Author's Note: Hello, everyone! I wrote this a little bit too late and I don't think I can keep my word about having a double update. But anyways, regardless of when I will be able to post this, I hope you enjoy the chapter. I still don't own Game of Thrones. That is obvious by now, isn't it?
Long Live the Boy-King
Chapter Ten: An Apology, a Proposal, and a Bouquet
Tommen's Point of View
As soon as I gave Margaery my farewell along with some members from the Kingsguard, I decided to take a walk down to the gardens to clear my head. I'm disappointed at the news that Margaery told me. I have waited so long for this wedding. I have waited so long for her to be finally mine, bound by a sacred oath. But if the gods forbid us to be wed this day, they must have a better plan in store. I just hope Lady Olenna feels better immediately so that Margaery would be back soon. Even the guests aren't very happy with her departure. After all, everything has been planned from Margaery's dress down to the wines going to be served after the ceremony. Grandfather wanted me to apologize personally in front of the Lords and Ladies that made time to visit King's Landing but I didn't feel well enough to face them. I had him apologize for me. Right now, I want to ponder about Margaery's journey. Is she there, yet? I hope she's safe. I don't want anything to happen to her.
I sat down on my favorite spot, overlooking the vastness of the sea. I despise the weather today. Not because it's gloomy and humid, because it's not. I despise it because it's perfectly opposing my emotions right now. I hope it rains. I hope the clouds will cry for me because I can't right now. But I doubt it. The sun is too bright, the air is too fresh, and the sea is too beautiful. I wonder how Myrcella's doing on the other side of the world. Mother says that Dorne is a very different place from King's Landing. The people, the food, even the kinds of plant. I wonder what my sister's doing right now. Is she being treated well? Is her wedding postponed too like mine? Is she staring at the sea as well? Who knows? Definitely not me.
"You seem lost, little boy." I suddenly went back to reality when I heard someone speak softly behind me. I rose from my seat and turned in a split second, worried that someone might hurt me when I'm most vulnerable. To my relief and surprise, it was only her. The same girl with the same curly black hair. The same girl with the same mystical blue eyes. The same girl with the same rosy cheeks and even rosier lips. The same girl who called me a liar and claimed to hate me. The same girl who kept me up last night.
She flinched from my sudden actions. I even heard a soft gasp from her as she backed away from me. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I should probably leave you now," she said in one breath, I almost didn't understand half of what she was trying to say. I grabbed her wrist before she runs away from me again. She gasped again in surprise before turning her attention to my hand clasping her wrist. I softened my grip on her when she looked at me with those eyes of hers. I finally let go of her before things get worse.
"I-I didn't mean to do that. I apologize, my Lady. What can I do for you?" I asked, forbidding myself to ask for her to sit beside me. She clearly just wants to say something briefly. But it would be nice if we converse for a while.
She held her wrist with her other hand and examined it again. I must have held her harder than I thought. "I was just walking around the gardens and I saw you here all alone." She moved her bright eyes to lock with mine. "I heard the wedding was not to be held today."
I turned away from her and into the sea again. Of course, I can't escape the truth that is reality. Not even when a goddess straight from story book is here with me now in this quiet place. I long for Margaery, I really do. But Corabella's presence is confusing me. Nevertheless, she is not the one I will be marrying. "Yes, I'm afraid Margaery needs what's best for her family right now." My voice sounded sadder than I thought. I'm here again, looking and sounding pathetically weak in front of Corabella. I sighed in defeat and sunk back down to my seat, hoping to be distracted once again.
"I'm sorry to hear about that. But you are very understanding." I gave her a weak smile even if she's still behind me. She grew quiet, too quiet, for a moment. I thought she was gone already but my doubt was countered when she sat beside me for the third time since we met. Just not close enough than I hoped. "I also want to apologize at how I acted last night. I said some words that I didn't mean to say. The wine must have gone to my head," she giggled oblivious to my amusement. The sight of her happy somehow made me feel better. I take back what I said about the clouds raining. I hope the sun would brighten up the entire day.
We both looked at each other smiling. "I did you wrong as well. I shouldn't have confused you like that. I'm sorry for that, my Lady," I said, meaning every word I say. She's giving me a chance to correct my mistakes and I am listening to what she's going to say. To be honest, what she said to me last night hurt but I knew I forgave her the moment she left.
