, before brushing it out and plaiting it back. Alyssa undid the overtly tight laces of Diana's gown and gathered up the soiled silks, leaving her in just a shift. "That'll be all, Alyssa. Thank you."
"My princess." She responded softly, and the door clicked shut behind her. Diana walked to the door and bolted it. Peeling back the red sheets on her bed, Diana lay against the featherbed.
"Lady Diana Lannister of Casterly Rock...no, Princess Diana Lannister of the house Targaryen, Lady of Casterly Rock." She murmured to herself as she fell asleep.
A/N:
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