Diana wandered the halls of Casterly Rock, it had been six moons, half a year since she saw her husband last. Tytos was not happy that any ravens with updates on the war were sent directly to her. The man had blubbered that war was no thing for a woman, let alone one heavy with what Pycelle had confirmed to be twins. Diana only smiled and stated that he was the one who told the servants he was not to be disturbed when in his tower, the whore's tower, and she was simply easier to reach, the Lord and Lady's solars were right by the rookery for this reason. Her good father had not stepped into his solar since her husband left, and Diana was left handling the household with only Gemma to help. Little Tygett was only eight and did not understand why his brothers were gone and the guards were halved.
Ser Addam had been one of the few soldiers left behind, and Diana had found out after her stunt in Lannisport with the orphans that the knight had been assigned to guard her personally by Tywin while they were at war. Little Tywin, or Tywin Surefoot as he had been nicknamed due to how he came into the Lannister's service as well as his advanced footwork for one so small, was a better page than most would have thought, and his feet had healed up nicely. Ser Addam was happy to protect his Lady, and always let her know of any problems between the soldiers and the small folk. They were paid with enough Lannister gold to afford whores, and any nonwilling women were to report to her should an issue arise. Nothing had happened yet that she was aware of, but it was only a matter of time.
It was an hour before dawn, but the babes were restless and would not let her sleep. Diana wondered what Tywin would think if he saw her now, would he smile the true smile he saved for her and his siblings? Or would he thank her for doing her duty to their house and be repulsed by how big the normally lithe woman had gotten.
"My lady." Ser Addam had grown used to her being awake early, while his page would remain asleep for another few hours before he had a servant go to rouse him. "A group of ladies arrived late last night, they desire to meet with you to breakfast and then go to the sept to pray for the outcome of the war."
"Which ladies?" Diana frowned, who arrives in the middle of the night without someone to greet them? Oh, she realized, women who wish to make up a slight in order to have something to embarrass her.
"Lady Tarbeck, Lady Reyne, and their handmaidens," Addam said tentatively, and Diana's frown deepened, of course, it was them. The two were mother and daughter, but Lady Tarbeck held much power over her mother.
"Very well." Diana began with a sigh, her feet were swollen and she had no wish to deal with tittering ladies, but it was her duty. "Let's head to the kitchens, then." Ser Addam only smiled at her, knowing that planning a small feast to break their fast was not the only reason Diana wished to visit the kitchens.
They walked for ten minutes in silence until the kitchen appeared, on the west side of the castle so that the ovens could vent out. The head cook, Jon saw the swish of crimson silk that cloaked his Lady and came forward with a small plate of strawberry tarts. "Good morning, Lady Lannister!"
Diana smiled brightly at the man and took an offered tart, her recent craving. "At this rate, my children will be strawberry blond." She quipped, earning the laughter of those surrounding them. "A few ladies have arrived, and we shall be breaking our fast in the small hall that faces the east if you could send up the proper food. I was thinking the normal, blackened bacon, sausage, biscuits and honey, fruit...strawberry tarts."
The large man burst into laughter, "Of course my lady! Enough strawberry tarts to last a decade."
"Wonderful, the meal will start an hour after dawn." Diana grinned to herself if the shrews wished to slight her by arriving in the midst of night, then they could deal with a lack of sleep from it.
The Lady of Lannister made sure to thank the servants once more before she returned to her rooms, the gown she had on, while lovely, was not the one she wished to wear when she saw the women. Alyssa was reading a book by the table when Diana returned, "My lady, I never thought you to be one to rise so early."
Diana smiled at her, "The Maester claims walking will make my feet swell less, but I fear it may only make them swell more." She turned to her wardrobe, "Will you help me dress? We have visitors, so I must play the part."
When the children first started weighing on Diana, sitting for an hour as her hair was woven into elaborate styles no longer seemed worth the time, and she had been plaiting her waist length silver mane into a simple plait. But a display of power and wealth was needed here, for Diana had no doubt Lady Reyne would be wearing a fine gown commissioned with Lannister gold, sums they had no intention of repaying.