"That's fine. I should learn to be careful around strangers next time," she giggled softly. I watched how she moved, how elegant she is. I watched her tuck a curl of hair behind her ear and wished I did that myself. She looked ahead the sea before dropping her head down to look at her lap. Her emotions suddenly changed from jolly to gloomy. "I also want to apologize for another thing. I wasn't in the right mind when I did it. And I promise you, I wished I didn't."
"What is it, my Lady?" I asked narrowing my eyes at her slightly. She looked at her hands, now starting to fumble. Her eyebrows furrowed as she bit her lip in nervousness. I wish she didn't do that. It's a bad habit that girls have, biting their lip when they're nervous or confused. I saw Myrcella and Mother do that once, even Margaery.
She looked at me with wide eyes, concerned about how I'm going to react. "The dress you gave me. I… I-I…" she stuttered but I waited patiently at what she's going to say. What about the dress? "I ruined the dress. I-I c-cut it with my dagger and I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that. I should have just gave it back and not ruin it," she waved her hands frantically as she keeps on bantering about her dress. To be honest, I'm not really bothered by what she just said. It's hers, anyway. She can do whatever she wanted with it. I laughed as she freaks out in front of me. I didn't quite understand most of what she said but she suddenly stopped when she saw my fit.
Her sudden change of emotion let my laughter die down into giggles. She raised an eyebrow at me as I kept on smiling at her. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh. It's just that it's fine. The dress is, or was, yours and you can do whatever you want to it."
"You're not mad?" she asked in bewilderment.
I shook my head at her. "No! Of course not. Why would I be?" I looked at her with a wide grin. She moved closer to me as she starts to calm down and return my smile. I can feel her sweet scent invading my nose. A mix of vanilla and carnations, I think. She smells divine. I held my breath as she moved close to me, oblivious to the distance between us.
"I just thought you would be angry. I mean, I know you prepared those in the last minute and I just—"
"Don't worry about it. It's fine," I said to her, grabbing her by the shoulders to let her face me. I felt her gasp sharply from my touch. I could feel my cheeks burn at the sight of her startled. I quickly removed my hands from her and stare at the sea. The waves glistened under the sunlight. I felt her shift uncomfortably away from me but I did not dare look. I might lose myself if I look into her eyes again. Her eyes. I remembered our encounter last night in this very place. The night was dark and the young stars did a poor job in lighting up the sky. But her eyes, they glowed in the darkness, sending different emotions in me at once. I was amazed and terrified at the same time. But those emotions that I felt only made me see how beautiful and mystical she truly were. She is not human, she is more than that. She is a goddess, an angel. She's that warm feeling that I get on a summer day and the first piece of snowflake that touches my skin on wintertime. But she's also a poison, a nightmare, a drug that I am addicted to. And I've never felt so guilty with these emotions.
"Have you ever been somewhere besides King's Landing?" I woke from my pondering when I heard her voice. I was unaware of how long I stared into the vast sea. I was unaware that she is still here beside me, staring at me with fascination. I sat up straight before my back aches from the slouching I've done and turned to her with a serious emotion.
"Yes, only once," I started as I reminisced our trip to the North. "When my father's Hand, Lord Arryn, died of a fever or some illness I couldn't remember, we travelled to the North. Father wanted his new Hand to be Lord Stark, Lord of Winterfell. He was an honorable man. I believe he was innocent."
"What happened to him?" she asked with strong interest, making her eyes bright up even more. I smiled briefly at her before looking down at my hands again. This is not a happy story and nothing like fairytales. This story is about an honorable man who gave his life up because of someone's sadistic nature.
"I heard the maids gossip about it. They said Lord Stark turned against the Crown or something. The details aren't fully clear to me. Lady Sansa, Lord Stark's daughter and Joffrey's first betrothed begged for her father's life. She kneeled in front of Joffrey and cried madly just to spare her father's life. But Joffrey didn't keep his word. He put Lord Stark's head in a spike for everyone to see. He didn't deserve to die. I don't personally know him but judging by his relationship with my father and the way he treats the people of King's Landing, he's not a bad man. Joffrey is just…" I clenched my jaw, trying to hold back my tears as I remember my brother's horrible deeds.