As Alyssa unlaced her gown, Diana thought of which gowns still fit her, and which had been specifically commissioned for her to wear while she was expecting. "Alyssa, will you grab the gown with the lion?" All of Diana's gowns were embroidered with lions and/or dragons, but her handmaiden did not need to think of which she referred to, only murmured, "yes, my lady."
The gown was myrish lace, light and airy, with a pooling skirt that slowly faded to black, yet the bodice was crimson, and her large pregnancy bump was covered with a roaring lion, it was perfect. "Nina certainly has outdone herself," Alyssa commented, the dress had arrived with Ellinor when she visited her brother, and the child was proud to say that the pearls sewn onto the wrist length sleeves were sewn by her own hand.
"Yes, she has." The dress laced up with ease, a feat considering how much her measurements had been in flux as her stomach grew to accommodate the twins. Diana did not need to have a dream of herself holding her children the way she dreamed her sister had she just felt it in her bones, that she would be blessed with a son and a daughter.
Diana sat before her vanity as Alyssa began to work on her hair. The lady had gentle hands and knew Diana, faults and all. But once the war was one, the Banefort Lord would be knighted, and return triumphantly to claim his bride. She would miss her childhood friend and would long for someone to be able to trust completely enough to tell her hopes, dreams, and fears to.
Diana was so lost in thought, she did not even realize that Alyssa had finished her hair. It was the latest southern trend and framed her face well. "Thank you, Alyssa. Come, let us break our fast, Lady Reyne and Tarbeck were here."
If the Velaryon maiden had any qualms with it, she did not voice it, only followed her lady to the small hall she liked most out of the many within the Rock. Good, they were the first ones there. Diana seated herself at the head of the table, and Alyssa at her left. Servants had already dropped off flagons of spiced milk, cider, and water. A few serving maids filtered in and laid down more food before stepping into the shadows, ready to serve the meal once the guests arrived.
Twenty minutes past when they were invited, the ladies arrived. Lady Ellyn's gown was bedecked with so many precious gems of varying color, that Diana felt dizzy from looking at it too long. Her mother was dressed more modestly and it was clear who held the power. Ellyn resented Diana for taking her place, the woman was meant to wed Tytos's elder brother, yet tried to bed both heir and spare, and had been set aside when Lord Tion passed and his brother became the heir. Tytos married Jeyne Marbrand instead, and how their son was wed to a Targaryen princess, the first time the two lines had ever been crossed.
"So sorry, Lady Targaryen, we were ever so weary from our travels." Lady Ellyn cooed as if she were speaking to a child. Her brown hair was spun up into an even more ridiculous style than her hair, and Diana ponders if the monstrosity is the reason she took so long getting ready.
"Times of war are tumultuous." Diana conceded, placing a palm against her belly and enjoying the spark of rage within the woman, "As Lady of the Westerlands, I am always happy to offer shelter to those whose keeps are unable to protect them." The silver-haired woman enjoyed watching both women gape for a moment, floundering to recover. Diana merely smiled at them and motioned the serving girls forward.
"I can assure you, my lady. Our husband's keeps are quite the defensive strongholds." Lady Tarbeck spoke up then, earning a glare from her daughter.
"Oh, I am sure." Diana said softly, "Reinforced with Lannister gold." Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Alyssa hide a smirk by biting into a bit of bacon.
"Your good father is very generous." Lady Ellyn responded tightly, "Just as his brother was before him."
Diana laughed lightly, "Of course, I had forgotten you were close to my good father's brother. Lord Tytos was speaking to me of it just the other day, actually." She paused for a moment, making sure she had their full attention, "He asked me to draft a letter asking when repayment may begin?"
The silence was deafening, and after a moment, Lady Ellyn merely said, "Shall we head to the sept to pray?"
The Valyrian beauty only smiled, they were in the lion's den now, whether they knew it or not.