"Joffrey is gone now." I turned to her and saw concern in her eyes and maybe a hint of reassurance. "I've only heard stories about him and it's not my place to judge whoever he is. But I feel like you pressure yourself too much. You want to change the people's views towards the Crown after your brother passed." She's right. I work too hard to put on a new façade for the Crown to gain the people's trust. "But you're not your brother. You don't have to change anyone's mind so that they will adore you. All of those things will come if you show them who you are. You're young, that is a bit of a disadvantage, but you have your advisers, your council, and your family. They would give you the options, millions of them. You only have to pick the right choices."
I stared at her, my jaw dropped. My eyes narrowed at how wise she sounded in that moment. She is only seventeen, the same age as me, but the way she worded that statement made her seem much older. To be honest, that's the best advice I've ever heard. Even better than some of my advisors or even my mother. How odd it is to find comfort in the words of a stranger. How odd it is to find wisdom in the youth rather than the wrinkly men that live inside my castle. I stared at her even longer before she snorted in an un-Ladylike manner making me laugh in an instant.
"I didn't mean to sound so serious or philosophical. I was attempting to make you feel better but I just…" She didn't even finish her sentence, she just laughed hard. And before I knew it, I was joining her on her fit. I felt lighthearted all of a sudden. She is full of surprises. And that confuses me even more. How are you doing this to me, Corabella?
"How about you?" I finally asked after all the laughs we shared. I faced her more as I wipe a tear from my eye, caused by our little fit. "Have you ever been somewhere else besides Bedoco, I mean, except King's Landing?"
She turned to me with a smile on her face. This is such a delightful moment. Just us talking and laughing like children. This must be the longest I have been with her, if I'm not mistaken. I'm glad we made up, acting civil towards each other and even being friendly.
"Yes, but I've only been to a couple of other cities near Bedoco. King's Landing has been, so far, the farthest I've ever been outside of the city," she said plainly. "I've only been here a couple of days but I'm starting to grow into it. I can't say for sure, though. The gardens are my getaway aside from my chambers."
She started to look at the sea longingly. I wonder if she's thinking about Bedoco right now. Her eyes yearned for something I don't know. Yet, even if she's gazing away into the horizon, she looks beautiful. Like a painting or a carefully crafted sculpture. The wind blew in our direction, messing my hair up in different directions. I swiped them to the side, not caring about how I look. But hers stayed tamed, bouncing with the wind as she gingerly tucks a curl behind her ear. I examined the dress she's wearing right now. A white dress that hugged her curves perfectly as it flows sheerer down to her legs. She's wearing boots underneath, a rather strange mix up of style. But somehow, it looks good on her. My eyes lingered on her beauty longer than I expected. That's why when she suddenly looked at me, I had no other choice but look away with cheeks burning out of embarrassment.
Sensing another person's presence behind us, I turned around and saw Lorcan Rosby holding a bouquet of carnations in one hand. I looked at him in annoyance. Just when I'm having a good time with the most beautiful Lady here in King's Landing, Lorcan somehow managed to ruin my day by showing up with that smug face of his while wearing an armor and holding a sword. Who does he think he is? And who, in their right mind, would wear something as heavy as an armor in this kind of weather? But then again, I am not completely sure if Lorcan is in his right mind.
I narrowed my eyes at him and continued to look at him in suspicion. He, in turn, smirked at me menacingly. He made his way behind Corabella and tapped her lightly on the shoulder making her turn in an instant. I felt my stomach turn when she smiled immediately at him like they're the best of friends. "For you, my Lady," Lorcan said as she handed her the bouquet. Corabella stood up and took the flowers with both hands before tracing a finger over the petals. Then, she took a sniff and smiled at Lorcan.
"Thank you, Lorcan. How did you know I like carnations?" she asked, still smiling. Carantions, huh? I wouldn't be surprised. They are pretty and King's Landing just so happens to have a diverse population of carnations. But I wasn't interested on that right now. I patiently waited for Lorcan's answer. It's obvious that she adores Corabella. Who doesn't? He's making a move before anyone does. Sly, sly man.
"Your brothers told me, my Lady?" he said with that innocent smile of his that all the girls like. Even Myrcella fell for that dimpled smile of his, once.
Corabella looked at him questioningly as she raised an eyebrow. "Call me by my name. And how come my brothers are speaking to you? They hardly know you and they don't just give away information about me like that."
As if to make a point, Lorcan slightly unsheathed his sword and raised an eyebrow at Corabella while smirking. "I was playing with them. They needed to be trained with their new blades. Gemelli, they called them."
Corabella looked at her in amusement and fury. "Quei mascalzoni," she muttered under her breath. She's speaking another language. I didn't know that. It must be the language of Bedoco, although I feel like she often speaks in the common tongue as I don't hear any different accent whenever she speaks.
"Pardon?" Lorcan asked with the same expression as I am showing. He, too, didn't understand what Corabella just said. She turned back at him, oblivious to the fact that she just said that out loud.
"Nothing. Thank you, for this bouquet. I really appreciate it." I watched them look at each other, paying no mind to my presence. I subtly cleared my throat alerting them that I am still there with them. Both of them looked at me, embarrassment clear on their faces.
"Well, I shall leave you two now. I shall resume my training." Lorcan bowed in front of us. "My Lady. Your Grace." He turned on his heel but before he could leave Corabella grabbed his arm and turned him around.
"We had an agreement, Lorcan. When shall I train with you?" she asked sincerely. Train? For what? I suppose Corabella is interested in combat. She could handle a dagger well like she showed me when she pinned her brothers to the wall. She might work better with a sword. But looking at her, she doesn't give off the feel of having interests in daggers or swords. I suppose I underestimated her a bit.
Lorcan gave her another smile before saying, "Whenever you feel like. All I could do for now is wait." He nodded at her before completely leaving us again.
"What are you training for?" I asked curiously but more of concern. If she's going to spend time with someone like Lorcan while holding a sword or a dagger, I might as well know the purpose of it so I could keep an eye out for her.
She smiled at me and sat down while feeling the carnations again with her delicate hands. "We will be staying here for quite a while, I might as well spend my time into doing something productive. Besides, I might learn new techniques that only you Westerosis know," she giggled.
I looked at her with dark eyes which she returned with a beam. "I could get you a proper mentor. Lorcan is a great fighter but it's better if you learn from an expert." I wanted to add the fact that I don't trust Lorcan but I held that information back. I don't want to give Corabella a wrong impression of him because, after all, he is still my subject. He is still one of the many people I rule.
She chuckled while looking at the flowers after I gave her my proposal. "No, you don't have to do that. I trust Lorcan. But I'll let you know if I change my mind. If Lorcan turns out to be rubbish, which I think he isn't, I will accept your offer." I smiled at the thought of her considering my pitch. But I doubt she will change her mind. If only I was as skilled as Lorcan in the art of combat. I would have been the one training with her. Unless…
"I'm sorry, I have to go now. It's time for my lessons with Mother now," she said hurriedly as she smoothed out her dress and fix her hair. "Mother is very serious about poetry." Another thing I learned about her again. She isn't only beautiful but she's also fearless and smart. Perfect. Perfect, as always. When she finished adjusting herself up, she gave me another smile and said, "I shall see you again, little boy." Then, she turned around not waiting for my response.
She still refuses to address me by my proper titles but I don't mind at all. She can call me whatever she wants to call me.
Tywin's Point of View
I poured a fair amount of wine onto the two glasses for me and my companion. Personally, I like to lessen my consumption of the liquor but we are in a middle of celebration, an arrival of an old friend. Surely a glass wouldn't be bad. I handed Ferardo a glass before sitting down on the chair opposite him. His face shows signs of confusion and nervousness even if his façade says otherwise. By the way his eyes darken and his forehead crinkle, this man surely has a problem.
"So, tell me, boy. What is it that's bothering that mind of yours?" I took a sip of wine and felt it surge with flavor down my throat. The finest kind of wine in all of Westeros.
Ferardo narrowed his eyes into mine as he placed his glass down to the table without taking a sip. "I'm sure you know Lord Rosby, right?"
"Yes, Gyles. I do know him. What about that old lad?" I asked. What is so fascinating about that Lord? He is a soldier once but age wore him out. His triumphs and wealth were once shone upon the limelight but his popularity throughout Westeros is slowly dying, leaving all the duties to his sons.
"He was informed of our weapons when my daughter was invited to their table last night. It didn't surprise me when he proposed business to me. I mean, it's about time that someone knows of our finest weapons. You could use it, I suppose. I mean, with a boy for a King, I am pretty sure that different houses would want to claim the throne for themselves. You are readying for battle," he said with much anticipation. I don't understand where this conversation is going to. I raised my eyebrow at him at confusion.
"Yes, you know how interested I am with that kind of steel. And I suppose, you are very interested into working with the Rosbys and with the Crown. What I don't understand is how you're acting right now. You seem so troubled when your situation doesn't sound as bad as you think."
I watch him shift uncomfortably on the chair as he reached out for his glass of wine. With one quick swig, he emptied the glass and asked for a refill. He seems so problematic. He sipped on his refilled glass more carefully and set it down on the table again. "He told me that if I were to open business here in King's Landing, I shall leave a piece of me. You know, something that will cement my reputation so that people would see me as a trustworthy supplier."
I nodded my head and said, "That's right. That's what you want to happen if you persist on a business," I let breathed in and let him continue with his ranting.
"He wants my daughter, Corabella, and his youngest son, Lorcan, to be married. That's the kind of 'cement' he is talking about, our houses joining." He looked at me as if I should know the reason why it's a bad idea. Personally, I think there's nothing wrong with Lord Rosby's proposal. Lorcan, from what I've heard, is brave and smart. And judging by the way Corabella and him interacted last night, he seems to be comfortable around her and her to him. There' nothing wrong with joining their houses, in my opinion. Lorcan would be the luckiest man alive if he were to be wedded with the beautiful Lady. All the Lords would envy him and all of his people will adore him and his wife.
"I don't see what this fuss is all about. You have a beautiful and educated daughter. In fact, she's so easy to admire that Ravens from Lords in different parts of Westeros arrived this morning, asking permission from the King to visit King's Landing to see your daughter. We shall expect more to come. But what more can you ask for? Lord Rosby has asked for your permission personally."
He stood up from his seat, glass on his hands. He started pacing around the room before looking out the window. I stood up myself and watched him with curious eyes. "It would be an honor to join houses with the Rosbys."
"So what are you so upset about?" I asked, my patience thinning down. If he wouldn't get to the main reason of all this mood swings he's having, I will lose my mind.
"You don't understand. Corabella is my problem." He turned to me with resentment and concern on his eyes. "Back in Bedoco, everyone admired her. Men of any age and bloodline came to my home and bent the knee just to have her for a wife. But she never wanted them. She was thirteen when she challenged a Lord to a duel. If the man wins, she will agree to marry him. But if she does, he will leave the city immediately and never show his face to her again. And that girl, she didn't wear an armor and only had two daggers on her hands. And you know what she did? She put a disgusting scar on the man's stomach. That cycle continued and she never lost." He paused then emptied his glass again before resuming. "And I fear that if I were to tell her about this… this interest... of Lord Rosby's, she would do the same to Lorcan. I'm afraid that she might insult the boy and his house. But I desperately want all of this to end." When he finished, he could hardly breathe. He grasped the edge of the table in anger and tried to calm himself down.
Instinctively, I walked beside him and put a hand on his back. I tried to reassure him but he is so lost in thought, making himself crazy about this whole situation with Lord Rosby. "You look at this like it's the biggest problem to exist in this world, boy. You are her father, are you not? If you want all of this to end, then you must act upon it. Forbid her to duel with the boy," I suggested spontaneously but kept my voice to a level.
"She will not agree. She will do everything she could to wound that boy no matter how many weapons I strip off of her."
I looked at him with wide eyes, thinking of another solution. But it's simple really. The answer is under his nose all this time. "Then make her love him. It sounds so childish and pathetic but you must do everything you can to make her close to him." He looked at me with confusion, knowing that never in a million years would I have those words. I took another sip of wine. "And if that still doesn't work, just make sure the boy wins no matter what." I turned away from him as I made my way to the door.
"Where are you going?" he asked behind me. His tone shaky.
"I have to inform the King of all the Ravens sent this morning. We shall keep track and control the number of admirers that your daughter has and will have. We will be expecting more guests until you come back to your city." I didn't wait for him to answer or say anything. I paced to the door in heavy strides as I made my way to my chambers.
Author's Note: So, I guess, I didn't make a double update after all. Haha. Sorry for that. I am trying to figure out how to write twists and turns into the story to spice it up. So, please be patient with me if I fail to update for a day. And also, I would like to apologize for typos because I don't proof read chapters before posting them (although I should but 'nobody got time for that').
Qs:
- How do you feel about Corabella and Tommen's long conversation?
- What do you think will Ferardo do to make Corabella agree into marrying Lorcan?
- What would you want to happen next?
Please please please do leave a review, comment, suggestion, like, favorite, vote, follow, all that stuff because it really really makes me happy and informed about your thoughts on the story.
